Celia Barker Lottridge

Readings

I combine storytelling with talking about my books and answering questions. The fomat varies with the grade level and with any particular goals the teachers or librarian have for this program.

JK through Grade 3: I tell stories from my books of folktales and, depending on the age of the children, also talk about the process of finding and writing stories and how stories get into books. I always answer questions.

Grades 4 to 8: I tell one or two of the true stories that are the foundation of my historical novels and then discuss the process through which I made these stories into novels. Again, questions and dialogue with the students is always part of the program.

Book Sales:

Copies of books can be brought to be sold and autographed, if requested.

Biography

I started telling stories to my little sister when I was about ten years old and I loved it, so I have never stopped. When I grew up I became a children’s librarian so that I could go on telling stories and I could also talk about books, something else I loved. Later I became a teacher-librarian in an elementary school ant still later I worked in a children’s bookstore. One day it occurred to me that maybe I could write a book myself. That was about 1980. Since then I have written many books, both picture books and novels. I also have continued to tell stories in schools and libraries and at festivals.

I was born in Iowa, in the United States and I lived in many states including California, Kansas, New York and Rhode Island before I finally came to Canada and settled down in Toronto. I get ideas for my books from places I’ve been, stories I’ve heard, people I’ve met and animals I’ve known. I believe that the world is full of stories. You just have to look, listen and use your imagination.

OTHER PRESENTATIONS:
Storytelling workshops for teachers of children at all grade levels, librarians and others who work with children. These are basic, participatory workshops on how to find, learn and tell stories and how to use storytelling within various curricula and programs. My book, You Can Tell a Story: A Handbook for New Storytellers, is a companion to these workshops.

Rhyme workshops for people who work with children from 2 to 7 years old. These are based on my work with the Parent-Child Mother Goose Program and explore the importance of rhymes, the use of rhymes and the wonderful range of rhymes that are available in English and in other languages.