EDITORIAL
In entering the arena of JournalismThe Storytellers’ Magazineinvites the support of all who love literature and youth. There are many magazines today covering almost every field of activity, but not one devoted tothe art of story telling.
While it is true that most of the magazines publish stories, few of them deal with the educational aspect of these stories—their most important relation.
Story telling in the schools; at the home; on the playground; in the Sunday schools; the children’s library rooms of the Public Library, and among social organizations has become so popular and aroused such widespread interest throughout the land that some medium of communication which will represent and unify these interests—has become almost a necessity.
The Storytellers’ Magazineis founded upon a definite purpose. It enters the field in the hope that it will merit the support of a large number of general readers as well as teachers, parents and all who are interested in the uplifting of the rising generation. It goes forth as a missionary to acquaint its audience as far as it can with the vital principles that underlie the whole movement of story telling. It, therefore, invites the co-operation of all who believe in the story telling idea, in the hope that great good may come through such a union of interests.
The Editor of theMagazinehas devoted many years to the work of story telling, and he earnestly hopes that through the columns of theMagazinegreater opportunity may be afforded for direction and organization, and thus make more permanent the whole story telling movement.
There is a growing belief that in arranging the curriculum of studies for the young the rights and interests of the childhave received but scant consideration. Mere drudgery has been translated to mean development while hard labor with little thought to the tendencies and attributes of the individual child has been accepted as education.
The Storytellers’ Magazineoffers itself as a champion of the rights of the child in education, and it hopes with the co-operation of those who know and believe in the efficacy of the story as a pleasing and effective instrument of education to battle bravely for the rights and liberties of the child, who has been aptly termed “the last serf of civilization.”
Elsewhere in this issue will be found an “Announcement” setting forth in some detail the aims and ideals of theStorytellers’ Magazine.
The chief aim of this magazine is to serve the great cause of story telling in a manner that will best satisfy the needs ofthe greatest numberof those interested in the movement.
How shall this be accomplished? The answer to this question isCo-operation.
The first issue of a magazine is something of an experiment. Its make-up is open to criticism and discussion. Its friends can do it no greater service than to disclose its shortcomings and point out the road to improvement.
Criticism is usually divided into two schools, one constructive, the other destructive; or better, let us say into friendly or unfriendly criticism.
While we shall endeavor to turn all unfriendly comment into constructive channels, we shall hope far more to profit by the sympathetic assistance and helpful advice of friends and well-wishers.
The latch string is out to all, but a double welcome is assured to those who “Lend a Hand.”