When I was in the fifth grade Bill Harley came to our school to tell us some stories.  I didn’t know it then but I met the man that would help change my future.  It wasn’t so much the show that he put on for the school – that was great – but it was afterwards that sticks in my mind more.  After the show he came to Mrs. Wieler’s classroom because we had done a version of his song Fifty Ways to Fool Your Mother.  I can’t remember the version we sang (sorry - but it was over 20 years ago) but I can remember being so excited that he came to our class to hear a song that we made up.  Years later, when I became a storyteller myself I decided to be the kind of storyteller that Bill Harley is.  The kind of storyteller that doesn’t try to distract you with funny clothes or sight gags – but instead impresses you with the stories that he tells.  Letting the stories be what matters. 

Check out Bill Harley’s stuff if you get a chance – it is amazing!  My personal favorites are Monsters in the Bathroom and There’s a Pea on my Plate.

Below are pictures of the autographs that I’ve gotten over the years.

The Cover of Sarah’s Story

The Auotgraph inside Sarah’s Story

Friends Academy Poster

  

I started the day in Framingham at Bright Horizons where I go twice a month to tell my tales to the toddlers and preschoolers there.  They were treated to the March Book of the Month Shortcut and to some really funny stories.  Then I was off to Marshfield to the Ventress Memorial Library where I was greeted by 100 excited children.  As usual, Marshfield was a pleasure and they are such a polite and energetic audience.  I love seeing the same faces over and over and was informed that my biggest fans all come from Marsfield.  (Plymouth might have something to say about that) Can’t wait to see you again!  Thank you for coming!    

For the rest of the pics – please click on the titles below:

• Ventress 1

• Ventress 2

• Ventress 3

• Ventress 4

I visited the Abington Public Library this morning at 11:00am.  I was met with great enthusiasm by the Children’s Librarian who told me we were to expect a wonderful crowd.  And that’s exactly what we got!  About 50 children ranging from Kindergarten to 6th Grade came and laughed themselves silly.  Then it was off to Sharon for a 2:00pm show where 100 of the community kids were all ready to hear some stories.  Thank you to the Sharon Librarian who keeps having me back, and to the community for continuing to come back and listening to my stories!  See you over April vacation!

For more pictures of todays adventures click on the titles below:

• The Calm before the Storm
• Telling a Story in Abington
• The Children Dancing
• Juggling Madness
• Sharon dancing to “Old Man Johnson”
• Catching the Balls

This story is about a group of children who decide to take a shortcut home – walking on train tracks!  Follow the boys and girls as they soon realize that walking on the train tracks was not a good idea.  This story is most effective when you use a slow monotone voice while narrating and don’t forget the train sound effects!