Is It All In The Presentation?
I was in Marrakech once. Marrakech is the location of the summer palace of the Sultan. According to Koranic law, the sultan has to meet with his subjects each day to hear their complaints.
Because of the custom, a public square has been built outside of the palace. The square fills up every night at sundown. It's quite a show.
On this particular night, I sat in the public square, sipping a pastiche, watching people bartering for camels, monkeys, spices, perfumes.
Suddenly, the huge crowd parted, and a 6'8" man in indigo and saffron robes, with indigo dye from the robes tinted into his skin-a totally amazing looking man-appeared in my sight line.
Because of the custom, a public square has been built outside of the palace. The square fills up every night at sundown. It's quite a show.
On this particular night, I sat in the public square, sipping a pastiche, watching people bartering for camels, monkeys, spices, perfumes.
Suddenly, the huge crowd parted, and a 6'8" man in indigo and saffron robes, with indigo dye from the robes tinted into his skin-a totally amazing looking man-appeared in my sight line.
He carried a large wicker basket and as he opened it people began to throw money inside.
I asked the waiter at our café who the man was, and I was told he was a Berber chief, and also the greatest storyteller in North Africa.
After the man's basket was filled with coins-he began to tell his stories.
He danced magnificently, and waved his arms wildly, and shouted to the heavens, and whispered lovingly to women, and to men.
And I watched this storyteller for nearly two hours, mesmerized, unable to look away.
And, and, I didn't understand a single word of Arabic that the man spoke. But I loved his stories anyway.
Why am I telling this story in a blog about getting our kids reading? Maybe I have a thought that our presentation of stories to our kids is kind of important. Do your kids ever see you act excited about the stories you read in books?
Just a thought.
JP
I asked the waiter at our café who the man was, and I was told he was a Berber chief, and also the greatest storyteller in North Africa.
After the man's basket was filled with coins-he began to tell his stories.
He danced magnificently, and waved his arms wildly, and shouted to the heavens, and whispered lovingly to women, and to men.
And I watched this storyteller for nearly two hours, mesmerized, unable to look away.
And, and, I didn't understand a single word of Arabic that the man spoke. But I loved his stories anyway.
Why am I telling this story in a blog about getting our kids reading? Maybe I have a thought that our presentation of stories to our kids is kind of important. Do your kids ever see you act excited about the stories you read in books?
Just a thought.
JP
That sounds pretty awesome! I would have loved to have been there. I agree that sometimes telling stories is all in the presentation, it has to be a little exciting or else no one will take the time to listen.
Hi James, I get excited about all kinds of stories that my children read especially your books. My children are 12 and 17 and both have read suzannes diary for nicolas. Both have read Beach House. That is all of our favorite book. My entire shelf is of your books, henry david thoreau, walt whitman..alexader dumas..because all of those books gets you excited from beginning to end and the stories never leave you. What an amazing story you tell of the berber chief. What a smile it brings to my face the warmth in my heart and the spirit you envoke when you write. My youngest would like to be an author when she grows up. She writes stories constantly. I think you had something to do with that..no wait I had something to do with that..we both did..How blessed is that!..Lynnsky
My children are now 29 and 35 but we read constantly when they were young, avid library goers and book store attendees. When my daughter was in 2nd grade the teacher was reading aloud Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. She read a chapter a day. Dawn couldn't wait so we had to rush to the book store and get the book. We were then hooked on Roald Dahl. They are both still avid adult readers and so are the grandchildren. My 12 year old grandson would rather get a gift card to the book store than anything, and this is not to say that is all he does, he is an awesome football player and magnificant student. My husband and I have read every James Patterson book written. We do not however, keep them on bookshelves, we pass them on to others to enjoy also.
As a librarian, I love love love seeing teens come up and ask for a particular book and then beam when we have it in. I also love giving them news of a particular series that I know they're interested in, if it's book news or movie news. I know that I'm like a kid in a candy store when I get around new books.
Your adventure sounds amazing.
I am reading "7th Heaven" now. Love your books, and the story above.
Thanks goodness for the library. Love to read. My escape.
Just as you were mezmerized by a storyteller in Africa, there are artists in the United States and all over the world who are storytellers. I am a performance storyteller who is hired to share stories at schools, libraries, festivals, museums, gardens and any other space that is in need of story. I consider it an honor and a gift to share stories, especially to children.
Storytellers are often hidden away in communities, but we are out there. Often struggling as money for the arts is drained in our strained economy. You can also find us through local guilds, statewide and national organizations such as the National Storytelling Network located in Jonesborough, Tennessee.
Thanks for appreciating the art of storytelling.
Sweet.
I’ve been an avid reader since I was young. I am so happy to see that my children and my grandchildren are also enjoying reading. Now, my 4 year old granddaughter won’t go to sleep at night unless she’s been read to. She also loves my son’s stories (which don’t seem to end, they just continue from night to night, as she helps him build the plots!) She looks forward to bed time so that she can find out what will happen next! What a wonderful way to develop her imagination and storytelling abilities!
Thanks, Jim, for all your great books and your thoughts on these posts!
All three of my daughters are avid readers, however the youngest is one of your greatest fans. She continues to devour your novels late into the night and is speeding to the nearest book store when your next is printed. I read to them constantly when they were young, and they read to me as they grew. They are "hooked" on the joy of reading and the excitment, anticipation of yet another yarn. Thank you for your story telling. It is a gift that you have shared with all of us.
I was already an avid reader at age 9 when we got our first TV in 1954. My Parents also were lifelong readers, so as an only child on a farm, reading became a means to enjoy and learn about life and the world. And thanks also for you fine books. My wife and I enjoy them.
The Berber chief was telling stories in Arabic not in Berber? Did you guess or someone told you?
Just wondering...
I agree with your assessment of the art of story telling. I am a lector at my parish. Perhaps it is due to my elementary education background that when I read the scripture pieces, I use different voices for God, a prophet, the scripture writer. I try to bring the biblical accounts to life instead of standing with my head buried in the lectionary, reading in a monotone fashion. When I look at the congregation, many are watching me and listening instead of burying their heads in their pew books and reading along. It may be only for a few moments on a Sunday, but I hope my reading style helps to illuminate the story for old and young alike.
Excellent, excellent!! Don't you love public squares...my favorite was in Mexico City. I have yet to read one of your books, Mr Patterson, though they are on my mile-long list of books to read. This wonderful observation has me moving them upwards on that list. I am a wannabe writer myself (adult and children) and this story will be among some of the best advice I've read/heard on writing...
I have read all the Maximum Ride books out so far and *LOVE* them to pieces. I'm 12 and my sister (17) has read them all too. I cant wait for book 4, The Final Warning to come out!!!
I hope there's more after that one!cause i dont know what i'd do if i didnt have Max Ride!