Franklin College will host “Little Seeds: Interfaith Understanding Through the Art of Children’s Literature” as part of the 2025 Spirit & Place Festival on Monday, Nov. 10 in the Branigin Room of the Napolitan Student Center. Admission is free for all ages, but registration is required at bit.ly/Little_Seeds. The event will be ALS interpreted.

Kaitlin Curtice photographThe two-part, family-friendly event will bring together the magic of storytelling, hands-on creativity and meaningful conversation. Award winning Potawatomi storyteller and poet, Kaitlin B. Curtice, will discuss the intersection of spirituality, identity and nature. Her vibrantly illustrated children’s books feature an Indigenous family sharing their gratitude and appreciation for Mother Earth. The four-part series celebrates the miracles, magic and gifts of nature in all seasons.

5 p.m. – Hour One: Meet Kaitlin B. Curtice & Enjoy Family Activities
The event will open with a welcoming reception featuring family-friendly snacks and interactive nature-themed activities designed especially for children. Young guests can enjoy simple crafts, plant a seed to take home, and explore their creativity through engaging, hands-on experiences.

At the same time, guests can enjoy a continuous “Reading Circle” and nature activities hosted by community and campus partners including the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, Johnson County Public Library, Greenwood Public Library, Franklin College Earth Club, and B.F. Hamilton Library. These partners will share children’s stories centered around nature — inviting both kids and kids-at-heart to sit to be engaged and inspired.

6 p.m. – Hour Two: Author Talk & Reading
In the second hour, Curtice will take the stage for a special reading and an engaging talk about the inspiration behind her children’s books. She will also share insights into Native American spirituality and its deep connection to nature, offering a meaningful perspective for attendees of all ages.

For more information about Curtice or to purchase copies of her books, visit www.kaitlincurtice.com/.

The event is also part of the College’s Interfaith Understanding Through the Arts initiative, which was originally funded through a grant from the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation. The goal is to bridge understanding of the world’s religions by highlighting the differences and similarities of various faith traditions through artistic expressions rooted in the arts and humanities. Artistic mediums showcased during previous events have included storytelling, poetry, music and the culinary arts.

Spirit & Place is housed on the campus of Indiana University Indianapolis and puts the liberal arts into action through the power of the arts, humanities and religion. Year-long projects and events utilize these three “civic tools” to bring people together in a spirit of adventurous civility and collaboration. The signature offering, the Spirit & Place Festival, is a multi-day festival of events independently created and hosted by the community with support from Spirit & Place. Spirit & Place provides a yearly theme, staff coaching on collaborative possibilities and event design, and promotional support. A team of community reviewers select festival events after an application process.

This year’s Spirit & Place theme is Nature. Through performances, exhibits, interactive workshops, outdoor explorations, and courageous conversations, the festival will highlight the many ways nature connects us to ourselves, to each other, and to the wider world.

For more information, contact the Franklin College Office of Communications at (317) 738-8185.