Pattysaurus & Other Tales

'Pattysaurus' is a humorous fable about sibling rivalry and dinosaur mania, in which Patty becomes so obsessed that she turns into a giant sauropod herself. The song of the wind asks three children to see if they can find the gift of 'The Old Apple Tree' in a lyrical tale about a boy's friendship with his favorite climbing tree. Also included is 'Princess Firefly', a lighthearted adaptation of a Japanese folktale. Princess Firefly sends her suitors on a quest for the light of the stars, promising her love to the one whose light matches her own. Recorded with Diane Edgecomb, Celtic harper Margot Chamberlain and keyboardist Tom Megan. Original story and adaptations by Diane Edgecomb. 'The Old Apple Tree' is adapted from the story 'The Three Apples' by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey from her collection 'Favorite Stories for the Children's Hour.' Music by Tom Megan and Margot Chamberlain. Especially for a Family audience and for Children ages 3-10. Pattysaurus is a WINNER of an Honors Award from Storytelling World Magazine, Issue 10, Summer/Fall 1996 RECOMMENDED CD listed in the Elementary School Library Collection, 21st Edition, March 1998 REVIEW in Publishers Weekly; Children's Audio/Video Reviews A storyteller in the grand tradition, Edgecomb is a virtuoso of the spoken word, possessed of an elastic range and energetic delivery. With her stable of character voices, in fact, she qualifies as an entire cast rolled into one. The humorous original title story features a selfish, ungrateful wretch of a child who is so obsessed with dinosaurs that she eventually turns into one (like all good fables, there is a happy ending). Edgecomb shifts gears for 'The Old Apple Tree',a more contemplative tale of continuity and renewal accompanied by a lyrical original song and the gentle strains of a Celtic harp. Finally, 'Princes Firefly,' based on a Japanese folktale, serves up plenty of silliness as it answers the royal insect's query, 'Who will be the bug I will love?' Edgecomb has put her heart and soul into this trio of stories, and it shows: there's a whole lot of good listening on this tape. REVIEW in School Library Journal Each of these tales is entertaining and enlightening. Whole language integration can be facilitated with this tape. Curricular units for primary grades...are dinosaurs, insects, and apples or harvest... Edgecomb's enthusiastic and creative voice makes every tale lively... Although designed for individual listening, groups and classes would benefit from listening together. REVIEW in Booklist, January 1997: Diane Edgecomb addresses children as she spins an offbeat, truly entertaining tale about nasty little Patty. The little girls obsession with dinosaurs causes her to actually turn into one of them, wreaking havoc on her family's life. Eventually, Patty's hard-learned lesson brings about a positive behavior change, much to the relief of her parents and sibling. Side two features a gentle tale about an old apple tree and an amusing adaptation of the Japanese tale 'Princess Firefly.' Edgecomb's telling is just as expressive in both these selections. Background sound effects and musical accompaniment complement all three selections. A highly entertaining offering from a talented storyteller.