Kamishibai Story Theater: The Art of Picture Telling

(Paperback)

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Description

De Las Casas has adapted 25 folktales from across Asia for whole classroom use, borrowing a Japanese method of storytelling through pictures. The book offers tips on rehearsing and detailed discussion and background of the Kamishibai processes, and it describes how to coordinate grade-level story presentations. Reproducible tales can be distributed to each member of the class to aide in creating illustrations. The stories in Kamishibai Story Theater will delight children in grades 2-6, enticing them to participate in their own story fest. De Las Casas has adapted 25 folktales from across Asia for whole classroom use, borrowing a Japanese method of storytelling through pictures. Kamishibai theater harkens back to itinerant storytellers (Kamishibai Men) who conveyed their tales by means of illustrated cards slid into slots in wooden stages built on the back of their bicycles. This book includes an introductory chapter describing in detail the methods to use in coaching students in the art of Kamishibai Story Theater. It offers tips on rehearsing, and detailed discussion and background of the Kamishibai processes, and it describes how to coordinate grade-level story presentations. Reproducible tales can be distributed to each member of the class to aide in creating illustrations. Spot illustrations for each tale give students an idea of the flavor of their drawings for that story. The stories in Kamishibai Story Theater will delight children in grades 2-6, enticing them to participate in their own story fest.

Reviews

A storyteller herself, the author has reintroduced this art form in her school residencies and recommends it for children in second through sixth grade. After giving practical information on beginning a Kamishibai program, she provides 25 Asian folktales, with source notes, that can be performed in this style. Since each scene needs to be illustrated, a variety of staff members can be involved in the project, including art, social-studies, and language-arts teachers. Chow's small line drawings capture the spirit of each story, giving children a place to start their own illustrations. Some black-and-white photographs show the artwork used in various stories but not the faces of the children involved. Just the thing for librarians looking for ways to collaborate with teachers, this book makes Kamishibai story theater look like fun. * School Library Journal *
A storyteller and teacher of storytelling, de Las Casas introduces three methods of using the Japanese art form that combines storytelling, drama, and visual arts in classrooms. Then she presents her version of 25 stories from Asia that can be used with the methods. * Reference & Research Book News *

Author Bio

Dianne de Las Casas was a professional storyteller and Teacher Ideas Press author from Louisiana. She moved to Houston, Texas (a Katrina refuge), where she continued to tell stories and promote the art of storytelling in libraries and schools.