From page to stage and beyond

There’s nothing new about translating children’s books and traditional stories into other mediums.

Who’s not familiar with the Disney film adaptations of Cinderella, Snow White, and The Three Little Pigs? Live performances in children’s theaters have often used children’s books in their productions as do venues for families. It seems, too, that children’s stories are becoming a staple of the Broadway stage.

I was reminded of the power of a good story well-told — or retold — when a friend of mine raved about the performance of the Broadway adaptation of Raul Dahl’s book Matilda (opens in a new window) (Puffin). Peter and the Starcatchers (opens in a new window) (Disney) by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson appeared on Broadway (opens in a new window) last year.

Kids don’t need a stage to create their own dramas, often reenacting a book spontaneously. Kindergarten children in a school I recently visited dramatized The Three Billy Goats Gruff using their voices, a large blanket (for the water) and hats (to help the uninitiated tell the difference between the Gruff brothers, of course). Their performance — creative play really — got more dramatic with each reenactment.

There’s a fair amount of research that highlights the benefits (opens in a new window) of creative dramatics and the arts in the lives of young children. Perhaps just as important, the arts and drama help children learn and grow without even realizing that it’s happening.

Adults are wise to share books and stories, allowing the page to go to the stage — whether the stage is a classroom or living room.