Atmosphere
Have a definite place
Have sufficient time
Have listeners seated comfortably in front of you (semi-circle)
Don't allow questions or interruptions during the story
Look directly at the children as you tell the story

Voice
Speak simply, quietly and directly
Use sufficient volume to be heard easily
Be careful with enunciation
Use low, pleasing tone quality

Expression
Know what you want to say
Express what you feel
Think what you mean
Be natural

Timing
Pause
Change the speed
Change the pitch
Vary the emphasis
Build up to the climax

Ending the Story
Do not detract from the climax
Make sure not to suggest another story.
Do not point up a moral
End the story quickly
Then STOP!

Some Further Helpful Hints
Keep your group small - not more than thirty.
Sit or stand close to the group.
Three different types of stories are enough in one period.
All good stories will stand repeating
Use 'chatty' language but don't over-simplify.
Vary the time of your story hour
Avoid long descriptions of people and places
Serial or instalment stories don't hold interest.
Don't change the story - discard it!
Use poetry occasionally.
Use different types of stories:

• Myths
• stories of heroes
• current events
• Legends
• humour
• history
• nature stories
• real-life stories
• circus tales
• animal stories
• romances
• patriotic stories
• mysteries
• adventure
• special holidays
• folk tales
• sports tales

Remember: short stories for little people; longer stories for bigger ones. If it's funny, laugh with them!