During the past 18 months I've been able to share my experiences with you about my program, my business, called Story Time Adventures. What started out as a small experiment to see if anyone would be interested in listening to me read children's books, has grown into a wonderful and exhilarating part time career.
I am still visiting schools, libraries, and other venues to present my story time program. This past November and December, 2011, I appeared as Mrs. Claus in a number of places, including the Northern Nevada Children's Museum in Carson City, Nevada; with the Watsonville Community Band in Northern California, reading 'The Night Before Christmas,' and at the California Welcome Center in Salinas, California.
It is now February 2012 and I have new plans on the horizon. I am working on putting together a Mini Reading Camp for April 9-11 while my son and I are on Spring Break. It's called 'Rescue Me From Boredom--Read a Good Book!' This will focus on police officers, fire fighters, and paramedics. I will be reading stories about these different people, and we will be visitng a fire station, and have visits from a police officer and an ambulance driver. The cost is $20 per child with a $7 materials fee. It's designed for children in grades K-2, but if those who are a little older, or a little younger, want to participate, then that's okay with me! Moms/dads or a responsible adult must stay with the child at all times.
If you want more information, email me at Jengelha@aol.com. This is in Hollister, California. I will also be offering Skype story times for schools throughout the country. I hope to hear from you! Julie Engelhardt, Story Time Adventures
Showing posts with label stories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stories. Show all posts
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Friday, April 15, 2011
Still Keeping Busy with Story Time Adventures.
This has been a good, busy week for me and my 'business.' On Wednesday, April 13, I appeared at Westgate Mall in San Jose. They have a monthly Mommy and Me program, which is spectacular. Before I went on, there was a very energetic singer/guitar player who had the little ones pumped up big time! I performed on a stage, but sat on the edge so the kids could get up close to the books. I'm used to being in a more intimate setting, but it was a good experience. Then on Thursday, the next day, I did four assemblies at a local elementary school. As the saying goes, all good things come to those who wait. I've been courting the school for some time, and I finally got the green light to do my program. It was for K-3rd graders, with a performance for each individual grade. I did my Wild For Animals! for the K and 1st, then one on food and cooking for the 2nd and 3rd graders. On Saturday, April 16, I'm doing a program at a private home, on Monday, the 18th I'm at Mars Hill Coffeehouse at 11 for a free program, then Wednesday I begin my work at the San Juan Bautista Library for story time, then finally, on the 23rd, I'll be at BookSmart book store in Morgan Hill doing Hop into Spring story time. Phew! Then, after that, I'm doing a Mother's Day program in Los Altos at Linden Tree book store. Hm.. I guess I am keeping pretty busy, huh? Thanks for your support, and happy reading! Julie Engelhardt www.storytimeadventures.wetpaint.com
Saturday, March 26, 2011
San Juan Bautista and Story Time Adventures
Yesterday, Friday, March 25, I had the pleasure of reading to children at the YMCA after school program in the town of San Juan Bautista, California. The town's about 10-15 minutes from where I live, in Hollister, but it feels worlds different at times because there is so much history there. Not only is there the Mission, but there are other historic buildings throughout town that are quite interesting to visit.
There's one school in town, San Juan School, and that's where I did my program. I'd been contacted by the YMCA to do this program, so I dressed in my pirate costume and read pirate books, such as Bubble Bath Pirates and Pirate ABC.
Some of the books were kind of young for the audience, but the one thing I could tell is that these kids are craving programs such as these. One girl asked when I'd be back, then said,"We're here all the time." Of course, it's up to the YMCA as to when I do more of these programs. I've also appeared at the YMCA programs in Hollister for Gabilan Hills and Sunny Slope schools.
I'm also looking forward to hopefully becoming the newest Story Time Lady for the San Juan Bautista City Library. I believe they had a woman named Adele who did a fabulous job with story time programs, but I'm not quite certain what the situation is and why she is no longer doing them. I know that she is beloved by the people of SJB, and in no way am I trying to take her place. I hope that we can offer a great deal to the children of San Juan Bautista.
If you have comments or questions, please email me at Jengelha@aol.com. My site is www.storytimeadventures.wetpaint.com.
Happy Reading!
Julie Engelhardt
There's one school in town, San Juan School, and that's where I did my program. I'd been contacted by the YMCA to do this program, so I dressed in my pirate costume and read pirate books, such as Bubble Bath Pirates and Pirate ABC.
Some of the books were kind of young for the audience, but the one thing I could tell is that these kids are craving programs such as these. One girl asked when I'd be back, then said,"We're here all the time." Of course, it's up to the YMCA as to when I do more of these programs. I've also appeared at the YMCA programs in Hollister for Gabilan Hills and Sunny Slope schools.
I'm also looking forward to hopefully becoming the newest Story Time Lady for the San Juan Bautista City Library. I believe they had a woman named Adele who did a fabulous job with story time programs, but I'm not quite certain what the situation is and why she is no longer doing them. I know that she is beloved by the people of SJB, and in no way am I trying to take her place. I hope that we can offer a great deal to the children of San Juan Bautista.
If you have comments or questions, please email me at Jengelha@aol.com. My site is www.storytimeadventures.wetpaint.com.
Happy Reading!
Julie Engelhardt
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Story Time Adventures Continues
I am ashamed to say it's been too long since I've posted! I need to rectify that asap.
I did my first paid assembly yesterday at Ladd Lane Elementary School in Hollister, California. I did three different programs, one for Kindergarten, one for 1st grade, and one for 2nd grade. It was interesting, because I learned that I need to find books that are a bit more advanced for the 2nd graders. As I was reading what I have, which are all adorable books, I started to lose my 2nd grade audience. Back to the drawing board, as they say.
I had a great time interacting with the children, and I'm looking forward to doing more story time presentations.
This weekend, October 16 and 17, and next weekend, October 23 and 24, I will be appearing as Sadie the Scarecrow at Uesgui Farms Pumpkin Patch in Morgan Hill, CA. Sadie appeared at the San Benito County Fair a couple of weeks ago, and it was a great experience.
I finally received my Mrs. Claus outfit (so cute!) so I'm gearing up to have her do story time at Mars Hill Coffeehouse, and at local schools and events. If you, or somone you know, is interested in hiring Mrs. Claus, call me at 831 245 8462!
Julie
I did my first paid assembly yesterday at Ladd Lane Elementary School in Hollister, California. I did three different programs, one for Kindergarten, one for 1st grade, and one for 2nd grade. It was interesting, because I learned that I need to find books that are a bit more advanced for the 2nd graders. As I was reading what I have, which are all adorable books, I started to lose my 2nd grade audience. Back to the drawing board, as they say.
I had a great time interacting with the children, and I'm looking forward to doing more story time presentations.
This weekend, October 16 and 17, and next weekend, October 23 and 24, I will be appearing as Sadie the Scarecrow at Uesgui Farms Pumpkin Patch in Morgan Hill, CA. Sadie appeared at the San Benito County Fair a couple of weeks ago, and it was a great experience.
I finally received my Mrs. Claus outfit (so cute!) so I'm gearing up to have her do story time at Mars Hill Coffeehouse, and at local schools and events. If you, or somone you know, is interested in hiring Mrs. Claus, call me at 831 245 8462!
Julie
Sunday, August 1, 2010
More on Story Time Adventures
All Aboard!! 
On Wednesday, August 4, I will hold the last Story Time at Mars Hill Coffeehouse at 1:30 PM. I'm very excited about this story time, which is titled, "Let's GO! Cars, Planes, Trucks and Trains." It's all about different types of transportation.
I came up with this idea because I know how much little children like to play with toy vehicles, so I thought I'd try to bring them to life.
Two of the books I'll be reading are 'Fast Food,' by Saxton Freymann and Joost Eiffers, and 'Freight Train,' by Donald Crews.
I'm very excited because I've been able to partner with local businesses and individuals.
Casa de Fruta in Hollister has graciously provided me with passes for their train ride to use as prizes, and Tiffany Ford in Hollister, celebrating 100 years, provided me with more than 65 Hot Wheels cars to give out. Drive Rite School in Hollister is lending some of their large street signs to use as props, and local model train enthusiast, Bob Peck, is bringing in model trains to share.
Mars Hill Coffeehouse is located at 610 San Benito Street at the cross of 6th Street, on the west side of San Benito. You can't miss it. There are lavender awnings over the windows. If you are a fan of the "Friends" series, Mars Hill reminds me a bit of the Central Perk local, but unfortunately, you won't find Chandler, Monica, Joey, Ross, Phoebe and Rachel--or Gunther, hanging out. I guess they have better things to do.... :-)
Hope to see you on August 4th!
Julie Engelhardt
Story time presenter..
Monday, July 26, 2010
Next Story Time July 28 Mars Hill Coffeehouse
So,
I am quite pleased that my first story time at Mars Hill Coffeehouse in Hollister, Ca., was a great success. 72 people showed up-62 were kids! I guess the pirate theme might have drawn them in. My next one is "WILD for Animals" on July 28 at 11 am. I'm excited about this one because I've come across volunteers who are willing to dress up in animal costumes. I have the 'Mansmith Pig' there. If you live in Hollister, on Fridays you will see 'the pig' on the corner of Tres Pinos and Airline Hwy., waving her sign trying to entice people to eat at their BBQ place. Another woman said her daughter would dress in her bald eagle costume, and I may have volunteers from a local theater company dress up, too. Bring your cameras, parents! This should be lots of fun!
The next story time is on August 4, 1:30 pm. I started to panic because this is the same day as Kids at the Park in Hollister, but I'm going to try to use it as a definite marketing tool and pass out flyers that morning to parents. I've been doing my best to do grass-roots marketing to get the word out about story time. It was in our local paper this past week, the Pinnacle, so I'm hoping people will remember and make it out.
I've enjoyed doing the story time planning because it allows me to be as creative as I'd like to be. I'm so used to following others' way of doing things. I keep thinking, "Oh no, I can't do this or that because it might not be right..." but then I have to give myself a little kick and think, "But, I'm the 'boss' so I can do what I please..." It's rather refreshing.
For example, the first story time was about pirates, so I dressed as a pirate, but lots of kids did, too! For the Animal story time, I've asked kids to dress up, but to also bring a stuffed animal. I'm also working with a local children's shop and they're lending me a stuffed giraffe, stuffed elephant, and stuffed dalmatian. These are larger animals. I'm also bringing in a bunch of stuffed animals owned by my younger son. What also excites me about this story time is that I'm incorporating some things that are different. For example, I'm going to teach the kids how to sign animal names. That's a pretty easy lesson. I'll do the sign then have them guess what it is. That will be incorporated throughout the session. I'm also doing a trivia contest.. asking them questions about 'famous dogs.' It's about cartoon dogs, but let's see who can remember the name of the Grinch's dog, or possibly the name of the two parent dogs in "101 Dalmations."
For the 4th of August, it's all about transportation. I've been working with a man who is a model railroad enthusiast, and he's supposed to bring out model trains. I hope it works.
Hope to see you there.
Mars Hill Coffeehouse in Hollister is located at 610 San Benito Street. Get there early for a good seat!
Julie
I am quite pleased that my first story time at Mars Hill Coffeehouse in Hollister, Ca., was a great success. 72 people showed up-62 were kids! I guess the pirate theme might have drawn them in. My next one is "WILD for Animals" on July 28 at 11 am. I'm excited about this one because I've come across volunteers who are willing to dress up in animal costumes. I have the 'Mansmith Pig' there. If you live in Hollister, on Fridays you will see 'the pig' on the corner of Tres Pinos and Airline Hwy., waving her sign trying to entice people to eat at their BBQ place. Another woman said her daughter would dress in her bald eagle costume, and I may have volunteers from a local theater company dress up, too. Bring your cameras, parents! This should be lots of fun!
The next story time is on August 4, 1:30 pm. I started to panic because this is the same day as Kids at the Park in Hollister, but I'm going to try to use it as a definite marketing tool and pass out flyers that morning to parents. I've been doing my best to do grass-roots marketing to get the word out about story time. It was in our local paper this past week, the Pinnacle, so I'm hoping people will remember and make it out.
I've enjoyed doing the story time planning because it allows me to be as creative as I'd like to be. I'm so used to following others' way of doing things. I keep thinking, "Oh no, I can't do this or that because it might not be right..." but then I have to give myself a little kick and think, "But, I'm the 'boss' so I can do what I please..." It's rather refreshing.
For example, the first story time was about pirates, so I dressed as a pirate, but lots of kids did, too! For the Animal story time, I've asked kids to dress up, but to also bring a stuffed animal. I'm also working with a local children's shop and they're lending me a stuffed giraffe, stuffed elephant, and stuffed dalmatian. These are larger animals. I'm also bringing in a bunch of stuffed animals owned by my younger son. What also excites me about this story time is that I'm incorporating some things that are different. For example, I'm going to teach the kids how to sign animal names. That's a pretty easy lesson. I'll do the sign then have them guess what it is. That will be incorporated throughout the session. I'm also doing a trivia contest.. asking them questions about 'famous dogs.' It's about cartoon dogs, but let's see who can remember the name of the Grinch's dog, or possibly the name of the two parent dogs in "101 Dalmations."
For the 4th of August, it's all about transportation. I've been working with a man who is a model railroad enthusiast, and he's supposed to bring out model trains. I hope it works.
Hope to see you there.
Mars Hill Coffeehouse in Hollister is located at 610 San Benito Street. Get there early for a good seat!
Julie
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Free Story Time in Hollister, California
Well, it's only a week until I do my first story time here in Hollister, Ca. It will be held at Mars Hill Cofeehouse located at 610 San Benito Street. I certainly hope we have a good turn out that morning--11 am to noon. This will be a pirate theme, so I've been purchasing pirate books and thinking up things to do that are related to pirates.
I'm doing this on a volunteer basis. My inspiration comes from an 'old' friend, John Zickefoose, who I met about, wow, 13 years ago in Corona, California. John is such a great presenter, but I found out that he did not learn how to read until he was 35. Can you imagine that? He said he even graduated from high school, but he wasn't able to read the words on his diploma. He learned how to read after suffering a back injury which prevented him from continuing the type of work he was doing. It's amazing how life works.
But, John's message to kids and adults was to keep reading, reading, reading. I really want to pass that message along to the people here in Hollister. I'm a volunteer, I'm not making any money from this. I also want to give something to the community--to the people who are looking for things they can do with their children, for free!
My hope is to continue doing this for the rest of the summer, and possibly during the holidays. My next thought is to do a Hawaiian Beach Party reading event. Or, take a holiday from video games.. something along those lines. I'm looking for hula dancers who will perform for free.
Thanks for reading my blog! Hope to see you at Mars Hill Coffeehouse in Hollister on July 14, 11 am, 610 San Benito Street.
Julie
I'm doing this on a volunteer basis. My inspiration comes from an 'old' friend, John Zickefoose, who I met about, wow, 13 years ago in Corona, California. John is such a great presenter, but I found out that he did not learn how to read until he was 35. Can you imagine that? He said he even graduated from high school, but he wasn't able to read the words on his diploma. He learned how to read after suffering a back injury which prevented him from continuing the type of work he was doing. It's amazing how life works.
But, John's message to kids and adults was to keep reading, reading, reading. I really want to pass that message along to the people here in Hollister. I'm a volunteer, I'm not making any money from this. I also want to give something to the community--to the people who are looking for things they can do with their children, for free!
My hope is to continue doing this for the rest of the summer, and possibly during the holidays. My next thought is to do a Hawaiian Beach Party reading event. Or, take a holiday from video games.. something along those lines. I'm looking for hula dancers who will perform for free.
Thanks for reading my blog! Hope to see you at Mars Hill Coffeehouse in Hollister on July 14, 11 am, 610 San Benito Street.
Julie
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