Minot kids to hear 'Stories With Joy'

By TERRY J. AMAN Staff Writer

Minot schools and the Minot Public Library this week welcome storyteller, musician and educator Joy Steiner for "Stories With Joy."

Based in Boise, Idaho, Steiner travels throughout the nation telling stories to audiences of all ages. She provides residencies and workshops in the art of storytelling, using family stories to build stronger communities, and using the arts as a means to engage the many languages of children as part of an "arts-infused" curriculum.

Steiner's visit is being sponsored by the Title I program at Minot Public Schools and the Minot Public Library. Minot children's librarian Paulette Nelson said she was contacted by the children's librarian in Bismarck that Steiner was coming there for the statewide reading conference, and asked if Nelson wanted to schedule a visit in Minot.

"When we do get people coming into the state who do things like this - authors or storytellers (or) illustrators - we try to make the most of it and share, because first of all the transportation costs to get them in here," Nelson said. "Then usually their honorariums are more than we can afford by ourselves, so we tend to piggyback with a bunch of other things."

Nelson worked with Lincoln Elementary Title I reading teacher Deborah Anderson to schedule Steiner with some local school children as well.

"The reason I know about (Steiner) is because my friend who's a children's librarian in Bismarck actually saw her perform last summer in a workshop that she went to," she added. "When we go to different workshops, we find things and we share them."

Nelson watched Steiner perform on a video. "She's really entertaining and able to keep the kids' interest," Nelson said.

A promotional release reports Steiner performs lively, slightly mischievous storytelling concerts full of humor and heroes, catastrophe and courage. With spunky wit and an ever-changing array of voices and facial expressions, she brings her characters to life, delivering messages about the triumph of the human spirit, reverence for the earth and the gentle, contagious: power of kindness.

"Her storytelling concert, speak to the heart of her listeners," the release said, "and provide a visual and auditory feast for the imagination as Joy stirs vivid imagery, poetry and music into the mix of folktales and personal anecdotes."

Steiner has produced two recordings of original stories and recently won a Parent's Choice Honor Award for her recording, "Four Funny Folktales for Little Folk." She is working on a third collection of stories and songs intended to help young women hold onto.their dreams and unique gifts while growing up.