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Series · 2001–2001Ended

Telling Stories with Tomie dePaola

9.0·1 season·26 episodes·30 min avg.·United States of America

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."

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01
Tales Around the TableUp next
Aug 6, 2001

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

02
Where Do You Get Ideas?
Where Do You Get Ideas?
Aug 7, 2001

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

03
What's a Story?
What's a Story?
Aug 8, 2001

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

04
Stories for Myself
Stories for Myself
Aug 9, 2001

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

05
Food as Storytelling
Food as Storytelling
Aug 10, 2001

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

06
That's a Story?!
That's a Story?!
Aug 13, 2001

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

07
Getting Started
Getting Started
Aug 14, 2001

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

08
Character
Character
Aug 15, 2001

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

09
Setting
Setting
Aug 16, 2001

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

10
Point of View
Point of View
Aug 17, 2001

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

11
Performance as Storytelling
Performance as Storytelling
Aug 20, 2001

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

12
Every Picture Tells a Story
Every Picture Tells a Story
Aug 21, 2001

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

13
Making Sense of Our World Through Stories
Making Sense of Our World Through Stories
Aug 22, 2001

Tomie encourages kids to draw or make up stories to deal with emotions. Guest storyteller: Jane Yolen

14
Taking a Chance
Taking a Chance
Aug 23, 2001

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

15
Finding Your Audience
Finding Your Audience
Aug 24, 2001

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

16
Funny
Funny
Aug 27, 2001

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

17
Scary
Scary
Aug 28, 2001

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

18
Moods: Happy/Sad
Moods: Happy/Sad
Aug 29, 2001

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

19
History
History
Aug 30, 2001

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

20
Music
Music
Aug 31, 2001

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

21
Make Believe Stories
Make Believe Stories
Sep 4, 2001

Tomie is doodling. Guest storyteller: Doug Chiang

22
Real Stories
Real Stories
Sep 5, 2001

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

23
More Than One Way to Tell a Tale - Versions
More Than One Way to Tell a Tale - Versions
Sep 6, 2001

Tomie talks about the different ways you can tell a story. Guest storyteller: Savage Steve Holland

24
More Than One Way to Tell a Tale - Techniques
More Than One Way to Tell a Tale - Techniques
Sep 7, 2001

Tomie shows his Cornell boxes, using a different technique of art to tell a story. Guest storyteller: Sule Greg Wilson

25
Putting Heart Into Your Story
Putting Heart Into Your Story
Sep 10, 2001

Tomie talks about putting warmth, feeling, and emotion into a story. Guest storytellers: Kermit the Frog and Rizzo the Rat

26
Collaboration
Collaboration
Sep 11, 2001

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

Cast

7 credited
Tomie DePaola
himself
John E. Kennedy
Gabe the Squirrel / Big Anthony / Raccoon
Bill Barretta
Strega Nona
Julianne Buescher
Bambolona / Wesel
James Murray
Rabbit
Alison Mork
Cast
IG
Isaiah Griffin
Tomie in "26 Fairmount Avenue"

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