Telling Tales in Craigsville

And my goodness it was fun!

Every year I plan a new program that reflects the national library summer reading theme. This year's theme is Build a Better World. I took a little different approach, at the request of one library; rather than addressing bricks-and-mortar building, I planned a program that focused on building community and working together to make this world a better place. 

And stories teach this so well, not in a beat-you-over-the head way, but with humor and excitement and thoughtfulness. Research proves that we learn best through stories, after all, and the best part of that is that we enjoy the learning. 

  

To illustrate my theme, I used cardboard blocks (ordered some sturdy ones meant for children's play) on which I attached a world map cut into pieces. I told stories from all around the world: from Ghana and Burma and China, the US and Thailand, India and France. 

I used puppets, chants, drums, mbira (thumb piano), a flannelboard story and songs to keep the audience engaged since there is usually all ages present, and we all learn differently. 

Telling Margaret Read MacDonald's story Grandfather Bear is Hungry, using puppets and audience participation

Handing out feathers for the story How Vulture Got His Bald Head. We also used little plush birds that "sing" the bird's call, adding a little more learning to the story.

This time I also used a crankie story, something most children have not seen.

 

Not the best photo as this was between frames. The pictures scroll as I tell the story and turn the crank.

At the end of the program, we used the blocks to put the world back together again, building a world that I hope might be a tiny bit better because of the stories we shared.

We had a blast at the Craigsville library, and I am looking forward to presenting this program at more libraries around West Virginia. Truly, the world will be a better place if we will listen to each other's stories.

 

Copyright Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.

Such Beauty There Is: Stories, Friends, and Scenery, Day1

The past two days were storytelling days, but also a mini-vacation for us. We traveled to central and then to southern West Virginia on this trip, and re-visited places we haven't seen in some years.

Our first stop was Craigsville, in almost the heart of the state. We arrived early so we had time to stop at the tiny Dairy Bar--I mean tiny! There was room inside for exactly 4 booths, and there was an outside pavilion with more seating. We ordered the medium root beer floats, and I am so glad we didn't go for large because they were huge, and delicious. It's been a long while since I had a root beer float and it tasted just fine.

Then it was time for storytelling. This was my first visit to the vibrant Craigsville Public Library and I was so impressed with the amount of support they receive from their small, scattered community. This is a very rural area, miles from a Wal-Mart or other major retailer but the library was the place to be, apparently. The staff help make it so with their friendly service and welcoming smiles.

The kids here were great. We played with stories, really--masks, puppets, kazoos, and other props allowed us to make believe and make each story our own creation.

This year my stories focus on fruits and vegetables--who knew there were so many good stories about them? I'm also teaching the kids to sing The Eggplant That Ate Chicago and to use kazoos with the song. Each child gets a kazoo to take home.

I hope parents aren't raining down curses on me for that! If you don't know the song, here is the Top Ten hit from the 60's:

We were so lucky to be able to meet up with our friends Granny Kate and Mark, who suggested lunch at Mumsie's Iron Skillet in Richwood, just a few miles away.

Then we were off to Hinton to stay the night at a new place, Three Rivers Studios, a building still being renovated but offering nice little studio apartments for rent. Here's a peek inside:

Lots of photos on the way there, but here's one for now. I'll post more tomorrow.

Copyright Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.