Story Time with Mother Goose

By Rachel Masri
Oct. 8, 2008

APOPKA, Fla. – Preschoolers from all around the Apopka area fill the story room of the North Orange branch of the Orange County Library every Wednesday morning to sing songs and listen to stories preformed by Mother Goose herself.

Lynn Shenefield, professional storyteller, gathers her little “goslings” as she calls them, and welcomes them to story time with her signature “Hello Song.” The regulars in the room enthusiastically join in and sing along to “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” “The Itsy Bitsy Spider,” and several other children’s songs before the storytelling begins.

It is clear from the beginning that Shenefield loves her job. Her wild smile and enthusiastic interaction with the children, making animal noises and sound effects throughout her performance, puts a grin on the face of every child and adult in the room.

“This is like a second childhood,” Shenefield explains, her smile widening. “Can you imagine getting to do this every day?”

Shenefield encourages the parents and grandparents in the room to “lead by example” in their listening and social skills by silencing their cell phones and not carrying on private conversations with their neighbor.

“Mother Goose” starts off the first book by singing and doing sign language to her “I Love It When You Read To Me” song, changing the words of “Mary Had a Little Lamb” so the kids can quickly catch on to the familiar tune.

The two books that Shenefield has chosen for her audience on this particular Monday were written by Audrey and Don Wood. She begins with “The Napping House,” pointing out the illustrations in the story, encouraging the kids to observe the details of the atmosphere and mood of the book. Her voice is animated as she imitates the characters, demonstrating the snoring granny or yelping dog. Shenefield also is careful to explain words that the kids may not know such as “dozing” and “slumbering.”

In the second story, “Silly Sally,” there is a part where the characters play leap frog, and Shenefield encourages the kids to get up and demonstrate, even jumping in at one point herself.

“I love her creativity,” says Shawna Wood of Apopka who brought her daughter to hear Mother Goose. “She is by far our favorite story teller here.”

Shenefield finishes her performance by faithfully singing the ABC’s with the children, signing every letter. Each child walks out the door with a big grin after hugging or waving goodbye to their Mother Goose.

Victoria Booth of Apopka loyally brings her granddaughter Hannah every week to story time. “I brought my son when he was little and now I bring my granddaughter,” she explains. “It’s so important getting them into books and stories when they’re young. We always leave with lots of books to take home.” When asked what part of story time she likes best, 4 year-old Hannah responded “I like the singing. I love to sing.”

All in all, the children and parents in Mother Goose’s audience left the room with a bounce in their step, buoyed by Shenefield’s contagious high spirits.

“In this crazy world, it is so joyful and fulfilling to do this every day.” Shenefield says. “I get to sing and laugh all day long with these kids. It’s absolutely wonderful.”