The Cat with No Name (Storycard Theater) (English and Russian Edition) [Cards]

Nina Khashchina (Author)

Book Description

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

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Now you can tell stories, not just read them. Based on traditional Japanese picture-card dramas called kamishibai (paper theater), the Storycard Theater® format allows you to read to a group of children while showing them the pictures. No longer do you have to twist your neck to read a picture book! And with the freedom to look your audience in the eye, you can concentrate on the performance. Reading becomes storytelling. It's easy and fun.

Storycard Theater dramas are printed on sturdy, 13" x 9-5/8" 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.

These storycards are ideal for classrooms, birthday parties, daycare centers, family gatherings, and for students learning English. In fact, many children enjoy performing them for each other, or inventing their own stories based on the artwork. The Storycard Theater series won the 2004 Dr. Toy Awards for Top 10 Creative Products and 100 Best Children's Products.

Colorful History

The kamishibai (kah-mee-shee-bye) format dates back to the 12th century, when Buddhist monks traveled Asia with pictures to enhance their stories and lectures. Between the 1930s and 1950s in Japan, it was common to see kamishibai storytellers in parks, fields, or on street corners -- wherever children gathered. Riding up on bicycles with a small wooden stage mounted on the back, these enterprising men sold candies and snacks to the children, then launched into a dramatic performance. (Children who bought candy got to sit closer.) It's estimated there were once 50,000 kamishibai storytellers in Japan. Unfortunately, as television and movies began to lure children indoors, these storytellers gradually disappeared.

Leaf Moon Arts is excited to bring back this unique and effective form of storytelling. Try it yourself. We think you'll see why Storycard Theater owners call the series "spellbinding."

About Leaf Moon Arts

Leaf Moon Arts draws on classic folktales from around the world to produce stories that demonstrate positive themes to children, such as love, kindness, and honesty. Through Storycard Theater, we hope to help children establish good values -- and have fun -- for many years to come.

From the Inside Flap

A Storycard Theater® Drama

8 full-color cards (16 pages)

Read and show pictures at the same time!

Bilingual English/Russian

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Cards: 16 pages
• Publisher: Leaf Moon Arts (February 28, 2008)
• Language: English, Russian
• ISBN-10: 0974816132
• ISBN-13: 978-0974816135
• Product Dimensions: 13.8 x 10.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,211,352 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars beautiful storytelling, March 23, 2008

By 

Dmitriy Krasnov (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Cat with No Name (Storycard Theater) (English and Russian Edition) (Cards)

If you hail from Russia or its neighbor, chances are you familiar with this classic folk story: an elderly couple is debating the perfect name for their kitten - a friend so beloved that even forces of nature pale in comparison to its virtues.

Speaking of virtues, this rendition has two good ones: (1) eight beautiful watercolors painted with charming Russian accent, and (2) a colorful bilingual text that gives kids a taste of Slavic speech - which may or may not be particularly educational, but a three and a five-year-old find it silly-funny.

Good thing the storycards are sturdy: kids are asking for this one over and over.