While waiting for my show to start I heard 2 little girls in the front of the crowd talking.  They weren’t discussing anything in general but I overheard this and thought it was funny enough to pass on…

Girl 1: “Hey, ask me why the chicken crossed the road.”

Girl 2: “Why did the chicken cross the road?”

Girl 1: “I have no idea.”

See?  Wasn’t that funny?   I laughed for a while just thinking about that!

Alright, maybe you had to be there…

The 2008 Caldecott and Newbery Medals were awarded a bit ago.  With my love and passion for children’s literature I thought that I’d pass on the news to you!

Caldecott Medals:

Winner!: The Invention of Hugo Cabret (link in image above)
See the other winners here

Newbery Medals:

Winner!: Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village
See the other winners here

Check out the sidebar for a new page titled “Be Your Own Storyteller!”  The page is filled with answers to alot of the questions I get and my own personal beliefs of what storytelling means to me.  Also, my ideas on what you can do to be your very own storyteller!

 

I hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday!  This is a picture of me with my nephew Nicholas (who is wearing 2 different socks) on Christmas morning.  I had been lacking in the blogs area this December – sorry about that – it has been awfully busy and I’ve been trying to line up an exciting and fun-filled 2008 for all of my fans out there!  Keep an eye on the Upcoming Shows page – it is filling up fast! 

If you are to check out my Heroes blog (on the side there) you will see a blog about one of my favorite storytellers – Bill Harley.  And below is a comment from Nathan, a 7 year old who likes my stories - and likes Bill Harley’s as well.  And then he adds that Bill Harley’s website is better (it’s okay, I like his better too!) because you can listen to stuff on his.  While I don’t have sound clips available yet – I do have quick videos for people to check out on the Videos Page – with more on the way!  Take some time and enjoy them!

2008 will be bringing some exciting developments I’m working on a Big Ryan’s Tall Tales DVD and a new CD due out some time at the end of the year!  Also, Big Ryan will be hosting a children’s workshop called “Building Stories” this summer.  Please email me at ryanstalltales@hotmail.com if you are interested in finding out about this amazing workshop.  See you real soon!

– Big Ryan

Plymouth has to be some of the biggest, most well attended shows, with great crowds and excited children form all over.  I enjoy coming to tell my stories at the Plymouth Library so much, and it brings me much pleasure to tell you that the Librarian contacted me to ask if I could perform my winter tales at the Library on February 19th at 10:30am!!!  Make sure you mark this date on your calendar and I can’t wait to see everyone there! 

– Big Ryan

Just hoping that everyone’s Thanksgiving is a great one!  Get stuffed!  Not you Turkey…

There is now a video page that you can go to and see Big Ryan in action!  Check it out!  There are only 2 up at the moment but I am working on getting some more and also trying to get a video out this year – I will keep everyone posted!

Please come join me tomorrow at 11:00am ant the Taunton Public Library.  For some reason I had the wrong time on the Upcoming Shows Page listed at 10:00am – but as you see on Taunton’s website – right here – that the show is actually at 11:00am – sorry for the confusion and I will see you there tomorrow!

 

South Yarmouth Library’s website now has some un-edited pictures up of the performance from Sunday.  You can check them out here and here. 

Big Ryan is now scheduling for his Fall shows! 

September brings the Autumn show featuring “Imagination Trips” that explore what happens to the leaves when the weather gets colder!  Chilren get to laugh through stories like “The Great Carrot Disaster” and Wolf and Moose tell “Treat 4 Bear”!  A fun and wild time that Big Ryan only does once a year.

Then, October brings “Big Ryan’s Scary (but not the scary) Tall Tales for Children”  A wildly popular show with Big Ryan classics such as “The Scared Crow” and the seasonal favorite “Timmy”.  Also, Edgar and Charlie (the dog puppets) come out to tell “Sleepover.”  Shedule Big Ryan now to beat the rush when October is here!

Autumn is my favorite time of year – I can hardly wait!  Hope to hear from you soon!