Elaine Reese is Professor of Psychology at the University of Otago in New Zealand. She received her PhD from Emory University and has researched and taught child development in the US and New Zealand for over 20 years. Elaine has 16 years of family storytelling experience with her two children.

"Parents who desire to strengthen their child's development will appreciate Reese's insights into storytelling for all ages and stages and his hands-on tips for incorporating oral and written storytelling in the home." --Library Journal

"This highly engaging book focuses on what parents can do to help their children share and tell family stories. Reese brings together solid empirical evidence, shared parental wisdom, and personal experience. Parents of children from 2 to 12 to 20 will find much in this book to help them weave family stories that will cross generations." -- Robyn Fivush, PhD, Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor of Psychology, Emory University

"Storytellers are made, not born. Reese draws on extensive research to inform parents about how they can improve their children's ability to narrate. The implications of being a good narrator include literacy achievement, enhanced closeness to family and friends, and effective public performance. This excellent, accessible book is for any parent who wants to get closer to their child." -- Allyssa McCabe, PhD, Professor of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Lowell

"Elaine Reese artfully weaves together solid scientific research and sage advice as she draws on compelling profiles of three children from preschool into adolescence. While this is written for parents, it will also appeal to instructors of courses on child development and programs preparing teachers." -- David K. Dickinson, EdD, Professor, Department of Teaching and Learning, Peabody College, Vanderbilt University

"In this fascinating book, Elaine Reese has captured much of the magic that parents and young children experience when sharing a story." -- Judy S. DeLoache, William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Psychology, University of Virginia

"Written for an audience of parents, this book does a wonderful job of illustrating in rich dialogue the way that parents are the first and most important literacy teachers. Replete with practical, research-based strategies for engaging children -- toddlers through adolescents -- this book should be required reading for anyone whose goal is to enrich children's lives. The book is written in a reader-friendly narrative style with research references in endnotes." -- M.B. Hopkins, Nazareth College of Rochester

"The focus is on the "give and take" style of storytelling, that is, in an interactive or shared-opportunity manner. Of particular interest to Reese is the family story presented in an often conversational format with an informal shape. These have, she believes, far-reaching consequences for children's language, emotional development, and adolescent well-being. Her book is organized by age range, beginning with ages 1-3 and concluding with ages 12-18. Each chapter ends with tips for sharing stories (what to do, how, and why it helps). Also included is a "development snapshot" of each age group. Though of interest to academics (but mercifully without much academic jargon), the book's principal audience will be parents, who will find the content practical and accessible. And who can argue with Reese's conclusion, 'Stories sustain us, they teach us, they protect us, and they join us to others'?" -- Michael Cart, Booklist