Which program would you like?

**CATCH THE READING BUG**  

Students will get the buzz for reading in this delightful high energy program of bug stories from around the world.  They’ll get a doctor up your reading prescription from “Dr. Jo” as she teaches them how to “catch the reading bugs.”  This program not only relays the importance of reading, but also encourages research, related reading, rewriting, and re-reading.

**NO TO BULLYING!  YES TO RESPECT! ** 

An interactive storytelling program addressing the topic of “bullying.”  Through real-life stories and student role-playing storytellers Jo Ho and Milton Gray demonstrate how to take an honest look at one’s own actions in interacting with peers, teachers, siblings, and parents.

**FIRST GRADE JITTERS**

Kindergarten—A piece of cake!  But what about FIRST GRADE???  Yikes!  In this “Soon to Be First Graders Program” storyteller Jo Ho reassures students that the transition into grade school is filled with many happy experiences and exciting adventures ahead.  Jo will calm those moving on jitters with some silly songs and stories that will leave the kids shouting “When does school start?”

**UPLIFTING, REMINISCENT TALES FOR SENIORS**

It’s a trip down memory lane with stories from the good old days.  Jo will get the golden-agers reminiscing as they hear stories to spark some of their cherished childhood tales.  A program full of laughter and inspirational sharing.

**KID-AUTHORED WHOPPERS!**

         It's a new twist in storytelling for the 2009 Summer Reading Program (“Get Creative at Your Library”) with tales created by kids and told by storyteller Jo Ho.

Jo invited youngsters to write a story about an ordinary event in their lives and encouraged them to "get creative" with their story and S-T-R-E-T-C-H it a bit as all good writers do.  They wrote some WINNERS and some DOOZIES and you'll love hearing them in this hilarious kid-authored whoppers tall tale program!  Jo will also invite listeners to "get creative" right on the spot by putting together an audience-authored story which Jo will then tell and invite the "creators" to jump in and role-play. All ages will delight in the exaggerated yarns and leave with the tools for successfully writing a tall tale too.  

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME

B is for Baseball and Bettering oneself in these personal growth and teamwork tales pitched to you by storyteller, Jo Ho.   Fans will be cheering in these true and fictional baseball tales.  We’ll learn baseball terms like bench warmer, bunt, change-up, clean-up, rookie and strike out and how this beloved sport teaches all to have a positive grand slam outlook on life.  Batter up!! 

THE FANTASTIC FOUR!!

Who are our children’s heroes?  They cannot fly like a superhero, but they can aspire to ride in a space shuttle like “real” people have done.  In these historical tales of hometown heroes listeners will have the opportunity to engage in learning about some of the great men and women that hailed from Kansas and Missouri.  Storyteller Jo Ho takes the audience into the fascinating worlds of the real-life heroes and heroines that have made positive contributions to humankind.  Whether it’s a tale of Amelia Earhart and her daring adventures in aviation, the entertaining works in literature of Laura Ingalls Wilder and Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain), or the amazing discoveries and inventions of George Washington Carver, the legacies of these close to home heroes will live on  and on as their stories are passed to each generation.  Cartoon hero?  No way.  Real life hero?  Yeah!  Appropriate for the whole family.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN!

Students will be enthralled with Jo's living history storytelling program as she portrays the memorable characters of Nancy Hanks, Sally Lincoln, Sarah Bush Johnston, Mary Todd Lincoln and more. She'll captivate listeners as she tells true stories of Abe, sharing the wit, wisdom, and perseverance of the unlikely man that became our 16th president. (Available from Dec. 2006 on)


CAJUN TALES FROM BAYOU BLACK-A TRIBUTE TO LOUISIANA

The legend of Alligator Annie Miller lives on in Jo Ho's storytelling program "Cajun Tales from Bayou Black." Jo portrays "Miss Annie", a unique American character and gifted naturalist dedicating her life to the preservation of the wetlands and their animal life. Making Louisiana her home for 14 years (1984-1998), Jo is well-versed in Cajun story, song, and dance. Awarded a grant by the Louisiana Arts Commission, Ms. Ho had the distinct opportunity of interviewing and gathering personal stories from Annie before her passing in 2004. Join Jo as she takes you on what was Louisiana's most famous swamp tour for 20 years, telling delightful bayou tales and interesting facts about alligators, snakes, crawdads, and more. Aieee! She'll be turning some of you into "gators", teach the Cajun Two Step, and have you singing a Cajun song before you can say "go put de lawn mo in de cahbin!" Appropriate for the entire family, even the "peeshwanks."


TOURING YOUR LIBRARY WITH TILLIE MOUSE

Listeners will take an interactive tour of their library without leaving their seats. Storyteller Jo Ho portrays a hip-hop highly energetic library mouse with a mission. Tillie Mouse has made the library her home and knows every nook and book. Her mission---to see that all library users FALL IN LOVE WITH THE LIBRARY! This informative and funny library tour leads listeners through bookshelves of amazing discoveries and stories and teaches young and old how to make the most of the library. Ages 3 and up.


INCREDIBLE INVENTORS

Take a trip inside the minds of famous inventors and hear stories about their wild and wacky inventions. Whether your a science fan or not, you'll be astonished by the tales of how certain things were invented by shear accident, inventions that almost failed, and supposedly impossible inventions that remain with us to this very day. Inventors included but not limited to Edward Asselbergs (instant mashed potato flakes), Karl Benz (automobile), Cai Lun (paper), Robert Heinlein (waterbed), Garrett Morgan (traffic signal), Alfred Nobel (dynamite), and Olivia Poole (Jolly Jumper baby harness). You'll be so inspired, you'll start planning an invention of your own. Ages 5 and up.


ROYALTY AROUND THE WORLD

Your imagination reigns supreme as court jester and teller of tales Jo Ho whisks you of to enchanted wonderlands around the world. Hear tales where time and distance know no bounds! Listeners will meet ancient kings and modern-day princesses, frolic countrysides with giants and fairies, and cheer on their favorite knights. Come dressed as a prince, princess, king, queen, knight, wizard, or dragon for some great role-playing opportunities. Ogre's are welcome!

ONCE UPON A TIME WITH THE BROTHERS GRIMM

Being a huge fan of fairytales, storyteller Jo Ho opens a world of magic with the best-loved tales of Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. Hear interesting facts about the lives of the "Fairytale Brothers" in addition to Jo's clever adaptations of the Grimm classics. P.S. Did you know "Cinderella's" slipper originally was fur?


READ ACROSS AMERICA

It's a "Let's Get Reading" Celebration as storyteller, Jo Ho shares some delightful works of Dr. Seuss and some inside scoop on where Seuss got his ideas for many of his books. Audience will get a chance to add additional text to a "Seuss story" creating some rhyme of their own! Funny characters and clever voices presented by Jo make for a great program even for the not-yet-reading kiddo's.


SHOW ME THE BOOKS

Many wonderful stories have found their way into beautifully illustrated and well-written picture books. Storyteller Jo Ho presents a collection of her favorite picture books told in her unique dramatic style. Audience members are invited to jump into the stories and role-play some memorable characters.