Kathleen and Billy: Stories, Songs, Poetry and Arts & Crafts

Oct 2009: 'Wainfest'. Arts and books festival for children "Billy and Kathllen really engaged with the children and entertained them for a solid hour. They can adapt to any age group and class size is not an issue. We definitely want them back next year" Hazelwood Integrated Primary, Belfast. Oct 2009: Book Week: "One of the highlights this week was the ‘Story Tellers’ visit where Billy Teare and Kathleen O' Sullivan captivated us with a variety of tales and had both staff and children on the edges of our seats". Senior librarian, Stephen Bleakley writes: “...It is seldom, if ever, that a visit from a Storyteller so fires the imagination of a group of teenage boys, that they hover in expectant playground gaggles, awaiting his arrival. Yet that is exactly the effect Billy Teare had on his prospective audiences in Fermanagh Secondary Schools. . . For the hard pressed librarian or teacher, desperate to encourage genuine participation and interest from the 11 - 16 age group, then Billy is a heaven-sent gift in the present climate of financial prudence and value for money.” Sheila Tierney, Executive Librarian, Louth County Library "...Thanks a million for the great sessions in the libraries. The feedback has been excellent and Kathleen you were a real hit." Liz Lynn, Principal. Ballee Primary School “...Just wanted to thank you for the Storytelling Sessions and Workshops that you and Kathleen did on 4th March. All our Staff and Pupils thoroughly enjoyed the storytelling and the creative work done by Kathleen. The feedback from the Community Association was fantastic. The Senior Citizens had a great morning and would like to repeat the experience.” Billy and Kathleen’s multi media format Billy and Kathleen have developed a successful duo format, suited to all types of arts/literature/creative ventures. Working in a reciprocal way, their multi media sessions include stories, poetry, songs and arts and crafts Billy tells stories that help listeners to store and access any type of information in a fun way, as well as tales and poems, written especially for him by Kathleen and inspired by traditional stories. Kathleen features items made from recycled/reclaimed materials which can assist older students in the areas of design technology and/or might help in the recognition of the potential and artistic merits of all types of products. (See the moving gallery). Kathleen has researched creativity in the early years and has a background in social care. As such, she is committed to equality and diversity and takes an original and resourceful approach to enlivening story sessions. She is an artist and published poet and adds value to Billy’s program with original arts and crafts ideas, playful poetry and stories, some using language which has been likened to Edward Lear, Lewis Carroll and Dr Seuss.

Billy and Kathleen - not just the same old story