Storytelling video Listen Rabbit (written by author Aileen FIsher and told by Leona Hoegsberg}

I was finally able to post a storytelling video on YouTube. Take a look! And if you know of anyone who needs a storyteller for a party or event, please give them my name. Thanks. :-)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5W5iD59_8I

Having a party? Hire a storyteller!

Bring Storytelling to Your Party                          

Do your children love books and pretending?  Do you want a unique birthday or holiday party for your child? Have a party with stories! Leona Hoegsberg is a celebrated storyteller who has told stories to children in schools, libraries and festivals for years.  She will make your party special, customizing her costume and stories for your child’s age and interests. The children will have fun and will hear some great stories.

Birthday themes include-

Princess Party

Wizard Party

Pajama Party

Down on the Farm Party

Other parties include-

Halloween

Christmas

Special occasions at church or school

Parties will include stories, songs, and a prize for the birthday child. 

For more information and prices, contact Leona Hoegsberg at leonahstoryteller@sbcglobal.net

Storytelling in October

October is a good time to tell stories and I have the opportunity to tell stories to kids and parents in both Children's Museums in the Houston area.
Last week, October 15 and 18, I did a Flashlight Storytime at the Children's Museum of Houston. With good groups both times, I told family-friendly scary stories. It was so much fun! 
This Friday October 23 at 11am,  I will be telling stories at the Woodlands Children's Museum.  While a smaller museum, it is a great place for younger children to play, learn and explore. I can't wait to share my "scary" stories with them.

2015 Newbery and Caldecott Award-Winning Books

Newbery Medal Books

2015 Medal Winner

The Crossover, written by Kwame Alexander and published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Twelve-year-old narrator Josh Bell uses the rhythms of a poetry jam to emulate the "moving & grooving/popping and rocking" of life on the basketball court with his twin brother, J.B. This powerful novel in verse paints an authentic portrait of a closely-knit family on the brink of crisis. Swish! This book is nothing but net!

 

“Our 15-member committee worked diligently and thoughtfully to determine the 2015 Newbery Medal winner,” said Committee Chair Randall Enos. 

2015 Honor Books

El Deafo, written by Cece Bell, illustrated by Cece Bell and published by Amulet Books, an imprint of ABRAMS

In this insightful and humorous graphic novel memoir, Cece Bell portrays growing up with a giant hearing aid strapped to her chest. Themes of navigating a new school, sleepovers, finding a true friend and a first crush make this book universal in appeal. Bell shows that our differences are gifts that “can be turned into something amazing.”

Brown Girl Dreaming, written by Jacqueline Woodson and published by Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA) LLC

Jacqueline Woodson’s lyrical memoir chronicles the incidents and emotions she experienced as an African-American girl growing up in the 1960s and 1970s. Precise language magnifies moments and connects them to the larger historical narrative. Her elegant and evocative standalone poems weave a story about her development from a struggling reader and dreamer into a confident young woman and writer.

 

Caldecott Medal Books

2015 Medal Winner

The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend, illustrated and written by Dan Santat and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

 

In four delightful “visual chapters,” Beekle, an imaginary friend, undergoes an emotional journey looking for his human. Santat uses fine details, kaleidoscopic saturated colors, and exquisite curved and angular lines to masterfully convey the emotional essence of this special childhood relationship.

 

“Santat makes the unimaginable, imaginable,” said Caldecott Medal Committee Chair Junko Yokota.

2015 Honor Books

Nana in the City, written and illustrated by Lauren Castillo and published by Clarion Books, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company 

 

Castillo’s evocative watercolor illustrations tell the story of a young boy’s visit to his grandmother, and the reassuring way she helps him to lose his fear and experience the busy, loud city in a new way.

The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky's Abstract Art, illustrated by Mary GrandPré, written by Barb Rosenstock and published by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children's Books, a division of Random House, Inc., New York

 

Abstract artist Vasily Kandinsky experienced colors as sounds and sounds as colors; he created work that was bold and groundbreaking using colors from his "noisy paint box.” His process is reflected beautifully by GrandPré, whose paint flows across the page in ethereal ribbons of color..

 

Sam & Dave Dig a Hole, illustrated by Jon Klassen, written by Mac Barnett and published by Candlewick Press

 

Klassen’s use of texture, shape and earth tones in this deceptively simple book invite readers into the experience of two boys, who, accompanied by their dog, set out to dig a hole. Readers will find an unexpected treasure and be challenged to ponder the meaning of “spectacular.”

 

Viva Frida, illustrated and written by Yuyi Morales and published by Roaring Brook Press, a Neal Porter Book

 

Using a unique variety of media - puppetry, printmaking, painting and photography - combined with an intoxicating use of color and unfailing sense of composition, Morales celebrates the artistic process.

 

The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus, illustrated by Melissa Sweet, written by Jen Bryant and published by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

 

Sweet’s inspired mixed media illustrations illuminate the personality and work of a man passionately interested in many things. Her collages combine disparate elements to create a cohesive whole, echoing the ways in which Roget ordered the world into lists that evolved into his groundbreaking thesaurus.

 

This One Summer, illustrated by Jillian Tamaki, written by Mariko Tamaki and published by First Second

 

Intricately detailed illustrations in shades of indigo are masterfully layered with the text in this graphic novel. The pacing and strong imagery evoke myriad emotions and ground this poignant and painfully realistic coming-of-age story.

Storytelling in 2015

Hello

Happy 2015!

I am still busy telling stories. You can see me at Kendall Library.

 My schedule is:

       Toddler Storytime- Tuesdays at 10:30 and 11:30am

       Preschool Storytime- every other Wednesday at 12:30pm

       Some afternoon programs for ages 4 & up.

           This month is Thursday February 19 at 4:00pm

              when we will be celebrating Chinese New Year.

I can also be seen at Woodlands Children's Museum and Children's Museum of Houston.

    My next program is Sunday February 15 at 3:00pm.

      I will present a program of stories at the CMH. 

Hope the year is starting out well. Happy Storytelling!

Leona