Listening to a story is a dynamic process that delights children while allowing them to imagine themselves in a variety of situations. Stories are nondidactic teaching tools. A story heard is not an explanation, but an experience that is enduring and enriching. Each child personally integrates the story, embodying the characters and experiencing the events. Although many of these stories contain challenging incidents, they also have genuine magic. Their references to death and difficulties connect with real life events, while avoiding the potential misunderstandings which might arise from stories that are too literal.

These stories are about basic truth and living in the world as it is. Remember that stories are refreshing for the storyteller as well as the listeners. Storytelling is a shared activity, which increases intimacy and inner enjoyment no matter what the outer circumstances are. Because genuine listening takes place during storytelling, children may be able to find the environment necessary to voice their own fears and concerns.
 

Please read these stories(from the Stories to Nourish the Hearts of Our Children in a Time of Crisis book) over to yourself once or twice before reading them or retelling them to your children so they can sense that you know the end of the story. This is an important way of ensuring that the children will experience trust and safety while hearing the story.

These tales are offered in the spirit of sharing. They are not intended to take the place of therapeutic methods for dealing with grief, mourning, shock and loss. We dedicate the joy and goodness that arises from heartfelt communication to all those in the world who are in need of peace and comfort at this time.  -- Laura Simms

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