Ellen Hoffman

Blurring the lines between storytelling and music, instruments and imagination, and music and movement, MAKING MUSIC has captivated preschool aged children for over 12 years. Ellen Hoffman brings her guitar, plus bags of instruments, books, and props for 45 minutes of musical fun aimed at 2-5 year olds. Drums and mallets become pans and spoons, sand blocks become trains, helicopters and airplanes, rhythm sticks become oars, violins, letters of the alphabet and walrus tusks as Ellen gently encourages children to use their imaginations. With bags full of fun, Ellen aims to not only entertain, but to promote reading readiness skills, and provide parents, teachers and librarians with ideas to make storytime more fun by adding simple percussion instruments.Programs are geared to small groups (usually 20 children.) Ellen has also done professional development programs for preschools and libraries.She spoke to the Metrowest Librarians,and was a speaker at the 2008 NELA meeting in Manchester.