Frequently-Asked Questions
Can you tell me
about your storytelling?
My
storytelling is aimed at entertaining children, making them laugh-- and getting
them interested in hearing more by reading with the grownups in their
lives. These are lively, interactive sessions well-geared toward each age
group. I also hold family storytelling sessions for special school
events, where the early childhood/family literacy message is hit home in
storytelling designed to entertain the adults as well as the children.
Are you only
a children’s storyteller?
No! I am here to tell to whoever will
listen! I talk a lot about storytelling
to children & families, but I love to share stories with adults as well—and
many senior adults love a good story. I’m
happy to share some with them.
Will you
travel to my city/state/country & share stories?
Yes! I love sharing stories wherever I can. To defray travel expenses, it may be
necessary for us to arrange multiple events in your region, so help in setting
up events with libraries, schools, museums, & other event producers will
make things happen.
How much do
you charge?
Not so much—and
nonprofits & educational institutions are offered a discount! Also, if you would like to arrange for
multiple sessions of storytelling—either same day or over multiple visits—further
price breaks are offered.
What’s the
maximum number of attendees in a session?
I think that
we can be more effective when the size of the group is limited—but I know that
is not always possible. I have told to
groups well in excess of a couple of hundred, and I’ve told to just a handful. To help schools manage smaller groups (i.e.
grade-level assemblies, where I can better tailor content developmentally), I
offer considerable discounts for booking multiple storytelling events.
Do you read
books to the audience?
I practice
the traditional art of storytelling, which predates books & is focused on
the verbal sharing of a story using vocal variation, gesture & eye contact. It’s a very interactive experience.
If you are
looking something closer to a library or preschool storytime, where the focus
is more on reading books, we can arrange something—because I am certainly
experienced in that, and do it in my storyteller’s way!
Are you
available for children’s birthday parties?
I am, but I
do encourage parents to consider the option of donating a storytelling
performance to their child’s classroom, instead. It's cheaper, it’s a wonderful gift to an educational
institution, and it may possibly even be taken as a charitable contribution. In-home party storytelling events can be
difficult, as there are often many distractions: toys, food, television,
grown-ups socializing in earshot of the event.
In a distraction-free area, where everyone is supporting the goals of
storytelling, an amazing time can be had—and I welcome the chance to be a part
of it.
Do you have
videos online of your storytelling performances?
This is a tricky one, because to me, the art of storytelling is very much a "you really need to be there" experience, and because every performance is different--different crowds, different venues, different clients. Every experience, even with the same stories, is unique.
That being said, the most direct answer is now YES! Scroll down for a few minutes of me getting some help from a young audience as I try to make my way through "Goldilocks & the Three Bears."
By the way, if you'd like some impressions from people who have seen me perform multiple times, I can put you in touch with some of my regular
clients!
Where can I
watch you perform?
A list of my
upcoming public performances is available
on my blog.
Have another
question, or want more details? CONTACT
ME!