Welcome

admin — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 18:36:15 +0000

Posted: Friday, October 7, 2011 at 12:20PM

Hello World! This is my first message on my new website. Of course it is about story. When I think back to the first stories that I can remember, I was five years old. I was in kindergarten at Calypso School in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. My teacher was Mrs. Dornblatt. Although school was scary for me I loved the stories. Story time was my favorite part of the day. Mrs. Dornblatt had this big book. At that time it was the biggest book I ever saw. It was not just thick; it was very large in all dimensions. In my five-year-old mind it could have been the biggest book in the world. I was drawn to that book. Maybe it was the illustrations that made the book so special. The pictures were bigger because the book was bigger. Mrs. Dornblatt read from other books and I enjoyed that too but when she read from the “Big Book” it seemed to be even better.
There are four stories that I can remember from Mrs. Dornblatt’s big story book: Stone Soup, Puss in Boots, The Bremen Town Musicians and The Five Chinese Brothers, a story that I still tell. If you don’t know these stories or have never read them I suggest you do.
I can vaguely see soldiers with mustaches and a big iron pot also a black cat with high boots on. But the funny vision of a donkey, dog, cat, and rooster stacked on one another’s back is still clear. The five Chinese brothers will always be stuck in my head. The brother with his hands tied behind his back on his knees with neck stretched out over a stone chopping block and another brother reclining on one elbow and yawning as he is being pulled out of a brick oven on a large baker’s peel. These are the two brothers that I can envision most. Even if I see the illustrations in my minds eye, it is the story that makes the bond in my mind.
I believe that stories were the first art form, the first form of entertainment, the first recorder of history, and the first teaching aide. If you want someone to remember something, tell them a story. A popular saying today is “hard wired.” That is, the human brain is hard wired for story meaning that stories are easily processed, digested and imprinted in our minds. We humans love a good story.
Why is there this love for stories? It is our imagination. I suppose that imagination is used more than any other thought process. Albert Einstein said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” When we hear a story our imagination kicks in and we become part of the story. Hearing a story is much more stimulating and way different than reading a book, seeing a play or a movie, watching TV, using the internet, game boy or texting. We are part of the story; there is a magical energy that flows back and forth between the teller and the listener. That is why we are hard wired and love stories. It is the magic between the teller and the listener.
I suggest that one night a week turn off the TV and make it story night. Gather in the family room, living room or kitchen and tell stories to each other. Kids – read a story out loud to your Mom, Dad, and Grandmother, Grand-Pop, dog or cat. Go to the library and pick out a book, take turns reading from the book. Reading and telling stories to each other is one of the most intimate things a family or anybody can do. So expand your imagination and have fun doing it … by being a teller and reader of stories!
God bless, have fun and keep a story in your heart,
Larry

Testimonials/Reviews

admin — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 18:35:18 +0000

“Larry [can] brighten up any staff event by taking time to paint a picture through words. A talented artist!”
Nancy P. Tkatch, Superintendent of Schools, Shickshinny, PA

“As a group facilitator for storytelling workshops, Larry's teaching skills stand out. He is encouraging and instructive. He has a great sense of humor.”
Cindy DeLuca, Library Director, Barrett Friendly Library

“TLarry entertains and moves his audiences by his enthusiasm for storytelling with a touch of magic. A great performance!”
Susan Briggs, Children's Librarian, Pocono Mountain Public Library

“Everyone has a story. And Larry Sceurman has told quite a lot of them!”
Kelly Mitch, Easton Chronicle

“I highly recommend him as an 'artist-in-education.'”
David Lapinshy, Assistant Directory Career and Technical Education, Lehigh Career and Technical Institute

“Larry is able to customize his presentation for a variety of grade levels. He often incorporates the mechanics of story writing. He challenges students to become involved and share their own stories.”
Jill Shoesmith, Director - The Evergreen School

“I heartily recommend Larry! Not only are the programs creative and imaginative, but Larry also has a wonderful, engagin rapport with children. Larry is a wonderful storyteller who captures the children's imagination while encouraging them to read. Clever, entertaining!”
Iris Koshar, Coordinator of Youth Services, Easton Area Public Library and District Center

“The children thoroughly enjoyed the stories, and Larry kept them entranced with audience participation.”
Cindy DeLuca, Library Directory, Barrett Friendly Library

“Children sat on the floor watching in awe as Sceurman used magic to make his stories come alive.”
Kelly Mitch, Easton Chronicle

“The audience...became instantly absorbed in the stories being presented, and enchanted by Larry Sceurman's presentation of them. Many of the parents commented...that they had acquired ways to share stories with their children.”
Lynn Kutch, Program Director, ProJeCt, Easton, Pennsylvania

“Enjoyed by both children and adults.”
Terri Heebner, Children's Librarian, Bucks County Free Library, Bensalem, PA

“Wonderful! We were at capacity for the first time! It was a terrific evening, and the audience obviously had a great time.”
Susan M. Dreydoppel, Executive Director, Moravian Historical Society, Nazareth, PA

“I would highly recommend Larry if you are looking for a “fun” program for any age.”
Catherine Stewart, Children’s Librarian - Memorial Library of Nazareth & Vicinity

“The refreshing aspect of Larry’s presentation is his use of speech inflection and traditional illusions. He is able to capture the audience without “techno-accessories.”
Jill Shoesmith, Director - The Evergreen School

"He always does a fun show with lots of audience participation. His shows include some stories from various cultures...Humor is always included. Larry uses fun props in his shows, and the children enjoy the elements of magic included in the programs."

"Children sat on the floor watching in awe as Sceurman used magic to make his stories come alive."
Kelly Mitch, The Chronicle

"Delightful!"
Helen George, The Pocono Record

"Captivating stories!"
Joseph Bolen, The Chronicle

"Works his magic ... unique!"
Kelly Mitch, The Chronicle

"Weaves a mesmerizing spell, drawing the listeners into the story!"
Robin Cirocco, The Chronicle

"Full of surprises!"
Go Guide, The Morning Call

Once upon a Sunday...

By Kathy Lauer-Williams, Allentown Morning Call

As children ranging from ages 2 to 8 squirmed in their chairs, storyteller Larry Sceurman strode onto the small stage of Godfrey Daniels [Coffee House] and opened his book of tricks. With a flourish, flames magically shot from the pages of his book, and the kids were hooked.

Sceurman was off and running, spinning tales about elephants and monkeys working together, a man who stole the stars out of the sky and a baker searching for a thief.

Gathering the assembled crowd of children on stage to help him tell a story, he used hats and drapes to transform them into various characters. At a pivotal point, 3-year-old Mackenzie Kline of Emmaus proudly got to display her counting skills.

Mixed in among the fairy tales and tall stories were magic tricks, including one that culminated with a long rainbow-colored chain of paper being pulled from Sceurman's mouth, to the children's obvious delight.

(photo by Douglas Kilpatrick, Allentown Morning Call)
Kathy Lauer-Williams, Allentown Morning Call

“Larry lets the children know that everyone has a story to tell. He always promotes reading and gives an example of a reading difficulty that he had as a child: if you work at things, you will improve. Larry provides a very fun and positive atmosphere. Highly recommended.”
Terri Heebner, Children's Librarian, Bucks County Free Library, Bensalem, PA

“It is amazing to see the children's faces as they are mesmerized by the stories and the way Larry tells them. We recommend him highly to anyone!”
Dorothy Meyers, Principal Clerk, North Pocono Public Library

"Larry Sceurman brings enthusiasm and fun to the art of storytelling."
Cindy DeLuca, Library Directory, Barrett

"Weaves a mesmerizing spell, drawing the listeners into the story!”
Robin Cirocco, The Chronicle

Larry's Stories

Welcome

Testimonials/Reviews