Celia Barker Lottridge

A Legacy of Connection Through Storytelling, Rhymes and Songs

Storytelling is not just about the words we say, it’s about the bridges we build between hearts.

Parent-Child Mother Goose Program

Celia Barker Lottridge is a cornerstone of the storytelling community, a celebrated author, and a visionary educator whose life’s work has been dedicated to the transformative power of narrative. As a co-founder of the Parent-Child Mother Goose Program (P-CMGP), Celia turned her deep belief in the importance of early childhood development into a global legacy of empathy and connection.

The Heart of a Storyteller

Born in Iowa in 1936, Celia’s early years were marked by frequent moves across five different states. In a life of constant change, books became her “constant friends”. This early isolation sparked a lifelong passion for literature and a unique ability to find home within the pages of a story—a gift she would later share with thousands of families.

With a background in Modern European History from Stanford and a Master of Library Science from Columbia, Celia’s professional path was always guided by the “pleasure and power” of words. From her early days as a librarian in New York and San Diego to her influential tenure at a notable children’s bookstore in Toronto, she has always championed the idea that children’s literature is as vital and artful as any other form of writing.

A Visionary Founder

In 1986, alongside Katherine Grier, Celia took a bold step to ensure that the magic of oral tradition could support those who needed it most. Inspired by a pilot project with the Children’s Aid Society, they co-founded the Parent-Child Mother Goose Program.

Celia’s vision was foundational: she recognized that for vulnerable or marginalized families, the simple act of sharing a nursery rhyme or a song could strengthen the bond between parent and child in ways that traditional therapy could not. Under her guidance as Director, the program moved from church basements to an international network, always staying true to its core: no toys, no screens—just the human voice and the warmth of a shared story.

An Award-Winning Literary Legacy

Celia’s influence extends from the classroom to the library shelf. Her acclaimed works are mirrors of her dedication to education and cultural preservation:

• The Name of the Tree: An African folktale that earned the Christie Award, showcasing her mastery of oral tradition.
• Ticket to Curlew: A novel inspired by her family’s history, winner of the CLA Book of the Year for Children.
• Wings to Fly: A tribute to the resilience of prairie women, recipient of the Violet Downey Award.
• Ten Small Tales: A collection specifically born from her work with Mother Goose, designed to give children “patterns in their minds” that provide coherence and joy.

Her Enduring Impact

Celia Barker Lottridge has spent her career bridging the realms of literature and community engagement. Today, her legacy lives on in every parent who finds confidence through a rhyme and every child who discovers the world through a story. She remains an inspiration to storytellers and writers everywhere, proving that through words, we are never truly alone.