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, John E. Kennedy, Bill Barretta
Season 1
26 episodes
1. Tales Around the TableTomie shows viewers around his studio table. Guest storytellers: Mary Sue Milliken and Sue Feniger.ACC30minAug 6, 2001- 2. Where Do You Get Ideas?Tomie tells us about his idea drawer. Guest storyteller: J.T. SteinyACC30minAug 7, 2001
- 3. What's a Story?Tomie offers two drawing - a beginning and an ending. Guest storyteller: Ed EythACC30minAug 8, 2001
- 4. Stories for MyselfTomie shows us his sketchbook, a visual journal. Guest storyteller: Alexandra NichitaACC30minAug 9, 2001
- 5. Food as StorytellingTomie fries up his famous Popeye. Guest storyteller: Mary Ann EspositoACC30minAug 10, 2001
- 6. That's a Story?!Tomie shows how a collection of souvenirs tells a story. Guest storyteller: Charlotte BirdACC30minAug 13, 2001
- 7. Getting StartedTomie suggests ways to get started. Guest storyteller: Art ClokeyACC30minAug 14, 2001
- 8. CharacterTomie shows how visual traits help to define a character. Guest storytellers: Bill Barretta and Pepe the King PrawnACC30minAug 15, 2001
- 9. SettingTomie discusses how changing the setting changes the story. Guest storyteller: John IacovelliACC30minAug 16, 2001
- 10. Point of ViewTomie takes a look at perspective. Guest storyteller: John E. BarrettACC30minAug 17, 2001
- 11. Performance as StorytellingTomie talks about assuming a character’s voice & mannerisms. Guest storyteller: Martie BarylickACC30minAug 20, 2001
- 12. Every Picture Tells a StoryTomie talks about the story behind one of his paintings. Guest storyteller: Lotus Do BrooksACC30minAug 21, 2001
- 13. Making Sense of Our World Through StoriesTomie encourages kids to draw or make up stories to deal with emotions. Guest storyteller: Jane YolenACC30minAug 22, 2001
- 14. Taking a ChanceTomie tells and shows the origins of his first chapter book. Guest storyteller: Frank OzACC30minAug 23, 2001
- 15. Finding Your AudienceTomie talks about how stories and artwork change when they are shared with an audience. Guest storyteller: John CarneyACC30minAug 24, 2001
- 16. FunnyTomie explains the comedy rule of three. Guest storyteller: Bill LarkinACC30minAug 27, 2001
- 17. ScaryTomie shows how different techniques can create a scary scene. Guest storyteller: David Barrington-HoltACC30minAug 28, 2001
- 18. Moods: Happy/SadTomie shows how a few lines can change the mood of a face. Guest storyteller: Natalie McMasterACC30minAug 29, 2001
- 19. HistoryTomie explains what a time capsule is. Guest storyteller: Victor FinkelACC30minAug 30, 2001
- 20. MusicGabe plays guitar riffs for Tomie that correspond to different moods. Guest storyteller: Dave KinnoinACC30minAug 31, 2001
- 21. Make Believe StoriesTomie is doodling. Guest storyteller: Doug ChiangACC30minSep 4, 2001
- 22. Real StoriesTomie talks about how family photos can inspire stories. Guest storyteller: Chris ConnellyACC30minSep 5, 2001
- 23. More Than One Way to Tell a Tale - VersionsTomie talks about the different ways you can tell a story. Guest storyteller: Savage Steve HollandACC30minSep 6, 2001
- 24. More Than One Way to Tell a Tale - TechniquesTomie shows his Cornell boxes, using a different technique of art to tell a story. Guest storyteller: Sule Greg WilsonACC30minSep 7, 2001
- 25. Putting Heart Into Your StoryTomie talks about putting warmth, feeling, and emotion into a story. Guest storytellers: Kermit the Frog and Rizzo the RatACC30minSep 10, 2001
- 26. CollaborationTomie talks about collaboration. Guest storytellers: Stephen Holman and Josephine HuangACC30minSep 11, 2001
Viewers also watched
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."
Creators and cast
- Created by
- Tomie DePaola, Kathy Katz
- Studio
- Jim Henson Television
