Michael Parent

Library Programs

Since 1977, Michael Parent has been  performing stories and songs throughout the United States. Library programs have been and continue to be one of his specialties. Michael's presentations include folktales, original stories that address issues related to growing  up -- e.g. dealing with bullies, siblings, friends, peer pressure, etc. -- and "singalongable songs."

Stories are sometimes aimed at a  particular age group. But if the audience consists of a mixture of parents  and children of various ages, Michael enjoys telling stories that cross  age barriers. "Not Bad, Kid," for instance, is a story about a younger sister named Martha who tries to retrieve the past when Jack, her "best  big brother in the whole wide world," moves toward other interests,  pays little attention to her, and becomes "the biggest brat in the whole wide world."

The size of the audience is determined  by the physical setting, the audience's comfort and ability to see and  hear, and an intention to provide an atmosphere where teller and listeners share an experience rather than just "do a show" and "see a show."

WORKSHOPS  OF SPECIAL
INTEREST TO LIBRARIANS

STORY-ACTIVITIES TO DO WITH CHILDREN: 

Michael offers this workshop for librarians, teachers, or other grownups interested in imaginatively engaging children. It features simple, low-tech, low-overhead story-related activities, which are especially useful for teachers and librarians but can be used in various settings (daycare centers, homes, etc.) Suggested activities involve children in stories in various ways and do not require special training or cash outlays on the part of grownups.

"GRAB THE SPACE!" / STORYTELLING BASICS:

A straightforward  approach for beginning storytellers, from children to librarians and  teachers interested in developing or enhancing their storytelling skills.  Through the use of exercises and "challenges" which range from the incredibly simple to the mildly difficult, aspiring storytellers get a sense of  how to approach the choosing, the learning, and the telling of a story.