Seasonal Storytelling by Tanya Batt

Seasonal Storytelling is an illustrated handbook for storytellers and teachers that follows the seasonal rhythms of Aotearoa New Zealand.

The book follows the four seasons, with storytelling at the heart of the resource.

Author Tanya Batt has created an impressive guide for interactive storytelling full of stories, both original and adaptations, from a range of cultures. 

At first glance, it felt a little hectic and hard to follow with pages and sections that run together. However, take your time and the full beauty and richness of this impressive resource will bloom.

Batt provides incredible ideas and tips for educators and storytellers. There's notes for organising process dramas, instructions for groups, songs, recipes and a myriad of ways to celebrate the changing seasons. Mātauranga Māori provides the foundation for much of the book, but Batt includes a range of cultures including Iranian, Chinese and Australian. She also encourages readers to connect to the land on which they stand and the families and wider community. She's also sure to remind readers of the importance of doing their own work.

A QR code gives access to a generous digital audio collection of more than 30 stories, music and songs. A rich and detailed appendix helps guide and support storytellers and educators and offers plenty of additional reading and resources to hone the craft.

Illustrator Kristy Barlow adds beautiful pops of colour to the resource, with whimsy and bold design.

Batt has a background in early childhood education and her passion for the environment, for story telling, for children, for imagination and creativity shine in this book. 

This is a thoughtful, practical and inspiring resource that is a must for anyone who wants to inspire, teach and celebrate nature's magic with our younger generation. 

Reviewer: Rebekah Lyell

Lassavia Publishing