CALLIOPE KATE AND THE VOICE OF THE RIVER by Karen Konnerth

Tall tales, puppets, music and more!

Karen and I had a lovely conversation about so many topics because that is the nature of her work -- it encompasses so many areas, and so much thought goes into her work -- whether it's creating puppets and doing puppet shows, writing, illustrating, making music, interviewing and creating videos, creating teacher guides. . . .and yes, a bit of ALL of that finds its way into our conversation -- and into Karen's book. CALLIOPE KATE AND THE VOICE OF THE RIVER is part tall tale, part puppet show, and full of musical connections and local flavor.  Please don't miss this interview -- it is so rich and multi-faceted, as is Karen!

CALLIOPE KATE AND THE VOICE OF THE RIVER by Karen Konnerth

Part tall tale, part puppet show, part love letter to the river culture of Louisiana and full of musical connections, CALLIOPE KATE AND THE VOICE OF THE RIVER is as fun as a riverboat cruise on a Louisiana steamboat and just as full of local lore and flavor.  The author has a companion video on YouTube where she interviewed the calliope player for the Steamboat Natchez, and a wonderful teacher's guide that will help students write their own tall tale.  This book checks so many boxes and offers so much.  A perfect gift for the teacher in your life, your favorite Louisianan, a puppeteer (or a wannabe), a musician, or anyone who appreciates any of those things.  So much effort and heart went into creating all the layers that are evident in this book! Kudos to Karen!  Well-done!

A Little Jam. . .(The Music Kind)

Karen interviewed Debbie, the calliope player of the Natchez riverboat and created this video for us on PBJamz!  I encouraged her to make it available to everyone on YouTube, and she did!  Karen and I both thought it was so important that you were able to show your students (and/or learn yourself) what a calliope looks like, how it works and how someone plays it!  So fascinating!  Thanks, Debbie, and Karen for this lovely video that gives great insight into calliopes!

Teacher Tips, Tricks and Topics
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Language arts --

1. Read aloud (obviously) -- talk about dialect/apostrophes for omitted letters/compare with the full versions of the words.
2. Tall tales -- perfect to integrate into a tall tale unit as an example of a modern tall tale
3. This story began as a puppet show and the illustrations are puppets. Discuss how it could be done as a puppet show; maybe adapt it for puppet stage/performance
4. Research Czech marionettes or different kinds of marionettes. Do a report or share the information in some sort of project
5. Discuss character/characteristics
6. Great story for talking about plot or beginning, middle, end of stories.
7. Setting is also very important to this story. Find out more about the setting and how it influenced the book.

Art --

1. Create various types of puppets
2. Read aloud without the pictures and let students illustrate
3. Draw  or create 3D models of riverboats

Drama --

1. Perform Calliope Kate and the Voice of the River as a puppet show
2. REwrite and perform it at a readers theater
3. Listen to and Practice various dialects

Social studies

1. Mississippi River
2. Louisiana
3. Karen Konnerth's "Sense of Place" lessons are a great merging of language arts and social studies.
4. History of riverboats

Science

1. Hurricanes -- research, characteristics, compare historical hurricanes
2. How does a steam calliope work?
3. Riverboats -- how do they work; create a miniature working riverboat

Math

1. Story problems with characters from the story matching the level /mathematical areas of your students.
2. Weight/measurement
3. Wind speed and distance (hurricanes/boats)

Tips and Topics for Music Teachers

Calliope music -- listen to variety (discuss history; how did the calliope music change over time?)
Compare calliope to keyboard to piano -- discover likenesses/differences

• How are they "powered" (where does the energy come from?)
• Does pitch work the same with each?  How is it similar or different?

Practice music skills with calliope music:  rhythm practice play-along, keep a steady beat, etc.
Integrate it into a study of New Orleans music
Listen and study to various styles of music that was found on riverboats.

​Writing Prompts from Tonnye

1. Write your own tall tale. (You can use Karen's "Sense of Place" activities below or other prompts for creating tall tales)
2. Write your own Calliope Kate story. How else does she use her skills in amazing ways? What problem(s) does she solve with her abilities?
3. Write a story about a calliope that comes alive.
4. Write a story about a riverboat without a calliope.
5. Write about how a calliope works.
6. Write about a riverboat cruise that goes wrong.
7. Write about Calliope Kate from the catfish's point of view.
8. Write a poem about Calliope Kate. (acrostic, haiku, sensory poem, etc.)
9. Write about your experience living through a hurricane.
10. Write about someone whose job it is to fix the calliopes.
11. Write a puppet show with Calliope Kate as the main character.
12. Create your own puppet (any kind -- sock, marionette, origami, etc.) and write a story about your puppet.
13. Research riverboats on the Mississippi River and write about what you learn.
14. Write about the music of New Orleans.
15. Write about the science of a hurricane.  How do they form? Move?  What else can you learn?
16. Write a story about a hurricane with YOUR name.
17. Write about Czech marionettes' history.
18. Compare a Czech marionette to a regular marionette.
19. Write an acrostic poem using the word: calliope or riverboat or puppet
20. Write a letter to the author telling her what you MOST enjoyed about CALLIOPE KATE and/or a question you have.

​Writing Tips from Karen

1. READ as much as possible in the genre you want to write.
I particularly love to find authors and illustrators from other countries to observe the differing approaches, sensibilities, design concepts, and use of illustration media.


2. FIND INSPIRATION in the immediate world around you. Calliope Kate was inspired by a sound I often heard because of where I lived. Use all your senses to observe the world you live in.


3. BE AWARE of the age child you are writing for and write for that child - in word count, in concept, in page turn suspense, in potential connection to their life.

Links, More Fun, Extensions for Families and Everyone!

Pinterest board with additional activities about steamboats, calliopes, puppets, and more


YouTube playlist with calliope music, tall tale songs and characteristics and videos about puppetry, especially Czech marionettes

​Teachers' Guide "Sense of Place" compiled and composed by Karen Konnerth
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sense_of_place_through_tall_tales_activity_packet_k.konnerth.pdf
File Size:	982 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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PBJamz Snack
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Well, they're not beignets, but these super simple peanut butter and jelly donuts would be a fun take that are an easy breakfast or snack for your favorite PBJ lovers.  You can check out the recipe at Typical Mom and make your own tasty PBJ donuts.  And, if you were to fix a cup of chicory coffee, you might convince yourself that you're at Cafe DuMonde. Put on some Dixieland jazz and let your tastebuds and your imagination do the rest! 

Guest Links and Giveaways

Karen's Website

TPT

Instagram

​FB

Karen has offered a WINNER'S CHOICE prize!  The winner may choose from:
1. A copy of Calliope Kate
2. A virtual school visit
3. A picture book critique

To be eligible for the drawing, simply leave a comment below before Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 at 11:59 PM EST, and if you are the winner, we will contact you!