“This book provides teachers with the knowledge, teaching methodologies, and resources to develop their students’ oral language, writing, and reading skills in an extremely powerful and integrated manner. A must-read, must-keep on your bookshelf!”
-Dr. Maryann Manning, board member, U.S. National Committee of the World Organization for Early Childhood Education and International Reading Association

“This book puts the 'art' back in language arts! Teachers can lift language off the page, fully engaging students while meeting and beating the standards! A five-star effort the novice or veteran teacher will find beneficial, exclaiming as I did, 'Wow, this book is awesome and long overdue!'
-John Archambault, award-winning children’s author (Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Barn Dance!, Boom Chicka Rock), educational consultant, and former first-grade teacher

"Performance Literacy through Storytelling, by Nile Stanley and Brett Dillingham, offers the foundation of the teaching of tale telling in a sequential, logical, and classroom-usable format. Storytelling across the curriculum promotes a skill set that can be developed within any grade level. Skills such as reading with strategic purpose, the organization of thought, writing in sequence and with creativity, the heightening of listening ability and stamina, and oral presentation enhancement are honed through the teaching of performance storytelling. For those who teach the art of language and the love of literature, Performance Literacy outlines key ways to promote communicative strengths among students by actually having them experience a story, reflect upon a story, and then apply what they have learned to the creation and performance of a story. Stanley and Dillingham provide detailed mini-lessons and a plethora of resources that should be considered a gift for all teachers, first-year to veteran. The accompanying audio CD completes the package so that teachers and students can listen to model performances of stories and songs by known storytellers. This book is a year-round, cross-curriculum jewel that breathes new life into the phrase: 'Tell me a story!' "
-Meryl Ironson, 5th-grade language arts teacher, Chester, NJ

"Stanley (education, U. of North Florida) and Dillingham, a storyteller, educator, and children's book author who performs around the world, suggest ways to make storytelling a part of the daily K-8 curriculum to help improve all components of literacy and motivate and engage reluctant readers and writers. They focus on teaching children how to write and perform stories, and they provide field- tested stories and strategies for developing literacy, as well as skills, assessment, and performance tips. Mini-lessons for all reading levels are given in the second section. The CD contains 18 stories and songs. There is no index."
-©2009 Book News Inc., Portland, OR

"Literacy is more than just reading. 'Performance Literacy Through Storytelling' is a guide to embracing storytelling and performing when trying to teach younger students the importance and joy of reading literature. The performance arts can also do much for students outside of literacy, such as learning to express oneself, or engage in cooperation and creative thinking. A complete and comprehensive guide for teachers and educators about using performance arts as a part of the literary learning experience, 'Performance Literacy Through Storytelling' is a recommended educational manual."
-Midwest Book Review, June 2009

"Performance Literacy through Storytelling is such a fun book. Yes, I did say fun. This book written up by Nile Stanley and Brett Dillingham showed me how to use storytelling within our school day. To tell the truth, even I had fun interacting with the kids. The book comes along with a CD which has 18 stories and musical tracks on it. My kids love listening to the stories after we learn about them; too bad we are actually learning a lot more than just about the story. The book is also broken down into mini-lessons, which are easy to follow. My kids most enjoyed the role-playing that is done within some of the lessons."
- Ang, Just an Army Wife and Just a Mommy blog, http://justanarmywifejustamommy.blogspot.com (October 2009)