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PROGRAM REFERENCES AND COMMENTS FROM LIBRARIANS, TEACHERS AND STUDENTS This section is divided into four areas: I. Programs at Libraries II. Programs at Private Schools III. Programs at Public Schools IV. Programs with Gifted Students: Dramatic Reading, Discussion and Roleplay
I. Programs at Libraries Dramatic Reading of Splunkunio Splunkey Detective and Peacemaker, Case One: The Missing Friendship Bracelet with Dr. Ashley and Visit with Guest Ellie Eelephant - National Library Week, April, 2004 "My Stories 'n Stuff class of first and second graders, along with their younger siblings, parents and friends, were delighted with Ellie's and your visit. We were enthralled with your dramatic reading of 'The Missing Friendship Bracelet.' The discussion that you led following your reading made it clear that the children were in tune with Splunkey and his methods of mediating disputes. They could see immediately the feasability of such a misunderstanding on the part of Ellie and Eli. The highlight of the evening was your presentation of Ellie. The children were enthralled with such a 'fashion-conscious' elephant. Thank you so much for visiting our class and sharing your book and puppet friend with us." Ronalee Rund, Assistant Head of Youth Services, Morton Grove Public Library, Morton Grove, IL *** On June 7th, an alien from outer space visited Highwood Library! Splunkunio Splunkey® is actually a life-size puppet, the creation of Dr. Elana Ashley. Dr. Ashley gave a delightful presentation involving her many talents - puppetry, ventriloquism, storytelling and singing. Both the children and adults enjoyed her original story Splunkunio Splunkey Detective and Peacemaker, Case One: The Missing Friendship Bracelet, featuring Splunkey and Ellie Elephant, and joined in singing favorite songs. After the performance, Dr. Ashley answered questions about ventriloquism, making puppets, etc. The children were so enthusiastic that she showed them how to make their own paper puppets. The Highwood Library highly recommends the performance of Splunkunio Splunkey Detective and Peacemaker, Case One: The Missing Friendship Bracelet. Dr. Ashley has a lovely singing voice and a wonderful interaction with the audience. Values of peace, friendship and honesty are presented in a very creative, entertaining manner. Joan Retnauer, Director, Highwood Public Library, Highwood, IL *** II. Programs at Private Schools Several months before the hardback copy of the book came out, Dr. Ashley received an advanced copy of Splunkey's mystery adventure which she read at a school in upper Wisconsin. After the reading, she introduced two of her storybook characters. "A visit by Dr. Elana Ashley to our school, St. Francis Solanus, Reserve [Stone Lake], Wisconsin, was the highlight of the month and for days afterwards. Dr. Ashley's wonderful reading of the book, Splunkunio Splunkey Detective and Peacemaker, Case One: The Missing Friendship Bracelet, kept the children spellbound, wondering what was going to happen next. The climax of the presentation was actually meeting two of the characters in the book, Ellie Elephant and the Super Alien, SPLUNKEY!!!!! These were the responses I got from the children when asked what they liked about the story: 'When she screamed and found her bracelet. The puppets were the best because they talked to us. It was real fun.' "Everything was good. I liked it all.' 'The puppets were the best. I wish Splunkey could stay with us.' 'Splunkey was nice. He made Ellie be friends with Eli.' 'The big guy helped Ellie find her bracelet and called her friend to help. He's a nice alien.' 'It was fun to hear about two friends.' 'Ellie was not nice, but then she is nice to Eli.' 'Splunkey is a very smart alien.' 'I would like Splunkey for my friend.' .The little ones really and truly believed that the puppets were talking. Your message of peace, being true friends, and honesty were presented in a way the little ones truly related to in their own simple way. Thank you ever so much." Sister Maryrose Theobald, SSSF, St. Francis Solanus, Reserve, Stone Lake, Wisconsin
The beautiful drawing above was done by a child in kindergarten at St. Francis Solanus. The following is the story of the picture as told by the student: 'Ellie and Eli are holding hands. They are friends again. Splunkey is holding a love kite.' *** III. Programs at Public Schools Dr. Ashley presented a dramatic reading at South Park Elementary School. Deerfield, Illinois, January 12, 2004. Here are written comments from the teacher and her students following the reading. Book Review of Patricia Bahnick, 3rd Grade Teacher, South Park Elementary School. Deerfield, Illinois I think young children find puppet characters different and refreshing. Photographs are usually found in magazines, newspaper or non-fiction books. This shares a unique form of illustrating. The story tries to help youngsters problem-solve. Children need an adult or mentor or hero to guide them and look-up to. I like the help Splunkey offers. I enjoyed hearing the story read by the author. Understanding the characters was a delightful experience. Even though I read the book prior to the author's visit, it was so good to hear the characters come alive.
*** Book Reviews of Students in Patricia Bahnick's 3rd Grade Class "It was beautifully written. Favorite character: Splunkey because he's funny. Lesson learned: Don't be mad at someone for no reason. Greatly taken and funny photographs. Great change from most mystery books. Nice author. Read with lots of expression Funny voices." "I liked the photographs because it looked like they were really doing it, and they are real live characters. Don't blame someone if they didn't do it." "I liked Splunkey because he was funny and cute. I think the lesson in this book was don't think someone did something just because that was the only person there. This book was the best book I have ever read. I would read this book over and over and over because it was such a good book. I thought that the book was funny, sad, special because you should always be friends even if you get into a fight." "I really liked Eli. I thought it was cool that the characters were ventriloquist figures. I liked how Dr. Ashley read the story with the squeaky, loud and neat voices. I liked Eli because he was not the main character but he played a part in the story. I wonder what will happen in her next book." "This story has a message that is never to accuse someone of taking something that belongs to you. I liked how it was read because it has lots of expression in it. It is a fun story because it is a mystery on losing a special item. My favorite character is Splunkey because he helps Ellie and Eli be friends again."
"I liked Splunkey because he is a good detective and a funny character. I liked how Ellie and Eli acted out how the friendship bracelet was lost." "I think that I love Splunkey because Ellie really wanted him to stay at her house. She really liked him and I think the characters were really cool and very colorful. I loved the book around where they were walking down the stairs. I really liked the story. I felt bad for Ellie because Splunkey left her. I loved the story." "My favorite character was Splunkey because he helped Eli find her bracelet. Another reason is because he's a alien detective. I really liked the author's different voices for each character." "I thought it was a great friendship story because it shows that everyone gets in fights. My favorite character was Splunkey because he makes Ellie and Eli friends. He also helped Ellie find her friendship bracelet. I also learned don't let a friendship break up like Ellie and Eli. It's so nice to hear a story that ends good. I sometimes get into fights with my friends. But we're still best friends. I had a great time. Thank you." "My favorite character was Splunkey because he talked funny and acted funny. I also really like the photographs. I also loved the background of Eli and Ellie walking down the stairs. The background was really good on every page too." "I really liked this book because it had a very good message, and I think the message was that you shouldn't get mad at someone for something you don't know they did. My favorite character is Splunkey because I think he is really funny. I really liked the photographs because they were very unique. I also liked how it was read because Dr. Elana Ashley really knows the characters and their expressions." "Lesson that
you should always help your friends and to retrace your steps. I like
Splunkey because he likes to help people
and lots of people like him. Ellie is a very worried character. She
will always have a friend by her side. My friend __________ always blames
me for things and it gets annoying." "I liked Splunkey because he is not from here, and he didn't look like a normal thing. He was not the same. I learned that when you lose something, go to the same place and look. The photographs look like the animals live like us in a house. My lesson was not to blame stuff on your friend. I think one book should be at a fair, and Eli and Ellie can not find each other and Splunkey and his dad come to help." "My favorite character is Splunkey because he's a detective, a alien and a nice person like me." "My favorite character was Ellie because she had so many expressions like the way she talked when she was sad and happy. The photographs really help you know exactly what's going on. A lesson is not to blame other people for something they didn't do. I wonder what I would picture if there were no photographs." "I liked the photographs. They look like Eli, Ellie and Splunkey are alive. Where did you get your Splunkey puppet? You have very good expressions. You are a very good ventriloquist." "I liked the character Splunkey because he was very funny. I like the photographs, too. They were very interesting to look at. I also liked the expression that Dr. Ashley used for all of the characters. I learned that if you have somebody over some time, and you lose something while your friend is there, don't always blame them that they did it because they might not have really took it, and even then you would be embarrassed because of it. It is a very good story, and I can't wait till the next one is published."
The grammatical structuring of the sentences and phrases of the students was left intact. Children's spelling errors were corrected. Elana Ashley *** IV. Programs with Gifted Students: Dramatic Reading, Discussion and Roleplay Recommendation from Andrea Aschenbrenner Center for Gifted Workshop Teacher Worlds of Wisdom and Wonder National-Louis University Evanston, Illinois Thank you so much for the engaging and entertaining special program which you gave as part of my Worlds of Wisdom and Wonder "Acting Up" workshop for first and second grade children on Sunday, January 18th, 2004. The students and I thoroughly enjoyed the dramatic reading which you gave of your book, SPLUNKEY SPLUNKUNIO DETECTIVE AND PEACEMAKER - Case One: The Missing Friendship Bracelet. Their responses to your well-organized follow-up questions after the reading exhibited total interest and involvement in the story's plot. I was impressed with your ability to actively engage them in critical thinking about the characters and events in the story. I could see that the children greatly enjoyed being challenged to creatively act out several scenes in the book. Your book's usefulness in teaching values of friendship, respect for others, and the positive results which can be gained when individuals work together to solve problems was especially impressive. I'm glad that
I have had the wonderful opportunity of experiencing one of your excellent,
valuable, and entertaining programs. I know your book and programs will
continue to do much good for our children, families, nation, and the
world. Thank you for all your work in sharing this very special program
with my class and me! Selected Written Responses of Gifted Students [1st & 2nd Grades] to Questions about Splunkey's Mystery Adventure What
did you like most about the story? What
is the story about? Your
favorite character and why? What
did you learn from the story? *** The phrases and words of the children's responses have been left intact. Spelling has been corrected. Elana Ashley *** The name Spokespuppet is the registered trademark of Elana Ashley. The name Splunkunio
Splunkey is the registered trademark of Elana Ashley. |
© 2004 Dream Image Press, LLC |
