"Gratitude is the vessel that we lift to the gods, that they may fill it with their wonder gifts"
R. Steiner
Wool Magic by Suzanne Down
One Spring, I was telling stories for four days at a large street festival. I was a roving storyteller, mingling freely with the crowds, drawing children to me like a pied piper. I used my most colorful one-pocket story apron and bravely set out. Whenever there is a large event with many distractions, I find the story apron the best storytelling helper ever! The key is to have short, lovely ‘tales’ in the pocket so children and their families are free to move on with the festivities. This is not a ‘show’ with a definite period of time for stories, it is an ongoing series of mini shows.
continue readeingPosted by Suzanne, on February 4th, 2010
Photos from the Vancouver BC Workshop
Here are some photos taken at the January Vancouver BC workshop on Language Development, Nursery Rhymes, and Puppetry. These very expressive Wee Willy Winkie rod puppets are an example of what the enthusiastic group made, and they are just wonderful. They also practiced the 'performing' aspect of bringing them to life, from waking them up (opening the curtain so to speak), telling and gesturing the nursery rhyme stories, and putting them back to sleep (closing the curtain). The more a young child hears the rhythmic language of the nursery rhyme, the more it supports deep breathing and healthy blood circulation!
continue readeingPosted by Suzanne, on January 21st, 2010
The Wisdom Behind the Worker Character
Coming soon is an early childhood puppetry workshop which is on a theme that is important to our times. How can story characters that are the 'doers' of the tale bring a visual and moving portrayal of meaningful and purposeful work. We live in a world culture where children rarely get the chance to see true work, the kind of activity where people are also deeply interested in what they are doing with their hands, heart, and actions. It is important for children to see models of engaged will, to support and inform the healthy development of their own beginnings of meaningful participation in the world.
continue readeingPosted by Suzanne, on January 13th, 2010
ECE Puppetry Workshop in Santa Cruz, CA
Dear friends of early childhood and puppetry. I am holding one of my most popular workshops in Santa Cruz, CA, July 30,31. People love this particular workshop because the small rod puppet is so inviting for the children and has the most wonderful movement and gesture possibilities of all the puppet styles. I look forward to seeing my puppet friends at this workshop! Do feel free to contact me directly via the contact form if you still need more information, or sign up to the monthly newsletter.
continue readeingPosted by Suzanne, on January 3rd, 2010
Little January Poem
Here is a sweet poem which is even nicer when told with puppets. During the early years of childhood when developing language is one of the major achievements, we can support this big job by helping the children find and fine tune their 'listening' ability. When we add a visual piece to the spoken story or verse, we engage the sense of sight as well as hearing. As children are most adept in seeing the world, this skill helps 'hold' them in the imaginative picturing the puppet story creates, giving their hearing organs more time to take in the quality of the words. In a sense, time to 'digest' and process the spoken story.
continue readeingPosted by Suzanne, on January 1st, 2010
The Healing Art of Nursery Rhymes
Suzanne Down is researching the healing power of Nursery Rhymes and Puppetry. Here is an introductory peek into this vast and wonderful world. The hope is that this research will grow and eventually be made available in book form. Workshop offerings on the therapeutic art of Nursery rhymes will be available this year. As the soul descends from spiritual worlds to be born on earth, there is a sacrifice of the cosmic rhythms of planets and stars to enter earthly chaos.
continue readeingPosted by Suzanne, on December 29th, 2009
Juniper Tree Puppets Wishes All a Joyous Holiday
The snow was falling in the wood As all good Christmas Eve nights should And scurrying along, a cold little mouse Was searching for a warm winter house. The snow shone brightly to light his way An Angel above was heard to say, Dear Mother Earth's child, dig low, dig low. And the mousey burroughed in the deepest snow. Down to the roots of the tall pine tree, And there t'was a cozy wee room, you see. So mousey curled up in his new warm nest, And said dear angel, may all be blessed. Then he closed his eyes and fell asleep, And the world was quiet, shhhhhh, not a peep.
continue readeingPosted by Suzanne, on December 24th, 2009
Welcome to the Juniper Tree Puppetry Blog
Welcome dear friends to the new Juniper Tree Puppets Blog and Website. My site has been totally re-done and I am sure you will find it is just a simple click to find information about events, trainings, resource books, and to enjoy the blog posts and photos. You can also sign up for the monthly story newsletter delivered to your inbox every month. I love the fact that everything is in one place, and easy for you to use.
continue readeingPosted by Suzanne, on December 23rd, 2009
The Animal’s Advent
Today is the third Advent Sunday, the day to build on the mineral and plant kingdoms, adding the animal world. In children's Christmas story for advent, the most beloved animal is the donkey that carries Mary. I have made many needle felted donkeys over the years (also use them in the Bremen Town Musicians!). Here is one I found online, with a site of beautiful needle felted animals... I thought you would enjoy being inspired by the artistry here.
continue readeingPosted by Suzanne, on December 13th, 2009
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
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