(Joplin, MO) – One Joplin invites families, educators, and community members to celebrate the unveiling of a new story installation at the Leonard Park StoryWalk. The event will take place on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at 9:00 am at Leonard park in Joplin (408 Turk Avenue).
This free, family-friendly celebrate will include:
- Photos with Nana Claus
- Joplin Schools’ Parents as Teachers resources and activities
- Children’s crafts
- Complimentary children’s books
The featured story, If Mice Pulled the Sleigh by Bill Barnsley and illustrated by Mariano Epelbaum, is a whimsical winter tale that celebrates imagination, teamwork, and holiday cheer.
This project represents a collaboration between One Joplin, Schreiber Foods, and the Joplin Parks and Recreation Department, highlighting the power of partnerships that promote literacy, creativity, and outdoor family engagement.
“Partnerships like this show what’s possible when our community comes together,” said Nicole Brown, Executive Director of One Joplin. “By combining creativity, literacy, and play, we’re making reading more accessible and fun for every family. We are grateful to Schreiber and the Joplin Parks and Recreation Department for helping make this possible.”
“If Mice Pulled the Sleigh is a fun and engaging StoryWalk that will be sure to unleash giggles and connection. Children learn best playing, reading, and connecting with loving adults. Providing opportunities for families to explore, imagine, and read together makes our community so much richer,” said Jessica Pommert, Co-chair of the One Joplin Education and Literacy Team.
If Mice Pulled the Sleigh will remain on display through February 2026, offering families several months to enjoy reading and exploring outdoors. Another StoryWalk is also available at the Joplin Public Library, providing additional opportunities for families to experience stories in creative and interactive ways.
“We envision a Joplin where stories are woven into the places families already love to visit,” said Christina Matekel-Gibson, Co-Chair of the One Joplin Education and Literacy Team and Children’s Librarian at Joplin Public Library. “Each new StoryWalk® helps build a culture where reading is celebrated everywhere.”
One Joplin leads collaborative initiatives focused on education, literacy, health, and poverty reduction. The StoryWalk® installation reflects the organization’s ongoing commitment to strengthening community connections through partnerships and creative learning opportunities.
About StoryWalk®:
The StoryWalk® Project was originally created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont, in partnership with the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition and the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. It has since grown into a national movement encouraging families to combine reading with outdoor recreation.
About One Joplin:
One Joplin facilitates collaboration and communication among area organizations to identify and meet community needs in Poverty, Human Services, Health, and Literacy. Founded in 2015, One Joplin engages individuals and organizations from every sector to impact community needs.
Reference:
Nicole Brown, Executive Director
One Joplin
417.726.9123
Director@OneJoplin.com
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