The Amazing Adventures through Storybook World

A play by Mrs. Ogliaruso's Second Grade Class
May 1996

Near the end of the 1995-96 school year, Mrs. "O"'s class presented an original hour-long play to all of the children at Gilbert Linkous Elementary, packed with stories, songs, and dances -- including the Macarena, well before it became a national hit! The play was recorded on videotape, but it is not possible to show it to you whole over the Internet. Instead, we offer some excerpts from the play to let you imagine how wonderful it was! Click on the pictures to see more!

nce upon a time, there were two sisters, Sabrina and Sarina, who did not like to read. One evening, after their mother reminded that it was time to go to bed and read a bedtime story, they dozed off and had an amazing dream during which they met several characters from stories known and loved by children around the world.

he first character that Sabrina and Sarina met in their dream was the Snow Child, from the Russian folktale of the same name. She introduced them to Ivan and the Gloomy Giant from the Russian folktale "Salt," who in turn introduced them to Danielle, the Siberian girl from the story "The Girl and the Moon Man." All sang the Russian folk melody "Boosegda".

ext, Sabrina and Sarina met Tada from the Japanese tale "The Wave," and Ina from the Japanese story "The Funny Little Woman." All of the girls joined in a dance while singing the traditional Japanese song "Sakura" about cherry blossoms in spring.

uhurahura, of the Maori legend "Tuhurahura and the Whale," made an appearance along with Tutumara the whale. She was followed soon after by Anansi the Spider Man, from the African tale "A Story, A Story." Everyone sang the Zulu tribal chant "Sabu nana ku sasa."

rumpets heralded the arrival of King Solomon, from the Israeli story "The Wisest Man in the World." All formed lines for the traditional Israeli dance "Michol Halahot." Little Sister, from the Slavic folktale "Little Sister and the Month Brothers," joined King Solomon, and they marvelled at the falling snowflakes that transformed into dancers performing a Snowflake Ballet. Two more characters from the North appeared -- Aldar the Trickster, from the Finnish folktale of the same name, and Karin, from the Swedish story "Nail Soup."

ore trumpets and cheers preceded the arrival of King James and Prince Dumling, from the German folktale "The Three Feathers." They were joined by the royal subjects Hansel and Gretel, from the German story of the same name. Everyone danced and sang "Henschen Klein."

illy Simon, from the English story of the same name, arrived next. She was joined by Carlos and Maria from the Mexican tale "Carlos and the Brave Owl." Everyone danced the Macarena, then sang "Que Siempre."
ware of the many treasures to be found by reading, Sabrina and Sarina led all of the characters in a rousing square dance to the tune of "Family Tree." Finally, they awoke and ran to tell their mother about the wonderful adventures they'd had in Storybook World.