Wow!  What a great crowd showed for this past Tuesday’s show!  I have visited the Natick collection twice before but this time was a huge surprise to see just how many people came to hear the show!  Maybe it has a bit to do with this week’s weather – seeing as we are having the coldest days ever this week.  But hey, whatever the reason – I was ecstatic to see so many people there!

I am already in talks to go back in May – so keep an eye on the UPCOMING SHOWS page and I will see you again soon! 

I will be at the Natick Collection tomorrow – anyone in the area please come and check it out!  It’s always a lot of fun!  The stories start at 10:00 – come early to say hello!  I will be bringing a lot of my puppets and telling some fun stories – and afterward… you can go shopping!  Click on the pic above for a link to the website!

I have now been blogging about my favorite books for 2 years (well, next month it will be 2 years…) I have shown you some of my favorite books and people email me all the time thanking me for the recommendations. I love seeing the new children’s books that are released. I love talking to my local Librarian about her favorite books. Well, this past week I was in Fairhaven and the Librarian there talked me into reading a series called “Diary of a Wimpy Kid”. What started out as a funny way for adults to reflect on their childhoods – especially bullied kids, I know I was one of them from time to time, turned out to be a surprise hit for kids today. If you haven’t checked this series out yet – please do – and this is the perfect time to because a new book is coming out in a few days!

Now, let me see about trying to get some of my stories published…

 

I look forward to a new year of storytelling and seeing all of the Big Ryan groupies and even making new fans!

 

Last shows of the year!  Both were packed to the rafters with excited children ready to laugh their way through Big Ryan shows!  First, I visited Fairhaven at the Millicent Library.  I love visiting this library – it’s absolutely beautiful and the crowds that come to the shows are wonderful!  They heard “In the Tub” and Wolf and Moose telling “Can’t Sleep”.

The next show was a hour and a half away in Groton.  Do I mind driving that far?  Not when I get the kind of crowd that Groton had waiting for me.  An exuberant crowd that got to hear “George and the Ants” and Wolf and Moose came out to tell “Can’t Believe Everything You Read…”  Alligator came out to see both crowds and everyone listened and laughed along so amazingly.  This was certainly the way to end the year – see everyone in 2009!  Be sure to check the Upcoming Shows Page to see when I’m in your area!

 

Make sure you check out the Big Ryan shows – the last of the ’08 year!  That’s right!  If you are near the Fairhaven area check out the 10:00am show a the Millicent Library on the 30th!

And later that day – I will heading to Groton for another fun filled show at 2:00pm!  Hope to see a lot of you there!

Here’s to hoping everyone gets to spend this wonderful time of year with their entire family!

 

I had a very fun and also a very interesting day today.  I was in Sharon, then Lexington and ended in Weymouth.  At the end of the shows I had a chance to let the children ask a few questions.  One child asked when my birthday was.  That was funny.  I asked back “Why?  Are you going to get me a present?”

Another child asked me how many stories I have, another asked who my favorite character was – and then another asked “What happened to all your hair?”  I usually can answer rather quickly no matter how off topic the question may be – I mean, we are dealing with children here.  Very rarely do they stay on topic.  Here I just looked around and said back “Oh no!  Did it escape again?  If anyone sees my hair let me know!”

 

I love the winter.  I love the things that only the winter can make special.  My top ten things are:

• 10) Mall Santas – Sure, they’re not the real thing, but that red suit makes anyone look jolly 🙂
• 9) The Sound of Snow – That’s right, the sound!  The crunch under your boot makes me smile.
• 8 ) Christmas Episodes – Not the specials per say – but the holiday episodes in the shows that I watch – just love ’em!
• 7) Movies – Again, not the holiday movies but the wonderful movies that will be nominated for Oscars come out in this season
• 6) Snow Days – I don’t get to work on that day – but it’s still like getting a day off like when I was back in school and school was cancelled! 8)
• 5) Hot Chocolate – For some reason it tastes different at this time of the year, somehow better 😀
• 4) Fires in a Fire Place – Nothing can replace a campfire smell – but this is a distant second…
• 3) Stores Open Later – I love when the majority of stores out there are opened nice and late.  What can I say?  I’m an night owl
• 2) Winter Hats – I might be a little biased – but my bald little head loves them 😛
• 1) Christmas Trees – Yes, I am one of those people who picks mine up the day after Thanksgiving and it’s gone December 26th.  The smell can’t be beat.  Boo to those fake trees.  They should be outlawed!

I love getting pictures of me from kids who drew them – especially when they did it in the middle of the show!  This past Saturday I was telling stories in Onsett and, as I did, one of the boys watching began sketching in his little notebook.  At the end of the show he presented me with this drawing of me with the Alligator puppet.  So, thank you Anthony, for this awesome picture.