Kathy MacMillan (she/her) is a writer, nationally certified American Sign Language interpreter, librarian, and storyteller. She has contributed articles to Public Libraries, American Libraries, School Library Journal, Voice of Youth Advocates, and LibrarySparks, and is the author of the young adult novels Sword and Verse (HarperTeen, 2016), Dagger and Coin (HarperTeen, 2018), the Little Hands Signing board book series, The Runaway Shirt, and She Spoke: 14 Women Who Raised Their Voices and Changed the World from Familus Press, as well as resource books for parents, educators and librarians: Little Hands and Big Hands: Children and Adults Signing Together (Hands Up Press, 2023), A Box Full of Tales: Easy Ways to Share Library Resources through Story Boxes (ALA Editions, 2008), and Try Your Hand at This!: Easy Ways to Incorporate Sign Language into Your Programs (Scarecrow Press, 2006). With Christine Kirker, she has also coauthored five books in the Storytime Magic storytime resource series from ALA Editions. She was the Library/Media Specialist at the Maryland School for the Deaf from 2001 to 2005, and prior to that was a children’s librarian at Carroll County Public Library and Howard County Library, where she developed and presented hundreds of programs for all ages. She holds a Master of Library Science from the University of Maryland, College Park. Find more information about her workshops for librarians and educators, as well as her storytelling programs for children and families, at Stories By Hand.
Christine Kirker is a Library Associate with the Carroll County Public Library (MD). She is the author of 25 Projects for Art Explorers, 25 Projects for Global Explorers, and 25 Projects for Eco Explorers and the coauthor (with Kathy MacMillan) of five books in the Storytime Magic storytime resource series, all from ALA Editions. Since joining the library staff in 2005, Christine has developed and presented many programs for children of all ages. In addition, she has applied for and received many grants benefiting the library including a grant from the Chesapeake Bay Trust, wherein Christine worked with the community to create a native garden at the library and offered many educational outreach programs. Previously, Christine spent ten years employed at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) as a Research Analyst for the Office of Institutional Research.
Storytime Stuff 