Storyteller John Weaver is a parent, performer and early childhood professional based in the San Francisco Bay Area of California. In addition to ongoing programs for the Menlo Park Library, John performs at schools, recreation centers, libraries, bookstores, museums, festivals, family attractions, conferences, parent education seminars, camp-outs, & “read-ins.” Visit John's website at www.storytellerjohnweaver.com, & e-mail John at storytellerjohnweaver(at)yahoo(dot)com
In the summer, when I conduct many book-based library programs geared toward school-aged children, I am constantly on the lookout for biographies that can introduce an important figure to young children, but still be simple & snappy enough to manage to engage a large, mixed-age group. This is a tall order, especially when the program takes place on a lawn, on a bright and breezy summer morning!
I was lucky enough this week to discover a new book that I know will work not just for these motley groups I describe, but is great for preschoolers, as well! Me...Jane, written and illustrated by Patrick McDonnell (of "Mutts" comic strip fame), is a simple-looking picture book about an adventuresome young girl. Young Jane loves to explore and play outdoors, often accompanied by a stuffed chimp toy she names Jubilee. Jane studies nature, drawing and making notes on what she sees, and she dreams of living among the animals. At the end of the book, we learn that the girl's dreams have come true, as we see a photograph of a real-life, grown-up Jane with a real-life chimpanzee.
I find McDonnell's picture-book story treatment of the early childhood of the famous primatologist Jane Goodall to be ingenious; not only does it function as a beautifully-illustrated, stand-alone picture book story for pre- and early readers, but it also introduces Goodall, with more detail on her and her life's work at the end of the story itself. We have the biography aspect, animals, and themes of dreams, achievement, and girl power. Love it!
The first group of preschoolers with whom I shared Me...Jane enjoyed the story, and the idea it was about a real person. This is a book I can look forward to sharing again and again, knowing it will reach each child at his or her own level.
Here's a very nice email I received from the director of Heads Up Early Learning Institute in Palo Alto, where I recently had a great time sharing stories:
Hi John:
Thank you! The kids had so much fun and the teachers were still talking about how much fun it was during lunch hour. Everyone enjoyed themselves.
It was such a breath of fresh air in storytelling. My kids are a great judge of character and they clearly felt very comfortable with you. I have been asked numerous times when you are coming back. We will definitely do this again in the very near future.
National Library Week is here! How to celebrate? Here are just a few simple ideas:
READ. Parents, please notice I didn’t say, “read to your children.” That’s vital. Do that more. Fit it in to your everyday routine, and also fit it in, in non-routine ways. But it’s also vital to let your children catch you reading to yourself! This action models reading as a worthwhile pursuit. Last year, I had a parent admit to me that her children thought she could not read—because they had never seen her do so! Sadly, it would seem she has also not read to them within the span of their memory. Do not let this happen to you!
GET A LIBRARY CARD. If you have one, dust it off. The best way to celebrate libraries is by using the ones you have.
TAKE A FRIEND TO THE LIBRARY. Maybe your friend does not have a library card. You probably have friends who aren’t even aware of the locations of the local libraries. Some people think they don’t have time, but do they have time for coffee? Meet them for a coffee at the closest library café, and then take a stroll through the building. Some people say they don’t like to read, don’t have time to read—but maybe they’ll actually see something they like. Does your friend like TV? You know, the library has quite a collection of book featuring TV characters, like Scooby-Doo and Spongebob Squarepants, Dexter and Paula Deen.
CHECK THE EVENTS CALENDAR. Your local libraries have tons of events happening every month—storytimes, travelogues, author visits, puppet shows, movies, game days, even homework, legal, and tax help—synch your calendars!
TAKE YOUR LIBRARY CARD ONLINE. Do NOT abandon your library building, but DO check out its website (you can even do so from inside the library itself—your computer or theirs)! The library pays for all kinds of premium services, and then gives you free access—all you need is your library card. You could get help finding a job, or starting a new business, buying a new car, repairing an older one, or learning a new language. Check different library’s sites, because not every library has every resource. You’ll be surprised what is open to you and the students in your house, for free!
JOIN THE FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY. Please join. The Friends of the Library are a vital lifeline in this financially-troubled time when layoffs are common & resources are stretched. The Friends provide the funds that support library programs such as the annual Summer Reading Game and all of its amazing free performances. They enrich the library at every turn, and libraries would be in dire straits indeed without these groups. Join. It’s cheap. Shop at their book sales regularly. You’ll be able to build your home library at a bargain rate.
EVANGELIZE. The libraries need to be utilized by you, supported by you—and they need you to be their cheerleader! Talk about what you are reading. Talk about libraries. Write a letter to the editor of your newspaper. Write a letter to your elected representatives at every level. Pick up or print out a flyer of the library’s family programs and hand a copy to your child’s teacher, put it up at the school office, bring it up at the PTA meeting. Put one up on the bulletin board of the supermarket, coffee shop, ad infinitum. The key to supporting and saving libraries is to have enough people who care to save them. Most people don’t even know the range of programs available. Most people spend more time at Target than they do at their local library. Put a flyer up at Target.
COOKIES FOR YOUR LOCAL LIBRARIANS? Well, that’s sweet, but using your library regularly, getting new people (and old friends) in, and supporting the Friends group—that is ever so much sweeter, and exponentially more sustaining.
Finally, and most importantly:
FORGET NATIONAL LIBRARY “WEEK.” Your library needs you all year long. Your library cannot subsist on one weekly push, so keep coming in, keep utilizing the resources, and supporting them, and telling everyone about them! Keep reading!
Toddler, Preschool & Family Storytimes Livermore Public Library
Join John for the fun each week:
Mondays: 10:30am Toddler Storytime; 7pm Family Storytime, Civic Center (through May 9) Wednesdays: 10:30am Toddler Storytime, Civic Center (through May 11)
Fridays: 10:30 & 11:00 Toddler & Preschooler Storytimes, Rincon (through May 13)
Other recent or upcoming events include storytelling for Heads Up Early Learning Institute in Palo Alto, Elan Esprit preschools in Milpitas & Santa Clara, Bright Horizons/Garner Preschool Learning Center in Alameda, The Child Day School in Lafayette, Husky House, and Children's Academy of Danville. For regular updates, connect with me on Facebook!
