The Helicopter Resource Pack by Trisha Lee

I’ve known about the work of Vivian Gussin Paley for years since reading her book The Boy Who Would Be A Helicopter which describes a powerful technique involving young children telling and acting out their own stories. Children as young as three and upwards are asked to tell a story to an adult, who writes it down for them. When the whole class have told their stories, the children act out each story with the writer taking one of the lead roles. This is the first time I have read a book which so clearly describes all the steps involved in using the technique as well as pointing out some of the potential pitfalls and how to deal with them. The author has observed Paley and used her techniques with London Bubble Theatre and extensively at MakeBelieve Arts, where she is currently Artistic Director. Available directly from MakeBelieveArts for £12.95.