Two fishy tales, not to be be missed!!!

The Gigantic Turnip in Santa Coloma and Taradell

I was invited back to the library in Santa Coloma to do some storytelling in English and I had a great time revisiting a favourite story of mine; The Gigantic Turnip. They do a great job promoting activities in English and make me feel really welcome.

I also told this story to a group of 5 year olds in the village of Taradell today. They were fantastic and I had a lovely time finding out their favourite animals.  A lot of the girls liked cats but top of the class were the pigs and cows. Well we were in the countryside! I hope you all had a great English Day and look forward to seeing you next year.

Illustrated book of the month – African Animals ABC by Philippa-Alys Browne

Explore Africa’s wildlife through the eyes of a southern African artist. This beautifully illustrated picture book is filled with colorful watercolors, weaving tribal patterns into the forms of African animals. A glossary at the end provides facts about each of the illustrated animals.

Philippa-Alys Browne was born in Zimbabwe. I found this stunning picture on this gallery website. I just love the combination of colours.

Walking through the Jungle in Sant Pol de Mar.

On Saturday in Sant Pol, Monkey came and helped introduce the stories.

He was happy as he appeared in all of Saturday’s stories. He is soon to appear in his own play “Pirates for Tea” by LOOK OUT! Theatre Company.

Here is a link for more photos of Monkey and you can see how he was made. Monkey Puppet

I told the story of Handa’s Surprise. The children really enjoyed this story even those who knew it. Here is an animated video of the book.

I also read Walking through the Jungle and the children spotted all the animals hidden on the pages. Here is a sing along video.

Look forward to seeing you all again in April.

Hora del conte – 8 de març 2014

Winter heart-warming stories

For my last two storytelling sessions at the library in Sant Pol in December and January the stories I have had a winter theme and a bear and animal hibernation theme. These are just perfect for snuggling up on the sofa on these cold winter days.

I just love this colours in this book and it makes you want to get your knitting out.

And it’s always nice to come home and snuggle up when you’ve been for a walk just like in “A Perfect Day For It” by Jan Fearnley. This was one of my sons favourites along with “Peace at Last” by Jill Murphy which has become a modern classic.

For this last one there are some great resources on the internet and I’ve just found these exquisite illustration on the website The Illustration Cupboard well worth a look for any fans of illustration.

And my hibernation story; well it came from an advert. I showed my children the advert that had everyone talking in England over Christmas. The bear and the hare. Enjoy!

 

Illustrated book of the month

I am delighted to add a new feature to my storytelling blog; “Illustrated book of the month” I love illustration and have started to build up a lovely collection which I would like to share. This first book is Counting Birds by Alice Melvin. I discovered Alice’s illustrations in an art exhibition in Edinburgh two summers ago.

Book description from Amazon

Young readers will delight in recognising the subjects of this charming story, that leads us through a spring day deep in the countryside, from dawn to dusk. The day begins with a solitary cockerel’s crow and the sunlight falling on two lovebirds in a cage and three china ducks on a wall. Swans, swallows, peacocks, geese and starlings, each lovingly portrayed in Melvin’s signature style, are among the many familiar birds that populate the pages. Intricately worked illustrations combine with a charming text, making this an ideal book to read aloud with children learning to count.

I’m storytelling in Sant Pol on Saturday, so look forward to seeing you there for some festive storytelling fun and watch out for next month’s illustrated book!

Christmas show for all the family in English!

We invite you to Santa’s Pants, Look Out!’s new Christmas play. When Santa unpacks his red suit, ready for his big night, he discovers that his trousers are all full of holes. He can’t wear those! What will Santa do?

SANTA’S PANTS

Friday 13th December, 2013 at 6pm

Centre Cívic Cotxeres Borrell, Barcelona.

Metro: L2 St. Antoni / L3 Poble Sec
Bus: 20, 24, 64, 57, 157

 

November 2013

I was back in the library at Sant Pol for my first session for the year and with the weather turning very cold I decided to tell two winter warming stories about soup. The first was “The Gigantic Turnip”

and then I told “Stone Soup” the version by Tony Ross which the children thought was very funny.

The children then wrote a recipe for soup. We added carrots, potatoes, beans, onions, mushrooms, broccoli, turnips, peas. Can you think of any more vegetables?

I’ll be back at the library on Saturday 21st December, 2013 at 5pm and 6:15pm. Come and join us!

 

Santa Coloma de Gramenet. Biblioteca Singuerlín

Yesterday I was in Santa Coloma de Gramenet at the Biblioteca Singuerlín. I told two stories about two old ladies. A Squash and a Squeeze and The Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly. Thank you to everyone who came and all the staff at the library.