Storytelling: From the Individual to Society and Beyond
Event Schedule
May 2026
- Saturday 2nd 4:00 AM
This book talk is designed specifically for K–12 educators and curriculum designers. Livia Blackburne explores how storytelling does something more than tell a good story. It can change how students relate to language, culture, and their own identities. In recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, this program also celebrates the histories, cultures, and contributions of AAPI communities in the United States.
Blackburne will draw on her book Bing's Cherries, a modern Chinese American tall tale inspired by Ah Bing, a real Chinese immigrant who helped cultivate the beloved cherry variety in Oregon. The book serves as a jumping-off point for thinking about what stories can do in the classroom, especially in settings like weekend Chinese school, where time is short, and the stakes feel high. The session will be in Mandarin and English.