Tell Me a Story Activities
Episode 1
Tell me a Story is a
Literacy-based Program on CAT-TV
Produced by the Bennington Free Library
Sponsored by the Greater Bennington Tell Me a Story Project with Funding from the Vermont Humanities Council
Books featured in Episode 1
* Sloppy Kisses by Elizabeth Winthrop * Good Knight by Linda Rymill
* Koala Lou by Mem Fox * A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams
Sloppy Kisses by Elizabeth Winthrop
Illustrated by Anne Burgess
"Kissing is just for babies," Emmy Lou's best friend announces disdainfully. So Emmy Lou tells her parents, "No more kisses!"
But one night, Emmy Lou can't get to sleep. Her parents decide that all she needs is a good night kiss (and they are right!!)
Send some hugs and kisses to someone you love...
Hugs and Kisses Printing
You will need: large rubber erasers, craft knife, stamp pads
Draw the symbols for hugs (o) and kisses (x) onto each eraser. With the help of a grownup, use the craft knife to carve the
symbols. Cut around your drawing and carve down at least 1/4" or carve away the whole eraser. Stamp the carved eraser onto the
ink pad and sign notecards or letters with these symbols. You should be very generous with lots of hugs and kisses... Don't worry
if some of these prints look like sloppy kisses.
Good Knight by Linda Rymill
Illustrated by G. Brian Karas
How can anyone expect a knight to go to bed when there are so many adventures still to be had? Our young hero fights a
familiar battle until he finally settles down for a good night's sleep with a book, a kiss and a "I love you."
Make a special book to share with someone you love and you'll sleep well too!
A Soft & Fuzzy Book
You will need: 15"x4-1/2" craft foam, 15" x 4-1/2" fuzzy or soft fabric, glue, hole punch, 6"x4" pad of paper, string and a button
Cover: Glue the wrong side of fuzzy fabric to the piece of craft foam. Turn cover over so the foam faces up. Glue pad of paper to
right side of foam. Punch a hole in the front cover. Tie string onto button and thread through the hole. Tie a know at the end of the
string. Wrap string around the book and around the button to keep book closed. Fill the book with pictures or drawings of people you love.
Koala Lou by Mem Fox
Illustrated by Pamela Lofts
Kiala Lou enters the Bush Olympics & competes in the gum tree climbing event to impress her mother. Poor Koala Lou loses....
Play this cooperative game with friends and family - everyone is a winner and will feel good about themselves.
Cooperative Musical Hugs
You will need: a CD/tape player, lively music, a big open space
Everyone skips or moves around the room to the music. When the music stops, each person gives someone a big hug.
The players now choose partners and the music continues. When it stops, at least 4 people hug together. As the game goes on,
the players make a bigger and bigger hug until everyone squishes together in one massive musical hug.
A Chair for my Mother
by Vera B. Williams
Daughter, mother and grandmother all share the dream of saving enough coins in a jar to buy a new chair - a wonderful, beautiful, fat
soft armchair.... Decide on something you and your family would love to have. Make a bank and everyone can contribute their coins.
Family Piggy Bank
You will need: 4 thread spools, plastic soda bottle and cap, hot glue gun
felt, pipe cleaners, buttons or wiggly eyes, craft knife
Take of the bottle label. Position the bottle horizontally and glue on the spools for lets. Cut a pair of 3" felt triangles - glue on
as ears. Glue on buttons for eyes or use wiggly eyes. A grownup can use the craft knife to cut a hold for the pipe
cleaner tail and slot for coins.
More Books to Share:
* The Velveteen Rabbit by Marjorie Williams
* Helga's Dowry by Tomie dePaola
*Ask Mr. Bear by Marjorie Flack
*Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
* Loving by Ann Morris
*Elizabeth's Doll by Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen
Click for Episode 2 Activity Page
Click for Episode 3 Activity Page
Click for Episode 4 Activity Page
Click for Episode 5 Activity Page