Frequently Asked Questions

We're glad you asked! Magical Storyteller beautifully defines Mark Daniel's unique cutting edge approach. His performing style is an artful blend of storyteller, puppeteer, magician, booktalker, motivator, and reading ambassador. His multidiscipline techniques have a winning way with students and faculty alike.

What is a READasaurus?

Definition: A voracious reader of Dinosaur sized proportions. Exactly what you want your students to be!

Mark seems to have had quite an output of programing over the years. How did his series of original Readasaurus programs come about?

Mark seems to have had quite an output of programing over the years. How did his series of original Readasaurus programs come about? Ah, history! Nineteen years ago this amazing adventure started with an original program called Mark Daniel and Those Magical Dinosaurs! The program, all about dinosaurs, captured the imagination of students in a big way. It was presented over 500 times during 3 years to much acclaim. His passion since childhood through to this day is reading, as he worked on a follow-up to Those Magical Dinosaurs! It was a natural to blend that interest along with dinosaurs and magic. Little did he know the rocket he was attaching himself to- What followed was Reading is Dino-Magical, then Reading is Dino- Magical, The Sequel! In Search of The Magical Readasaurus!, Project: Readasaurus- The Top Secret Tour!, Readasaurus Rescue!, Readasaurus Express!, Mission: Readasaurus!, and Adventure: READasaurus!, Those programs, each touring for 2 years, encompassed dozens of great books seen by millions of children at thousands of schools. Due to much demand, and starting with Tales of The READasaurus! during the 2006-2007 school year, the programs are now developed yearly. This wonderful tradition continues with Clues of The Readasaurus! for 2007-2008! By the way, each program is a stand alone project with continuity of characters and theming which makes it fun for the schools that invite Mark year after year, or exciting for new schools as well.

What are Mark's credentials?

Only the best in the world for what he does! The passion for the love of reading and great books are number 1. Next, a concerned father who works to instill that love for books in his own children and to share it with others as well. And finally the drive to constantly research his topics to the point librarians often consult with him. As children go through their educational process, the message and importance of reading never changes. We can think of no greater gift than to try to do our small part in that growth. Learn more about Mark in the About Mark section.

Mark we have a reading theme can you customize to it?

Yes, he is happy to do this with advance notice. Actually this is a specialty of his and there is no extra charge as long as his schedule allows.Mark is skilled at adapting to many reading themes or slogans and can be on message for your reading incentives, campaigns and reading programs.

So far this school year he's done Oceans of Commotion with Books for Woodleaf School in Woodleaf, NC for his longtime friend and media Specialist Marian Lytle (the kids were boarding a pirate ship out on the school lawn for clues, due to a friend of Marions for loaning their big boat for the day. She goes all out for her reading program kick-off culminating with Mark's program at the end of the day.

Charging through Books for Teaching Librarian Daniel Beach at Concord Elementary in Anderson, SC. (Mr. Beach and his team chose an elephant theme for their reading incentive with the kids keeping their reading log on paper elephants cutouts color coded for each grade.)

For Ginger Smith at Faith Elementary in Faith, NC, Mark themed to her very mod Get Groovy with Books and even got to wear his Beatles tie over the 2 days he appeared in programs there.

Just before Holiday and Christmas break, Mark was a guest of Butler Elementary in Clinton down in the eastern part of NC where he helped promote their Read 100 pages during the Holidays campaign for their 3rd-5th graders. Those completing their goals recorded them on specially printed bookmarks and would receive a free ice cream when school resumes. (A very cool idea, literally!)

If you've got something you'd like us to help promote, reading wise, we're delighted to do it! Just ask!

Where and for whom has Mark worked?

North Carolina
- From Manteo on NC's Outer Banks to Murphy at the states most western tip, from down east to the piedmont and then on to the mountains- schools have welcomed Mark's message of the joy and celebration of reading for over 20 years!

South Carolina
- From schools in Hilton Head to Myrtle Beach to York County, across to Landrum and over to Wallhalla down to North Augusta then complete the circle around Hardeeville and now add in all the communities in the center of that circle of the state and you get some idea of where Mark has appeared in South Carolina through the years. OK, all over the place!

Virginia
- Over the years In Virginia, Mark has had the honor of the hundreds of schools he's visited to include the smallest public school at the time Aldie in Northern, VA at 87 children and the largest Glenwood Elem in Virginia Beach at 1,100 students. From Chincoteaque Elem. on the Eastern Shore to Rose Hill Elem. at the most southwestern tip of Virginia and just about everywhere in between.

Plus add in schools in West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Georgia and no wonder he's worn out all of those vehicles gladly with Programs That Bring Books Magically to Life!

Now we won't even mention the schools that have invited him 5, 10 and yes 15 times, however we should as we appreciate them and love their faculties and kids!!!!!!!!!!!

How can our school best use Mark's programs?

We'll answer that with the ways other schools have filled their needs with his performances. One may just be perfect for you-

• Reading Program Kick Off & Finale
• Accelerated Reader Kick Off & Finale
• Family Reading Night
• Children's Book Week
• Book Fair
• Book It
• Literacy Festivals
• Young Author's
• National Library Week
• Cultural Arts Activity
• Title 1
• Break from Testing (Yes)
• Read-a-Thon
• RIF Celebrations
• Terrific Kids
• And Because it is a Great Educational and Motivational Program Anytime!

What are some creative ideas for funding Mark's Programs?

• Grants, Reading Foundations, etc. (ie,Target, Wal-Mart, etc..)
• General and Special Use School Funds
• Fundraisers (Book Fairs, Wrapping Paper Sales)
• Education Partners (Business Sponsors)
• Arts Council Grants - In NC, Mark's programs are Arts Council friendly and fundablethrough Grass Roots. He is on the approved Artists in Schools roster for the Asheville Area Arts Council and the Fayetteville/Cumberland County Arts Council. In South Carolina he is permanently named to the SC Arts Commission Roster of Approved Artists. All of these organizations make grant funding available to their schools.
• Cultural Arts Fund
• Title 1 (Please notify us if you plan to use Tittle 1 funds so that we can help with the usage guidelines.)
• Student Admission ($1.00 or $2.00) This could even be a fundraiser with a large student body.