Category Archives: storytelling

Meeting an Author

Posted on July 31, 2017 by

Last week I met Eric Carle. Let me say it a little louder, “Last week I met Eric Carle!”  The man, a world renowned children’s author and illustrator, is 88 years old.  His history is fascinating.  So is he. My author … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Author interview, Early Education, Eric Carle, Leo Lionni, museums, picture books, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 67 Comments

Childhood, and Train Whistles, and My Grandmother

Posted on July 25, 2017 by

Summer evenings on the porch are quiet, except for the occasional  sound of a train whistle in the distance.  I love that sound.  When I was a little girl, a train whistle meant excitement and memories.  I was born and … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, geography, history, Imagination, storytelling, Teaching young children, trains | Tagged , , , , , , , | 53 Comments

Childhood and Summer, Then and Now

Posted on July 12, 2017 by

On summer evenings my greatest pleasure is sitting on the porch and reading.  My porch has soft lighting and wood everywhere; bare wood and rough wood.  The ceiling is the roughest wood of all, and my husband wants to paint … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Imagination, storytelling, summer camp | Tagged , , , , , | 79 Comments

The Heart of My Old Books

Posted on May 11, 2017 by

My dear old books have witnessed decades of children carefully listening to their words.  They have made children laugh, feel scared, ask hundreds of questions, and come to understand the heart of well-written words and a good story.  Words are … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, Early Education, Imagination, reading, reading aloud, storytelling | Tagged , , , , , | 54 Comments

Isabelle’s Story

Posted on May 6, 2017 by

I read-aloud at the library; great literature and a captive audience of children. Isabelle is part of my book group that includes first and second graders.  As the year has progressed she has grown from shy and quiet to relaxed and chatty.  … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, Early Education, reading, reading aloud, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 63 Comments

The Best of Jim Trelease

Posted on May 3, 2017 by

I love a good story, especially one that involves reading aloud and the stunning difference it makes with children.  Here is a favorite story of mine, from the million-copy best selling book, The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease: “During his … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, Early Education, Jim Trelease, picture books, reading, reading aloud, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Beyond Telling a Story

Posted on April 28, 2017 by

I tell stories.  It began many years ago during lunchtime in my classroom with my preschoolers.  I told a story about my childhood, The Peanut Man, which has become a classic story that children beg for, along with at least fourteen … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Learning About the World, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 62 Comments