Schools
Bobby Norfolk Uses Stories to Encourage Good Character
Stories about animals and people help spread anti-bullying message.
Emmy award-winning storyteller Bobby Norfolk spoke to students at Henderson Elementary Friday. He gave two performances, one for grades K-2 and one for 3-5, dealing with bullying and character development. Norfolk has been speaking at Henderson annually for several years.
“It’s kind of part of our culture and tradition now,” Henderson principal Jennette Barker said.
A native of St. Louis, Norfolk has traveled the world speaking to both children and adults since he began his career in 1979. In addition to speaking, Norfolk won three Emmys for his CBS children’s television show “Gator Tales.” He is also an established actor, author, musician, comedian and National Park Service Ranger.
Henderson students seemed to be enjoying themselves during Norfolk’s performances, laughing, clapping, and sometimes screaming with amusement. Norfolk’s high energy charisma while performing only encouraged the students.
“I loved it,” Nine-year-old third grader Courtney Helmick said. “He didn’t just tell it, he showed it.”
Norfolk used both people and animals in his stories. At the end of each he would explain the moral of the story: to choose your friends carefully, to never give up on your dreams and to not give in to peer pressure.
“What I want to do is never read off something,” Norfolk said. “That’s the key to my performance. I have done this enough to develop age-appropriate material.”
Although he also speaks to adults, Norfolk prefers speaking to a younger crowd.
“This is my most favorite group to speak to,” Norfolk said. “I had fun.”