A full day of shows today started in Lakeville at 11:00am where a full room of children and adults laughed throughout “Sarah’s Little Brother” a story off my first CD “Hot Mustard and Grandpa’s Milk”.  The room was filled with a bunch of familiar and new faces that enjoyed the first appearence of the year of Alligator who they sang for.

Then it was off to Sharon Library for a 2:00 show that brought many returning friends, many of who came up to say “Hi” and “Thank you” after the show.  Thank you to everyone who came out and braved the cold.  It’s so much fun to return to the different communities that I’ve visited.

 

I was in Marshfield today – it’s like a home away from home.  Thank you, Wendy, for taking pictures for me – and for telling me about the lunar eclipse tonight – it was fantastic!  The room was full of children and laughter as I told my audience “Cupcakes” and introduced them to a bunch of my other puppets!

I love this next picture because Wendy caught the Juggling ball in mid air!  Yet, I’m not even looking at it!

It was so much fun today!  I can’t wait to come back some time!  Thank you to everyone for coming and listening to my silly stories!

 

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 love my home town.  The children came by the hundreds today to the library to see my funny little show.  Thank you Mrs. McGrath for taking a few pictures so that I could post a little to show you.  The top picture is showing the start of the show where I performed the Bill Harley Classic “Sitting Down to Eat” and showcased a bunch of my rarely seen puppets!  I know it’s really dark this other picture is a bit better…

It was alot of fun – and I can’t wait to back in the summer!  See everyone then!

 

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! 

 

This book blew me away the first time I saw it.  And I can’t take the credit for discovering it, the wonderful librarians at the Walpole Library introduced me to this book.  With every turn of the page you see the horse gallop, or a chicken walk or even a monkey swing from vine to vine!  The animals actually move and fluidly glide across the page!  This is a beautifully inventive and wild book that entertains many, many times over!

 

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

 

My first Library show of the new year started off with a really fun and energetic crowd in Wapole!  About 50 people joined me to hear Wolf and Moose and to hear a different, personalized take on the 3 bears.  One of my favorite adapted classics.  I also was able to take some time afterward to slip into the Norwood New England Comics afterward so I could pick up some Incredible Hulk comics.  If you were not aware, I am a huge Hulk fan.  In fact, this February I will be displaying part of my vast Incredible Hulk collection at the Plymouth Library.  When you come to see the Big Ryan show you can also check out some of my favorite pieces!

If any library is interested in having me display part of my collection please email me at ryanstalltales@hotmail.com and I would be more than happy to set up a time to “show off” my vast collection.

By the way, I know I look a little Grizzly Adams in these pictures, I have since shaved the beard.  With all the warmer weather we were getting I shaved it off Sunday morning.  Right before my wife informed me that we were getting a huge snowstorm on Monday.  Which we did.  Doh!

  

I was able to tell some stories for the children of Little People’s College on Christmas Eve.  They thanked me by sending me some great pictures they drew of me and the stories I told.  I will be creating a whole new page to showcase some of the Big Ryan art I’ve received over the years.  Keep an eye out!