☞ All the stories here are retellings of traditional tales. That means they have been told down the centuries, passed on from one generation to the next and no-one quite knows where they first came from. So in a sense they belong to everyone, and if you hear a story you like you are welcome to tell it yourself. However, it is considered respectful to acknowledge where you got it from, which is why I am providing these notes on my sources for this collection.
☞ This is one of my all-time favourites. Like the smallest box itself, it has all the wonder of a great story packed into a tiny space.
☞ An old favourite among storytellers, this story, like the one above and several below, is found in various versions across Europe (and sometimes beyond).
sample a little mp3
☞ This Japanese Tom Thumb is for all us shorties. Little people of the world stand up for yourselves!
☞ I heard this from my storytelling friend Pat Bowen and I think she got it from the grandfather of British storytelling, Duncan Williamson.
sample another short mp3
☞ This version of a widely told tale is based largely on Italo Calvino's. Just as he changed it in writing it down, so I have changed it again in my retelling. With thanks to the children of Broadfield East Junior School, Crawley.
sample one more short mp3
☞ Finally, I would like to thank all those whom I have not mentioned here who have helped and influenced my storytelling over the years.
☞ All the music on this cd is original, composed and performed by Paul Nieman. Paul also produced the cd.
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