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!

Before I tell you about this great winter time tale I just want to mention, when I started this quest of blogging about all the great children’s books I’ve seen and read, and promoting them on my site, as well as the authors and publishing companies I always enjoy seeing the authors sites.  Some authors don’t have sites – but a lot do – and every book that I promote also tells you the author’s name at the top there – and if you click on the name of the author you can visit their site (if they have one).  I have visited Jane Yolen’s site and it is one of the best and most informative sites I’ve been on.  Please check it out.

This month I decided to talk about Jane Yolen’s perfect witer time tale, Owl Moon.  The book captures a cold, winter walk through the woods searching for a glimpse of an owl so vividly, you might want to wear a jacket when you read it.  By the way – the child in the book is a little girl – not that Jane Yolen wanted you to know that.  It says so on her site.  So, again, check it out!  

 

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

Winter is here!  I love the winter season.  I love the bitter cold, I love the snow, I love warm feeling you get when inside your house near a warm fire.  But most of all I love winter themed books.  This book, by the wonderful Denise Fleming, shows all of the forest animals letting each other know that the winter is on its way.  Each animal tells another until the little lady bug tells the bear, who is already aware and already going to sleep.  Denise’s images are amazing to say the least.  Her warm, inviting water colors mixed with her ability to create the cutest forest animals makes this a winter book every person should have to read to their little ones. 

As always, click on the image or any of the titles/links above to get more information.

– 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!

This sweet book is “November’s Book of the Month” in honor of my father whose birthday is a little later this month.  I think this story is very important in part that the father in this book has trouble telling his son he that he loves him.  Then, with many strange looks from the people who surrounded them, he finds a very special way to tell his son “I love you.”  I discovered this book thanks to the Plymouth Library Children’s Department who has let me spend hours there reading.  Now I pass this book onto you.  Get it and enjoy!

On Thursday of last week I ventured to Eastham to do my “Scary (but not too scary) Tall Tales” for the Elementary aged children there.  It was a blast.  That’s the only way I can describe the show.  The children were so ready to have a good time and laughed their way through most of the show – except for when I told Timmy – when it was silent in the room with the kids on the edge of their seats, even though they were sitting on the floor.  Olivia, my wife took the pictures so a big thank you goes out to her!