Introduction

The Folktale Storytelling Digital Library provided 24/7 access to oral storytelling performances. The menu across the top (in blue) provides several pre-selected browsing parameters so that visitors to the site can see stories that are similar based on characteristics: story origin/country, the approximate grade level for which we deem the story most appropriate (though children of all ages can enjoy these stories), and the story length (for those with other time commitments). We are awaiting permission from storytellers to include their names with the video, so all videos will not provide that information; the people from whom we have permission and include, and we hope to add a browse feature for storyteller name in the future, once we reach a critical mass.  Until that point, storytellers’ names from whom we have permission are included in the tags feature; clicking on that hyperlinked name provides all the stories that include that tag.

In the lefthand menu, you will find Recent Additions to the website for ease of finding new stories to watch.  You are also welcome to comment on videos, but please be kind and thoughtful; we appreciate you taking the time to share your ideas with us. The Comment feature is moderated to ensure inappropriate or unrelated comments are filtered out.

The Cue Card below the video provides background research on the story to provide a bit of context within which to understand the story.  If the folktale can be found in the Storyteller’s Sourcebook: A Subject, Title, and Motif Index to Folklore Collections for Children (first or second edition), its motif number is included.  A motif index breaks stories down into small parts and indexes those parts, so any story might have 3-10 motifs present.  Motif indices are a way to find stories with similar plots, characters or themes, which can help teachers and storytellers and listeners do cross-cultural comparisons. For example, the myriad Cinderella stories from around the world would all be side-by-side in a motif index since they share similar motifs. We provide a “download” button under the Cue Card in case you wish to keep a copy of this background work for yourself.