The Stories I Tell

The First Show of the Holiday Season

2011-12-09T20:26:00.003-05:00

During the months of November, December and January, I perform a multicultural holiday show in schools which features seven different celebrations: Advent / Christmas, Hanukkah, Diwali, Chinese New Year, Winter Solstice, Ramadan/Eid and Kwanzaa. Yesterday I gave my first performance for this year and had a wonderful time with a gym full of four to twelve year olds.

One of my favourite parts of performing in schools is talking with the children afterwards. Yesterday, the kids who gathered around me after the assembly, were literally beaming with joy when they told me that I had actually talked about the holiday they celebrate at home! We all need to have our lives reflected back to us from the world around us.

After I had packed up my storybag, loaded the props into the car and was headed for the door, the librarian asked if I had a moment. A grade 3 student had requested to speak with me! Most intrigued, I made my way to the library where I met a shy little boy who, in a spirit of kindness and generosity, wanted to tell me the correct pronunciation of Ravana, the ten headed demon in the Ramayana. He knew something that I apparently didn't, and wanted to help me.

I was touched by his thoughtfulness.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

The Sound of Listening

2011-11-08T08:35:00.008-05:00

One of my favourite sounds is the silence that settles over an assembly of children collectively listening to a great story. Yesterday as I told a story from Japan, the air filled with expectation, concentration and determination as 300 children listened to the adventures of a young boy entering a haunted monastery, armed only with a paintbrush and his creativity.

The imagination is an amazing thing to behold in faces of children. Yesterday, during the two assemblies I held in a school of over 600 students, I got to witness that expression on hundreds of adorable faces.

In the story, The Little Boy Who Love to Paint Cats, a young artist falls asleep in a haunted monastery after painting hundreds of cats on the walls of the big room. He is awakened in the night by scary sounds coming from the room covered in cats. As I told this story, I saw what the expression of the little boy in the story must have looked like when he heard the scary noises, in the faces of every child sitting in the school gym.

Amazing!

Thanks for listening.

Cheryl Thornton

I Don't Remember, But...

2011-09-02T12:59:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, I told stories to kids in one of the few summer camps I perform for annually. The kids range from age 6 to 14 and seem to be happy with all the ages mixed together.

Before we started our stories yesterday, I asked if anyone remembered what I told them a year ago. A ten year old girl replied, "I don't remember, but there was a platypus who was different from the other animals and the animals didn't get along with each other at first, but then it changed in the end." She remembered an Australian aboriginal dreamtime myth I told twelve months ago!

A seven year old boy listened as she practically told the whole story verbatim, then said, "Yeah, I remember that one too, but I remember, I was the man in the story with the bundle of cloth on my head and it talked and then I threw it down and scream and ran down the road. Remember me?" That was 'Talk,' the humours West African folk tale that I have kids help dramatize as I tell.

It never ceases to amaze me how well kids remember the stories I tell. Most of my stories are obscure, practically forgotten tales from long ago, that most children have never heard before. For kids to be able to recall the characters and plots from only hearing it once, astonishes me, over and over again. It shows how powerful the art of storytelling is and how brilliantly these old tales shine in the imagination.

I always ask groups that I've seen before to tell me what they recall, just for my own delight and to remind myself that the arts are an essential profession.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

www.storyvalues.com

Weeping and Wailing

2011-08-26T10:22:00.006-04:00

When I begin telling stories to a new group of two, three and four year olds, sometimes a few of the more sensitive ones will begin to cry. New faces or situations can throw them off their tuffets, causing them to emote. The weeping and wailing never lasts long, thank heavens! Once we finish with the introductory song, we get down to the business storytelling and that stops them every time.

With young children, I always begin my story classes with a few 'little stories' or finger plays. The crying ones quickly realize that if they are making too much noise, they won't be able to hear what happens to the 'little mouse,'or 'grandma's spectacles' or 'the cup of tea.' No matter how short or insignificant a story may be, a story is a story and we all need to know what happens. Like music, stories are an essential part of the human experience and even the youngest among us respond to the arch of a story.

After a few minutes of warm up stories, we plunge into world mythology. Once again, no matter how unsophisticated the listeners may be, they intuitively comprehend the language of myths.

After 60 minutes of creation myths, hero/heroine adventures and pourquoi tales, we end with a good-bye song. As I pack up to leave, I am often hugged by a few of the children, and it's usually the previous criers, which makes their hugs moist and messy. This is truly, one of the major hazards of storytelling.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

www.storyvalues.com

A kindred Spirit

2011-06-08T17:12:00.003-04:00

This morning, I had the pleasure of telling myths from ancient civilizations to 75 grade 5 students in Georgetown. After telling the first story, the Greek myth of Demeter and Persephone, a quiet looking boy with glasses, sitting at the back of the room asked me if I knew the myths of Perseus, Theseus, Hercules and Athena. His eyes brightened when he heard that I knew them and loved them.

After an hour of telling various myths from around the world, the same little boy in the back of the room said, "Isn't it amazing that these very old stories are so much fun to listen to and seem to be brand new and real."

"Yes, indeed," I answered my little kindred spirit.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

http://www.storyvalues.com

Did You Dye Your Hair

2011-06-02T15:50:00.002-04:00

This morning, a five year old girl in my Thursday storytelling class asked, "Did you dye your hair Cheryl?" "Yes, as a matter of fact, I did," I replied.

After a most traumatic visit to the hair dresser's last week, I ended up with a lighter shade of brown. No longer sporting the skunk-look, (dark on the sides with a pure white stripe down the middle), I asked the children for a show of hands as to which look they preferred.

The new do won, hands down, thank heavens! I always love fashion advice from kids. They're so up to date and modern.

After the style support, we got down to stories. First, they told me highlights from their lives: 'We're going to the cottage tomorrow.' 'Today is my grandpa's birthday.' 'I lost as tooth yesterday,' etc. I then told them a Grimm's fairy tale, a Panchatantra tale, and a Greek myth. It was a good day.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Stories Last

2011-05-16T19:56:00.003-04:00

Today while telling Greek myths to several grade 5 classes, I met a little grade 2 boy in the hallway. I know his teacher and she has been playing the Storyvalues stories all year to her grade 2 class. His teacher introduced us and when (Jason) heard my voice he recognized me as the 'storyteller' that he hears on his computer.

Without missing a beat, he said, "I really liked that the bunny knew what was happening with the tiger all along." He was talking about a story from India called, 'The Man, the Tiger and the Bunny.' "I really liked how the bunny tricked the tiger back into the cage so he couldn't eat the man."

He teacher looked at me with amazement saying, "We listened to that story over a month ago. I can't believe how well he remembers! Each month I play a Storyvalues story to the class and Jason always asks if we can listen to it again. He really enjoys the stories."

Stories are so wonderful and we all enjoy hearing them. They make deep impressions and are hard to forget. Our thoughts, emotions and imaginations are engaged when we listen to great stories so it is a very active experience. I'm thrilled that Storyvalues in now available for families so little kids, like the little boy I met today can listen to the story again at home with their parents. Just need to get the word out!

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

http://www.storyvalues.com

We All Love to Laugh

2011-05-15T17:27:00.003-04:00

Several times last week, I told the Anansi tale about how stories were first introduced to the world. It’s a humours tale in which Anansi asks to buy the sky god’s box of stories in order to share them with the people of the earth. The sky god agrees to sell them in exchange for a leopard, a swarm of bees and a fairy. The story tells of how Anansi, the tiny spiderman, captures these three dangerous or elusive creatures and brings them to heaven.

It never ceases to amaze me how, no matter how old the audience, they always laugh heartily at this story. Whenever I tell ‘Anansi and the Sky God’, I’m reminded how much we all love to laugh.

During the story, when I speak for the sky god, I give him a deep voice and laugh. After the story, I ask the children what part they liked best, and inevitably someone will say they liked how the sky god laughed. We then, delightfully, take a moment and all laugh like the sky god.

When the fairy in the story gets angry with the doll baby and threatens to ‘smack’ her unless she uses her manners, everyone laughs and laughs. Sometimes during this part in the story, the kindergarten aged kids get to giggling so much, that they can’t stop.

This is a story from West Africa and I tell it to kids in North America and we all think it’s the funniest thing we’ve heard in a ages. Stories speak across time and place. Stories create images in our minds that delight and entertain. We all love to laugh and we all love to imagine. Neither one of these amazing skills needs to be taught. I never have to instruct my listeners on how to laugh or how to visual the story as I tell it. It comes naturally. How wonderful is that!

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

http://www.storyvalues.com

We Know You

2011-05-03T21:11:00.005-04:00

Since the first week of September, I’ve been telling stories each Thursday in a Toronto pre-school. There are two groups; the first are two to three year olds and the second, four to five.

Today, I told a folk tale from Costa Rica called, ‘The Three Magic Oranges.’ (This is the story upon which the opera, ‘The Love for Three Oranges,’ is based.) In a nutshell, it’s about a prince a beautiful woman and a witch.

After telling the story to the two and three year olds, I asked, as I usually do if the story features a witch or other spooky character, if the story was too scary. A little boy answered, “No Cheryl. It wasn’t too scary, because we know you.”

That was an amazing thing for a three year old to say, but it makes perfect sense. I’ve seen them about 25 times this year and each week I tell three stories, so that means they’ve heard me tell about 75 stories. That’s a fair amount of stories. They know what to expect from me by now and are comfortable with the level of terror and suspense I provide.

I’m thrilled to hear that they trust me to not scare them unnecessarily. As a storyteller, it is my job to frighten them a little bit, but not too much.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

http://www.storyvalues.com

I'm From Sri Lanka Too!

2011-04-21T15:03:00.003-04:00

Last night, I performed for a literacy event in an east end Toronto school. Nancy, the principal requested stories from a number of world regions to support her marvelously diverse community. One of the tales I told was from Sri Lanka called, “Andare and the Giant.” It was the first time I had told the story, having just discovered the collection of stories from Sri Lanka. It’s a humorous story about a clever court jester who out smarts a bully of a giant. Three adorable girls delighted in portraying the king, jester and giant!

After the presentation, several children rushed up to me with huge smiles, exclaiming, “I’m from Sri Lanka too!” Cultural identity is another powerful impact stories can have on listeners. We all can easily identify with the positive characters and universal situations that are presented in multicultural stories, but it’s an added treat
to also be part of the stories culture of origin.

I’ll have to find more stories about Andare to tell.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

http://www.storyvalues.com

Gunniwolf 9-1-1

2011-04-19T08:06:00.004-04:00

"The Gunniwolf," is a traditional tale similar to, "Little Red Riding Hood," but shorter and more suspenseful. I've told this tale hundreds of times, but when I told it yesterday to a group of five and six year olds, I heard one of the most endearing and thoughtful responses ever.

We only had three minutes to go before the class was over and that would not allow me to tell the last story I had planned. "The Gunniwolf," would be perfect and I even had a few flowers in my storybag to use as props to boot.

Basically, in the story a little girl wanders, first too close and finally deep inside the forest her mother warns her to avoid because--the gunniwolf lives there! The story builds to a somewhat scary climax when the little girl, goes inside the deep dark wood to pick flowers and the gunniwolf grabs her! The children were listening intently, one child was even covering her eyes, but when the gunniwolf grabbed the little girl in the story, a five year old boy whispered under his breath, "Call 9-1-1." He knew well what to do in an emergency! Things are certainly different with this cell phone savvy generation.

I remember distinctly being that age and lying in bed reviewing my list of emergency responses: If on fire, roll in a rug. (That was well before the stop, drop and roll drill.) If attacked by a bear, play dead. If in quicksand, remain still with arms extended. (I watched a lot of Tarzan movies.) I can now add; if grabbed by a gunniwolf, call 9-1-1!

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

http://www.storyvalues.com

The Tall Tale Tellers

2011-04-16T09:23:00.005-04:00

Yesterday stationed in a beautiful, gigantic 1920s built school library, I told stories to four groups of students. Each group consisted of three separate classes of kindergarten, grade one, grade two and grade three, mixed together.

While waiting for my first session to begin, I had time to peruse the book shelves and to my delight, found that the collection had not been pruned down to its twenty-first century titles. I found several wonderful books from the 1950s and 60s and an especially lovely gem illustrated by Felix Hoffmann, "The Four Clever Brothers," a Grimm's tale. I remember reading his book, "The Seven Ravens," as a child and delighting in his haunting images of a girl in search of her seven brothers who had been cursed by their father and turned into ravens.

In between sessions throughout the day, I read the pile of books I had gathered and even found two stories I'd like to develop and tell.

During the last storytelling session, I also found a rare type of child that I only come across once every few years. They are highly creative and completely understand the world of mythology. I call them the tall tale teller kids. This little boy was in kindergarten and not over five years old. After I told the Navajo tale of, "The Spider Woman," which is rich in symbology and vivid imagery, this little boy's imagination was totally primed.

As always, after the story I asked students to tell me their favorite parts of the story. After being inspired by the language and imagery, the tall tale teller kid just started talking. He couldn't be bothered with 'raising hands.' "Once upon a time, long ago," he said, "my dad jumped into the sky to chase the cows that had been frightened by the chickens." His teacher looked at me and smiled as she shook her head.

I always love meeting this rare type of child. They are gifted in a very unusual way. Just like there are kids with natural athletic abilities or kids gifted in math, there are kids who have amazing imaginations and can dream up myths and speak in symbols and these are the ones I call the Tall Tale Tellers.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

http://www.storyvalues.com

Seeds

2011-04-12T12:26:00.003-04:00

After telling stories for the kindergarten classes of Blake Street PS this morning, Greg, one of the teachers commented on how well his students sat and listened. "Even my special needs student, Mike, paid attention for the whole hour," he said as he introduced me to Mike.

I asked Mike which story he liked best. Greg warned me that he didn't have a lot of language, but to our surprise, Mike answered, "I liked the seeds!"

One of the stories I told was about a king who gives flower seeds to children to plant. As I tell the story, I open a beautiful box filled with seeds. The children gasp as I hold up a handful of seeds. "Are they real," they ask?

Children always seem to be startled when I present a real object in a make-believe context. Sticks, rocks and turnips receive the same surprise and disbelief. It's as if, once in the world of the imagination within the structure of the story, the unreal becomes real and things of this world seem out of place. Mike found words to express his amazement in seeing seeds in a story that had come to life in his imagination.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

http://www.storyvalues.com

The Snake that Swallowed the Bird

2011-04-11T15:16:00.006-04:00

Today, I told stories to the kindergarten and grade one students at Mill Valley Junior School in Toronto. Amy, their wonderful teacher-librarian has used Storyvalues (http://www.storyvalues.com) with her students for the past three years, and as a result the kids recognize my voice.

When I arrived at the office, two grade five students were 'assisting' the office administrator. "Good morning," I said. "I'm here to tell stories. Is the principal here?" "She'll be right back," answered one of the students, looking at me suspiciously. "Hey, are you the, 'Storybag, storybag what have you to say,' person?" After replying, yes, I asked which Storyvalues story she liked listening to. "The one with the snake that swallows the bird to win the singing contest. The snake cheated."

It's always amazing see the impression that spoken stories have on kids. Once she connected me to the voice behind the Storyvalues stories, she was able to instantly recall a story that had made a lasting impression.

Students naturally create mental images of stories as they listen and that act of creative visualization helps them easily remember.

The spoken word is a powerful thing. Visit Storyvalues to hear for yourself. http://www.storyvalues.com

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thronton

Kindergarten Calendar Time and Morning Radio

2011-04-07T08:01:00.007-04:00

Yesterday, I drove to a small town just outside on Hamilton, ON to tell stories to the primary students of an elementary school. The drive is a little over an hour and I listened to the morning news on the radio as I drove.

Once I arrived at the school, I found my way to Mrs. See's kindergarten class, where I was to give my first presentation. Since I was a few minutes early, I got to watch Mrs. See's morning calendar time with her students, which totally mirrored the morning radio program I had just heard.

Sitting around a large calendar, Mrs. See welcomed her students and asked them to tell her what month, date, day, year and season it was. She also pointed to symbols representing special up coming events, like a globe for earth day and daffodils for spring. The radio announcers told me the exact same thing; the month, date, day and spring season.

Mrs. See went on to inquire about the weather. A little girl looked out the window and then returned to the calendar and stuck symbols of a rain cloud, a snow flake and a blast of wind on the day, because it is spring time in Canada. The five year olds’ observations totally jived with the weather woman’s forecast on the radio.

Next, attendance was taken and two students carried the report to the office, stating who was there and who was not and who had been late. The same thing happened on the radio; the traffic report.

Then, Mrs. See handed around a toy microphone and asked her students for news up dates. A little boy held up his bandaged finger and spoke briefly about a minor injury. Similarly the traffic reporter told us about minor highway collisions.

A little girl announced that her brother's birthday would be celebrated at the pizza place and someone else reported plans to visit grandparents over the Easter weekend. On the radio, the cultural reporter told us what we can look forward to experiencing in and around the city in the coming days.

After the microphone finished making it’s way around the circle, Mrs. See thanked her students for the morning report and turned their attention to me. I felt completely prepared to begin my day having been updated twice with the morning report.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

www.storyvalues.com

New To Canada

2011-04-01T12:02:00.008-04:00

Today, while telling stories to 300 students in Mississauga, I invited an eight year old boy to play the role of the mosquito in a humorous tale from West Africa.

During the first half of the assembly, he had persistently held his hand up high every time I asked for a volunteer, but once he joined me on stage and I had hatted him (with a mosquito hat, of course) he seemed very shy and uncertain of himself.

I asked him to say, "Good morning Iguana," and he dutifully repeated the line. Once he spoke, I realized why he was nervous; English was clearly not his first language. He soldiered on, speaking many more lines throughout the story, doing an outstanding job portraying an annoying insect prone to exaggeration.

After the assembly, two teachers expressed their delight in his performance, noting that it had taken a great deal of courage on his part to stand up in front of the whole school. They told me that he was new to Canada, having arrived from Nigeria only two weeks prior. "You should have seen his face as he walked back to his seat," said his classroom teacher. "He was beaming!"

I love hearing stories about the heroic students I meet.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

http://storyvalues.com

In My Heart Forever

2010-11-22T18:16:00.005-05:00

Everyday, I'm humbled to witness the profound impact stories have on children. This morning I returned to a school where I have visited several times in the past couple of years. As the grade 2 students got ready to listen to the first story, a little boy raised his hand and asked if I could please tell a story that I told the first time I had visited (over a year ago).

After asking which story he was requesting, he said, " I want to hear The First Corn story again, because I really liked it." In this First Nation tale, a brave young boy wrestles with a star in order to save his community.

Stories help make sense of the world around us by giving us examples of what we could be and do and strive toward.

Inta M., a wonderful librarian friend of mine, shared an Indian proverb that beautifully articulates the significance of telling stories to children.

Tell me a fact and I'll learn.

Tell me a truth and I'll believe.

But tell me a story, and it will live in my heart forever.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Stories Stick Like Glue

2010-11-16T16:25:00.005-05:00

Today, I returned to Hawthorn PS, where I had told stories two years ago. The grade 2 students remembered all six stories I had told when they had been in kindergarten. How amazing!

Good stories inspire, entertain and educate and last in the memory forever. I think we store stories in our memories to help process and make sense of events in our lives that can only be understood through the lens of metaphor.

After I finished telling stories, a little girl gave me the sweetest compliment of all; she asked if I were coming back sometime soon to tell more stories.

I have a wonderful job.

Happy Storytelling,

Cheryl Thornton

I Have A Really Great Brain

2010-11-11T15:27:00.003-05:00

Art Linkletter's 1960's TV show, "Kids Say the Darndest Things," came to mind the other day when I was telling stories to my regular Thursday kindergarten class. Referring to Art Linkletter, certainly dates me, but for those of you who were born after 1970, Art Linkletter, (Canadian-born) was a daytime tv host for several CBS shows, one of which was "Kids Say the Darndest Things," where he interviewed charming, funny little kids.

Back to Thursday. I had to ask a talkative little girl move to a different seat so she'd stop chatting durning the stories. Afterwards, I spoke with her one-on-one. "Laurie, next week when I'm here, could you please remember to not talk when I'm telling stories?" She looked at me very seriously and said, "Sure Cheryl, no problem. The reason I can do that is because I have a really great brain and it remembers everything so I'll be sure not to talk next week." She gave me a high five and a hug and went over to the Lego table to help friends build a tower.

Kids do indeed say the darndest things!

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Well Underway

2010-10-30T10:49:00.010-04:00

It's shocking to realize that November has arrived and another school year is well underway! (I guess it's true what they say: "Time flies, when you're having fun!")

Since mid-September, I've been telling stories in schools about the season of autumn, character attributes such as honesty, respect and responsibility and about the different cultures of the world.

Recently, while performing for a family literacy event, two young children, ages four and seven, were so excited about participating, that they wanted to be in the drama of every story!

The mother of the seven year old told me that her daughter still remembers the stories I told to her kindergarten class, three years earlier. Good stories resonate with us all and stay in the memory forever! I can still remember the story told by the librarian during my first visit to the public library when I was four years old. I now tell that story, Simon and the Golden Goose, to young listeners as well.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

See You in September

2010-06-30T13:28:00.003-04:00

Yesterday was my last day of storytelling for the school year. I was in Brampton telling Aesop fables to grade two kids. Seven year olds are especially adorable and smart!

Before telling a fable, I'd asked the students to listen for the 'big idea' or moral of the fable. After the story of the lion and the mouse, a little girl raised her hand and said, "I think that story is telling us to get along with everyone and to love life in general." Enough said.

I will miss the interacting with kids this summer.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

It is Actually Summer Now

2010-06-24T15:52:00.004-04:00

Today as I met with a group of kindergarten students in Markham, I announced that, since it was spring, I was there to tell stories about springtime!

"This is actually the forth day of summer," said a five year old wise cracker in the front row. I rummaged through my brain and realized that it was June 24 and summer did begin on June 21.

"You're right," I conceded. "So, I'll tell you some summer stories then."

They might be smart in kindergarten, but I'm older.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Totally in the Present

2010-06-19T07:52:00.004-04:00

Yesterday, while waiting in the gym between shows at a school in North York, a soccer ball came flying in through the open doors. A grade two boy fell in after it, grabbed the ball and darted out again.

I stepped outside and saw a group of kids joyfully playing a game of soccer. "Did you see that ball go into the gym," exclaimed the boy who fetched it? "Yes, I did," I answered!

Currently, being totally immersed in the excitement of the world cup, I was eager to find out what these young kids thought of the games and what countries they were rooting for.

Continuing my conversation with the little goalie, I asked, "Are you watching the world cup?" "No," he answered, kicking the ball in the face of a teammate, who deftly caught it, "we're playing the world cup!"

I smiled, remembering what play was like when I was seven and hurried back into the safety of the gym as a ball flew menacingly close to my face.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

A New Comedy Troupe

2010-06-16T15:15:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, while telling the story of Tiddilik the Thirsty Frog, I met three boys with such joy, humor and enthusiasm, that I made a way for them to join in the story together as a little comedy troupe. They were so funny in the roles of the platypus, kangaroo and kiwi bird. I laughed, they laughed and the audience laughed too!

There is nothing better then pure joy from children.

Happy Storytelling,

Cheryl Thornton

Watching the Nickel Drop

2010-06-14T18:28:00.003-04:00

I love watching little kids brains at work. It is a true gift to see them connect the dots and to figure out things. Today I gave three assemblies entitled; Earth Wind Water and Fire during which I told creation myths, healing water stories, acquisition of fire tales and stories about the sky or air to 600 kids ages 4-14.

After the last assembly, I asked if any one had a question for me. A little boy in grade two raised his hand with excitement in his face and said, "I don't have a question, but I have something incredible to tell you! Did you know that you just told us stories about all four of the elements? Earth, air, water and fire!" He ticked them off on his fingers as he told me. I shared in his amazement and asked if he wanted to be a scientist when he grew up. "No, but I want to be a paleontologist," he answered. He had put together the pieces lined up in front of him and it worked beautifully.

It is such a joy to work with kids.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

You Made a Mistake

2010-06-07T08:44:00.003-04:00

Upon request, for the second time this year, I'm telling the Labours of Hercules to my weekly kindergarten class. When I started the second labour, the slaying of the nine headed hydra, age five Cameron interrupted me, saying, "You mean the six headed hydra Cheryl. Remember, that's what you said." "Actually, Cameron," I admitted, "I made a mistake the first time I told the story and said it had six heads. It really has nine. I'm sorry about that."

We take our stories very seriously during our weekly sessions and my numerical mishap could have been seen as a real breach of trust. All eyes were on Cameron as he absorbed the information. "Cheryl," he began, "you, made a mistake. We forgive you and love you. Let's get on with the story."

Love, forgiveness and stories; what more could a person hope for?

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

To Pee or Not to Pee

2010-05-27T17:16:00.004-04:00

Yesterday, half way through telling the story of The Boy Who Wanted a Drum in an all school assembly, the Jr. kindergarten student playing the role of the boy, looked at me and said, "Save my place. I have to pee." He then ran down the center aisle and out the door. His teacher, alarmed that one of her four year old charges was at large, ran after him calling, "Aaron, wait for me!"

With my title character in the washroom, I asked one of the 250 audience members to be a stand in. A kindly grade three boy named Ed, stepped into the role. Three minutes later, Aaron, came back, running down the aisle announcing, "I'm back!" Without missing a beat, Ed graciously handed the horse to Aaron and sat down (during the story, the boy acquires a horse).

Aaron finished the story without further incident, and we all had a good laugh.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

School Song

2010-05-17T12:34:00.002-04:00

This morning, I told stories in a lovely little school in Toronto that had just under 200 students. Before the assembly began, the principal showed me a banner hanging in the front hall displaying their new school song. Students had written the lyrics and a professional musician had put them to music. It was amazing! The lyrics were heart felt and emotional. Just reading the words made me tear up a bit.

The cue for the classes to make their way to the gym for the presentation was the playing of the school song over the PA system. The sweet piping voices of the school choir made me weep out right! True art presented well, always does that to me.

After I dried my eyes, the creative and musical students of Bridlewood PS and I had a wonderful assembly together.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Sat Down Smiling

2010-05-08T13:09:00.003-04:00

Yesterday during an all school assembly, I invited two junior kindergarten students on stage to play the dog and the pig in a story about the Chinese zodiac. When I asked the cute little girl to repeat the lines for the dog, she said nothing. I asked her again, but still she said nothing. Even on the third try, she said nothing. She was about a cute as any four year old could be and her timing was impeccable.

I then asked the four year old boy to repeat the lines for the pig and the same thing happened; nothing. By this time everyone was laughing because the silent little girl wearing dog ears was happily waving to the audience. I looked at the teachers and one of them was mouthing to me "Neither one of them speak english!"

We all had a jolly good laugh and the two cute little four year olds sat down smiling and feeling well appreciated.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

I Meet the Most Amazing Kids (Part 2)

2010-05-06T14:43:00.003-04:00

Today is Thursday, so that means I was in East York telling stories in the daycare. The first group is made up of two and three year olds and today, a three year old stood out as a potential mathematician.

As I was packing my story bag to leave, Calvin quietly came up to me and said, "Cheryl, what about the third story? Usually we have three stories, but today you just told two. What about number three?" I don't think Calvin has ever said more than a handful of words to me in the nine months I have known him. I'm never specific about the number of stories I tell each week, so he put it all together himself. I can spot a budding math kid a hundred miles away since my son is one as well.

It is so delightful to see the various gifts kids are born with.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

I Meet the Most Amazing Kids

2010-05-05T08:23:00.003-04:00

I meet the most amazing kids in my work. Yesterday, while performing Stories from Asia, I met an accomplished 10 year old drummer. As the classes were entering the gym, I played a djembe drum and welcomed the students. A grade 5 boy pointed to the bench where I had my various props laid out and said, "You have a dayan." I turned to see to what he was referring and answered, "Oh, you mean my tabla drum from India?" He smiled at me and said, "Yes, the tabla is made up of two drums and you have the dayan." It was clear he knew a lot more about drums than I did so, I invited him to play my djembe. He turned my 'little toy drum' into a real musical instrument! It was truly astonishing! He was so incredible with the drum that I had him play the role of the son in the story of The Boy Who Wanted a Drum, just so I could hear him drum again at the end of the story.

I meet the most amazing people in my adventures as a storyteller.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Deadalus and Icarus

2010-04-24T10:04:00.005-04:00

On Thursday as I hurried to the wash room between storytelling classes in an elementary school, a twelve year old boy stopped me at the women's room door by saying, "I know you! You told me the story of the little boy and his father who were locked in a tower and made wings out of wax and feathers to fly away." It certainly sounded like something I'd do.

After chatting with Matthew and Stephen (another twelve year old who joined our conversation) I learned that I had told them the story of Deadalus and Icarus when they were in grade one. It is rare that I'd tell such a sad tale to such young listeners, but I'm sure I dampened the tragic end of Icarus to fit their age.

Matthew and Stephen remember a story told to them once, over six years previous, half their life times ago. It's incredible to witness how these great stories last in the memory. It also makes me very conscious of the responsibility of choosing what stories to tell. I do believe the brain keeps what it needs and minimizes the rest.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Making the Connection

2010-04-08T15:03:00.004-04:00

This morning after telling Baba Yaga Bony Legs, a delightfully scary Russian tale about a brave little girl and a child eating witch to a kindergarten class, a little boy made an insightful literary connection. "This story is like Hansel and Gretel because there is a witch that wants to eat children and it is also like Cinderella because there is a father who is married to a step mother." As he was telling me this, I could practically see the wheels turning in this little brain.

It's so great to be able to give kids beautiful pieces of art through storytelling.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

The Musician

2010-04-01T14:21:00.004-04:00

A school in Toronto presented The Musician, one of the Storyvalues stories, as a play last night to parents and teachers.

I was unable to make the performance, but this afternoon, I got to see a video of the show and was blown away! The kids, grades two and three, moved, danced and acted superbly, under the direction of their outstanding and ingenious classroom teacher, Ms. Julie Found. They created original music with their imaginative music teacher and performed on marimbas, drums, flutes and claves with confidence.

Their classroom was decorated with absolutely stunning paintings they had created from the story. The teacher explained that the kids had only heard the story through the Storyvalues recording, so their art work was inspired purely by their own imaginations.

The kids were so proud and happy with the project they did, it was a joy to behold. Good teachers are a gift to the world. Hats off to Julie Found!!

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Story and Style Tips from Five Year Olds

2010-03-12T09:19:00.006-05:00

Each week, I have the pleasure of telling stories to the same group of children ages 2-6. Besides the pleasure of getting to know a group of young children throughout the year, they also act as my storytelling laboratory. If my Thursday morning group loves a story, I know it's a good one to tell any group.

My Thursday group is good for fashion tips too. Funnily enough, each year, one or two children (and they are usually boys,) will spontaneously begin commenting on my outfits. This week, my earrings got a thumbs up, (they are a pair I never wear). As I was gathering my coat to leave, my self appointed stylist told me that I look better without my glasses. He is only five years old!

I think I'll start wearing those earrings more often.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Rising to the Challenge

2010-03-03T10:56:00.004-05:00

Yesterday, after performing an assembly for a school in Brampton, a kindergarten teacher looked me in the eye and said, "Please come to my room in 15 minutes. I have something amazing to tell you." Most intrigued, I found my way to her bright, cheerful kindergarten classroom and watched as she deftly ushered 30 well bundled, scarfed and mittened children out the door into their parent's waiting arms.

Once able to speak freely, she said, "The little boy you chose to play the king was one of my students. He is speech delayed and is usually impossible to understand. When he spoke the words of the king in front of the whole school, he was clear and articulate. It was amazing to see him have such a success!"

It is always lovely for me to hear these tales of victory about the students I meet, and by chance invite to take part in the stories. I never know the behind the scenes stories when I randomly choose from the sea of volunteers. That little boy wanted to play the king and he boldly rose to a personal challenge and succeeded.

Well done, your majesty!

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Picture in My Head

2010-02-25T06:59:00.004-05:00

Yesterday, after telling an Aztec creation myth, a grade six student said, "I could really picture the sun god and the musicians in my head." He was amazed and delighted with seeing his own mental images.

In an age where we have so many wonderful image creating devices; computers, televisions, movies, ipods, cameras, etc., it is important to remember the power of our wonderful imaginations.

Listening to ancient myths and multicultural folktales give children a wonderful chance to exercise their creative imaginations. Stories are filled with such unusual characters like Medusa, Ra, talking animals, and like in the Aztec myth, a sun god.

Yesterday, I felt happy to have told that eleven year old boy a story that inspired his imagination.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

They Are There To Help An Inanimate Object Talk

2010-02-10T14:38:00.004-05:00

February is Black History month and for the next few weeks, I'll be in schools performing the "Stories From Africa" assembly.

The first story in the assembly tells of Anansi the spider man buying stories from the Sky God to give to the world. One of the 'three things' he agrees to bring the Sky God in exchange for the stories, is a fairy. Anansi sets a trap for a fairy with a doll and a bowl of sweet potatoes. He covers the doll with sticky gum and hides behind a tree to wait. The fairy begins to talk to the doll and at first, Anansi speaks for the doll, but soon stops. The fairy gets irritated when the doll refuses to say, 'You're welcome,' and several pregnant pauses occur.

I have found over the years, that if there are kindergarten aged children in the audience, inevitably one of them will speak for the silent doll and say, 'You're welcome.'

It is funny, sweet and very much in keeping with the 5 year old sense of play, creativity and pure imagination. If an inanimate object needs to speak, 'no problem,' they are there to help.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

An Amazing Dream

2010-01-23T10:30:00.002-05:00

Because the stories and myths I tell are archetypal, they often remind children of their dreams. Last week after telling stories, three different children at three different schools told me their dreams.

A little five year old girl, stepped out of the line of students returning to their classroom to tell me, "I had an amazing dream last night."

While discussing the stories with a grade one class in Hamilton, a little girl started telling me her long meandering dream from the night before.

The funniest of all was a little four year old junior kindergarten girl, who, after playing the role of the badger in the story of The Mitten said, "I had a dream once that I almost threw up in a mitten."

Stories inspire the imagination and sometimes, like this week, remind us of our dreams.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Older Kids Love Listening Too

2010-01-18T15:20:00.003-05:00

Today, I was in a school telling stories to kindergarten and grade one classes. A scheduling conflict made it necessary for a hand full of grade six and seven students to join us for the hour long presentation. At first, the older kids seemed to feel awkward and out of place mixing with the younger kids, but after a minute into the first story, I saw them become engaged in listening to the story of the Navajo Weaver. A couple of the older students even volunteered to dramatize parts.

Basically, everyone likes listening to a good story. The five and six year olds were totally involved, wanting to have a turn in all the stories.

I knew without a doubt that the older kids had enjoyed the presentation because after the show, they all volunteered to help me clean up and carry props to the front door, even though it was their lunch time.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Monkey Dimples

2010-01-15T17:18:00.004-05:00

Today I told a story about the Chinese zodiac. A popular scene in this story features a monkey admiring his reflection in a lake. During the scene, the student playing the monkey says, "Look how handsome I am! Look at my cute little dimples and my profile and my tale." After the story, I asked the grade five students to tell me their favorite part of the story. A little boy raised his hand and said his favorite part was when the monkey said, "Look at my cute little nipples!" It took me a moment to realize what he was talking about. "I said dimples, not nipples," I replied. The teachers gave me a perplexed look and burst out laughing. We all had a bawdy laugh and moved on to the next story.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

First It Was Invented...

2010-01-14T12:39:00.003-05:00

Today, I told Winter Tales to three kindergarten classes at a French Immersion school in Toronto. I told them the Scandinavian tale of The Lad Who Went to the North Wind, the Navajo Weaver's Tale, and the Australian myth of the Rainbow Bird. Afterwards, a little girl asked, "Were those stories invented or are they real?" I responded as I always do when asked this question; "The stories are a both real and make believe." "Oh," mused the smart little girl, wise beyond her 5 years. "I think first they were invented, and then they became real."

I absolutely LOVE discussing literature with kindergarteners.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Just Like Me

2010-01-13T11:41:00.003-05:00

There's a little boy in my weekly kindergarten story class that reminds me of myself at that age. Jacob enthusiastically welcomes me each week as I enter the room, ready to listen to the stories. Afterwards, I ask the children to tell their favorite part of the tale. When it's Jacob's turn to speak, he stands up, moves to the center of the circle and acts out the story as he tells it. Today, his favorite part was the goat, so he became the goat. In all my years of storytelling, he is the first child I've seen, to consistently dramatize as he talks.

When I was five, I did the same thing. Every evening at supper time, my three brothers and I were asked to tell our parents about our days. We’d take turns telling about what happened at school or at play. When it was my turn, I’d climb down from my dining room chair into the open space and ‘put the story on its feet.’

My mother, the primary table manner’s instructor, would sigh and watch as I went through my paces. “Why must you act it out,” she’d ask? “Why can’t you sit at the table and just tell us about it, like a normal person?” At five, I never could answer her question, but my mother and I now know, that I was practicing for the future.

Each week I look forward to visiting the kindergarten class where I get to tell stories to someone who expresses his joy dramatically, just like me.

The Simple Pleasure of Telling and Listening to Stories

2010-01-08T14:00:00.006-05:00

Today, I had the pleasure of telling stories in a school where all, but a couple of the students had high physical and health needs. Some were in wheelchairs. Some could not speak. Some were blind. Some had a full-time assistant by their side. Some were deaf and ALL of them LOVED listening to the stories.

The first story I told was Aesop's The Lion and the Mouse. Before the performance began, the principal introduced me to a charming young boy who told us that his favorite animal was the lion. It goes without saying that when I asked for a volunteer to play the lion, his was the first hand to shoot into the air. I invited him on stage and he steered his motorized wheelchair up to me so I could put the lion's mane on his head. He roared like the ferocious beast he was portraying and suggested I choose his brother to play the hunter in the story. His brother steered his wheelchair on stage and threw the net over the lion, (his brother), and laughed.

In the story of The Mosquito, a boy who was deaf played the mother owl. His teacher signed the story to him as he acted his part. When it was his turn to speak, he did. He was expressive and delightful.

It was a wonderful day of storytelling and I didn't want it to end. There are many more stories that I like to tell these inspiring young learners so it's clear that I'll have to visit them again.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

2009-12-19T14:35:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was the last school day before the holiday break and I presented three assemblies in two different schools. Kids get pretty excited at this time of year and it was a pleasure to be around so many happy little ones. Teachers are pretty happy on the last day of school before a long break as well.

The second school I performed in was in Waterloo. The principal was fabulous as were the students and teachers. Everyone was so appreciative to have a festive performance on the last day before the break.

There was one little boy in grade four who was so delighted to be playing the role of the monkey in the Chinese zodiac story, that he laughed the whole time he was on stage. His laughter was contagious and we all had a good laugh together.

Today, I unloaded all my props from the car and put away the seven multicultural holiday stories for another year.

Happy Holidays and Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Art Inspires Art

2009-12-17T17:22:00.004-05:00

Today, I performed the Multicultural Winter Holiday assembly at a wonderful little Toronto school that has a strong arts focus.

After the performance, a seven year old came up to me and told me he was very disappointed that he hadn't been chosen to play the role of the dragon because he loved dragons since they had real wings and could fly. He then showed me the drawings he had made during the assembly of all twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac story. His drawings were amazing and had the names of the animals written underneath. He was happy that I liked his work and actually gave me all twelve drawings. What a gift!

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Do You Need Some Help

2009-12-16T13:37:00.004-05:00

Yesterday, at 7:50 AM, as I waddled across the ice covered parking lot with my arms full of poles, bags and props, a small, warmly dressed figure opened the school door for me and mumbled through his scarf covered face, "Do you need some help?" His name was Shaun and he was in grade five. Shaun continued to help me tote and carry all my props into the gym and set up for the assemblies.

On one of our trips from the door to the gym, we passed a teacher carrying a large box. Shaun said, "Morning, Madame Jones. Sorry I wasn't there to hold the door open for you." I asked, "Is it your morning job or something to hold the door?" "No, it's just something I do" he answered. "I started opening doors for people when I was in grade one and have been doing it ever since."

During the morning announcements, the principal reminded her students that the month's featured attribute was kindness. She read the quote for the day: "If you want people to treat you with kindness, show them how." Shaun had been showing everyone how, since he was in grade one. Way to go Shaun!

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

How Did You Know?

2009-12-11T16:22:00.003-05:00

Today, I performed two Multicultural Winter Holiday Assemblies for a school in Woodbridge, ON. The kids were in grades three through eight and we had a delightful time telling and performing stories about Hanukkah, Christmas, Diwali, Ramadan, Winter Solstice, Chinese New Year and Kwanzaa.

As it always happens, after the assemblies several teachers expressed their amazement at the uncanny selection of students I made. I randomly picked a few of the 250 students to take part in acting out the stories as I told them. Today, a teacher told me that two of the students that I selected to play delightful characters in the Chinese Zodiac, were high needs children and that their beautiful performances brought tears to her eyes. Both performed with gusto and received laughs, claps and cheers from their fellow schoolmates.

News like that always warms a storytellers heart.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Where Did He Come From

2009-12-05T08:33:00.004-05:00

A few days ago after I told the story of the Ghost Dog to a group of Jr. & Sr. kindergarten classes, a 4 year old boy asked, "Where did the ghost dog come from?" In the story, the ghost dog comes out of the night sky where he lives among the stars, but I knew that was not what this little deep thinker was asking. I said what I always say, when confronted with a big question, "I don't know. What do you think?" A little girl suggested that a king and a queen with a magic wand invented him. A little boy said, 'he jumped down from the sky.' Another little girl wrote him off as 'just magic.'

After listening to several other suggestions, the questioner said, "I think that a real dog died and became a ghost and went up into the sky. He came back down to the earth for visit."

He was satisfied with his conclusion, so, we moved on to the next story.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Can I Get His Number?

2009-12-03T20:04:00.004-05:00

Today, I performed for 4 classes of grade two students in Barrie studying heritage. I told a story from China about a dragon and after the program, a seven year old asked if I made all the costumes and props myself. I told him that I design them, but had someone sew them for me. He wanted to know the name of the person and if they did it for fun or money. There was joy in his eyes when I told him that Peter, my costumer, was paid for his work. I believe I was talking to a potential designer!

As I was packing up to leave another little boy came over to me and asked, "Can you give me the number of that guy that makes all this stuff for you?" Very curiously, I asked, "Why do you want to talk to him?" "I really like that dragon and want him to make one for me." "Peter didn't make the dragon," I said. "Someone else did."

"My number is 445-3446. Could you ask them to call me? I really like that dragon!" I not only met a potential designer, but I believe I met a potential art dealer as well.

You never know who you're going to meet when you share a good story.

Happy Storytelling

Cheryl Thornton

Real or Make Believe

2009-11-21T08:59:00.004-05:00

When I tell stories, I sometimes have kids help dramatize the action by putting on a hat or a simple costume piece and repeating lines that I give them. Yesterday, I spent the day with the kindergarten classes of St. Gregory the Great in Woodbridge, ON and had some laughs.

Four year olds don't seem to make a clear distinction between real and make believe and this can make for hilarious interactions. When I asked a little boy playing a fish in one of the stories to ask the platypus, "Will you join us fish," he said "Okay."

"No," I said. "Can you say, 'Will you join us fish?'" "Sure, I'll join you," said the little boy! After the third attempt at trying to get him to say the line, I realized that I was in the middle of a conversation that was like Abbot and Costello's Who's On First routine.

In another story, I ask a little girl playing a bird to tell the crocodile, "You should share the fire with the people." She listened to what I had said, then looked at the crocodile and said, "That's right! You should do what she said (pointing at me).

Four year olds are so adorable and fun. It's good therapy spending time with this age group.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Listening

2009-11-17T18:37:00.002-05:00

Today I told stories to three different kindergarten classes at a Montessori school in Toronto. A couple of the kids were new to Canada and english was still a strange language. However, that didn't stop them from wanting to participate in the stories.

A sweet little girl volunteered to be the fish in the Platypus story and when I picked her, the teacher told me that she didn't speak any english. That was okay with us, so I put the fish hat on her head and asked her to repeat after me, "We fish are the best swimmers of all!" She spoke loud and it sounded a bit like what I had said.

When little kids learn a new language, they bravely dive into the music of the language and don't get bogged down with the words or their meaning. It is beautiful to watch them imitate sounds of phrases.

I love watching what little kids do in challenging situations ... and I always take notes.

Happy Storytelling.

Cheryl Thornton

Even the 'Girl Who Doesn't Speak' Spoke

2009-11-13T17:41:00.002-05:00

The power of a good story is something wonderful to behold!

Today, Matt and I introduced Storyvalues to a school in a district that is considering licensing it for their board. After we explained how our online resource works, the principal suggested we play one of our recorded stories to a kindergarten class, to see how they responded.

Minutes later, a group of 3o five year olds marched into library and sat on the 'big kid' chairs. Before we played the story, I told the cute little 5 year olds that they'd be listening with their ears, imagining with their minds and talking about it afterward.

Matt chose to play a creation myth from Ghana about how all the difference skin colours of people were created. It's a very beautiful and abstract tale.

The kindergartners listened amazingly well for seven and a half minutes to the sophisticated story, with only one image projected on the screen in front of them. Afterwards, I asked what their favorite part of the story was. 30 little hands shot up in the air. I was impressed, but skeptical; I fully expected most of them to say something like, “Can I get a drink of water,” but they didn’t. They mentioned very specific details of the story, which clearly showed how closely they had been listening!

Afterwards, one of the teachers told us that even ‘the girl that doesn’t speak’, spoke! The little girl of few words told me that she liked the part where the Sky God sneezed the two spirits out of his mouth!

Clearly, that story gave her something to talk about.

Hats off to good stories!

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

The Glass Disc

2009-11-08T08:29:00.004-05:00

Friday, I participated in a school's amazing all day storytelling and reading event. There were over 30 volunteers, made up of storytellers, authors, retired principals, librarians and teachers all visiting classrooms to read and tell their favorite stories to over 800 children at Crescent Town School. Everyone, students, teachers, staff and guests wore special tee-shirts that read, "Share Your Story."

I believe I had the best gig of all by meeting with all 13 kindergarten classes! I was happy as a clam telling stories to the sweetest children ever. At lunch, as I was sipping my coffee and enjoying a homemade cookie, one of the kindergarten teachers told me a story from her childhood in Switzerland.

In the tiny Swiss village where she grew up, everyone took their milk pails to be filled with fresh milk at the dairy. Pasteurization had just begun so after buying milk, the pail was placed on a burner to boil. This job was given by her mother to my storyteller, who loved to read. Each day as she waited for her pail of milk to boil, she eagerly read her book, but she was supposed to be watching the milk so it didn’t boil over the rim of the pail, a challenge indeed since her nose was buried in a book. After many a day of scalded milk and reprimands from her mother, a new device came into my storytellers life that kept her reading and saved the milk. It was a simple glass disc. When the milk began to boil, the glass disc, placed in bottom of the pail would begin to rattle, jarring my storyteller out of her pages just in time to snatch the pail off the burner!

After a day of storytelling, it was wonderful to have been told such a lovely story from long ago and far away.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

2009-11-06T07:12:00.002-05:00

We just got back from introducing Storyvalues to the USA at conferences in Washington D.C. and NYC. In the workshops, I told stories and invited the grownups to put on costumes and help dramatize the tales. They participated with gusto! Most of them were teachers and librarians so, no strangers to theatrics. The fish in the platypus story in D.C. was fabulous, as was the hungry goddess and the hunter. I was so impressed and amazed at how willing and enthusiastic everyone was to participate, but I guess it is not often we get the chance to step into roles such as kangaroos, kiwis and feathered snakes. Hats off to the young at heart!

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Kids Are So Short

2009-10-22T08:19:00.003-04:00

I'm often inadvertently placed in the role of the straight-man (woman) when working with kids. Yesterday during an all school assembly of 250 students, a four year old, playing the role of the lion in Aesop's The Lion and the Mouse, totally upstaged me. As the jr. kindergartner stood next to me under the hunter's net, I was going on and on about how the poor lion, try as he might, could not escape. All of a sudden, the audience burst into laughter. I looked down and saw the net on the floor and the lion smiling triumphantly up at me. He was so proud of himself and so cute! I waited until the laughter died down, picked up the net, put it on his head and continued with the story.

Those are moments in my life as a storytelling that I will always remember.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

What Day is the Day You See Me

2009-10-15T13:47:00.003-04:00

Every Thursday, I meet with two groups at a public school daycare centre for regular storytelling gigs. The first group is made up of 24 2 and 3 year olds and the second group has 18 4 and 5 year olds. There was an unhappy 2 year old among the ranks of the little ones this morning. Apparently, she had just returned after a long enjoyable family vacation and wasn't happy about being abandoned at school. Half way through my first story about the creation of the platypus, she burst in to tears, wailing, "I still want my mom." Other than that, the little ones were totally involved in the stories. After the Platypus myth, I told them the myth of Gilgamesh, a tale from the Congo called, The Crocodile and the Hen.

When I entered the room of the 'older kids, an eager 5 year old ran up to me and said, "I'll wait until you put down your story bag and drum to hug you," and he did. Then he proceeded with some shop talk, asking if I remembered to bring the second installment of Hercules. In addition to these stories, I'm telling the older group a Hercules labour each week. 4 and 5 year olds love the Greek myths as much as I do. Today they heard the second labour when Hercules battles the 9 headed hydra. Next week, it's Diana's hind.

After I finished our session, the same sweet 5 year old asked, "What day is the day you see me?" I answered, "Thursday." "Last Thursday," he continued, "I told my dad the story about the green gourd and today I'll tell him about Hercules, because I really like your stories." It is always great talking with 5 year olds!

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

The Long Journey to Next Door

2009-09-23T17:36:00.004-04:00

Even though it is mid-October, school, still seems to be a new concept to the batch of junior kindergarten students that I met last week in Scarborough. At 8:45, I received my visitor's badge in the office, was shown to the French room where I would be performing and told that the kindergarten classes, in adjoining rooms, would be coming to me at 9:00.

As with most kindergarten classes, and especially early in a new school year, it takes them forever to walk from one place to another as a group. The teacher must call upon them to combine several of their newly learned skills all at once in order to get the job done.

First, they must form a line at the door, (a line is a very tricky idea to a 4 or 5 year old).
Second, they must walk while maintaing the line formation without getting lost (I have seen it happen many times before, that a four year old will end up in a classroom far, far away during one of these sojourns to the room next door.)
Third, once they arrive at the room next to their classroom, they must sit on the floor, facing the right direction, still maintaining the line formation.
Finally, they need to sit so they are not clumped together in one corner of the space.

This complicated procedure is rarely executed even close to perfection during the first half of their kindergarten year. Even at the end of the year, at least 50% of them will enter the room and sit facing the wrong direction. Usually, this happens because one child will get temporarily disoriented when lowering him or herself from a standing to a sitting position, and then all the other children behind him or her will follow the direction set by their colleague.

The first class arrived at 9:10 and we had to wait another 5 minutes for the second class to appear, (apparently there had been an issue with a lost shoe somewhere along the way).

Once we were gathered and in the brief moment before I began telling stories, they excitedly told me, a total stranger everything that was happening in their lives: someone had a new shirt, someone had new shoes, someone had a Band-Aid covering an old scrape, someone had a new baby brother, someone was going to visit grandma, someone was going to have bow-tie pasta for lunch. Once I began the first story, they settled down and we had a wonderful time together.

I knew our adventure was over, not by looking at the clock on the wall, but by the number of children doing the 'I need to go to the washroom' wiggle. We sang our good-bye song and I returned them to the care of their teachers. After I had packed my storybag, retuned my visitor's badge in the office, I looked down the hall and saw that my audience was still making their journey back to their classroom. One of the last in line saw me and asked, "Are you coming back tomorrow?" I smiled and thanked him for the compliment.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

How to Make a Fish

2009-09-19T16:56:00.002-04:00

During the past week, I've been trying to get my head around performing in schools again. My first performance is coming up on Wednesday and I'm feeling like a fish out of water. The last time I told stories to kids was in June, which seems so long ago and far away! All summer, I've been working on creating new programs for Storyvalues, so I've been writing, recording and illustrating, but not performing with an audience.

To prepare myself for my Wednesday debut, I washed all the animal hats and put together a list of new costumes that I'll need: a platypus, a wombat, a fish bag, a kangaroo mom and joey, and a fish hat. I also need the golden goose's neck to be repaired. Yesterday, I took the sketches for the costumes and a huge pile of fabric to Peter, the amazing costumer. It's so great to know someone who doesn't blink an eye when asked to make a fish hat or a platypus, he was actually excited about the creativity of the work. He even told me he can make a frog head that can spit water, (the water will actually be blue organza), but still, how impressive it that?!

Storytelling is a lot like riding a bike; once you learn how to do it, you don’t really forget. At least that is what I’ve been told, by a storyteller.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Time to Wash the Chicken Hat

2009-09-14T18:57:00.004-04:00

School is back in session and I'll be making my first school visit to tell stories in less than a week. Time to wash the chicken, turnip and monkey hats!

It is not as easy as it sounds: the chicken is white with yellow legs and a red comb. The red comb can't get wet or it will bleed into the white and yellow parts. Last time I washed the monkey, it's eyes fell off in the soapy water, but it looks fine when all clean and fluffy--just like a freshly bathed two year old. The turnip is never a problem and always smells so good when cleaned.

There are several new stories that will be needing hats. I sent an email to my costumer to see if he could stitch me up a platypus and a wombat. I also need a basket of talking fish, but that is better to ask for in person.

This year promises to be a great year of introducing new stories mixed in with some of the old tried and true ones. Can't wait!

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Summer Sounds

2009-08-01T09:57:00.003-04:00

The summer is a special time, even while busy with work.

We're recording and producing new programs which need to be finished for the start of school in September, but it's coming along just fine. One of our new programs is called, Foundations of Multiculturalism and it's turning into a real jewel. We're focusing on specific regions and highlighting the culture through stories, music and sounds. The sounds really help bring the stories to life and place them in a specific time and place.

As I sit at my computer in my upstairs studio, the sounds of all my summers past have been coming in through the windows these last few days with the lovely sounds of the cicada. With just a few steady stanzas of buzz, I can be instantly transported back over 40 years to tree houses, hide and seek at dusk and lightning bug chases.

Today I'm recording a story from North America and I think I'll keep my windows open to include some authentic sounds of summer.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Telling Requires Listening

2009-06-19T11:09:00.002-04:00

The other day after telling a story about the Chinese zodiac, a young boy who had volunteered to help carry my props to the van, told me he knew a different version of the myth and proceeded to tell. His spontaneous rendition was well executed and lasted as long as it took us to reach the parking lot. He instinctively knew that as a storyteller, I loved listening to stories and was an attentive audience.

Stories attract stories and throughout my years as a storyteller, I've been privileged to hear some pretty good ones. Lots of times kids tell me their personal stories, especially the 4-6 year olds. They love showing and telling me about their new shoes or a loose tooth or pointing out a bandaged covered scrap or injury. They tell of arrivals of their baby siblings, planned vacations and visits to grandparents. When I tell kids that a particular story comes from this or that country, they always tell me who is from there or who has traveled there or who's parents are from there. Once, when I told a kindergarten class that the story I was about to tell was from China, a sweet little girl pointed to herself and said, "I'm China too!"

Stories inspire stories and I love listening to all the tales told by my young fellow tellers.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Do I Really Look Like Minerva

2009-06-16T16:15:00.003-04:00

Today I was in Bolton ON, telling stories to a group of grade 5 students who were finishing their unit on ancient civilizations. To celebrate, they held an all day festival, complete with olympic games, a greek barbeque and ancient myths told outdoors on the side of a grassy knoll. Many of them were dressed up as Greek, Roman or Norse gods and goddesses.

An absolutely gorgeous, smart little girl asked me to guess who she was dressed as. She, like most of her other 80 classmates, had white sheet draped over her school clothes with a cord tied around her waist. "Are you Aphrodite," I asked? "No," she said. "Artemis," I tried? "No." she answered. "Athena or Demeter," I ventured? "No," she helped, I'm Roman." After admitting I wasn't up to speed on the Roman deities, she told me she was Minerva, the goddess of wisdom and weaving. "You look wonderful," I told her, commenting on the tassel detail of her belt. She smiled and asked very earnestly, "Do I really look like Minerva?" "Absolutely," I told her, meaning it, because I know that from now on, anytime I tell stories that mention Minerva, I'll know exactly what she looks like!

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Holding Hands, Fingers, Legs and Necks

2009-06-12T13:48:00.003-04:00

Today, I told stories at Hewson PS in Brampton, to a group of four year olds who will be entering school for the first time in September. For the past several weeks, the four year olds have been coming to the school library with their parents to draw pictures, look at library books and hear stories told to them by the librarian in order to prepare for their new lives in Junior kindergarten in the fall. To celebrate their last meeting of the year, I was invited to perform for them.

As always, I asked for volunteers to help dramatize the tales. The librarian wisely pepper the crowd with several grade one and two students to act as role models for the incoming scholars. We had serval brave actors playing the characters in stories.

By the time we got to our last story, even the shy ones wanted a turn. An adorable little boy hesitantly volunteered to play the title role of the half a chick. However, once he was outfitted in his half chick costume, (an oversized tee-shirt with a whimsical half chick outlined in fabric paint) and stood before the audience, he had second thoughts. He grabbed my hand and looked at me pleadingly. I asked him to speak a line, which he did and he relaxed enough to be content to just hold onto one of my fingers. As the story progressed, the audience began to laugh, (it's a very funny story) and their laughter caused the little half chick to seize up a bit, so he'd grab hold of whatever was close to him, my hand, a finger, a leg or a neck. He was a trooper and stayed in the story to the bitter end and received a big round of applause.

I'm sure that little half chick will have a wonderful time in Jr. kindergarten next year as will all those sweet little dears.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

What About the Pictures

2009-06-03T10:31:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I told stories to the kindergarten classes at Glendale PS in Brampton. The kids were adorable, as they always are at this age. After my last group, I received the highest complement possible from a kindergartener, who asked, "When are you coming back to tell us more stories?"

As they were lining up to leave the library, a little boy said, "What about the pictures? You forgot to show us the pictures." I told him that I'd left the pictures for him to make up in his imagination and quickly asked which was his favorite story. He liked the story about the weaver, so I asked him what the weaver looked like. "She has a blue outfit with black lines on it and is very tall," he told me. He promised to draw a picture of her to show his parents when he got home. That was a perfect ending to a lovely day.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Everyone Loves a Good Story

2009-05-22T17:27:00.002-04:00

Today as I was getting ready for my second assembly at an elementary school, a teacher sought me out during her lunch break to ask where she might find a copy of a story I told during the morning assembly. She had had to escort a grade 1 student to the washroom in the middle of the tale and wanted to hear the end. She was a little shy about asking how the story turned out, but that's what it boiled down to. She listened intently as I finished it for her from when she had left off.

Stories are so delightful and engaging that no matter who you are or what age you may be, a good story is a joy to behold.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Hair Gel and Middle School

2009-05-22T16:57:00.003-04:00

Earlier this week, I held two storytelling assemblies at a middle school and was amused to find that 12-14 year olds are still all about their hair. One of my favorite family stories is of our sons at the age of 13 getting ready for a dance and the amount of hair gel that was involved.

During the assembly the other day, a 14 year old boy volunteered to play the role of the rooster in the Zodiac Race story. As I lifted the hat to put on his head he cried out, "MY HAIR!" I noticed that it had been generously gelled within an inch of its life, with, what I'd estimate, through the personal experience mentioned above, to be about 3/4 a cup of hair gel. He complied with the demands of the role and wore the hat. Afterwards, of course, his hair looked just like it did before donning the roosters comb.

I don't get the chance to tell stories to this age group very often, but when I do, I really enjoy time spent with these kids who are straddling two worlds at once: childhood and young adulthood.

My hat is off to them!

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

2009-05-14T14:06:00.002-04:00

After writing the blog about the crocodile yesterday, Im thrilled to have a companion piece to write about today. This morning, I performed at Holy Cross school and once again, told the story of the selfish crocodile who refuses to share the fire. A shy little 5 year old girl played the part of the bird who swoops down from her tree and takes the fire sticks from the sleeping crocodile. When the crocodile woke up and hollered, "Give me back my fire sticks," the sweet little girl gave them back without missing a beat! I had take the fire sticks away from the crocodile and press them on the generous little bird girl! It's so much fun acing out the stories with kindergarteners because they inhabit their roles so thoroughly! So cute.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

I Quit

2009-05-13T17:28:00.003-04:00

Last Friday, I told stories to the students of Golf Road PS. The first story was about a crocodile, the only creature that had fire and who refused to share it with the people. A little 5 year old boy eagerly volunteered to play role of the crocodile and once I put the crocodile hat on his head and gave him the fire sticks to hold, he became the crocodile completely. He was adorable and immersed himself in the drama totally, speaking his lines in a convincing crocodile voice. As the story goes, a little bird takes the fire from the sleeping crocodile and shares it with the people and that's the end of it. The little girl playing the bird, flew out of her tree to take the fire, but totally off script, the crocodile opened his eyes, clutched the fire sticks to his chest and ran for the gym doors! He refused to give up the fire and I had to chase him down, (much to the amusement of the teaching staff). After I convinced him to acquiesce the fire sticks for the good of the story, he took off his crocodile hat, threw it on the floor and said, "I quit." He wanted nothing more to do with the fire myth from Australian.

I love kindergarteners. They never have a problem entering the world of make believe. It's getting them out that's the difficulty.

After he tossed his hat, the former crocodile noticed a cool wooden fish I had for another story and stayed on stage with me for a while to play with it.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Three Golden Hairs

2009-04-01T14:29:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, I told The Three Golden Hairs to a group of 5-12 year olds at Bridlewood PS in Toronto. I often tell this story to grade 4 classes, but usually not to younger kids. The story lasts over 10 minutes and goes at a quick pace with has several things happening at once and is more complicated than most that I tell, but the little ones loved it! When I asked which of the 6 stories I told during the program was their favorite, the complicated Three Golden Hairs was very popular. It never ceases to amaze me how little ones can grasp such complex stories. They are a true inspiration to me.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

2009-03-30T16:19:00.002-04:00

My old Volvo died a few weeks ago and is in car parts heaven, so I'm now driving a car that runs. My new(er) car is sporting two Storyvalues signs on the front doors and I feel very professional as I load in my story bag and drive off to tell stories everyday.

These signs reflect of how I feel about the storytelling profession. I take my job as a teller of tales very seriously, knowing that once these stories get into the imaginations of listeners, they are likely to stay there for years and years to come. Last Friday, I told stories to a group of three and four year olds who I had seen the year before. As we were getting started, a little four year old asked if she could act in the role of the rabbit in the story of The Mitten, (one of the stories I had told last year.) I wasn't even telling that story on Friday and I was amazed that she had remembered it from a quarter of her life ago. Stories are like music, when you hear one you like, you remember it, or at least your feelings about it.

I'm honored to be a storyteller, spreading great stories to listeners young and old.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Preparing for Success

2009-03-20T13:57:00.008-04:00

When I visit a group of children who's teacher has created a sense of excitement and anticipation preceding my visit, our time together is noticeably better than if there has been little to no fanfare. Looking forward to a special event is part of the total experience.

I remember when I was in second grade, our teacher Mrs. Pew would ask the class to assist in drafting an invitation asking someone to visit our class. She would write out the invitation on the black board and we would dutifully copy the letter. Once she selected the most legible draft, she would mail it to our desired guest. After our invitation was accepted, our teacher would get us all worked up about the visit and we'd be more than ready by the time our visitor arrived. Anticipating the visit was an important part of the experience.

I still remember one of our guest in particular: He was the director of a children's play that we were going to see and he visited us before the show. The director sat in a chair in front of the class and told us about the play. I remember that he smelled like a bon fire. (One can only guess what that was.) After his visit, we were back at the chalk board, drafting our thank you letter for his memorable visit. That was over 35 years ago and I'd call that memorable. I give most of the credit to Mrs. Pew for creating a sense of anticipation and excitement, but the olfactory element helped as well.

My hat is off to teachers who teach their students to look forward to special events. When they are primed for my programs, they behave respectfully and the experience is special for all of us.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Familiar Old Friends

2009-03-03T15:22:00.004-05:00

Today I told stories to all the children at Bruce PS in Toronto. I've performed there many times in the past, but this was my first visit this year. Many of the faces were familiar, but everyone had grown!

It is always wonderful returning to a school where the kids know what to expect from me and enjoy listening to the stories. At the beginning of the assembly, everyone was chatting and excited, but the moment I said, "Once upon a time..." everyone quieted down and sat still waiting to hear where we were going and what was going to happen once we got there. We went to Africa for a funny story called Talk. Then we went to Mexico and heard about The Rooster Who Went to His Uncle's Wedding. After that, we came back to Canada for a First Nation Tale about Strong Wind and we finished off in Mesopotamia with Gilgamesh.

As the children left the auditorium, a little boy in grade 1, named Adam told me he wanted to hear the stories again when I came back for a visit. It's nice to hear new stories, but familiar ones are sometimes better. Just like seeing familiar faces, it is a joy to hear a story again, and again. A good story heard for a second time is like seeing an old friend.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Here's to Wooden Gym Benches

2009-02-26T14:48:00.002-05:00

Everyday I visit different schools to perform a variety of programs. The stories change from day to day, the students and teachers are different, but the one that is the same no matter where I go, are the wooden benches found in school gyms. When the principal shows me to the gym to set up for my program and asks, "Do you need a microphone or projector? Will you need to be on the stage or will the gym floor do? Is there anything at all that you need?"

In response, I look around the gym and say the same thing every day, as I point: "Just one of these lovely wooden benches will be fine." The principal then helps me carry the bench, (they are very heavy and can scratch up the gym floor if dragged) and after the principal leaves, I proceed to organize my props and costumes on the long, low and steady structure. Depending on what stories I tell, the bench can also double as the sky in which the ghost dog jumps or it can become the high wall upon which King Gilgamesh waits for Enkidu or it can turn into a throne for an African king to stand on as he addresses the riotous group talking nonsense. The benches are just the right height; low enough for even the youngest child to step up comfortably and safe enough for the most cautious of teachers. I rely on the wooden benches and they are always there.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Get On With The Story

2009-02-14T15:37:00.003-05:00

The other day, I was telling a story about the Chinese zodiac to 200 elementary students in Toronto. At the end of the story, the ox swims across the river and for a humorous aside, I hummed a few bars of 'Ol Man River'. A third grader in the front row impatiently said, "We get it, we get it! Now get on with the story!"

It just goes to show you that the telling is always secondary to the story itself and when the clever storyteller tries to up stage the story, she falls on her face! The story is the thing and it is good to know that. Kids always do.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Who Could Forget Eating the Sky?

2009-02-10T11:34:00.005-05:00

Yesterday, I told stories to kindergarten and grade 1 classes at Holy Child school in Toronto. A senior kindergarten girl, age 5, looked at me and said, "You told me the story about the sky that you could eat, when I was in Mrs. Tatan's class." Mrs. Tatan confirmed that I been to their school a year ago to tell stories from Africa and I had told a story about eating the sky. That little girl was 4 years old at the time and 12 months have elapsed, but she can still remember the stories! That's amazing, but if you break it down, it makes sense: Stories use the strange and outlandish to grab the attention and stick in the memory like a burr on you shoe laces. Here she is, this little 4 year old, in her first year of school, learning about numbers and letters and rules of conduct and lots of important things and then a women comes to her school, her trusted place of learning, who tells her that long ago, you could reach up and tear off pieces of the sky and eat it and that the sky could talk! The distinction between real and make believe is fuzzy at this age anyway and if someone with authority tells you something, it must be so. The more fantastic the story, the easier to remember.

Today, I had a similar exchange with a grade 4 girl who told me she heard me tell stories last year at her school's literacy event and she really liked the story about the half chicken who visited the king.

Stories so wisely use the absurd to catch the attention and lodge into the memory and activate the imagination. What wonderful things they are.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

For an Hour

2009-01-23T17:29:00.004-05:00

Kindergarten teachers often express their amazement at seeing their usually squirmy little ones sitting still as trees, listening to stories for up to an hour. As humans, we all love a good story and kids as young as three can be engaged in listening, as long as the story is interesting.

Today I met with the kindergarten classes at Robert J. Lee school in Brampton and told stories about winter. The kids acted out the Ukrainian folktale about the mitten that is lost by a boy, but found by the woodland animals. I had them dress up as a bunny, a squirrel, a chipmunk, a fox, a bear and an mouse. As always, they were adorable, but there are a few not-so-sweet habits that that I've come to expect from the 3 - 5 year old crowd; they have trouble putting their shoes on the correct feet, they don't bother with kleenex when they've got 10 perfectly good fingers and they are very much affronted if they don't get a turn, whether they want one or not. Today, I asked a little boy to be the mouse, but he said he didn't want to. After the story, he boldly told me that he didn't get a turn! When I meet with this age group, I always have at least one story where everyone can have a turn or else there will be trouble and tears.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Many Ways to Say Thank You

2009-01-18T10:18:00.005-05:00

This past Friday, I told stories to grade 4 students at Churchill Meadows school in Mississagua. The 9 and 10 year olds were attentive and polite during our time together, but once I ended the class and started putting the props and costumes back into the story bag, they swarmed me! Everyone wanted to help! It was clear they thought if they were being 'helpful,' they could tell me how much they liked the stories and what they thought about this or that and ask questions. They followed the rules of being a polite audience while we were in session, but felt at liberty to express themselves only while they were being helpful. They said 'thank you' with their actions. What a nice expression of gratitude! It is a lesson that I will take to heart and put into 'action' myself.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

My Grandfather Used to Grow Corn

2009-01-14T15:59:00.003-05:00

Today, I told creation myths and pourquoi tales to grade 6 students at Bishop Scalabrini School. These stories make quite an impression on students and I love hearing their thoughts and opinions. I told a First Nation tale about how corn was given to the people by the Great Spirit. After the program, a student helped carry my story bag and basket to the car. As we walked, the young man told me that he planned to tell the story about the corn to his grandfather. He thought his grandfather would enjoy it because he used to grow corn on his farm before he retired and gave it to his sons. "I might be a farmer too," he told me. He clearly loved his grandfather and felt a connection with the story because of their relationship. Stories have a wonderful way of relating to all who listen to them. It is such a pleasure telling such beautiful, enchanting tales and seeing the positive effect they have upon the listeners and the teller.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

I Was Good, Wasn't I?

2009-01-13T18:36:00.003-05:00

Today, I met with a couple grade 4 classes at St. Francis de Sales school to tell them stories from the middle ages. The kids were pretty cute and one little girl did an amazing job acting as the fisherman in a 1001 Arabian Nights tale. I asked a boy to play the genii and a girl to play the fisherman and the little girl surprised and delighted me with her animated performance. Before I left, I complimented them all for their great attention during our hour together and for their fine performances. As we walked out of the library together, the little girl who played the fisherman, sidled to me and quietly said, "I was good, wasn't I?"

"Yes," I said. "You were really wonderful." And she really was.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Innocent, but with Skills

2009-01-11T14:29:00.005-05:00

Last Friday, I met with 100 grade 2 students at Forest Manor PS. We had a great time together telling and acting out stories from China, Japan, Norway, England and Canada. I love this age group: they're still wide-eyed and innocent, but they can put on their own shoes, zip their coats and know when they need to use the bathroom. These sweet and fun filled 7 year olds were infectious with excitement and had me laughing with them over silly parts of the stories. One little boy in the front row thought the antics of title character in Lazy Jack were the funniest things he'd ever heard. When he came up to take part in the story, I saw his shoes were on the right feet. This might seem like an odd thing to notice, but the sweetness and joy of the grade 2's reminded me a lot of kindergartners and kindergartners never have their shoes on the right feet in winter. They come to school wearing boots, (correctly shod), but have to put on their own indoor shoes. In my observation, only 1 in 10 accidently get them on right. By the time they get to grade 2, they have all these basic skills down pat and would never do silly things like Lazy Jack. That will come when they're teenagers.

Happy Storytelling,

Cheryl Thornton

A New Year of Storytelling

2009-01-10T08:54:00.006-05:00

School started on Monday after the holiday break and Thursday, I jumped back on the storytelling train (it was actually my Volvo) and headed for Ancaster. It's fun visiting schools in small towns outside of Toronto. The kids are the same, but the parking is a lot better. When I arrived, Pat, the multi-tasking congenial office manager led me to the school gym, where I met with the grades 5 and told them stories from Mesopotamia, Egypt and Greece. During the lunch hour, as I got ready for the grade 6 classes, the grade 4 teacher put up the volleyball net only to realize that I was going to be using the gym during her gym period. We had a nice talk as she took down the volleyball net and went back to her classroom.

When the bell rang, the grade 6 classes came in and I told them stories from Canada, Australia and Mexico. The teachers sat together on a bench at the back and had a good laugh watching their students perform. I always get a kick out of watching teachers bounce between being teachers and audience members. This morning, I got a nice email from one of them saying that the teachers enjoyed the stories as much as their students. That's because everyone loves listening to a great story, it doesn't matter how old you are. It's good to know that I'm appreciated.

Another year has arrived and I know that my job is to go out and tell stories, near and far.

Happy Storytelling,

Cheryl Thornton

Chewing the Fat

2008-12-17T07:46:00.002-05:00

When you tell as many stories as I do, you get to hear quite a few interesting tales told in return. Stories inspire stories and I absolutely love listening to what kids have to say. Yesterday, I presented my Winter Holiday Assembly at Millwood PS and after the students had returned to their classrooms, I started to pack up my props to carry out to the car. A seven year old girl was watching me from the doorway and politely asked if I need any help. I told her that she could help me fold the Kwanzaa candle costumes. As we put the props and costumes back into the story bag, she told me that she really liked ALL the stories, but, "I really liked the stories from China and India best because you know, I'm very multicultural too. My father is from Venezuela and Colombia and my mother is from Spain. I know all about stories, but is that one story you told about the ten headed demon real?" Our conversation was cut short because her teacher came looking for her missing student. Stories attract listeners like bears to honey. My job as a storyteller is to set out the most delicious stories I can find and enjoy the feast along with my audience. That's why, at the end of every story I say, "And there be my story, be it bitter or sweet, take what you like, but leave enough for me to eat!"

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Holidays Times 7

2008-12-12T17:17:00.004-05:00

At this time of year, like most everybody else, I'm busy with the holidays but, unlike most, I'm busy with SEVEN different holidays! Starting at end of November, I dust off my menorah, find my mistletoe, and polish up my Diwali lamps and begin performing my Winter Holidays Assemblies. In the span of one hour, I tell stories about all the different holidays that are celebrated from October to February by Canada's multitude of marvelous cultures; Winter Solstice, Hanukkah, Ramadan and Eid, Diwali, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and the Chinese New Year. Of all my programs, this is probably my favorite because I get to see the excitement and joy on the faces of children when I tell a story about the holidays they celebrate. In the process of preparing for this show, I have learned lots about the different holidays and love sharing the stories with the kids. I've gotten pretty good at telling a 5 minute version of the Ramayana that has the kids on the edge of their seats! Did you know that the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe predates Christmas by almost 1000 years? The tradition has to do with the Norse myth about the sun dying after being shot by an arrow made of mistletoe and the tears of love that brought him back to life (the white berries on the mistletoe.) All of the holidays have wonderful stories around them that warm the heart and inspire the imagination.

So, to all of you, I wish you a: Wonderful Diwali, Blessed Ramadan and Eid, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy New Year and Happy Chinese New Year!

and of course,

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Precocious in PJs

2008-12-06T10:58:00.003-05:00

Kids always astound me with their uniqueness, brilliance and charm. After telling Stone Soup to a group of young children at a special pajama party literacy event, a four year old boy raised his hand and said, "I believe the author of the story is talking about the importance of sharing with the community." My jaw dropped! I was in the presence of a future literary critic, dressed in Sponge Bob PJs. Very cute!

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Curiosity and Listening

2008-12-01T17:21:00.002-05:00

Many of the stories I tell are so outrageous that kids often do a double-take with their ears. "Did she really say that that green gourd jumped up and started chasing that old woman?" Stories slip seamlessly from the real world into the make-believe, creating the sense that the stories must be real since 'you can't make this stuff up, or can you?' Stories are so smart: they know how far they can stretch the truth without breaking the trust.

A middle school principal recently expressed her amazed at seeing two of her 'frequent office visitors' listening with rapt attention to the stories along with all the other students. Stories are a powerful attention magnet and can draw in the most distracted among us. Who doesn't like listening to a great story?

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Junior High School Students Rock!

2008-11-28T17:00:00.003-05:00

It is with great respect and much trepidation that I enter the halls of a middle school to perform for grade 7 and 8 students. I like the age group just fine, but when there are lots of them all together, it can be scary! Today, I lucked out at Charles Gordon Sr. PS! Their 400 12-14 year olds were pretty amazing--they seemed to be looking forward to a fun time when they entered the gym for the assembly and that's exactly what we had! Often it takes a story or two to win them over into believing that stories are not just for 'little kids'. The students at Charles Gordon were primed and ready and had heard some of my recorded stories before and knew that stories could be 'interesting' and relevant to their age group. Afterwards, I asked which stories were their favorites and they all seemed to especially like the Scheherazade story and the Chaucer tale. As I was leaving the school, I received one of the nicest complement of all from a grade eight student who asked me if I could come again to tell them stories. Thank you Charles Gordon, you have wonderful students and marvelous teachers! I'd be delighted to return to your school any time!

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Full of Life and Lots of Laughter

2008-11-27T16:59:00.002-05:00

Yesterday afternoon, the 75 grade two students at Regina Mundi school met me in the gym for stories about heritage. We had stories about births and birthdays and births of new years, coming of age tales and changing of seasons stories, love and marriage myths and we had lots of fun together. Grade two kids are full of joy and humor and I always delight in my time with them. Several of the student actors had me doubled over with laughter at their charming and gifted performances. The boy who played the rat a the Chinese myth about the zodiac moved like a rodent and incorporated a nose twitch and buck-tooth expression that was truly inspired. Equally inspired was the girl who played the queen in a story about wisdom and marriage. She embodied royalty and had me stretch the story out just so I could enjoy her performance a little longer. They demonstrated again the power of make believe and the importance of playing with our imaginations. It keeps us alive and laughing.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

The Listening Part of Storytelling

2008-11-27T07:57:00.004-05:00

Yesterday, I told stories to the kindergarten classes at a Montessori school. A little girl, age 3 and a half, sitting in the front row had a lot to say. She reminded me that part of my job as a storyteller is to be a good listener too. As I was standing in front of the group, telling story after story, it was clear that she believed we were engaged in a private conversation and anytime I said something that related to her life, she'd mention it. One particularly dear exchange came as I started telling a fable about about children learning to share; this reminded her that their school was donating gifts to a local charity, "Storyteller lady, I'm going to put a present on a mountain for children who don't have any toys." I saw a notice in the front office announcing the schools' involvement with the Toy Mountain gift drive, to raise a 'mountain of toys' for children in need.

After each story, I asked the children to raise their hands if they wanted to tell me their favorite part of the story. She never missed a beat, (or raised her hand) to share her take on the story; "Storytelling lady, I really liked the part when they pulled up the turnip, but you forgot to give me a turn." I'm very blessed to be in a job where I get to listen to precious words coming from such dear beings.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Two of My Favorite Things

2008-11-25T13:18:00.003-05:00

One of my favorite comments from classroom teachers goes something like this: "I was amazed to see (a particular student) volunteering to be in the story and then standing up and performing so beautifully! In class, they're so quite and shy!" One of the grade two teachers at Wilkinson PS told me something along those lines today about a couple of her students. The enchanting quality of stories helps kids set aside any personality restraints they may have and step easily into the world of make-believe and their imaginations. I had another favorite thing happen at Wilkinson today as well; a grade two student asked if the story I told was true: I had just told a Norse myth about mistletoe; (the sun is shot by an arrow of mistletoe and falls out of the sky and dies and all of nature weeps because they loved the sun. His mother, Frigga gathers up all the tears of love and pours them on the dead sun and he comes back to life. She then turns the love tears into white berries and places them on the mistletoe and whenever anyone sees the mistletoe growing in the trees, they receive a token of love, a kiss.) "Is that story true," asked a seven year old? It took me years to find a suitable answer that respects the listener, the storyteller and the stories. "Yes," I say. "The story is true. It might not be factual, but it is true." I learned that brilliant reply from Madeleine L'Engle, the author of A Wrinkle In Time. With younger children, I often say, "Yes, the story is both true and make believe at the same time." Kids don't blink an eye when they hear either of these answers and I can sleep well at night knowing that I've done right by them.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

The Things Kids Remember

2008-11-24T06:49:00.002-05:00

It often happens when I return to a school to tell stories a second time, that the kids don't remember me until I start my storytelling routine. Once I start banging my drum and singing the welcome song, kids will exclaim, "I remember, you! You told me the story of the boy who painted the cats and the monster rat that haunted..." The stories are always the star of the show and I just happen to the the messenger... and that's the way its supposed to be. That's why its so important as a storyteller to tell only spectacular stories--stories you love. The part that is mine to give to the listeners is my connection to the story, my heart. It is the exception to the rule that the storyteller is remembered. Aesop is the only one to come to mind.

Today, I'm off to tell Aesop fables to the Toronto Montessori school. I've gone there several years now and look forward to hearing what stories the children remember from previous years.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Little and Big

2008-11-17T13:17:00.003-05:00

Friday I told stories to twelve kindergarten classes--that's about 300 3-5 year olds!! What a lot of energy those little ones have! And what a lot of energy they require from the adults who teach them! I was totally wiped out when I got home that afternoon. My hat is definitely off to kindergarten teachers! I love working with this age group-- they're so amazingly cute and honest and its a pleasure spending time with them, telling stories and dramatizing the tales. They eagerly put on costumes and step into the world of make believe and imagination, becoming animals and characters in the stories.

Today I told myths from ancient civilizations to a grade 5 class and what a stark contrast it is working with the 9-11 year old kids! The grade 5's clearly enjoy the stories and are eager to participate but, once they get up in front of their classmates, they become totally concerned with not embarrassing themselves in front of their peers! Self-consciousness creeps into their lives somewhere between grades 3 and 4 and is pretty well established by grades 5 and 6. That being said, they still have easy access to their imaginations and love to make believe. Usually, when I notice that an entire class of grade 5 students sound the same and are all speaking in monotones trying to seem completely nonchalant while portraying a snake or a chicken or multi-mouthed goddess, all I have to do is to ask them to volunteer only if they're willing to portray the character fully with wild abandon! Once they're given 'permission' to play act, they do. I pretty much love this age group too!

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

I Love Librarians

2008-11-07T17:56:00.002-05:00

I love librarians! I always have and I always will. They're smart, reliable, helpful and well read. And, they love stories. What's not to love? The first story I can remember was told to me by a librarian. My first job was at a library so my first boss was a librarian. When I was 16, the two wonderful librarians at my high school suggested I get a job at in the children's room at the public library as a storyteller. I applied and was hired! My first job was telling stories on Saturday mornings to little kids. I learned a lot about the great books found in libraries and started building up my love of storytelling. And now, many years later, stories are my passion.

Three times this week, Matt and I met with large groups of librarians to introduce them to Storyvalues, our new storytelling/character education resource. I was so happy to see so many librarians all together--so much love in one room!

To all the librarians out there, thank you for all your kindness, help, encouragement and support. I love you!

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Even the Most Studious

2008-11-06T11:01:00.006-05:00

Parkland PS in Markham has some pretty special grade 6 students amongst their ranks. Today, I met with them to tell several myths from different Aboriginal cultures. They had some thoughtful comments about mythology but seemed reticent about performing--at first. One young man, who I asked to wear a crocodile hat and play Crocodile Man seemed shy and not at all sure about what he was getting himself into, but after a little encouragement, he was bellowing words and tossing fire sticks in the air like a pro. His classmates enjoyed his performance and gladly followed suit, volunteering and acting fearlessly in other stories. Afterwards, the teacher admitted that she was surprised to see such amazing performances by some of her more taciturn students. Performing in the stories is a different experience than acting or performing in other situations. The story always takes precedence so the students can step into the wonderful world of the imagination and be a part of the story without having to fill the spotlight.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Word Balm

2008-11-06T07:12:00.004-05:00

Stories are amazing! They have the power to teach, guide, entertain, inspire, quiet and charm even the most unfocused among us. Yesterday, I had an assembly of 200 active students. They were asked to sit on the floor in the gym and listen to a stranger (me) talk for an hour and wait to have a turn to be part of the presentation--or not. This could make anyone fidgety and restless. But then there were the stories, the beautiful stories. When I began to tell a 'listening story' (one that does not require any student volunteers) the gym became silent and everyone, even the grade three boy in the front who, just moments ago, was denied his request to go to the washroom by his teacher, sat spellbound, as they gazed upon the adventure unfolding before their imaginations.

Hats off to stories!

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Myths of Time

2008-11-05T08:15:00.005-05:00

Yesterday, the grade 6 students of St. Edith Stein met with me to listen to and act out myths of Aboriginal Peoples. I've been to the school several times before and have always enjoyed my visits there. Yesterday, I was particularly struck with the prevalent positive, loving atmosphere. The students impressed me with the genuine compassion they showed to one another. In Ms. Martin's class, a couple of her students were on crutches and I watched with amazement as two students, without being asked, hurried to open the door for one of their classmates with an injured foot. They helped him take off his back pack and assisted him as he settle in at his desk. Also, an award was given to one of their students who had showed kindness and caring to a school mate during the previous week. What a great learning environment this school has created! My hat is off to the staff and students of St. Edith Stein!

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Storyvalues and the TDSB

2008-11-03T15:47:00.003-05:00

Today, art director and musician, Matthew Giffin and I met with 80 Toronto District School Board librarians to explain how to use Storyvalues in their schools. We were delighted to hear positive feedback from schools that have been using our new storytelling and character education resource! The librarians said that their students enjoy listening to the recorded stories with music and sound effects.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton

Stories from Aubrey

2008-11-02T16:47:00.003-05:00

Yesterday, I went to the CANSCAIP day of workshops for writers, illustrators and storytellers. And what a fabulous, inspirational day it was! There were lots of great workshops on a whole range of subjects and I learned how to write picture books, how to approach publishers and how to translate a told story into a written story.

In the morning, I had the pleasure of attending Aubrey Davis' workshop entitled, Walls Have Mice. Mice Have Ears. Aubrey is an amazing storyteller and author who had me in tears as he told his story Bagels From Benny. Wow! I was so moved and amazed by his beautiful story about Benny and the bags of bagels he gives to God. The first time I read his story, I cried. Then, when Aubrey told the story, I cried again. What a great storyteller and writer he is! That's what I want to do--take a story that I love to tell, and write it in a way that will move and inspire others.

Thanks for the inspiration Aubrey.

Cheryl Thornton

Ghost Stuffing

2008-10-31T11:26:00.008-04:00

Today is Halloween and as a rule, I don't visit schools to tell stories on October 31st. Kids are too focused on their up coming trick-or-treating adventures to listen to stories. But I couldn't turn down the invitation to tell ghost stories at a local high school. A few grade 9 classes at Northern HS were learning about the art of storytelling and asked me to tell them some ghost tales. I know a few stories with an occasional ghost or sprit but not ones that teens would consider ghosty or scary. I did some research and found a great old classic tale called, The Golden Arm. Mark Twain wrote an article about telling this particular tale and gave specific, step-by-step instructions on how to tell the story, reminding practitioners to pay special attention to the pause... that precedes the shocking punch line. If the story is told properly, Mark Twain wrote, someone in the audience will shriek. I prepared the story, as per Mark Twain's instructions, and startled the stuffing out of 100 teens. I got the shriek from a couple kids and the whole audience jumped in their seats. The story rendered the response Mark Twain recommended, but I felt guilty afterwards. I don't like manipulating my audience like that because I hate being manipulated myself. The kids laughed and I think they enjoyed the ghostly jolt, but from now on, I think I'll leave The Golden Arm to Mark Twain.

Happy Halloween!

Cheryl Thornton

The Warming Lights of Winter and the Wonderful Children of Beverly Glen

2008-10-30T18:32:00.006-04:00

Today, I had the honor of meeting 400 great students at Beverly Glen PS in north Toronto. In one hour, we blasted through seven different winter holidays; Eid, Diwali, Winter Solstice, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and Chinese New Year. The kids were fantastic and some were pretty amazing performers who helped act out the stories. In the story of the Chinese New Year, a grade 6 boy who played the swaggering, heroic rooster, made the whole assembly laugh. The sweet little kindergarten boy who played the sun in the story about mistletoe, unfortunately got scared and burst into tears half way through his brilliant performance and had to leave the stage. He settled down and was able to watch the rest of the story from the side lines.

Before we had our first assembly, I realized that my fake snake hadn't made it into my story bag. I needed it for the Great Race story and figured someone in the school would have a rubber or wooden snake and started asking around. Wendy, the wonderful woman in the front office, became my snake finder: she got on the PA system and asked the whole school, "If you have a stuffed or fake snake, could you please bring it to the office?" We had three snakes make their way to the office and I had my choice.

Nisha and Roxy the librarian and computer expert made me feel a home in their school. Roxy told me about a very cool project she is working on with her students and Nisha filled me in about other project that the students were working on for their principal. It's always so inspiring to visit schools like Beverly Glen where I get to see engaged kids and inspired teachers. Thanks for the wonderful day.

Happy Storytelling!

Cheryl Thornton