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What’s New From Aaron Shepard?

By following the links below, you can quickly review major additions and changes to Aaron’s Web site. (There is a separate listing, though, for Aaron’s Kidwriting Page.) To receive news of additions by email, subscribe to Aaron’s Update.


Sept. 30, 2023

Info has been added on Aaron’s 30th anniversary reprint of The Legend of Slappy Hooper: An American Tall Tale, the companion book to his ever-popular The Legend of Lightning Larry.


July 20, 2023

Info has been added on La docena del panadero: Un cuento de San Nicolás, the upcoming Spanish edition of Aaron’s most popular picture book, The Baker’s Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale.


Sept. 4, 2022

On Aaron’s RT Page is a new script in the Reader’s Theater Editions series. RTE #43 is “The Mice Before Christmas,” an unofficial prequel to “The Night Before Christmas” and likewise in verse form. The script is adapted from the 2021 picture book by Aaron’s wife, Anne L. Watson, illustrated by Wendy Edelson, of Baker’s Dozen fame. You can also find it as an adult coloring book.


Aug. 24, 2022

On Aaron’s RT Page is a new script in the Reader’s Theater Editions series. RTE #42 is “Skeeter and the Weasels,” available in both standard and Team versions. This is adapted from Aaron’s 2019 picture book, illustrated by his wife, Anne L. Watson—their first official collaboration! You can also find it as a regular story and as an adult coloring book.


Aug. 9, 2022

At long last, “Casey at the Bat,” Reader’s Theater Edition #23, has been reformatted so that—like every other script on this site—it can be read, if need be, on a phone.


Aug. 3, 2022

On Aaron’s RT Page is a new script in the Reader’s Theater Editions series. RTE #41 is “Quackling: A Not-Too-Grimm Fairy Tale,” available in both standard and Team versions. This is adapted from Aaron’s 2018 picture book, illustrated by Wendy Edelson. For storytellers, the story is available as #31 in the Gifts of Story series on Aaron’s Storytelling Page. You can also find it as a regular story, as well as an adult coloring book!


May 27, 2022

Links to advance reading copies in PDF or EPUB have been added to all info pages for picture books, chapter books, and coloring books from Aaron’s own Skyhook Press.


Aug. 9, 2020

Reader’s Theater on Zoom” is a first look at reader’s theater in remote performance.


Apr. 19, 2020

A new article on the main page is “20 Things I Learned from Folktales,” with lessons passed down in folk and fairy tales. Also, Aaron’s collection of favorite quotes on life and learning has been moved to the main page and renamed “Words to Weigh.”


Apr. 13, 2020

Alongside info on Aaron’s kid books, you can now find info on Aaron’s “other” books—his books for grown-ups. Besides links to special areas of this site for reader’s theater and children’s writing books, this new section includes info on Aaron’s general nonfiction and coloring storybooks.


Apr. 10, 2020

Info has been added on the 30th Anniversary Edition of Princess of India: An Ancient Tale, the new title of Aaron’s first-ever picture book, Savitri: A Tale of Ancient India (also known on this site as both the story and the script “The Princess and the God”).


Jan. 12, 2020

This site has been revamped for better viewing on mobile devices. You may have to refresh your pages once for proper viewing.


Jan. 11, 2020

Aaron’s Parent Page, no longer timely, has been removed. “A TV‑Turnoff Bookshelf” has been moved from there to Aaron’s Bookshelves.


Nov. 20, 2019

Info has been added on Which Shoes Do You Choose?, Aaron’s latest picture book collaboration with illustrator Wendy Edelson. Also, the Reader’s Theater Edition of this story, RTE #22, has inherited improvements made for the picture book.


Nov. 12, 2019

Aaron’s Parent Page and Aaron’s Young Authors Page have been officially retired. Though they will remain available, they will no longer be updated.


July 12, 2019

Info has been added on Many Fingers, One Hand, a new “digital board book” of Aaron’s for the very young, illustrated by his wife, Anne L. Watson.


Jan. 24, 2019

Aaron’s Storytelling Page has three new entries in the Gifts of Story series. GOS #28 is How Frog Went to Heaven, a tale of Angola with an accompanying song. GOS #29 is The Millionaire Miser, a Buddhist fable. And GOS #30 is The Gifts of Friday Eve, a tale of Iran.


Sept. 5, 2018

Info has been added on Skeeter and the Weasels, Aaron’s first picture book illustrated by his wife, Anne L. Watson.


July 24, 2018

Info has been added on Quackling: A Feathered Fairy Tale, Aaron’s brand new picture book with illustrator Wendy Edelson.


May 13, 2018

Info has been added on The Baker’s Dozen Coloring Book, Aaron’s first “coloring storybook,” based on his popular Christmas picture book, The Baker’s Dozen, illustrated by Wendy Edelson.


Feb. 16, 2018

The Ancient Fantasy series has been rebranded as Skyhook World Classics.


Jan. 11, 2017

The titles of several stories and scripts have been changed. “Savitri” is now “The Princess and the God,” “The Gifts of Wali Dad” is now “The Gifts of the Grasscutter,” and “The Magic of Mushkil Gusha” is now “The Gifts of Friday Eve.”


Nov. 19, 2014

New in Aaron’s Extras is Aaron’s own reading of his book The Baker’s Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale.


Oct. 4, 2014

Info has been added on two mini-novels by Aaron, the first two volumes in the new Magic Classics series: The Man Who Sang to Ghosts, a retelling of the Japanese legend of Hoichi the Earless, and The Swan Knight, a retelling of the medieval legend of Lohengrin, based on the opera by Richard Wagner.


Sept. 30, 2014

New in Aaron’s Bookshelves is “A Heike and Hoichi Bookshelf,” on recommended sources for The Tale of the Heike (“Heike Monogatari”) and “The Story of Hoichi the Earless” (“The Story of Mimi-nashi-Hoichi”).


Sept. 6, 2014

On Aaron’s RT Page, “RT Tips” has been updated to match the latest version of its source, Readers on Stage.


May 7, 2014

Info has been added on Aaron’s latest picture book, Christmas Truce. The illustrator is Wendy Edelson, who also illustrated Aaron’s The Baker’s Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale.


Jan. 11, 2012

New in Aaron’s Extras is an audio performance of Aaron’s script of “The Christmas Truce,” read and recorded by Lakes Area Theatre, a radio theater company in Alexandria, Minnesota. Thanks to Ann Hermes of Lakes Area Theatre for contributing the recording!


Nov. 21, 2011

Der Verdeckte” is a German translation of Aaron’s story “The Hidden One: A Native American Legend.”


Jan. 1, 2011

All audio on this site has been upgraded to MP4 format. If you have links to audio files on this site, please update them.


Dec. 15, 2010

New on Aaron’s RT Page is Aaron Presents . . . The Chamber Readers, an introduction to this outstanding reader’s theater group, with three video performances commissioned specially by Aaron.


June 18, 2009

New in Aaron’s Extras are audio performances of the three stories in The Adventures of Mouse Deer, read and recorded by the Meaningful Occupation & Creative Settlement Project of Exeter, England, an agency that serves the homeless. The recordings were made by the homeless themselves for children’s CDs to be sold commercially.


Apr. 17, 2009

Aaron’s Album has been updated, including photos of Aaron’s new home, Friday Harbor, Washington, in the San Juan Islands.


Jan. 6, 2009

Aaron has launched independent fan sites and links pages for Lady White Snake, the legendary Chinese heroine featured in Aaron’s own picture book, and the Monkey King, the ancient Chinese superhero starring in Aaron’s mini-novel.

Also, Aaron’s Publishing Page has been moved to an independent site of its own, at www.newselfpublishing.com. Most of Aaron’s books are not self published—and Aaron doesn’t even recommend self publishing children’s books—so this removes an ongoing source of confusion.


Dec. 1, 2008

New in Aaron’s Extras is a Saint Nicholas cookie recipe to go with Aaron’s picture book The Baker’s Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale, as well as with the corresponding Reader’s Theater Edition and other versions of the story on this site. The recipe is accompanied by a new, full‑color, printable cookie pattern by Wendy Edelson, illustrator of the picture book.


May 6, 2008

A Lillian Memorial is a tribute by Aaron to his mother, 1929–2003.


Oct. 28, 2007

New in Aaron’s Extras is an author video of Aaron reading his picture book King o’ the Cats. (The video is available on YouTube as well.)

Also, most of the audio on this site has been upgraded for higher quality. This includes all the partial and full readings and tellings linked from Aaron’s Extras. Two full‑length tellings have been added to that page as well: “Forty Fortunes” and “The Enchanted Storks,” both from the CD Wisdom and Luck, by Sarah Saulter.


Sept. 26, 2007

Aaron’s RT Page now features a collection of testimonials on his resources by teachers, librarians, and other educators, drawn from correspondence to Aaron over the past decade.


Sept. 23, 2007

The title of Aaron’s story collection on this site has been changed to Aaron Shepard’s World of Stories.


Sept. 19, 2007

Info has been added on Aaron’s forthcoming mini-novel The Magic Flyswatter: A Superhero Tale of Africa, a retelling of the Mwindo epic from the Congo.


July 1, 2007

New in Aaron’s Bookshelves is “A Kwan Yin Bookshelf,” on China’s favorite goddess.


Feb. 7, 2006

Info has been added on Aaron’s and Anne’s new graphic novel, Robin Hood, from Stone Arch Books. This begins a new section of Comics & Graphic Novels in About Aaron’s Kid Books.


Jan. 12, 2007

Special features have been added for Aaron’s new picture book, One‑Eye! Two‑Eyes! Three‑Eyes!: A Very Grimm Fairy Tale. These include:

Features for this book previously made available in Aaron’s Extras are printable color posters and a recording of the music for the song.


Dec. 3, 2006

Info has been added on Aaron’s new picture book, One‑Eye! Two‑Eyes! Three‑Eyes!: A Very Grimm Fairy Tale, from Atheneum/Simon & Schuster. Also added are two posters for the book, to be found in Aaron’s Extras.


May 28, 2006

New in Aaron’s Bookshelves are “A Mwindo Bookshelf,” on Africa's Mwindo epic from the Congo (Zaire), and “A Mabinogion Bookshelf,” on the Celtic tale collection from medieval Wales.

Also, info has been added on Aaron’s forthcoming mini-novels The Mountain of Marvels: A Celtic Tale of Magic, a retelling from The Mabinogion, and The Songs of Power: A Northern Tale of Magic, retold from the Kalevala.


Mar. 30, 2006

New in the section About Aaron is Favorite Quotes, with Aaron’s favorite quotes on life and learning.


Nov. 11, 2005

New in Aaron’s Bookshelves is “A Chinese Myths and Legends Bookshelf,” on the mythology of China.


Oct. 4, 2005

On Aaron’s RT Page is a new script in the Reader’s Theater Editions series. RTE #39 is “The Giant’s Wife: A Tall Tale of Ireland,” available in both standard and Team versions. The script is adapted from a retelling of William Carleton’s “A Legend of Knockmany,” published in an 1888 collection by William Butler Yeats.


Aug. 19, 2005

Revisions have been posted for Reader’s Theater Edition #36, “King o’ the Cats,” and its Team Version. The script is based on Aaron’s picture book, now nominated for the 2006 Washington Children’s Choice Picture Book Award. In the new versions, the scripts have been simplified to allow use as early as 3rd grade.


May 22, 2005

New in Aaron’s Bookshelves is “A Robin Hood Bookshelf,” on the legendary outlaw of Sherwood Forest.


Apr. 19, 2005

On Aaron’s RT Page is a new script in the Reader’s Theater Editions series. RTE #38 is “Captain Cully,” by Peter S. Beagle, adapted from a portion of his beloved novel The Last Unicorn. This script appeared in the first edition of Aaron’s collection Stories on Stage.


Feb. 6, 2005

New in the Folktales section of Aaron’s Storybook is “The Princess Mouse: A Tale of Finland,” “The Magic Brocade: A Tale of China,” “The Sea King’s Daughter: A Russian Legend,” “Savitri: A Tale of Ancient India,” “Master Man: A Tall Tale of Nigeria,” “The Baker’s Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale,” and “The Wicked Girl: A Tale of Turkey.” New in the Classic Tales section is “Lady White Snake: A Tale From Chinese Opera.”


Jan. 29, 2005

Most Reader’s Theater Editions and Gifts of Story now feature direct links at the end to “About the Story” pages with background info. The pages themselves, including many new ones, are in Aaron’s Extras.


Jan. 21, 2005

Aaron’s Storytelling Page has three new entries in the Gifts of Story series. GOS #24 is How Violence Is Ended: A Buddhist Legend. GOS #25 is Mop Top: A Tale of Norway. GOS #26 is When the Twins Went to War: A Fable of Far East Russia, another peace tale.


Jan. 19, 2005

On Aaron’s RT Page is a new script in the Reader’s Theater Editions series. RTE #37 is “Monkey Lives!: A Superhero Tale of China,” available in both standard and Team versions. This is an adapted excerpt from Aaron’s new mini-novel Monkey, which has been previously posted as a story. Be sure to download the wonderful Monkey poster by Chinese artist Xiaojun Li, offered in Aaron’s Extras.


Dec. 24, 2004

New in Aaron’s Bookshelves is “A Lohengrin Bookshelf,” on Richard Wagner’s opera of the Swan Knight.


Dec. 17, 2004

New in the Folktales section of Aaron’s Storybook is “Quackling,” a French folktale. In the brand‑new Funny Stories section are “Skeeter and the Weasels” and its sequel, “Skeeter Saves the World.” The Skeeter stories feature Aaron’s and Anne’s cat!


Dec. 14, 2004

New on Aaron’s Storytelling Page is Gift of Story #23, “The Adventures of Mouse Deer: Tales of Indonesia and Malaysia.”


Sept. 25, 2004

“Chamber Versions” of Reader’s Theater Editions have been renamed “Team Versions.” As before, they are scripted for four readers with at least two females.


Sept. 21, 2004

Aaron’s Album has photos and info about Aaron’s and Anne’s new home in Olympia, Washington.


Aug. 13, 2004

A Carousel and Merry-Go-Round Bookshelf is a new reading list in Aaron’s Bookshelves.


July 16, 2004

A number of special features have been added for Aaron’s new picture book, King o’ the Cats. These include:


July 7, 2004

For technical reasons, the Netscape 4 browser can no longer be supported by this site. To see the pages as they’re meant to look, please use a different browser!


Feb. 13, 2004

On Aaron’s RT Page is a new script in the Reader’s Theater Editions series. RTE #35 is “The Adventures of Mouse Deer: Tales of Indonesia and Malaysia.” This title has been previously posted as a story. Be sure to download the wonderful Mouse Deer posters by Australian artist Kim Gamble that are offered in Aaron’s Extras.


Dec. 21, 2003

Aaron’s Young Authors Page and Parent Page have been restored.

New on Aaron’s Parent Page is “A Yes‑to‑Reading, No‑to‑TV Manifesto.”


Nov. 14, 2003

“The Christmas Truce,” historical fiction by Aaron based on the famous event of World War I, is now available as #34 in the Reader’s Theater Editions series on Aaron’s RT Page. The script also comes in a Chamber version. For storytellers, the story is available as #21 in the Gifts of Story series on Aaron’s Storytelling Page. You can also find it as a regular story.


Sept. 24, 2003

On Aaron’s RT Page is a new script in the Reader’s Theater Editions series. RTE #33 is “More Than a Match,” a peace fable by Aaron. It has already been made available as a regular story as well as a Gift of Story for storytellers.


Aug. 27, 2003

Aaron’s RT Page includes info on Aaron’s new and upcoming reader’s theater books.


May 13, 2003

Aaron’s Indexes has a new Age Index so you can search for stories, scripts, and picture books by appropriate age group.


May 11, 2003

Aaron’s Storytelling Page has a new entry in the Gifts of Story series. GOS #20 is More Than a Match, an original fable. (An earlier version of Aaron’s story was published in Friends Journal as “The Giant Who Was More Than a Match” and recorded by the prominent storyteller Ed Stivender as “The Wise One.”)


May 3, 2003

Search Aaron now includes an Advanced Search function using Google to search this site. Among other advantages, you can now limit searches to specific resource and information areas.


Mar. 11, 2003

On Aaron’s RT Page is a new script in the Reader’s Theater Editions series. RTE #32 is “Three Sideways Stories From Wayside School,” by Louis Sachar, author of Holes, a Newbery book as well as a major film from Disney, opening Easter weekend.

A problem with the subscription boxes on menu pages has been fixed. If you’ve tried and failed to subscribe to Aaron’s Update, please try again!


Mar. 6, 2003

The name of this whole site has changed! “Author Online!” has been replaced by “Aaron Shepard’s World of Story.”


Mar. 7, 2003

Two “young” stories have been restored to Aaron’s Storybook in the Original Stories section: “Help! Hilary! Help!” and “Which Shoes Do You Choose?”.


Feb. 27, 2003

The Classic Tales section of Aaron’s Storybook now features alternate long versions of The Magic Flyswatter: A Hero Tale of the Congo and Rhiannon: A Celtic Legend.


Feb. 22, 2003

New on Aaron’s Storytelling Page is Gift of Story #19, “The Wicked Girl: A Tale of Turkey.” This one’s not for the squeamish!


Jan. 31, 2003

Aaron’s Indexes is a new collection of guides to help you find Aaron’s stories and scripts by title, genre, theme, country or region, historical period, ethnic group, religion, mythology, holiday, or activity.

About Aaron now includes several new items, including a printable author flyer and a downloadable high-resolution author photo.


Jan. 10, 2003

Items have been added based on Aaron’s new picture book, The Princess Mouse: A Tale of Finland, from Atheneum/Simon & Schuster. Among the materials are Reader’s Theater Edition #31 and Gift of Story #18. More can be found in Aaron’s Extras.


Dec. 27, 2002

For greater ease in matching specific needs, the summary information at the beginning of stories and scripts and in their menus has been revised and expanded.


Dec. 4, 2002

Info has been added on the new Acrobat PDF edition of Aaron’s best-loved book, The Legend of Lightning Larry.


Nov. 19, 2002

Aaron’s Readaloud has been removed due to technical difficulties.


Oct. 9, 2002

On Aaron’s RT Page is a new script in the Reader’s Theater Editions series. RTE #30 is “The Boy Who Wanted the Willies.” It is available also in a Chamber version for small groups. The same title is also found on Aaron’s Storytelling Page as an addition to the Gifts of Story series, GOS #17. “Extras” available for this title include deleted scenes, alternate endings, and a writing exercise. The story itself is still found in the Folktales section of Aaron’s Storybook.


Oct. 1, 2002

New in Aaron’s Bookshelves is A Monkey King Bookshelf, about the popular Chinese superhero.


Sept. 22, 2002

Aaron’s Storybook has four new stories in the Folktales section: “The Adventures of Mouse Deer: Tales of Indonesia and Malaysia,” “The Lady of Stavoren: A Dutch Legend,” “The Crystal Heart: A Vietnamese Legend,” and “Forty Fortunes: A Tale of Iran.” (The last two are from picture books of Aaron’s that recently went out of print.) Also, in the Classic Tales section, the excerpt “The Battle of Song” has been replaced by the full text of “The Maiden of Northland: A Hero Tale of Finland.”

Aaron’s Storytelling Page has two new adaptations in the Gifts of Story series: “The Magic Brocade: A Tale of China,” and “Master Man: A Tall Tale of Nigeria.”

Aaron’s Bookshelves has a new bibliography: “A Mouse Deer Bookshelf.”


Aug. 27, 2002

Aaron’s Rights & Permissions is a new info page for those who wish to reprint, repost, or otherwise use Aaron’s work.


Aug. 18, 2002

The entire site has been revamped for enhanced readability and quality printouts. Especially improved is the print format of Reader’s Theater Editions. Note: Best viewing and printing is now with versions 6 or later of Internet Explorer or Netscape. Please do not use browser versions 4 or earlier!

On Aaron’s RT Page, all twelve Reader’s Theater Editions translations into traditional Chinese are once again available, now in a new format.

Aaron’s Storytelling Page has a new collection of Storytelling Quotes.

In Aaron’s Readaloud, higher-quality recordings are again available. For most of the recordings, though, you now need Quicktime 6.

Due to technical difficulties, the visitor counters have been removed. The count for the entire site, however, has just passed one million!


June 9, 2002

Two new reading lists in Aaron’s Bookshelves are A World of Puppets Bookshelf, on puppets around the world, and A Ring of the Nibelung Bookshelf, on the great opera cycle by Richard Wagner.


Apr. 19, 2002

On Aaron’s RT Page is a new script in the Reader’s Theater Editions series. RTE #29 is “The Borrower and the Boy,” adapted with permission from Mary Norton’s The Borrowers. The script is offered also in a Chamber version.

On Aaron’s Storytelling Page are two new stories in the Gifts of Story series.

In Aaron’s Readaloud is a new recording of Aaron’s The Legend of Slappy Hooper, performed by storyteller Cindy Killavey.

In Aaron’s Storybook, the Classic Tales page features the new story “The Swan Knight: A Medieval Legend,” retold by Aaron from the opera by Richard Wagner.

In About Aaron, Aaron’s Album includes a picture of his new home in Redondo Beach, California.

A new form has been added to contact Aaron. Due to an overload of spam and virus files, Aaron’s email address of many years is being closed down, and no new one will be displayed on this site. (Spammers use special software to scour the Web for email addresses, and viruses search for addresses in your email files and browser cache.) To avoid contracting and spreading viruses, you are encouraged to (1) install a virus protection program before you think you need it, and (2) avoid using Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express, which nearly all viruses target.


Jan. 16, 2002

On Aaron’s RT Page is a new script in the Reader’s Theater Editions series. RTE #28 is “Mop Top: A Tale of Norway.”

On Aaron’s Storytelling Page are two additions to the Gifts of Story series. GOS #11 is Master Maid: A Tale of Norway, and GOS #12 is The Sea King’s Daughter: A Russian Legend. Also, two earlier stories in the series have been restored: GOS #9, The Calabash Kids: A Tale of Tanzania, and GOS #10, The Hidden One: A Native American Legend.


September 23, 2001

In Aaron’s Storybook, the Original Stories page has a new story: “The Christmas Truce,” about the historic holiday truce of World War I.


September 1, 2001

Aaron’s Readaloud now includes a full-length recording of The Gifts of Wali Dad: A Tale of India and Pakistan, Aaron’s popular but now out-of-print picture book. The reading, which features an original musical background, is by Mike Pinder of Moody Blues fame, from his CD A People With One Heart.

In Aaron’s Storybook, the Folktales page has four new stories: “The Story Spirits: A Tale of Korea,” “Two‑Eyes,” “The Boy Who Wanted the Willies,” and “The Gifts of Wali Dad: A Tale of India and Pakistan.”


August 25, 2001

Info has been added on Aaron’s new picture book, Lady White Snake: A Tale From Chinese Opera. Supporting materials for the book have been added to Aaron’s Extras, including a brief QuickTime movie about Chinese opera.


May 30, 2001

This entire site has been upgraded with revised HTML code. The pages should now display correctly and fairly consistently in all current Web browsers, and most older versions as well. (But if you’re using Internet Explorer 4.5 for the Mac, please upgrade to 5.0!) Also, the site has been moved to a new hosting service, for faster response and shorter download times.


Jan. 17, 2001

Aaron’s Extras has new posters for Master Man and The Magic Brocade.


Dec. 22, 2000

Reader’s Theater Edition #27 is “Master Man: A Tall Tale of Nigeria,” based on Aaron’s latest picture book, illustrated by Caldecott Medalist David Wisniewski. Other materials related to the book are posted in Aaron’s Extras.


Dec. 18, 2000

To get around a printing bug in Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 for the Mac, the Reader’s Theater Editions scripts have been partially redesigned. If you previously printed scripts with that browser, please reprint!


Sept. 26, 2000

Aaron’s Readaloud now features the full-length recording of The Legend of Lightning Larry in MP3 and QuickTime formats, along with the earlier RealAudio version.

All other audio samples from Aaron’s books have been converted from RealAudio to QuickTime. The software for Mac or PC is a free download from www.apple.com/quicktime/download. Links to the readings are found in Aaron’s Extras and on individual book pages in About Aaron’s Kid Books.


Sept. 15, 2000

Reader’s Theater Edition #26 is “The Magic Brocade: A Tale of China,” based on Aaron’s picture book due this Fall. The script is offered also in a Chamber version and a traditional Chinese translation. Other new materials related to the picture book are posted in Aaron’s Extras, including a color poster and a photo album of Chinese brocade.

All posters on this site have been replaced with new Acrobat versions for more reliable printing. The posters in Aaron’s Gallery have been moved to Aaron’s Extras.


March 1, 2000

New in the Classic Tales section of Aaron’s Storybook is “The Battle of Song: A Hero Tale of Finland,” excerpted from Aaron’s picture book The Maiden of Northland—a retelling of Finland’s national epic, the Kalevala. Also new in this section is a revised version of “Monkey: A Superhero Tale of China.”

For serious researchers, Aaron’s Bookshelves now includes A Hiawatha and Deganawidah Bookshelf, with resources on the origin legend of the Iroquois League. (This is not about Longfellow’s poem!)


February 25, 2000

Reader’s Theater Edition #25 is “When the Twins Went to War: A Fable of Far East Russia,” based on a story of Aaron’s printed in Cricket and Australia’s School Magazine.


January 17, 2000

The Earthquake God: A Fable” is a new story in the Original Stories section of Aaron’s Storybook. Preschool–Grade 3.

Aaron’s Album has been updated, with an added photo of Skeeter, Aaron’s girlfriend’s cat.

Another Reader’s Theater Edition has been translated in traditional Chinese: RTE #15, “The Millionaire Miser: A Buddhist Fable.” Special software is required for viewing.


November 26, 1999

Two more Reader’s Theater Editions have been translated in traditional Chinese: RTE #14, “The Sea King’s Daughter: A Russian Legend,” and RTE #24, “Forty Fortunes: A Tale of Iran.” Special software is required for viewing.


September 19, 1999

Aaron’s Storybook has four new stories, all taken from Aaron’s picture books: “The Legend of Lightning Larry,” “The Legend of Slappy Hooper: An American Tall Tale,” “The Enchanted Storks: A Tale of Bagdad,” and “Master Maid: A Tale of Norway.” All four are also available as Reader’s Theater Editions.


September 7, 1999

Aaron’s Bookshelves is a new section featuring resource lists for special topics researched by Aaron for his stories. Initial topics are the Chinese legend of White Snake, Finland’s national epic the Kalevala, and unicorns.


August 16, 1999

Reader’s Theater Edition #24 is “Forty Fortunes: A Tale of Iran,” based on Aaron’s latest picture book. This story was part of Aaron’s acclaimed online experiment Works in Progress.

Another Reader’s Theater Edition has been translated in traditional Chinese: RTE #7, The Gifts of Wali Dad: A Tale of India and Pakistan. Special software is required for viewing.


June 28, 1999

Two more Reader’s Theater Editions have been translated in traditional Chinese: RTE #8, Peddler Polly and the Story Stealer, and RTE #18, The Crystal Heart: A Vietnamese Legend. Special software is required for viewing.


May 31, 1999

Information has been posted about Aaron’s new picture book Forty Fortunes: A Tale of Iran, coming from Clarion Books in August 1999. Also available are color posters, a related writing exercise, and additional notes on the story. A reader’s theater script will be available by October.


May 22, 1999

Reader’s Theater Edition #23 is “Casey at the Bat,” from the poem by Ernest Lawrence Thayer.


March 29, 1999

Three more Reader’s Theater Editions have been translated in traditional Chinese: RTE #11, The Calabash Kids: A Tale of Tanzania, RTE #12, The Hidden One: A Native American Legend, and RTE #19, How Frog Went to Heaven: A Tale of Angola. Special software is required for viewing.


March 17, 1999

Still more stories have been added to Aaron’s Storybook, including a new section of hero tales retold from epics and classic literature.


March 2, 1999

A story handout of “The Legend of Lightning Larry” has been added to Aaron’s Extras. You can use Acrobat Reader.


February 28, 1999

Aaron’s Album has been updated with photos of his new lady and new home in the Los Angeles area.


February 11, 1999

Several more stories have been added to the Folktales section of Aaron’s Storybook.


February 10, 1999

Two Reader’s Theater Editions are now available in traditional Chinese translation: RTE #3, Savitri: A Tale of Ancient India, and RTE #9, The Baker’s Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale. Special software is required for viewing.


December 9, 1998

Several stories have been added to the Folktales section of Aaron’s Storybook.


November 8, 1998

Reader’s Theater Editions #21 and #22 are “Help! Hilary! Help!” and “Which Shoes Do You Choose?” Both are adapted from original stories by Aaron and are meant for grades 1 to 3.


September 7, 1998

A number of documents are now available in Acrobat format, including RT Scripting Sheets, autographed bookmarks, and a books flyer. The Acrobat format provides portability, precise formatting, and high‑quality printing of both text and graphics. To view and print these documents, you can use Acrobat Reader, a free download.

A page of Other Resources has been added, with links to Web pages on other topics of concern to Aaron.


August 2, 1998

Aaron’s Young Author Page is new, with resources for young people who write.


May 6, 1998

Aaron’s RT Page now includes RT Scripting Sheets, a printable set of practice sheets for team scripting exercises. Now your readers can learn to script for themselves!


April 19, 1998

Reader’s Theater Edition #20 is “The Magic of Mushkil Gusha: A Tale of Iran,” based on Aaron’s story first printed in Australia’s School Magazine, May 1997, and scheduled for reprint in Cricket, August 1998.


March 24, 1998

Reader’s Theater Edition #19 is “How Frog Went to Heaven: A Tale of Angola,” based on Aaron’s story in Australia’s School Magazine.


March 15, 1998

Reader’s Theater Edition #11, “The Calabash Kids: A Tale of Tanzania,” has been revised.


February 28, 1998

Reader’s Theater Edition #18 is “The Crystal Heart: A Vietnamese Legend,” based on Aaron’s upcoming picture book. Other materials related to the book are in Aaron’s Extras.

How Violence Is Ended: A Buddhist Legend” has been added to the Sacred Stories section of Aaron’s Storybook. This story appeared in the December 1997 issue of Cricket. A reader’s theater script has already been posted as Reader’s Theater Edition #16.


January 10, 1998

A new script has been added to Reader’s Theater Editions. RTE #17 is “Count Alaric’s Lady,” a literary fairy tale by the eminent British children’s author Barbara Leonie Picard.


October 29, 1997

Two new scripts have been added to Reader’s Theater Editions. RTE #15 is “The Millionaire Miser: A Buddhist Fable.” RTE #16 is “How Violence Is Ended: A Buddhist Legend.” Both are based on retellings by Aaron in Cricket Magazine.


September 30, 1997

Construction is complete on Aaron’s Extras. Its supplements to Aaron’s books now include additional background notes, additional scenes that never made it into the books, fun writing exercises, and info on commercial recordings of the stories. In the future, it will include recorded tunes from songs in the books.

Also new are recordings of foreign and unusual names in Aaron’s books and scripts, to help you pronounce them. You can access the recordings from individual Reader’s Theater Editions and Gifts of Story, and also in Aaron’s Extras. The sounds are in AIFF format, playable by most browsers today.


September 16, 1997

Two new scripts have been added to Reader’s Theater Editions. RTE #13 is “Master Maid: A Tale of Norway.” RTE #14 is “The Sea King’s Daughter: A Russian Legend.” Both are based on Aaron’s recently published picture books.

A printable sheet of autographed bookmarks has been added to About Aaron.


May 24, 1997

Aaron’s Readaloud—a new section, featuring Aaron’s full-length RealAudio recording of The Legend of Lightning Larry.


April 23, 1997

NEW PAGE—Launching of Aaron’s Kidwriter Page—an entirely new section, with extensive resources for children’s writers.


April 9, 1997

Spanish reader’s theater! La Docena del Panadero is a translation of Reader’s Theater Edition #9, “The Baker’s Dozen.”


March 14, 1997

Aaron’s Storytelling Page and Aaron’s RT Page are now both integrated into Author Online! This “What’s New?” has absorbed the corresponding features on both other pages. Also, you can now receive email notice of additions to all of Aaron’s pages by subscribing to Aaron’s Update.


February 24, 1997

NEW PAGE—Launching of Aaron’s new home page, Author Online!


December 1, 1996

NEW PAGE—Launching of Aaron’s Storytelling Page.


October 8, 1996

NEW PAGE—Launching of Aaron’s RT Page.



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