Storytelling

This comprehensive guide explores the universal human impulse to tell stories, tracing how myths and folktales have traveled across civilizations and evolved to reflect different cultural values. Sherman examines the core elements that make stories resonate—archetypal characters, recurring motifs, and powerful narrative techniques—revealing why certain tales feel familiar even when encountered in distant cultures. The book offers a fascinating look at oral traditions and the ways stories preserve the collective wisdom and concerns of societies throughout history.

What makes this work particularly valuable is its global perspective, connecting narrative dots from ancient myths to contemporary storytelling practices. Teen readers and aspiring writers will discover how understanding these timeless patterns can deepen their own creative work and cultural literacy. By revealing the shared DNA of our most enduring tales, this encyclopedia provides both a map of human imagination and a toolkit for anyone who wants to understand why stories matter.