Through storytelling and creative drama, teachers can introduce children to good quality literature they might otherwise miss. By making the connection between books and storytelling and between books and creative drama, the storyteller/teacher introduces literature as a source of pleasure. Storytelling and creative dramatics also give children insight into the motives and patterns of human behavior, and understanding plot and character helps children understand literature. Storytelling allows closer interaction between teacher and children, and the teacher may modify the story to meet the needs of the group or personalize the story to match the children's age and interests, thus insuring comprehension. Storytelling also encourages children to listen to the patterns of language and variety of vocabulary. When choosing stories, the storyteller/teacher should consider the audience, the story, the purpose for telling the story, and the storyteller's personal preference. The storyteller/teacher can choose from myths, sagas, folktales, narrative poetry, realistic stories, or biographical stories. In creative activities, children become more involved with a story and identify with the characters they have chosen to recreate. Responding to a story by retelling it or by acting it out with creative dramatics helps children internalize the plot, characters, and vocabulary of the story. (HTH)