It's been a great summer. Last week, I was at the Bryan Public Library in West Point, telling stories and singing songs to a rockin, rollin group of around 125 children!
I love participatory stories, and had some great actresses and actors from the audience to help with the stories.
In one story, the people in a village learn to be kind to all - including people who are very different from ourselves. They also learn that nature and the things around them, such as clean water and air, cannot be taken for granted.
Music is a part of all programs, and I always enjoy putting together a percussion band made up of children from the audience. Many of the instruments are made from everyday things: tin cans, plastic bottles, balloons, PVC pipe, etc. I try to spend a few minutes showing parents and children how they can make them at home.
Other instruments are a little harder to build, but fun to see and play. This orange crate guitar sounds surprisingly good, thanks to a cookie tin amplifier placed inside the crate.
It is always amazing to me how much children and adults enjoy oral stories. It's reassuring that in today's world of TV, movies, and computers, we can still come together and enjoy using our imaginations and talents to have fun as a group!
