About the Books More and more educators are recognizing the need to provide our children with the impacts, experiences, and support they need to develop greater flexibility in their thinking, a wider range of responses to emotional stimulus, and a stronger sense of self. Very few books currently available to children provide this benefit. There is growing recognition among educators that the Teaching-Stories collected and written for children by Idries Shah and published by Hoopoe Books are uniquely effective in the development of reading, language, and thinking skills. Part of an oral tradition, versions of these stories have been told for centuries all along the Silk Road and particularly by the peoples of Afghanistan and Central Asia. They provide a glimpse into a rich and historically vibrant culture and body of literature from this region at a time when it is much needed. The books are beautifully illustrated and resonate with children. They encourage a love of literature that can affect children positively throughout their lives. In addition, these tales show how much we have in common with people from these rich cultures, and how much we can learn from each other. Educators and psychologists call these tales “Teaching-Stories” because they help us understand our world and ourselves. Each story provides a readily accessible blueprint that prepares the child for similarly-structured events, actions and thoughts in their own life. They give a child different ways to look at problems that otherwise might be too perplexing. Through these wonderful tales, adults too can find alternative ways of understanding, reacting and doing things and so make more productive choices. The universal themes help children manage a range of issues: how to deal with fear, overcome difficulties, build self-confidence, find peaceful solutions; work for goals and dreams. Now Canadian children can enjoy them too, and be stimulated to think and talk about aspects of being human that we all share: our hopes, fears, weaknesses and strengths. And, once remembered, these stories can help children throughout life. Hoopoe Books have a proven literacy track record: thousands of books and manuals have been distributed to children, parents, and educators in successful literacy programs in Indiana, Michigan, New York, Connecticut, Texas, and Florida. And Hoopoe makes available free downloadable teaching materials, all prepared by professional educators. Finally, ISHK/Hoopoe Books is itself unique: a nonprofit, almost entirely all volunteer organization with an educational mandate, willing to provide brand new high quality books at cost. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Idries Shah, who came from Paghman, Afghanistan, spent 30 years of his life collecting, selecting, and translating stories from this tradition and from many oral sources. For Teaching-Stories and narratives written by him for an adult audience, click here. MORE INFORMATION: Stories with Something Extra: A Literary Treasure from Afghanistan (Teaching-Stories-Nessel.pdf) Library of Congress: “Teaching Stories and the Brain” |