Scene 8 from Jack
Upcoming
Performances |
Storycard Theater® Product Line
Storycard Theater® kamishibai dramas
are printed on 12 sturdy, 13x9-5/8-inch cards. They’re
small enough to hold comfortably, yet large enough to showcase the
colorful artwork. The back of each card features clear, kid-tested
text and a smaller version of the image the audience is seeing.
Momotaro
— the Peach Boy (LMA0001;
$24.95)
Retold by Hazuki Kataoka
& David Battino; Art by Mario Uribe |
|
(Kamishibai) “Momotaro”
is one of the most famous Japanese folktales, teaching children the
virtues of courage, teamwork, and generosity in an exciting setting.
A boy mysteriously born from a gigantic peach grows up to be a courageous
yet kind-hearted young man. With the aid of three downtrodden animals,
he stands up for the poor people in his village, who have been oppressed
by a gang of greedy ogres. The Leaf Moon Arts version features joyful
color illustrations by Mario
Uribe, a noted California artist and enthusiastic scholar of Japanese
art and culture. 12 cards (24 pages)
   (Click to enlarge)
BONUS! Download free Japanese translation: simplified
text | full
text (PDF)
Jack &
the Beanstalk (LMA0002; $24.95)
Retold by Hazuki Kataoka & David Battino;
Art by Kazumi Verkler |
|
(Kamishibai) The
story of Jack — the poor boy who climbs a magic beanstalk to
a wicked giant’s castle and returns with a golden harp and hen
— reflects humanity’s ancient fascination with touching
the sky. (The first printed version appeared in the 1700s.) In most
versions, though, Jack is portrayed as a sneaky thief, even returning
multiple times to steal more treasure. The Leaf Moon Arts retelling
of this classic tale follows one of the lesser-known storylines, presenting
Jack as a compassionate figure who rescues the repressed harp and
hen from the cruel giant. Kazumi Verkler’s gentle illustrations
add a warm, friendly atmosphere. 12 cards (24 pages)
   (Click to enlarge)
BONUS! Download free Japanese translation: simplified
text | full
text (PDF)
The Moon Princess (Kaguya-Hime) (LMA0003; $24.95)
Retold by Hazuki Kataoka & David Battino;
Art by Kazumi Verkler |
|
(Kamishibai) The Moon Princess is based on one of the oldest written tales in Japan, dating back more than a thousand years. (It’s also known as The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter.) A baby girl magically born from a stalk of bamboo grows into a shining beauty. She cleverly outwits all the men who want to marry her before revealing her big secret and floating off to the moon. The story is a wonderful departure from the typical “helpless princess in a tower” tale, and full of fascinating symbolism and historical imagery. Kazumi Verkler’s beautiful illustrations incorporate authentic kimono patterns. 12 cards (24 pages); bilingual English/Japanese
   (Click to enlarge)
The Cat with No Name (LMA0004; $19.95)
Retold and Illustrated by Nina Khashchina |
|
(Kamishibai) This classic Russian folktale has parallels in Japanese and Indian folklore as well. An adoring old couple concocts increasingly silly names for its kitten before stumbling on the perfect one. Nina Khashchina’s playful watercolor paintings delight audiences young and old, and the interactive text keeps kids guessing up till the final card. Simple, short sentences are ideal for audiences as young as 2 years old. 8 cards (16 pages); bilingual English/Russian
   (Click to enlarge)
BONUS! Hear author Nina Khashchina  pronounce the Russian words (MP3).
Presentation
Frame (LMA1001; $80)
Designed by Ken Hata |
|
(Kamishibai Stage) Handmade locally and finished in eco-friendly lacquer, the Storycard Theater Presentation
Frame creates an elegant stage for your storytelling. It’s built
of sturdy yet amazingly lightweight New Zealand pine — the frame
weighs barely more than the stack of cards it holds — so it’s
easy to carry anywhere. A clever fold-out foot lets you stand the
frame on a table, freeing your hands for performance gestures. Dimensions: 13-3/8 x 16-3/4 inches
  (Click to enlarge)
Storyteller
Starter Kit (LMA1002; $120)
Everything you need in one box! |
|
(Kamishibai Stage &
Cards) Buy both sets of storycards
and the Presentation Frame together and save! Our Storyteller
Starter Kit includes Momotaro — the Peach Boy (LMA0001), Jack & the Beanstalk (LMA0002), and our handmade Presentation
Frame (LMA1001).
 (Click to enlarge)
Kamishibai Man (LMA1004; $15)
Bring history to life |
|
(Book) Caldecott winner Allen Say tells the moving story of a kamishibai performer who comes out of retirement to delight a new generation. We often take this book along on our own performances to show the audience, and we encourage teachers to read it with their classes before our author visits. The illustrations are warm yet detailed; you get a good sense of what it must have been like to watch the original kamishibai men, back in the days before TV.
 (Click to enlarge)
Thunder
Tube (LMA1003; $10)
Add drama to your performance |
|
(Percussion Instrument) It
never fails. After every performance, the first thing kids and grownups
alike want to do is try the small percussion instrument we use for
sound effects. The Remo Thunder Tube is 2-1/2" in
diameter by 7" long and has a tightly coiled spring embedded in the drum head at one end. Shaking it produces a rumbling thunder sound (we also use this to evoke Jack’s grumbling stomach!). Scraping or tapping the spring produces sharper sounds.
 (Click to enlarge)
Shipping and Payment
To save you money, we ship via Media Mail (1–2 weeks) or FedEx Ground (3–5 days), whichever costs less. If you need faster delivery, please e-mail us for a quote.
Order Total |
U.S. Shipping Rate |
Payment Options |
up to $24.95 |
$4 |
|
$24.96–49.90 |
$5 |
$49.91–74.85 |
$6 |
$74.86–99.80 |
$9 |
$99.81 and over |
$11 |
| International shipping is $15 for up to 4 lbs and $37 if over 4 lbs. |
More Places to Buy Storycard Theater®
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