Sarah Howard - Storyteller & Musician   Play Pretty Productions

What Sarah Does 
Sarah Howard is a storyteller, musician, librarian and teacher.  She delights audiences and workshop participants with her stories, songs and ideas.  Her knowledge and enthusiasm for working with children give a little bit extra to every performance and workshop she presents.

Who Sarah is
Sarah Howard is currently the Children and Youth Services Coordinator for the Daniel Boone Regional Library system in Columbia, MO.  where she has been a children's librarian since 1987.  Sarah received her Masters in Library and Informational Science from the University of Missouri Columbia and has taught courses in Library Materials for Children and for Young Adults; Music for Public and School Librarians; and Storytelling for Public and School Librarians.

Because of her extensive knowledge and passion for children's literature.  Sarah was appointed to the 2004 Newbery committee, which selected the winner of the Newbery Award for the most distinguished children's book of 2003.  ("The Tale of Despereaux" by Kate DiCamillo was selected as the winner.)  She has previously served on committees in the Missouri Library Association and currently serves on the American Library Association, ALSC committee "Liaison to National Organizations Serving Children and Youth".

She is a founder and current library liaison for the Mid Missouri Organization of Storytelling, which has forty members who love to tell and listen to tales.  She has received a lifetime membership to the River and Prairie Storyweavers in Kansas City in appreciation of her dedication in bringing stories to her community.  She performs music programs for families using audience participation and short stories, and also presents workshops throughout the Midwest.  A sample of topics appears below.

Workshops and Programs

"Sing a Song with Sarah".  Explore traditional songs that can be used for a variety of ages.  Chants, echo songs, zipper songs, nonsense songs, rounds, etc. will be explored and taught.  The question of why we need rhythm and song will be discussed and a variety of resources will be shared.

"Expanding the Traditional Story time".  Enhance your story times with new ways to present your favorite picture books.  Learn about flannel boards, string stories, easy songs and finger plays.  Also explore how to turn a book into an audience participation experience.

"Storytelling:  The original 'world wide web' and other literature activities to motivate readers". Participants will learn how to find, prepare and present a story.  Ideas to incorporate storytelling activities into their program will also be shared.  Explore general literature activities and resources available.

"The Youngest Among Us".  Are you someone who happily greets ages 6 and up for storytelling, but winces at the prospect of an even younger audience? This one is for you!  Music, finger plays, parent interaction, audience participation and activities to enhance the development of infants are discovered and explored, utilizing rhythm, play, and physical motion shared by parent and child.  Socialization of babies is also a benefit of this program. 

And just a little bit of Fine Print
A table is required to hold materials related to the presentation.  For large groups or unusual settings adequate amplification will be necessary.  A microphone on a stand or a lapel microphone are preferred over a pedestal, which detracts from the audience's experience of the visual aspects of the presentation.

Contact Sarah at...
sarahbirdie @ gmail.com
 

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Sarah Howard Performance Schedule   (also "Sarah & Thom")

FEBRUARY 2008
2-23-08    Workshop: "Make a Storytime Even Better" for Kirkwood Public Library, Kirkwood, MO

Sarah Howard    Selected Past Performances & Presentations