Mother Goose stories conceived in France (1600's) were for adults but became a read-aloud staple for English children (late 1800's). US publishers didn't think it foul to intentionally picture-pack & promote the plump-y apron-draped mama to become a national symbol of American childhood.
The Wondrous Spread of Words
what's on the site
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» How Do You...? (complete interview)
» Part II: Finding a Venue
» Part III: Building an Audience
Home: A description of SpokenOak; it's brief, truncated (TRUNK-kay-tid).
Defining Spoken Word: There is some confusion about the definition of "Spoken Word." Why? Is there a good, clear definition for this performance art category?
About:Who made the site? Is our logo folk-y or funk-y? Image/photo credits listed here too.
Genre Tree: A flash animated "family tree" that traces the evolution of spoken arts in US/Canadian history. Links to genres, artists, resources; find origins & little-known facts.
Genre List: A non-flash text version of spoken arts geneology. See the entire list of spoken arts categories in America!
Dictionary:Step down Webster! Performance artist Zoa Smith defines her ever-growing lexicon on stagecraft, pop culture & the future of words.
How Do You...? :A quirky interview with a performance poet on the joys, the pains, the "how to"s of professional wordsmithing. (New installments posted quarterly.)
Links:List of major organizations on Spoken Word, including diverse links to online listening.
Site Map: This page.
Contact: Zoa Smith, creator of this site, sole writer of the text, is responsible for the tone of this site. She welcomes notes from fans, artists, enthusiasts.
