Yes! It Was a Happening!

Scenes from today . . . wish I could show you all the beautiful families with their dear little kids who crowded the audience at Traditions today, to see No Need for Dragons. But there wasn't time to ask if photos would be allowed. Here are Hazelnut, his sister Oregano, and Mrs. Toad  (pictures kindly taken by my friend Kristin Blalack).

The kids sang along with Oregano (all about eating wriggly things), and their singing was delightful! Lots of kids came backstage after the show to try out the puppets themselves, and one young guy did really well learning to play my Native American flute. I loved getting to talk with the parents and kids who stayed while I was packing up. A few: the sweet young dads with their rambunctious little boys running out to drink some rain; the wise and pretty mom with her little ice cream eaters (big sis can spell so well).
     I'm very pleased because everyone wants more shows. And I'm invited to perform at the Timberland Libraries! Hooray!
     The next thing will be to offer classes and workshops so lots of kids and families can enjoy the many types of handson work/play of puppetry.

No Need for Dragons

This is Rose Petal - ever so proudly introducing Hazelnut, Oregano, and Mrs. Toad. These three questionable (but endearing) characters are none other than the all-time stars of No Need for Dragons -  showing at Traditions on the corner of Fifth and Water in Olympia, 3:00 PM Sunday December 20. It's a free show, a darling story by Molly Piper, and maybe ya gotta be there!

Tasha Tudor's Puppets

Tasha Tudor lived into her nineties and still has a following of adoring fans. And it should be that way. She brought a lot of love into the world with more than eighty books for children and families, filled with the activities and doings of her own four children, her farm, gardens and animals. She stands next to Beatrix Potter as a giant in the history and development of children's books. With her wry humor, brilliant wit and rich, hard-working way of  life in the country, Tasha inspired and led her adult fans to see the importance of being present with your children and encouraging them to use their imaginations and do their lives hands-on.
     She taught her own children to do marionette puppetry. I don't have to say much here. These illustrations from her book A Time to Keep tell the story:

Tasha and her children were invited to perform with their puppets at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. But as you can see, performing out in the big world is not what is really important. The happiness and satisfaction of creating puppet shows from scratch linger after untold hours of responsible work mixed with creative passion.

     If for some reason Tasha Tudor has passed you by, many of her books are still available at libraries, bookstores and the internet. Learn more about her here: http://www.tashatudorandfamily.com/ and in this book by the lady herself, with photographer Richard Brown: