Category Archives: Summer Reading

Book now for Summer Reading 2023: Let’s Sign Together!

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A white woman with brown hair and glasses smiles at a white child with blond hair. They are both signing I-LOVE-YOU in American Sign Language, and pressing the signs against one another. Text reads: Book now for Summer 2023: Let’s Sign Together! Indoor, outdoor, and online programs available for all ages. Share stories, songs, and rhymes and learn basic American Sign Language vocabulary about love and friendship as we celebrate our connections with one another. Presented by Kathy MacMillan, author of the Little Hands Signing series and Little Hands and Big Hands: Children and Adults Signing Together. More info at StoriesByHand.com/SummerReading

The Collaborative Summer Reading Theme for 2023 is: All Together Now : Todos Juntos Ahora (Kindness/Friendship/Unity).

Stories by Hand has you covered with a high-energy, interactive program for multiple age groups:

Let’s Sign Together!

Share stories, songs, and rhymes and learn basic American Sign Language vocabulary about love and friendship as we celebrate our connections with one another. Presented by Kathy MacMillan, author of the Little Hands Signing series and Little Hands and Big Hands: Children and Adults Signing Together. 

This program can be presented as an all-ages program or adapted to a baby, toddler, preschooler, or school-age audience.

Indoor, outdoor, and online programs available.

  • Single program (45 minutes): $400 plus travel expenses.
  • Additional same-day sessions: $300 plus travel expenses.

Book a program for Summer 2023 by February 1, 2023 and get 15% off the single program rate!

Availability calendar

Complete booking details

Interested in a different program theme? Check out all Stories By Hand program offerings here.

 

 

 

 

Upcoming Programs for All Ages

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A photo of a smiling white woman with glasses appears on the left. She is signing FISH in American Sign Language and is surrounded by cartoon fish. Text appears in black against a blue background: Signs Under the Sea with Kathy MacMillan.

Dive into splashy stories, songs, and fun activities that explore the world of underwater animals through American Sign Language! For all ages. Click on the links below for more details.

Wednesday, August 10 at 11 AM: Claymont Public Library (Claymont, DE)

Wednesday, August 10 at 2 PM: Appoquinimink Community Library (Middletown, DE)

Wednesday, August 10 at 6:30 PM: Route 9 Library & Innovation Center (New Castle, DE)

Friday, August 12 at 10:30 AM: Rockville Memorial Library (Rockville, MD)

Saturday, August 13 at 2 PM: Baltimore County Public Library, Hereford Branch (Hereford, MD)

Tuesday, August 16 at 11 AM: High Point Public Library (High Point, NC)

 

A photo of a smiling white woman with glasses appears next to the covers of picture book THE RUNAWAY SHIRT and board books NITA'S FIRST SIGNS and NITA'S DAY. Text appears in black against a blue textured background: Storytime at Writer's Block Bookstore with Author Kathy MacMillan. Saturday, August 20 at 11 AM. For all ages. Writer's Block - Winter Garden 32 W. Plant Street, Winter Garden, FL 34787

Saturday, August 20 at 11 AM: Storytime with Kathy MacMillan at Writer’s Block Bookstore in Winter Garden, FL. We’ll sign, sign, play, and read together! For all ages. Writer’s Block – Winter Garden, 32 W. Plant Street, Winter Garden, FL 34787.

July Programs for Families

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A photo of a smiling white woman with glasses appears on the left. She is signing FISH in American Sign Language and is surrounded by cartoon fish. Text appears in black against a blue background: Signs Under the Sea with Kathy MacMillan.Signs Under the Sea

Dive into splashy stories, songs, and fun activities that explore the world of underwater animals through American Sign Language! For all ages. Click on the links below for more details.

Tuesday, June 21 at 10:30 AM: Baltimore County Public Library, White Marsh Branch (White Marsh, MD)

Thursday, June 23 at 11 AM: Woodlawn Library (Wilmington, DE)

Saturday, July 2 at 10:30 AM: Baltimore County Public Library, Rosedale Branch (Rosedale, MD)

Monday, July 11 at 11 AM: Delmar Public Library (Delmar, DE)

Monday, July 11 at 2 PM: South Coastal Library (Bethany Beach, DE)

Friday, July 15 at 10:30 AM: Baltimore County Public Library, Towson Branch (Towson, MD)

 

Meet the Author: Kathy MacMillan. Sunday, July 10 ~ 6- 8 PM. Bethany Beach Books 99 Garfield Pkw, Bethany Beach, DE 19930. Words appear next to a photo of a smiling white woman with glasses and shoulder length brown hair, surrounded by her book covers: The Runaway Shirt (picture book), Nita’s First Signs and Nita’s Day (board books), She Spoke (children’s nonfiction)

Meet the Author: Kathy MacMillan
Sunday, July 10, 2022 from 6-8 PM 
Bethany Beach Books, 99 Garfield Pkw, Bethany Beach DE 19930

Sing, sign, read, and play with Kathy MacMillan, author of THE RUNAWAY SHIRT and other picture book favorites.

Join me for SIGNS UNDER THE SEA this summer!

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A photo of a smiling white woman with glasses appears on the left. She is signing FISH in American Sign Language and is surrounded by cartoon fish. Text appears in black against a blue background: Signs Under the Sea with Kathy MacMillan.

Join me at libraries all along the East Coast this summer for

Signs Under the Sea

Dive into splashy stories, songs, and fun activities that explore the world of underwater animals through American Sign Language! For all ages. Click on the links below for more details.

Tuesday, June 21 at 10:30 AM: Baltimore County Public Library, White Marsh Branch (White Marsh, MD)

Thursday, June 23 at 11 AM: Woodlawn Library (Wilmington, DE)

Saturday, July 2 at 10:30 AM: Baltimore County Public Library, Rosedale Branch (Rosedale, MD)

Monday, July 11 at 11 AM: Delmar Public Library (Delmar, DE)

Monday, July 11 at 2 PM: South Coastal Library (Bethany Beach, DE)

Friday, July 15 at 10:30 AM: Baltimore County Public Library, Towson Branch (Towson, MD)

Wednesday, August 10 at 11 AM: Claymont Public Library (Claymont, DE)

Wednesday, August 10 at 2 PM: Appoquinimink Community Library (Middletown, DE)

Wednesday, August 10 at 6:30 PM: Route 9 Library & Innovation Center (New Castle, DE)

Saturday, August 13 at 2 PM: Baltimore County Public Library, Hereford Branch (Hereford, MD)

Tuesday, August 16 at 11 AM: High Point Public Library (High Point, NC)

Little Hands Signing Professional Development on demand

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A little boy with olive skin and dark hair and eyes begins to sign PLEASE in American Sign Language. Text appears in white against a blue background and says: Little Hands Signing Professional Development Series Season Pass. 6 webinars presented by Kathy MacMillan, NIC, M.L.S. January - June 2022. Includes live webinars and recording access through 8/31/21. StoriesByHand.com/webinars

Little Hands Signing Professional Development Series Season Pass

Add some American Sign Language to your storytime toolbox! Learn how to incorporate ASL into storytime songs, rhymes, and stories in a respectful and effective way.

Your Season Pass registration includes on-demand recording access to all 6 webinars through August 31, 2022!

  • Winter Signs
  • Lovey Dovey Signs
  • Spring Signs
  • Weather Signs
  • Ocean Signs (Summer Reading Special)
  • Summer Signs

Register now for the Little Hands Signing Professional Development Series Season Pass

Or register for upcoming webinars here.

Register now for Little Hands Signing Professional Development: Summer Signs

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Illustrations of a sun, watermelon, beach ball, sunglasses, beach umbrella, and flip-flops appear against a green background. Text reads: Little Hands Signing Professional Development Webinar: Summer Signs. Thursday, June 2, 2022, 2-3 PM Eastern. Presented by Kathy MacMillan, NIC, M.L.S. Register at StoriesByHand.com/webinars

Add some American Sign Language to your storytime toolbox! In these interactive sessions, we’ll focus on basic ASL vocabulary for storytimes. Learn how to incorporate ASL into storytime songs, rhymes, and stories in a respectful and effective way. Registration includes 30 days of recording access. Individual: $40 per webinar. Group rates available.

Little Hands Signing Professional Development Webinar: Summer Signs: Thursday, June 2, 2022 at 2-3 PM Eastern/1-2 PM Central/12-1 PM Mountain/11 AM-12PM Pacific. Register now. 

Register for the 2022 Little Hands Signing Professional Development Series 1 Season Pass and save! You’ll get live webinar access to this webinar PLUS extended recording access for the entire series through August 31, 2022. Season Pass is $200 per person and includes:

  • Winter Signs
  • Lovey Dovey Signs
  • Spring Signs
  • Weather Signs
  • Ocean Signs
  • Summer Signs

Register for the 2022 Little Hands Signing Professional Development Series 1 Season Pass here.

Get Ready for Summer Reading!

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Get ready for the 2022 Collaborative Summer Reading Theme, Oceans of Possibilities: Océano de Posibilidades, with these 2 webinars from Stories By Hand!

Text reads: Get ready for Summer Reading with Little Hands Signing Professional Development Webinars. Ocean Signs: Thursday, May 5, 2022, 2-3 PM Eastern. Summer Signs: Thursday, June 2, 2022, 2-3 PM Eastern. StoriesByHand.com/webinars. Ocean Signs information appears against a background of jellyfish floating in the ocean. Summer Signs information appears against a beach with a sandcastle in the corner.

Add some American Sign Language to your storytime toolbox! In these interactive sessions, we’ll focus on basic ASL vocabulary for storytimes. Learn how to incorporate ASL into storytime songs, rhymes, and stories in a respectful and effective way. Registration includes 30 days of recording access. Individual: $40 per webinar. Group rates available.

Little Hands Signing Professional Development Webinar: Ocean Signs: Thursday, May 5, 2022 at 2 PM Eastern/1 PM Central/12 PM Mountain/11 AM Pacific. Register now.

Little Hands Signing Professional Development Webinar: Summer Signs: Thursday, June 2, 2022 at 2 PM Eastern/1 PM Central/12 PM Mountain/11 AM Pacific. Register now. 

 

Booking dates still available for Signs Under the Sea, a high-energy, interactive program for your patrons that features ASL vocabulary for oceans and ocean life:

Signs Under the Sea

A photo of a smiling white women with glasses and shoulder length brown hair appears on the left. She is signing FISH in American Sign Language, as cartoon fish swim around her.Dive into splashy stories, songs, and fun activities that explore the world of underwater animals through American Sign Language! Presented by Kathy MacMillan, author of the Little Hands Signing series. 

This program can be presented as an all-ages program, or adapted to a baby, toddler, preschooler, or school-age audience.

Indoor, outdoor, and online programs available.

 

  • Single program (45 minutes): $400 plus travel expenses.
  • Additional same-day sessions: $300 plus travel expenses.

Availability calendar

Complete booking details

Interested in a different program theme? Check out all Stories By Hand program offerings here.

 

 

 

 

Book now for Summer Reading 2022: Signs Under the Sea

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The Collaborative Summer Reading Theme for 2022 is: Oceans of Possibilities: Océano de Posibilidades.

Stories by Hand has you covered with a high-energy, interactive program that features ASL vocabulary for oceans and ocean life:

Signs Under the Sea

A photo of a smiling white women with glasses and shoulder length brown hair appears on the left. She is signing FISH in American Sign Language, as cartoon fish swim around her.Dive into splashy stories, songs, and fun activities that explore the world of underwater animals through American Sign Language! Presented by Kathy MacMillan, author of the Little Hands Signing series. 

This program can be presented as an all-ages program, or adapted to a baby, toddler, preschooler, or school-age audience.

Indoor, outdoor, and online programs available.

 

  • Single program (45 minutes): $400 plus travel expenses.
  • Additional same-day sessions: $300 plus travel expenses.

Book a program for Summer 2022 by February 1 and get 15% off!

Availability calendar

Complete booking details

Interested in a different program theme? Check out all Stories By Hand program offerings here.

 

 

 

 

Online Storytimes This Week

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Join me online for free programs for all ages, sponsored by local public libraries!

Thursday, August 12, 2021 at 6 PM Eastern: Little Hands Signing: Under the Sea.  Online storytime hosted by New Castle County Libraries (MD). Register now!

A photo of a smiling white women with glasses and shoulder length brown hair appears on the left. She is signing FISH in American Sign Language, as cartoon fish swim around her. The colorful covers of board books Nita's First Signs and Nita's Day appear to her right. Text appears in black against a blue background: Little Hands Signing: Under the Sea. Thursday, August 12 at 6 PM Eastern. Hosted by New Castle County Libraries. Register at https://tinyurl.com/NCCUndertheSea. Sing, sign, and play together with this fun, hands-on, FREE online storytime with Kathy MacMillan, author of the Little Hands Signing series.

 

Thursday, August 12, 2021 at 6 PM Eastern: American Sign Language Safari. Online storytime hosted by Baltimore County Public Library (MD). Register now!

A photo of a smiling white woman with glasses and a safari hat appear on the left. A monkey puppet is sitting on her left shoulder and she is signing I-LOVE-YOU in American Sign Language with her left hand. The colorful covers of board books NITA'S FIRST SIGNS and NITA'S DAY appear to her right. Text appears in white against a textured green background and reads: American Sign Language Safari. Learn animal signs through stories, songs, and fun activities for the whole family with Kathy MacMillan, author of the Little Hands Signing series. Hosted by Baltimore County Public Library. Thursday, August 12, 2021 at 7 PM Eastern. Online via Zoom. Register at https://www.bcpl.info/events-and-programs

 

Saturday, August 14, 2021 at 10 AM Eastern: Little Hands Signing: Under the Sea. Online storytime hosted by Carroll County Public Library. Register now.

A picture of colorful handprints appears on the left, with the words: Little Hands Signing with Kathy MacMillan: Under the Sea. Ages Birth-8. Next to that, a photo of a smiling white woman with glasses appears next to the colorful covers of board books NITA'S FIRST SIGNS and NITA'S DAY. Text appears in white against a green background with blue jellyfish: Sing, sign, and play together with this fun, hands-on, FREE online storytime for the whole family, presented by Kathy MacMillan, author of the Little Hands Signing series. Carroll County Public Library. Saturday, August 14, 2021 at 10 AM Eastern. Online via Zoom. Register at https://tinyurl.com/CCPLUndertheSea