Showing posts with label Storytelling. Show all posts

How To Add Zest to Your Storytelling with Puppets

Are you looking to add zest and imagination to your storytelling?

Folkmanis has a wonderful line of animal finger puppets. One of my favorites is the Hedgehog.

Mini Hedgehog Puppet

This one sells for $6.99 and you can purchase it here http://ladyd.barefootbooks.com

Hedgehog Finger Puppet

Beware of this "prickly" hedgehog in the garden. This finger puppet is four inches long with soft plush spines.

Ages 3 to 7 years
Produced By: Folkmanis

Craft Fun Felt Finger Puppets for Kid's Play

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

Children love to make simple crafts. They also love engaging in dramatic, creative play. A perfect way to combine these two loves is by letting your kids craft fun felt finger puppets. Easy to create and fun to play with, these finger puppets will provide hours of entertainment.

Different Characters and How to Make Them

1. Princess

A princess finger puppet can be made from pink felt fabric. Long blonde hair is a classic image for a princess as well. To really make the finger puppet look regal, you might like to add a ring of silver wire, ribbon, or other trim for a crown. To make a princess gown, you can use a piece of gathered lace as a fancy skirt.

MiniFox Puppet

Fox Finger Puppet

Can you outwit a sly fox in the forest? This clever finger puppet is four inches long.

Ages 3 to 8 years
Produced By: Folkmanis

Purchase $7.99 at Puppets

2. Lion

A lion finger puppet should be made out of tan or golden colored felt. Cutting a fringed mane out of brown or orange felt is a good idea. You can glue it around the drawn on face. Make sure to make the face look like a cat face with a triangle nose and whiskers. You can also glue on a long golden tail at the back for more realism.

Mini Owl Barn Puppet

Owl Finger Puppet

Perch this spotted owl on your finger and see if he shares some wisdom. This finger puppet is four inches tall.

Ages 3 to 8 years
Produced By: Folkmanis
$6.99 Finger Puppet

3. Scary Witch

A witch finger puppet would be fashioned from black or another dark colored felt. Straggly black hair and perhaps a green face would look great on this one. You can fashion a pointed witch hat out of sturdy black paper and glue it on the top of the head.


Bunny Rabbit Finger Puppet

Bunny Rabbit Finger Puppet

Hop, hop, hop through the flowers! This adorable two-toned bunny finger puppet is five inches long.

Ages 3 to 8 years
Produced By: Folkmanis
Price $7.99 My Marketplace

4. Rabbit

Making a felt finger puppet rabbit is another cute idea. Rabbits can be white, grey, or brown and should have long ears, pink noses, and white bellies. Gluing a small white pom-pom to the back for a cotton tail is a great idea.

Mini Moose Puppet

Moose Finger Puppet

Explore the snowy north with this chocolate brown moose. This finger puppet is six inches long.

Ages 3 to 8 years
Produced By: Folkmanis
$7.99 Store

5. Super Hero

Craft a super hero finger puppet in bright blue and red felt. Make sure to put on a gold ribbon belt and a super hero symbol on the chest. Use a piece of thinner fabric or felt to make a cape down the back. Instead of hair, you might want the super hero puppet to have a brightly colored helmet on.
Kids love to craft and play with these fun felt finger puppets. With different colors of felt and their imaginations, they can create different characters and whole different dramatic plays with them. With the simple materials and easy instructions, this is one craft that needs limited supervision.

Original article by Melanie L. Marten

Mini Black Bear Puppet

Black Bear Finger Puppet

Wander through the forest with this cuddly black bear. This finger puppet is six inches long.

Ages 3 to 7 years
Produced By: Folkmanis
$7.99 Barefoot Books

Another great resource for Fuzzy Fun Finger Puppets:
http://www.crayola.com/crafts/detail/fuzzy,-fun-finger-puppets-craft/

Educational Ideas for All Ages Making Puppets:
http://www.freekidcrafts.com/finger-puppets.html

Have fun making these cute finger puppets and spending hours of entertainment with these animal characters. Mini puppets make excellent gift giving for preschool and kindergarten teachers for their kid's birthdays. Let me know which one is your favorite. Do stop by and tell me what puppet you and your child have successfully made over the years.

-- LadyD with Barefoot Books

“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.” — C. S. Lewis

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Children's Book of Irish Stories

Tales from Old Ireland

Celebrate the wonder of Ireland with the seven enchanting stories in this captivating collection. The rich traditions of Irish storytelling are honored with larger-than-life characters, myths and legends around every bend, and plenty of magic. Book with double CDs include stories read by Grammy-nominated singer Maura O'Connell.

Ages 6 and up
Retold By: Malachy Doyle
Illustrated By: Niamh Sharkey
Narrated By: Maura O'Connell

Product Details

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 96 pages
Publisher: Barefoot Books (September 1, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1846862418
ISBN-13: 978-1846862410

Hardcover $19.99 Now $5.99
You can order the book at http://ladyd.barefootbooks.com

Amazon.com Review

Tales from Old Ireland contains seven classic stories, beautifully retold by Malachy Doyle in 90 big pages. Some of the tales will be instantly familiar: "Fair, Brown, and Trembling," for example, is a straightforward version of the Cinderella story right down to the lost shoe. Others are much less well known, like the tale of the fisherman, Jack Doherty, who always wanted to meet a Merrow (a man who lives beneath the sea). Niamh Sharkey's delightfully quirky illustrations (also seen in Jack and the Beanstalk and The Gigantic Turnip) are simple and striking; a few take up a full page, and smaller ones are scattered throughout the text. While culturally specific (and complete with a pronunciation guide for names and a few unusual words), Tales of Old Ireland has universal appeal and should occupy shelf-space in every child's imagination. (Ages 5 and older) --Richard Farr --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

From Publishers Weekly

Northern Ireland native Doyle (Jody's Beans) celebrates his country's centuries-old oral legacy in this collection of seven stories. Traditional tales, such as "The Twelve Wild Geese" (which parallels the structure of the Brothers Grimm's "The Six Swans") and a Cinderella retelling, "Fair, Brown and Trembling," share space with some highly original individuals (e.g., the title characters in "Son of an Otter, Son of a Wolf"), and all retain a lyrical turn of phrase ("Will you do nothing to lighten our sorrow?" one of the cursed offspring asks the evil queen in "The Children of Lir"). Doyle, a conversational raconteur, wisely includes a pronunciation key for proper names that appear in the stories as well as notes on the background of the entries. Sharkey's (Jack and the Beanstalk) playfully stylized oil and gesso paintings complement the fanciful quality of the tales. Spot art breaks up the pages, and each story features one full-size painting that captures the heart of the taleAfor "The Twelve Wild Geese," 12 quilt-like squares show the birds around the edges, while a quartet of interior squares show the key characters and knitting needles for the birds' sweaters. The artist also distinguishes each tale with a unique border and its own sophisticated, muted palette. Ages 10-up. (Oct.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Anyone interested in Irish culture and folk-lore will enjoy this book. I especially like the pronunciation guide in the front for Irish names and words, which can be very difficult, and the reference page at the end that explains the origins of each story

Thanks for stopping by.
I hope you enjoy your stay at Barefoot Books-LadyD

Take off your shoes and go barefoot!
LadyD

Book Review: Fireside Stories by Caitlin Matthews

Fireside Stories

Tales for a Winter's Eve

Gather round the hearth to share these wintry tales. Drawn from countries and cultures all around the world, these eight stories express the magnificent and unique aspects of the winter season, and each story is preceded by an introduction with background information on its origins.

Ages 5 and up
Retold By: Caitlín Matthews
Illustrated By: Helen Cann
About The Book:
Well-written, Educational, Multicultural, Stories, Great illustrations

When the wind starts howling and the days are noticeably shorter, it is time to stay inside and snuggle up with your children and read a good book! Starting around Halloween, Fireside Stories is the perfect book to read. The stories are well written and tell both young and old of holiday traditions from around the world. Children will love learning about other cultures and the stories act as a springboard for you to discuss your family's own holiday traditions and beliefs.

A collection of stories woven into this beautiful hardcover book express the magnificent and unique aspects of the winter season. Caitlin Matthews lifelong interest in folklore and storytelling shows brilliantly through Fireside Stories along with Helen Cann's beautiful winter wonderland pictures. I especially love the colorful border designs that go with each special story!

By The Fireside begins with:
"When the nights grow long and the days grow short, when summer is a distant memory and the cold and darkness of winter an ever-present reality, it is good to sit by the fireside and tell stories."

The Stories:
A Story for Halloween
The Lonely Boatman
Scotland
A Story for the First Snowfall
The Winter Cabin
Russia
From "The Animal's Winter Home" in Alexander Afanasiev's collection The Three Kingdoms: Russian Folk Tales, Raduga Publishers.
A Story for Christmas Eve
Schnitzle, Schnotzle & Schnootzle
Austria
From Sawyer, Ruth, The Long Christmas, Viking Press.
A Story for the New Year
The Cantor Of The Trees
Russia
From Eisenberg, Azriel & Leah Ain Globe, The Secret Weapon and other stories of Faith and Valor, Soncino Press.
A Story for Midwinter
The Twelve Brothers
Czech Republic
From Williams, Harcourt, Tales from Ebony, Nattali & Maurice Ltd, London, 1947
A Story for Twelfth Night
Babushka
Russia
From Robbins, Ruth, Baboushka and the Three Kings

A Story for the Return of the Sun
The Bag of Warmth
Canada
From "Legends of the Slavery Indians of the MacKenzie River" in The Journal of American Folklore
A Story for the Coming of Spring
The Cailleach Of The Snows
Scotland
Mackenzie, Donald, Wonder Tales From Scottish Myth amd Legend, Blackie & Son Ltd, London
Matthews, Caitlin, King Arthur and the Goddess of the Land, Rochester IL., Inner Traditions.
Book can be purchased at my market place for $19.99
http://ladyd.barefootbooks.com
So tell me, do you have a favorite? Although our nights here in California may not be as chilly as where you are, still it is an enchanting evening for me to gather around a warm fire and read to my Grandson. So very difficult to choose a favorite because each story is unique and special in its own way... I suppose just like snowflakes!
Happy Reading,
LadyD

Mama Panya's Pancakes

Mama Panya's Pancakes - Hardcover
A Village Tale from Kenya

Come with Mama Panya and Adika for a market day in Kenya - and a pancake party in the evening!

On market day, Mama Panya's son Adika invites everyone he sees to a pancake dinner. How will Mama Panya ever feed them all? This clever and heartwarming story about Kenyan village life teaches the importance of sharing, even when you have little to give.

* Reviews:

Awards and Honors:

Winner of Notable Books for a Global Society 2005

Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award 2006

2007 Storytelling World Honors

March 2007 Book of the Month from the Project on Economics and Children at Rutgers University

State of Maryland's Black-Eyed Susan Picture Book honor book for 2006-2007

"With their bold colors, vivid patterns, and lush scenery, the illustrations will transport readers into this country to walk alongside Mama Panya and Adika on their way to market. Details from animals to foliage are depicted clearly and provide more than just a backdrop to the story; they're a great introduction to the landscape and people of East Africa. A strong selection for a read-aloud or as a supplement to units on Africa, community, or generosity."
— School Library Journal

"There is a timeless quality to this contemporary story about a Kenyan boy and his mother stretching their food to feed all their friends ... The old tradition of sharing all one's food with others works again. With the repetition of the phrase 'a little bit and a little bit more,' the folkloric feeling intensifies…With a recipe for spicy pancakes, information about local animals and village life in Kenya, some general facts and a map, this story will be a welcome addition to a school unit as well as traditional storytime."—Kirkus Review

Product Details:

Written by: Mary and Rich Chamberlin
Illustrated by: Julia Cairns
Read Alone: Ages 6-10
Read Together: Ages 4-8
Hardcover; Jacketed; Full-color illustrations; 40pp;
10.25 x 10 inches

Was $16.99 Now $11.99

* To Order
Click Here, Mama Panya's Pancakes

Fabulous Kids Book- The Fabrics of FairyTale

Fabrics Of Fairy Tale
Stories Spun from Far and Wide

This glorious and unusual collection brings together stories about many different fabrics, and features intricate, hand-sewn collage illustrations throughout. The book is a collection of seven folktales featuring different fabrics from all over the world including: Persian carpet weaving, fabrics of East Africa, silk, fabrics from the Pacific Islands, tapa cloth, flax, patchwork and quilting, and Indonesian batik. The origin and history of each fabric are introduced and then followed by a folktale with that fabric as a central theme. Illustrations are presented in a fabric collage style and portray textiles and motifs unique to the culture of each folktale. Suggested level: primary, intermediate, junior secondary.

The weaving of words and the weaving of fabrics come together in this exceptional gift book, which combines the talents of professional storyteller Tanya Batt and textile artist Rachel Griffin. The history and passage around the world of each of the fabrics, from wool to batik, from flax to silk, is fascinatingly described, and the fabrics themselves then become the central characters of stories from areas as diverse as Scandinavia, Hawaii, Indonesia, and East Africa. Exquisite illustrations and compelling stories make The Fabrics of Fairytale a book that will appeal to fabric-lovers of all ages.
Recent Reviews
"Stories illustrated with fabrics typical of their region, with information about the textiles used in each tale - an ingenious cultural exploration for the whole family" - NAPRA ReView
"Elaborate fabric collages dress up this collection of stories gathered from around the world...An intriguing way to introduce lesser known folktales and the cultures from which they derive" - Publishers Weekly
'The Fabrics of Fairytale is an enchanting tapestry of stunning illustrations and wonderful tales from all over the world. Tanya Robyn Batt is one of the world's few professional fairies who travels the world telling stories. The incredible artwork is produced using fabrics, beads, sequins, maps and handmade papers, crafted by Rachel Griffin. These two women have created a book which will delight all ages' -The Green Parent
'Featuring intricate handmade collages throughout, this exquisite book combines textiles techniques and traditional tales from around the world. Each story collage is created using a different method (for example batik for the Indonesian story, patchwork for the Jewish story, silk brocade for the Chinese story) and the history of each fabric is fascinatingly described, ensuring the fabrics themselves are central to the tale. A great book' - Junior Focus
My favorite story is 'Clever Anaeet'! K-Gr 5--In this captivating collection, Batt skillfully weaves together folktales from around the world with fascinating information about the various materials that play an important role in the stories. For example, "Clever Anaeet," a tale from Armenia in which a clever king saves his own life by weaving a secret message into a rug, is introduced by background about carpet weaving in the Caucasus and Persia. A description of textiles from the Pacific Islands precedes a ...

Tanya Robyn Batt
http://www.bookcouncil.or.nz/writers/battanya.html
has a lifelong love of fabrics and is fascinated by the ways in which they can change the way we perceive the world and are seen by others. In this captivating collection, she brings together her favorite stories about fabrics from all over the world and shows how storytelling itself is a magical weaving process.
The history and passage around the world of each of the fabrics, from wool to batik, from flax to silk, is fascinatingly described, and the fabrics themselves then become the central characters of stories from areas as diverse as Scandinavia, Hawaii, Indonesia, and East Africa. Audio Length: 1 hour and 39 min. Have a listen:

http://www.audible.com/adbl/store/CJProduct.jsp?productID=BK_BARE_000002
Upon listening to some excerpts from the book, take a look at this great Google visual of the book's layout:

http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&id=db_uh5b_-gcC&dq=Tanya+Robyn+Batt&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=bI09-lCLeg&sig=omfnNNWjM2dktm23KKTNDyOQF8A&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=7&ct=result#PPP1,M1
What hope have you of ever finding a husband? Skeins of flax are the only dowry we can offer.
? The Three Fayes (Swedish)