Maine Humanities Council

Storyteller Jody Fein visited the East End Community School in Portland on May 15, 2008, to tell stories to the Kindergarten, 1st Grade, and 2nd Grade. She selected the stories “Abiyoyo,” “Stone Soup,” and “The Wind and the Sun,” all of which tie into the Born to Read initiative Peaceable Stories. This event was part of the Maine Festival of the Book. Audio recordings of other Festival events are on the MPBN website.

We welcome your feedback on this storytelling performance.

Peaceable Stories with Jody Fein [ 23:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (3425)

This bedtime story by Sue Heap is set in the Wild West. As Rachel Davis, children’s librarian at the Thomas Memorial Library in Cape Elizabeth, reads the book aloud, you can follow along in your own copy or a copy borrowed from the library. Then, listen to some fingerplays about cowboys.

Copyright 1998 by Sue Heap. Reproduced by permission of Candlewick Press, Inc., Somerville, MA, on behalf of Walker Books Ltd., London. We welcome your feedback on any of Rachel Davis’s readings.

Cowboy Baby [ 4:23 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (3515)

While walking through the woods in autumn, Oliver chases a leaf and gets separated from his parents. This is the story of how he finds them again. It is read aloud by Rachel Davis, children’s librarian at the Thomas Memorial Library in Cape Elizabeth, who then shares two fingerplays about leaves.

Text copyright 2002 by Phyllis Root. Illustrations copyright 2002 by Christopher Denise. Reproduced by permission of Candlewick Press, Inc., Somerville, MA. We welcome your feedback on any of Rachel Davis’s readings.

Oliver Finds His Way [ 3:17 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (2566)

Colin West is a prolific British author who writes nonsense verse and humorous books, such as this one, about a lobster who takes his joking one step too far. Rachel Davis, children’s librarian at the Thomas Memorial Library in Cape Elizabeth, reads the book aloud and then teaches two fingerplays about the ocean.

Copyright 1995 by Colin West. Reproduced by permission of Candlewick Press, Inc., Somerville, MA, on behalf of Walker Books Ltd., London. We welcome your feedback on any of Rachel Davis’s readings.

Only Joking, Laughed the Lobster! [ 2:56 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (2679)

Storyteller Pamella Beliveau has performed for children of all ages at libraries, schools, festivals and other children’s events throughout Maine and New England. She has created early childhood literacy programs at public libraries, done residency work at schools throughout the state, and been recognized by the Maine Arts Commission for her quality storytelling programs. Here, she shares stories with a group of toddlers and preschoolers, then talks with their parents and caregivers about the strategies she has used.

This storytelling performance took place at a Born to Read family literacy event in September 2006. During the program, Beliveau reads Buz, copyright 1995 by Richard Egieslki, published by HarperCollins Children’s Books, used with permission of Sheldon Fogelman Agency, Inc. She also reads from The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Paul Galdone, copyright 1973 by Paul Galdone, used by permission of Clarion Books, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved. We welcome your feedback on this Pamella Beliveau podcast.

Sharing Stories with Pamella Beliveau [ 30:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (3544)

Vicky Smith is the former director and children’s librarian at the McArthur Public Library in Biddeford. She is now the editor of children’s book reviews for Kirkus. She has been active in the Public Library Association’s early literacy program, Every Child Ready to Read, as well as the Council’s own Born to Read program. Drawing on all of her experience, Vicky offers this brief introduction to early literacy skills for parents and other caregivers.

We welcome your feedback on this early literacy podcast.

Introduction to Early Literacy [ 7:15 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (2201)