The beautiful puppets I use are amazing.  I don’t even need a theater to conceal myself – when I bring out the puppets all eyes are on them!  But after 8 wonderful years of telling stories with them it has finally happened.  I need to replace them.  I need to get new “friends”, and even though they are just puppets, it’s still a little sad.  It’s like they have a personality of their very own.  But I know I need new puppets…

During one storytelling, as I brought out the dog puppets, Edgar, the little black puppy, shook his head and all of a sudden his eye popped off!  It went bouncing across the floor and landed right in front of a little girl who picked it up and just held onto it until the story was done.  After I put Edgar and Uncle Charlie down I walked over and the little girl handed me the eye.  But, I’m telling you, that could’ve gone a lot worse!

If anyone is interested in what company makes the puppets that I use, or would like to buy some of them themselves - you can go to Folkmanis.com – great puppets that last a long time even after constant use!  And I am living proof!

Lastly, if any school, library, or fan is interested in my taking my old puppets off my hands please email me at ryanstalltales@hotmail.com – Thanks, Big Ryan 

 

Alot of friends expressed interest in the Children’s Workshop “Building Stories” that I am hosting this summer.  I ran out of flyers and stated that I would post the info for anyone interested.  Just a reminder – you must register to be part of the workshop, and NO – you do NOT have to be a Plymouth resident to partake in “Building Stories”:

Summer Events 2008:

Big Ryan’s Tall Tales Presents: Building Stories Workshops

            “Building stories” are exciting, brand new workshops designed by Big Ryan to nurture and showcase your child’s natural ability to tell stories.  Great for children who have a wild imagination – even better for children who have difficulties using their imagination – Big Ryan’s workshop exercises their brains and lets them have fun in the process!  Taking place 4 Saturdays over the summer, each week we will develop better skills as storytellers and then the children will have the opportunity to showcase their storytelling abilities for families and friends in a “Story-fest” the following Sunday.

Two age groups and sessions are available:

                       

                          Session 1                                            Session 2                                      

             (11:00am -12:00pm, Ages 5-7)        ( 11:00am-12:00pm, Ages 5-7) 

             (1:00pm-2:00pm, Ages 8-11)          (1:00pm-2:00pm, Ages 8-11)

                          June 28^th                                             August 2^nd           

                          July 12^th                                              August 9^th            

                          July 19^th                                              August 16^th            

                          July 26^th                                              August 23^rd      

                 Story-fest: July 27^th                           Story-fest: August 24^th 

To ensure that each child gets the personal attention he/she needs:  Each session will enroll only 12 children each!  

            Enrollment in the four-week session is $45.00.  The children will gather for one hour each week par-taking in some storytelling exercises.  Then, Big Ryan will spend time with each child individually crafting their very own tale which they will have the opportunity to showcase at the Story-fest!

Thanks for everyone who has asked questions and showed interest.  If you have any questions please feel free to call me at 508 641 5336 or email me at ryanstalltales@hotmail.com  I look forward to hearing from everyone!  This will be so much fun!

*By the way – I’m not sure what the Bird picture has to do with this post – I just needed something to put here and thought it was nice.

 

I will be doing a huge Big Ryan show on Feb 19th – but if you go to the Plymouth Library now – you will see, The Hulk!!!!!! 

A portion (a very small portion) of Big Ryan’s Hulk memorabilia is on display for the entire month of February.  Check that out now, then come back to see Big Ryan! 

 

 

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!