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| When
I was your age, my favorite book was Ellen Tebbits, by
Beverly Cleary. Ellen was an only child, and I was the oldest of
6! Some of you know just what I mean about being the oldest!! Every
time I got a new sweater, it was two sizes too big so I could wear
it a long time and then pass it on to my sisters! I had to sit in
the middle of the back sear because my parents thought I should
let the younger kids have the windows!! |

Lou Ann
as a little girl |
Lou Ann
performing |
But....
there were good things too!! We had a big play room in our house
with a piano, big cupboards for storing costumes and home made curtains
so that we could make a stage. When we were not in school, all of
us kids were singing, acting, performing, making shows! We charged
money to all of our relatives and neighbors. Since I was the oldest,
I was the director, producer, and the star! |
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My bedroom was in the
Attic of the house... I guess because there were so many kids
and we ran out of rooms and since I was the oldest I got to live
there. It was dark and spooky and great for a young storyteller's
imagination. I painted it purple, and that has always been my
favorite color! In that attic I would write stories, sing, play
dress up, and pretend!!!
I feel so lucky that
I am a storyteller. My dad used to tell me to find something I
love to do and it wouldn't be like going to work. That is the
way it is for me... Every day I get to tell stories, to play with
words, to be with kids and grown ups. |

Playing dress up |
Lou Ann
working with a group of kids |
My best advice for you is to turn
off the TV, keep a journal (I keep five of them at the same time,
by the way), listen to the old folks tell stories, and keep a
twinkle in your eye.
Check
out some writings that other kids have done. |
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