Photo courtesy of Willy Claflin.
Willy Claflin
The Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest is proud to host author, singer and storyteller Willy Claflin on March 4 at 6 p.m. in the Community Room.
Willy is a favorite at the National Storytelling Festival and at regional festivals across the country. He tells original and traditional stories, and is the speaking-mouth-person for Maynard Moose. Willy sings his own songs, plus hundreds of eerie ballads from the British Isles and Appalachia (and a lot of blues and rock ’n’ roll). Willy also has many award-winning recordings. He is the co-author (along with Maynard Moose) of three award-winning children’s books: The Uglified Ducky, Rapunzel and the Seven Dwarfs and The Bully Goat Grim. A fourth tale, The Little Moose Who Couldn’t Go To Sleep, is scheduled for publication this year.
Willy will be performing some of his Maynard Moose tales, as well as other traditional and original tales. He can probably be coerced into performing songs on his guitar as well. Willy grew up in New Hampshire, where he taught school for many years before becoming a professional performer. He currently lives in San Francisco. The Library in the Forest is fortunate to be hosting Willy Claflin and that is due in large part to the efforts of the People Affecting Library Success organization. This fundraising and volunteer group of parents love the library and their community, and they raise money to fund programs like this author visit.
“The PALS organization has wanted the library to host a children’s author visit for some time. When April Moon, the children’s department head, approached us about financing this author’s visit, we were happy to say yes,” said PALS president Anna McClendon.
Moon has seen Willy and Maynard perform many times at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tenn., and she knows the community will fall in love with his hilarious storytelling style.
“Not only are we getting Willy for our evening performance here at the library, but we were fortunate to be able to schedule him for two school visits that day as well. Our Vestavia children will have several opportunities to be entertained by him, and I am so happy we can bring him here,” Moon said.
Everyone is invited to attend the concert. Books will be on sale, and Willy and Maynard are available to sign them after the performance. Light refreshments will be served. Please call the children’s department at 978-0158 or visit vestavialibrary.org. For more about Willy and Maynard, visit willyclaflin.com.
-Submitted by April Moon
