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Each year, traditionally on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, storytellers from around the world share their favorite stories with audiences of all ages. This year, Tuckahoe is the only library to participate in the program.
Tellabration was founded in 1988 by J.G. “Paw-Paw” Pinkerton, who “dreamed of having a night each year when storytellers in each community got together and told stories to their families and friends.” This year, thousands of storytellers around the globe are expected to participate in the festival.
Ellen Tannenbaum, the children’s librarian at the Tuckahoe Public Library, introduced the community to Tellabration three years ago. This year’s event will feature six storytellers, including Lorraine Hartin-Gelardi, who participated in Tuckahoe’s inaugural festival and Jonathan Kruk, from Cold Spring, N.Y.
“Storytelling makes us human,” Kruk said. “Stories break our inner isolation to bond us, creating community.”
Each story will run between 10 and 15 minutes. Tannenbaum, who regularly runs story-telling programs with the children in the community, stressed that this isn’t the traditional storytelling that the children might be used to, adding, “this is a step up.”
“It’s important to distinguish that this is not the story time with the picture books and songs,” she said. “There will likely be music involved, a tune that goes along with a participation story, but this is a different program.”
Tellabration kicks off at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22, at the library and is expected to conclude before 1 p.m. Tannenbaum said that all families are welcome, and that they should come with their eyes, and minds, open.
“Stories are important for kids and adults alike, they bring us together and allow us to share history, language and heritage,” she added. “Everyone benefits from a good story.”
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