School and Library Programs
“Ms. Pearmain is a gifted storyteller!”
Cheryl Nelson, President West Suburban Arts Council.
“Elisa’s Trunkful of Tales program
was a librarian’s dream come true!”
Katie Baxter, former Librarian, Hingham Public Library
“Your Halloween Tales from Around the World were perfect
for our diverse middle school population.
The students talked about the stories long after."
Teacher E. Ezolt, Lynch Middle School, Holyoke, MA.
Pre-K – 4 Favorites
For All to Share: Participatory, multicultural folk tales to join-in on
With positive messages of cooperation, friendship and earth stewardship this fun and engaging program can be tailored to focus on a specific culture, or a theme. Young audiences sharpen their oral skills and deepen their love of stories as they join in the telling with singing, movement, and repetitive responses.
I Wonder Tales: A Multicultural, Science and Language Arts Storytelling Program and Workshops
In this program Elisa tells folktales from around the world that encourage students to wonder about many aspects of nature and human behavior. The stories encourage students to be environmentally conscious, to explore their interests in natural phenomenon, and to seek answers through scientific exploration. The program also helps students to understand the role that folk tales have played in making sense of nature. An appreciation of culture, and literature is also increased as students hear fun stories from around the world.
Wonder, is the parent of curiosity, appreciation and research.
How did the cat get its purr?
How did the bear get its short tail?
Why do people have different skin color?
Why is the strawberry shaped like a heart?
Why is the sun brighter than the moon?
What do your students wonder about? What aspects of the science curriculum would you like your students to hear a story about?
Follow-up workshops for story making and storytelling skills are popular, as students are lead to create and tell original tales that explain natural phenomenon. This program is a great adjunct to the natural science curriculum, earth day celebrations and Native American studies. The follow-up workshops also teach oral skills and build self-confidence as students express themselves in short simple and highly structured storytelling exercises.
“Your 'I Wonder Tales' storytelling program was spellbinding…”
Katie Baxter, Children's Librarian, Hingham, MA.
Drum, Dance and Sing
Dance or drum with Anansci the Spider Drummer. Dance and sing to help save the animals in the rainforest. Play the cat drum… In this highly participatory program (a library favorite) Elisa tells stories from around the world that involve drumming, singing and dancing. Elisa invites the audience to join in singing, dancing and percussive sound making. (Depending on the size of the group they may dance in their seats or on stage.)
Halloween Tales From Around the World
Elisa offers Halloween programs for children ages 9 and up. Appropriately scary, but not violent, with positive messages. See the descriptions of stories below
Programs reaching grades K-8
Halloween Tales From Around the World
Elisa offers Halloween programs for children ages 9 and up. Appropriately scary, but not violent, with positive messages. See the descriptions of stories below. 50 minutes, ages 9+.
- An audience participatory Welch tale in which a girls’ loyalty to her dogs saves her from the Hobyhans.
- A ghost story from the American South in which generosity wins out.
- A Native American witch tale in which cleverness and working together saves the people.
- A Japanese ogre is defeated by a boy’s creativity.
- And a variety of other tales from near and far.
Once Upon a Caring Classroom: Bullying Prevention Through Storytelling
This is a 50-60 minute performance/interactive program. See Bully Prevention Program full description here.
Once Upon a Caring Classroom: Character Education Through Storytelling
This is a 50-60 minute performance/interactive program. See Character Education full description here.
Halloween Tales From Around the World
Elisa offers Halloween programs for children ages 9 and up. Appropriately scary, but not violent, with positive messages. 50 minutes, ages 9+.
- An audience participatory Welch tale in which a girls’ loyalty to her dogs saves her from the Hobyhans.
- A ghost story from the American South in which generosity wins out.
- A Native American witch tale in which cleverness and working together saves the people.
- A Japanese ogre is defeated by a boy’s creativity.
- And a variety of other tales from near and far.
Urban Legend Writing and Telling Workshops
For grades 6-8. Working with a story from my program I demonstrate how I developed it from a very short story kernel giving it a sense of place and developing characters. Students are given short urban legends and guided to follow this model to develop and share their own scary tales. Rules are given to avoid violence, characters from the media, and use of weapons in the stories.
La Dias de la Muerte (The Day of the Dead)
A program of stories from Mexico and Latin America for middle school (grades 7-8) high school and college age students.
The Calabash of Wisdom: World Folk Tales and Legends for Grades 5-8.
Age appropriate folk and fairy tales, legends and fables are shared, highlighting common themes and character types found in many cultures. Schools can request a specific cultural focus.
Follow-up workshops can include creating and sharing original folk, fairy tales and or legends. In these highly structured workshops student creativity soars and oral skills are developed building self-confidence.
A Trunkful of Tales – Grades 4-8
A storytelling workshop in which students are guided to collect, shape and share a personal or family history story based on a model that Elisa shares in a short opening performance. A minimum of 3 sessions are needed as well as outside class time and homework. This works well in the English curriculum and when immigration is being studied.
School Performance Fees: (Libraries please call)
I prefer smaller groups, and believe that students get more out of performances when they are closer to the performer, and are with students who are close in age. My preference is to group them roughly by PreK–3, 4–5, 6–8.
- 1 performance of up to 249 students (I don't count them as they come in!) = $500 plus travel if over 60 miles roundtrip
- 2 performances of up to 249 students each = $600.00 plus travel as above.
- 3 performances as above = $700.00 plus travel.
- 1 performance for more than 250 kids = $550 plus travel if over 60 miles roundtrip
Are my fees negotiable? Of course! I want to bring my stories to your school, so let’s talk.
Follow-up Workshop fees:
Day 1 – As above.
Day 2 & 3
Usually about $75 per classroom, with up to four classrooms in one day.
I hope you will call to discuss your school's needs in person: or (781) 259-0492.