Telling Stories with Tomie dePaola
Telling Stories with Tomie dePaola

Telling Stories with Tomie dePaola

2001 1 Seasons 26 Episodes ⭐ 9.0 Family Kids

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."

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."

Seasons & Episodes

EP 1

Tales Around the Table

Tomie shows viewers around his studio table. Guest storytellers: Mary Sue Milliken and Sue Feniger.

EP 2

Where Do You Get Ideas?

Tomie tells us about his idea drawer. Guest storyteller: J.T. Steiny

EP 3

What's a Story?

Tomie offers two drawing - a beginning and an ending. Guest storyteller: Ed Eyth

EP 4

Stories for Myself

Tomie shows us his sketchbook, a visual journal. Guest storyteller: Alexandra Nichita

EP 5

Food as Storytelling

Tomie fries up his famous Popeye. Guest storyteller: Mary Ann Esposito

EP 6

That's a Story?!

Tomie shows how a collection of souvenirs tells a story. Guest storyteller: Charlotte Bird

EP 7

Getting Started

Tomie suggests ways to get started. Guest storyteller: Art Clokey

EP 8

Character

Tomie shows how visual traits help to define a character. Guest storytellers: Bill Barretta and Pepe the King Prawn

EP 9

Setting

Tomie discusses how changing the setting changes the story. Guest storyteller: John Iacovelli

EP 10

Point of View

Tomie takes a look at perspective. Guest storyteller: John E. Barrett

EP 11

Performance as Storytelling

Tomie talks about assuming a character’s voice & mannerisms. Guest storyteller: Martie Barylick

EP 12

Every Picture Tells a Story

Tomie talks about the story behind one of his paintings. Guest storyteller: Lotus Do Brooks

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

EP 14

Taking a Chance

Tomie tells and shows the origins of his first chapter book. Guest storyteller: Frank Oz

EP 15

Finding Your Audience

Tomie talks about how stories and artwork change when they are shared with an audience. Guest storyteller: John Carney

EP 16

Funny

Tomie explains the comedy rule of three. Guest storyteller: Bill Larkin

EP 17

Scary

Tomie shows how different techniques can create a scary scene. Guest storyteller: David Barrington-Holt

EP 18

Moods: Happy/Sad

Tomie shows how a few lines can change the mood of a face. Guest storyteller: Natalie McMaster

EP 19

History

Tomie explains what a time capsule is. Guest storyteller: Victor Finkel

EP 20

Music

Gabe plays guitar riffs for Tomie that correspond to different moods. Guest storyteller: Dave Kinnoin

EP 21

Make Believe Stories

Tomie is doodling. Guest storyteller: Doug Chiang

EP 22

Real Stories

Tomie talks about how family photos can inspire stories. Guest storyteller: Chris Connelly

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

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

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 R

EP 26

Collaboration

Tomie talks about collaboration. Guest storytellers: Stephen Holman and Josephine Huang

Popular Cast

Tomie DePaola
Tomie DePaola
himself
John E. Kennedy
John E. Kennedy
Gabe the Squirrel / Big Anthony / Raccoon
Bill Barretta
Bill Barretta
Strega Nona
Julianne Buescher
Julianne Buescher
Bambolona / Wesel
James Murray
James Murray
Rabbit
Alison Mork
Alison Mork