The Grammar of Fantasy: An Introduction to the Art of Inventing Stories

This is a rare gem! It is by the 20th century's greatest story crafter, a man who worked with Italian school teachers and children for decades, teaching children how to create incredibly imaginative stories. It's not only a beautiful resource for teachers, but also for any one who would like to create stories that appeal to the imagination.

I love this book! Gianni Rodari was an innovative and original writer!

Children books by master children writer Gianni Rodary are the incredible treasure for anyone who is involved with kids, both parents, teachers, counselors, etc. And it will be even greater delight to find this book that generously provides the most inspiring insider’s look at the author’s creative process. Rodary offers the opportunity to use his unique hands on manual on how to practice his magic, that reveals details of his approach to creating unique, therapeutic in nature, yet fun and entertaining authentic narratives that help children have fun, and could be used to help them stay focused and motivated to do most rigorous educational assignments during very young age. And the secret for that is in leaning to gain their own power to overcome their anxieties about the tough human experience of growing up, instead of leaving emotional problems with no attention, risking to inhibit the source of unidentified lifelong mental blocks.Every reader of this book will be grateful for this Rodary’s special gift of sharing the tips on how to design the environment for the act of co-creation. Nothing can compete with the chance for earning child’s lifelong confidentiality and trust, as well as to build the foundation for the most productive non-authoritarian, honoring the child’s unique mind mode of learning - through genuine collaboration. And for children, such experiences of sharing Eureka! moments with the teacher, counselor or parent will stand out in their memories, as their most inspiring and most treasured moments during their lifetime that can serve as the anchor points in their “safe harbor” for any later challenges that may require the good command of creative cognition and problem solving skills.Indeed, nothing in teaching practice can be more rewarding than the method for nurturing the mastery of self-growth. Indeed, when children are encouraged to express themselves and to use their imagination abilities to create authentic narratives, the true magic comes to life. That is one of the key “secrets” that the audience witnessed and bursted with ovation at the end of my 8 y.o.piano student performance that defied learning standards with the live demonstration of her unexpected advanced ability to deliver her authentic and emotionally nuanced performance of the complex musical content of the unabridged 3rd movement of Mozart’s Piano Concerto #21. It was possible thanks to her involvement into projecting her personal narrative attached to the timeless music score, in addition to mastering demanding technically virtuosic challenges. She seemed to have lots of fun, while premiering her authentic fairytale she created with he own characters, as I guided her through the meaning of various made easy to grasp devices of Mozart’s complex compositional mindset. What a rewarding and funFlow-experience for both student, teacher, parents, and the audience at the magic-like performance!

I wish every teacher would try to exercise their imagination and art of fantasy. This book is a nice example of very talented storyteller sharing his fantastic craft.

It is a very good book.