Story Time Adventures Camp--Update

So, here are a few of the happy campers who participated in my Story Time Adventures Mini Reading Camp. We had a busy day. The "Campers" and their parents/guardians, arrived at 'headquarters' at about 9 a.m. and we talked about reading, books and what they, and the adults, liked to read. I then read them a book about being a firefighter, then we were off to Fire Station 2 in Hollister, California.

The firemen were SO very nice, and funny, too! They took us through the kitchen, the day room, and their sleeping quarters, then we went to see the engines! Very impressive. The kids even had a chance to go inside the rigs to see what it would be like to ride up high in one of the trucks.

The best part was when one of the moms was 'volunteered' to dress in the turn out gear--the gear they wear to a fire. She was a great sport, and hopefully I'll have some photos to share once I receive them.

During our visit to the fire department, I asked the firemen why it is important for them to know how to read. They told us so they can find their way to a fire, but the captain said they also need to be good at reading, and spelling and grammar, because they have many reports to fill out after they go to a fire or accident. I'd never thought about that, but it does make sense.

After our visit to the fire station, we headed back to camp headquarters and had a visits from American Medical Response where EMTs and an ambulance came to visit us. The kids were able to get inside the rig and see a lot of the equipment they use on calls.

If you would like to find out more about Story Time Adventures Camps, check my web site www.storytimeadventures.wetpaint.com. I'm located in Hollister, California, which is near Monterey, San Jose, and San Francisco.

Happy Reading!
Julie Engelhardt

Now for the Fall and Winter

Story Time Adventures has taken somewhat of a hiatus during the summer, although I did do some programs at Linden Tree Book Store in Los Altos, California, and at Santana Row in San Jose, California. I am very thankful that my friend Valerie, took one of the days while I was in Southern California getting my older son prepared for college. She did a fantastic job.

Now that the fall will soon be here, and Thanksgiving, and the Christmas holidays, I'm gearing up for my favorite time of year when it comes to story telling. Last year I purchased a scarecrow costume for Halloween, a Mrs. Claus outfit, and this year, a good friend, Kim, found a Native American costume at a local thrift store. Kudos to you, Kim! Now I can do story time programs for all three holidays. I'm still pondering what I can do for the Native American story time. I know that there is much discussion about the Thanksgiving Holiday, so I need to be sensitive to this issue.

I'm also very excited because I may also lead a group of elementary school children in a Readers Theater program. Our elementary school has enrichment classes where the students can do anything from art to learning a foreign language. I've always wanted to do a Readers Theater, but I think this will be a good time to do that.

Keep your kids reading, all year long!

Best--Julie Engelhardt
Story Time Adventures
www.storytimeadventures.wetpaint.com

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

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.

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

Getting 'Malled'

Story Time Adventures is growing by leaps and bounds as of late.

Last year in December I appeared as Mrs. Claus at Anubee Children's Boutique in Santana Row, an up-scale shopping center located in San Jose, California. It was such fun, and the children were delightful. At first I wasn't sure how well it would go, because this was a much younger crowd than I was used to, but it worked out well and the majority of them sat and listened to the books I read, and participated in the Christmas songs. It warmed my heart to see these little ones and how much they believe in the Christmas spirit.

But onward and upward. I received an email from the Marketing Director and she wants me to do story programs for the rest of the year at Santana Row, and at their sister property, Westgate. This is so exciting for me. But more excitement--I was contacted by another mall called The Great Mall in the city of Milpitas to do an Easter/Spring program. For this I'll be dressing as Miss Bunny! It's a very respectable costume.. with my "Easter Bunnet" (a floppy hat that has rabbit ears, flowers, colored eggs, birds, and butterflies on it), and a beautiful apron designed and sewn by local seamstress Sharon Johnson. I can't wait to see it.

I am hoping that I will get noticed and that other marketing directors from malls will want to utilize me this summer for story time programs and activities.

I will be at the Great Mall on April 23 from 1-3. If you're in the area I hope you'll 'hop on by' and say hello!

Happy Reading.

Julie Engelhardt
Story Time Adventures
www.storytimeadventures.wetpaint.com

Story Time Adventures Camp Read-a-Lot!

So the other day I came up with the idea of holding a summer reading camp. At first I was thinking along the lines of making it like a classroom, with a structured setting, but then I decided that there are times when I don't find that to be fun as a substitute teacher, so why in the world would the kids think it's fun?

I've learned from a teacher who was my son's first grade instructor. She always has great lesson plans, but she also reminds me, "To have fun." So that's what my plans are for this spring and summer.

My first 'camp' will actually be held during my children's spring break, on April 19, 20, 21. The camp theme will be 'Rescue Me From Boredom: Let's Read!" I know that I spent many a summer going to the library with my mom and checking out books to take home, and that's what saved me from going nuts when school was out.

The Rescue Me theme goes like this: We will incorporate three different types of emergency/rescue personnel in our program. It will include police, fire, and paramedics. For example, on the police day, either I, or a police volunteer, will read Officer Buckle and Gloria, a delightful book written by Peggy Rathmann. It's a Caldecott Medal Winner. We will do activities centered around this book. But, what I also want to do is have the officer talk about his/her job, what it takes to be a police officer, and how reading is very important in his/her job. They will also show the children their patrol car and how it works. We will also read other books that relate to police work. The children will also be able to take home their own copy of this book.

On the day that we discuss fire fighters, we will take a walking field trip to our local fire station, or, I may have the parents meet us there and join in on the fun. There's nothing better than being up close and personal with a big, red, rig. I'm also hoping to find someone who has a Dalmation that the kids can meet.

With the paramedic, I'm hoping that he/she can bring a rig over as well, or maybe we can visit the place where they are housed.

There are so many possibilities! I hope you'll take into consideration that this is a great program for your kids. The sessions are 2.5 hours each.

Happy Reading!
Julie Engelhardt
http://www.storytimeadventures.wetpaint.com/

A Whole New Year

The latter part of 2010 was quite interesting. Story Time Adventures took a whole new twist since I was able to bring in quite a bit of business as Mrs. Claus. It was such a delight dressing as Santa's 'better half' and reading Christmas stories to children. I appeared at the YMCA after school program, at Anubee Children's Boutique in San Jose, CA; for the Girls Scouts--it was a great deal of fun. But, I may have been 'caught' a few times during my sessions. Girls who still believe in Santa and the magic of the North Pole did recognize me, and some parents had to do some quick thinking as to why Mrs. Engelhardt was dressed as Mrs. Claus.

I had the most fun as Mrs. Claus when I appeared for home visits. One was for a friend who had 'won' a story time adventure program from me. She originally wanted it for one of her son's birthdays, but he decided he didn't want a story teller. I still wanted to give her her prize, so I suggested bringing Mrs. Claus in. She did, during a play group over the holidays, and it was delightful. The kids ranged in age from about 3 or 4 year old, to second grade. After her home I went to a day care and performed there. The last performance of the season was for a home visit for a delightful 3 year old girl. She was so wonderful. Everything has been great, yet, I don't think I'm ever going to get used to having my picture taken so many times.

I'm also pleased with publicity I've received this past year. OCFamily.com, a parenting magazine based in Orange County, California, did an article about me. Kristen Schott, the writer, did a magnificent job, and I am indebted to her for her kind words and brilliant prose.

I was also interviewed for a local cable program called Arts 101. They did a five minute interview with me about Story Time Adventures, then they let me read on camera, one of my favorite books called Bubble Path Pirates.

But, with a new year stretching ahead of me, I have new opportunities in the works. In February, I will be presenting at a showcase for performers. This allows peformers to display their wares to librarians, in hopes of getting hired. Keeping my fingers crossed that this will happen and I will gain some work that way.

I'm just thrilled with the support I've received and how many new friends I've made through this.

If you want to see more, go to www.storytimeadventures.wetpaint.com. I hope to hear from you!
Julie Engelhardt

A mom's dream come true

A quick entry before I sign off...

This has always been a dream of mine.. to run my own business, but to also make a difference. Story Time Adventures by Julie Engelhardt is something I've been working towards for many, many years. Now it's happening. Moms.. if you have a dream, a desire, a goal towards putting together your own business.. it will happen! Thank you again to those who have put their faith into me and their support. You rock!

Julie Engelhardt

Fall Story Time Adventures

And.. why is it you aren't attending story time at Mars Hill? Putting the word out again today that you will have a great time if you join us!!

This next one will be August 4 at 1:30 at Mars Hill, 610 San Benito Street.

But thinking towards more this fall. Planning a PJ story time for September, and most definitely two for October. One will be for the Renaissance Faire time--Story Faire--where you can dress up like your favorite knight, princess, nobleman, or dragon! Countess Julie will be on hand to share her favorite fairytale stories. Huzzah! Three cheers!

But, I love Halloween, and we will do it up right at Mars Hill. I've already put in an order for my costume.. an absolutely adorable scarecrow costume made by friend Dee. Dee did her own last year and it was more than adorable! Thank goodness I have friends who are so darn creative!

Thinking of holding this one on Oct. 30 which will be a Saturday. Need to find some groovy Halloween music so the kids can rock out, then we'll pull out our not-too-scary books and listen to some great Halloween tales.

Again, a big THANK YOU

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..

Story Time Adventures takes off!

A new beginning. Story Time Adventures located in Hollister, but I'm willing to travel anywhere to bring the fun and adventure of books to children. I've had a successful run at Mars Hill Coffeehouse in Hollister. First story time was Buccaneer Bay-Pirates. 72 people came to see me!

The second one was WILD for Animals, and we also had a great turn out. Say hello to our friend, the pig! We had lots of crazy creatures there to entertain.

Story Time Adventures runs for 30, 45 or 60 minutes, depending upon your needs. Please contact me at Jengelha@aol.com for pricing information. More to come.

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

Story time success!

It's been awhile since I've posted, but my first story time was a great success! It was Buccaneer Bay-Pirates held at Mars Hill Coffeehouse on July 14. 72 people were there--62 of them were children!

My next story time will be on Wednesday, July 28, at 11 am at the same location. The theme next time is WILD for Animals! I'm hoping children will either dress up as their favorite animal, or they will bring a stuffed animal to share.

I hope you'll join us next time. We had so much fun!

Mars Hill is located in Hollister, CA, at 610 San Benito Street at the cross of 6th. This is FREE!

Take care!
Julie