Award-winning Author and Storyteller Kevin Strauss has been using stories to entertain, educate and inspire children and adults for more than a decade. Based in Rochester, Minnesota, Kevin travels across the Midwest to perform at schools, libraries, preschools and community events.
Kevin is the author of three books, including Tales with Tails: storytelling the wonders of the natural world (Libraries Unlimited, 2006), winner of the prestigious national 2008 Storytelling World Award. His other books include the full-color children’s books Loon and Moon (Raven Productions, 2005) and The Song of the Wolf (Quixote Press). He is also the storytelling star on two CDs and two upcoming DVDs. The CDs include The Mountain Wolf’s Gift (Naturestory Productions, 2003) and U Tell A Tale (National Institute on Media and the Family, 2007). You can purchase many of Kevin’s publications at the store.
After completing a Bacholors Degree in Environmential Biology/Creative Writing at Beloit College in Wisconsin and a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction at Northern Illinois University, Kevin taught at several nature centers, including a stint as Executive Director at the innovative Prairie Ecology Bus Center in Lakefield, Minnesota, where the “center” is a mobile classroom nature center on a bus. But in 1998, Kevin decided that rather than being a naturalist who tells stories, he wanted to be a working storyteller and he’s done that ever since.
When not performing, Kevin likes to spend time hiking, canoeing and camping with his family and making up new stories to tell to his daughter. For Kevin, there is no sweeter sound that the words, “Tell me a story.”
Awards and Rosters:
- 2008 Storytelling World Award (Tales with Tails, Story Solutions)
- COMPAS Global Arts Roster
- COMPAS Writers and Artists in the Schools Roster
- Minnesota State Arts Board Artists in Education Roster
- 2004 Best Local News Story (Small Weeklies, Minnesota Newspaper Association)
Selected Performances and Workshops
- National Storytelling Network Conference, St. Louis, MO
- Illinois State Fair, Springfield, IL
- Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley, MN
- The Mall of America, Bloomington, MN
- International Wolf Center, Ely, MN
- Timber Wolf Lodge, Babbitt, MN
- Princeton Library, Princeton, MN
- Vaughn Library, Ashland, WI
- Winona State University, Winona, MN
- UW-Superior, Superior, WI
- Tower School, Tower, MN
- Kelly High School, Silver Bay, MN
- Great Lakes Elementary School, Superior, WI
- North Dakota Speech and Theatre Assoc. Conference, Mandan, ND
What people are saying about Kevin Strauss:
“Kevin’s programs engage students, equip them for new challenges and inspire them toward positive change.” —Barb Rebak, Bully Prevention Director, Flambeau School District, Tony, WI
“(Kevin) did a wonderful job with the students at Hoover Elementary. You have developed a truly outstanding program. I know that the students learned a great deal from you.” —Dr. Peg Juffer, Principal, Hoover Elementary, North Mankato, MN
“I really like the ‘animal connection’ with the stories.” —Eleanor Robinson, Gilmore Elementary, Tonawanda, NY