For Key Stage Two
Around the World in a day!
John has a huge collection of myths, legends and folk tales from every continent in the world and many different countries. These stories allow us a glimpse into other cultures whilst at the same time reminding us that whoever we are, and wherever we live, we`re all subject to the same hopes, fears and experiences.
In this day long package John can ensure that each class will hear different stories from different countries - no more than one story from any particular country in one session, and no story repeated at any other time in that day. Then it's up to the children to tell each other the stories they heard from John (and believe us - they do!). The result: a trip around the world in stories and still back home in time for tea!
Here be (bigger) Dragons
Dragons, beasts and mythical monsters in a fantastic collection of stories from all around the world.
Arabian Nights (and more)
Stories from the Indian subcontinent and middle east. Some drawn from the Arabian Nights stories, some from other sources, all of them wonderful in every sense.
The Far Side of the World
Wonderful stories from Japan, China and the far east. A motley crew of characters - some very good, some very very bad - extraordinary creatures and amazing twists and turns!
Tales from Egypt
A storytelling session that involves a bit of history and geography, a lot of blood and guts, some very dodgy characters, and the best explanation your kids will ever hear as to why they shouldn`t pick their noses.
Tales from Greece
Some of the most wonderful and important stories in the history of the human race. Heroes, villains, tragedy, romance, comedy, myth, legend - they`re all here for everyone to love.
The Rainbow Bridge
Gods, heroes, giants and monsters gathered together in a wonderful collection of stories from the northern lands - Norse and Germanic myths and legends, Icelandic sagas and Viking folk tales.
Tales of Albion
There`s more to British folk tales and legends than you might imagine. There are peddlars, tricksters, rogues and royalty, smuggling parsons and fish with rings Some you won`t have met before, but some might seem oddly familiar.....
My Next Trick.....
The 'Trickster' story is a tradition that crosses cultural and geographical boundaries and thousands of years, from treasure theives of the ancient world to modern day scams and cons, they thrill, amuse and entertain in equal measure and prove that the world has always had its loveable rogues.
The Iliad and The Odyssey(In one big chunk)
Simplified, inevitably, but still an engrossing and exciting retelling of the events that led up to the Trojan war, the main events of the war itself, and the adventures Odysseus had on his way home from the Trojan war. Epic in every sense of the word!
Beowulf and Grendel
An atmospheric (and wonderfully gory!) retelling of one of the oldest stories in the English language. It's the basis of John's book 'The Geat' but not a reading or recital of the book in any way - it's a live and engrossing retelling which is different every time but which always leaves audiences (children and adults) breathless at the end!
(Please note: this is a horror story and is NOT suitable for anyone younger than year 5.)
"The very best way to experience Beowulf is to see it spoken live" - Historian Michael Wood
Old Tales from the New Empire
China is emerging as a superpower, and many schools are now organising exchanges and contact with schools in China. This collection of old folk tales and legends gives a fascinating insight to the people, the history and the culture of this huge country and serves as an excellent introduction to a nation which, in the course of your pupils' lives, will exert an ever greater influence, both economically and culturally.
Gruesome-Gory-Creepy-Crawly
Every child likes to be scared and this collection will appeal to every child! A collection of grizzly urban legends (which John then proves can`t be true so no-one goes home really really terrified), spine-tingling tales of strange goings on and ridiculous tales of hysterical hysteria. Your pupils will be left dying to tell them at the next sleepover they go to but, because of the way they`re told and the way the performance ends, they`ll still get a good night`s sleep!