StoryFest 2026
For Youth and Families
Some sessions at StoryFest may present advanced themes and/or language that are inappropriate for youth.
The sessions highlighted on this page are specifically designed for multigenerational audiences that include young participants.
1:30 p.m. - 2:25 p.m.
Power of Writing & Retelling Folktales/Stories of Adventure & Wonder,
Telling Stories is a Treasure! led by Trần Thị Minh Phước
A Youth & Family Track Workshop! This is an intergenerational sessions, all ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
This workshop aims to teach participants how to effectively select, authentically retell from the myths, legends, and stories and sometimes add some twists or conflicts to fit a specific audience. Remember each bird and animal we see, each flower we smell, each fruit we eat has its own amazing story. Participants will listen to the story and rewrite their fresh narrative while maintaining the underlying moral.
Trần Thị Minh Phước [jahn teeh m-eh fooh] spent 10 months in a refugee camp in Malaysia before coming to America. In 1984, after a 50-hour Greyhound trip from California, she came to a land called Minnesota, where she believed that she could find the precious treasures in life-education and a safe environment. As the first Vietnamese librarian in Minnesota (now retired), award-winning author, and respected storyteller, she has shared her experiences and knowledge of Vietnamese culture, the richness and beauty of Vietnamese folktales, and her refugee experiences at various cultural events, storytelling programs, conferences, libraries, universities, and schools throughout the state and beyond.
2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Youth Open Mic
As part of the Youth & Family Concert! Kids and young teens are invited to share a story. It can be a familiar fairy tale, or a true story about something that happened to you, or an original story you made up. This is NOT a slam; there are no winners or losers. Please, no stories longer than 5 to 8 minutes, so everyone can have a turn. If you’re not eager to get up and tell, please come to listen. Storytellers need an audience!