The authors seek to give teachers and those who assist them in primary classrooms the confidence to 'have a go' at telling stories in different contexts, and to create opportunities for children to develop their own storytelling abilities. For children, oral stories are the first introduction to their culture, and oral accounts are the means by which they first shape and communicate their thoughts.This practical handbook, placing storytelling at the heart of literacy, history, education and cultural identity, shows how it relates to current initiatives to improve literacy levels in young children. Practicing and student teachers and teaching assistants will be encouraged to use storytelling across the primary curriculum, not just to enhance listening, speaking, reading and writing skills.