Storyteller

Come and be regaled by a world filled with tales...

Programs Available

Stories come from an ancient oral tradition and Linda has collected stories from all over the world to share with her audiences so that this tradition can continue to flourish. Below are some of the programs she offers. Linda will tailor a program to meet your needs.

Please click on the category title to open it and see the details of the programs.

LIVING HISTORY PROGRAMS

Linda offers a number of costumed living history programs. Among them are:

Homesteading the West - The Tale of Lavinia Morgan Anderson

Lavinia Morgan Anderson is a composite character of a pioneer woman living on a ranch in Colorado in the late 1880s as she remembers how she emigrated west in a covered wagon in the 1860s as a child and grew up in Kansas before settling in Colorado with her husband after staking a claim under the Homestead Act. While Lavinia did not actually exist, her life did exist as well as that of thousands of other women who made similar journeys. This story is drawn from snippets of many diaries the women kept telling of their challenges, privations, fears and triumphs. They record the woman's side of pioneer life. Come and learn about these adventures and more through this thrilling living history program.

The Life And Times Of Louisa May Alcott

Louisa May Alcott, best known for writing the children's novel "Little Women" in 1868, came from an unconventional victorian family and led an independent and unusual life. She was not only a prolific writer of children's books, but also of dark thrillers and serious adult novels. She served as a nurse in the Civil War and was active in the abolition movement as well as other social issues such as the women's suffrage movement. Among her friends and neighbors in Concord, MA were Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson. All of these things, as well as her love and dedication to her family and her passion for writing, were factors which led her to write "Little Women" Come and meet Louisa May Alcott and learn more about this fascinating woman and her life.

Linda Batlin

The Story of Doc Susie

Dr. Susan Anderson or "Doc Susie" as she was called was the first woman doctor in Fraser, CO. She arrived there in 1907 and practiced medicine until 1956. The story tells of Doc Susie's life, of how she became a doctor and moved to the Fraser valley and set up her practice. It tells of her struggles, challenges and triumphs in treating the lumberjacks, ranchers and railroaders of the area over the many years. It also tells of the many changes she saw over the years, like the building of the Moffat Tunnel. When she first arrived the men scoffed at her because she was a woman doctor but after awhile they would say "Call Doc Susie; she'll come if she has to walk!"

Isabella Bird’s Visit to Colorado

Isabella Bird was a traveler and a writer with a wonderful ability to describe her surroundings in great detail so that one feels as if they were there. Come hear about Isabella’s lively adventures on her first trip to Estes Park in 1873 and of her arduous climb of Longs Peak (she was the third woman ever to climb Longs Peak) as well as of her romance with the rogue, Rocky Mountain Jim. She was dazzled by the Rocky Mountains and enthralled by the “blue hollow at the foot of Longs Peak” – Estes Park - which is written about in her book “A Lady’s Life in the Rocky Mountains.”

Meet Martha Maxwell – Pioneer Naturalist

Nicknamed the “Colorado huntress” in the mid-nineteenth century, Martha Maxwell was Colorado’s first taxidermist. This shy, petite woman made a major impact on natural history as we know it today. Storyteller Linda Batlin presents a lively one-woman program of how this woman’s love of animals and the natural world along with her artistic abilities led her to create displays we now call dioramas, establish a natural history museum in Boulder, CO immortalizing animals, and represent Colorado at the 1876 Centennial Exposition. She is credited with discovering a new species of owl, the Rocky Mountain screech owl.

Meet Mary Rippon

Mary Rippon was the University of Colorado's first woman professor. She started teaching at CU in 1878 and taught for over 30 years. She led a quiet, scholarly life and was highly respected as a role model to her students. But she kept her scandalous private life a secret. To keep her career she had to hide the fact that she had a husband and a child - a secret she took to her grave. The story is a fascinating look at her struggle of excelling in the male world of academia, while secretly supporting her family whom she had to keep at a distance.

Linda Batlin

FOLKTALE PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES

Below are some examples of the many programs available for schools and libraries.

Animal Tales for the Young

Various multicultural folktales and fables using puppets and simple musical instruments.

Stories of Asia

various cultural programs of folktales from many countries in Asia such as Bhutan, India, Indonesia, China and many other places. All are enjoyable stories and suitable for all ages.

Ghost Story Programs

Stories of ghosts (some not so scary) and mysterious creatures sure to send a tingle down your spine.

The Nature of Cats

Cats - in all sizes- have captured our hearts and imaginations since the Egyptian civilization. The Victorians adored them and we still do today. Yet these loving, and loyal creatures have been much misunderstood and maligned. Come and take a somewhat whimsical look at the nature of cats through folktale, poem and personal anecdote. You will find out why cats catch mice and dogs chase cats and how resourceful they can be - even learning to ski when necessary! A lively and fun program for the whole family.

Linda Batlin

Nature and Wildlife Stories

Stories that show the wonder of the world around us and help explain why things are the way they are.

Folktales From Around the World

A potpourri of multicultural folktales from around the world, some classic tales, some whimsical stories but all certain to educate and entertain. Suitable for all ages.

Linda Batlin

Resources Available For Sale

Original stories available in the following books:
“Chile Today, Hot Tamale and Other Tummy Tales”
“Ole! Posole!, and Other Tummy Tales”

Fun and Educational Programs of Travels to Far Away Places –

Some of the Available Ones Are:

Bhutan – Land of the Thunder Dragon

Hear about Bhutan, a small kingdom tucked away in the Himalaya, where I visited in October 2001 and discover a magical world of mountains and monasteries, where traditional, serene ways co exist with modern life. Trek along with me through this kingdom, and hear folktales of yaks and yetis and other creatures.

Mongolia – In Search of Argali

Mongolia, land of Genghis Khan, from the point of view of being a research volunteer on a project to track and gather data on Argali, the largest wild sheep in the world. But there was so much more walking across the Mongolian steppe looking for argali and discovering the nomadic Mongolians with their warm hospitality and finding horses, hedgehogs, bats, vultures, Ibex and yes – Argali! The Mongolians have a cultural heritage rich in wonderful folktales several of which will be woven into the personal experiences.

Linda Batlin

A World of Mountain Tales

The mountains are filled with stories and folklore whether you are in the Rockies, the Alps or the Himalaya. You just need to listen for the stories and they will find you. They will tell you about the small folk, the spirits who live in the mountains like the Toggeli of Switzerland or the Tommyknockers of Cornwall. They will tell you about the big folk like the Yeti who roam the high valleys of the Himalaya, and they will tell you much more. Come sit, listen and discover a world of mountain tales.

Workshop Subjects

Beginning Storytelling Workshop
Basic Crafting Your Own Story – for schools
Bringing History Alive!