Stories, stories, stories and more original stories

Stories are what Richard does, he creates them, he tells them, he writes them, lives and breathes them. He loves stories in all forms and this comes across in whatever way you hear them, live in person, from a book or listening to the radio. His stories have been used to help relieve community tensions, to encourage reluctant readers and writers to develop an interest in words. In special schools with young people who have learning challenges, in prisons to help men stay connected to their children. He tells and creates stories that empower people of all ages to start their own business and provide employment for themselves, stories for students in universities to equip them with an additional teaching skill, stories for world class organisations like the Imperial War museums in Manchester and London. And around the world from New York to Kenya, to Mexico, Romania and Ireland, via  radio, TV and the internet. One of his stories as a play even helped to change the law in Scotland.
He only tells and writes his own stories assuring you the listener of something totally original and unique.
Below you'll find a list of current stories, new ones are being added all the time. Richard also takes commissions to create stories for specific events like the 'Shapes' commissioned by the Imperial War Museum in 2009 and 'The adventures of Wally Tobin' for 2011 and Slugs and Snails and War Tails for 2012, Chorlton Book Festival 2013 and Science Museum Manchester WoodBot 2016, GrampAnory Bradford literature festival 2017.
'Tales from the Towpath' a multimedia project for schools in Castleton and a film for the Canal and Rivert trust 2017/18.  'BlokenBot' 2018 for a Dads, Lads and Grandads story and after school input.    'Fatima and Fibonacci' Lowerplace primary school Diverse Book Week 2019.
Also in 2019 'The Wild Word Reserve' for Bowling Park Primary Bradford.
His original story 'Hidden Gold' was included in the National Strategies aiming higher document, and is still being used to teach creative thinking.

Richard O’Neill Original Stories © 2020

Early years and key stage 1
Dolly Peg A wooden doll goes on an interesting journey

Mrs Stewart’s famous vegetable stew (why clean hands are important)

The tale of Little Geordie and Jenny Buttons (the wooden puppets prove that all children can like dolls)

Pete’s new shoes  (where does a horse go to get new shoes?)

The Fussy Queen (How will the queen hang up her beautiful designer clothes)

The Lonely Giant (will anyone be his friend?)

Astro Gastro        (Johnson the snail takes an unforgettable journey)

Roly Yoly              (Tommy’s rolling wooden toy goes on a rhyming adventure)

The Tiger who liked cake (A rhyming tale about Tiger’s love of cake)

                                      Sqeg (a rhyming tale about the world’s first square peg)   
 
The dinosaur at number 24 (a rhyming tale about a dinosaur in your street?)

Whingey Pants  (A rhyming tale and song about pair of very whingey trousers hanging on the line learns a lesson from the other clothes)                                                       

The talking Toad (when a toad is driven from his field by developers he finds a new place to live in the local library where he makes himself very useful)

The Shapes      (the shapes are taught a lesson by an alien about including everyone especially the misshapes in their games)

The stotty cake story and song (why Aunty Valerie made the brad bounce)

‘Pegducation’ a set of 5 hand crafted and painted pegs each with its own story. All stories are interactive with lots of participation and actions.

‘The Blockie’s’ a growing band of characters made from recycled blocks of wood inc; Blockbeard the Pirate and Clock‘O’Block the time telling block.

The Tree Buddies and Tree babies eco-friendly wooden tree characters.

1,The Tiger who couldn’t Groar! (Will any of the other animals teach her how to Groarrrrrrrrrrrr)

2, Big Bob and Big Betty (They live on a Big, Big boat)

3, Analise and the missing washing (How will she keep her pets clean?)

4, Bonnie the Bee (how will she learn to fly properly?)

5, Larry the ladybird (how will he get his new neighbour to be nicer?)

Yokki and the Parno Gry the tale of a storytelling boy and a magic horse (will the horse turn up?)

Ossiri and Vesh Django the tale of a girl who loves music (what will the ogre think of her music?)

Mrs Carstairs and the stuck cat (will the tree buddies be able to rescue the naughty cat colin?)

Key stage 2 and upwards.

The chronicles of Margaret (the continuing adventures of Richard's older rally driving, car customising, arm wrestling 80 year old neighbour Margaret)

The Fussy Queen (How will the queen hang up her beautiful designer clothes)

Mr Ynit (Be careful what you wish for from a riddler) 

Time Cat  (Will anyone be able to get rid of King Mouse from Greadley’s Mill?)

The Golden Key (who will complete the Queens Golden challenge)

The horrible head and the stick  (storytelling at the toughest school in England)

The hidden gold (Romani’s being chased by the kings men have to find a way of hiding their treasure)

The Dinilo Jukel (How to outsmart a horrible dog using your head and not your fists)

The Lonely Giant (will anyone be his friend?)

Ossie and the Ogre (Will Ossie’s homemade musical instrument wake the Ogre?)

Mr Bhari’s Brilliant Bhaji’s (How will Mr Bhari keep his shop open)?

Horse about in wellies (will uncles favourite horse like his new shoes?)

Martin and the Bull   (Has naughty Martin annoyed the wrong animal this time?)

Big Bob from Bolton (He likes being different)

Pannie Annie (a different kind of World War one hero cooking her way to a medal)

Nana and the Tramp (a soldier and what happened after WW1 was over)

High school Family Album (Why you don't have to worry about going to secondary school)

The story Catchers (A journey to find a pair of Story Catchers)

Apple Juice Jones   (A war hero, a monster truck and the need to solve a big problem)

Metal Mush (The village Blacksmith creates a metal man who seems to have a mind of his own)

Mrs Hooligan (Is she the world’s worst supply teacher?)

Chewey Gooey (Make sure you dispose of your chewing gum properly or else…)

Flat Faced Frankie (Another boy who just won’t listen and pays the price)

Stella’s slippers (Stella’s new footwear turns out to have extra uses)

Uncle and the eel catchers (uncle’s reward from the eel catcher is a magical cloak)

  Head Peg (a tale of greed, special strong clothes pegs and a head teacher)

The Talking Toad (when a toad is driven from his field by developers he finds a new place to live in the local library where he makes himself very useful)

Jug Ears and the new truck (how a dad outwits a hunter)

Maisie Poole takes over the school (when a 5 year old becomes the new head teacher things become very interesting)

Rag and Bone and the Alien (Sci Fi fan’s latest purchase scares his friends)

Mrs Tobin and the Parrot (Coronation St and a very scared window cleaner)

King Spud (a greedy farmer gets his comeuppence for conning the spud pickers)

Gran Theft Auto (fun story about how an older lady spoils video games)

Yokki and the Parno Gry the tale of a storytelling boy and a magic horse (will the horse turn up?)

Ossiri and Vesh Django the tale of a girl who loves music (what will the ogre think of her music)?
Workshops and presentations

* 'Little Lumberjacks' a woodworking and making workshop for Nursery and reception

Introductory whole school assembly

(Fun interactive assembly setting the scene for a storytelling day which includes Richard’s famous baby picture)

Storytelling Skills (Year 1 upwards)

A fantastic confidence builder, children are encouraged to learn basic storytelling skills in a really fun atmosphere. Great for speaking and listening.

Perceptions workshop

A fun interactive workshop exploring prejudices ideal for year six and above

(Recently described as a cross between stand-up comedy and an excellent PHSE lesson)

Story4writing incorporating Defeating evil Mr Pen and Pencil

Fun interactive creative writing development workshop *Year 3 and above

The Pink Bike

Fun interactive description for writing workshop *Year 3 and above

Enterprising Ideas (year 3 upwards)

A brilliant and fun workshop helping children to explore and enjoy creative teamwork featuring Richard’s amazing inventions like the ‘Snow-Nut’, the ‘hot water boddle’, ‘Baby Bubble Wrap Bobble Hat’, ‘Sqegetables’ and ‘Brips’ the amazing brick shaped chips. This workshop also allows for practicing persuasive presentations and allowing children to come up with brand new ideas of their own.  

S.A.S.A.S.S

Survival and success at secondary school

Transition workshop perfect for Yr 5 and 6

(A fun way to reduce stress and worry about going to high school)

Woodcraft and Wordcraft

All ages

A spoon/peg making day or a two day workshop where traditional country woodcarving is demonstrated alongside storytelling and design skills. Allowing participants to experience, learn and demonstrate, persistence, perseverance and physical effort to create a unique end product.

World War One Workshops for FS,KS1 and KS2

A range of workshops for all ages featuring human and animal characters. Stories and songs about Jewel the Mule, Pannie Annie, John Jack Cunningham VC and the Toy maker. These workshops are about the people and animals during WW1 rather than the fighting or war itself and as such are designed to help children appreciate the contribution by women, men and animals during 1914-1918. We are really proud of the fact that these workshops first delivered in Spring 2014 have received great feedback from teachers and children across the country.

Our play in a day

The play without lines to learn

Ideal for year 4 upwards this fun and creative experience allows everyone to take part whatever their current abilities

Our play in a day is based on one of Richard's most popular books the 'Time Cat,' the hilarious story of a giant cat a massive mouse and a very rich mill owner. Using great characters, funny situations and hit songs to create the most entertaining and amazing play.

Books to read and work with

printed and in e-format

Great for encouraging reading, writing and illustrating.

Yokki and the Parno Gry the tale of a storytelling boy and a magic horse (will the horse turn up?) Wonderfully illustrated and published by Childsplay international

Ossiri and Vesh Django the tale of a girl who loves music (what will the ogre think of her music)? Wonderfully illustrated and published by Childsplay international

Astro Gastro (printed illustrated) Free Download All ages

Tommy Boy Stewart and the Canavan (Free E-format) KS1 Upwards

The shapes (Free E-Format) All ages

The Tiger who liked cake (Free E-Format) All ages

The Tiger who couldn’t Groar (Free E-Format) All ages

Don’t wake the King (a great bedtime story proven to help with sleep, ideal for parents Free E-Format) KS1 upwards

The Talking Toad (Free E-Format) All ages

Fabulous Mr Ford and the school for storytelling (printed novel) KS2 Upwards

The Time Cat (Free E-format) KS1 Upwards

Time Cat and the missing pie oven (Free E-format) KS1 Upwards

Mr Ynit The Riddler (printed novel) KS1 Upwards

Trike-Orse (printed novel) KS2 Upwards

Mr O’Neill’s weird tales (printed novel) KS2 Upwards


Artefacts and Props

Handmade wooden painted toy characters including: Roly Yoly,

 Sergeant George William, Flat Face Frankie,

Edwood Nose, the Bendees©, the Truglies©

The Tree Buddies and Tree Babies

The dancing wooden dolls Jenny Buttons and Littke Geordie

* All of which can be handled



Richard’s Stories and their uses

The lonely Giant(suitable for reception through to year 6)

As a boy gets bigger and other parents become wary of him, one by one he loses his friends. When a visitor to the village tells a lie about him he’s imprisoned in the woods. Until a family who have also had lies told about them try and rescue him.

Learning: The consequences of spreading rumours and telling lies. How easy it can be to treat someone badly because they are different.

Flat faced Frankie    (Suitable for year 4 upwards)

A boy who just won’t listen to anyone about the dangerous situations he and older boys put him in until one day when he has a run in with a truck.

Learning: The consequences of taking unnecessary risks and dangers of peer pressure.

Mrs Stewart (Suitable reception upwards)

A lovely but strict lady who is a wonderful cook visits the summer camp to make her delicious and famous vegetable stew. Children are allowed to help providing they are sensible and follow the first golden rule of washing their hands.

Learning: Working as a team, listening to instructions and the importance of washing your hands.

Mr Ynit and the spoonmakers (Suitable year 2 upwards)

When a little man wants some specially made spoons from the travelling spoon makers he has no money to pay for them so he decides to pay them in stories, but first they have to pass his intelligence test by answering 3 of his riddles.

Learning: Reasoning, imaginative thinking and teamwork.

All of the stories are fun, encourage good listening and inspire children and teacher’s imaginations, as well as providing literacy and art follow up work.

*Richard’s stories have elements of social and emotional learning, citizenship, traditional values, self-motivation and enterprise woven through them providing subtle but effective positive learning.

Richard O’Neill 2020©