The Normal Storyteller

10/18/2025

Looking for a good read for your child or grandchild? The four books pictured can be found in booth T13 at the Painted Tree Boutique in Bloomington, Illinois. I am the author of these books and 14 others at the store. Each includes audio so younger developing readers can enjoy my tales.

06/02/2025

My first experience at Central Illinois Spine followed a fall that left me with a great amount of pain in my back that traveled down my leg. The pain was constant. I received Spinal Decompression at Central Illinois Spine. The treatments were not cheap, and it took nearly 50 treatments. But I did NOT have to have surgery. AND - the treatments totally removed the pain. I am now going in on a sporadic basis to deal with pain in the lower back caused by arthritis. The treatments are inexpensive. They are fast. And I leave there able to walk and resume my normal life without difficulties.

04/21/2025

Hi, FB Friends, I will be one of the vendors at Mom's Night Out in Bloomington on May 8 at the Eastland Suite's Conference Center. I My wife, Jan Lockett, and I will be there selling my Children's Books with Audio. I was an eductor for 33 years and can attest that the books I sell are high quality and great for children. But one other thing - I made them HIGHLY AFFORDABLE. Stock up for birthdays, summer reading, books for family vacations, early Christmas gifts and just to improve your children's reading skills.

04/18/2025

Are you a teacher who is celebrating Earth Day on April 22nd? If so - you may want to get a copy of my children's book, Sky Food. You can order it at https://www.mikelockett.com/products?category_id=1&product_id=2. My tale is based on a lesser known folktale about "why clouds are in the sky." Variations of the story can be found in Africa and in Native American tales from the American southwest. I use the story as a fun way to generate discussions on taking care of our planet and not wasting resources.

09/17/2024

Today marks the beginning of spanish American Heritage Month. For my contribution to hard working Latinos I offer the chance for families to order my four English/Spanish children's books. All four books are hardbacks with audio. My voice does the English on all the recordings, The Spanish is done by my good frield and talented storyteller Leeny Del Seamonds. I sell the books for $10 plus tax and shipping. For McLean County residents, you can buy my books at Niepegan Nurseries, In Springrield you can buy my books at Daisy Jane's Bookstore by the old capitol building.
https://www.mikelockett.com/products?category_id=6

09/16/2024

I'm thrilled to have almost sold out of my novel. (The House at the Top of the Bottoms - a story set during the Great Depression.) Signing books and answering readers' questions is a lot of fun. Jan Lockett and I drove to Michigan last week to pick up 800 more copies from my publisher, Ted Parkhurst. I could have had Ted ship them, but Jan wanted to visit Mackinac Island, and Ted's warehouse was only 25 minutes off the route we traveled. So, we combined business and pleasure. Jan Lockett Ted Parkhurst

09/05/2024

Did you know that September 9 is National Teddy Bear Day? In honor of that day I am sharing my Teddy Bear Video from my website. I filmed this video a number of years ago with the help of my younger son, Mark. We filmed it at the old ISSCS (Illinois Sailors and Soldiers Home) in Normal - where many orphans of war veterans were raised by loving foster parents. I can only imagine how many of those children went to sleep hugging their teddy bears at night. I hope you enjoy my Teddy Bear story. And if you want a copy of my book, Teddy Bear please click on the link to my product page on my website. The book retails for $19.95, but you can get your copy for $10 + Illinois sales tax and shipping. By the way, I still have the teddy bear my mom made for me.

https://www.mikelockett.com/free-resources/video-stories/teddy-bear

https://www.mikelockett.com/products?category_id=1&product_id=6

"Teddy Bear"  Original story by Dr. Mike Lockett - In this video, Dr. Lockett tells his Teddy Bear story. Copyright 2009.

08/24/2024

Yeah! While in Iowa, Jan Lockett and I visited the Pocahontas Public Library to show their director my children’s books. The library added 15 of my books to their collection. More than that they are writing a grant to bring me back to provide programming throughout their county. It is fun seeing my books added to library collections. If your library wants a visit from The Normal Storyteller - let me know. I’d love to share my books and stories with you.

08/04/2024

Ever go to a meeting and get home and toss your name tag in a drawer? I think I got carried away when I used to hang my name tags in my office. I have give somewhere close to 5000 programs over my career as an educator, consultant, storyteller and author. (My promo stuff still says more than 4000 programs). This collage of presenter tags represents many wonderful memories… but nowhere near all of them. And now that this photo memory has been shared I can say goodbye to all these tags and make room for something else in our home.

05/01/2024

This photo might look funny, but I am
having fun! I am listening to a radio interview from yesterday that is being live streamed on WNOI.com 103.9 FM radio in Clay County Illinois. I will be telling Strange - but true - Civil War Stories on May 9 at Flora Elementary School in Flora, IL

You can catch the interview on line at WNOI.com - Look for the R***e program.

This link may take you there.

https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21AF39k70AKOuHcrg&id=9AF8D0B28A9B302F%21129825&cid=9AF8D0B28A9B302F&parId=root&parQt=sharedby&parCid=FD86B5FF1DD1BE15&o=OneUp

05/01/2024

Hello, Consider listening to Radio Station Mix-FM 103.9 on your radios if you can tune in southern Illinois. I was interviewed this morning for my upcoming program next week for the Clay County Genealogical Society in Clay County, IL

I will be telling Strange but-true Civil War Stories in Flora, Illinois on May 9th.

The interview will air at 2 PM on The R***e Program.