"Gratitude is the vessel that we lift to the gods, that they may fill it with their wonder gifts"
R. Steiner
Colorado Early Childhood Story Arts Institute
I am developing a new initiative here in Colorado...something I have wanted to do for years and years. It is an outreach 'institute' providing training and professional development programs available to all early childhood programs across the state. I do think Puppetry and Story is a great bridge for all educational philosophies
continue readeingPosted by Suzanne, on December 13th, 2009
Winter Snowman Poem for Puppets
This winter season, I am drawn to snow poems, probably because Colorado has had so much snow this fall...Here is an old verse...I will have to call it's author 'anonymous' - if you know who wrote it please let me know.The SnowmanOnce there was a snowman,Stood outside the door,Thought he'd like to come insideAnd play about the floor:Thought he'd like to warm himselfBy the firelight red:Thought he''d like to climb upIn the big white bed.So he called the North Wind:'Help me now, I pray,I'm completely frozenStanding here all day!'So the North Wind came along,And blew him in the door,Now there's nothing left of himBut a puddle ...
continue readeingPosted by Suzanne, on December 12th, 2009
Winter Robin Nursery Rhyme
The Robin The north wind doth blow, And we shall have snow, And what will poor robin do then, Poor thing? He'll sit in a barn, And keep himself warm, And hide his head under his wing, Poor thing! This is one of the best winter nursery rhymes to tell with children. I am partial to making it visual with a sweet wool puppet. Here is one I found to give you some ideas! http://felting.craftgossip.com/2009/11/21/win-this-adorable-felt-robin-on-feltmeup-designs/
continue readeingPosted by Suzanne, on December 10th, 2009
A Northern 3 Bear’s Tale
I was at Border's bookstore today and got sidetracked from my Christmas shopping with a display of Jan Brett books. Her 'Three Snow Bears' book is a delightful snowy land version of the traditional goldilocks, but with 3 polar bears, and an inuit girl (I think) with her dog sled. I love her books, and her illustrations spark my imagination. This would be a perfect winter puppet show, full of all the elements of delight needed for a visual story. If you have not had a look, have one now! My finger puppet book has a polar bear pattern which can be adjusted for the three sizes...easy easy to make www.junipertreepuppets.com go to books. Sometimes you only need the ...
continue readeingPosted by Suzanne, on December 10th, 2009
Winter Snowman Poem
A favorite winter snowman poem I have loved telling to young children with this 2 finger puppet is:I know a little snowmanwho had a carrot nose,along comes a bunny,and what do you suppose?That hungry little bunnywas looking for his lunch,he ate that snowman's carrot nose,nibble nibble CRUNCH!-traditionala good resource for animal finger puppets (the rabbit and many others) is Around the World with Finger Puppets from www.junipertreepuppets.com click on books.
continue readeingPosted by Suzanne, on December 9th, 2009
Healing Story Alliance
I am heading off to Vancouver Island for an annual therapeutic study retreat with fabulous and very wise women hailing from Hawaii to Colorado, and of course B.C. We will be studying the Curative Course by Steiner, bringing our different questions and depths to it. Many heads are way better than one! I wanted to make sure you all know of the site listed below. This is one of my favorite sites and story groups. The Healing Story alliance is a sub-group of the National Storytelling Network (also a great resource). This site is exciting because you see how many people are engaged in story as a healing path. There are an abundance of free stories to download, given in helpful themes. Though this is not a puppet site precisely, the puppet arts include story, and healing puppetry needs the healing stories. Enjoy this wonderful resource!...
continue readeingPosted by Suzanne, on December 9th, 2009
Christmas Cat Story
I have been juggling my December story newsletter, with it's traditional Christmas story with a 'twist'...a cozy cat is warming the manger, and an Easter story article deadline with my first Easter egg rod puppet effort! Please do let me know if you would like to receive my free monthly email story newsletter, sign up by clicking on the sign up button on the left. The December issue will go out very soon! On top of those juggling balls, I am preparing a new version of the mitten with a mitten-full of more unusual animals, just for the fun of it. I will post their pictures when it is ready. In the meantime, here is the cat from the Christmas story....Her name is Masha.......
continue readeingPosted by Suzanne, on December 3rd, 2009
Outdoor Puppetry for Children
All children thrive with plenty of outdoor play and big movement, even better if it is meaningful movement. My kids did a lot of gardening, climbing trees to pick apples and plums, carrying wood, later chopping wood....climbing trees, ropes, all those great free moving things children need. I have been interested in nature and children for many years and have created opportunities for story and puppet events outside...some spontaneous, some planned. The photos are from a workshop I gave in England at Emerson College where teachers created outdoor theaters in the natural landscape. It was amazing to see the infinite possibilities to make magic!
continue readeingPosted by Suzanne, on November 23rd, 2009
Writing Stories Sparked from Your Life
I finished writing my story for Living Crafts Magazine's spring issue 2010 today. Creating imaginations of spring while it is November is always a challenge. I came up with a story about a forgotten easter egg hidden in the hollow of a sturdy root of a great oak tree. So many of my stories come from a spark in real life. How many of you have found an old faded easter egg months after easter! Check out the magazine http://www.livingcraftsmagazine.com/I have a fairly regular story crafting column in it.My December newsletter story will be about a barn cat in the manger...it was inspired by my much loved cat Kittyo, who warmed my feet many winters curled up ...
continue readeingPosted by Suzanne, on November 22nd, 2009
High Tech Puppetry – Mr. Fox
The movie 'Fantastic Mr. Fox' is a supreme example of technologically inspired puppetry....here is a good look at how they do it!! The photo is a workbench full of characters from the movie...Here is an article about the making of these puppetshttp://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=60690How far away from our simple wool roving and silk puppets for children....perhaps we provide the balance.
continue readeingPosted by Suzanne, on November 16th, 2009
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