Uncovering the Power of Storytelling

This Friday, as I was getting ready for teaching Forest School at my kiddos school (I've written about that before here and how it can fuel your imagination), I was donning my best farmer outfit (yes yes, jokes aside - I do look and sound like a farmer often...) as it coincided with the school celebrating World Book Day and I was dressing up as Mr McGregor (complete with stuffed Peter Rabbit) from Beatrix Potter's classic tale.

(Bear with...here goes your standard LinkedIn post beginning nowadays...)

It got me thinking - why do adults not get more involved in World Book Day? As adults, unless you have children, you often forget how captivated we were by stories as children.

Even if you're not a regular reader or you fancy real-life adventure stories over fictional made-up lands, at some stage, we've all been enchanted by the power of Alice in Wonderland and the joy brought to us growing up or revisiting such stories as Roald Dahl's BFG or even the classic adventure of Peter Pan.

Going back to our childhood, we remember how much we loved being taken into a world of make-believe, where anything is possible. We recall the feeling of awe and wonderment when reading something that was both exciting and familiar. As adults, we remember those mythical places those stories took us to, rather than the words themselves, but perhaps more importantly, we remember how they made us feel.

My mom asked me last night - what was the first "big" story I recall and it was Farley Mowat and his adventurous tales. It was less the actual tale I remember, it was more the seetting - sitting on my dad, after we'd gotten ready for bed and curled up on his lap to hear the next chapter - such a happy memory of some time I spent with my dad.

Stories have the potential to build empathy and understanding—they help us to explore the world, to better understand its diversity, and to learn about cultures different from our own. We can use them as tools for teaching children complex concepts such as friendship, perseverance, and courage.

Stories are so much more than just words. They’re an invitation to explore, to think, reflect, and connect with others in a unique way.

There were lots of posts yesterday about those boring business books people shared, helping show-off what excellent business acumen you have learned from another business leader, but what about the ones that shaped you as a child and taught you some of the greatest lessons you've ever learned?

I must add - I am not anti-business books - I've read and continue to read numerous of them (and I'm currently writing one...), but I also believe that when we look back at our childhood and the books (or stories) that had an impact on us, those are just as, if not more important to share.

So, as I fully recover from the children chasing me (and helping me find that pesky Peter Rabbit in forest school) - what story did you love as a child and why? My bet is that it wasn't just about the words, but how those stories made you feel.

Can we (adults) all dress up next year please?

Happy Friday.

Happy reading. 

Happy storytelling.