Program

Blurring the lines between storytelling and music, rhythm and reading, music and movement, and instruments and imagination, preschool music teacher Ellen Hoffman brings her guitar plus bags of instruments, books, and props for 45 minutes of interactive fun.With imagination,drums and mallets become pans and spoons to make birthday cake; sand blocks become the gas pedals of cars, airplanes, helicopters, snow plows or train cars; rhythm sticks become oars, ski poles, walrus tusks, or violins, and pom poms become brooms, paintbrushes, silly hair or hula skirts. With bags of fun, Ellen aims to not only entertain, but to provide parents (and librarians!) with ideas on how to make story time more magical by incorporating music and instruments. She emphasizes rhythm in language, stressing that musical fun can be had even if one can't carry a tune! Themed programs are available too - including Halloween, Thanksgiving, Winter, Colors, Transportation, The Magic of 3 (triangles, triceratops, the waltz beat) and others. Each participating child gets an instrument.

Recent Library/School Appearances by Ellen Hoffman:

Norton Library, Chatham Library, Wayland Library