About Us
A Brief Bio About J’miah Nabawi
Principal Artist, Producer and Presenter of “Books for Growing Minds Storybooks Alive!™”
A Philadelphia native, J’miah Nabawi’s (J’miah) experiences as a professional storyteller is quite extensive. For more than three decades, he has presented his brand of high energy interactive storytelling and books-out-loud programming across the U.S. at public libraries, public and private schools, school districts, universities, art museums, and corporate settings. He has served on various Approved Artists Rosters for a variety of State Arts councils (e.g., the Pennsylvania (PA) Council on the Arts; the Virginia Commission for the Arts; B.O.C.E.S. of New York State; Massachusetts Cultural Council; South Carolina Arts Commission; and Georgia Council for the Arts where he currently maintains an active Teaching Artist status).
J’miah’s work with children, youth, and immigrant communities in urban and rural areas has not gone unnoticed. Some of the awards and recognitions he has received include a PA House of Representatives Proclamation; a Proclamation Citation from the City of Miami, Florida; a Recognition of Honor as a Visiting Artist from the Blue Mountain School District, Orwigsburg, PA; and WTOC-TV’s (Savannah GA) “Community Spirit Award.”
“J’miah Nabawi is an esteemed recipient of the National Storytelling Network’s (NSN, Jonesborough, TN) “ORACLE Award for Outstanding Service and Leadership, Southeast Region for his exemplary leadership to his community through storytelling.” ~ The Elijah Agency
Learn more about J’miah Nabawi on Amazon where you can also purchase his books.
Top photo: J’miah with Boston’s Mayor, the late Tom Menino standing in front of one of Boston’s Public Libraries’ RV book mobile being converted to the “Storymobile” and the launch of Boston’s comprehensive Literacy program, READ Boston.
Middle photo: J’miah as the “Storybook Man” standing with NFL Philadelphia Eagles’ fans with the NFL Eagle’s Youth Partnership’s green RV “BOOKMOBILE” in the background. The image on the BOOKMOBILE with the number 53 is Hugh Douglas. He played Defensive End for the Eagles and is the one who initiated and sponsored the Eagles’ Youth Partnership Literacy Program to the benefit of Philadelphia and the surrounding areas’ children and youth, giving about books at every stop after the reading aloud and storytelling by the “Storybook Man.”
Bottom photo: J’miah Nabawi as the Storybook Man with the librarian and children who participated in his Storybooks Alive! program at one of Jacksonville’s (FL) Public Libraries representing the Eagles’ Youth Partnership during Super Bowl XXXIX.
Books for Growing Minds Storybooks Alive!™
This summer, you, your friends and neighbors, and family will be able to join award-winning storyteller, J’miah Nabawi, in the celebration of books and the power of reading through the enchantment of folktales and interactive storytelling.
Books for Growing Minds Storybooks Alive! is active and here to join a host of other theme-based summer vacation programs for children (and youth) organized with the intentions of providing activities and strategies to help offset a phenomenon known as the “Summer Slide.” (Briefly, the “Summer Slide” is when educational and academic gains students make in the classroom during the school year begin to be forgotten, to slip away, those several weeks that children are out of school.)
This is a program of high-energy that touches on several topics that may include science; language arts; math; music; and foreign languages by reading picture books aloud, physical play (creative movement); song; and interactive storytelling with rhythmic play. Everyone is encouraged to keep their minds tuned in to learning and sharp over the summer while having fun.
Conceived and presented by J’miah Nabawi, the program will primarily be available to local city and state-run agencies that provide children and family services; manage women shelters; our military veterans and their families; facilities for the homeless and unhoused; underserved rural, migrant, and immigrant communities.
Learn to play and play to learn through a demonstration of “action storytelling” and reading aloud, empowering students (participants) with strategies and tools that foster a culture of reading. We are ensuring that the benefits of reading and storytelling extend far beyond Books for Growing Minds Storybooks Alive! programs.
Go team Books for Growing Minds Storybooks Alive!
Allow Us to Make a Difference in the Lives of Your Reluctant Readers
Books for Growing Minds Storybooks Alive! stands ready to be your premier choice for literacy initiatives planned to get your students (and loved ones at home) reading . . . and reading more often.
Yes, we do Book Fairs too!
Go Team Books for Growing Minds Storybooks Alive!
We know how to engage and manage large audiences with upbeat performances, bringing stories to life in unforgettable ways.
Community Impact
We are always open to collaborating and community partnerships that may benefit underserved populations, enriching lives and promoting literacy in diverse communities.
Educational Excellence
We offer innovative workshops and programs, empowering educators and enhancing learning experiences in classrooms.
Summer Enrichment
We combat the "Summer Slide" with dynamic, no-cost to low-cost programs, ensuring children stay engaged and inspired all summer long.
What people have said over the years
"The wait seemed worthwhile. Storyteller J'miah Nabawi, who travels with the [Phila. Eagles' bookmobile] van, has his own brand of magic that makes even the simplest story come alive."
"Dear J'miah, Saturday, May 16, 1998 was a very important day for the children of Dade County. . . . Because of you, smiles radiated on the faces of dozens of young people. Thank you for taking a stand for literature and bringing the world of literature to our children."
"This brother [J'miah] is a force. He doesn't just tell a story, he sings it, dances it and paints a picture that brings the past to the present, lighting a way for our future. ANANSE Makes It So! is just like his storytelling, meaningful and fun!"
We are presently curating children's books to put on order. We are open to ideas and suggestions for titles, discount agents, and book sellers for ages K-3rd grade and the middle grades between 4th and 7th grade. Please feel free to contact us with your suggestions!
