An enthusiastic collection of songs and stretches, short rhymes, calls and response, and other program fillers that young listeners will soon be happily chanting along with. A boon for beginning storytellers or storytime givers with examples of successful material to use with youngsters in a programming setting, whether in the public library, media center, or park district.

Apple Boat Press, 2007, PAPERBACK $15

*Elementary School Library Collection, 20th ed.
*Parents’ Choice audiocassette
* Editor’s Choice Audio-Booklist

“Baltuck’s enthusiasm…is evident in this useful compilation of chants, stories, songs, tongue-twisters, and other storytime entertainments…Instructions are simple, and each stretch includes a suggested age level, approximate running time, and musical accompaniment (where applicable)…The appealing format, compact size, and lively presentation make it a worthwhile title in any professionals’ collection.” – School Library Journal

Apples from Heaven by Naomi Baltuck

Thirty-one tales from around the world are presented in storyteller Naomi Baltuck's Apples from Heaven, inspired by an Armenian folk saying, "Three apples fell from heaven. One for the teller, one for the listener, and one for the one who took it to heart."

Apple Boat Press, 2007, PAPERBACK $15
* Three Storytelling World Awards
* The Anne Izard Storyteller’s Choice Award

“A rich collection of short tales and anecdotes–solemn, silly, romantic, swashbuckling, sly, subtle, broad–will have any audience on the edge of its seats or rolling in the aisles…This is for all who read, need, or use stories–and who doesn’t?” – Kirkus Reviews

“… a fine selection of traditional tales about stories and storytellers. She practices restraint in her retellings, using a refreshingly straightforward approach and staying close to a traditional form that promotes reading and telling aloud… shows great diversity-there are stories from Iraq, Romania, and Melanesia… it is apparent from Baltuck’s introduction that this book was a labor of love. It is also a strong anthology that will be very useful in comparative folktale collections as well as to librarians and storytellers.” – Booklist

Storytime Stretchers by Naomi Baltuck

Includes more than forty selections, including action songs, chants, tongue twisters, musical games, and audience participation tales. Whether you are working with preschoolers or high schoolers, a story stretcher is a great way to create immediate rapport with your audience and within your group. These two-minute miracles from storyteller Naomi Baltuck will have children and adults, singing, moving, laughing, and begging for more. For each stretcher, she has included music, hand motions, tips for telling, or other personal touches developed during the countless times she has used it to hold the attention of her audiences. Tried and true, these stretchers are a wonderful way to bring together family, friends, classes, Scout troops, and audiences everywhere.

“Storytime Stretchers: Tongue Twisters, Choruses, Games, and Charades is a resource packed cover to cover with ‘two-minute miracles,’ ideal for working with children from preschool to high school age. Collected from author Naomi Baltuck’s own childhood, as well as from other storytellers, and children themselves, these delightful rhymes, tunes, call-and-response chants, and simple games are highly recommended for use anywhere children gather, from family occasions to Scout meetings to keeping young minds awake and alert at school.” – Midwest Book Review