Michael has been the children’s librarian at the Claremont Branch of the Berkeley Public Library system since 2013.
Mr. Michael and his The Storytime Band bring joy to children. While library story times with singing and instruments are commonplace, including in Berkeley, it’s rare for them to be led by full, professional bands with so many fans they’ve outgrown library spaces. Since he launched the band in 2021, they have offered over 200 concerts to over 33,000 children and their caregivers. And those numbers grow every day. Their weekly concerts consistently draw audiences of over 250 excited children, their families and caregivers
Mr. Michael has always known he wanted to specifically be a children’s librarian, he said. And he’s always been drawn to the connections of language and music. Pacing, cadence, tone.
“Our brand is a very unorthodox approach to storytime, . . ,” Mr. Michael said. “As long as they are learning to love books, music, and movement at our events, we have done our jobs.”
His shows often have a “mosh pit” of kids who go from intently listening to stories to dancing, jumping and singing with barely contained excitement and joy. He is swarmed by his young fans after the shows.
My daughter was star struck to run into him at the Elmwood Library. She displayed the flier he gave her for the Story Time band in our house. She loves that he sings stories and plays music for kids! East Bay kids are so lucky to have Mr. Michael to help them develop a love of reading, libraries, music, and movement!
My children adore Mr. Michael! We’re so glad to see that he’s being nominated for the Chris Kindness Award.
Go Mr. Michael!
My kid and I are so grateful to have Mr. Michael as our librarian.
Can’t talk say enough of the kind heart Mr. Michael has . My kids grow up with him following everywhere for story times and at the library . We are so lucky to have him and the band in our community .
I remember meeting Mr. Michael at the Claremont library when I first took my daughter to a baby rhyme time. Fast forward 6 years later and my kids can’t stop talking about how Mr. Michael visited them at school and how they must go to the library. Thank you for inspiring young minds to read, sing, and move!
My three year old knows the Claremont library as “Mr. Michael’s library!” and any time he sees a book that we have not yet read he says, “let’s go ask Mr. Michael!” For my seven year old, Mr. Michael represents a steady and calm connection that I value so much. Mr. Michael first visited his kindergarten classroom and then when he recognized Mr. Michael at the library, his heart was so joyful to make the connection. My kids admire Mr. Michael and his kindness and kid-centered thoughtfulness radiates. I am so grateful to have Mr. Michael in our lives. He is a treasure!
Mr. Michael is the BEST! My daughter grew up with storytime at Bateman Park, yearly visits from Mr. Michael to her BUSD school, and now is in her 3rd year with Mr. Michael’s monthly book club at the Claremont library. The words she uses to describe Mr. Michael are “KIND, funny, full of jokes, and caring” 🙂