Interactive storytimes for all ages! Indoor, outdoor, and online programs available.
- For Families/All Ages
- For Babies, Toddlers, and Their Grownups
- For Preschoolers
- For Ages 6 and Up
- For Adults
- Rates and Policies
For Families/All Ages
Read, Sign, and Play: In this high-energy author storytime, Kathy MacMillan shares her books, along with American Sign Language songs and action rhymes.
The American Sign Language Express: Climb aboard! We’ll explore the USA through signs, songs, stories, and hands-on fun! Signing storyteller Kathy MacMillan is your conductor on this giggly, wiggly journey for the whole family.
Buggy About Sign Language: Bring those squirmy-wormy fingers and explore the world of creepy- crawlies through American Sign Language! Signing storyteller Kathy MacMillan will share stories, signs, songs, and games all about our winged and many-legged friends as we learn to listen with our eyes and communicate with our hands and bodies.
Flying Fingers of Fall: Learn basic American Sign Language through tales of falling leaves, squirrels, pumpkins and more!
How Do You Sign “Snow”?: Winter Signs: Warm up those frigid fingers with stories, songs, and activities that explore the snowy season with basic American Sign Language.
I Dig Sign Language: Join signing storyteller Kathy MacMillan for a celebration of all things underground! Learn basic American Sign Language through interactive storytelling, songs, and games.
Once Upon a Sign: Come away to a land of kings and dragons, queens and castles, and learn signs through stories and songs of magic. Learn about Deaf Culture as we visit the land of Eyeth, where we use our hands and eyes to communicate.
The SIGN-a-long Sing-a-long: Teach your fingers how to sing as we explore American Sign Language through music and stories!
Sign Language Here, There, and Everywhere: Learn basic American Sign Language and find out more about sign languages around the world through interactive stories, songs, and more.
Sign Language Safari: Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Go walkin’ through the jungle and learn signs through stories, songs, and fun activities for the whole family.
Signs of Spring: Explore springtime with American Sign Language, from April showers to May flowers and everything in between!
Signs Under the Sea: Dive into splashy stories, songs, and fun activities that explore the world of underwater animals through American Sign Language!
Summer Signs: The sun is shining, the air is warm, and we’ve got a slew of summertime stories and signs just for you! Don’t forget your sunscreen!
Wonderful Weather Signs: Join signing storyteller Kathy MacMillan for interactive stories, songs, and rhymes, and learn basic American Sign Language vocabulary for whatever the weather brings!
For Babies, Toddlers, and Their Grownups
Little Hands Signing: Interactive theme-based storytimes that combine age-appropriate signs and activities with solid information for caregivers. Many topics available, including
- First Signs
- Baby’s Signing Day
- Bathtime Signs
- Bedtime Signs
- Celebration Signs
- Diaper and Potty Signs
- Dress-Up Signs
- Fall Signs
- Family Signs
- Farm Signs
- Feelings Signs
- Food Signs
- In My Mailbox Signs
- In My Neighborhood Signs
- Let’s Move! Signs
- Morning Signs
- My Favorite Things Signs
- Nice Play Signs
- Opposites Signs
- People Signs
- Pet Signs
- Playtime Signs
- Safety Signs
- School and Daycare Signs
- Sign and Sign
- Spring Signs
- Summer Signs
- Transportation Signs
- Weather Signs
- Winter Signs
- Zoo Signs
For Preschoolers
Let’s Sign Together: Learn basic American Sign Language together in this interactive storytime. Through stories and songs, we’ll learn signs for animals, emotions, and more. Flex your fingers and join in the fun!
Little Hands Signing: Interactive theme-based storytimes that combine age-appropriate signs and activities with solid information for caregivers where appropriate. Many topics available, including
- First Signs
- Bedtime Signs
- Celebration Signs
- Dress-Up Signs
- Fall Signs
- Family Signs
- Farm Signs
- Feelings Signs
- Food Signs
- In My Mailbox Signs
- In My Neighborhood Signs
- Let’s Move! Signs
- Nice Play Signs
- Opposites Signs
- People Signs
- Pet Signs
- Playtime Signs
- Safety Signs
- School and Daycare Signs
- Sign and Sign
- Spring Signs
- Summer Signs
- Transportation Signs
- Weather Signs
- Winter Signs
- Zoo Signs
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For Ages 6 and Up
ASL ABCs: Take a trip through the alphabet and learn the American manual alphabet and more through silly stories, songs, and fun!
Come Sign with Me: What is American Sign Language? What does it mean to be deaf? Learn the answers to these questions and more in this interactive introduction to ASL and Deaf Culture.
The Great American Sign Language Mystery: Where did American Sign Language come from? Flex your fingers and join in the hunt for clues as sign language detective Kathy MacMillan leads silly stories, songs, and more.
I Dig Sign Language: Join signing storyteller Kathy MacMillan for a celebration of all things underground! Learn basic American Sign Language through interactive storytelling, songs, and games.
Once Upon a Sign: Come away to a land of kings and dragons, queens and castles, and learn signs through stories and songs of magic. Learn about Deaf Culture as we visit the land of Eyeth, where we use our hands and eyes to communicate.
The SIGN-a-long Sing-a-long: Teach your fingers how to sing as we explore American Sign Language through music and stories!
Sign Language Here, There, and Everywhere: Learn basic American Sign Language and find out more about sign languages around the world through interactive stories, songs, and more.
For Adults
Sign with Your Child: Research shows that signing with all children stimulates language development, eases communication, supports early literacy, and defuses frustration for parents and children alike. Kathy MacMillan, author of Little Hands and Big Hands: Children and Adults Signing Together, introduces the whys and hows of signing with children ages birth to six and shares hands-on activities you can use throughout the day.
Professional development workshops also available.
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Rates
Indoor, outdoor, and online programming available.
For programs in the Midatlantic area:
Library programs (45 minutes, for up to 150 people):
- Single program: $400 plus travel expenses.
- Additional same-day sessions: $300 plus travel expenses.
School and Childcare Center programs (up to 30 people per group):
- $250 for the first hour (plus travel expenses)
- $100 per additional half-hour
- Time may be split up amongst different classes or groups, but must be used consecutively.
Assembly programs (45 minutes, for more than 150 people):
- Single program: $500 plus travel expenses
- Additional same-day sessions: $250 each
Workshops and Virtual author visits are also available.
For in-person programming outside the Midatlantic area: Please contact me to arrange a program that best meets your needs and budget.
A flat per-program rate that includes travel expenses may be negotiated for multiple bookings. (Presenter will be traveling from Baltimore, MD.)
Policies
Cancellations: Programs cancelled with less than 72 hours (3 days) notice for any reason will be billed in full including any applicable travel expenses. For programs requiring air travel, programs canceled with less than 2 weeks (10 working days) notice for any reason will be billed in full including any applicable travel expenses.
Acts of God: Payment for cancellation of programs due to natural disasters or severely inclement weather conditions may be waived on the condition that the program is rescheduled within 3 weeks.
Mileage: Round-trip mileage will be charged according to the current IRS business mileage rate.
Early Arrival: Presenter will arrive at least 30 minutes prior to program start time for in-person programs, 15 minutes prior to start time for virtual programs.
Physical Setup: Due to the visual nature of Stories by Hand programs, every effort should be made to ensure that program space provides adequate lighting and clear sightlines.
Photos and Recording: Event organizers and attendees may take as many still photos as they like during the presentations. No videorecording is permitted without express permission of the presenter.
Interpreters: The presenter can present in either spoken English or American Sign Language. If an interpreter is needed, it is the responsibility of the organization hosting the program to provide one. Interpreters may be booked through the presenter for an additional fee.
Book Sales: I request that schools and libraries offer sales of my book(s) in conjunction with visits. I can arrange for book sales through Deaf Camps, Inc. (with all proceeds benefiting this nonprofit organization). I will be available to sign books after the session or at another agreed-upon time during the visit.
Platform: Unless otherwise agreed, virtual sessions will be conducted online via Zoom. Presenter is not responsible for technical difficulties at the receiving end. Rates listed above apply to program access for up to 99 people via Zoom; access for additional participants can be provided for an additional fee.
Captioning: Live captioning must be enabled for live online storytime platforms. Recorded storytimes must have professional captioning. (This applies to both prerecorded content and recordings of live programs made available after the fact.) Open or closed captioning can be provided by the presenter for an additional $3.50 per audio minute.
Collection Fees: Attorney’s fees and court costs will be added to the balance due if necessary to collect.
Proceeding with contractual agreement implies acceptance of terms.
To book an appearance:
- Check my availability calendar and identify your preferred dates and times.
- Fill out the contact form here. Include your contact information, organization name and address, estimated number of program participants, and choices of dates/times.
- I will check dates/times and reply to you with a confirmation.
- Please read the Cancellation policy carefully. A cancellation fee will apply as described above.
Stories by Hand 