Telling a story is always well and good, but having children participate in the story makes it come alive for them. I love to let kids act out different parts and provide sound effects. I also bring in a song or two that go with the story, and audience members, both children and adults, are invited up to play some of my homemade percussion instruments. In the picture at the right, I had a couple of impromptu dancers as well!

We had a special treat during my program in Columbus last week. One of the parents offered to show us how to make tortillas. Check out the picture at the right - she had LOTS of help from the children, and they turned out delicious! This went well with the story I told called Magda's Tortillas.

Had a great time last week in Columbus! Told a story about a little girl learning to make tortillas (see the character played by an audience member, at right!)

Summer 2014 Schedule

It is going to be a busy and enjoyable summer!
June 4 - Pontotoc Co. Library 10:00 Summer Reading Program
June 5 - Avonlea - Tupelo - Harp and violin program
June 11 - Pontotoc Hospital Nursing Home  - Harp and violin program
July 24 - Ms. Humanities Council  Program - Columbus
July 26 - 8:30 - 10 AM - Children's Day - Pontotoc Farmers' Market
July 31 -  Ms. Humanities Council  Program - Columbus
Aug. 2 -  Ms. Humanities Council  Program - Columbus
Aug. 14 - Ms. Humanities Council Program - Columbus
Aug. 21 -  Ms. Humanities Council Program - Columbus
Au. 28 -  Ms. Humanities Council Program - Columbus

Pioneer Days at the Kidzeum - Grenada, Ms

 

 

              I was delighted to be part of the week long pioneer days project at Grenada Lower Elementary. Earlier in the week, students had packed a covered wagon and planned their trip. (Yes, a full-sized wagon was right in the middle of the Kidzeum!!)  I played the part of the pioneer woman they met on the trail. The stories were all true, coming from my family's history. I met with three groups, for a total of around 450 children!

              I also played the part of a Native American woman, playing the Native flute and telling traditional Native American folktales.

          Audience members always love becoming part of the story.

                  
                   Grenada Lower Elementary is K - grade 2 and these kids were great actors!
               

 

Audience members help me with a song.

Family Reading Bonds -Aberdeen

 

 

                     Children get involved in the song by playing homemade   
                                          percussion instruments.

 

                       Audience members at Family Reading Bonds program

 

            The discussion leader keeps everyone's interest with his funny
                                                      stories!

 

              Door prizes are handed out each week at Family Reading Bonds

                Stories and songs come alive when children can take part. These audience members become my back-up band in Aberdeen at the third Family Reading Bonds program.

             Chuck leads the discussion in the Family Reading Bonds  program- there is more to a story than just reading it. Each week has a theme, which is talked about after the stories are told.

            Great attendance in Aberdeen for Family Reading Bonds #3.

 

               Another song accompanied by my styrofoam ice chest (homemade) guitar and handmade percussion instruments. Kids learn that you can have so much fun for so little money!!!

 

Family Reading Bonds - Aberdeen - Wk. 2

 

 

                       June plays the Mbira (thumb piano) an African instrument, to set the mood for two African folktales: Anansi and the Moss Covered Rock and Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters.

           Anansi the spider and his friend Lion played by two audience members. I love to get kids involved in the story, rather than just listening!

            Little Bush Deer, played by another audience member, gets ready to teach Anansi a much-needed lesson.

Family Reading Bonds - Aberdeen, MS

 

                          Chuck shows the audience what greed looks like

                             25 children and 21 adults - great turnout!!

                       Audience members become the backup band !

  First session of Family Reading Bonds in Aberdeen - we had 25 children with 18 families represented. These programs are designed to encourage reading in the home, increase reading fluency, and show families how to use literature as a tool for both learning and family bonding.  Special thanks to the Mississippi Humanities Council for sponsoring these programs statewide!

                   Our discussion leader and audience imitating ducks!

                                  Door prize winner in Aberdeen!

Fall is shaping up to be full of stories, music, and fun! Here are some of the events, with more to be added soon:
             Tues., Sept. 10 - Tues. Oct. 15 - Family Reading Bonds Program,
                                         Aberdeen, MS. (6 week program)

              Fri.,Sept. 27 - Harp music for "Artist Meet and Greet"  6 - 7:30 PM                                        Chancery Clerk Building; Pontotoc, MS

               Sat., Sept. 28 - Harp Music for private wedding

               Wed., Oct. 9 - Pioneer Stories and Songs - Kidzeum ;Grenada, MS

               Thurs., Nov. 14 - Harp Music - Pontotoc Co. Library - 11:40 AM -
                                            Lunching with Books

                                                       

             

Upcoming Performances - 2013:

June 4 - Houlka Library - Houlka, MS

Aug. 31 - Private Wedding - Harp

Oct. 9 - Kidzeum - Grenada Elementary - Grenada, MS

It's amazing to me that in this day of TV, videos, and computers, children still love storytelling, and I love to see a child get excited abnout being onstage to play an instrument or become one of the characters.  Here, "Possum Phil" meets his friend.

The Mississippi Library Association's Summer Reading Program's theme is "Dream Big!" This library had stars hanging from the ceiling and kids ready to rock!

The Possum Party tour is going great! Lots of children, music, stories, and fun! After one program, a little girl gave me a hug and said "I liked your program, but my mama kills possums." What do you say to that?!
If you notice some of the faces look blurry in these pictures, it's because I purposely blur them unless a parent has signed a photo release form. There's nothing wrong with my camera!
Hope to see you somewhere in the state this summer!

Pete the Possum tries to figure out how to get to the fish fry.

Another group of children help me play and sing "Don't Give Me Those Possum Blues." Yes, that's a baby possum on my hat!

Columbus kids have rhythm! Here is a group backing up the song "Going to a Fishfry," part of the Possum Party program.