Read The Christmas Wish to the children and then watch a retelling of it by storyteller Nikky Smedley and Matt Pettle.
Talk to the children about how storytellers adapt stories and make them their own. Compare Nikky and Matt’s oral versions of The Christmas Wish with Clare Bevan’s original written story. What is the same? What is different? Can the children think of reasons why stories might change?
Nikky Smedley writes for, and gives presentations to educators about communicating with children. Find out more on her website www.howtospeakchild.com.