Festivals of Light: Winter Program

Ideal for the Christmas season, this program presents three stories from different cultures that celebrate light during the dark winter months.  The first is an abridged version of The Ramayana, an ancient east Indian tale that is associated with the Indian festival of Divali.  It is a story of good triumphing over evil.  The second story presents the story of Channukah, told from the viewpoint of a boy who experienced the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days.  The third is a legend from the Christian tradition—either the story of a shepherd boy who is given a magic flute to present to the Christ Child, or of the “Miracle of the Poinsettia,” or “El Milagro de la Flor de Nochebuena,” told in Spanish and English..  This program is best suited for children eight and older, and is one hour long.

Celebrating Christmas

There are many stories about Christmas that touch our hearts in a special way.  This program presents several Christmas stories, some funny, some poignant.  The choice of stories will depend on the ages of the audience members.  Judith will also lead singing of traditional Christmas carols, inviting audience participation.  The program’s length also depends on the age of audience members, and on the time requested

Believe it or not Animal Tales

This program was developed especially for the library summer reading program theme for 2006: “Claws, Paws, Scales, and Tales.”  Judith tells true stories about amazing animals, including dogs, cats, horses, and chickens.  She also sings fun animal songs, inviting the audience to participate.  The program will appeal to all ages, and will help us all appreciate the wonderful gifts our animal friends have to give us.  To hear a sample story, click here.

The program is from 45 to 60 minutes long.

Malvina Reynolds, Songs for our Times

Malvina Reynolds (1900-1978) started writing songs in her late forties, and by the time of her death at age 78, she had completed over 200 songs.  She is best known for some of her social protest songs, “Little Boxes,” and “It Isn’t Nice,” but she also wrote many wonderful children’s songs, including “Magic Penny.”  Do you remember that Kodak commercial from many years ago, which included the song, “Where are you going, my little one, little one?  Where are going, my baby, my own?  Turn around and you’re two, turn around and you’re four, turn around and you’re a young girl going out of my door”?  Malvina Reynolds wrote that song, too.

This program can be from half an hour to two hours long.  It includes songs for children, social protest songs, peace songs, environmental songs, --some silly, some serious.  Judith accompanies herself on the guitar as she sings and tells about Malvina’s life.  To hear a sample song, click here.

Songs for Affirmative Living

This program is mostly singing.  These songs were written by Judith over the past thirty years, coming out of her work in the Unity Church .  She would ask the minister what he/she was going to speak about the next Sunday, and usually sometime during the week, a song would reveal itself to her, and she would write it down and sing it.  The songs are simple, uplifting songs that are easy for an audience to join in with.  They cover various topics like forgiveness, prosperity, faith in God, blessing people, recognizing God’s spirit within.  For a sample song, click here.

Judith is available to sing one or more songs on any occasion, or to do a whole program lasting from 30 to 60 minutes.

• Mother Goose programs
• Dame Judith
• Kathleen Snyder
• Believe it or not Animal Tales
• Malvina Reynolds
• Festivals of Light
• Celebrating Christmas
• Circle Time for preschoolers
• Workshops and Residencies