Poland library guests travel the globe
Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Guests to the "It Makes a World of Difference" storytime on July 22 smiled with their new favorite storyteller Lindsay Bonilla. The group are, from left, Joanie McNally, John McNally, Max Hammis, Bonilla, and Macey Scerba.
Neighbors | Sarah Foor .In the story of the monkey and the crocodile, monkey Miles Johnson (left) learns that he needs to be more careful choosing friends like the mean crocodile, Luke Thomas (right). Storyteller Lindsay Bonilla (center) stayed nearby as the characters learned their lessons.
Neighbors | Sarah Foor .When storyteller Lindsay Bonilla (left) visited the Poland library on July 22, she was carrying a heavy load. As she explained to her helper, Max Hammis (right), who helped her remove her bookbag, her pack was so heavy because she has been busy collecting tales from around the world.
By SARAH FOOR
When Lindsay Bonilla entered the Poland library July 22, she was hunched over and buckling under the weight of a very large backpack.
The storyteller, who hails from North Canton, and is the founder of World of Difference Ltd., explained to a group of 15 Poland youngsters why her baggage was so massive.
“You see, I’ve spent years traveling around the world and collecting stories to tell to kids like you. I have monkeys in there, and bricks, books, and fishes, because they’re all part of the stories I collect,” Bonilla said as she slipped off her backpack.
“The stories are a lot like me – they don’t like to stay in one place for a very long time. They like to be shared,” added Bonilla.
The storyteller opened her pack and tempted her guests with teasers of stories from Peru, Iceland, Morocco, China, and Columbia, before settling on a traditional tale from India.
To bring to life the Indian tale of the monkey and the crocodile, Bonilla dubbed guests Miles Johnson and Luke Thomas as each respective animal.
The story, adapted from the Indian fables of Panchatantram, explores the unlikely friendship of the crocodile and monkey, who bond when they begin to eat jamun fruits together. When the crocodile’s wife learns of the friendship, she meanly asks her husband to bring her the heart of the monkey to eat.
Although both of the friends are clever, the monkey eventually escapes becoming a meal.
Guest Miles Johnson explained, in character, “I thought we were friends – not anymore! I used my brain to save my heart!”
After finishing their journey to India, storyteller Lindsay Bonilla let the crowd in on a little secret.
“You can find all the best stories in books. Your librarian can help you find anything you need. I want you to keep it a secret –but since you’re all so nice, I’ll let you tell 100 of your closest friends.”