HARVEY, Hannah B. A Children’s Guide to Folklore and Wonder Tales. 12 CDs. 12 hrs. Recorded Bks. Nov. 2017. $120.75. ISBN 9781501979835. digital download.

Gr 7 Up –In a series of lectures, Dr. Hannah B. Harvey, a professional storyteller, shares more than 60 stories or versions of stories, fables, fairy tales, tall tales, and classic literature for children from around the world. More than half of the 12 hours consists of Harvey telling stories to presumably a group of children and their parents. Wedged between the stories is information about themes, motifs, history, and context of the tales by authors ranging from Grimm and Aesop to Oscar Wilde and A.A. Milne. Also included are insights from child psychiatrist Zheala Qayyum, who discusses imagination, transformation, independence, and many other qualities of a healthy childhood and growing up. The arrangement of the CDs allows one to skip the tracks that provide information about the stories in favor of the tales themselves. Harvey is a fabulous storyteller who uses an endless number of voices, accents, made-up songs, and sound effects, like the clomping of a giant or a horse’s trot, to bring the stories to life. Both adults and children will be thrilled to hear folklore and wonder tales in a new way. A 13th CD includes a 192-page PDF companion guide for the lessons. This guide could encourage adults to become storytellers in their own right, since it includes outlines of each story. VERDICT While teaching adults about some of the stories of childhood, this guide will entertain children with humor and incredible storytelling.–Ann Brownson, formerly at Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL

This review was published in the School Library Journal July 2018 issue.