This summer, the Ozarks Studies Institute, an ongoing initiative of the Missouri State Libraries, is publishing Ozarks Tales for Children: A Storyteller’s Handbook by former MSU librarian Cheryl “Cherri” Jones, and students at the Greenwood Laboratory School are illustrating it.

Elaina Kersey, managing editor of the Ozarks Studies Institute, presented the project to art students in Jennifer Grace-Duran’s middle school and high school classes in late March. The K-12 Art teacher also gave a select few, highly talented elementary school students the chance to participate. Pictures were initially drawn in pencil and then traced over with a fine-tipped Sharpie. 

Unfortunately, every student’s artwork will not be chosen for the 105-page book. In the upcoming weeks, Jones and Kersey will together decide which art makes the final cut. However, all students will be celebrated for their contributions to the overall project in an awards ceremony in late April or early May. 

Thus far, only a sampling of the illustrations have been released, but they have been very promising. 

“I am so excited for you to see some of these drawings!” said Grace-Duran. “I think you will be very happy with them.”