The annual Jeanne B. Goodwin Storytelling Festival celebrates the rich tradition of sharing wisdom through words and activities. All ages can enjoy storytelling, a book creation station, DIY rhythm sticks, and more at the celebration on July 12, 2-3:30 p.m., at Rudisill Regional Library, 1520 N. Hartford.
The year’s featured storyteller is DWe Williams, an Oklahoma artist who has traveled the country for more than 40 years as a teaching artist and storyteller. She founded “Rhythmically Speaking,” a theater company providing educational and entertaining theater productions for youth and family audiences, combining drama, songs and rhythm.
“Williams provides a diverse and interactive experience that kids will love,” said Haley Hurt, Rudisill Regional Library youth librarian. “Storytelling with children is more than just for entertainment. It grows minds! Vocabulary, empathy, communication skills, and imagination expand by the simple act of telling stories to children. Bringing talented storytellers to Rudisill is just one way we strive to strengthen the community.”
The annual festival is a tribute to the late Jeanne B. Goodwin, a lifelong Oklahoma educator and literacy champion, who understood how storytelling and the visual experience work to build a vivid imagination.
Celebrating Jeanne B. Goodwin’s 100th birthday in 2003, Rudisill Regional Library’s storytime room was dedicated in her honor. Multi-colored fish, shaped with individual pieces of tile, greet children entering the ocean-themed storytime room. Each wall of the room features colorfully painted starfish, clown fish, sharks, lobsters, turtles and other wonders of the underwater world. Children often create their own stories using the sea creatures painted on the storytime walls.
While at the library, families are encouraged to sign up or complete the 2022 summer reading program “Oceans of Possibilities.” The free annual program, ongoing through July 31, is filled with more performances and chances to earn great prizes. All four age groups - littles, children, teens/tweens and adults - can earn prizes and coupons for free food and entertainment around Tulsa County. Register online at, www.TulsaLibrary.org/summer, or visit any Tulsa City-County Library location to sign up.
For more information, call the AskUs Hotline, 918-549-7323, or visit the library’s website, www.tulsalibrary.org.
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