Story Cove Provides "Stimulating Haven" for Children
Stories from around the world entertain with valuable life lessons, help children learn to read and preserve cultural traditions
Atlanta, GA — April 4, 2007
Reading experts tell us that when children are actively engaged with the characters or the plot of a story, they also increase their learning and retention. That's the idea behind Story Cove, a unique new product line that combines books, animated stories and activities to captivate and engage young minds.
The principals at August House didn't set out to publish books. They simply wanted to find more effective ways to reach young children. "We knew that 4 to 8 year olds love animation, they love to play games and they love to make things. At the same time, we saw an increasing number of children failing to develop their reading skills at this critical age." explained Steve Floyd, CEO of August House.
Then the team came across Howard Gardner's work on Multiple Intelligences and the proverbial light bulb went on. "When we saw Multiple Intelligences theory applied to learning, we knew that we had found a way for children to actively explore and experience stories at a deeper, more personal level."
The creative team also found a largely untapped source of stories — the oral tradition. Some of these tales have survived hundreds of years, and there's a good reason why. They are quite simply great stories. "The oral tradition has always been vitally important as a way of passing down history, values and morals from generation to generation," says Rob Cleveland, one of several Story Cove authors, and a well-known storyteller, actor and comedian. "There is a basic need and hunger for these stories, and our job is to find the best ones that can excite today's young audiences."
Tapping into this rich vein of stories also had other advantages. When the picture book illustrations are complete, they provide the storyboards for animating the story. "We were surprised to find that narrating these stories was the easy part," reports Cleveland. "Unlike most children's animation, these stories started out in the oral tradition so we're simply building on the strengths of these handed down stories when we animate them."
Each Story Cove title also focuses on a critical character trait such as fairness, respect, responsibility, sharing and honesty — the character traits mandated in schools across the country. But kids won't know that — they'll only know they're having fun reading, doing the activities and watching the animations.
"There are literally thousands of stories from cultures that you might not think of as having a rich oral tradition," adds Cleveland. "Russia, Vietnam, India, Cuba...stories from Jewish and Muslim cultures. Many kids never read stories in school that are from their own cultures, but when they find one, they love it! Students can relate to situations and characters that are similar to their own family, even though the story comes from a country that is half way around the world."
August House is the only publisher that simultaneously releases stories as books with animated movies, lesson plans and activities. Floyd pointed out that, "Books serve as the foundation but we also want to inspire children and provide memorable experiences for them. The animations help gain their attention and the activities in the lesson plans are tools to help children actively learn and apply what they've read."
The company is releasing four new Story Cove titles this spring (see titles and descriptions below), bringing the current number of titles to 11 and then growing to 14 by this fall. Each release offers an 8x8, 32-page paperback book supported by differentiated lesson plans, activities and an animated movie — available online at www.storycove.com or packaged on a CD with multiple copies of the book for classroom teachers.
The lesson plans are designed to meet the national standards defined by NCTE from Pre-K through 3rd grade. Although all of the products are integrated to create more opportunities for a child to explore and learn, the books and the animations are also designed to be used independently.
This simple concept of integrating books with things that kids naturally love to do: watch animated stories, play games, make things and pretend is the key to stimulating a child's interest and helping him build a personal relationship with a book. For many of these young readers, it also is the first time that they have been excited about reading.
This integrated design also means that school districts can use the classroom packs to support students in high risk schools that qualify for Title I Grants connecting the home with the classroom.
"We wanted to provide teachers and families with a safe place where children could feel free to play with the elements of these stories in ways that excited them. As a result, we've been able to combine the timeless elements of the oral tradition, with the growing accessibility of broadband technology to give children more ways to grow both online and in the world around them." commented Floyd.
The new Story Cove spring titles are:
A trickster tale from Africa where brains win over brawn. By three-time Emmy award-winner Bobby Norfolk and popular performer and former children's librarian, Sherry Norfolk. The story is whimsically illustrated and animated by Baird Hoffmire.
In this story from China, a woodcutter finds a magic pot that makes two of everything he puts in it. He thinks his troubles are over... or have they just doubled? By award-winning storytelling pioneer Pleasant DeSpain. Richly illustrated and animated by Tom Wrenn.
A joyous retelling of a classic tale from Africa, where a bullying lion is no match for the Clever Monkey. By Rob Cleveland, well-known comedian, actor (Drumline, That Darn Cat) and storyteller-in-residence at Atlanta's Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Cleverly illustrated and animated by Tom Wrenn.
A sequencing story from Cuba where a series of events shows Rooster that he needs a lot of help getting ready for his friend Heron's party. By the award-winning husband-and-wife team Martha Hamilton and Mitch Weiss, who have been telling and authoring popular stories throughout the world since 1980. Brightly illustrated by Baird Hoffmire.
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About August House
Recently recognized as one of "America's 101 Top Independent Publishers," August House is a highly-acclaimed and award-winning multimedia publisher of children's stories and folktale anthologies. August House's is based in Atlanta, GA.
August House Media Contact
Rob Cleveland
404-442-4422
