GET READY for the CHA, CHA…..PENGUIN CHA-CHA!

GET READY for the CHA, CHA…..PENGUIN CHA-CHA!

This month I want to showcase a young author/illustrator, Kristi Valiant, who lives in my hometown.  She is an extremely gifted young woman.  Not only being the mother of two beautiful young girls, the wife of a busy man, and the illustrator of several books…………..she is now the author/illustrator of “PENGUIN CHA-CHA.”  Every Early Childhood classroom needs this book on their book shelf. 

Many of us have habits and one of my biggest habits is buying books.  The mail lady says I keep her job important with my Amazon and ABE book orders.  Put your books in important spots in your curriculum and then add projects that reinforce the language shared with the children.   
  

 

 

 Some of Kristi's other book, s and they are all on my shelf can be viewed on Amazon.  The Goodbye Cancer Garden is a favorite and I purchase and give it to people who are diagnosed with cancer.  It is a beautiful story written by a mother who a the cancer diagnosis.  Kristi's illustrations make you want to reach out and touch each page.  They compliment the entire story and are in your memory forever.

 

Cora Cook's Pancit can be added to a multicultural curriculum and  to the list of things to do with the children in the kitchen.  Cook and Eat!

 

 

This precious smile is always inviting others to share her excitement about writing and illustrating her books.  She is the Indiana representative for SCBWI (Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) and has revived the group to the top of the ladder of exciting organizations to belong too.....................check it out and join today.

 

 

 

DIANNE DE LAS CASAS

 

GOTTA HAVE THIS LADY'S BOOKS

 

 

 

 

Dianne De Las Casas is another author friend from Harvey, LA.  This girl has set the world of picture books on fire.  Check out her web site at www.storyconnection.net and you will be thrilled to share all the story connections and author information.

Above is just a sample of one of her newest books "Little READ Hen" and it is filled with great language and language twists.  The circle at the bottom is her branding logo and when you see this logo you will see something exciting from Ms. Dianne.

The characters on the left are from the Little READ Hen book and can be used for puppets so children will retell this story.  Her books have a connection to State Standards and Core Curriculum.

 

 

 

 

Dianne has a beautiful daughter Ms. Eliana who is an author of children's cook books.  She is a beauty just like her sassy mama and has hit the circuit of chefs with a thunder.  Watch out world here she comes...........pot, pans, skillets, mixing bowls and great recipes!!!!

 

PICTURE BOOK MONTH

 

Picture book month was created by Dianne and is an international celebration of picture books.

She has a special shelf at my house and this shelf is filled with signed books by my author friends.  Get yourself a new book and go to the author's web sites and sign up for their blogs and learn the curriculum connections.

 

Something new on the horizon........................beginning February 2014 I will be offering

IN-HOUSE-FIELD-TRIPS

via

 

The background is up, the camera is on the 37" screen, my office needs cleaning and all props are being prepared for this event.  In Feb. I will be offering a WINTER WONDERLAND visit and then in April the connection will be a SPRING FLING.  All 30 minute visits will be seasonal.

Give me a call for more information and secure a date for a visit to your school, library or home.

 

Until next month have a great beginning of FALL and celebrate our FREEDOM.

 

Mary Jo Huff
Author, Storyteller, Song Writer, Puppeteer
www.storytellin.com
maryjo@storytellin.com
812-455-1558

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Puppet Play: Engaging Children's Imaginations!

by Mary Jo Huff

The storyteller has arrived and the children are getting ready for a special treat. Sitting on the floor with their legs twisted like a pretzel, eyes wide and fidgety fingers the pre-schoolers are all ready for Storytime. Enter the storyteller dressed for the occasion. As a visiting storyteller I wear a special vest, jacket or hat. So many times I hear others say they don’t know what to do with the young children – but I know how interested the children are in a good story.

Using a puppet or other visuals captivates and engages the youngest children. Add a little music, movement, rhythm and rhyme and the program is complete. Review brain research that enlightens even the novice teller to the natural wonder of young children. Knowing the expectations of young children can give any good storyteller a heads-up on the delivery of a story. Remember their attention span and deliver the story followed by an activity.

A special puppet that you use with children will be part of your personality. This puppet can comfort the children, invite them to participate and do a lead-in to a story. Don’t make the stories too long. Utilize the puppet language and let the puppet ask the children questions about the story and if you have told more than one story ask them the difference in the stories.

You and the puppet can begin a story and ask the children to help you continue the language and write the story down so everyone can see the beginning, middle and end of the story. When children help make up a story they are vested in the process.

In today’s world there are many demands on young children and engaging a group with stories meets many demands of state standards for literacy. Know your audience, take the appropriate stories for their age, be funny, sing songs, chant rhymes and above all have fun with words.

About Mary Jo

Mary Jo is fulfilling her PASSION in life by sharing the power of storytelling with the Early Childhood world. Her long career spans 30 plus years as she shares her enthusiasm across the country. Mary Jo demonstrates storytelling as a means of teaching basic skills, language development, motivation, social awareness, cultural awareness and diversity, environmental concerns. Publications and recordings are all available on her website. Bookings are now being taken for 2012 and 2013 and dates fill fast. Give her a call and to set up an adventure in storytelling.

Contact Mary Jo
www.storytellin.com
maryjo@storytellin.com