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2024 Talk Story Prompt Cards

'Talk Story' in an arc over an illustration of two adults and three children gathered together with smiles on their faces with a music note, star and leaf icon over their heads. Text to the right of the illustration reads 'sharing stories' and to the left reads 'sharing culture'

Contact:
Nicole Fernandez
familyliteracy@apalaweb.org
Release Date:
July 8, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA), an affiliate of the American Library Association (ALA), is pleased to announce the Talk Story Prompt Cards to help people share stories and share cultures around Talk Story values.

About the Cards:

The Talk Story Prompt Cards, created by APALA are designed to encourage people to hold meaningful conversations about their culture, family history, and more. They draw upon the Talk Story values of family literacy, intergenerational activities, cultural literacy, and identity.

How to Use the Cards:

  • We encourage you to gather with family, friends, and any other people in your life who you want to learn more about or hold meaningful conversations about Talk Story values.
  • Read the cards together and informally chat about the questions.
  • Some cards include suggested activity ideas to engage with these topics.
  • You can adapt any question and personalize it for you and your family.
    • For example, if your family says “Lolo” and “Lola” for “Grandpa” and “Grandma,” we encourage you to use those terms of endearment. It’s a part of cultural and family literacy!
  • It’s OK if these conversations feel emotional or difficult.
  • It’s OK to say “I don’t know.” 
  • It’s OK to skip any question.
  • Be curious and open about exploring the prompts.

Please share these cards with your communities, schools, and libraries.

For a print-friendly version of the cards, click here.

These prompt cards were inspired by the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA) and American Indigenous Library Association (AILA) presentation on “Talk Story: Centering Oral Traditions to Advance Literacy Justice and Transform Community Relationships” at the ALA Annual Conference 2023. One representative from APALA and one from AILA shared an oral storytelling experience. Afterward, a panel discussion was held discussing “Talk Story as a community of practice to recenter youth literacy programs as intergenerational literacy opportunities with an emphasis on oral histories and traditions, intersectional community building, and cultural sensitivities.”1 The APALA Family Literacy Focus Committee decided it would be helpful to create prompt cards that inspire families, educators, and librarians to start meaningful conversations and oral storytelling practices while implementing Talk Story values.

For additional Talk Story Resources, please visit https://www.apalaweb.org/talkstorytogether/resources/. 

The APALA Family Literacy Focus Committee members include: Becky Leathersich, co-chair, SUNY Geneseo, Geneseo, NY; Nicole Fernandez, interim co-chair, San Mateo County Libraries, Brisbane, CA; Zoë Bowlus, SkillPath, Lawrence, KS; Jessea Young, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA; Tiffany Lee, neé Mallery, Simmons University, Boston, MA; Kim Nguyen, Los Angeles Public Library, Los Angeles, CA. 

The Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA) was founded in 1980 by librarians of diverse Asian/Pacific ancestries committed to working together toward a common goal: to create an organization that would address the needs of Asian/Pacific American librarians and those who serve Asian/Pacific American communities.

  1. Sarah Nguyễn, Amy Kyung-eun Breslin, Stacy Wells, Aaron LaFromboise, Tiffany Mallery, panelists. Panel discussion. Talk Story: Centering Oral Traditions to Advance Literacy Justice and Transform Community Relationships.  ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition, 24 June 2023, McCormick Place Chicago, Chicago, IL. ↩︎