Kentucky Storytelling proposes to collect folktales and stories that have beenresearched, revised, and perfected by Frankfort-based master storyteller MaryHamilton.The work collects a range of stories from tall tales like "Some Dog" and "OtisAyres Had a Dog," to true stories such as "Storm walker" and "Jeff Rides theRides." Hamilton will annotate the stories where possible with information onsources, location, variants, and other details. Hamilton has painstakinglytranscribed each story as she tells it herself, concluding each with notes on thegenesis as well how the story evolved over time in response to audience reaction.For example, in the story "The Gingerbread Boy," in which a girl exacts revengeon an evil stepmother by eating a magical gingerbread cookie, Hamilton includesinformation from folklorist Leonard Roberts' original head notes, details whichearly version influenced her own telling, and notes how audiences react atcertain points in the story. Although the stories can and will be enjoyed for theirown merits, it is this commentary that will make the work a unique and valuableresource for scholars and professional storytellers.Kentucky Storytelling will join the Press's established list in regional folklore,adding Mary Hamilton's name to the list of giants in Appalachian and Kentuckystorytelling that includes Ruth Ann Musick, Leonard Roberts, and WilliamLynwood Montell. The work will find an enthusiastic audience among layreaders as well as scholars and professionals with an interest in the art and craftof storytelling.Mary Hamilton, a professional storyteller since 1983, frequently performs atlocal, regional, and national storytelling festivals and conducts workshopsthroughout Kentucky on behalf of the Kentucky Arts Council. In 2009 shereceived the Circle of Excellence Oracle Award from the National StorytellingNetwork.
