In Which a Librarian asks a Talented Author a Small Number of Questions:
In celebration of Black History Month, Andy Schuck, head of Youth Services at the Traverse Area District Library, spoke with Rosie Chapman aka Miz Rosie who is a storyteller, author, poet, artist, therapist and school social worker! She thrills audiences with her “edutainment” storytelling that combines educating, enlightening and entertainment; all that tickles the soul, warms the heart and stimulates the mind. We can not wait for her to “edutain” our community with her unforgettable storytelling of African and African-American Folktales accompanied by African instruments on February 5th at 11:00am via Zoom. In the meantime, lets get to know her a bit better beforehand as she answers 3 to 5 Questions for Authors (or just a couple more):
If you were a Dewey number, which one would you be?
811 and 812. Poetry and Drama of any kind.
What titles are on your bedside “to be read” pile?
Hidden in Plain View by Jacqueline L. Tobin and Raymond G. Dobard, Ph. D.
(Our copy of this book is on order but in the meantime, if you would like to read it, it is available through MeLCat)
How did you get into storytelling?
By accident! Someone asked me what my plans were for doing something new next year and I said I am going to be a storyteller! I had never seen a storyteller perform but I had dreamed about it! A few weeks later I went to a library’s national event with with other librarians. I wasn’t a librarian but I loved reading so I went. There was a workshop on storytelling with puppets! I said well that is what it is. Using puppets!! I attended that session and went home and made some puppets. A few weeks later my friend’s school principal called me and said she heard I was a great storyteller. I told her I was planning on doing storytelling next year. She said I will give you 3 months to get ready to do shows for my students!!! Well I made a wolf and a pig puppet. I also made a Little Red Riding Hood puppet. My first show was a complete flop. During my break between shows I started praying and I got my answer to use the students as my puppets. My second show was a huge success. That is how I have performed for over 25 years!! Audience participants become my actors in the stories.
(The puppets pictured below are not ones that Miz Rosie made as mentioned above but ones that the library carries in their circulating collection. Clicking on the pictures will allow you to place a hold on the puppets.)
You portray a lot of different historical characters in your storytelling. What is the hardest part about this for you? What part of doing this excites you the most?
The hardest part is remembering all of the smallest details about the life and times of each historical figure that I reenact. The part that excites me the most is I bring knowledge to people of all ages who may never have heard these minute details before!!
Do you have a favorite folktale that you like to tell?
My favorites are the Anansi the Spider folktales because each one has a lesson that can be applied even to the things that are going on in our lives today.
If so, why do you like that one so much?
The lessons and entertainment rolled into one performance.
Thank you very much Miz Rosie for letting us get to know you a little bit! Can’t wait to watch you on February 5th.