A number of these stories have been told to thousands
of children in the kindergartens of Boston, Brooklyn, Philadelphia,
Washington, Baltimore, Pittsburg, and other cities. The delight with
which they have everywhere been listened to is an assurance of their
appeal to child thought and sympathy. I know no equally simple,
varied, and interesting collection of stories for children between the
ages of four and six; and I earnestly hope that A KINDERGARTEN STORY
BOOK may rapidly win the popularity it merits.

It is the author's aim in this collection to furnish stories for the
child that shall be short, simple in form and familiar in subject, that
shall contain much repetition, rhythm, dramatic possibility,
alliteration, and also onomatopoetical and imaginative qualities, all
of which the young child craves in the literature which is presented to
him. The writer has striven to avoid elaborate introductions, long and
intricate descriptions, and all those characteristics from which the
child instinctively turns.

The matter here presented naturally falls under three heads: first,
original stories; secondly, favorite childhood stories rewritten;
thirdly, adaptations of popular tales.

Nearly all of the purely original stories are based upon some of the
more vital motifs to be found in the best of our fairy lore.

Of the favorite childhood stories, "Billy Bobtail" is evidently founded
upon "The Bremen Town-Musicians"; and, as it is given here, it is an
adaptation of a story heard frequently during the writer's childhood.
It will readily be seen that "Kid Would Not Go" is only another form of
"The Old Woman and Her Pig," and that "Fox Lox" is identical with the
tale of "Chicken Little." "The Wee, Wee Woman" is supposedly an
adaptation of the old English story of "Teeny Weeny." It is given here
in the form in which it was told to the author by a friend. "The
Little Long Tail" will be recognized by many as a prime favorite of
their early childhood.

In the three stories from Grimm it has been the aim to simplify, to
shorten, and to eliminate all objectionable qualities; as, for
instance, the cruel step-mother element to be found in the original
Cinderella.

The two stories from Mrs. Ewing and the adaptation of Saintine's
"Picciola" have proved fascinating to the childish audiences to which
they have been presented.

Simplicity of form and language makes it possible for the teacher not
only to tell the stories contained in this collection, but also to read
them to the children, with good effect. Some of the tales, notably the
favorite childhood stories rewritten, may be placed in the hands of the
children themselves, to be used in the primary grades as supplementary
reading material.

These stories are the result of several years of practical
experience, and it is hoped that it will prove a valuable addition to
the story repertoire of kindergartners and primary teachers.
 

Lessonsense provides free online lesson plans, games, activities, worksheets, stories, printables, articles, flashcards, tips and other educational teaching resources
for kindergarten, grades K-2 elementary school, efl & esl (english as a second language), preschool and homeschool teachers.
Themes and curriculum include animals, human body, colors, numbers, shapes, phonics, halloween, christmas, autumn, spring and fish.

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