The show featured children's book author Tomie dePaola and his Muppet friend Gabe the squirrel, encouraging children to make their own stories in a variety of media. In each episode, Tomie told a story featuring his storybook characters Strega Nona, Big Anthony and Bambolona. Gabe visited The Animal Band, a group of woodland creatures, including a rabbit on drums, a weasel on guitar, a penguin on bass, and a raccoon on keytar. Each episode also featured a visit with a guest storyteller or two (often people connected to the Jim Henson Company). The final segment of each episode included a child actor playing Tomie enacting stories from his book "26 Fairmount Avenue."
Episodes
Season 1
Tales Around the TableTomie shows viewers around his studio table. Guest storytellers: Mary Sue Milliken and Sue Feniger.30m2E2Where Do You Get Ideas?Tomie tells us about his idea drawer. Guest storyteller: J.T. Steiny30m3E3What's a Story?Tomie offers two drawing - a beginning and an ending. Guest storyteller: Ed Eyth30m4E4Stories for MyselfTomie shows us his sketchbook, a visual journal. Guest storyteller: Alexandra Nichita30m5E5Food as StorytellingTomie fries up his famous Popeye. Guest storyteller: Mary Ann Esposito30m6E6That's a Story?!Tomie shows how a collection of souvenirs tells a story. Guest storyteller: Charlotte Bird30m7E7Getting StartedTomie suggests ways to get started. Guest storyteller: Art Clokey30m8E8CharacterTomie shows how visual traits help to define a character. Guest storytellers: Bill Barretta and Pepe the King Prawn30m9E9SettingTomie discusses how changing the setting changes the story. Guest storyteller: John Iacovelli30m10E10Point of ViewTomie takes a look at perspective. Guest storyteller: John E. Barrett30m11E11Performance as StorytellingTomie talks about assuming a character’s voice & mannerisms. Guest storyteller: Martie Barylick30m12E12Every Picture Tells a StoryTomie talks about the story behind one of his paintings. Guest storyteller: Lotus Do Brooks30m13E13Making Sense of Our World Through StoriesTomie encourages kids to draw or make up stories to deal with emotions. Guest storyteller: Jane Yolen30m14E14Taking a ChanceTomie tells and shows the origins of his first chapter book. Guest storyteller: Frank Oz30m15E15Finding Your AudienceTomie talks about how stories and artwork change when they are shared with an audience. Guest storyteller: John Carney30m16E16FunnyTomie explains the comedy rule of three. Guest storyteller: Bill Larkin30m17E17ScaryTomie shows how different techniques can create a scary scene. Guest storyteller: David Barrington-Holt30m18E18Moods: Happy/SadTomie shows how a few lines can change the mood of a face. Guest storyteller: Natalie McMaster30m19E19HistoryTomie explains what a time capsule is. Guest storyteller: Victor Finkel30m20E20MusicGabe plays guitar riffs for Tomie that correspond to different moods. Guest storyteller: Dave Kinnoin30m21E21Make Believe StoriesTomie is doodling. Guest storyteller: Doug Chiang30m22E22Real StoriesTomie talks about how family photos can inspire stories. Guest storyteller: Chris Connelly30m23E23More Than One Way to Tell a Tale - VersionsTomie talks about the different ways you can tell a story. Guest storyteller: Savage Steve Holland30m24E24More Than One Way to Tell a Tale - TechniquesTomie shows his Cornell boxes, using a different technique of art to tell a story. Guest storyteller: Sule Greg Wilson30m25E25Putting Heart Into Your StoryTomie talks about putting warmth, feeling, and emotion into a story. Guest storytellers: Kermit the Frog and Rizzo the Rat30m26E26CollaborationTomie talks about collaboration. Guest storytellers: Stephen Holman and Josephine Huang30m
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