A Sunny Storytime in the Park

Recently I was hired to tell stories in the park. Now a park doesn’t have perfect acoustics but it is lovely to be out in nature. The day turned out to be warm and cloud covered yet bright.

When I got there I saw no safe place for little ones to sit. The metal webbed picnic table attached benches sat on a concrete slab. I had visions of tiny children falling backward and bloody heads.

As I glanced around thinking of a better, cozier way to have the kids sit and enjoy the stories an idea occurred to me.  Most parties I am asked to do I bring a parachute and a tunnel for the kids to enjoy playing with.  I thought that parachute would make a nice circle for us to sit on and share stories.

It worked well. I had three kids climb into my lap as I sat crisscross applesauce with them, blowing bubbles to catch their attention for the start of the program. I was competing with nature, a playground and a kite! I had to do something!

A young boy settled on my lap and stayed for the entire program. That was a first for me. I thought he was very sweet and trusting. There are pictures of this in my photo album. Each time I finished a story this young man would say, “Read it again.” I was telling of course, not reading but that was lovely. Or he would say, “Tell me another story!” What more could a storyteller want from an audience member?

The program was on nature and bugs. It was for the birthday of a one year old. The audience ranged from 1- adult but was focused on ages 1-3. I really think good stories can be enjoyed by all ages. I think it’s fun to feed the inquisitive child in us all! We all need more stories, more simple sunny days in nature and child like fun, don’t we?

If you can, go out in nature today. Raise your face to the sun, soak in the warmth and share a story with someone. Your day will be richer for it!