U Tell A Tale Review

"Eleven brief stories (folk tales, original stories, raps, cultural stories, and adaptations of traditional pieces) offer samples that can be told by a variety of ages. In addition to the fun of hearing (and retelling) these stories, listeners will recall several important "warnings" offered as helpful life lessons. "The Turtle Who Talked Too Much" is a reminder that there are times it is better to remain silent. Other stories (such as "The Eagle Who Thought He Was a Chicken") encourage young learners to accept and explore their individual differences instead of becoming too complacent or accepting of how things seem to be. "The Amazing Mouse" reminds listeners that even the smallest among us can sometimes make an enormous difference. The variety of different tellers and performance styles boosts the value and appeal of this creative collection of stories."

--Dr. Flora Joy ©2008 Parents' Choice
Dr. Flora Joy is a Professor Emeritus of Storytelling at Eastern Tennessee State University. She is the founder of ETSU's Storytelling Master's Degree Program in Storytelling and the founder of the National Storytelling Youth Olympics.

"U Tell A Tale is a well-balanced mix of favorite tales and original stories by Cygnus Storytelling and accompanying animal friends, guaranteed to delight listeners of all ages. The variety of tales combines with the unique storytelling styles of five different tellers to make this collection a delight to listen to.

As a new mom, I'm always looking for fun things to do with my son, and listening to this CD is wonderful. This is a disc that parents will enjoy as well as the kids, a treasure for the whole family! My son's favorites are "Moose in a Muddle" and "The Three Bear Rap," He loves the singing and rhythm. I particularly enjoyed the story about the eagle who thought he was a chicken. I even found myself re-telling the stories to my son as the day went by; without meaning to, we were storytelling!

A disc that has the ability to create spontaneous moments of telling and imagination is a rare and special thing. And any disc that can entertain my toddler and also make me giggle is a definite winner. I've listened to many story collections over the years, and this is one of the most kid friendly and accessible ones I've come across. A definite must for a ride to the grocery store or an afternoon of folding laundry!"

--Michelle Chelstrom, Mom of 14 month old boy Buffalo, NY