This selection of videos shows Alec’s story recordings for schools, and further down, conference speeches and interviews.
The Pedlar of Swaffham
The first of two well-known folktales. A traditional story from Norfolk (commemorated to this day by a statue in the small town of Swaffham), about the pedlar and his dog, a recurring dream, a trip to London... and some treasure!
6 minutes 14 seconds.
Stone Soup
The second well-loved tale, this retelling is based on the French, Hungarian and Russian variant of a traditional European story (also known as nail soup, button soup, etc.) where an old woman is tricked into making vegetable soup... from a magic stone!
7 minutes 16 seconds.
The African story of a brave mouse, which uses a bucket!
Produced in June 2020 for Littlecoates Primary Academy, Grimsby, for use by home-schooling parents – and by gradually-returning children. Littlecoates is one of my Patron of Reading schools, where I’m their ‘Reading friend’.
17 minutes 9 seconds.
An animal story and poems. Produced in May 2020 for Littlecoates Primary Academy, Grimsby, to use with children at home during the coronavirus outbreak. Littlecoates is one of my ‘Patron of Reading’ schools, where I’m their ‘Reading Friend’.
14 minutes 29 seconds.
A video story and a poetry challenge. Produced in April 2020 for Littlecoates Primary Academy, Grimsby, to use with children at home during the coronavirus outbreak. Littlecoates is one of my ‘Patron of Reading’ schools; they call me their ‘Reading Friend’.
12 minutes 18 seconds.
A talk on how stories lead to reading. Part of the 2013 International Storytelling Conference held in Istanbul, Turkey, by IHLAS College. 24 minutes.
Credit: With thanks to IHLAS College, Istanbul.
An interview by Elsa Tsiakiri, following a talk to the TESOL Macedonia-Thrace group of English teachers, March 2015. 9 minutes 31 seconds.
Credit: With thanks to TESOL Macedonia-Thrace, Greece.
Poetry with 6-year-olds. Alec rehearses children from Littlemoor Children’s Centre and School, Askern, in Bernard Young’s lovely Lady Lollipop poem. 1 minute 36 seconds.