Upcoming Events

Storytimes at the Livermore & Menlo Park Libraries are in brown; storytelling events are in red.  Keep checking in for updates!

_______________________________

REGULAR LIBRARY STORYTIME EVENTS:

MONDAYS (Livermore Public Library, Civic Center)

10:30am School-age "Dream Weaver" event

11:30 Infant Storytime

7pm Family Storytime

THURSDAYS (Menlo Park Library)

11:15 Toddler Storytime

2:15 Preschool Storytime

FRIDAYS (Livermore Public Library, Rincon)

10:30 School-age Storytime

_________________________________________________________

Monday, July 1

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

10:30am School-age "Dream Weaver" event

11:30 Infant Storytime

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime

Friday, July 5

Livermore Public Library, Rincon

10:30am School-age Storytime

Monday, July 8

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

10:30am School-age "Dream Weaver" event

11:30 Infant Storytime

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime

Wednesday, July 10

San Luis Obispo Library

995 Palm St.

Storytelling at 10:30am

Thursday, July 11

Atascadero Library at Colony Park Community Center

5599 Traffic Wy

Storytelling at 11am

Thursday, July 11

Paso Robles Library

1000 Spring Street

Storytelling at 1 & 3pm

Friday, July 12

Livermore Public Library, Rincon

10:30am School-age Storytime

Monday, July 15

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

10:30am School-age "Dream Weaver" event

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime

Wednesday, July 17

Fairfield Civic Center Library

1150 Kentucky Street

Storytelling at 3:30pm

Thursday, July 18

Menlo Park Library

11:15 Toddler Storytime
2:15 Preschool Storytime

Friday, July 19

Livermore Public Library, Rincon

10:30am School-age Storytime

Monday, July 22

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

10:30am School-age "Dream Weaver" event

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime

Thursday, July 25

Menlo Park Library

11:15 Toddler Storytime

2:15 Preschool Storytime

Friday, July 26

Livermore Public Library, Rincon

10:30am School-age Storytime

Saturday, July 27

SPECIAL EVENT: SLEEPOVER STORYTELLING

CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND

Lake Merritt, Oakland

Contact park about their special sleepovers, which include puppet shows, rides, and other overnight fun!

Monday, July 29

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

10:30am School-age "Dream Weaver" event

11:30 Infant Storytime

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime

Wednesday, July 31

Cupertino Library

10800 Torre Ave.

Storytelling at 3pm

Thursday, August 1

Menlo Park Library

11:15 Toddler Storytime

2:15 Preschool Storytime

Friday, August 2

Livermore Public Library, Rincon

10:30am School-age Storytime

Monday, August 5

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

10:30am School-age "Dream Weaver" event

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime

Thursday, August 8

Menlo Park Library

11:15 Toddler Storytime

2:15 Preschool Storytime

Friday, August 9

Livermore Public Library, Rincon

10:30am School-age Storytime

Monday, August 12

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

10:30am School-age "Dream Weaver" event

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime

(FINAL CIVIC CENTER STORYTIMES FOR LIVERMORE SUMMER SESSION)

Thursday, August 15

Menlo Park Library

11:15 Toddler Storytime
2:15 Preschool Storytime

Friday, August 16

Livermore Public Library, Rincon

10:30am School-age Storytime

(FINAL STORYTIMES FOR LIVERMORE SUMMER SESSION)

Thursday, August 22

Menlo Park Library

11:15 Toddler Storytime
2:15 Preschool Storytime

Thursday, August 29

Menlo Park Library

11:15 Toddler Storytime
2:15 Preschool Storytime

Saturday, August 31
Sunday, September 1

CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND

Lake Merritt, Oakland

Storytelling at 1:30pm & 2:30pm (different stories each time), weather-dependent.

Thursday,  September 5

Menlo Park Library

11:15 Toddler Storytime

2:15 Preschool Storytime

Saturday, October 19
Sunday, October 20

CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND

Lake Merritt, Oakland

Storytelling at 1:30pm & 2:30pm (different stories each time), weather-dependent.

Saturday, December 7
Sunday, December 8

CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND

Lake Merritt, Oakland

Storytelling at 1:30pm & 2:30pm (different stories each time), weather-dependent.

Other recent or upcoming events include storytelling & education for Walters Junior High, Tutor Time, Blacow Elementary, Acorn Learning Center, Children's Creative Learning Centers, Heads Up, Montevideo Elementary, Fremont Unified School District, Belmont Oaks Academy, Bright Horizons, & La Petite Academy.  Private events (for schools, etc.) do not show up in listings above.  For regular updates, connect with me on Facebook!

Storyteller John Weaver

Check out the new book: How to be a Storyteller: Essays and Advice on the Art of Storytelling (link HERE)!

Returning to the Central Coast July 10-11!

I'm excited to be returning to SLO County in July to share some all-ages (that means it's for adults, too!) silliness at libraries in San Luis Obispo, Atascadero & Paso Robles.  If you know anyone in the area, please pass it on!

SF Bay Area Storyteller Brings All-Ages Laughter

San Francisco Bay Area Storyteller John Weaver returns to local libraries July 10-11, with tale-spinning stops in San Luis Obispo, Atascadero and Paso Robles.

Storyteller John Weaver, usually known for spreading silliness during his all-ages performances throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and well beyond, will be sharing bilingual tales of Juan Bobo, the Puerto Rican folktale character who never gets things quite right.

Storyteller John Weaver is a parent, performer and Early Childhood Educator who shares his traditional oral storytelling at schools, libraries, zoos and other family attractions.  Weaver’s energetic, humor-filled performances aim to capture the attention of all ages, and encourage families to continue the adventure at home by reading together.  Weaver’s last storytelling visit to the Central Coast took place in October.

All of the library programs are free.  Families are encouraged to check in with the event locations for information.

Wednesday, July 10

10:30am San Luis Obispo Library, 995 Palm Street

Thursday, July 11

11am Atascadero Library at Colony Park Community Center, 5599 Traffic Way

1pm  Paso Robles City Library, 1000 Spring Street

3pm Paso Robles Library Study Center, 3600 Oak Street #101

Storyteller John Weaver

For regular updates, connect with me on Facebook!

Check out the book: How to be a Storyteller: Essays and Advice on the Art of Storytelling (link HERE)!

THIS WEEK: Campbell Library

I'm looking forward to spreading some stories & fun this Wednesday afternoon at the Campbell Library -- please spread the word!

Summer Reading is here at the Menlo Park Library!

Wherever you are, I hope you get into the Summer Reading fun!  Adults don't have to miss out--there are games & prizes for you, and setting a reading example for your kids is vital!  Summer Reading at the Menlo Park Library began June 10, and I think it's the BEST Summer Reading Program I've ever seen!  Check it out.

Yes, there's a teen game, too!  Get more details, and sign up online, at the Menlo Park Library website.

Where are you signing up for Summer Reading, and what do you love about your library's program?  Let me know!

How About a SLEEPOVER AT CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND!

I'll be there the evening of Saturday, July 27, performing a few stories between all of the rides, puppet shows, dinner & after-hours fun!  Get some friends & family together, & book early.  Hope to see you there!

I'll be there on July 27!  Sleepover at Children's Fairyland is always a fun event.

http://fairyland.org/events-and-performances/summer-sleepovers/


Storyteller John Weaver

For regular updates, connect with me on Facebook!

Check out the book: How to be a Storyteller: Essays and Advice on the Art of Storytelling (link HERE)!

This Summer at Your Library: Dig in to Reading!

Summer Reading Programs: “Reading is So Delicious!”

     When school is out, reading is in, with library calendars that are packed with FREE shows, storytimes, crafts and prizes!  Each library is a little different (or a LOT different), but look and you will find games for pre-readers, school-aged kids, teens, and even adults.  There are some not-to-be missed shows taking place: guest storytellers, puppet shows, cultural arts programs, animal presentations, music & magic—usually all coming your way thanks to the Friends of the Library (PLEASE become a member; it’s cheap, and the Friends are any library’s lifeblood)!

This is a good time of year to gather up the event calendars of every library system within your personal stomping grounds!  Here’s a website that can connect residents of the SF Bay Area with many of the libraries in the region: http://www.sccl.org/research/best-of-the-web/other-local-libraries

 As for the library systems where I have the pleasure of booking the special events, the Menlo Park Library and the Livermore Public Library, there is a big summer ahead, and you will definitely want to pick up or download the event calendars (available online NOW)!  At both libraries, the majority of special shows will take place on Wednesday mornings (as event host in Livermore, that means I have to miss all the exciting shows I booked for Menlo Park--BOO!).  There will be a full slate of puppet shows, animal presentations, storytellers, magic, interactive music & more--most designed to address California State Educational Standards, as well as being entertaining for all ages!  Again, I thank the Friends of the Library, without which this enriching entertainment would not be possible.  In addition to the entertainers, both of my libraries will be hosting a Stuffed Animal Sleepover: leave your stuffed animals at the library overnight, then come back for them the next day & see photos of all of the fun they had!  Menlo Park is expecting a couple of very exciting & famous visitors: The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and the Mouse from If  You Give a Mouse a Cookie.  These literary giants will be around for hugs & photo ops, and there will be very special crafts on those days.

You like commercials?  Both libraries have commercials this year!  Here you go:

GROWN-UPS: Please remember that many libraries offer an ADULT Summer Reading Program, and your participation—your example of reading—is an important gift to your child!

I am very excited about Menlo Park's Adult Summer Reading Program, which I've had the pleasure of putting together.  Grown-ups get to play BINGO, marking off reading & library explorations on their sheet.   A BINGO results in a free book and a drink from Peet's Coffee & Tea, plus entry into a drawing that offers a great selection of special prizes: a year's coffee "subscription" from Peet's, admission to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, San Francisco City Pass, certificates from Trader Joe's or Draeger's, shopping at Kepler's Books, dinners, movies... READERS ARE WINNERS!

Please, wherever you live, find out what's going on at your library & take part!  If there's anything super-special you're excited about, share!  I love to hear what's happening at other libraries, and sneak into a special program now & then.

Storyteller John Weaver

For regular updates, connect with me on Facebook!

Check out the book: How to be a Storyteller: Essays and Advice on the Art of Storytelling (link HERE)!

Craft Time: Make a Caterpillar Hat!

Craft Time: Make a Mouse Paper Bag Puppet!

Library Summer Reading: What do YOU like?

Summer Reading Season is almost here!  I've checked out a lot of library summer reading programs over the years, and I wanted to get your opinions regarding these programs: whether you've ever taken part in one, what your favorite parts are--and your fantasies of a "perfect" library summer reading program.

I was surprised to learn that library summer reading programs of one kind or another have been with us for well over a hundred years.  I wasn't around back then, but I think it's safe to say summer at the library has changed quite a bit over the years!  Summer programs' goals of preventing summer learning loss, encouraging the joy of reading, and helping fill those long hours take many forms--and these days, many libraries include adults in the summer reading fun, as well.  I think that's a vital component: if the adults don't model a love of reading, the kids are less likely to follow suit.

The core of a summer reading program is a reading log and a prize.  Libraries vary in how they measure what is read: books, pages, time spent reading.  The culminating prize--and my favorite--at most libraries seems to be a book.  How great to get a congratulations from the librarian, and then get to explore the available books on the cart--and pick one to take home "for keeps!"  For me, it's the one prize that makes perfect sense.  Give me a dinner on the town, sure; a trip to Borneo, yes, please--but definitely give me my choice of a book for finishing the reading game!

Of course, prizes depend upon a library's budget, and library budgets (many of them) have fallen upon hard times.  Donations from local vendors makes up much in the way of prizes for some programs: pizzas, burgers, etc.  A library might throw down for some little trinkets along the way, many purchased from party catalogs or from the same organization from which they purchased their annual theme (the themes you'll see at most libraries this year are "Dig into Reading," or "Reading is So Delicious").  Libraries with a budget can actually go shopping.  They can decide what their communities would love, without having to fully rely upon what might be donated to them from a business interest.

Okay, so reading & prizes.  But wait, there's more!  Storytimes, of course, plus crafts, and special events.  Some libraries will show movies, and many have performers and presenters.  During many summer reading programs, you can see more assemblies than children do in multiple school years: animal presentations, storytellers, puppet shows, music programs, cultural presentations, magic shows--most with elements designed to address common core state standards in education.

Sad to say, not all libraries can afford this multitude of special events.  Some do not even have the budget for a single full-priced event.  Spend enough time online exploring various libraries' event offerings, and you will discover that some libraries actually have "The Hamburger Clown" as their special performer. You know who I mean.  He might read to the kids, do a trick, give a prize--his people say he supports literacy, but... well, you fill in the blanks, there.

A lucky library is one that can depend upon its Friends.  The Friends of the Library (some libraries are lucky enough to have more than one support group, such as a Library Foundation), through memberships, book sales, and other fundraising activities, keep their communities afloat in tough times.  A library might survive without its Friends--but it wouldn't be pretty.  During most events at the library, you'll hear the facilitator thanking the Friends group, because they are the source of funds for those wonderful, fun & educational programs I mentioned earlier.

In my desire to give a few examples, and a little context, I drifted from what I told you I wanted to do here: to get your opinions regarding library summer reading programs!

Have you sampled Summer Reading Games at various libraries?  What do you like best?  What do you like least?  If YOU were to design a library summer reading program, what would it look like?  I'm interested in hearing about your dream program at the library--and how you think it could happen.  

Please, chime in!

Storyteller John Weaver

For regular updates, connect with me on Facebook!

Check out the book: How to be a Storyteller: Essays and Advice on the Art of Storytelling (link HERE)!

Upcoming Events

Storytimes at the Livermore & Menlo Park Libraries are in brown; storytelling events are in red.  Keep checking in for updates!

Tuesday, May 7

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

10:30am: Filling in for Toddler Lapsit Storytime

Thursday, May 9

Menlo Park Library

11:15am Toddler Storytime

2:15pm Preschool Storytime

Friday, May 10

Livermore Public Library, Rincon

Bilingual Storytimes:

10:30am Baby/Toddler

11am Preschool

**FINAL STORYTIMES OF LIVERMORE SPRING SESSION**

Saturday, May 11
Storytelling for Santa Clara County Reading Council Young Authors' Faire

1721 E. San Antonio Rd., San Jose
9:45 & 10:30

Monday, May 13

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

10:30am: Infant Storytime

Thursday, May 16

Menlo Park Library

11:15am Toddler Storytime

2:15pm Preschool Storytime

Monday, May 20

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

10:30am: Infant Storytime

Thursday, May 23

Menlo Park Library

11:15am Toddler Storytime

2:15pm Preschool Storytime

Monday, May 27

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

10:30am: Infant Storytime

Thursday, May 30

Menlo Park Library

11:15am Toddler Storytime

2:15pm Preschool Storytime

Thursday, June 6

Menlo Park Library

11:15am Toddler Storytime

2:15pm Preschool Storytime

Thursday, June 13

Menlo Park Library

11:15am Toddler Storytime

2:15pm Preschool Storytime

Monday, June 17

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime

Wednesday, June 19

Campbell Library

77 Harrison Ave., Campbell

Storytelling at 3:30pm

Thursday, June 20

Menlo Park Library

11:15am Toddler Storytime

2:15pm Preschool Storytime

Friday, June 21

Livermore Public Library, Rincon

10:30am School-age Storytime

Saturday, June 22
Sunday, June 23

CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND

Lake Merritt, Oakland

Storytelling at 1:30 & 2:30pm each day

(weather dependent)

Monday, June 24

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime

Thursday, June 27

Menlo Park Library

11:15am Toddler Storytime

2:15pm Preschool Storytime

Friday, June 28

Livermore Public Library, Rincon

10:30am School-age Storytime

Monday, July 1

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime

Friday, July 5

Livermore Public Library, Rincon

10:30am School-age Storytime

Wednesday, July 10

San Luis Obispo Library

995 Palm St.

Storytelling at 10:30am

Thursday, July 11

Atascadero Library at Colony Park Community Center

5599 Traffic Wy

Storytelling at 11am

Thursday, July 11

Paso Robles Library

1000 Spring Street

Storytelling at 1 & 3pm

Saturday, July 27

SPECIAL EVENT: SLEEPOVER STORYTELLING

CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND

Lake Merritt, Oakland

Contact park about their special sleepovers, which include puppet shows, rides, and other overnight fun!

Wednesday, July 31

Cupertino Library

10800 Torre Ave.

Storytelling at 3pm

Saturday, August 31
Sunday, September 1

CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND

Lake Merritt, Oakland

Storytelling at 1:30pm & 2:30pm (different stories each time), weather-dependent.

Other recent or upcoming events include storytelling & education for Ayers Elementary, Cupertino Cooperative Nursery School, Congregational Church of San Mateo, Burbank Elementary, Walters Junior High, Tutor Time, Blacow Elementary, Acorn Learning Center, Children's Creative Learning Centers, Heads Up, Montevideo Elementary, Fremont Unified School District, Live Oak Elementary, Belmont Oaks Academy, Bright Horizons, & La Petite Academy.  Private events (for schools, etc.) do not show up in listings above.  For regular updates, connect with me on Facebook!

Storyteller John Weaver

Check out the new book: How to be a Storyteller: Essays and Advice on the Art of Storytelling (link HERE)!