Telling Stories with Tomie dePaola (2001)
Synopsis
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."
First Air Date: 2001-08-06
Last Air Date: 2001-09-11
Number of Seasons: 1
Number of Episodes: 26
Networks: Hallmark Channel
Top Cast
- Tomie DePaola as himself
- John E. Kennedy as Gabe the Squirrel / Big Anthony / Raccoon
- Bill Barretta as Strega Nona
- Julianne Buescher as Bambolona / Wesel
- James Murray as Rabbit
- Alison Mork as N/A
- Isaiah Griffin as Tomie in "26 Fairmount Avenue"
Seasons
Season 1 (2001)
No overview available for this season.
Episodes:
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Ep. 1: Tales Around the Table
Tomie shows viewers around his studio table. Guest storytellers: Mary Sue Milliken and Sue Feniger.
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Ep. 2: Where Do You Get Ideas?
Tomie tells us about his idea drawer. Guest storyteller: J.T. Steiny
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Ep. 3: What's a Story?
Tomie offers two drawing - a beginning and an ending. Guest storyteller: Ed Eyth
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Ep. 4: Stories for Myself
Tomie shows us his sketchbook, a visual journal. Guest storyteller: Alexandra Nichita
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Ep. 5: Food as Storytelling
Tomie fries up his famous Popeye. Guest storyteller: Mary Ann Esposito
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Ep. 6: That's a Story?!
Tomie shows how a collection of souvenirs tells a story. Guest storyteller: Charlotte Bird
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Ep. 7: Getting Started
Tomie suggests ways to get started. Guest storyteller: Art Clokey
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Ep. 8: Character
Tomie shows how visual traits help to define a character. Guest storytellers: Bill Barretta and Pepe the King Prawn
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Ep. 9: Setting
Tomie discusses how changing the setting changes the story. Guest storyteller: John Iacovelli
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Ep. 10: Point of View
Tomie takes a look at perspective. Guest storyteller: John E. Barrett
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Ep. 11: Performance as Storytelling
Tomie talks about assuming a character’s voice & mannerisms. Guest storyteller: Martie Barylick
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Ep. 12: Every Picture Tells a Story
Tomie talks about the story behind one of his paintings. Guest storyteller: Lotus Do Brooks
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Ep. 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
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Ep. 14: Taking a Chance
Tomie tells and shows the origins of his first chapter book. Guest storyteller: Frank Oz
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Ep. 15: Finding Your Audience
Tomie talks about how stories and artwork change when they are shared with an audience. Guest storyteller: John Carney
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Ep. 16: Funny
Tomie explains the comedy rule of three. Guest storyteller: Bill Larkin
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Ep. 17: Scary
Tomie shows how different techniques can create a scary scene. Guest storyteller: David Barrington-Holt
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Ep. 18: Moods: Happy/Sad
Tomie shows how a few lines can change the mood of a face. Guest storyteller: Natalie McMaster
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Ep. 19: History
Tomie explains what a time capsule is. Guest storyteller: Victor Finkel
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Ep. 20: Music
Gabe plays guitar riffs for Tomie that correspond to different moods. Guest storyteller: Dave Kinnoin
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Ep. 21: Make Believe Stories
Tomie is doodling. Guest storyteller: Doug Chiang
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Ep. 22: Real Stories
Tomie talks about how family photos can inspire stories. Guest storyteller: Chris Connelly
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Ep. 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
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Ep. 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
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Ep. 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
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Ep. 26: Collaboration
Tomie talks about collaboration. Guest storytellers: Stephen Holman and Josephine Huang
Trailers & Videos
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Images & Backdrops
Backdrops
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