MRM Workshops
MacDonald's workshops empower the beginning teller, quickly turning novices into eager tellers. Workshops can be tailored to the needs of schools, libraries, and festivals. View workshop information for Educators, Librarians & Tellers.
"I left with three stories to tell the next week and the glimmer of belief that I am, after all, cut out to work with children." Phyllis Silling, school librarian
"The exuberance that existed in the sessions was contagious."...Professor Spencer G. Shaw, University of Washington.
"Your knowledge of people (teachers, especially) creates a bridge…you set a standard for us and for every teller who follows."...Jane Stenson, Baker Demonstration School, National-Louis University
"Margie MacDonald is always a good presenter and gives every workshop attendee a wonderful pocket of stories to carry away forever, for free! Great handouts too."...Seattle Public Library Staff Day Attendee
"As creative and concise as your wonderful books!"...SCBWI workshop, Bellingham, Washington
"If 100 people each learn 6 new stories today, [they did] and they share one story in each of 6 programs that are attended by 25 children, how many children will enjoy a program enriched by the culturally diverse wealth of our folklore heritage? Answer: 15,000 children!" Leslie Molnar, Cuyahoga County Public Library.
Educators, Librarian & Tellers
Playing with Story
1 ½ hours
Almost everyone can learn to tell a story well. In her "Playing With Story" workshops MacDonald teaches participants to tell three short audience-participation folktales in just an hour and a half. They leave ready to tell!
Playing with Story
Full day
Full day workshops include a segment on "Learning a Story in One Hour," instruction in using motif-indexes to locate folktales, bibliographies with sources for beginning tellers, and information on the folk backgrounds of the tales we tell. Participants learn six new stories during the day!
From Teller to Teller
1 ½ hours
Tracks the process through which a folktale moves from traditional teller to written book. Includes video of traditional telling, bibliographies of good sources for traditional texts. Participants leave ready to tell two stories.
Earth Tales
1 ½ hours
Participants learn 6 tales on themes of kindness to our earth. Bibliographies and tale texts provided.
The Art of the Folktale Picture Book
1 ½ hours
Creating a folktale picture book, author-artist collaboration, writer's choices. MRM's picture books used to demonstrate.
Sharing Stories for Peace
1 ½ hours
Participants learn to tell several stories useful in helping audiences think about peaceful resolution. Bibliographies and tale texts provided.