“The teachers were awed! One teacher told me that she couldn't imagine a man standing up front of the auditorium with no microphone - nothing! - was going to hold the students' attention, but you did it with stuff to spare! ”
— Susan Mingey, Principal - Lynnewood Elem; Havertown, PA
Available program topics
- One Country, Many Stories: Tales from a Diverse America
America is a great melting pot - of people, of cultures and of stories! No matter what our heritage, or where our families first came from, we all share the same basic concerns of being human, and we can relate to and enjoy the stories that are told by people with roots from all over the world. Listening to these stories builds empathy for people of different backgrounds, and reminds us that we are all part of the same human family.
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A World of Giving: Multi-cultural tales of the Winter Season
A multi-cultural collection of stories about various festivals and holidays that take place at the start of winter; all of which celebrate the simple act of giving. Each story focuses on the traditional food, music, decorations and gift giving that accompany each holiday. (While the religious aspect of these celebrations is not ignored, the stories are secular in nature.)
- Live From the Library: Reading Incentive
Nothing makes children more eager to read a story than hearing it first! Specifically designed to encourage students to read, all of the stories you will hear in this program can be found in children's books. The program comes with a bibliography that directs students to similar or related reading material.
- Gotta Get Along!: Stories of Conflict Resolution and Cooperation
Every time you meet another person you have a choice about how to interact with that person. Some choices foster friendship and cooperation, others lead to conflict and struggle. These stories demonstrate the consequences of various choices, both positive and negative, and remind us that no matter what the other person may do, you are always in charge of you.
*All programs are available with variations for gr. K-2 and 3-5. Most topics can be adjusted to fit different grade configurations up through grade 8, based on the needs of your school.
“The crow story made me think differently about crow and all living things. It’s good to look at the inside, and not the outside.”
— Kevin, 4th Gr. - Churchville Elem; Churchville, MD
Fees and formats
Grade Level Gatherings ([referred format):
Often treated as “in-house” field trips, this format allows for each grade level to choose a topic that best fits a current area of study. Bill often works with teachers before arriving to further customize the program content based on curriculum goals. The small audience size allows for greater interaction with the students and time for follow up questions. These programs can often held in a classroom or large group instruction room, which allows for more flexibility in scheduling.
Cost: $375 + $125/additional* on same day, plus travel.
Multi-grade Assemblies:
This option allows for the maximum number of students to attend the program(s) in the shortest amount of time. It is recommended (though not required) that there be no more than a four year grade span for any given audience (e.g. K-3, but not K-4).
Cost: $450 + $175/additional* on same day, plus travel. You may add a shorter program for just AM or PM Kindergarten for an additional $150. (Discounts may be available for very small schools.)
Classroom Visits:
These small group visits are often requested by teachers who desire a highly customized program, or as a lead in to a classroom workshop on writing or public speaking.
Add ons:
Follow up discussion session (30 min.): $100
Follow up workshop (45 min.): $150
Storytelling session (30-45 min.): please call for fees.
*Additional programs could be presented at a different, nearby location.