SATA
ENTRY TYPE:
WORK TITLE: BOO STEW
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: https://dlwstoryteller.com/
CITY: Durham
STATE:
COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY: American
LAST VOLUME: SATA 276
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Born October 6, 1967, in Colorado Springs, CO; daughter of Ltc. Don Lowell and Gwendolyn Yvonne (a professional cake decorator) Washington; married David William Klibanow (a business manager), December 31, 1995; children: Devin McKenzie, Darith Alexandria.
EDUCATION:Northwestern University, B.S. (speech), 1990.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Storyteller, author, and actress. Workshop leader, including for National Storytellers Conference, International Reading Association Conference, and US Army Corps of Engineers, and featured artist at storytelling festivals, including National Storytelling Festival, Illinois Storytelling Festival, Three Rivers Festival, St. Louis Storytelling Festival, and NC StoryFest. Sunday school teacher, 1995-96; member of board of directors for social service agency aiding people with developmental disabilities, 1994-96.
MEMBER:National Storyteller’s Association, National Association of Black Storytellers, National Storytelling Network, North Carolina Association of Black Storytellers, North Carolina Storytelling Guild (president, 2007), West Virginia Storytelling Guild, Touring Artist for North Carolina Arts Council, Touring Artist for BOCES, Writers and Illustrators of North Carolina.
AWARDS:Illinois Humanities Scholar; Parents’ Choice Award for Live and Learn; Parents’ Choice Silver Award, Storytelling World Honor selection, Children’s Music Web award, and National Parenting Publications Honor selection, all for A Little Shiver; Parents’ Choice Silver award, Children’s Music Web award, and National Parenting Publications Award Honors selection, all for Fun, Foolery and Folktales; Children’s Music Web award, iParenting Media award, Parents’ Choice Silver award, and Storytelling World award, all for The Sword and the Rose; Storytelling World award, iParenting Media award, and Children’s Music Web award, all for Angels’ Laughter; Storytelling World award, Parents’ Choice Gold award, and Children’s Music Web award, all for Troubling Trouble; Storytelling World Honor selection for Cup of Blood; Parents’ Choice Gold award and Storytelling World award, both for A Tureen of Tales.
POLITICS: Democrat. RELIGION: Unitarian Universalist.WRITINGS
Author and performer of spoken-word recordings via the label DLW Storyteller, including Live and Learn: The Exploding Frog and Other Stories, 2002; A Little Shiver, 2002; Fun, Foolery and Folktales, 2004;The Sword and the Rose, 2005; Angels’ Laughter, 2005; Troubling Trouble, 2007; Growing Up Army, 2007; Cup of Blood, 2012; and A Tureen of Tales, 2012. Author of storytelling programs, produced in Chicago, IL.
SIDELIGHTS
A storyteller and author based in North Carolina, Donna L. Washington creates picture books based on the most popular stories she shares with her young audiences. Washington began performing on stage at age six and gained her love of storytelling by listening to her father captivate the family with tales told after dinner. [open new revisions]A self-described “army brat,” Washington enjoyed traveling the world with her family, including a five-year stint in Seoul, South Korea, when she was in elementary school. While there, she gained three Amerasian siblings adopted by her parents. Washington attended Northwestern University, in Illinois, and in her professional career, she has adapted folktales for two full-length stage productions by Chicago’s Upstage Downstage Theatre and has also performed one-woman shows about African Americans Phillis Wheatley, Sojourner Truth, and Harriet Tubman. She produced her first storyteller’s audio recording in 2002 with Live and Learn: The Exploding Frog and Other Stories, and she has won numerous honors for this and other albums.[close revisions]
The Story of Kwanzaa, Washington’s first picture book, describes the seven-day festival of African and African-American pride and heritage. In addition to revealing the modern holiday’s origins, she also discusses various Kwanzaa activities and the events or principles they symbolize. A School Library Journal reviewer called Washington’s work “a useful addition in a still small group of books,” while in Kirkus Reviews a critic praised The Story of Kwanzaa as “a fine primer on a holiday that is fast gaining recognition.”
In A Big Spooky House Washington tells the story of a big-boned, strong-armed man who, while on his way to volunteer for the army, takes shelter in what appears to be an abandoned house. The building turns out to be comfortably furnished and he is soon resting in front of a roaring fire. Throughout the night, the muscular man is repeatedly awakened by a succession of cats, each one asking if he will still be in the house when John arrives. As the cats grow ever larger, the man becomes more concerned, until a particularly large creature arrives and asks the question regarding John. When this creature proceeds to gobble all the other cats up, the strong-armed man flees out into the stormy dark. In Booklist Gillian Engberg cited A Big Spooky House for sharing a “suspenseful [story] … filled with colloquial language,” the critic adding that Washington’s use of repetition allows for full audience participation during story-hour readings.
Washington includes six stories with roots in West African cultures in A Pride of African Tales. A trickster tale, a fable, and a story from real life as well as cautionary, porquoi, and taboo tales are all presented, along with information regarding their history and purpose. Noting that these colorful and meaningful tales were intended to be spoken rather than read, Washington encourages children to read her text aloud and “adopt … a new voice for each story” to make their reading reflect the region where the tale originated. In Booklist Jennifer Mattson praised A Pride of African Tales as a “fine collection” that will expand “children’s understanding of Africa’s diversity and the richness of its narrative tradition.” Dubbing the text “majestic,” School Library Journal reviewer Harriett Fargnoli added that Washington’s use of “phrasing and cadences invite pauses and should encourage successful retelling.” Fargnoli also praised James Ransome’s richly colored watercolor paintings for A Pride of African Tales , describing them as “extraordinarily lush.”
Washington’s holiday-themed picture book Li’l Rabbit’s Kwanzaa features a set-up familiar to its intended audience. Li’l Rabbit watches his family prepare for the upcoming celebration but is told that he is too little to help out. He sees a chance to contribute when Granna Rabbit feels too poorly to cook the delicious Karamu feast she has always prepared. Venturing into the forest to find a remedy, Li’l Rabbit requests help from his animal friends. As they have all enjoyed Granna’s generosity, they team up to make Granna’s holiday memorable. Illustrations by Shane W. Evans “capture the spirit of community that is the essence of the holiday” in Li’l Rabbit’s Kwanzaa , remarked Hazel Rochman in her Booklist review. A Kirkus Reviews contributor asserted that “toasty, comforting hues and one plucky little rabbit” reinforce the message of Kwanzaa, whose “Nguzo Saba” (Seven Principles) are also included.
[open new]In Boo Stew, Washington’s next picture book, Curly Locks enjoys living in her hometown of Toadsuck, never feeling too frightened by the shadowy Scares who inhabit the swamp. But no one seems to enjoy her cooking, however fresh the ingredients of her bat-wing brownies, cat-hair cupcakes, and toad-eye toffees might be. One day the mayor gets scared right off his breakfast by a little Scare, and when the chicken rancher and blacksmith try to interpose, even bigger Scares come along. It takes Curly Locks to come up with the idea of giving the splotchy Scares some home-cooking, which just might hit the spot.
Appreciating how the multiracial characters’ “country accents enhance the story’s setting,” a Kirkus Reviews writer called Curly Locks’ cuisine “hilarious for lovers of gross humor” and concluded that “this fairy-tale–style story is a standout pleaser” any time of year. In School Library Journal, Myiesha Speight likewise praised Boo Stew as a “Halloween read sure to entertain in any season” and a “fun story about pursuing one’s passions even when other people might not understand.”[close new]
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Booklist, September 1, 1996, Susan Dove Lempke, review of The Story of Kwanzaa, p. 138; September 15, 2000, Gillian Engberg, review of A Big, Spooky House, p. 251; March 15, 2004, Jennifer Mattson, review of A Pride of African Tales, p. 1306; November 1, 2010, Hazel Rochman, review of Li’l Rabbit’s Kwanzaa, p. 77.
Childhood Education, winter, 2004, Melanie Friedman, review of A Pride of African Tales, p. 109.
Kirkus Reviews, September 15, 1996, review of The Story of Kwanzaa, p. 1409; September 1, 2010, review of Li’l Rabbit’s Kwanzaa; August 1, 2021, review of Boo Stew.
Horn Book, November-December, 2010, Roger Sutton, review of Li’l Rabbit’s Kwanzaa, p. 68.
Plays, December, 1996, review of The Story of Kwanzaa, p. 64.
Publishers Weekly, September 30, 1996, review of The Story of Kwanzaa, p. 88; February 2, 2004, review of A Gathering of Stories, p. 80.
Reading Today, February-March, 2004, Lynne T. Burke, review of A Pride of African Tales, p. 28.
School Library Journal, October, 1996, review of The Story of Kwanzaa, p. 42; September, 2000, Karen Land, review of A Big, Spooky House, p. 224; August, 2004, Harriett Fargnoli, review of A Pride of African Tales, p. 114; October, 2010, Joanna K. Fabicon, review of Li’l Rabbit’s Kwanzaa, p. 77; September, 2021, Myiesha Speight, review of Boo Stew, p. 68.
ONLINE
Charlotte Mecklenberg Library website, http://www.bookhive.org/ (June 5, 2005), video featuring Washington.
Donna L. Washington website, http://www.dlwstoryteller.com (January 27, 2022).
Language, Literacy and Storytelling, http://donnawashingtonstoryteller.blogspot.com (January 27, 2022), author blog.
Donna was born an army brat in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She traveled all over with world with her parents. Her father would sit at the dinner table and spin the wildest yarns imaginable. He taught her Arthurian Legend and Greek Mythology by telling the stories in the first person. She thought he had actually been with Merlin and Oedipus. She thought he was thousands of years old. Donna spent from second to sixth grade in Seoul Korea. It was during these years that her parents adopted three Amerasian children. Through it all, she learned about different people, places and of course, learned their stories.
Donna attended Northwestern University and was involved with numerous theatrical productions. It was at this time that storytelling reemerged as something she wanted to learn more about. In the four years she was there, she began to make storytelling a central part of her performance life.
Her first recording work was done with Warren Coleman Productions. She provided the talent on a storytelling tape that was so successful for Children's Press that the tape was used to make four wordless picture books. It was at this time that Donna began writing books. Her first writing project was an anthology. It has been in the works for almost twelve years. A Pride of African Tales was released in December 2003. Award winning illustrator, James Ransome provided the lush watercolor pictures for the book. It received rave reviews from the American Library Association (ALA) Booklist and the School Library Journal. Pride has been nominated for the Pennsylvania 2005-2006 Young Reader's Choice Award Donna's second book, The Story of Kwanzaa, has been in print for eleven years. It is a wonderful primer for kids about the African-American celebration of Kwanzaa. Donna's third book, A Big Spooky House, is a wonderful book to read aloud at Halloween. Her next book will be entitled Li'l Rabbit's Kwanzaa and will be published by HarperCollins Children's Books.
Donna is also a multiple award winning recording artist. She received a 2002 Parent's Choice Award for her first independent recording "Live and Learn: The Exploding Frog and Other Stories". The October 2004 edition of the ALA Booklist gave Donna's second CD, "A Little Shiver", a recommended review. It also won the 2004 Parents' Choice Silver Honor Award and 2005 Storytelling World Honors. Her third CD "Fun, Foolery, and Folktales" also won the 2004 Parents' Choice Silver Honor Award and a 2006 Storytelling World Honors. Her fourth CD "The Sword and The Rose" has won an iParenting Media 2005 Excellent Product Award, a 2005 Parents' Choice Silver Honor Award and a 2006 Storytelling World Award. All of her CDs have won 2005 Children's Music Web Awards. Donna's fifth CD "Angels' Laughter" was just released in May 2006.
Donna has performed at thousands of schools & libraries and numerous storytelling festivals throughout the country. She has also been featured at numerous storytelling festivals including the 2004 National Storytelling Festival, The Illinois Storytelling Festival, The Three Rivers Festival, The St. Louis Storytelling Festival, The NC StoryFest, The Corn Island and Cave Run Festivals in KY, and the Broward County Children's & Ocala Storytelling Festivals in FL- just to name a few.
She also offers workshops in storytelling, writing, education, and creative drama for librarians and educators as well. Some of her recent workshops venues include the National Storytellers Conference, Forsyth School Media Association, US Army Corps of Engineers, North Carolina Library Association Conference, Virginia Library Association Conference, Georgia Council of Media Organizations Conference, South Carolina Library Association Conference, National Storytelling Conference, International Reading Association Conference, Mary Lois Staton Conference at ECU, and keynote speaker & presenter at the North Carolina Elementary Educators Conference among others.
These days you can find her traveling the country at festivals, conferences, schools, & libraries telling stories & giving workshops for anyone who is willing to listen to her.
Donna Washington is a multiple award winning master storyteller and published author who has been performing for over thirty years. She uses vivid facial expressions, non-pedestrian movement and vocal pyrotechnics to bring her stories to life. She has been called “a walking Disney movie” and told she was “better than television!” She writes picture books that are meant to be read out loud with sound effects, character voices, and as much ambient sound as you can muster! Donna is an army brat who was born in 1967 in Colorado Springs, Co. One of seven children, three of whom were adopted while the family lived in South Korea, Donna spent her early life traveling the world gathering stories and learning about many different cultures. She graduated from Northwestern University in 1989, and has been touring, writing and performing since then. She’s married, lives in Durham, NC, and has two amazing children.
Donna L. Washington is a professional storyteller, multiple-award-winning recording artist, and author. She performs all over the country at festivals, schools, and libraries and gives workshops for parents and educators as well. Her many storytelling recordings have received Gold and Silver Parents' Choice Awards, Storytelling World Awards, iParenting Awards, Children's Music Web Awards, National Parenting Publications Awards Honors, and many more. Ms. Washington lives with her husband, two children, and two cats in Durham, North Carolina. You can visit her online at www.dlwstoryteller.com.
Washington, Donna BOO STEW Peachtree (Children's None) $17.99 9, 1 ISBN: 978-1-68263-221-5
Will Curly Locks find anyone who appreciates her cooking?
Unlike most residents of Toadsuck, Curly Locks doesn’t mind the Scares, shadowlike creatures who inhabit the swamp. They keep to themselves, other than their “hootin’ and hollerin’,” which can annoy folks at night. Curly Locks only cares about cooking. But for some reason, people aren’t interested in her batwing brownies, cat-hair cupcakes, or toad-eye toffees. One day, the mayor is enjoying his breakfast when a little Scare plants itself in the middle of his plate. The mayor flees, and a succession of townspeople comes to help only to be chased off by even bigger Scares. When Curly Locks hears of the kerfuffle, she wonders if anyone has tried cooking for the Scares. She saunters up to the mayor’s house with her possum grease and toadstools and heads to the kitchen. With a promise of her famous Boo Stew and a calm demeanor, she gets the Scares to clean up their mess before sitting down for a meal, striking a historic deal with them that benefits the whole town and gives her someone to cook for. Curly Locks is a plucky Black girl among a multiracial cast of characters whose country accents enhance the story’s setting. The inky, blotchy Scares are pretty scary, and Curly Locks’ food is stomach-turning, hilarious for lovers of gross humor.
This fairy-tale–style story is a standout pleaser for the right crowd, with a year-round shelf life. (Picture book. 4-8)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2021 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
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"Washington, Donna: BOO STEW." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Aug. 2021, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A669986468/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=fdec1e0c. Accessed 20 Dec. 2021.
WASHINGTON, Donna L. Boo Stew. illus. by Jeffrey Ebbeler. 32p. Peachtree. Sept. 2021. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781682632215.
K-Gr 2--Curly Locks loves to cook, but none of the townsfolk like her dishes of batwing brownies or cat hair cupcakes. Though she's a little dejected, she continues to concoct her dishes. Meanwhile, the mayor is trying to enjoy his breakfast when a Scare, an inky creature from Toadsuck Swamp, appears and frightens him away from his home. The mayor seeks help from the Blacksmith, who tries to frighten away the Scare. But a bigger Scare comes along and terrifies the Blacksmith. Then, the chicken rancher tries to spook the Scares away, only to encounter an enormous third creature. Maybe Curly Locks's dishes are just what the mayor needs to get rid of the creatures. This is a fun story about pursuing one's passions even when other people might not understand. Luckily, Curly Locks has the support of her mother, and her love of cooking saves the day. The story features a diverse cast, and character have a range of skin tones and body types. The characters' exaggerated body proportions add the right amount of humor, while the inky and spooky Scares are the stuff of nightmares. These character styles complement each other well and make for an enjoyable read. VERDICT A girl's unique cooking style saves the day in this fun Halloween read sure to entertain in any season.--Myiesha Speight, formerly at Towson Univ., Baltimore
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2021 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
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MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
Speight, Myiesha. "WASHINGTON, Donna L.: Boo Stew." School Library Journal, vol. 67, no. 9, Sept. 2021, pp. 68+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A673471204/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=a811937e. Accessed 20 Dec. 2021.