Santa Claus in Laughing Valley- a Christmas Fantasy: And a Call for Parents to Fight for the Arts in Public Schools

By Laura Simms and Teresa deBarba-Miller

"In the PREFACE to PART 2, deBarba Miller shares her thoughts on how the arts should be given more focus in schools and learning institutions across the nation. 'I honestly believe that a proper arts program in schools should emphasize, rather than minimize, the knows arts as well as creative skills,' she explained. 'I also believe that exposure to the arts, which incorporate environmental studies, advances our students into thinking, imaginative human beings in every regard'.

By turns timely and timeless, SANTA CLAUS IN THE LAUGHING VALLEY allows young readers to let their imagination wander and wonder, making way for a new generation of innovators and artists".

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 11, 2012
• ISBN: 9781469186092

Book preview

Copyright © 2012 by Teresa deBarba-Miller.

The Value of Participatory Storytelling

Copyright © 2012 by Laura Simms

Santa’s Laughing Song

Copyright © 2012 by Thomm Morgan

Cover design, music, edited by Thomm Morgan

First printing: April 2012

Library of Congress Control Number:   2012905533

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Although the author has researched all known sources to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this book, we assume no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or any other inconsistency herein.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

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Santa Claus In Laughing Valley

A Christmas Fantasy

And a call for parents to fight

for the arts in public schools

Teresa deBarba-Miller

Cover design, music, edited by Thomm Morgan

The Value of Participatory Storytelling by Laura Simms

Contents

Dedication

In Appreciation

The Value of

Participatory Storytelling

Santa Claus in Laughing Valley

Storytelling as an Art

Preface to Part Two

Call to Action

A Final Thought

Biographies

Teresa deBarba-Miller

Thomas Alden Morgan (Thomm)

Laura Simms

Dedication

Dedicated to The Agape Choir , now performing in the area of St. Louis, Missouri.

Teresa says, "Never before, entering ninety years of life, have I come across a bunch of individuals so radiant, so loving, so magnetic, so utterly sincere as those who function as the Agape Choir!

"Individual by individual—founders, leaders, and instructors alike—they truly believe that love of one is love of another and another and another, until all humanity is embraced and the heavenly city realized.

"Long may they live in their chosen fields of endeavor.

"Long may they continue to perform, spreading joy whenever/wherever they appear—the Agape Choir!"

For details, contact [e-mail].

In Appreciation

First, my thanks to master storymentor, teacher, and humanitarian Laura Simms for showing us the value of participatory storytelling. I encourage any storyteller to visit www.LauraSimms.com to learn