Story Concert: Robert Munsch « Marketing

Story Concert: Robert Munsch

Posted on June 16th, 2010 jean 4 comments

A few weeks ago I heard one of my all-time favourite authors do a story concert. Canadian childrens’ author Robert Munsch. He is the author of fan-tab-ulous tales such as The Paperbag Princess (kick butt princess who saves the prince), The Mud Puddle (what would happen if a mud puddle jumped on you), Angela’s Airplane (what would happen if a five-year-old accidentally flew a jumbo jet), The Playhouse (when decorating a playhouse gets a bit out of hand), and about 30 or 40 more other fun stories.

If you have ever heard Robert Munsch tell a story (I started with LPs, but these days you can hear him online–drag Mortimer (about a boy who won’t go to sleep) onto the listening spot to experience Robert first hand), his story concerts are pretty much exactly like that. He has so much emotion, voice, character, actions, and audience involvement that hour whizzes right by. If you close your eyes, you can still see it.

As an author, how can we make our readings that much fun? Seriously, it was FUN! (And not just because I am totally still a kid inside.) How do we get out audiences involved? How do we get them predicting the next line so they say it out loud with us? How do we make them laugh and want to dance? How do we bring them down to that quiet place and the next moment bring them so far up they feel as though their chest is going to burst open from all that love and joy that’s pushing out of it? How do we do it?

That’s what I want to know. How.
marketing author readings, authors, book readings, Robert Munsch, story concerts, storytellers
4 responses to “Story Concert: Robert Munsch”
- Jemi Fraser June 16th, 2010 at 20:11
  
  I adore Robert Munsch. I haven’t seen him live, but I’ve done the online thing. I think every kid I know has loved his books.
  
  When you find out how he does it, make sure you pass along the secret!
- Cat Woods June 17th, 2010 at 07:32
  
  I love Robert Munsch. If I weren’t done have babies, I’d have one of his! You know, for the genetic factor, creativity and all…
  
  Okay, that was weird.
  
  Anyway, I do love his books. Stephanie’s Ponytail is an all-time fave with my daughter. She still has it on her nightstand and she’s almost fourteen.
  
  I think there is a difference between writing a story and telling a story. Some books just demand the old-fashioned, sitting around the fireplace before bed kind of medium. He’s a master at that.
  
  Whoever answers your question correctly should bottle up their mojo and make a mint off it because there is a trick to it…
- jean June 17th, 2010 at 08:43
  
  Jemi,
  I have a feeling that half the battle has already been won for him–kids are easier to excite than adults. Then again, if you don’t have the right touch and tone with kids it’s like swimming with a boulder strapped to your feet–you’re going down fast!
  
  If I find out his secret, I’ll let you know.
- jean June 17th, 2010 at 08:44
  
  Cate: “It’s my ponytail, and I like it!”
  
  I had a few Stephanie’s ponytail moments in school. I can totally identify with Stephanie. (And that might just be the book of 30 that we have that made the get-it-autographed cut.
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Welcome to my Website and Blog

I am an aspiring fiction writer (children's, women's and commercial) and a represented nonfiction writer. I am also a member, critiquer and site moderator over on AgentQueryConnect.com. Thanks for stopping by. Feel free to jump in the conversation and leave your thoughts in the comment section.

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