Pitterpat Musical Storytelling Inspires Literacy
Pitterpat The Crazee Caterpillar: The Tale of Sting Ray Charles
Conceptualised and published as a readalong, singalong story book and CD, Pitterpat the Crazee Caterpillar is an ongoing outreach project, engaging Early Childhood Development and Foundation Phase children in musical storytelling in the classroom, at home, at bedtime and in the theatre. Inspiring literacy through the heard word, the Pitterpat Project engages small children in the cognitive and imaginative delights of reading.
The Tale of Sting Ray Charles is the first book in the Pitterpat Series. Two musicians encounter a crazy caterpillar called Pitterpat who teaches them the magic words to leave their ordinary world. They travel under the sea where they help Stingray Charles find his swing using the power of music and imagination
ONCE UPON A TIME
Pitterpat the Crazee Caterpillar evolved from a need to tell stories to stimulate cognition and creativity for ECD and Foundation Phase children. The heard word is a precursor to literacy and a vehicle was sought that would bring story, song, image and performance together in one holistic presentation.
THE BRAND STORY
The Tale of Sting Ray Charles – first book in the Pitterpat Series was created and produced as a readalong, singalong picturebook.
This unique storytelling project appeals to young children and their parents as they follow the adventures of two friends as they meet a crazy caterpillar and journey beneath the sea to help out a Sting Ray who has lost his swing.
THE SYNERGY TALE
Pitterpat is a synergy tale in itself. It is a picture book, CD, performance, website and interactive workshop. Presented at storytelling festivals, literary festivals and conferences, writer’s workshops, schools and special events, Pitterpat has won a dedicated following of children and their caregivers who listen to the story, enjoy the performance and read the book over and over.
HAPPILY EVER AFTER
The Pitterpat project continues to grow from strength to strength. The book has been translated into Afrikaans by Herlo van Rensburg as Die Verhaal van Langstert Gert and presented live at the Franschoek Literary Festival. Both English and Afrikaans are being converted into e-books for online purchase. The isiXhosa and isiZulu versions are currently underway, and more Pitterpat stories are in the pipeline
CREDITS
Synergies: Creatrix, Adlib, Howard Audio, LoveBurd
Concept, Script & Songs: Lynn Joffe & Adam Howard
Publishers: Adlib Children’s Musical Productions
Musical Direction & Production: Howard Audio
Afrikaans Translation: Herlo van Rensburg
Original Characters: Lynn Joffe
Book Illustration & Design: LoveBurd
Animation: Ministry of Illusion
Book Print Manager: Hedwig Barry
THE PICK OF PITTERPAT
Click here to read along to an extract of The Tale of Sting Ray Charles. If you would like more information on the Pitterpat Project, surf the Pitterpat Website
Lynn presented the Pitterpat Workshop with Adam at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown in 2013
The Pitterpat project combines storytelling, music, drama and art-making to inspire children to cultivate a lifelong love of reading and creativity
Lynn Joffe signing copies of The Tale of Sting Ray Charles at the Independent Book Fair in Johannesburg, May 2015
Lynn Joffe signing copies of The Tale of Sting Ray Charles at the Independent Book Fair in Johannesburg, May 2015
THE TALE OF STINGRAY CHARLES AUDIO
Listen here to the introduction of The Tale of Stingray Charles
Listen here to the theme tune, Pitterpat the Crazee Caterpillar
PITTERPAT POSTERS
The Tale of Sting Ray Charles has played to hundreds of children at dozens of venues around South Africa
Once Upon a Puppy had twenty two interactive performances at the National Arts Festival in 2013
To coincide with the Franschhoek Literary Festival in 2014, The Tale of Stingray Charles was translated into Afrikaans for young learners in the community
INTERVIEW WITH PITTERPAT CREATIVE TEAM
Lynn Joffe and Adam Howard in conversation at the Hillbrow Theatre, where a The Tale of Sting Ray Charles was performed for International Take a Child to the Theatre today, organized by Assitej, the Association of Theatre for Youth and Young Children.
