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.

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.

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.

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”

LIVING HISTORY PROGRAMS

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

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!"

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.

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.”

Estelle Russell, First Lady of Westminster
This is the story of the wife of the first mayor of Westminster, Colorado. It tells of life in the small rural town of Harris and how it grew and became incorporated as the city of Westminster in the early 1900s, named after the neighboring, short-lived Westminster University, dubbed “The Princeton of the West”.

Story in Preparation – The Life and Times of Louisa May Alcott

Story in Preparation - A Pioneer’s Life on the Ranch (Late 1800s)

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.

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
Historic Characters and Oral History