I approached Mrs. Phelps’ using Uta Hagen’s nine questions that helped me understand her and her circumstances more closely. I continued to tweak and add to these as rehearsal and the run went on, as I learned more about Mrs. Phelps and the world of Matilda.
Question One: Who Am I?
My name is Tiffy Phelps, or as the kids call me Mrs. Phelps. I’m not married, but some children started to call me missus instead of miss and I didn’t have the heart to correct them. I’m a librarian and I love two things more than anything: my pets and books. I also love the children who come into my library. I love watching them grow into better readers and being able to introduce them to the books that changed my life. I lead book club for young readers of all ages, but my favorite has to be YA romance book club with the 14-16 year olds. Everything is so cute and just works out so well in the end, even when it gets scary and there are vampires involved.
Something I’ve learned about working with children is their parents are very precious about how they want to raise them. It’s hard to convince them otherwise, so unless I’m very concerned I try not to interfere with their parenting. That being said, I’m not afraid to stand up to a bully or help a child when it’s needed. So, I tell the kids they can always come to me with any problems or struggles they have and I will do my best to fix them. If I can’t help them, I’ll offer them a hug and a snack.
Question Two: What Time Is It?
It’s 2023 and it’s autumn. It’s not super chilly yet, but just chilly enough that I need a cardigan. I love autumn! School is just starting so all the kids have new reading and lessons they need help with. You also need a cardigan or a light jacket, and I love a layering piece.
Question Three: Where Am I?
I am the librarian in Robin Hood’s Bay’s public library. We are a pretty small village with a pretty small library, but I have made it home. I take the comment box very personally and try to address all of them to the best of my abilities. I also try my hardest to make the library a welcoming space for everyone. We have book club and other reading groups available for patrons to join. If they’re not interested in books, even though I wish they were, I have things available for them to do and use in the library. Most notably, I have my chill spot which is a corner for people who need some extra comfy seating. There’s bean bags and a fuzzy carpet and floor pillows. We also have board games on the tables in the talking section for people who want to play a game a make some friends along the way! I really love this place and what I’ve put into it.
Question Four: What Surrounds Me?
Books! All the books in the library have been loved by so many people. They’re full of stories, not just the stories that are written on the pages, but the stories of the people who’ve checked them out. I think that’s so magical, every library book has and will go to so many different people’s homes. Most of these books are probably better travelled than I am. I’ve made the library the most vibrant, happy space I could think of. There’s a rainbow of colors everywhere you look, both in the paint and in the suncatchers that are on the windows. England can be a pretty wet, cold, sunless place sometimes and I really want to bring the sun into the library in any way that I can. I really like the concept of Hygge, so I have embraced that in the library as well. There are blankets and cozy carpets. Fire in a room full of that many books is a bad idea, but I try to embrace some of the concepts when I can.
Question Five: What Are My Given Circumstances?
I support Matilda above all else, I believe she is clever and bright and can do anything she sets her mind to. I really want to make her know this, so I always make sure to tell her. I know that she’s young but I also want to challenge her. She’s read all the children’s books after all- she has to find something new to read! I love stories so much, especially Matilda’s. She’s a great storyteller and I want to support her and hear her stories always. There’s no lengths I won’t go to for the sake of a good story.
Question Six: What Are My Relationships?
I have two pets, a cat and a dog. My cat’s name is Ichabod, I found him on the street- he followed me home and he’s been living in my house ever since. My dog’s name is Rip Van Winkle (Rip or Mister Winkle for short) and he’s so old he’s starting to fit him name, I think he may be immortal. If that’s the truth, I hope he takes good care of me one day when I’m old. I have many friends because of the library; Miss Honey and the other teachers, parents who come in to wait for their children, and the children themselves. I think the children are my favorite friends. They’re honest, curious, joyful, and always ready to chat. Many people underestimate them, but I think that children have so much to offer and so much to teach adults. Take Matilda, for example, she is one of the library’s regulars. She’s read every book in the children’s section, not just by looking at the pictures, but by actually reading. She may be five years old, but she is a gifted reader and has a brilliant mind. I want to nurture that. She comes in every three days, so I make sure I have books ready for her to read and answers prepared for questions she might ask. She reads faster than me, so I can’t keep up, but I try to keep up to date on anything she might ask me about.
Question Seven: What Do I Want?
I want Matilda to know how smart she is. I want her to be loved and appreciated above all else, just like every other child that comes into my library. Also, I really want to hear the end of the acrobat story. I need to know what happens to their child, I’m worried it might be an allegory for Matilda’s life, but I don’t want to ask her that outright in case it’s not and it’ll upset her.
Question Eight: What Is In My Way?
Well, everytime I try to tell Matilda that she’s smart and that I hope her parents see how wonderful she is, she runs full speed out of the library. I think that she’s not being truthful with me. Also, instead of just telling me the whole story straight through, she tells it to me in fits and spurts. She says that she doesn’t know anything until it comes to her, but like I’ve said I think that she’s drawing inspiration from her real life. So, this really scares me. Is she sugar coating things? Why haven’t I ever met her mother? I’m being eluded by a five year old girl, which is a bit embarrassing.
Question Nine: What Do I Do To Get What I Want?
I try my hardest to get Matilda to tell me the next part of the story, but I’m not going to force it out of her. That’s the same with meeting her family and learning more about her home life. With children this young, some tact is required to get them to tell you what’s going on in their lives. So, I’m focusing on making storytime a safe space where she can tell me anything she feels like she needs to tell me. Hopefully, she’ll be able to open up one day and she’ll finally finish her story!!