Merry Christmas from Untethered Realms!

Cathrina Constantine

I'd like to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas from my house to yours. I realize many people's holidays are busy, But, I pray your days are also filled with laughter, joy, and peace. 

Our Christmas Tree ~ 2016 

Happy Holidays to everyone from Kate-the-Great and me! I hope everyone's able to enjoy the season, spend some time with family, and enjoy a good book or two!! I'm really looking forward to digging into some awesome novels from the Untethered Realms cohort that I've been looking forward to for ages. What are you up to?
~ Meradeth

Merry Christmas, from me and my kind. Have a safe and joyous season. My season will be filled with memories of those no longer here as I create new ones with new friends and friends I've known awhile. It's not Christmas without some alien, though. Live long and prosper.  M. Pax

Catherine Stine  

I'm wishing everyone a fun Christmas or whatever winter holiday you celebrate. And I hope all of your 2017 is peaceful, light-filled and inspiring. In this season of political turmoil, two things that give me easy joy are nature and animals. So my tree this year is filled with decorations of creatures, from owls, to hedgehogs to a great Chinese lion. Above are some photos.

This is our Christmas tree before our cat, Thunder springs upon it! See those eyes! Happy Christmas from my house to yours.

~ Christine Rains

I hope everyone has a great holiday! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
- Cherie Reich

Here's to wishing you all a very Happy Christmas. May all your hopes and dreams come true, and may 2017 bring you much health and happiness.

~Gwen Gardner

The Joy of Listening to a Story

(Storyteller John Weaver at Menlo Park Library)

When we get older, we lose one of those wonderful joys in life: the pleasure of having someone read to you.

I remember as a child sitting on the carpet or grabbing a little mat, and taking a place near the teacher or librarian. While I did like looking at the illustrations in the books, I enjoyed watching the storyteller's expressions just as much. The way each person told the same story was always different, and that added to my love of it.

With my son, I get to experience the delight of listening to stories again. I loved when it was my day to assist in his class, and I could sit with the kids while the teacher read to them. Our local library has fantastic programs. We attended one last month called "Summer Scaries." One of the librarians even told the old window wiper tale. I'm sure you know the one!

Yes, we can listen to audiobooks or attend readings by authors of adult books, but I've found little entertainment in those. Either the author reads in a monotone or adds in their personal inflections which then interferes when I'm reading the book on my own. I like to support my fellow writers, but those readings lack something.

When people read to children, there's a lot more emotion and excitement. The storytelling never fails to be dynamic. They don't only read, they put on a show.

Do you remember listening to stories as a child? Share with us your favorite memory of dynamic storytelling.