Early Beginnings:
Mary Ann began “telling stories” at a very early age. Her anecdotes made people laugh out loud, exotic tales created distractive wonder, and colorful embellishments initiated gossip!
Many stories later, Mary Ann was serendipitously drawn to tell at a library story hour, where her gift of oral expression was recognized. Encouraged, Mary Ann set out as a freelance storyteller donning a pocket covered cape, celebrating her label, Story In My Pocket.

As an Early Childhood Educator in Day Care, Preschool, and as a Special Needs Educational Assistant (K-6), Mary Ann was able to develop and hone her storytelling craft on a daily basis before children, teachers, and librarians.

Emerging Craft:
Passionate in her craft, Mary Ann’s present day intergenerational storytelling is a fluent evolving art form that blends an engaging educational experience with animated entertainment.

Story In My Pocket appearances include:
• Children’s Library Programmer’s Training
• Community and Church Clubs
• Conference Workshops
• Country Fairs
• Early Childhood Program Workshops
• Family Literacy Facilitator Training
• Library Storytelling for Families, Ladies Groups, Seniors, and Summer Reading Programs
• School Tours
• Senior’s Lodges
• Summer Camping Programs
• Teacher Professional Development Institutes
• Wilderness / Interpretive Centre Collaborations

Past Clients Include:
• Blackgold Regional Schools - Professional Development
• Camrose Arts Society & District Museum - Aboriginal Celebrations, Jay Walkers Jamboree
• The Candora Society of Edmonton
• Edson and District Community Learning Society
• First Nations Communities of Fort Chipewyan,
Fort McKay, Anzac, Wetaskiwin, Hobbema
• Girl Guides of Canada
• GMC Education Assistant Conference
• Heartland Youth Centre
• Hanna Learning Centre
• Laurier House - Strathcona Capital Health
• New Sarepta Golden Pioneers
• Norquest College - Adult ESL
• Prairie View Hutterite Colony
• Red Deer College - Early Childhood Development
• Rocky Community Learning Council and Library
• Schools of Alberta Beach, Barrhead, Calgary, Coronation, Bonnyville, Mayerthorpe, Oyen
• Strathcona Wilderness Centre
• Women Teachers Alpha Chapter - Delta Kappa Gamma
• Yellowhead Regional Libraries - Staff Training and Development
• U of A Campus Ministries

Professional Associations:
• National Member of SC-CC (Storytellers of Canada/Conteurs du Canada)
• Provincial Member of T.A.L.E.S. (The Alberta League Encouraging Storytelling)
• Chapter Member of T.A.L.E.S. Strathcona

Commitment:
Mary Ann believes storytelling is a timeless medium that connects and supports the global community.
Whether dressing up as a leprechaun for Tiny Tots, or regaling Seniors with pioneer stories, Mary Ann delivers a dynamic telling reflective of the vital communication link between the written word and the traditions of oral storytelling.

Educational Components:
• Perpetuate literacy and learning with engaging storytelling that generates language development, stimulates a desire for the written communication and inspires the enjoyment of life long reading.
• Connect to current Language Art and Social Studies curriculum with an ever growing storytelling repertoire that is newly customized with each presentation.
• Partnership with educators to advocate literacy by using effective storytelling that teaches by modeling a variety of telling styles.
• Compliment literacy programs with inspiring storytelling that fosters an aesthetic appreciation for the oral language.
• Celebrate the family and community spirit through a positive experience of interactive storytelling.
• Advocate tolerance and acceptance for the diversities of fellow mankind by incorporating values of respect and compassion in a multicultural mosaic of stories.
• Inspire curiosity and imagination with creative storytelling that exhibits artistic verve.

Classroom and Curriculum Connections:
• With ten years of experience as an Elementary Educational Assistant Mary Ann is very much at home in a “classroom setting.” She is sensitive to student needs, respectful of teachers and aware of curriculum accountability.
• Inquiries of her expanding current repertoire(s) and adaptations for specific age ranges are always welcome.
• Mary Ann’s flexible custom programming is a “just right blend” of interactive storytelling with engaging curriculum, and multicultural content.
• Language Arts Content: Fables, fairytales, folklore, legends, myths, tricksters, poetry, action songs/chants
• Social Studies Content:
India, Peru, Ukraine,
First Nations, Inuit, Métis
Communities, Cultures and Diversity: Alberta and Canada
Celebrating Prairies and Pioneers
Special Themes and Occasions
(I.E.: Christmas, Halloween)

Distinctively Unique:
Story In My Pocket celebrates the multicultural mosaic of oral storytelling traditions. Audiences of all ages are magically engaged in an interactive “audiovisual extravaganza” of storytelling techniques using string, draw and tell, cut and tell, instruments, costumes, puzzles, puppets, props, Signed Language, and traditional music. Each presentation is enlightening yet highly entertaining, playful yet evocative, but always warm and inviting.

Comments/Testimonials:
• “What a great way to draw children to literature! Thank you for inspiring us.”
Librarian, Wetaskiwin Public Library
• “You told with such enthusiasm and wonderful use of your voice that the children had their eyes and bodies totally focused on you. You managed to relay a lot of facts in between the stories without losing their interest.”
Summer Library Programmer, Drayton Valley Library
• “You are by far the most dynamic, charismatic storyteller I’ve come across – very enthralling! Thank you for sharing your gift with us!”
Librarian, Keephills Community Library
• “I appreciated your warm relationship and discussion with the students on aspects of Native Culture.”
Teacher, Fort Saskatchewan
• “Very motivating, entertaining and touching. Good practical ideas for all levels.”
Teacher, Blackgold Regional Schools, P.D. Day
• “You have a good sense of humor and I think reading will be more fun now.”
Grade 6 Student, Brownfield Public School

Presenter’s Requests:
• Venue: An enclosed library or music room conducive to storytelling is preferred. Any gymnasium or community hall presentations must be discussed with Mary Ann before a booking is confirmed.
• Particulars: Mary Ann will discuss presentation details directly with a booking host over the telephone, prior to a presentation.
• Fee Schedule: The current posted fee schedule is a Taleblazers rate and is subject to change outside of YABS.
• Inquiries: Mary Ann welcomes inquiries about Story In My Pocket presentations at all times.