Just found this in the files

From the May 3, 2009 edition of the Tri-Valley Herald: this little feature on the Día de los Libros event at Livermore's beautiful Rincon Branch Library shows of more of my silly mugging.  

Upcoming Events

Public events!  My storytelling appearances are in red, and my storytimes at the Livemore Public Library are in brown.

Friday, October 21

Livermore Public Library, Rincon Branch

10:30 Baby/Toddler Storytime

11am Preschool Storytime

Oct 21 p.m.: Private event: Conducting storytelling education seminar for preschool teachers

Monday, October 24

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime

Theme: "It's Magic!"

Friday, October 28

Livermore Public Library, Rincon Branch

10:30 Baby/Toddler Storytime

11am Preschool Storytime

Monday, October 31

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime

Theme: "Storytime in Disguise"

 

Friday, November 4

Livermore Public Library, Rincon Branch

10:30 Baby/Toddler Storytime

11am Preschool Storytime

Monday, November 7

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime

Theme: "It's a Jungle in Here!"

Saturday, November 12

Sunday, November 13

CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND

Lake Merritt, Oakland

Storytelling at 1:30 & 2:30 each day

Monday, November 14

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime

Theme: "It's a Library in Here!"

Friday, November 18

Livermore Public Library, Rincon Branch

10:30 Baby/Toddler Storytime

11am Preschool Storytime

Monday, November 21

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime

Theme: "Eat Up!"

 

Friday, November 25

Livermore Public Library, Rincon Branch

10:30 Baby/Toddler Storytime

11am Preschool Storytime

Monday, November 28

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime

Theme: "I Can Dig It!"

 

Friday, December 2

Livermore Public Library, Rincon Branch

10:30 Baby/Toddler Storytime

11am Preschool Storytime

Monday, December 5

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime

Theme: "Gators & Crocs"

Friday, December 9

Livermore Public Library, Rincon Branch

10:30 Baby/Toddler Storytime

11am Preschool Storytime

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Monday, December 12

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime

Theme: "Quiet as a Mouse"

Friday, December 16

Livermore Public Library, Rincon Branch

10:30 Baby/Toddler Storytime

11am Preschool Storytime

Saturday, December 17

CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND

Lake Merritt, Oakland

Storytelling at 2:30pm as a part of the park's Fairy Winterland holiday events

2012

Saturday, January 7

Sunday, January 8

CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND

Lake Merritt, Oakland

Storytelling at 1:30 & 2:30 each day

  

January 13-15, 2012: Attending Asilomar Reading Conference (Santa Clara County Reading Council)

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Sunnyvale Public Library

Storytelling at 3pm

Other recent or upcoming events include storytelling & education for Quarry Lane School, Tudorka Tots & Discovery Charter School. Private events (for schools, etc.) do not show up in listings above.  For regular updates, connect with me on Facebook!

Trip Report: Singapore International Storytelling Festival & Asian Congress of Storytellers

I am back from Asia, and my time attending the 2011 Singapore International Storytelling Festival & Asian Congress of Storytellers.  I spent four days inside the National Museum of Singapore-- actually, four nights taking in a variety of performances, and two full days of workshops, keynotes, and even more performance!  Top that off with my determined city exploration before, after, and in & between every nook & cranny of open space, and you can bet I was a tired guy!  The entire trip was such an amazing experience.

First off, there were the performances.  The first three nights featured an array of tellers from Australia, France, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, and even as far away as the United States, showing the true diversity of storytelling.  I don’t usually get exposed to such marathons of storytelling, and it was a pleasure to experience the variety: pathos, tragedy, comedy, ballads, rhyme, freneticism & absolute calm.  There were bits of style that I recognized as somewhat similar to my own, and certainly many other styles that were quite divergent.  To take them all in & consider them, I feel, was a growing experience. 

The fourth evening of performance was a departure from the first three; it was a storytelling performance of The Ramayana, the Indian epic tale.  One story, two hours, six storytellers—it was truly epic!  A high point of the entire SISF for me, it showed how a variety of people with very different styles can collaborate on a single project & make it a huge, unified success.  Some of the tellers were more of the “narrator” variety; others leaned toward big movements and character voices.  The tale was customized & cast in such a way that the whole thing really came together—and I wish that I could sit through it again!  Very inspiring.

The day sessions—the Asian Congress of Storytellers—cleaved quite close to what is familiar to me from attending conferences here in the U.S. pertaining to reading and early childhood education.  The mornings started off with keynote events, after which we as attendees could choose from a menu of topics for the two remaining sessions each day.  I attended seminars on the following: helping struggling readers; storytelling for babies & toddlers; improvised stories; and character education through storytelling.  As with most professional development events, I found much of the value across the board to be in refreshing previously-held knowledge, benefitting from outsiders’ perspectives on common practice, and gleaning a few bits of fresh research.  There were many interactive exercises throughout the sessions, and I was interested & amused to observe that this group of teachers, storytellers, parents & volunteers—primarily from Singapore & Malaysia—was throwing themselves into the experience much more than attendees of similar gatherings I’ve attended back home!  

From the breakout sessions mentioned above, and from the Festival & Congress as a whole, I gleaned so much, from information I can practice right away in my own storytelling & storytimes, to little bits over which I can slowly ponder as how I might incorporate them in my own fashion.  A huge lesson I got, from exposure to these people from around the world, is that our situations are so much more alike than anyone might have us believe.  The values of reading, and the oral tradition of storytelling, are recognized by researchers & professionals for their unique & substantial individual benefits, but getting that information out to the world is & has been a constant challenge.  The encouraging news is that there is a large & growing global community of storytellers at every level, each sharing their passion in their own way.  I feel very lucky to have been able to make this trip, and get a peek at this global view.  I certainly hope to continue on this path!

Upcoming Events

Through August 12: School-age & Family Storytimes at the Livermore Public Library
Mondays: 10:30am School-age Storytime outside under the tree;  
7pm Family Storytime, Civic Center
Fridays: 10:30am School-age Storytime outside under the trees, Rincon

Saturday, August 13

Sunday, August 14

CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND

Lake Merritt, Oakland

Storytelling at 1:30 & 2:30 each day

September 1-6: Attending Singapore International Storytelling Festival

September 16-December 16: Toddler, Preschool & Family Storytimes at the Livermore Public Library
Mondays: 7pm Family Storytime, Civic Center
Fridays: 10:30am Baby/Toddler Storytime, Rincon
11am Preschool Storytime, Rincon

Saturday, October 8

Sunday, October 9

CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND

Lake Merritt, Oakland

Storytelling at 1:30 & 2:30 each day

Wednesday, October 5

Wednesday, November 9

Wednesday, December 7

WESTFIELD OAKRIDGE MALL

San Jose

Storytelling for Westfield Family Fun Days

3pm

Saturday, November 12

Sunday, November 13

CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND

Lake Merritt, Oakland

Storytelling at 1:30 & 2:30 each day

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Sunnyvale Public Library
Storytelling at 3pm

Other recent or upcoming events include storytelling for Club Sport Pleasanton, and Girl Scouts/Coyote Hills Service Unit. Private events (for schools, etc.) do not show up in listings above.  For regular updates, connect with me on Facebook!

Storyteller John: This Really Happened!

Thanks!

I had a lot of fun this weekend storytelling for the children & their families at the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital in Palo Alto!  I just got this e-mail from the staffer who made it all happen:



"I was so pleased with how well it went!  The kids and parents and staff all enjoyed our time with you very much.  I got your name from a Palo Alto librarian, and I will be sure to thank her for her great recommendation.  A couple of parents even took flyers AFTER your visit so that they would remember who you were :) We hope to have you visit here again!"

Reading Together: A Family Tradition!

Listen to this story from NPR's Weekend Edition about the father & daughter who decided to read together for 100 nights in a row. Did they read for 100 nights? NO: they read for 3,218! This is fantastic. Many parents wonder about how to "find the time" to read to their kids, but this family shows how just by making a commitment to start, reading together can become a cherished tradition. This parent & child got so much more out of the experience than simply the words on the pages.

Check out the link: there's the audio of Weekend Edition Saturday host Scott Simon interviewing Jim Brozina & Alice Ozma (the parent & child readers); a text version of the story; an excerpt from Ozma's book, The Reading Promise: My Father and the Books We Shared; and from that book, a list of suggestions for families looking to start a reading streak of their own!

The Littlest Storyteller

Are you ready for a story about a boy named Jack?  Two-year-old Dalton will tell you all about "Jack & the Beanstalk," and he'll do it with tons of enthusiasm!  I think my favorite part is about the food laid out by the giant's wife, a feast that includes potstickers & pizza!
 

Libraries: Recession-busters since FOREVER!

Did you know that all of the live entertainment at libraries this summer is FREE?  I see full schedules of storytellers, puppetry, music, crafts, clowning, wildlife, magic, authors--and in Kaneohe, Hawaii, STORMTROOPERS!  And ALL of it is presented in real-life 3-D that won't strain your eyes or your pocketbook!

Reading with Character(s)

Reading with Character(s), a photo by Storyteller John Weaver on Flickr.

Just unearthed this photo from 2008: Storytime with Strawberry Shortcake & Curious George at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton, California.

Upcoming Events

Summer Reading Game season is here!  Check with your library for information on the games & prizes, storytimes, special performances and fun for all age groups (yes, there are summer reading programs for adults, too--a fun chance to set a good example).

School-age & Family Storytimes
Livermore Public Library
Join John for the fun each week (June 13 - August 12):
Mondays: 10:30am School-age Storytime outside under the tree;  
7pm Family Storytime, Civic Center
Fridays: 10:30am School-age Storytime outside under the trees, Rincon


Storytelling Appearances:

Saturday, June 18

Sunday, June 19

CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND

Lake Merritt, Oakland

Storytelling at 1:30 & 2:30 each day

Wednesday, June 29

San José Public Library, Rose Garden Branch

Storytelling at 2pm

Saturday, August 13

Sunday, August 14

CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND

Lake Merritt, Oakland

Storytelling at 1:30 & 2:30 each day

Other recent or upcoming events include storytelling for Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford, Bright Horizons/Garner Preschool Learning Center in Alameda, The Child Day School in Lafayette, Husky House, Children's Academy of Danville, Club Sport Pleasanton, and Girl Scouts/Coyote Hills Service Unit.  For regular updates, connect with me on Facebook!

SUMMER READING GAMES are Here!

Note: Before the dawn of up-to-the-moment social media, I kept folks up to date on my doings through an e-mail newsletter list.   Now that most people have access to online resources such as Facebook & Blogger, I decided it's time to phase out the labor-intensive, old-school newsletter.  Here's the final one:

June is here, and lots of summer reading fun & prizes for all ages lay ahead!  In this e-mail, I'll talk about what's up at local libraries, where I'll be performing (and where I've been lately), and share a few resources.  Finally, I'll be signing off from these e-mail newsletters, giving you new options to keep track of the family & literacy-related bits that I share.

1.      Join your local library for the Summer Reading Game!

2.      Where I've Been, & Where Else I’ll Be

3.      A Few Great Books

4.      GOODBYE... to this newsletter (but let's stay connected)

1. Summer Reading Games: One World, Many Stories @ Your Library!

            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, but look and you will find games for pre-readers, school-aged kids, teens, and even adults.  Stop by your local library & ask how to sign up & get in on the fun!  There are some not-to-be missed shows taking place: animal programs, magic, puppets, music & dance—check out the calendars of your libraries with a simple web search, or start with one click here! 

            As for the library system where I present storytimes & book special events—the Livermore Public Library—here’s just part of what you can find going on there this month (a printable calendar of ALL of the summer's performances, storytimes & crafts is available at this link):

Every Monday (beginning 6/13):

10:30am: Preschool Storytimes with Kelly; School-age Storytimes with John

7pm: Family Storytimes with John

Every Friday (beginning 6/17):

10:30am: Preschool Storytimes & Music with Clara Yen; School-age Storytimes with John

FREE Special Family Performances!

June 15, 2:30: Folk music, stories, & dance of Mexico & the Caribbean with Dúo Cascada de Flores

June 22, 2:30: Chinese-style juggling, balancing & contortion with Red Panda Acrobats

June 28, 6pm: An interactive "Adventure in Space" with Kenn Adams' Adventure Theater

June 29, 10:30: Hilarious & exciting Cowgirl Tricks with Karen Quest

--and that's just for starters!  In July & August, the Livermore Libraries will welcome guest storytellers, a gamelan orchestra presenting the music of Bali, silly clown magic, a juggler who will leave you in stitches, puppetry-- and a REAL-LIVE MOUNTAIN LION.  If the times & locations do not work for you, explore the other library links above, as many of these presenters will be appearing at other libraries in the region this summer.

2. What I've been up to-- & what I'll be getting up to!

     I've not been sending out these newsletters much; I've found I keep in touch much more quickly through my page on Facebook and on my blog.  I'm still sharing stories all over, though!  I started 2011 in Hawaii, with storytelling visits to the Waikiki Aquarium and the Hawaii Children's Discovery Center-- you can see several photos of my performances at that Facebook link.  Back in California, I attended the annual Asilomar Reading Conference, and was soon back at Children's Fairyland in Oakland, a perfect place for fertilizing budding imaginations with lively stories!  In the spring, I took part in the annual Sunnyvale Library Storytelling Festival, and also have been storytelling at libraries in San Jose & San Leandro, as well as at elementary schools & preschools throughout the Bay Area. 

THIS MONTH (in addition to my Livermore Library duties), I'll be doing my storytelling at the following public locations:

June 18 & 19th at 1:30 & 2:30: Children's Fairyland, Oakland

June 29 at 2pm: San Jose Public Library, Rose Garden Branch

Hope to see you somewhere along the way!

3. Looking for some good reads?

From time to time on the "Read Up" section of my blog, I'll share some great picture books, both old & new. Take a look--I think it's a good place to get started on some fun family summer reading!  I'd also love to hear of any favorite books you have.  Ready to get started? READ UP!

4. Goodbye-- but not really, I hope.

I started communicating by e-mail "newsletter" long before the days of Facebook.  I used to do this about once a month--and it takes a LONG time!  Through my Facebook page and my blog, though, I can add bits of news and longer entries alike on a more timely basis, and you don't have to wade through (or delete) a long email (which may be landing in your spam folder in the first place)!  PLEASE-- do get reaquainted with me over on the social network, and/or subscribe to the blog; I try to share useful information, funny bits, and hopefully something you'll occasionally find worthy of passing along to your own friends & contacts.  Please do connect & say hello.

Here’s to a beautiful summer with your family, & thanks for supporting storytelling,

--John

Read Up! May Flowers

This time around, just a small Spring arrangement of books about gardening. All are blooming with fun & imagination, and can be enjoyed indoors or out.


Fran's Flowers
Lisa Bruce & Rosalind Beardshaw
Fran finds a flowerpot with a tiny bud growing inside, and she tries to make the bud flower. Did you know that pizza & ice cream are unlikely to make plants grow? It's fun to read this book along with the children in your life, and talk to them about their ideas as to what Fran is doing wrong.




 

My Garden
Kevin Henkes
The girl in this book knows her way around a garden, but she has big dreams about what a garden of her own would look like. Would you also like jelly-bean bushes?






Rose's Garden
Peter H. Reynolds
Reynolds is responsible for a growing list of beautifully-illustrated stories about amazing transformations in the lives of their young characters. The "Rose" here, with the help of a diverse group of new friends, cultivates a colorful garden in a formerly-dreary & neglected neighborhood. Reynolds books inspire.


Koala and the Flower
Mary Murphy
Poor little Koala lives with a couple of grownups who can only see things in black & white, and always think they have the answers to everything--without ever seeking out any actual information. Koala finds the place where information blooms from the shelves, and her garden soon flowers like magic.




 The Apple Pie Tree
Zoe Hall & Shari Halpern
Part storybook, part nonfiction, this book is the least fanciful of the set--but still asserts that apple pies grow from trees. The collage illustrations are beautifully done, and the pie recipe at the end looks full of possibilities.

Me...Jane

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.