Ferdinand the Bull Takes to the Stage

 This Saturday we welcomed Taryn Noelle to our weekly 10:00 am Cub Capers story time to share the classic children's book The Story of Ferdinand.

Ferdinand's story will be providing the framework for a theater camp happening February 24th - 28th at Lost Nation Theater. Sessions will take place from 9 am to Noon as the campers create a Ferdinand play for public performance on March 1st.

Taryn has led similar theater workshops for children before, but this is the first time with Lost Nation Theater. Her workshop is offers a new element in Lost Nation's education programs through its emphasis on movement. Taryn's experience as a choreographer helps her lead children in exercises and games that build a story around Ferdinand.

Listening to Ferdinand read out loud this Saturday, it was easy to see the potential for movement in telling this story. Bulls sit peacefully in the flowers, bulls leap and snort and butt and jump to show off their fighting skills, the hero sits on a bee, the humans parade through the streets and into the bull fighting arena with great fanfare.  . . and the hero stops to smell the flowers to create a happy ending. Plenty of activity to practice new theater skills.

There are still a few spaces left if you have children age 9 and up who might be interested. Details on the program and the March 1st public performance at 1pm can be found on the Lost Nation Theater website.

Listening to Taryn talk about turning books into theater got us thinking about picture book recommendations from past events for what other stories might be put to a similar use. There are plenty out there! 

• Leda Schubert talked about incorporating movement into her picture book Monsieur Marceau  when she visited us in 2012 - see suggested activities and a book trailer for Monsieur Marceau on her website.
• David Martin gave lots of ideas for games to play with books (many theatrical) in his January 2013 talk in the Children's Room- and check out books on his website that are designed for interaction with singing, dancing, wordplay and fun.
• Get inspired with the possibilities for books that can become plays, dances, songs, skits, games and more in our Read Aloud Books board and Having Fun with Language board. There are some great books on these recommendation pages! 

Have you turned a picture book into a play? Do you know theater games that work well with children? Any recommendations for books about involving children in theater? We'd love to hear your suggestions - leave them in the comments section!