Children getting restless yet? Parents getting tired yet? There is no better way to revitalize one’s humor in preparation for the new year than to spend the morning with Laura Pershin Raynor, one of my favorite storytellers ever.

On Wednesday, Dec. 29, from 10 to 10:30 a.m,, at the Ann Arbor District Library Pittsfield Branch Program Room, storyteller Laura Pershin Raynor will tell some ridiculous stories, and musician Betsy Beckerman will lead some goofy songs. Together, the group will put together the notes and narration for Pete Seeger’s classic Abiyoyo, based on a South African lullaby and folktale about a boy and his father who, once banished as mischief-makers, become heroes when they find a way to make the dreaded giant, Abiyoyo, disappear.

The Pittsfield Branch of the Ann Arbor District Library is located at 2359 Oak Valley Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48103.

Frances Kai-Hwa Wang is a second-generation Chinese American from California who now divides her time between Ann Arbor and the Big Island of Hawaii. She is editor of IMDiversity.com Asian American Village, lead multicultural contributor for AnnArbor.com and a contributor for New America Media's Ethnoblog. She is a popular speaker on Asian Pacific American and multicultural issues. Check out her website at franceskaihwawang.com, her blog at franceskaihwawang.blogspot.com, and she can be reached at fkwang888@gmail.com.