John Kirk - stories and poems

13/06/2026

Postcard from Buenos Aires #10

I can tell the age of my audience by what gets them talking.

The youngest burst to volunteer.
Slightly older ones are happy to heckle the volunteers once they are wearing a hat or wig.
The teenagers debate the World Cup.
The oldest group's bile is reserved for the price of a Subway ticket!

Dream On Productions

12/06/2026

Postcard from Buenos Aires #9

As I reach the end of week two of my time in Buenos Aires I realised I hadn't posted any pictures of the city.

BA is one of the best place to visit in the world because of its atmosphere, culture and residents. The city might be referred to as the "Paris of the South" but it is very cool and Latin. Personally, I love the faded glamour, the elegant urban decay and managed deterioration of once spectacular buildings that present around every corner.

On the subject of managed deteroration, in today's Q&A a little girl asked how I was feeling. Either this was the limit of her language skills or I look really tired. I told her, I am having a great time.

One more week.

12/06/2026

12/06/2026

Postcard from Buenos Aires #8

At the end of every presentation we have a Q&A and unsurprisingly football is always a hot topic. Who is your favourite player? Who will win the World Cup? How do you pronounce Tottenham? Disgracefully, I know very little about Argentinian Football but have met children with comprehensive knowledge of the Premier League.

This week, after such an exchange, a boy insisted on giving me one of his World Cup Panini stickers as a gift. It was an ultimate gesture of kindness from a child who clearly values his collection above all other things. The sticker is of Newcastle defender Dan Burn. I shall treasure it.

Dream On Productions

11/06/2026

Postcard from Buenos Aires #7

Wave your hands if you are having a good time!!!

Dream On Productions

10/06/2026

Postcard from Buenos Aires #6

Why is storytelling a superpower?
Listen to my 60 second answer 👍 if you agree.

Dream On Productions

09/06/2026

Postcard from Buenos Aires #5

One of my regular stories for middle school children is one in which a woodcutter is granted three wishes. He manages to waste the first and banish his mother we do not know where with the second. This leaves him with the moral dilemma of what to do with the final wish: would you put riches before family?

Anyway, before we get to the resolution of the story, I like to ask the children what they would wish for. Infinite wishes is a common answer but sadly spoils the story.

Today we had one of my all-time favourite answers...

"Me: If you had one wish what would it be?

Boy: If I were a woodcutter, I would wish for a chainsaw."

This answer is incredibly sophisticated. Not only is it witty but his answer demonstrates that he has listened to and understood the story so far and is empathising with the character. Furthermore he answers using a conditional subjunctive.

I'm not in Bogner Regis; I am in Buenos Aires. The respondee is 9 years old!

I wish I had this degree of mastery over language.

Dream On Productions

07/06/2026

Postcard from Buenos Aires #4

Discoveries of Week One.

1) The Teatro Colon; a 3000 seat Opera House with a stunning foyer.
2) Casa D10S (Casa del Dio); visiting Diego Maradona's digs and considering his legacy whilst exploring Gavilan was an emotional experience for this fan of the beautiful game.
3) My sink plug is in the bathroom cabinet!

Another busy week ahead with Dream On Productions

05/06/2026

Postcard from Buenos Aires #3

Things I never expected to see or hear in a school in Buenos Aires:

1. A London Bus - apparently it was driven to the school and now serves as a classroom space.

2. Do you like Eurovision?

3. Are Lewes FC in National League South?

4. Capybara - I didn't get a photo but it was surreal to see them grazing close to the school entrance.

Week One of my trip is done; so far, it has been a great experience. Dream On Productions

04/06/2026

Postcard from Buenos Aires #2

This maybe one of the best photo anyone has ever taken of one of my story sessions. Dream On Productions