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On behalf of the SeaWind Elementary
PTA, school staff, and children, we would all like
to thank you so much for coming to our school on September
27, 2002. The children enjoyed your program so much.
Your visit really inspired the children to write their
own stories. The stories you told got them excited
about listening to stories as well. Many of the teachers
and staff expressed to us how much they enjoyed your
program and thanked us for bringing your amazing talents
to SeaWind Elementary.
We appreciate all the work that you
do for the children to inspire them to create their
own stories and to entertain them with your storytelling
as well. We would highly recommend you to any other
school who would like to enjoy such an entertaining
and informational educational program. The children
were proud and excited that our school had the opportunity
to add a charm/pin to your enormous collection on
your shoes. Thank you for the storytelling tape that
you gave our school. The children and teachers will
enjoy listening to it.
Your picture and caption about the
program was printed in our local Hometown News Newspaper
here in Hobe Sound, FL.
Thank you again for the wonderful
storytelling experience. We all thoroughly enjoyed
meeting you and having the opportunity to talk with
you.
Sincerely,
Diane McGinn SeaWind Elementary PTA V.P. Programs
Brenda Elkin SeaWind Elementary PTA
Jennifer Sacket SeaWind Elementary PTA President
SeaWind Elementary School
3700 SE Seabranch Blvd.
Hobe Sound, FL 33455
(772)219-1625
Dear Tom,
I couldn't let another day pass without letting
you know how wonderful it was to have you at Nelson
Place School. From the moment I saw 50 kindergarteners
in rapt attention I knew we were in for a treat.
For parents considering booking Tom, let me give
you some background. Nelson Place School is an urban
school in Worcester, MA. It has a school population
of 510 in Grades K-6. Our teachers are adamant against
large assemblies (and the behavior control problems
which ensue). Thus, Tom put on a series of storytelling/writing
workshops for all grades. Approximately 50 children
were at each session over 2 days. We also held a
Family Storytelling Night on the first night. We
had a lovely crowd. The children made trinkets for
Tom's shoes as the crowd was gathering and he told
4 -5 stories.
It was great fun to see the adults interact with
their children in "silly" ways: acting out the motions
to "Humphrey the Humpback Whale" and to "Ansai the
Spider". It was "quality" time. Tom is a delight
as a performer. The children love him and he gives
them respect. His manner would not be overwhelming
for a youngster. Finally, my son paid him the ultimate
compliment this Saturday. We had all the leftover
safety pins and beads from the friendship pins.
He made a bunch for himself. They now adorn his
slippers. They look just like Tom's. Please pass
the word along. Tom is bound to get a chuckle out
of it.
Dianne Mann
Nelson Place School
"What can I say. He was wonderful! To walk
in a room and
see parents and children of all ages sitting on
the floor and
imitating animal sounds and actions without missing
a beat was delightful. He is the consummate Pied
Piper!"
Judy Anderson
Associate Director
Arts in the Parks
Newton Parks and Recreation Dept
"Dear Tom,
What a show! The entire school loved it. The workshops
were Enjoyed by both students and teachers also. We
had a pto meeting that night So I got lots of feedback.
My daughter korie told me she even got to talk to
You when she told you she helped to make the shoe
trinkets with mom for you. You are wonderful with
the kids and we will look forward to having you back."
SINCERELY,
JANET SESSIONS
MAPLESHADE
ENRICHMENT
"Dear Tom,
My name is Rod and I teach first grade. I was reminded
during your recent presentation not to lose the
ART of teaching. Your lessons obviously come from
the heart and that is what makes them so effective.
The age of accountability (especially in public
education) has dampened the spirit of teachers and
pushed us more toward the science of teaching. Your
presentation reminded me that results can be achieved
by incorporating both the ART and science of teaching.
Your Red Roses for a First Grade Lady story made
me cry and reminded me it's okay, human, necessary
to cry. On behalf of my students and from my heart,
I give you 1,000 thanks."
Rod Carnill
Winchester, VA
“I wholeheartedly recommend Tom. His approach
served to stimulate creativity, writing and enthusiasm
about reading. His work is of the highest quality;
its educational benefits are vast.”
Roger Evans
West Marshall
School District,
State Center, Iowa
“…a master storyteller, he holds the
rapt attention of the entire audience through this
evening of colorful narrative.”
Arthur Lithgow
The Valley Advocate
“After watching Tom McCabe, the storyteller,
captivate a roomful of teachers, I would say the
best words to describe him are funny, fascinating,
exciting, delightful, creative, bewitching and articulate.”
Bud Bush
Jackson Juinior High
Jackson, California
“Of all the cultural programs that have
visited our school, Tom's was by far the very best.”
Mrs. Lorien Coe
Teacher
Anna L. LoPresti School
Seymour, CT
“Thanks to your visit, our island is now
alive with storytelling. Our children are retelling
your tales and creating their own.”
Claire King
Teacher
Inishbofin, Ireland
“I learned more about techniques for writing
with children from listening to Tom McCabe than from
all of the other in-service programs I have ever attended.”
M.L. Haughey
Grade 4
Stephanic School
Chicopee, MA
“Tom's storytelling and writing presentation
at our recent conference was delightful! His unique
approach to story creating is practical and inspirational
enough to lend itself to all sorts of educational
possibilities for teachers, parents, and kids. We
look forward to bringing him back!”
Diane Dressen
Grant Elementary School
Casper, Wyoming
“It is a rare experience to watch a master
at work. Tom McCabe held each child's attention with
the magic of his words and actions. His choice of
stories was perfect. We thoroughly enjoyed him and
recommend him highly.”
Marjorie Von Ohlsen
Principal
Shelburne Elementary
Killington, Vt.
“Dear Tom,
At our Tuesday faculty meeting everyone spoke of you
with such admiration. You are one of the few people
we have ever met who can captivate children of all
ages and teach teachers in a collegial way while in
a classroom. It is a rare talent to be a great storyteller
and a teacher as well. Imagine a quarter! Thank you.
We appreciate your involvement at Eliot and know we
will be seeing you again!
Sincerely,
Lucy K. Tannen”
Head of School
Eliot Montessori School
National storyteller Tom McCabe not only entertains
on this tale-spinning tape, he issues a nearly irresistible
invitation for listeners to become storytellers themselves.
McCabe uses pauses as effectively as words, and the
engrossing way he draws out words for effect is a veritable
verbal taffy pull.
In Ernest Plumm: Boy Bookworm,'' a surprise
encounter with a well-read, wiggly worm, helps a self-conscious
young reader gain entry, through the pages of a book,
to worlds of imagination. In the Land of Mashed Potatoes,''
McCabe masterfully draws listeners in, then asks that
they share in the story to make it their own.
A Writing Lesson Just For You'' is McCabe's
engaging way to get kids to create their own stories:
Take a little tiny problem, and ask your imagination
questions who, what, when, where, why, how and which?''
He tosses out an idea to begin with and clearly illustrates
how to ask those questions to get started. Then, where
does under-the-bed dust, behind-the-stove dust, sunbeam
dust and window sill dust come from?
In McCabe's quirky saga, Adventures in the Kingdom of Dust,' a
little girl finds out when she magically finds herself on a dust
delivery route. In Mrs. Haladay's Glorious Garden,'' McCabe asks
listeners to help tell the story by providing sound effects as
Mrs. Haladay plants a garden full of surprises.
Review of Stories Just For You, by Parent's Choice Magazine.
The tape received their gold seal
If you would like to find out more please contact Tom
McCabe.
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