User:Storyteller TO/sandbox

= Sally Jaeger = Sally Jaeger (born July 20, 1952) is a Canadian children, storyteller, known for her original rhymes, songs, and stories that have become part of the oral tradition of family programs across Canada. She has been performing for children for over 40 years and has taught two generations of adults how to share rhymes, songs, and stories with young listeners.

Early life and family
Jaeger was born in a small farming community in Wisconsin into a family of music lovers, book collectors, and storytellers. She studied theatre and dance at the University of Wisconsin for 1.5 years before moving to Toronto in 1972, where she pursued storytelling at workshops and special events offered by the Toronto Public Library (TPL) and the Friends of Osborne and Lillian H. Smith Collection.

Jaeger's storytelling career began to take off after she attended the first Toronto Storytelling Festival in 1979 and began studying with Alice Kane, a retired TPL librarian and storyteller. She continued her studies at The Storytellers School of Toronto (now called Storytelling Toronto) with Rita Cox, Bob Barton, and eventually taught storytelling classes with Celia Lottridge, Marylyn Peringer, and Rita Cox.

Personal life
Sally Jaeger is not only known for her contributions to the field of children's music and storytelling, but also for her family life. She is married to David Jaeger, C.M., a composer, author and Juno Award winning music producer, and the couple has three children together: Anna Jaeger, Erika Jaeger and Liam Jaeger. Erika Jaeger has followed in her mother's footsteps and is also a storyteller. Liam Jaeger has collaborated with Sally on occasional projects, including the music for her DVD “Mr. Bear Says Hello” and  "Happy Birthday, Mr. Bear."

Sally's personal life has been an important part of her journey as a storyteller. Her commitment to her family and her ability to balance her career and personal life have made her an inspiration to many.

Storytelling programs
In 1981, Jaeger created Mr. Bear Says Hello, offered at TPL Riverdale, an eight-week storytelling program for children from birth to three years old and their parents or caregivers. The program taught language play skills that could be incorporated into daily life and ran until 2017. Jaeger also created Lullabies & LapRhymes, an eight-week storytelling program for new parents to learn rhymes and lullabies to play with babies from birth to ten months old. This program also ran until 2017.

Sally Jaeger has also created other storytelling programs, including Jack in the Box Tales for two-year-olds and Pre-Ones and Wee-Ones for expectant parents and parents with newborns. In 1985, she created the Young Farmers Club at Riverdale Farm, an eight-week program for children from one to five years old and adults, which introduced them to farm life through storytelling, farm-themed crafts, and barn visits with the farmer each week. This program ran until 1993.

Jaeger has also performed storytelling in schools, libraries, and malls for The Storytellers School of Toronto, Mariposa in the Schools, Inner City Angels, and Sphere Entertainment.

Recordings
Sally Jaeger has released several recordings of her work, including From Wibbleton to Wobbleton, a 40-minute DVD of rhymes and songs for babies, Mr. Bear Says Hello, a 40-minute DVD of rhymes, songs, and stories for toddlers, and Lullabies & LapRhymes, a 60-minute CD of songs and rhymes for babies and how to play them (now available on Spotify). She also released Here Comes Mr. Bear, a 60-minute CD of songs, rhymes, and stories to play with toddlers (now on Spotify), and Happy Birthday, Mr. Bear, a 40-minute DVD of rhymes, songs, and stories to celebrate 30 years of her programs.

Canadian Association of Storytellers for Children
Jaeger was a founding member of The Canadian Association of Storytellers for Children in 1998 and an active member until 2016.

Mentoring program and recent performances
From 2016 to 2018, Jaeger began a mentoring program for new storytellers. She continues to perform and created StoryTime in the Garden for babies and parents or caregivers in 2022, co-taught by Liam Jaeger.

Hobbies
Sally Jaeger is an individual with a variety of interests and hobbies. She is known for her love of dogs, nature, gardening, the concertina, quilting and birdwatching. Additionally, Sally enjoys reading and has an extensive collection of books.