Telling Stories with Tomie dePaola (2001)
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."
-
Episode 1 - Tales Around the Table
Release Date: 2001-08-06Tomie shows viewers around his studio table. Guest storytellers: Mary Sue Milliken and Sue Feniger.
-
Episode 2 - Where Do You Get Ideas?
Release Date: 2001-08-07Tomie tells us about his idea drawer. Guest storyteller: J.T. Steiny
-
Episode 3 - What's a Story?
Release Date: 2001-08-08Tomie offers two drawing - a beginning and an ending. Guest storyteller: Ed Eyth
-
Episode 4 - Stories for Myself
Release Date: 2001-08-09Tomie shows us his sketchbook, a visual journal. Guest storyteller: Alexandra Nichita
-
Episode 5 - Food as Storytelling
Release Date: 2001-08-10Tomie fries up his famous Popeye. Guest storyteller: Mary Ann Esposito
-
Episode 6 - That's a Story?!
Release Date: 2001-08-13Tomie shows how a collection of souvenirs tells a story. Guest storyteller: Charlotte Bird
-
Episode 7 - Getting Started
Release Date: 2001-08-14Tomie suggests ways to get started. Guest storyteller: Art Clokey
-
Episode 8 - Character
Release Date: 2001-08-15Tomie shows how visual traits help to define a character. Guest storytellers: Bill Barretta and Pepe the King Prawn
-
Episode 9 - Setting
Release Date: 2001-08-16Tomie discusses how changing the setting changes the story. Guest storyteller: John Iacovelli
-
Episode 10 - Point of View
Release Date: 2001-08-17Tomie takes a look at perspective. Guest storyteller: John E. Barrett
-
Episode 11 - Performance as Storytelling
Release Date: 2001-08-20Tomie talks about assuming a character’s voice & mannerisms. Guest storyteller: Martie Barylick
-
Episode 12 - Every Picture Tells a Story
Release Date: 2001-08-21Tomie talks about the story behind one of his paintings. Guest storyteller: Lotus Do Brooks
-
Episode 13 - Making Sense of Our World Through Stories
Release Date: 2001-08-22Tomie encourages kids to draw or make up stories to deal with emotions. Guest storyteller: Jane Yolen
-
Episode 14 - Taking a Chance
Release Date: 2001-08-23Tomie tells and shows the origins of his first chapter book. Guest storyteller: Frank Oz
-
Episode 15 - Finding Your Audience
Release Date: 2001-08-24Tomie talks about how stories and artwork change when they are shared with an audience. Guest storyteller: John Carney
-
Episode 16 - Funny
Release Date: 2001-08-27Tomie explains the comedy rule of three. Guest storyteller: Bill Larkin
-
Episode 17 - Scary
Release Date: 2001-08-28Tomie shows how different techniques can create a scary scene. Guest storyteller: David Barrington-Holt
-
Episode 18 - Moods: Happy/Sad
Release Date: 2001-08-29Tomie shows how a few lines can change the mood of a face. Guest storyteller: Natalie McMaster
-
Episode 19 - History
Release Date: 2001-08-30Tomie explains what a time capsule is. Guest storyteller: Victor Finkel
-
Episode 20 - Music
Release Date: 2001-08-31Gabe plays guitar riffs for Tomie that correspond to different moods. Guest storyteller: Dave Kinnoin
-
Episode 21 - Make Believe Stories
Release Date: 2001-09-04Tomie is doodling. Guest storyteller: Doug Chiang
-
Episode 22 - Real Stories
Release Date: 2001-09-05Tomie talks about how family photos can inspire stories. Guest storyteller: Chris Connelly
-
Episode 23 - More Than One Way to Tell a Tale - Versions
Release Date: 2001-09-06Tomie talks about the different ways you can tell a story. Guest storyteller: Savage Steve Holland
-
Episode 24 - More Than One Way to Tell a Tale - Techniques
Release Date: 2001-09-07Tomie shows his Cornell boxes, using a different technique of art to tell a story. Guest storyteller: Sule Greg Wilson
-
Episode 25 - Putting Heart Into Your Story
Release Date: 2001-09-10Tomie talks about putting warmth, feeling, and emotion into a story. Guest storytellers: Kermit the Frog and Rizzo the Rat
-
Episode 26 - Collaboration
Release Date: 2001-09-11Tomie talks about collaboration. Guest storytellers: Stephen Holman and Josephine Huang