March 23, 2014
APRIL
Where to catch up with me in April! For the full list of storytelling & "storytiming," click on the "Upcoming Events" tab above.
March 03, 2014
Read Up! A fun trio
I've just met these fun characters recently, and I want to make sure you don't miss out! All feature fun illustrations, and quite a lot to talk about & explore when sharing with the children in your life.
A Monkey Among Us
Dave Horowitz
"Among us?" a child in the group asked the first time I shared this book. "Yes," I said, "among us! Here with us! Somewhere between us--it's among us!" The book does more than possibly introduce challenging new vocab; it also plays with sounds ("A monkey among a fungus. A monkey, HUMONGOUS"), and lets us get to know a trio of silly animal characters. I like the collage-style drawings, and the many opportunities to laugh & discuss the increasingly-wacky proceedings.
Early Bird
Toni Yuly
Many parents may be able to recognize this early bird, who wakes up before the sun, raring to go. Early Bird gets moving, too: across, through, under, up, around and over! This all happens over the course of several pages, but it's fun to go back and retrace her movements, emphasizing those prepositions. Of course, the real conversation-starter is when Early Bird meets the Early Worm!
I Can See Just Fine
Eric Barclay
Our first image of Paige shows her holding a book upside-down; the second catches her walking out of the boys' room. You can imagine what animal she's holding when she announces to her dad that she's found a kitty. The charm & humor of this book are shouldered almost entirely by Barclay's super-cool retro advertising-art style, which packs in treats on every page. It may be a book to make kids feel better if they need glasses, but it's a cool sight for anyone.
Check out these books, and let me know what you think! Do you have any favorite books about monkeys, birds, glasses--or anything else? Let me know about it, so I can read up!
Storyteller John Weaver
Catch up with me on Facebook!
.
A Monkey Among Us
Dave Horowitz
"Among us?" a child in the group asked the first time I shared this book. "Yes," I said, "among us! Here with us! Somewhere between us--it's among us!" The book does more than possibly introduce challenging new vocab; it also plays with sounds ("A monkey among a fungus. A monkey, HUMONGOUS"), and lets us get to know a trio of silly animal characters. I like the collage-style drawings, and the many opportunities to laugh & discuss the increasingly-wacky proceedings.
Early Bird
Toni Yuly
Many parents may be able to recognize this early bird, who wakes up before the sun, raring to go. Early Bird gets moving, too: across, through, under, up, around and over! This all happens over the course of several pages, but it's fun to go back and retrace her movements, emphasizing those prepositions. Of course, the real conversation-starter is when Early Bird meets the Early Worm!
I Can See Just Fine
Eric Barclay
Our first image of Paige shows her holding a book upside-down; the second catches her walking out of the boys' room. You can imagine what animal she's holding when she announces to her dad that she's found a kitty. The charm & humor of this book are shouldered almost entirely by Barclay's super-cool retro advertising-art style, which packs in treats on every page. It may be a book to make kids feel better if they need glasses, but it's a cool sight for anyone.
Check out these books, and let me know what you think! Do you have any favorite books about monkeys, birds, glasses--or anything else? Let me know about it, so I can read up!
Storyteller John Weaver
Catch up with me on Facebook!
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March 02, 2014
Upcoming Events
Catch me story telling
or "story timing!" Here's where to look...
Storytimes at the
Livermore & Menlo Park Libraries are in brown; storytelling events are in red. Keep checking in for updates!
_______________________________
WEEKLY LIBRARY STORYTIME EVENTS:
MONDAYS (Livermore Public Library, Civic Center)
10:30am Toddler
Storytime
11:30am Toddler
Storytime
7pm Pajamatime Family
Storytime
THURSDAYS (Menlo Park Library)
11:15 Toddler
Storytime
**MUST BE REGISTERED ONLINE**
FRIDAYS (Livermore Public Library, Rincon)
10:30 Toddler
Storytime
11am Preschool
Storytime
_____________________________________________
STORYTELLING APPEARANCES:
Thursday, March 6
School-Age Storytelling
4pm
It’s a new weekly storytelling series
(this is NOT a storytime) for school-agers and their grown-ups!
Saturday, March 8
Sunday, March 9
Lake Merritt, Oakland
Storytelling at 1:30pm & 2:30pm (different stories each time), weather-dependent.
Thursday, March 13
School-Age Storytelling
**Must register online**
4pm
It’s a new weekly storytelling series
(this is NOT a storytime) for school-agers and their grown-ups!
Thursday, March 20
School-Age Storytelling
**Must register online**
4pm
It’s a new weekly storytelling series
(this is NOT a storytime) for school-agers and their grown-ups!
Thursday, March 27
School-Age Storytelling
**Must register online**
4pm
It’s a new weekly storytelling series
(this is NOT a storytime) for school-agers and their grown-ups!
Sunday, April 6
111 Ohe Street, Honolulu
Performing at 11am,
included in Discovery Center admission.
|
Thursday, April 10
School-Age Storytelling
**Must register online**
4pm
It’s a new weekly storytelling series (this is NOT a storytime) for school-agers and their grown-ups!
Saturday, April 12
Sunday, April 13
Lake Merritt, Oakland
Storytelling at 1:30pm
& 2:30pm (different stories each time), weather-dependent.
Thursday, April 17
School-Age Storytelling
**Must register online**
4pm
It’s a new weekly storytelling series (this is NOT a storytime) for school-agers and their grown-ups!
Thursday, April 24
School-Age Storytelling
**Must register online**
4pm
It’s a new weekly storytelling series (this is NOT a storytime) for school-agers and their grown-ups!
Saturday, April 26
665 W. Olive Ave
Participating in the
library's Annual Storytelling Festival, which begins at 2pm
Thursday, May 1
School-Age Storytelling
**Must register online**
4pm
It’s a new weekly storytelling series (this is NOT a storytime) for school-agers and their grown-ups!
Wednesday, June 11
PALO ALTO LIBRARY
Location TBD
Storytelling at 3:30pm
Wednesday, June 11
PALO ALTO LIBRARY
Location TBD
Storytelling at 3:30pm
Thursday, June 26
2075 Palisades Ave.
Storytelling at 11am
Wednesday, July 16
77 Harrison Ave.
Storytelling at 3:30pm
Other recent or upcoming events include storytelling & education for Highlands Elementary (San Mateo), Brier Elementary(Fremont), Ardenwood Elementary (Fremont), Heads Up (Palo Alto), Sequoia Preschool & Kindergarten (Redwood City), and Rolling Hills Club (Novato). Private
events (for schools, etc.) do not show up in listings above. 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!
.
February 15, 2014
Classics, illustrated
 |
| If Mama is as angry as she looks, Juan Bobo is in big trouble! |
A VERY GOOD day in the life of a storyteller: a fifth-grade regular at my afternoon storytelling sessions drew her rendition of a scene from one of my tales that captured her imagination. This story had stuck with her an entire week, coming out in illustrated form after the subsequent Thursday session. Big smile on my face!
I encourage my listeners to share their favorite stories with others, to tell them their own way, to write down a version or draw a picture. I loved seeing this very famous Juan Bobo tale brought to life--and so beautifully.
Do you know about Juan Bobo? Visit your library and read a version of his story!
February 13, 2014
Read Up: Moo!
 |
| Better mooo outta the way! |
A cow spots a car in her grazing space, and just like that, everything is mooving at a fast pace!
What a book! David LaRochelle and Mike Wohnoutka manage to tell an engaging, action-packed tale in just a few pages, and just about one word.
Is "moo" a word?
We've had a lot of fun at storytimes discussing what is happening, so there is absolutely no lack of language and thought involved in processing this hilarious story. Pick it up, share it, and talk about it--and be sure to moo along!
Check this book out! Have fun with it, & let me know what you think. Do you have any favorite books about cows, or cars--or whatever? Please let me know!
January 20, 2014
Catch the Story!
Hope you can catch some storytelling this week at the Menlo Park, Sunnyvale, or Palo Alto Library!
Storyteller John Weaver
Keep up with me on Facebook!
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Storyteller John Weaver
Keep up with me on Facebook!
.
January 11, 2014
"Parents, put down your phones."
Do you see it all the time, too: children trying to engage with their parents, only to be ignored in favor of a screen?
From the KQED Perspective series, here's a very well-put-together commentary on the topic by Pam Miller, a psychotherapist & early literacy adviser.
From the KQED Perspective series, here's a very well-put-together commentary on the topic by Pam Miller, a psychotherapist & early literacy adviser.
Hang Up and Talk
Pam Miller sees it all the time -- parents more interested in their phones than talking to their children.
Pam Miller sees it all the time -- parents more interested in their phones than talking to their children.
By Pam Miller
I bet we all can agree: parenting is hard work. It's a huge responsibility. It's tiring, never-ending and sometimes unrewarding. Yet, as a therapist and mother, I've never met a parent who didn't want to be good at it.
Still, as I ride the bus, I notice how many parents are not talking to their kids, especially their little kids, the two-to-five year olds, kids old enough to talk. The parents I see are almost always staring at or talking on their cell phones.
Their children try valiantly to engage them in conversation. The kids look out the window or at their fellow passengers. They're curious, watchful and stimulated. They want to share their experiences, to connect, to feel attached. Yet, too often, these precious opportunities are lost.
Recently, on Muni I heard, "Mommy, look at that house out there." "Daddy, I'm thirsty." "Mommy, why is that person in a wheelchair?" Kids trying to talk things over with their parents. Yet, in each instance the parents were too absorbed in their phones to respond. Some even seemed annoyed.
The kids' reactions? Either they asked again and again, and were reprimanded, or they withdrew in silence, believing they'd done something wrong. Their little faces registered rejection, resignation, and they tugged at my heartstrings. They were just doing what comes naturally -- trying to share their experiences with a grownup.
Yes, parenting is hard, but parents are the ones who have the most influence on their children's futures. Research is overwhelmingly clear: kids who are spoken to and who hear lots of words, hopefully positive ones, do much better in school than kids who don't. And that means they usually do better in life, too.
What can we do? We can remind adults who care for children to talk to them or to bring a book along to read to them.
We can encourage Muni and BART to put up public service signs, reminding parents to talk to their children on their ride.
Parents, put down your phones. Give your kids a very special gift this season, the gift of conversation.
With a Perspective, this is Pam Miller.
Pam Miller is a San Francisco psychotherapist and an advisor to an early literacy non-profit group.
With a Perspective, this is Pam Miller.
Pam Miller is a San Francisco psychotherapist and an advisor to an early literacy non-profit group.
January 09, 2014
Weekly Storytelling in Menlo Park
Excited to be back to my weekly storytelling event at the Menlo Park Library--something just for the big kids & their grown-ups!
Storyteller John Weaver
Keep up with me on Facebook!
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Storyteller John Weaver
Keep up with me on Facebook!
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January 06, 2014
Kind Words
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| "Dear Mr. John, Thank you very much for providing many enjoyable Monday nights of entertainment for our children...and for us."
Love this note left for me by one of my regular storytime families. Nice bat, too! I'm bats for the whole thing.
|
January 03, 2014
Upcoming Events
Catch me story telling or "story timing!" Here's where to look...
Storytimes at the Livermore & Menlo Park Libraries are in brown; storytelling events are in red. Keep checking in for updates!
_______________________________
WEEKLY LIBRARY STORYTIME EVENTS:
MONDAYS (Livermore Public Library, Civic Center)
10:30am Toddler Storytime
11:30am Toddler Storytime
7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime
THURSDAYS (Menlo Park Library)
11:15 Toddler Storytime
FRIDAYS (Livermore Public Library, Rincon)
10:30 Toddler Storytime
11am Preschool Storytime
_____________________________________________
STORYTELLING APPEARANCES:
Thursday, January 9
MENLO PARK LIBRARY
School-Age Storytelling
4pm
It’s a new weekly storytelling series (this is NOT a storytime) for school-agers and their grown-ups!
Thursday, January 16
MENLO PARK LIBRARY
School-Age Storytelling
4pm
It’s a new weekly storytelling series (this is NOT a storytime) for school-agers and their grown-ups!
January 17-19, 2014: Presenting "Literacy Building Through Enhanced Read-Aloud" at Santa Clara County Reading Council's Asilomar Reading Conference
Thursday, January 23
MENLO PARK LIBRARY
School-Age Storytelling
4pm
It’s a new weekly storytelling series (this is NOT a storytime) for school-agers and their grown-ups!
Saturday, January 25
SUNNYVALE LIBRARY
665 W. Olive Ave
Storytelling at 3pm
Sunday, January 26
PALO ALTO CHILDREN'S LIBRARY
1276 Harriet Street
Taking part in the library's annual Storytelling Festival, set to take place between 1:30 & 4:30pm.
Thursday, January 23
MENLO PARK LIBRARY
School-Age Storytelling
4pm
It’s a new weekly storytelling series (this is NOT a storytime) for school-agers and their grown-ups!
Thursday, January 30
MENLO PARK LIBRARY
School-Age Storytelling
4pm
It’s a new weekly storytelling series (this is NOT a storytime) for school-agers and their grown-ups!
Thursday, February 6
MENLO PARK LIBRARY
School-Age Storytelling
4pm
It’s a new weekly storytelling series (this is NOT a storytime) for school-agers and their grown-ups!
Saturday, February 8
Sunday, February 9
CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND
Lake Merritt, Oakland
Storytelling at 1:30pm & 2:30pm (different stories each time), weather-dependent.
Thursday, February 13
MENLO PARK LIBRARY
School-Age Storytelling
4pm
It’s a new weekly storytelling series (this is NOT a storytime) for school-agers and their grown-ups!
Thursday, February 20
MENLO PARK LIBRARY
School-Age Storytelling
4pm
It’s a new weekly storytelling series (this is NOT a storytime) for school-agers and their grown-ups!
Thursday, February 27
MENLO PARK LIBRARY
School-Age Storytelling
4pm
It’s a new weekly storytelling series (this is NOT a storytime) for school-agers and their grown-ups!
Thursday, March 6
MENLO PARK LIBRARY
School-Age Storytelling
4pm
It’s a new weekly storytelling series (this is NOT a storytime) for school-agers and their grown-ups!
Thursday, March 13
MENLO PARK LIBRARY
School-Age Storytelling
4pm
It’s a new weekly storytelling series (this is NOT a storytime) for school-agers and their grown-ups!
Thursday, March 20
MENLO PARK LIBRARY
School-Age Storytelling
4pm
It’s a new weekly storytelling series (this is NOT a storytime) for school-agers and their grown-ups!
Thursday, March 27
MENLO PARK LIBRARY
School-Age Storytelling
4pm
It’s a new weekly storytelling series (this is NOT a storytime) for school-agers and their grown-ups!
Sunday, April 6
HAWAII CHILDREN'S DISCOVERY CENTER
111 Ohe Street, Honolulu
Performing at 11am, included in Discovery Center admission.
Saturday, April 12
Sunday, April 13
CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND
Lake Merritt, Oakland
Storytelling at 1:30pm & 2:30pm (different stories each time), weather-dependent.
Saturday, April 26
SUNNYVALE LIBRARY
665 W. Olive Ave
Participating in the library's Annual Storytelling Festival, which begins at 2pm
Other recent or upcoming events include storytelling & education for Brier Elementary, The Nueva School & Exceptional Needs Network. 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 book: How to be a Storyteller: Essays and Advice on the Art of Storytelling!
 |
| I do kneel down, but I get up again; you're never going to keep me down! |
Storytimes at the Livermore & Menlo Park Libraries are in brown; storytelling events are in red. Keep checking in for updates!
_______________________________
WEEKLY LIBRARY STORYTIME EVENTS:
MONDAYS (Livermore Public Library, Civic Center)
10:30am Toddler Storytime
11:30am Toddler Storytime
7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime
THURSDAYS (Menlo Park Library)
11:15 Toddler Storytime
FRIDAYS (Livermore Public Library, Rincon)
10:30 Toddler Storytime
11am Preschool Storytime
_____________________________________________
STORYTELLING APPEARANCES:
Thursday, January 9
MENLO PARK LIBRARY
School-Age Storytelling
4pm
It’s a new weekly storytelling series (this is NOT a storytime) for school-agers and their grown-ups!
Thursday, January 16
MENLO PARK LIBRARY
School-Age Storytelling
4pm
It’s a new weekly storytelling series (this is NOT a storytime) for school-agers and their grown-ups!
January 17-19, 2014: Presenting "Literacy Building Through Enhanced Read-Aloud" at Santa Clara County Reading Council's Asilomar Reading Conference
Thursday, January 23
MENLO PARK LIBRARY
School-Age Storytelling
4pm
It’s a new weekly storytelling series (this is NOT a storytime) for school-agers and their grown-ups!
 |
| Do I love storytelling at the Sunnyvale Library? I DO! |
Saturday, January 25
SUNNYVALE LIBRARY
665 W. Olive Ave
Storytelling at 3pm
Sunday, January 26
PALO ALTO CHILDREN'S LIBRARY
1276 Harriet Street
Taking part in the library's annual Storytelling Festival, set to take place between 1:30 & 4:30pm.
Thursday, January 23
MENLO PARK LIBRARY
School-Age Storytelling
4pm
It’s a new weekly storytelling series (this is NOT a storytime) for school-agers and their grown-ups!
Thursday, January 30
MENLO PARK LIBRARY
School-Age Storytelling
4pm
It’s a new weekly storytelling series (this is NOT a storytime) for school-agers and their grown-ups!
Thursday, February 6
MENLO PARK LIBRARY
School-Age Storytelling
4pm
It’s a new weekly storytelling series (this is NOT a storytime) for school-agers and their grown-ups!
 |
| Giving them the run-around at Children's Fairyland |
Saturday, February 8
Sunday, February 9
CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND
Lake Merritt, Oakland
Storytelling at 1:30pm & 2:30pm (different stories each time), weather-dependent.
Thursday, February 13
MENLO PARK LIBRARY
School-Age Storytelling
4pm
It’s a new weekly storytelling series (this is NOT a storytime) for school-agers and their grown-ups!
Thursday, February 20
MENLO PARK LIBRARY
School-Age Storytelling
4pm
It’s a new weekly storytelling series (this is NOT a storytime) for school-agers and their grown-ups!
Thursday, February 27
MENLO PARK LIBRARY
School-Age Storytelling
4pm
It’s a new weekly storytelling series (this is NOT a storytime) for school-agers and their grown-ups!
Thursday, March 6
MENLO PARK LIBRARY
School-Age Storytelling
4pm
It’s a new weekly storytelling series (this is NOT a storytime) for school-agers and their grown-ups!
Thursday, March 13
MENLO PARK LIBRARY
School-Age Storytelling
4pm
It’s a new weekly storytelling series (this is NOT a storytime) for school-agers and their grown-ups!
Thursday, March 20
MENLO PARK LIBRARY
School-Age Storytelling
4pm
It’s a new weekly storytelling series (this is NOT a storytime) for school-agers and their grown-ups!
Thursday, March 27
MENLO PARK LIBRARY
School-Age Storytelling
4pm
It’s a new weekly storytelling series (this is NOT a storytime) for school-agers and their grown-ups!
Sunday, April 6
HAWAII CHILDREN'S DISCOVERY CENTER
111 Ohe Street, Honolulu
Performing at 11am, included in Discovery Center admission.
 |
| I get into the aloha spirit at the Hawaii Children's Discovery Center, an awesome children's museum. |
Sunday, April 13
CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND
Lake Merritt, Oakland
Storytelling at 1:30pm & 2:30pm (different stories each time), weather-dependent.
Saturday, April 26
SUNNYVALE LIBRARY
665 W. Olive Ave
Participating in the library's Annual Storytelling Festival, which begins at 2pm
Other recent or upcoming events include storytelling & education for Brier Elementary, The Nueva School & Exceptional Needs Network. 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 book: How to be a Storyteller: Essays and Advice on the Art of Storytelling!
December 31, 2013
2013: A Look Back
I’m starting off 2014 with a look back at 2013:
January:
My first public storytelling appearance of 2013 was at one of my favorite places to share stories & fun: the Sunnyvale Library! Every visit is a pleasure, and this time was no exception.
I began a new year of storytimes for toddlers, preschoolers & families at the Livermore Public Library; and I found a NEW library home in Menlo Park! I'd been filling in for the occasional storytime at the Menlo Park Library since the previous summer, but in January they made it official, with a Library Assistant position, and a wonderful array of duties. Things started off with a pair of regular storytimes, plus early planning for both the Youth and Adult Summer Reading Programs.
In mid-January, as I have the last few years, I spent a weekend of professional development at the Asilomar Reading Conference in Monterey County. Back in the Bay Area later in the month, I did some school storytelling in Alamo, and performed for the first time at the Palo Alto Children's Library's Annual Storytelling Festival. THAT was a very fun day!
 |
| Sharing my stories & nonsense with everyone at the Sunnyvale Library |
I began a new year of storytimes for toddlers, preschoolers & families at the Livermore Public Library; and I found a NEW library home in Menlo Park! I'd been filling in for the occasional storytime at the Menlo Park Library since the previous summer, but in January they made it official, with a Library Assistant position, and a wonderful array of duties. Things started off with a pair of regular storytimes, plus early planning for both the Youth and Adult Summer Reading Programs.
 |
| The Menlo Park Library. I love being here. |
February-March:
A full slate of storytimes in Menlo Park & Livermore, plus school storytelling in Menlo Park & Fremont, and giving teacher workshops in read-aloud techniques at schools in Redwood City & Palo Alto.
I also paid my first visit of the year to Children's Fairyland, one of my very favorite storytelling homes! When I spend a weekend there, it's two performances each afternoon--and families who attend both get different stories each time.
I also paid my first visit of the year to Children's Fairyland, one of my very favorite storytelling homes! When I spend a weekend there, it's two performances each afternoon--and families who attend both get different stories each time.
 |
| On stage at Children's Fairyland |
April:
I returned to the Sunnyvale Library this month, as just one of many participants in the library's annual Storytelling Festival. I also paid visits to Fairfield & Berkeley, as libraries in each of those cities hosted my storytelling program.
There was more school storytelling this month (in Redwood City & Palo Alto), plus all of my storytimes in both Menlo Park & Livermore.
There was more school storytelling this month (in Redwood City & Palo Alto), plus all of my storytimes in both Menlo Park & Livermore.
May:
With the end of the school year coming--and libraries' Summer Reading Programs starting--last-minute activity keeps EVERYONE in schools & libraries busy! My silly "come to the library, read, and win" messages were filmed and played online for the libraries in both Livermore & Menlo Park (we even had a special visitor for the MP shoot).
I spent a week at Encinal Elementary in Atherton, storytelling & talking up the summer games about 25 classes visiting the school library, one at a time. A fun, invigorating change of pace!
Also in May, I brought some cool, interactive storytelling fun to schools & churches in Hayward, San Mateo, San Jose & San Ramon.
 |
| THAT dude. |
I spent a week at Encinal Elementary in Atherton, storytelling & talking up the summer games about 25 classes visiting the school library, one at a time. A fun, invigorating change of pace!
Also in May, I brought some cool, interactive storytelling fun to schools & churches in Hayward, San Mateo, San Jose & San Ramon.
June:
I say it all the time: summer is always my favorite time of the year—and not just because I thrive on the warm weather & long days: it’s Summer Reading season!
At the Livermore Public Library, Mondays kept me SO busy, with 3 storytimes. I'd begin with my "Dream Weaver Story Club" (stories, book-sharing, science & games with grade schoolers), then run inside for an Infant Storytime (those guys love me--it's my round head, I think), and finally return several hours later to finish out the day with a 7pm Family Storytime. I also had a school-age storytime Fridays at Livermore's Rincon Library, plus hosting all of the special programs I'd booked: music, animal education, puppetry and more.
In Menlo Park, I'd also booked summer programs--including a couple I'd put together as the person in charge of the Adult Summer Reading Program. I hosted a Plant Exchange, and also a dumpling-cooking program featuring chef & cookbook author Andrea Nguyen. Both events were huge hits, as were all of the ones I'd arranged for the family programs. Planning, publicizing, shopping, decorating and all the other details for the summer reading in Menlo Park--as well as learning from & collaborating with the wonderful, wise, dedicated & hard-working staff--kept me very happy, indeed. It was a very extensive, wildly-successful program.
June was not just "storytiming" and other library-staff-type stuff for me: I was also out & about, storytelling! I spun my tales at Children's Fairyland, the Campbell Library, and schools in Cupertino & Concord.
At the Livermore Public Library, Mondays kept me SO busy, with 3 storytimes. I'd begin with my "Dream Weaver Story Club" (stories, book-sharing, science & games with grade schoolers), then run inside for an Infant Storytime (those guys love me--it's my round head, I think), and finally return several hours later to finish out the day with a 7pm Family Storytime. I also had a school-age storytime Fridays at Livermore's Rincon Library, plus hosting all of the special programs I'd booked: music, animal education, puppetry and more.
In Menlo Park, I'd also booked summer programs--including a couple I'd put together as the person in charge of the Adult Summer Reading Program. I hosted a Plant Exchange, and also a dumpling-cooking program featuring chef & cookbook author Andrea Nguyen. Both events were huge hits, as were all of the ones I'd arranged for the family programs. Planning, publicizing, shopping, decorating and all the other details for the summer reading in Menlo Park--as well as learning from & collaborating with the wonderful, wise, dedicated & hard-working staff--kept me very happy, indeed. It was a very extensive, wildly-successful program.
June was not just "storytiming" and other library-staff-type stuff for me: I was also out & about, storytelling! I spun my tales at Children's Fairyland, the Campbell Library, and schools in Cupertino & Concord.
July:
A little road trip to San Luis Obispo County! I enjoyed returning to the libraries in SLO, Atascadero, and Paso Robles (as well as the Paso Robles Library's Study Center) for some summer storytelling.
More storytelling closer to home, at libraries (Cupertino & Fairfield), schools (Fremont, Belmont, San Ramon & Morgan Hill), and (a sleepover event at) Children's Fairyland.
My busy season continued at the libraries in Livermore & Menlo Park--and July marked a year since there very first time I'd set foot in the Menlo Park Library for the one-time assignment of filling in for its Toddler & Bilingual Storytimes. I sure am glad that first visit was a success!
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| The San Luis Obispo Library, and some of its creative furniture. |
More storytelling closer to home, at libraries (Cupertino & Fairfield), schools (Fremont, Belmont, San Ramon & Morgan Hill), and (a sleepover event at) Children's Fairyland.
My busy season continued at the libraries in Livermore & Menlo Park--and July marked a year since there very first time I'd set foot in the Menlo Park Library for the one-time assignment of filling in for its Toddler & Bilingual Storytimes. I sure am glad that first visit was a success!
August-September:
My final storytimes & events of the summer in Livermore & Menlo Park, and a lot of anticipation of "what comes next" (a lot of what comes next is usually immediate forethought to the following summer). I spent another couple of weekends at Children's Fairyland; shared stories at schools in Alameda, San Ramon, Los Gatos & Pleasanton; gave a Family Reading Seminar in Redwood City, and did some campfire storytelling for a special needs family camp at Camp Arroyo in Livermore.
October-November:
In October, I told Halloween stories--inside a Christmas tree showroom! I spent three Wednesdays at Balsam Hill--seller of upscale artificial trees in Burlingame--sharing stories among a well-lit forest. An interesting change of pace!
Something else new & exciting that started in October was my Thursday Afternoon Storytelling series at the Menlo Park Library. The Children's Librarian, ever thinking of how she could use a storyteller on her staff (having previously assigned me to storytelling at local schools & for class visits to the library, and a staff training in adding elements of storytelling to their storytime reading), suggested this new event just for school-agers & their adults. It's "something cool after school" for the big kids, and it's gotten off to a really great start. I enjoy exposing everyone to storytelling and folklore, and getting those "398s"--the library's folktale collection--moving off of the shelves!
October & November brought my regular storytimes at my two libraries, of course, plus I returned to Livermore's Camp Arroyo, shared stories with some scouts in Hillsborough, and spent another weekend at Children's Fairyland.
Something else new & exciting that started in October was my Thursday Afternoon Storytelling series at the Menlo Park Library. The Children's Librarian, ever thinking of how she could use a storyteller on her staff (having previously assigned me to storytelling at local schools & for class visits to the library, and a staff training in adding elements of storytelling to their storytime reading), suggested this new event just for school-agers & their adults. It's "something cool after school" for the big kids, and it's gotten off to a really great start. I enjoy exposing everyone to storytelling and folklore, and getting those "398s"--the library's folktale collection--moving off of the shelves!
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| The new Thursday Afternoon Storytelling series was covered by the local news site, InMenlo. http://inmenlo.com/2013/10/30/menlo-park-librarys-john-weaver-spins-tales-for-school-age-kids-every-thursday-afternoon/ |
December:
In December, all story events in Menlo Park have taken a little winter break, giving me the chance to jump ahead in my planning. Livermore storytimes also came to a stop mid-month. Children's Fairyland, however, kept me very busy! I spent three weekends at the park, with new stories at each visit, including Fairyland's annual "Winter Fairyland" event. I love being a part of it!
My final school visit of the year was at a huge Book Fair event at a school in Hillsborough. Such a large crowd, such a variety of ages--and I loved hearing afterward that kids wouldn't allow their adults to drag them away before the stories ran out! I could tell there were also some adults who would not allow their kids to drag them away before the stories' end.
My final school visit of the year was at a huge Book Fair event at a school in Hillsborough. Such a large crowd, such a variety of ages--and I loved hearing afterward that kids wouldn't allow their adults to drag them away before the stories ran out! I could tell there were also some adults who would not allow their kids to drag them away before the stories' end.
So what’s ahead for 2014? January kicks off with another round of professional development in Asilomar--and this time I'll also be presenting! I'll give the teachers my tips on refreshing their reading presentation for their kids' benefit & their own sanity. Storytimes & storytelling will resume in Livermore & Menlo Park, and I'll be returning with my storytelling to libraries in Sunnyvale & Palo Alto. Beyond that, I've got school visits on the books, a little storytelling in Hawaii, and...beyond that? Stay with me and we will find out together!
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| Looking forward to the 2014 Asilomar Reading Conference! |
Happy New Year! Wishing you much health & happiness in 2014.
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