Description
‘Here in this unique book is the inside story of a supreme storyteller. Here you can discover how the magic of storytelling is made.’
Michael Morpurgo, Foreword
When Darinka and Adam unexpectedly meet Dorothy, at first by an old windmill, they embark on a roller coaster journey that transforms their family through the power of spontaneous storytelling. Dorothy’s seven storytelling secrets are the magical tools they need to connect deeply with each other in daily life – from playing to shopping, enjoying mealtimes and bedtimes, from tidying up to resolving conflict.
There are fifteen simple, fun games to help you easily make up stories with your children. These games, tips and tricks will give you the confidence to tell spontaneous tales with your family and friends – any time, any season and anywhere.
‘Look for who is the most appreciated person at the dining table, in the pub, in the car on a long drive – it’s the one who tells good stories! Danyah makes her living doing it – and she generously gives her secrets away. Anyone at all – mum, dad, someone struggling with shyness – can get better at making others smile, laugh and come alive. It’s a form of love.’
Steve Biddulph
Contents
Each Secret has its own chapter which is explored through the lens of the story of the troubled Dale family, with a story game section for easy reference.
- Welcome Stranger: The First Secret – Imagination
- Is She For Real? The Second Secret – Observation and Senses
- There was Silence: The Third Secret – Memory
- In Search of Treasure: The Fourth Secret – Puppets and Props
- Ah! Snow: The Fifth Secret – Wonder
- Less is More: The Sixth Secret – Play
- One Step at a Time: The Seventh Secret – Confidence
Author
Danyah Miller raised her family on stories. She is an international storyteller, solo performer, writer and story trainer. Her award-winning flagship production of ‘I Believe in Unicorns’ will be in London’s West End and on tour throughout 2023. Michael Morpurgo calls her, ‘One of the great storytellers.’ As an educator, she has seen how storytelling enables profound change. She co-produced two West End musicals, All You need is Love in 2001, and Olivier nominated Soul Sister (Life of Ike and Tina Turner) in 2012 and ‘Pippi Longstocking the Swashbuckling Musical Adventure’ with Royal & Derngate Northampton in 2019. She studied drama, dance and English at Bretton Hall College, and later improvisation, mime and physical theatre at Lecoq, Paris.
‘After one performance the fireman on duty approached me to explain that he’d had what he described as “a troubled youth”. As a result, he hadn’t learned to read or write until his mid-thirties. He told me that having been inspired by my show he intended to go home to read to his seven year old son for the first time.’
‘Full of brilliant inspiration, wisdom and practical storytelling tools. I would encourage any carer, parent or teacher (or anyone really…) who wants to connect deeply with the children they are fortunate to spend time with, to read this book. Told in the form of an engaging tale, by such a brilliant storyteller, the power of stories and story-making as a means for social change and personal development, are woven in beautifully and could not be clearer.’
Karen Napier MBE – CEO The Reading Agency
‘This book is truly inspirational and will give parents the confidence to unleash their imaginations to use stories with their children and have lots of fun. The stories can help parents navigate the normal tricky situations all families face with creativity and humour. The story games at the end of every chapter are full of brilliant ideas to help you get started as a storyteller.’
Caroline Penney – Author of ‘The Parenting Toolkit: simple steps to happy and confident children’
Links
www.danyahmillerstoryteller.co.uk
Facebook & YouTube: danyahmillerstoryteller
Twitter & Instagram: danyahmiller
