The Story Time Band

In 2013, children’s librarian Michael Kwende, known to Berkeley youth as “Mr. Michael,” and retired librarian and guitarist Tim DeWolf, began offering musical story time programs at the Berkeley Public Library’s Claremont Branch Library. Their events soon became so popular with children and their caregivers that it outgrew the library’s programming space, requiring them to secure a larger venue to accommodate their audiences. That place became Berkeley’s Bateman Mall park, and soon after, musicians and library specialists Juan Castille and Donovan Russell joined the effort and the Story Time Band was born. In 2024, the band welcomed a new member, keyboardist Tienne Lee! They have since brought their musical story time to numerous elementary school classrooms and libraries, and have performed at public parks throughout the city where over 150 children and their caregivers regularly attend their weekly events. In January of 2023, they began an artist residency at Freight & Salvage and have performed at the Berkeley Bay Festival, the Bay Area Book Festival, and Children’s Fairyland in Oakland. I've been honored to illustrate their album covers and their Berkeley library card. I've even become an honorary sixth member of the band! Client: Berkeley Public Library Foundation