Storyteller in action
While stuck at home in isolation because of Covid-19, I set myself the task of recording some of my most popular stories for children. I suggest when you click on the videos, you then open in YouTube. Enjoy!
If you are looking for videos clips that show the work I do with Sarah, and other promos and bits and pieces, scroll down.
Stories for Children
Peach Blossom is adapted from a story told by American storyteller, Fran Stallings. This version was created in collaboration with Anna Manuel the founder of Heads and Tales Story Services. In telling this story, I use paper folding, singing and simple body percussion. You’ll find links to the song and percussion on the YouTube channel. Have fun!
Peach Blossom is the story of a young girl’s perseverance and imagination.
Arthur’s Walk. A little crankie story without words from one of my favourite places. Sandy Point is on the west side of the Birrarung (Yarra River) looking towards Melbourne, a place where migratory shore birds visit every summer. You can make a crankie (story scroll) with a shoe box and the carboard rolls used inside food wrapping paper. Have a go.
The Tailor’s Coat is based on a story from Margaret Read MacDonald’s book ‘Twenty Tellable Tales’. Margaret calls her story ‘The Tailor’s Jacket’. The Tailor is given some fabric to sew himself a coat. He makes the most of a generous gift. Margaret has a comprehensive website where you can learn about many of the story resources she has created.
While telling The Tailor’s Coat I tear paper to make the pictures.
The Kangaroo in the Vegie Patch is inspired by Mongomery Kelly’s story of the same name. Monty has a created a fabulous book full of stories to tell with young children: Montgomery Kelly - Out of the Storyteller’s Hat.
The Kangaroo in the Vegie Patch is thinking only of himself but when he realises how he has hurt others, he is quick to apologise.
I created the picture cards with water pencils. I love drawing with water pencils - I can get some good effects.
Three Bears told with a twist … of string! How many of you remember string games? Well … have you ever thought of weaving the patterns into story?
Cracked Pot is a traditional folk tale told around the world and in many languages. The Cracked Pot learns, that what it thought was a weakness, is in fact its strength. This kamishibai version was created by me. To make the pictures, I’ve used paper collage.
The Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly is a traditional tale told in English and Auslan. The Old Woman is made from a cardboard postal cylinder, paper mache and painted with gouache. You can study the Auslan vocabulary at the Auslan Signbank.
Jack and the Robbers can be found in ‘Twenty Tellable Tales’ by Margaret Read MacDonald. Marget’s book is wonderful resource. I use a few signs when I tell this story. If you would like to learn Auslan, you could start by visiting the Auslan Signbank.
La Cucarachita tells the tale of a little cockroach, who after discovering a gold coin, found true love.
This kamishibai folk-inspired tale builds on a story shared by Montgomery Kelly in his book 'Out of the Storyteller's Hat'. The paper collage picture cards were created by me.
Hats for the Jizos is a traditional Japanese tale published by Twinkle Tales For Kids (Singapore), with permission from Kamishibai for Kids (USA) and Doshinsha (Japan). Printed in Singapore.
Hats for the Jizos is a tale of kindness.
Split Dog stories are told in Britain, America and Australia. This is my version and I drew the pictures as well. I used water pencils. Enjoy!
The Amazing Case of Dr Ward: in the mid 1800s, Dr Ward's glass and wooden cases, revolutionised the way plants were shipped across oceans, supporting the colonial projects. This kamishibai story was initially developed for the Williamstown Botanic Gardens (Melbourne Australia); the illustrations are by Loraine Callow. In developing the story Loraine and I acknowledge Dr Luke Keogh and Nan McNab. Normally this story is performed with Sarah Depasquale on violin however this version was recorded while in isolation due to COVID-19, on a phone. One day we'll buy ourselves some studio time!
GOLD! I recorded this video as a resource for home schooling - but it's for everyone really. I talk a little about writing illustrated non- fiction and share the excitement of this new book baby - available in book stores in September, or you can preorder HERE. When the second lock-down was announced in Victoria to contain the spread of Covid 19, we all felt deep disappointment. May the situation improve and our lives return to normal sooner rather than later. Stay safe.
Story adventures with violinist Sarah Depasquale
Tales from the Flyway is a 45 -50 minute set of stories, with music, that Sarah I created to raise awareness for our local wetlands and the migratory shorebirds that take up residency over summer. Launched at the Williamstown Literary Festival in 2014, we have toured the stories to folk festivals and special events in Victoria and NSW. We also adapt the stories for schools and even kindergartens.
Tom the Red-necked Stint is a kamishibai (paper drama) telling the story of the migration of the smallest bird that travels the East Asian-Australasian Flyway from the Arctic Tundra to Australia. The images and story were created by one of the volunteer groups at the Yatsu-higata Nature Observation Centre, Narashino, Japan. The story is free to download and use in educational settings. It must not be sold on or used to make a profit. Sarah and I use this story to raise awareness for the habitat and the birds that visit Hobsons Bay, Victoria Australia. Thank you Yatsu-higata for this wonderful resource and thank you Kerry Saxby for helping us record the story.
The Amazing Case of Dr Ward and Other Stories was initially developed for the Williamstown Botanic Gardens. Following the story of the development of the Wardian case and the global boom in plant transportation and trade in the 1800s, Sarah and I our take our listeners on a tour of popular introduced plants and dedicate stories to their countries of origin. This recording was made in the Williamstown Botanic Gardens as part of BGANZ Day (Botanic Gardens New Zealand Australia) 2019.
Sarah with Bovaglie’s Plaid, just one of the pieces she plays as part of The Amazing Case of Dr Ward.
Sarah and I like nothing more than taking our stories on the road. Here we are at the Port Fairy Folk Festival 2018 having a grand time.
The StoryFest Singapore.
In 2017 I had the opportunity to take my stories to Singapore.