Aunt Truly's Tales: Enchantment for Story Lovers

by Laura McHale Holland, Anastasia Khmelevska (Illustrator)

Overview

A dash of whimsy and a dose a wisdom for our times. If you like stories that call to mind a simpler era

and words strung in lyrical ways, this collection will take you to a wondrous world where ordinary rules do not apply. Podcasts, blogs, movies, vlogs-people spin yarns in many ways. But nothing dazzles like a story told in person. In the right teller's hands, a simple narrative has unfathomable power. Such is the case with Aunt Truly, a spellbinding character in Laura McHale Holland's novel The Kiminee Dream. She is old, but no one knows her age; she travels, but where she goes is a mystery. One thing is certain: she collects stories. The ten tales in this book present traditional and original stories Aunt Truly might tell you if you happened by her home, Windy Wood, where snow falls from November through April, and reality is open to interpretation. In her tales, you'll meet a determined frog, clever seamstress, wise handyman, stolen wife and more unlikely heroes who face daunting trials. Some succeed; others do not. In the process, they are all transformed.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780982936597
Publisher:	Wordforest
Publication date:	06/05/2021
Pages:	100
Product dimensions:	6.50(w) x 6.50(h) x 0.21(d)

About the Author

Laura McHale Holland has loved the musicality of language since she was a tot. It is this lifelong passion for words carefully crafted to enchant, evoke and entertain that drives her creative work. As a proud member of the independent-author revolution, Laura writes stories true and untrue in multiple forms-from flash fiction to novels, memoirs to short plays. In all of her work, she looks for hope in unlikely places and often weaves fantastic elements into stories grounded in reality. She has won gold medals in the National Indie Excellence Awards and Next Generation Indie Book Awards, and was a finalist for INDIES Book of the Year. In addition, four of her short plays have been produced in Northern California, where she lives with her husband and two goofy little mutts. Laura's new story collection, Aunt Truly's Tales, was inspired by a storyteller in her novel, The Kiminee Dream. To connect, hop over to https://lauramchaleholland.com.

Editorial Reviews

As a storyteller myself, I appreciate the opportunity to skip the light fantastic with a collection of well-crafted tales that can transport me to that time of "once long ago and so far back in time that my great, great, great grandmother wasn't even a twinkle in her mother's eye ..." as happened throughout this lovely, wee collection of stories--familiar, yet new. The illustrations and addition of rhyme and song added to it's heartbeat. This is a book to savor and share, as it awakens memories and nurtures our sense of wonder, like soul food for the spirit. - Jean Ellisen, Storyteller and Listener

The folktales in Laura McHale Holland's Aunt Truly's Tales are quietly subversive. They remind us of the delights of seemingly simple stories, with magical characters, both light and darkness--essential elements in all storytelling. This is a soothing book. The drawings by Anastasia Khmelevska add to the whimsy and pleasure. - Marlena Maduro Baraf, author of At the Narrow Waist of the World

Aunt Truly's Tales reminded me of the adventures I had reading fairy tales, myths and legends from my early years as a reader up until the age of 16. I loved them so much. Because I read this book and was inspired, now I want to write my own. We need more Aunt Truly's tales. It's a wonderful book, beautifully written and each story a little gem. - Ellen Sarkisian Chesnut, author of We Armenians Survived!: Battle of Marash 1920 and Deli Sarkis: The Scars He Carried

As a fellow storyteller, I absolutely relished how Aunt Truly's tales are all infused with the true magic of storytelling -- they bring old tales to fresh life in a unique voice. Laura McHale Holland's love for the oral tradition shines forth, as does her mastery of the written word. I was entranced by each and every story. My personal favorite was "Milk for Grandmother's Coffee", which takes the old motif of "the storyteller without a story" and deftly turns it into Aunt Truly's very own "origin story" as a storyteller! And in "Crimson", the story of a cardinal kicked out of the nest too soon, Aunt Truly has truly created a tiny but resourceful hero, who combines innocence with intelligence. I was rooting for him all the way! This book is sure to capture the hearts of young and old alike, and is perfect for reading out loud together. - Liz Nichols, The Power of Fun, Storytelling Performance, Workshops & Coaching

A gift for all seasons, this collection of original tales by Laura McHale Holland will charm readers with stories inspired by folklore. A storyteller herself, Holland knows how to lure listeners with the captivating character of Aunt Truly of Windy Wood-a teller who in this book becomes an enchantress with a compelling repertoire. Aunt Truly's evocative tales must be read aloud to be appreciated, some to be told with gusto sure of their truth; others to be spoken with deep yearning as they seek the embrace of love.

Holland's range as a storyteller is akin to the virtuosity of a concert violinist who can play the shoe-tapping rhythms of a country fiddle for a simple folktale, or the haunting melodies of a sonata for a mysterious fairytale. Enjoy the enchantment of multiple styles and diverse imagery drawn from ancient lore, all packed into one magical book-Aunt Truly's Tales are truly a delight! - Kate Farrell, author of Story Power: Secrets to Creating, Crafting, and Telling Memorable Storie

From the Publisher