WALKING IN THE WOODS STORIES (non-scary)
(excerpts from posts)
(If you want to retell any of the stories listed below, be sure to obtain permission from the copyright holder if the material is not in the public domain)

1) How about The Mitten by Jan Brett, our own Kate Dudding has her own lovely version. Lots of animals in this story.
There is also a fun story called Mabela the Clever. Margaret Read MacDonald has made this Limba folktale into a picture book. The little children could be the mice marching into the woods singing "When we are marching we never look back, the cat is at the end Fo Feng!!!" So much fun.
Also, How the Turtle Cracked Its Shell is fun as well. There is a turtle, wolf and possum in this tale. Ready to Tell Tales by Holt and Mooney.
Hunny Bunny by Ed Stivender in Ready to Tell Tales by Holt and Mooney. (fox and rabbit in this funny story.)
Sody Sallyrutus found in 20 Tellable Tales by Margaret Read MacDonald
The Three Billy Goats Gruff
Take a look at Eleven Nature Tales by Pleasant DeSpain, you might find something there.
Why Bear Sleeps All Winter Long in Easy To Tell Stories for Young Children by Annette Harrison

2) Well, this is an admittedly off-kilter suggestion. But I think Robert Frost's poem Stopping By The Woods On A Snowy Evening contains the kernel of a story waiting to be told. Who is the speaker? What makes him wistful about the woods? What is tugging at him so hard he cannot linger to enjoy them? (Of course, all of this assumes you don1t want to get into any of the death metaphors bounding through the snow.)

3) First story to come to mind is Anansi and the Strange, Moss-Covered Rock. Anansi went walking, walking, walking in the cool forest." Years ago I remember a story wherein animals join a child. When I went for a walk in the forest." Then there's Peter and the Wolf.

4) My favorite story for the woods is in Anne Pellowski's book, Why Plants Have Human Parts, I have it in my computer if you need it. Another good woods story is the Woodcutter, gets lost in the woods, goes to witch's house, she turns into a snake, he has to escape and can't, birds he saved twenty five years ago ring church bells to save his life. It's not scary and keeps the listener wide awake. For 6 years and older I'd say.Let me know if you need Plants are Human. It's great.

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(This web page updated 10/28/03)