Upcoming Events

Here's the latest listing  of what I've got coming up, in both storytelling and "storytiming!"  Storytiming first:


Section 1:
WEEKLY LIBRARY STORYTIME EVENTS:

MONDAYS (Livermore Public Library) THROUGH 12/18
10:15 a.m. Toddler/Preschool Storytime (Civic Center)
10:45 a.m. Toddler/Preschool Storytime (Civic Center)
4:00 p.m.  Big Kids Read (Storytelling & activities for students 1st grade & above) (Civic Center) 

WEDNESDAYS (Livermore Public Library, Rincon) THROUGH 12/18
10:15 a.m. Toddler/Preschool Storytime
11:00 a.m. Bilingual Baby Storytime (prewalkers)

THURSDAYS (Menlo Park Library)
10:15 a.m. & 11:15 a.m. Toddler Storytimes


___________________________________

Section 2:
STORYTELLING APPEARANCES:

Thursday, September 3
MENLO PARK LIBRARY
Storytelling at 4pm

Thursday, October 1
MENLO PARK LIBRARY
Storytelling at 4pm

Thursday, October 22

CASTRO VALLEY LIBRARY

3600 Norbridge Ave, Castro Valley, CA

Storytelling especially for 0-5s and their grownups

10:00 a.m.

Thursday, November 5
MENLO PARK LIBRARY
Storytelling at 4pm

Saturday, November 21

Sunday, November 22
CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND
Lake Merritt, Oakland
Storytelling at 1:30 & 2:30 each day, included with park admission.

Thursday, December 3
MENLO PARK LIBRARY
Storytelling at 4pm

Other recent or upcoming events include storytelling & education programs for Warm Springs Elementary, Heads Up, KinderCare, and Bright Horizons. Private events (for schools, etc.) do not show up in listings above. For regular updates, connect with me on Facebook!


Storyteller John Weaver

Wow--high praise!

I loved sharing stories last week with the enthusiastic group at the Campbell Library--and was very happy a few days later to see the library's very enthusiastic Facebook post!

Storyteller John Weaver



.

From the Inbox: Creating New Storytellers

I loved performing for an enthusiastic group this week at the Campbell Library.  As usual, I encouraged kids & families to tell each other stories--the ones I'd shared, or favorites of their own.

I was very pleased today to open my email to this message from a parent:

"...my kids 7 year old ...and 5 year old ... saw you at the Campbell Library and my son loved it. They ... went up to thank when you were done. (My son) retold me your stories for 20 minutes straight. Thanks"

Nice--one of my hoped-for outcomes!  I can call the day a success.  I also noticed books of folktales flying out of the place, so that makes me doubly-happy.

For regular updates, connect with me on Facebook!


Storyteller John Weaver

Upcoming Events

Here's the latest listing  of what I've got coming up, in both storytelling and "storytiming!"  Storytiming first:


Section 1:
WEEKLY LIBRARY STORYTIME EVENTS:

MONDAYS (Livermore Public Library)
11:15 a.m. Big Kids Read (Storytelling & activities for students 1st grade & above) (Civic Center) THROUGH 8/10
6 p.m. Pajamatime Family Storytime (Rincon) THROUGH 8/10

THURSDAYS (Menlo Park Library)
11:15 a.m. Toddler Storytime (monthly online registration required)


___________________________________
Section 2: STORYTELLING APPEARANCES:




Wednesday, July 8
CAMPBELL LIBRARY
77 Harrison Avenue, Campbell, CA
Storytelling at 3:30 pm.

Friday, July 10
ESPARTO LIBRARY
17065 Yolo Ave.
Storytelling at 1:30 pm.

Wednesday, July 15
MORGAN HILL LIBRARY
660 W Main Ave, Morgan Hill, CA
Storytelling at 3:00 and 4:00

Thursday, July 16
MILPITAS LIBRARY
160 N Main St, Milpitas, CA
Storytelling at 3:00

Wednesday, July 21
BELLE HAVEN BRANCH LIBRARY
413 Ivy Drive, Menlo Park, CA
Storytelling at Noon

Wednesday, July 22
SARATOGA LIBRARY
13650 Saratoga Ave, Saratoga, CA
Storytelling at 2:30

Saturday, July 25

MORAGA FAMILY CAMP OUT

Rancho Laguna Park, Moraga

**Registered, paid participants: sign up to put up a tent overnight at the park & enjoy games, crafts, dinner & breakfast--and my storytelling by the camp fire!**

Thursday, August 6
WILLITS LIBRARY
390 E. Commercial St., Willits, CA 95490
Storytelling at 11:00

Thursday, August 6

UKIAH LIBRARY

105 N Main St., Ukiah, CA 95482

Storytelling at 1:00

Wednesday, August 12

FORT BRAGG LIBRARY

499 Laurel Street

Storytelling at 10:30

Wednesday, August 12

COAST COMMUNITY LIBRARY

225 Main Street, Point Arena
Storytelling at 1:30

Saturday, August 15

SLEEPOVER AT CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND

699 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland
**Registered, paid participants: sign up to put up a tent overnight at the park & enjoy rides, shows, snacks & more, after the park closes to the public!**

Other recent or upcoming events include storytelling & education programs for Belmont Oaks, Blacow Elementary, KinderCare, Bright Horizons, Downtown Scholars, Covenant Preschool, Evergreen Montessori, Prestige Preschool Academy, Woodroe Woods, Casa de Bambini, and Happy Hall. Private events (for schools, etc.) do not show up in listings above. For regular updates, connect with me on Facebook!


Storyteller John Weaver

Read Up! Charming Animal Edition

Have you got your library card ready?  Reserve these books now, and check them out!

Betty Goes Bananas
Steve Antony
Betty is a baby gorilla, and she loves bananas.  When she is unable to open one by herself, things get out of hand: she cries, sniffles, kicks & screams, until she finally calms down.  In fact, it seems as if Betty is always crying, sniffling, kicking & screaming. Toddlers & preschoolers with whom I've shared this amusing, colorful book always seem to think Betty is overreacting, and needs to calm down.

Froodle
Antoinette Portis
From the author of two of my favorite books (Not a Box & Not a Stick) comes this imaginative story of a little brown bird that would not say "peep."  "Froodle sproodle," "tiffle biffle," sure, but just no more "peep."  Such nonsense upsets the other birds--especially crow.  The children taking this story in, though, always find it hilarious.  Plenty of fun playing with sounds.

Big and Small
Elizabeth Bennett & Jane Chapman
Big is a bear and Small is a mouse, but that is neither here nor there.  Big is big, and Small is small.  Sometimes Small needs help.  But sometimes, Big needs help, too.  A sweet tale of friendship, empathy, and the power of all sizes.

Click on this link & READ UP!  I have many more great books to share with you!

Storyteller John Weaver

Upcoming Events

Here's the latest listing  of what I've got coming up, in both storytelling and "storytiming!"  Storytiming first:


Section 1:
WEEKLY LIBRARY STORYTIME EVENTS:

MONDAYS (Livermore Public Library)
11:15 a.m. Big Kids Read (Storytelling & activities for students 1st grade & above) (Civic Center) STARTING 6/29
6 p.m. Pajamatime Family Storytime (Rincon) STARTING 6/8

THURSDAYS (Menlo Park Library)
11:15 a.m. Toddler Storytime (monthly online registration required)


___________________________________

Section 2:
STORYTELLING APPEARANCES:


Wednesday, June 10

WINTERS COMMUNITY LIBRARY

708 Railroad Avenue, Winters
Storytelling at 2:00

Saturday, June 13
Sunday, June 14
CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND
Lake Merritt Park, Oakland
Storytelling at 1:30 & 2:30 each day, included with park admission


Wednesday, June 17
MENLO PARK LIBRARY
800 Alma Street
Storytelling at 10:30


Wednesday, June 24
SAN LUIS OBISPO LIBRARY
995 Palm Street, SLO
Storytelling at 10:30

Wednesday, June 24
ARROYO GRANDE LIBRARY
800 W. Branch
Storytelling at 2:00

Thursday, June 25
WOODLAND BRANCH LIBRARY, LOS ALTOS
1975 Grant Road, Los Altos, CA
Storytelling at 3:30

Wednesday, July 8
CAMPBELL LIBRARY
77 Harrison Avenue, Campbell, CA
Storytelling at 3:30 pm.

Friday, July 10
ESPARTO LIBRARY
17065 Yolo Ave.
Storytelling at 1:30 pm.

Wednesday, July 15
MORGAN HILL LIBRARY
660 W Main Ave, Morgan Hill, CA
Storytelling at 3:00 and 4:00

Thursday, July 16
MILPITAS LIBRARY
160 N Main St, Milpitas, CA
Storytelling at 3:00

Wednesday, July 22
SARATOGA LIBRARY
13650 Saratoga Ave, Saratoga, CA
Storytelling at 2:30

Thursday, August 6
WILLITS LIBRARY
390 E. Commercial St., Willits, CA 95490
Storytelling at 11:00

Thursday, August 6

UKIAH LIBRARY

105 N Main St., Ukiah, CA 95482

Storytelling at 1:00

Wednesday, August 12

FORT BRAGG LIBRARY

499 Laurel Street

Storytelling at 10:30

Wednesday, August 12

COAST COMMUNITY LIBRARY

225 Main Street, Point Arena
Storytelling at 1:30

Saturday, August 15

SLEEPOVER AT CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND

699 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland
**Registered, paid participants: sign up to put up a tent overnight at the park & enjoy rides, shows, snacks & more, after the park closes to the public!**

Other recent or upcoming events include storytelling & education programs for Heads Up, Live Oak Elementary, KinderCare, Bright Horizons, Downtown Scholars, Covenant Preschool, Evergreen Montessori, Prestige Preschool Academy, Woodroe Woods, Casa de Bambini, and Happy Hall. Private events (for schools, etc.) do not show up in listings above. For regular updates, connect with me on Facebook!


Storyteller John Weaver

Read Up! A book with no pictures, and a story with no words

I like these two as a set: one with no pictures, the other with no words!

The Book with No Pictures

B.J. Novak
At a family storytime, when I announced that the book had no pictures, kids whined.  Once I'd finished reading it, those same children begged for me to read it again.  And that is all I have to say about that.

The Boy & the Book (A Wordless Story)
David Michael Slater & Bob Kolar
A boy walks into the library unsupervised (his mother was there; she just wasn't supervising him), and he gets down to business, terrorizing the books.  This is a book to talk about together (since there are no words to read), perhaps gasping and shaking heads together, commiserating over the way these poor books get treated.

Click on this link & READ UP!  I have many more great books to share with you!

Storyteller John Weaver

Upcoming Events

Here's the latest listing  of what I've got coming up, in both storytelling and "storytiming!"  Storytiming first:


Section 1:
WEEKLY LIBRARY STORYTIME EVENTS:

MONDAYS (Livermore Public Library) THROUGH 5/11
10 a.m. Toddler Storytime (walkers to age 3) (Civic Center)
11 a.m. Toddler Storytime (walkers to age 3) (Civic Center)
6 p.m. Pajamatime Family Storytime (Rincon)

THURSDAYS (Menlo Park Library)
11:15 a.m. Toddler Storytime (monthly online registration required)

FRIDAYS (Livermore Public Library, Civic Center) THROUGH 5/15
10 a.m. Preschool Storytime (age 3-5)

___________________________________

Section 2:
STORYTELLING APPEARANCES:


Thursday, May 7

CASTRO VALLEY LIBRARY

3600 Norbridge Ave, Castro Valley, CA

Storytelling especially for 0-5s and their grownups

10:30 a.m.

Thursday, May 7
MENLO PARK LIBRARY
Storytelling at 4pm

Saturday, May 9 
SUNNYVALE LIBRARY
665 W. Olive Ave
Participating in the library's Annual Storytelling Festival, which begins at 11:50 a.m.

Saturday, May 16
Sunday, May 17
CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND
Lake Merritt, Oakland
Storytelling at 1:30 & 2:30 each day, included with park admission.

Wednesday, June 24
SAN LUIS OBISPO LIBRARY
995 Palm Street, SLO
Storytelling at 10:30

Wednesday, June 24
ARROYO GRANDE LIBRARY
800 W. Branch
Storytelling at 2:00

Thursday, June 25
WOODLAND BRANCH LIBRARY, LOS ALTOS
1975 Grant Road, Los Altos, CA
Storytelling at 3:30

Wednesday, July 8
CAMPBELL LIBRARY
77 Harrison Avenue, Campbell, CA
Storytelling at 3:30 pm.

Friday, July 10
ESPARTO LIBRARY
17065 Yolo Ave.
Storytelling at 1:30 pm.

Wednesday, July 15
MORGAN HILL LIBRARY
660 W Main Ave, Morgan Hill, CA
Storytelling at 3:00 and 4:00

Thursday, July 16
MILPITAS LIBRARY
160 N Main St, Milpitas, CA
Storytelling at 3:00

Wednesday, July 22
SARATOGA LIBRARY
13650 Saratoga Ave, Saratoga, CA
Storytelling at 2:30

Thursday, August 6
WILLITS LIBRARY
390 E. Commercial St., Willits, CA 95490
Storytelling at 11:00

Thursday, August 6

UKIAH LIBRARY

105 N Main St., Ukiah, CA 95482

Storytelling at 1:00

Wednesday, August 12

FORT BRAGG LIBRARY

499 Laurel Street

Storytelling at 10:30

Wednesday, August 12

COAST COMMUNITY LIBRARY

225 Main Street, Point Arena
Storytelling at 1:30

Saturday, August 15

SLEEPOVER AT CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND

699 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland
**Registered, paid participants: sign up to put up a tent overnight at the park & enjoy rides, shows, snacks & more, after the park closes to the public!**

Other recent or upcoming events include storytelling & education programs for Heads Up, Live Oak Elementary, KinderCare, Bright Horizons, Downtown Scholars, Covenant Preschool, Evergreen Montessori, Prestige Preschool Academy, and Happy Hall. Private events (for schools, etc.) do not show up in listings above. For regular updates, connect with me on Facebook!


Storyteller John Weaver

Read Up!

Two new books I think you may like--get out your library card & check them out!

Hiccupotamus

By Steve Smallman & Ada Grey

I started chanting & tapping to this book’s text nearly from the first line.  One by one, the jungle creatures gather to form a beautiful beat, with each animal making its own unique contribution.  The illustrations are colorful and simple, with beautiful textures, and before you've ventured very far into the book, you may already be feeling the urge to read it twice in a row!  Especially great for toddlers.

By Mouse and Frog

Deborah Freedman

Mouse wakes up early one day, eager to write a story.  When Mouse’s friend Frog shows up, though, Mouse’s plans go awry.  Having two authors really changes a story! The way these two create is in the style of Harold and the Purple Crayon, with the characters becoming immersed in a world of their own creation as they are creating it.  Somewhere in this busy little tale is a little lesson in cooperation, but never mind that!  Especially great for preschoolers & early elementary.

Click on this link & READ UP!  I have many more great books to share with you!

Storyteller John Weaver

Upcoming Events

Here's the latest listing  of what I've got coming up, in both storytelling and "storytiming!"  Storytiming first:


Section 1:
WEEKLY LIBRARY STORYTIME EVENTS:

MONDAYS (Livermore Public Library)
10 a.m. Toddler Storytime (walkers to age 3) (Civic Center)
11 a.m. Toddler Storytime (walkers to age 3) (Civic Center)
6 p.m. Pajamatime Family Storytime (Rincon)

THURSDAYS (Menlo Park Library)
11:15 a.m. Toddler Storytime (monthly online registration required)

FRIDAYS (Livermore Public Library, Civic Center)
10 a.m. Preschool Storytime (age 3-5)

SATURDAYS (Livermore Public Library, Civic Center)
New MONTHLY event--the 4th Saturday of each month
10 a.m. Family Storytime
March 21, April 25
___________________________________

Section 2:
STORYTELLING APPEARANCES:


Saturday, March 14
Sunday, March 15
CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND
Lake Merritt, Oakland
Storytelling at 1:30 & 2:30 each day, included with park admission.

Thursday, April 2
MENLO PARK LIBRARY
800 Alma Street, Menlo Park, CA
Storytelling at 4pm

Thursday, May 7

CASTRO VALLEY LIBRARY

3600 Norbridge Ave, Castro Valley, CA

Storytelling especially for 0-5s and their grownups

10:30 a.m.

Thursday, May 7
MENLO PARK LIBRARY
Storytelling at 4pm

Saturday, May 9 (new date!)
SUNNYVALE LIBRARY
665 W. Olive Ave
Participating in the library's Annual Storytelling Festival, which begins at 11:50 a.m.

Saturday, May 16
Sunday, May 17
CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND
Lake Merritt, Oakland
Storytelling at 1:30 & 2:30 each day, included with park admission.


Thursday, June 25
WOODLAND BRANCH LIBRARY, LOS ALTOS
1975 Grant Road, Los Altos, CA
Storytelling at 3:30

Wednesday, July 8
CAMPBELL LIBRARY
77 Harrison Avenue, Campbell, CA
Storytelling at 3:30 pm.

Wednesday, July 15
MORGAN HILL LIBRARY
660 W Main Ave, Morgan Hill, CA
Storytelling at 3:00 and 4:00

Thursday, July 16
MILPITAS LIBRARY
160 N Main St, Milpitas, CA
Storytelling at 3:00

Wednesday, July 22
SARATOGA LIBRARY
13650 Saratoga Ave, Saratoga, CA
Storytelling at 2:30

Thursday, August 6
WILLITS LIBRARY
390 E. Commercial St., Willits, CA 95490
Storytelling at 11:00

Thursday, August 6

UKIAH LIBRARY

105 N Main St., Ukiah, CA 95482

Storytelling at 1:00

Other recent or upcoming events include storytelling & education programs for Covenant Preschool, Silicon Valley Academy, Evergreen Montessori, Prestige Preschool Academy, and Happy Hall. Private events (for schools, etc.) do not show up in listings above. For regular updates, connect with me on Facebook!


Storyteller John Weaver

From the Inbox

This came in from the coordinator of a monthly "storyteller-in-residence"' program I've been doing this school year for several classes of preschoolers in Palo Alto:

 

Well you were paid the ultimate compliment the other day... My daughter, age four, told me that the story teller is sooo good that he does not even need BOOKs.  Rather, he TELLs the story without them.  She also told me that anyone can be a story teller.  Mission accomplished John!  i love it! Also, several parents have told me they have seen the development of much more imaginative play  in their children since you have been with the school.
We are so happy with this!

I'm so glad to know the program has been making a difference!

--Storyteller John Weaver

Upcoming Events

Here's the latest listing  of what I've got coming up, in both storytelling and "storytiming!"  Storytiming first:

Section 1:

WEEKLY LIBRARY STORYTIME EVENTS:

MONDAYS (Livermore Public Library)  

10 a.m. Toddler Storytime (walkers to age 3) (Civic Center)

11 a.m. Toddler Storytime (walkers to age 3) (Civic Center)

6 p.m. Pajamatime Family Storytime (Rincon)

THURSDAYS (Menlo Park Library)

11:15 a.m. Toddler Storytime (monthly online registration required)

FRIDAYS (Livermore Public Library, Civic Center)

10 a.m. Preschool Storytime (age 3-5)

SATURDAYS (Livermore Public Library, Civic Center)

New MONTHLY event--the 4th Saturday of each month

10 a.m. Family Storytime 

February 28, March 21, April 25

___________________________________

Section 2:

STORYTELLING APPEARANCES:

Saturday, January 17

Sunday, January 18

CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND

Lake Merritt, Oakland

Storytelling at 1:30 & 2:30 each day, included with park admission.

Thursday, February 5

MENLO PARK LIBRARY

Storytelling at 4pm

Wednesday, February 18

SUNNYVALE LIBRARY

665 W. Olive Ave.

Storytelling at 4 p.m.

Thursday, March 5

MENLO PARK LIBRARY

Storytelling at 4pm

Saturday, March 14

Sunday, March 15

CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND

Lake Merritt, Oakland

Storytelling at 1:30 & 2:30 each day, included with park admission.

Thursday, April 2

MENLO PARK LIBRARY

Storytelling at 4pm

Saturday, April 26

SUNNYVALE LIBRARY

665 W. Olive Ave

Participating in the library's Annual Storytelling Festival, which begins at 2 p.m.

Thursday, May 7

MENLO PARK LIBRARY

Storytelling at 4pm

Saturday, May 16

Sunday, May 17

CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND

Lake Merritt, Oakland

Storytelling at 1:30 & 2:30 each day, included with park admission.

Wednesday, July 8

CAMPBELL LIBRARY

77 Harrison Avenue, Campbell, CA

Storytelling at 3:30 pm. 

Other recent or upcoming events include storytelling & education programs for Covenant Preschool. Private events (for schools, etc.) do not show up in listings above. For regular updates, connect with me on Facebook!

Storyteller John Weaver

Read Up: Four for fun

Pull out your library card & reserve these four new books from some favorite authors & illustrators of mine!

Sam & Dave Dig a Hole
Mac Barnett & Jon Klassen
It's a new book from the team who brought us Extra Yarn!
THIS yarn is about a pair of boys who dig a hole--a really deep hole.  They vow not to stop digging until they find something spectacular, and as the readers, we get to see how close they keep coming.  The end of this book kind of blew my mind.

Lola Plants a Garden
Anna McQuinn & Rosalind Beardshaw
I love Lola, and am always happy to see a new adventure with her.  This time, she's got some gardening to do--and of course, she wants to do some research with some library books, first!  Lola's is a family who loves to read.

If You Were a Dog
Jamie A. Swenson & Chris Raschka
What would you do if you were a dog...or a fish...or an insect...or a dinosaur?  The language of the book tickles the ears, while encouraging children to think about what makes them unique as people.

Where is the Rocket?
Harriet Ziefert & Borroux
This book is full of big words--well, big font--and a big space adventure! Borroux's bold collages grab the eye, while Ziefert explores concepts of place: over, under, around & through--and beyond!


Check these books out! Have fun with them, & let me know what you think. Do you have any favorite books about digging , or dogs, or gardening--or whatever? Please let me know!

Click on this link & READ UP!  I have many more great books to share with you!

Storyteller John Weaver

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