Book Description
This oversize anthology, with vibrant and original illustrations, includes three plays that young children will delight in reading and acting.
The vibrant and delightful illustrations complement the story of the play while also offer suggestions on how it can be staged and represented by young children. The three plays included are:
In the English Book
Jenny Hen – La gallinita Roja
A theatrical version of the well loved story of the hen who had an apron, in her apron she had a little pocket, in the pocket she had a thimble, a pair of scissors and…. with all of this she spent hours sewing and singing. She was the happiest of them all.
But the wolf had a different future for her.
Serafina’s Birthday
El cumpleaños de Serafina
an original play by Alma Flor Ada about a forgetful Rabbit and his efforts to find a present for his best friends’ birthday. While Sebastian is not able to secure any of the gifts he would have liked to get, at the end, he brings the best present of all – the story of his adventures. This celebration of the story teller is one of my best loved stories.
The Friendly Ant
a dramatic retelling, with a new message, of the fable of the ant and the grasshopper by F. Isabel Campoy and Alma Flor Ada
AUTHOR’S NOTE
Theatre has been a passion in my life. I was part of every play during my school years and later in High School I also begun writing plays. One of my works “The Museum” was chosen to be performed at the important theatrical event of our class graduation. Theatre was a way of life for me during those early years.
Because of my experience with theatre, and how important it was in giving me a voice, breaking the barriers of shyness, and encouraging me to speak in public; ensuring that children have access to read and act in plays has always been one of my basic goals. Even if it is done with great simplicity, acting in a play can have very positive results.
I am convinced that one is better able to teach something one has enjoyed doing. And just as Alma Flor Ada and I emphasize, in our courses of Authors in the Classroom, that teachers who create their own books will be better able to get their students to become authors, I believe that encouraging teachers to do theatre and experiencing the richness of the process would better allow them to incorporate plays in their regular teaching.