Norma J. Livo, Professor Emerita, University of Colorado, Denver is the author and co-author of numerous books, many of them award-winners, including Storytelling: Process & Practice (Libraries Unlimited, 1986), Folk Stories of the Hmong (Libraries Unlimited, 1991), and Bringing Out Their Best (Libraries Unlimited, 2003). She served on the board of the National Storytelling Association, and is Founder of the Rocky Mountain Storytelling Conference. She has a national following as a storyteller and received NSN's 2002 ORACLE Award for Lifetime Achievement in storytelling.

"Livo's insistence on the importance of oral culture to childhood teaching and learning led her to a life-long interest in storytelling, about which she has written a textbook. Here, for teachers, other professionals, and just plain folks who want to entertain friends, she presents humorous tales, most a page or two long, from cultures around the world and through time. She identifies the country and sometimes region of origin for each." - Reference & Research Book News

• Preface by Pat Mendoza Introduction Why Everyone Should Be Able to Tell a Story (Scotland) The Foolish, the Clever, and the Wise: Stories from Folklore Noodleheads and Simpletons Tricksters Tall Tales Family Stories, Local Legends, and Urban Myths Riddles, Verses, Rhymes, and Songs Bibliography Appreciation Index