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!
If you want to experience 3-D entertainment, there’s no need to sit through the latest overrated blockbuster movie, which is guaranteed only to assault your senses, intelligence, & eyesight. Go old-school, and seek out some pop-up books! They cover every genre, from cute animal story, to humor, to action—even the classics are out there, such as Alice in Wonderland, Winnie-the-Pooh, and works by Shakespeare and Mother Goose, herself. The paper engineering will cause some oohs & aahs, and maybe even inspire the craftier folks in the crowd.
Here’s a tiny list of just a handful of my favorites; seek them out, but also keep your eyes open for some new favorites of your own!
Charlie Chick
Nick Denchfield & Ant Parker
Charlie Chick is big and round, with big feet & a big beak—but what’s even bigger than Charlie Chick? I love this book! It’s big & bold, simple & sturdy—and very funny!
I Love to Eat Bugs
John Strejan
In this version of the traditional tale of one-upmanship, we meet several animals who pop out of the book & tell us about their dining habits. Talk about your favorite foods as you read this book, and don’t miss the opportunity to make a few animal sounds.
Big Frog Can’t Fit In
Mo Willems
Big Frog has a hard time fitting into her own book, but she eventually gets by—with some help from her little friends. The simple, eye-appealing art of Mo Willems pokes & flies out of this chunky book, thanks to some amazing paper engineering by Bruce Foster.
Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me
Eric Carle
Monica wants to play with the moon, so she asks her Papa to bring it to her. The moonrise in this book is so big, I’m tempted to hold it near my bathtub to see if it can make waves.
Under the Bed
David Wood & Richard Fowler
The simplest of this set, this is the familiar story about a small child’s (in this case, a small bear child’s) claim of a monster under the bed. Watch out for the surprise, pop-up, ending!
Do you have any favorite pop-up books? Please tell me about them—I don’t want to miss out on the 3-D fun!
Janet Stevens made me bark like a dog in front of hundreds of teachers at the 2011 SCCRC Asilomar Reading Conference!
Stevens was giving a presentation to the group, and got around to a book of hers called "Help Me, Mr. Mutt: Expert Answers for Dogs with People Problems." Lots of confused, barking dogs in this one. Stevens suddenly pointed to the person seated directly before her to get up & do the "heavy barking." That was me. She had no idea she was calling up a professional--and I never told her!
Curl up in a comfy place when you open a book by Janet Stevens, because you (and your child, if you're sharing) will both want to take your time to explore the intricate, witty illustrations on each page. Hidden surprises abound. Janet's artwork has enhanced works by authors including Eric Kimmel and Coleen Salley, and Stevens herself has penned many books, both alone & with her sister, Susan Stevens Crummel. Here are just a small handful:
Tops & Bottoms
The star of this book is a hare who once “lost a risky bet with a tortoise.” Now he has to get his food by tricking a lazy bear. Kids can laugh along with this trickster tale, and learn a little bit about their veggies at the same time.
My Big Dog
Merl the cat seemed very happy to have his home & his family all to himself—so obviously a dog had to come into the picture. Colorful illustrations are integrated with real photographs, and a very cute puppy.
Cook-a-Doodle-Doo!
Fans of the Little Red Hen will be interested to learn that great-grandson is a baker, as well. Rooster has a lot of help—but it is not necessarily helpful help. The story is funny, there are a lot of lessons about kitchens & cooking along the way, and there’s a tasty recipe at the end.
The Great Fuzz Frenzy
This book is the true story of how Janet's dog, Violet the Golden Retriever, dropped her ball down a prairie dog hole—and the fantastical imagining about what may have happened next. You’ll turn the book, fold out pages—and maybe even want to set about puzzling some prairie dogs, yourself!
Plaidypus Lost
A little girl gets a very special homemade plaid friend from her grandmother, and what’s the first thing she does? She loses it! And she gets it back. And she loses it again. Everybody should recognize the pattern, even if they have no idea what a platypus (or plaidypus) is!
The Dish Ran Away with the Spoon
Where did dish & spoon go? Little Dog isn’t laughing—it’s time to round up a search party! Everyone gets involved: Little Boy Blue, Little Miss Muffet’s Spider—even the Big Bad Wolf!
That should be enough to get you started. You can also visit the author's web page to view a larger list of titles, download coloring sheets, learn about her art process, and more.
Check out Janet Stevens, and let me know what you think!
Preschool & Family Storytimes Livermore Public Library
Join John for the fun each week:
Mondays: 7pm Family Storytime, Civic Center (through May 9)
Fridays: 10:30 & 11:00 Toddler & Preschooler Storytimes, Rincon (through May 13)
Other recent or upcoming events include storytelling for Brier Elementary in Fremont, Brentwood Elementary, The Child Day School in Lafayette, and Children's Academy of Danville. For regular updates, connect with me on Facebook!
No, I am not a month late! I am referring to the Lunar New Year, AKA Chinese New Year (but many Asian cultures actually celebrate the Lunar New Year). This year, the new year falls on February 3, kicking off the Year of the Rabbit. If you were born in one of the following years--1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, or 1999--you are a rabbit! To sum up the characteristics of a person born in the Year of the Rabbit: they are very special! Just like everyone born in any of the 12 phases of the lunar cycle!
In honor of the bunnies out there, I am offering up a few of my favorite rabbit books--so let's hop to it!
A Boy and His Bunny
Sean Bryan & Tom Murphy
“One day a boy woke up with a bunny on his head.” It’s an amazing day, and a fun book full of simple pictures & funny rhymes—and you’ll love what Sister brings to the story.
Bunny Fun
Sarah Weeks & Sam Williams
Indoor time on a rainy day, with bright pictures & rhymes as we watch two friends play! There are some wonderful visuals for good things to do—and also a few opportunities to discuss the not-so-great choices!
Duck! Rabbit!
Amy Krouse Rosenthal & Tom Lichtenheld
Is that a duck getting a drink, or a rabbit cooling its ears in the water? A pair of off-page voices disagree over the shape we see, and by the end, we’ve all been able to exercise our imaginations.
The Max & Ruby books
Rosemary Wells
The cute little bunny & his bossy big sister have made it to TV, but make sure you don’t overlook their books! In Bunny Cakes, Max is sent around to buy ingredients for Ruby to make Grandma’s birthday cake—but he also finds time to make one himself. There’s no recipe at the end, & you’ll understand why.
Not a Box
Antoinette Portis
I love this book (which looks like a box, but is not). The rabbit/child is playing with—well, with what the book’s off-page narrator thinks is a box. It’s not a box. It’s many, many things—but it is NOT NOT NOT NOT a box!
Read to Your Bunny
Rosemary Wells
Bunnies read outside & inside, day & night, in every situation possible. Bunnies show the rest of us how it’s done! Read to your bunny often.
If you have any favorite bunny books, or books on celebrations, or culture, or anything at all-- please tell me about them. I don't want to miss out!
Books are more than just reading material these days!
Wait, scratch that: there seems to be a trend of people using books as a lotless than reading material.
According to this article originally printed in The New York Times, the big new trend in interior design is big, custom-built libraries. Boy, I sure would love to have one of those! I’m thinking built-in shelves in at least two rooms of my home—and maybe overhead in a hallway or two—to corral the thousands of books that spill out all over, and maybe even encourage me to somehow keep them all organized. Sure, I’ve got plenty of perfectly-serviceable bookcases, but isn’t the built-in look so much more neat-looking, much cooler—much more, I don’t know, built-in? That’s not even taking into account the fact that I live in earthquake country, where heavy bookcases can become very dangerous, super-sized dominoes. And did I mention that built-ins look cool?
So people are spending thousands for these custom-designed libraries. The thing is, the designers are also supplying the books! And you can get any genre of book you want, like light blue & gray, earth tones, paper-wrapped, or even sheathed in linen! If you’re looking for even more mental stimulation, perhaps you’d like to go for the “books displayed backwards” option, so that you could enjoy the texture of the pages. Mm, paper-y! Or if you are into a more classic look, you can still go for a library of same-sized volumes, all bound identically in rich Corinthian leather—on all six sides, if you wish.
Apparently, those of us who actually like to read our books should be grateful for this decorating trend, as it is a boon to the more-endangered-than-ever publishing industry—if only as a way for them to slough off their remainders of Danielle Steele potboilers and Michael Jackson biographies, giving them a new lease on life following a vigorous draping in taffeta. Yes, it would appear as if these biblioartistes and their clientele are actually subsidizing the reading habits of the rest of us!
To be fair, if I must, some of these showcase books may eventually get read. May. The more affordable of the libraries come without the choice of any particular language of text, but at least one client insisted on English, because “he wanted the option of being able to read his books.” Options, after all, are where it’s at here in the ‘10s. Of course, other folks are more into appearances than options, such as the people who “insist that (the books) be in English, because they want them to look as if they could read the books.” Yeah, “as if they could read the books.” As if.
Now, the buzz you’ll hear a lot in childhood education circles is about having a “literature-rich environment.” This has to do with incorporating books and reading throughout the home and school environments: books in the playhouse, reading recipes aloud as you cook together—and of course, letting your children “catch you” reading for pleasure. We can translate all of this into the terms of the new decorating craze, can we not? Next time you redecorate your kids’ room, don’t forget books! Get some children’s classics—or whatever, really, it doesn’t matter (as long as they are of a uniform size)—find some cute wrapping paper (bonus points if you laminate it first)—and truss them up! You’ll probably have to tell the children that these are not gifts, and are therefore never to be opened, but they’re sure to catch on eventually and enjoy the style as much as trendy adults around the country already do. C’mon, get into the spirit; it’s enough that you actually have all of these books in your house—no need to waste time actually reading any of them!
Read Across America Day is coming! Sure, it's happening on March 2nd--about a month & a half away as I write this--but it's never too early to start planning, or to start reading!
The Read Across America initiative was created by the National Education Association to celebrate Dr. Seuss (whose birthday was on March 2), and also something that author celebrated in every one of his books for young people: the joy of reading. Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel was no fan of the beginning reader books of his day, which featured thrilling text along the lines of, "See Mark. See Janet. See Mark sit. See Janet sit. Sit, Mark. Sit Janet. See Mark and Janet sit." These are the memories of my bored inner five-year-old; my school had apparently not yet adopted Seuss (though my parents had), and in class I had to read about the "adventures" of Janet, Mark, and their equally-thrilling dog Tip ("See Tip. Here, Tip. Come, Tip. Tip-Tip."). Ugh.
Thank goodness for Dr. Seuss, who came along and gave beginning reader books what they needed: FUN. The Foot Book, for instance, combines its simple vocabulary with rhyme, silliness, bright & inventive illustrations--AND also manages to cover the subject of opposites! Hooray for Dr. Seuss, on his birthday and every day.
So, how to celebrate Read Across America Day? Schools & libraries do it by hosting special events with guest readers or storytellers, or just by doing a little extra reading on that day. Seuss-related crafts are very popular, as are campus parades and dramatizations from the works of Dr. Seuss. Does the whole day have to focus on Seuss works, though? NO! It's about celebrating the joy of reading! Is Read Across America just for schools & libraries? No, please don't leave it there; any person or organization can have an event, no matter big or small. Parents? You can read, too! It would be a nice birthday present for Dr. Seuss, and an even bigger gift for your children--today, March 2, and every day.
Celebrating the Hawaii Children's Discover Center's 12th "birthday"
Storytelling in Honolulu for the Waikiki Aquarium and the Hawaii Children's Discovery Center was a lot of fun! I've posted a couple of albums of photos of the experience over at my Facebook page, please go and check them out!
Fall & Winter are the cold & “celebrate-y” parts of the year, with warm thoughts often turned toward family. There are so many wonderful picture books available on the topic—and my short list here (just eleven, I don’t want to overwhelm), doesn’t even scratch the surface. What are some of your favorite books that feature family members having fun together? Here are just a few of mine.
The Big Honey Hunt, by Stan & Jan Berenstain
Back before the the Berenstain Bears became a ubiquitous franchise, there was just small bear and his mom & dad. This simpler, funnier era was my favorite, and The Big Honey Hunt is a great example. Small Bear follows his dad on a stinging adventure, while Mother just waits for the moment they finally get back with the safer, store-bought stuff.
The Family Book, by Todd Parr
We Belong Together: A Book About Adoption and Families, by Todd Parr
“There are lots of different ways to be a family,” writes Todd Parr in The Family Book, and in his typically bright, colorful & simple style, he shows fanciful yet relatable families of all stripes—even skunk stripes! Parr has individual books to cover mommies, daddies, grandmas & grandpas, and even one on adoption: We Belong Together. The entire collection shares funny images that are sure to get kids giggling & talking.
Let’s Go, Froggy, by Jonathan London & Frank Remkiewicz
Froggy & his daddy are planning a bike trip & a picnic, but will they manage to get out of the house in time? The story certainly reinforces the adage, “it’s always the last place you look.” It’s always fun to imitate Froggy’s voice as he replies to his parents’ calls with a stretched-out, “wha-a-a-a-at?”
Oh, Daddy! By Bob Shea
This book is worth picking up for the cool, bold art alone, but the story isn’t lagging either! Little Hippo loves his daddy—and loves showing him how to do things. In fact, Daddy wouldn’t be able to get dressed, get in the car, or even eat lunch without Little Hippo! Great big fun.
Our Grandparents: A Global Album, by Maya Ajmera, Sheila Kinkade, & Cynthia Pon
Beautiful photos from around the world celebrate the joys shared by grandparents and grandchildren. The book ends with “five things to do with your grandparents.” A treasure of a book about treasured family.
Our Granny, by Margaret Wild & Julie Vivas
With gentle wit and lots of love, a pair of children talks about the fact that there are all kinds of grandmothers in the world—and the fact that the most special one to them is their own. Grandmas at storytime always get a giggle out of the idea of a wobbly-bottomed granny who “marches in demonstrations!”
Lola at the Library, by Anna Mcquinn and Rosalind Beardshaw
Lola Loves Stories by Anna Mcquinn and Rosalind Beardshaw
What a great imagination Lola has! She & her daddy load up on library books once a week, and Lola’s parents read or tell her stories every evening. The next day, Lola’s play echoes the previous evening’s stories! This is a family who really knows how to love & play together. For more Lola & family, check out Lola at the Library.
Uncle Bobby’s Wedding, by Sarah S. Brannen
Chloe is scared that when her favorite uncle gets married, she’ll lose him forever. Over the course of this sweet and reaffirming book, she is assured that her family is actually growing to include another favorite relative.
What! Cried Granny: An Almost Bedtime Story, by Kate Lum & Adrian Johnson
Patrick has arrived at his Granny’s for his very first sleepover there—but he seems to be missing a pillow, a teddy bear—and a few other things! Granny will do whatever it takes to make sure Patrick has all of the bedtime essentials he needs, even if it takes all night! Johnson’s bold, colorful art carries the weight of the story, and will have adults & kids smiling at this eager-to-please grandmother.
I hope you check these out, and maybe find some new favorites. If you’ve got some great books in mind—whether they fit in with this list or not—please share them with me!
