Avondale Library's "Mrs. Eve" Performs Online Storytelling for Kids Stuck at Home

Avondale Library Storyteller Mrs. Eve has taken her popular programs online.

Avondale Regional Library’s Eve Parker – better known as storyteller "Mrs. Eve” -has used her gift to make learning fun for young patrons across the Birmingham Public Library system for more than two decades, including five-plus years full time.

Mrs. Eve loves seeing kids gather at her “Tot Time” storytelling programs at Avondale Library and other libraries in the city. Since the current coronavirus pandemic has shut down public libraries across the country, she has adapted by taking her storytelling virtual to entertain young people.

Over the past two weeks, Mrs. Eve has built a loyal following on the Avondale Library Facebook page  by reading and educating viewers via self-made videos recorded on her iPhone from home. Besides telling stories while digging in the dirt and other activities Mrs. Eve, who leads Avondale Library’s popular “Ukulele 101” classes, has also been serenading her young fans by playing silly tunes on her banjo.

In a Q & A interview, Mrs. Eve talked about how she has adapted her storytelling to online and shared advice for other parents on how to help their young kids adjust to this learning-from-home environment.

BPL: For those unfamiliar, tell them who Eve Parker aka Mrs. Eve is.

Mrs. Eve: I am a mom, a grand-mom, and an outreach storyteller for the Birmingham Public Library – Avondale Branch. 

BPL: You’ve been entertaining BPL patrons via your Avondale Library Facebook Live videos playing the banjo and playing in dirt. Talk about some of the innovative ways you have adjusted your storytelling skills to this virus.

Mrs. Eve: I’m just doing what I would normally do in story time – entertain and engage my babies! I think that continuity is very important – especially in these stressful times.

Mrs. Eve also leads Avondale Library's Ukulele 101 lessons. 

BPL: How have you come up with different ideas to approach storytelling in this new social distancing environment? 

Mrs. Eve: I did not plan to do online programming. There are so many excellent resources out there it just seemed unnecessary. But then a Tot Time mom emailed me, asking if I would do regular programming on Facebook. The kids needed the personal connection.

I used my iPhone to video an earthworm, and then typed the story. Only after posting it did it occur to me that I could talk and tape at the same time! So I’ve been trying to post stories and songs that the kids can learn and then reshare with their families.

My daughter shared a video with me of my 4-year-old granddaughter telling the story of Hermie the Worm – amazing to think she is a storyteller at age 4! The content is evolving as I am figuring out the technology.

BPL: Do you think even when things get back to normal and libraries reopen, more storytellers like yourself will continue to do some form of online storytelling such as using videos?

Mrs. Eve: I have wondered about that. When will we feel it safe to gather in large groups again? I have no answers. But isn’t it great that so many talented people are sharing their passions online. For new storytellers, this will be an invaluable resource!

BPL: You’re a parent of grown children. What advice can you offer to parents who have young kids on how to talk to them about what’s going on and the importance of washing your hands, etc. to keep from catching even longtime illnesses like the common cold or flu? 

Mrs. Eve: We don't want to frighten them by telling them more than they want, or need, to know. We should remember that children don’t process information, or make risk/benefit determinations, the way that adults do. We can share silly songs such as Barry Louis Polisar’s “Don’t Put Your Finger up Your Nose”, and use that as a jumping off point for further discussion. Or we can use literature – Laura Numeroff’s books, “If you Give a Mouse a Cookie,”, “... a Pig a Pancake,” etc. are great stories to introduce the concept of consequences.

One of the stories I shared on Facebook, Abiyoyo, mirrors the situation we find ourselves in now: When faced with a people-eating monster, the townspeople hunker down while the boy and his father – who feel they have the right tools - dispense of that monster. Happy endings!

BPL: Anything to add? 

Mrs. Eve: We love our library families and are doing our best to continue to serve them during this difficult time. Our kids are probably more cognizant than we realize about our stress levels. Try to engage with them to allay their fears, as they perceive the threat. Because what they are actually worried about may surprise us!