San Juan Bautista Library Story Time

Story time program for this summer will be on Thursdays, June 30, July 14, 21, 28. Great fun for the whole family. The first one on June 30 will be Buccaneer Bay, Pirates! 10 a.m. til noon. Dress in your favorite pirate gear. 801 Second Street. For information, call Julie Engelhardt, 831 635 9674. It's a ton of fun! :-)

Scholarships for Alex Engelhardt

I received a call the other day from a local scouting official, letting me know that Alex Engelhardt will be receiving a $1,000 scholarship from scouting. Wow! I'm so thrilled. Yet, as many of us know, it takes a lot more than $1,000 to go to college. My advice to parents.. save, save, save, save, save!! We've done some, but not as much as needed. So, that's why we've created the site for Alex, www.sponsormydegree.com/AlexEngelhardt. Here, you, your friends, your company, anyone, can help sponsor Alex's degree. He wants to become a scientist, and he wants to get a Masters Degree. He's been accepted to California State University, or Cal State Fullerton. He really wants to attend this univeristy. If anyone would like to assist, please check out the URL above. Thank you!
Julie Engelhardt
Story Time Adventures

Scholarship Funds for Alex Engelhardt

So I'm taking my Story Time blog and changing it into a blog about trying to find money for my son's college education. We have some saved, through bonds, but need to acquire something more. So, we've created a site for Alex through Sponsor My Degree dot com. If you would like to donate even $5, you can do so through this site. He's a worthwhile student! Thank you,
Julie Engelhardt
http://www.sponsormydegree.com/AlexEngelhardt

Story Time Programs for May

There are many things in my life that I am thankful for, and one of them is that there are 'holidays' and observances that I can use to create programs for Story Time Adventures.

The month of May comes with two observances: Cinco de Mayo and Mother's Day. Because of these two holidays, a birthday, and a standing gig with Santana Row Mall in San Jose, I have 7 performances occurring within 8 days. I have three with the YMCA in San Benito County, one at the San Juan Bautista Library, one at Linden Tree Book Store in Los Altos, a birthday party in Hollister, and story time at Santana Row which will be about Cat in the Hat.

I started thinking about May story time program ideas last month and knew that I could score a couple with Mother's Day, which I did, but then someone suggested Cinco de Mayo. That's how I scored three more programs for the week, with the YMCA. I'm very fortunate that they have liked my programs, and I think they want to try to incorporate something 'cultural' into their after school program. Again, my main thing is I like to wear costumes of some sort while I do my program, so I was able to purchase two straw sombreros from a local thrift store, and a friend was able to lend me a sarape that she said I could use.

I also received some exciting news that our local library wants me to do a story time program June 30. This year's summer reading theme has to do with world travel, and my program is "Around the World in 60 Minutes!" During my program I will don four or five different costumes and read books that relate to that costume. So far I have the costume for Mexico, one for the Pacific Islands/Polynesia, and one for Asia.

I'm hoping that I can book several programs for the summer to help supplement my income while school's out (I'm a substitute teacher.) If you know of any groups that would like a story teller, you can contact me via my site www.storytimeadventures.wetpaint.com. Thank you! Julie Engelhardt

More Story Time News

So, it has been a busy few days for Story Time Adventures. Did an Easter party on April 16 for about 15 or so children. I love reading to the younger children. I met an adorable little boy named Jack who became my 'best buddy' at the party. Jack is 3 years old and just as adorable as can be. He truly believed I was "Miss Bunny" and I chose him to be my helper for one of the books. Then Jack, his big sister, and his mom showed up at the story time I did at our local coffee house, Mars Hill, and since he was such a trooper the first time, I chose him to help me again, which he did quite willingly. Got a break on Tuesday, but will be doing a story time at a local library on Wednesday, April 20, and then another one on Saturday, April 23 at Book Smart book store in Morgan Hill, California.

The one cool this is that I booked a birthday party for May while at the Easter party. Yay. Little by little. That's May 7, and I also have a Mother's Day program that day in Los Altos, Ca., at Linden Tree book store, then on the 9th I'm back to Santana Row for a Cat in the Hat story time program at Anubee Children's Boutique. Trying to think of some other themes for May and for the summer.

Thanks, as always, for your support.

Happy Reading,
Julie Engelhardt
www.storytimeadventures.wetpaint.com

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

Springtime Happenings

I am looking forward to my spring time story programs. This coming week will be a busy one--thankfully! I am doing a spring time story program at Westgate Mall on Wednesday. I've never been there before, so have no idea what's in store for me. I guess they have a Mommy & Me program, and I'm part of the program that day. Found some cute Easter/spring books that I hope the children will like. One's called Easter Ribbit, about a frog who wants to help the Easter bunny. It's very cute, but I'm also pleased because an Easter or two ago I purchased a frog puppet from K-Mart. The frog "sings" different children's songs, like Old MacDonald, etc. Well, I bought some rabbit ears, the kind the kids wear, and put them on my frog, so now I have an actual Easter ribbit of my own to share with the kids. I'm also pleased because I can use my froggy for a story time I'll be doing at the San Juan Bautista library at the end of the month. I find it's easier to do a story time if you have a theme. I foung out that April is National Frog Month (who knew?) so I'm already searching for frog story books. Thank goodness for Face Book, because I have many FB friends who have books I can borrow. Thank you! I also have a friend who says she has tadpoles that I can take along. Gosh.. I hope they don't slosh out of their container! But, on Thursday I'm doing 4 story time programs at one school. Two will be about food and cooking, and the other two about animals. Scored a pretty interesting necklace today at a rummage sale at our school.. a wooden necklace with carved wooden animals on it. At first my 8 year old asked why I'd buy it, but then I explained it was for story time, so he thought that was okay. Thanks for your support... and happy reading. Julie Engelhardt www.storytimeadventures.wetpaint.com.