Elemental by Tanya Batt CD

Best suited for children 3-7 years.

Storyteller - Tanya Batt
Musician - Craig DenHam

Elemental has been created in response to the ever-decreasing opportunities many children have to play and grow up in natural environments and to listen to stories. Inspired by the work of people like Joseph Chilton Pearce, Froebel and David Abram, we have collected and retold traditional stories, written songs and created music, which draw upon the four elements that have formed the basis of understanding for many civilizations for many hundreds of years. The stories in particular come from the Native American and Australian Aboriginal cultures. Both of these cultures have preserved in their stories a respectful and connected relationship with the natural world.

Ben Okri said, "Stories are the reservoir of values: change the stories individuals or nations live by and tell themselves, and you change the individuals and nations."

We hope that the sharing of these stories, songs and music will contribute to a story, where we come to know and understand that our will-being is inseparable from the well-being of our planet.

The Earth Story - How the Earth was made
In the stories of the Native American Indian peoples, there are tales that explain the creation of the earth using the 'diving myth'. I have drawn upon these stories and added a perky little yellow duck.

The Air Story - Gluscabi and the Wind Eagle
This story comes from the Abenaki people of Northern America. Gluscabi learns that which tests us also makes us strong when he meets Wouchowsen the wind eagle.

The Fire Story - Crocodile Man and Bird Woman
Stories in many different cultures record fire as having been stolen, often using trickery. This story comes from the Dalabon people of the Beswick reserve in northern Australia. Written versions of this story can be found in Eric Maddern's picture book 'Rainbow Bird' and Kevin Crossley Hollands, 'Young Oxford Book of Folk Tales'.

The Water Story - Tiddalick the Thirsty Frog
This story is an Aboriginal Dreamtime Story from the Murray River Region of New South Wales, Australia. This tale has been retold as a 'movement' story. Children can move to the story as it is being told and have a full-bodied story-telling experience.