"I just have to thank you for telling me about the Granite State Storytelling even in New London. You are kinetic, funny, charming, engaging, and you allow adults to be children, or should I say, it makes no difference what age one is when listening to you. It was really really good to hear and see you, and to observe your audience."
- Lynda Day-Martin, new storytelling fan - October, 2009

"Another great night at the Story Cafe! Simon filled the space with his wit and talent. He is so at ease on stage and played with the audience along the way, offering us stories that spanned from seafaring tale, to an enchanted princess. I loved his version of The Piper's Revenge, peppered with just enough historical background to put some more meat on the bones. I heard so many complimentary comments from folks as they lingered for a bit after his performance."
-Karen Chace, organizer of Story Cafe, New Bedford, MA - August 2009

"Simon - Thank you so much for the wonderful performance you gave last December. Students and staff are still talking about it. Our principal even brought it up at the school board meeting! I have enclosed some dragons and the information I sent along to our generous funders (the Green Mountain Festival Series). We look forward to having you back in future years!"
- Jeanie Phillips, school librarian - January 2009
To see thank you notes from the Chester Andover Elementary School, click here!

"Simon – You were awesome yesterday! Thanks so much for coming AND telling some grand stories. Your support of the Valley Quest program is so very much appreciated."
- Len Cadwallader, Executive Director, Vital Communities - October 2008

"Hi Simon!
We got your CD [More Second-hand Tales] in the mail a couple days ago. My two boys have listened to it probably at least 30 times. They love it! They can't decide which is their favorite story and neither can I.
Thanks again!"
- Marla Fredette, parent - August 2008

"More Second-hand Tales", winner of Silver Honors, Parents's Choice, 1st Oct 2009

 

"Hi Simon,
We had a wonderful time with you! Everyone really enjoyed your visit and storytelling. I particularly admired how you really got into character-you looked and acted so different for different characters, even your facial expressions turned you into the character of the moment, a true talent.
Best wishes and happy storytelling!"
- Kim Brewster, Library Media Specialist, Bow Elementary, Bow, NH - June 2008

"Bravo Simon - Your talent is a gift, and an astonishing one at that. You're so astoundingly good at it!"
- Barbara Rogasky, children's author - June 2008

"Simon - One of my 5th graders, an extremely "cool" fifth grader, let the other students know when entering school Friday that if they were not at Literacy Night they missed an amazing event - very out of character for her to be so complementary about school events. Most of the 26 students there were raving about you for the entire day Friday. Thanks for the entertaining and fun night."
JoAnn Vana, Principal, Brownington Central School, Brownington, VT - April 2008

"Simon - Thank You for undertaking another CD!
Thank You for a wonderful collection of Second-hand Stories!
Thank You for making my 3 year old giggle uncontrollably ("I'm so clever, I'm so clever, I'm so Cleverrrrr!").
We checked out your CD from the library; it is quite clear I will have to invest in a copy of our own, as your stories are now a part of every day at my house.
Your gifts are a rare gem and we are so grateful you have chosen to share your talent.
We'll hope to see you at Bretton Woods and in Wolfeboro this year."
- The Pike Family, Tamworth, NH - New fans! March 2008

"Simon - My drama classes and I heard your tales at Nashua North High School today. We were all very impressed and had a lot of fun discussing storytelling and drama afterwards.
Thank you for the excellent stories and for helping to keep storytelling alive.
Take care,"
- Walt Freeman, Dept. of English, Nashua North High School - March 2008

"Hi - I must say I was very impressed with Simon's performance at the high school level. I was interested to see how it played out. It was evident, watching the students, that Simon held their attention well. I witnessed some of the [high school] students actually laughing in parts that were funny. I truly was impressed."
- Martha Ouellette, President Elect of the New Hampshire Association of Educational Office Professionals, March 2008

"Dear Simon,
You were just what we were hoping for yesterday. Your presentation was delightful, engaging and you connected so well with our children. Their "bravo" was a definite compliment to you. Thank you for following Sister Susan's vehement request to entertain but to elicit respect and engagement from the children: you did it without resorting to comic relief!! We are grateful as children are accustomed to the "wilds" on tv and in the movies. You left them with your stories in their minds. My best and happy holiday ahead with your family."
- Sister Barbara, Notre Dame Children's Class, Wenham, MA - November 2007

"Saturday night was 'wicked good' as they say in N.H. My granddaughter said they were the best stories she's ever heard. We truly appreciated your performance. Thanks...Judi K.
- Judi Knowles, Children's Librarian, Moutonborough, NH, October 2007 - Family Fright Night

"Hi Simon, thanks again for this terrific show. We loved it!"
- Michael M, Parent, Arlington, MA, October 2007 - Family Fright Night

Hi Simon,
I just want to thank you again for the excellent program you did at our library. I always consider an event a great success when the parents enjoy it as much as the kids. In the three years I have been here, your program brought the most complimentary comments from parents - and the kids lining up for autographs was priceless. Enjoy the rest of your summer.
- Patty Falconer, Children's Librarian, Hampstead, NH August 2007

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Hi Simon - I just wanted to let you know how appreciated your talents were at the [town] barbeque. You're the best, everyone says! Thanks so much for doing the show, Simon, it was fantabulous. Your cd was checked out of the library this morning.
- Susan DAmico, librarian, Roxbury, VT - July 2007

Dear Simon,
What an incredible performance! The kids (and adults) were clearly entralled and love loved every minute! I was so impressed that even on the last day of school, you kept them completely focused. Thank you for a truly memorable program.
- Kathy Tracy, librarian, New London, NH- June 2007

Hi Simon. I really enjoyed your storytelling tonight. Your quick switches from character to character were inspired. I think you're really fun to watch as well as to listen to - great voices and sound effects. Your movement was precise and speedy with all the quick character changes. Why, it was so fast that it almost made me dizzy. But in a good way - like rolling down a hill and getting out of control with laughter.
Your personal style is less set than all the guys who've been at this biz for 30 or more years. So you've got the freshness of experimentation in your telling. It's a good thing to have. Keep it for as long as you can.
Your fan, Pat
- Pat Spalding, storyteller - June 2007

"On a whim a bunch of mommy friends and our gangs went to the Wolfeboro Library over our spring break and I just wanted to take a minute to say WOW! It was wonderful!! You were so interactive and captivating for all ages.Thank you for sharing your gift with our town. It was definitely a highlight of our break. Looking forward to hearing your stories again sometime. Keep up the magic."
- Andrea Keslar and family, New Hampshire - May 2007

"Simon - You knew how to gear the stories to the age level and size of the group. You managed to thread your way through them all and know when to help them get their wiggles out. And the kids loved the sounds effects!
- Barbara Widmer - Librarian, Wolfboro Public Library - April 2007

"Hello Simon, Thank you for the stories - your CD sounds great and I'm really happy to hear you doing such a fine job keeping the traditions alive - it's so important! The music is cool, too!
"I'm going to bring it home to my daughter. She grew up listening to Jackie Torrence and loves good storytelling.
"Best of luck!
"Your friend, Dan Z"
- Dan Zanes, musician, Brooklyn, NY - November 2006

"Hi Simon - We got the cd yesterday, thanks very much. It is a hit! I came down to find both girls snuggled under a blanket on the cozy chair, enthralled - not even poking each other or trying to steal the blanket . . . And then my daughter wouldn't get out of the car mid-story so we sat in the school parking lot until "Death in a Nut" was done.
Such fun. Thanks."
- C.M. Robinson - parent - September 2006

"Hi Simon - I gave my niece, Frances, your CD for her birthday. She has listened to it every night since then and she is ready for another one, she informed me today. So I thought I should let you know that your fans are clamoring for more! You better get back to that recording studio and pop out volume 2."
- Laura Dintino - storytelling fan! - August 2006

"Hi Simon - I wanted to express our marvelous experience with your CD. Recently I drove my two daughters plus three of their friends from the Upper Valley to Waterbury, VT for a visit to Ben & Jerry's. The five girls, ranging in age from 5 to 9, got along well for the first part of the trip with little intervention on my part. But as we grew closer to our destination, the bickering began. In response, I put in your CD and played the first story, Anansi. The girls quickly grew quiet and all listened raptly. By the end of that story we had reached our destination, and I promised to play the remaining stories for the ride home. Before we were even in the car for the ride home, the girls were reminding me to play the CD. I put it in, and all five girls were completely silent and mesmerized from the very first word to the very last. Your storytelling CD did the impossible: we drove for approximately one hour without one word from five girls! Thank you, thank you - maybe there is hope for family road trips after all."
- Katrina McCurley, parent & children's librarian, Dunbar Free Library, Grantham, NH - August 2006