Telling Stories with Tomie dePaola
The show featured children's book author Tomie dePaola and his Muppet friend Gabe the squirrel, encouraging children to make their own stories in a variety of media. In each episode, Tomie told a story featuring his storybook characters Strega Nona, Big Anthony and Bambolona. Gabe visited The Animal Band, a group of woodland creatures, including a rabbit on drums, a weasel on guitar, a penguin on bass, and a raccoon on keytar. Each episode also featured a visit with a guest storyteller or two (often people connected to the Jim Henson Company). The final segment of each episode included a child actor playing Tomie enacting stories from his book "26 Fairmount Avenue."
Cast
Tomie DePaola
himself
John E. Kennedy
Gabe the Squirrel / Big Anthony / Raccoon
Bill Barretta
Strega Nona
Julianne Buescher
Bambolona / Wesel
James Murray
Rabbit
Alison Mork
Isaiah Griffin
Tomie in "26 Fairmount Avenue"
Seasons
E1Tales Around the Table
Aug 6, 2001
Tomie shows viewers around his studio table. Guest storytellers: Mary Sue Milliken and Sue Feniger.
E2Where Do You Get Ideas?
Aug 7, 2001
Tomie tells us about his idea drawer. Guest storyteller: J.T. Steiny
E3What's a Story?
Aug 8, 2001
Tomie offers two drawing - a beginning and an ending. Guest storyteller: Ed Eyth
E4Stories for Myself
Aug 9, 2001
Tomie shows us his sketchbook, a visual journal. Guest storyteller: Alexandra Nichita
E5Food as Storytelling
Aug 10, 2001
Tomie fries up his famous Popeye. Guest storyteller: Mary Ann Esposito
E6That's a Story?!
Aug 13, 2001
Tomie shows how a collection of souvenirs tells a story. Guest storyteller: Charlotte Bird
E7Getting Started
Aug 14, 2001
Tomie suggests ways to get started. Guest storyteller: Art Clokey
E8Character
Aug 15, 2001
Tomie shows how visual traits help to define a character. Guest storytellers: Bill Barretta and Pepe the King Prawn
E9Setting
Aug 16, 2001
Tomie discusses how changing the setting changes the story. Guest storyteller: John Iacovelli
E10Point of View
Aug 17, 2001
Tomie takes a look at perspective. Guest storyteller: John E. Barrett
E11Performance as Storytelling
Aug 20, 2001
Tomie talks about assuming a character’s voice & mannerisms. Guest storyteller: Martie Barylick
E12Every Picture Tells a Story
Aug 21, 2001
Tomie talks about the story behind one of his paintings. Guest storyteller: Lotus Do Brooks
E13Making Sense of Our World Through Stories
Aug 22, 2001
Tomie encourages kids to draw or make up stories to deal with emotions. Guest storyteller: Jane Yolen
E14Taking a Chance
Aug 23, 2001
Tomie tells and shows the origins of his first chapter book. Guest storyteller: Frank Oz
E15Finding Your Audience
Aug 24, 2001
Tomie talks about how stories and artwork change when they are shared with an audience. Guest storyteller: John Carney
E16Funny
Aug 27, 2001
Tomie explains the comedy rule of three. Guest storyteller: Bill Larkin
E17Scary
Aug 28, 2001
Tomie shows how different techniques can create a scary scene. Guest storyteller: David Barrington-Holt
E18Moods: Happy/Sad
Aug 29, 2001
Tomie shows how a few lines can change the mood of a face. Guest storyteller: Natalie McMaster
E19History
Aug 30, 2001
Tomie explains what a time capsule is. Guest storyteller: Victor Finkel
E20Music
Aug 31, 2001
Gabe plays guitar riffs for Tomie that correspond to different moods. Guest storyteller: Dave Kinnoin
E21Make Believe Stories
Sep 4, 2001
Tomie is doodling. Guest storyteller: Doug Chiang
E22Real Stories
Sep 5, 2001
Tomie talks about how family photos can inspire stories. Guest storyteller: Chris Connelly
E23More Than One Way to Tell a Tale - Versions
Sep 6, 2001
Tomie talks about the different ways you can tell a story. Guest storyteller: Savage Steve Holland
E24More Than One Way to Tell a Tale - Techniques
Sep 7, 2001
Tomie shows his Cornell boxes, using a different technique of art to tell a story. Guest storyteller: Sule Greg Wilson
E25Putting Heart Into Your Story
Sep 10, 2001
Tomie talks about putting warmth, feeling, and emotion into a story. Guest storytellers: Kermit the Frog and Rizzo the Rat
E26Collaboration
Sep 11, 2001
Tomie talks about collaboration. Guest storytellers: Stephen Holman and Josephine Huang
Storyline
The show featured children's book author Tomie dePaola and his Muppet friend Gabe the squirrel, encouraging children to make their own stories in a variety of media. In each episode, Tomie told a story featuring his storybook characters Strega Nona, Big Anthony and Bambolona. Gabe visited The Animal Band, a group of woodland creatures, including a rabbit on drums, a weasel on guitar, a penguin on bass, and a raccoon on keytar. Each episode also featured a visit with a guest storyteller or two (often people connected to the Jim Henson Company). The final segment of each episode included a child actor playing Tomie enacting stories from his book "26 Fairmount Avenue."
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