Pirates
Maps, mischief & treasure
30 minute sessions
Ready.
Steady.
Story!
Ready, steady, story: big voices, curious minds and stories that jump right off the page—for libraries, schools and nurseries.
Babies to primary age
Every session shaped to the room
35+ yearsin libraries!Giggles
welcome
The grown-up bit
Meet Michael.
He knows his stories.
Michael Fountain has been bringing books to life since before the internet was a thing.
He has worked in public libraries for over 35 years, including children's library roles in Islington and Redbridge. He has welcomed school classes, nursery groups, babies, toddlers and whole families—plus run reading clubs, craft activities and community visits.
He is an avid reader, enthusiastic talker and traveller to more than 60 countries. In other words: plenty of stories, and no shortage of things to say.
His library career has taken him from Northern Ireland to Lewisham, Redbridge and Islington. He also holds a BA in History and a postgraduate diploma in Library and Information Studies.
Storytime with Michael is built around listening as well as reading. Children can join in with a repeated phrase, make a sound effect, spot a detail in a picture or simply settle down and enjoy the tale. The room sets the pace, so a session can be lively, gentle, silly or thoughtful as the group needs.
For organisers, that means a warm, flexible visit that fits into a library programme, school day, nursery routine or family event. Michael is happy to talk through the ages, group size, space and theme before choosing the right stories.
His sessions are especially suited to groups who enjoy taking part without needing to be on stage. There is space for confident voices, quiet observers and everyone in between. A story might begin with a question, grow through a chorus of animal noises and finish with children asking which book they should hear next.
35+ years in librariesSchools & nurseries60+ countries visited
See the energy
This is what
storytime feels like.
Warm, responsive and full of invitations to join in—not a performance children have to sit through. The aim is to make books feel welcoming, memorable and worth returning to.
INTRO VIDEOPress play.
Press play.
Soon.
Michael's short introduction and sample story are being prepared. Until then, the best way to understand the approach is to imagine a room where children are invited to listen, wonder, laugh and contribute.
Ask about a sample clip →“A good story turns listeners into fellow travellers.
Michael's approach
Your turn
Tell Michael
what you're planning.
Date, place, ages, group size and a theme. That is enough to get the conversation started.
Whether you are arranging a regular library session, a school visit, a nursery activity or a one-off family event, a short message is all that is needed. Share what you already know and Michael can help shape the next step.
There is no need to have every detail decided before you get in touch.