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."
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Seasons & Episodes
1. Tales Around the Table
Tomie shows viewers around his studio table. Guest storytellers: Mary Sue Milliken and Sue Feniger.
2. Where Do You Get Ideas?
Tomie tells us about his idea drawer. Guest storyteller: J.T. Steiny
3. What's a Story?
Tomie offers two drawing - a beginning and an ending. Guest storyteller: Ed Eyth
4. Stories for Myself
Tomie shows us his sketchbook, a visual journal. Guest storyteller: Alexandra Nichita
5. Food as Storytelling
Tomie fries up his famous Popeye. Guest storyteller: Mary Ann Esposito
6. That's a Story?!
Tomie shows how a collection of souvenirs tells a story. Guest storyteller: Charlotte Bird
7. Getting Started
Tomie suggests ways to get started. Guest storyteller: Art Clokey
8. Character
Tomie shows how visual traits help to define a character. Guest storytellers: Bill Barretta and Pepe the King Prawn
9. Setting
Tomie discusses how changing the setting changes the story. Guest storyteller: John Iacovelli
10. Point of View
Tomie takes a look at perspective. Guest storyteller: John E. Barrett
11. Performance as Storytelling
Tomie talks about assuming a character’s voice & mannerisms. Guest storyteller: Martie Barylick
12. Every Picture Tells a Story
Tomie talks about the story behind one of his paintings. Guest storyteller: Lotus Do Brooks
13. Making Sense of Our World Through Stories
Tomie encourages kids to draw or make up stories to deal with emotions. Guest storyteller: Jane Yolen
14. Taking a Chance
Tomie tells and shows the origins of his first chapter book. Guest storyteller: Frank Oz
15. Finding Your Audience
Tomie talks about how stories and artwork change when they are shared with an audience. Guest storyteller: John Carney
16. Funny
Tomie explains the comedy rule of three. Guest storyteller: Bill Larkin
17. Scary
Tomie shows how different techniques can create a scary scene. Guest storyteller: David Barrington-Holt
18. Moods: Happy/Sad
Tomie shows how a few lines can change the mood of a face. Guest storyteller: Natalie McMaster
19. History
Tomie explains what a time capsule is. Guest storyteller: Victor Finkel
20. Music
Gabe plays guitar riffs for Tomie that correspond to different moods. Guest storyteller: Dave Kinnoin
21. Make Believe Stories
Tomie is doodling. Guest storyteller: Doug Chiang
22. Real Stories
Tomie talks about how family photos can inspire stories. Guest storyteller: Chris Connelly
23. More Than One Way to Tell a Tale - Versions
Tomie talks about the different ways you can tell a story. Guest storyteller: Savage Steve Holland
24. More Than One Way to Tell a Tale - Techniques
Tomie shows his Cornell boxes, using a different technique of art to tell a story. Guest storyteller: Sule Greg Wilson
25. Putting Heart Into Your Story
Tomie talks about putting warmth, feeling, and emotion into a story. Guest storytellers: Kermit the Frog and Rizzo the Rat
26. Collaboration
Tomie talks about collaboration. Guest storytellers: Stephen Holman and Josephine Huang
