"In the distant mountains, there lived a tall, big and dark forester, whom everyone affectionately called 'Big Bear'. However, no one has called him that for more than ten years, because people have moved away, only Big Bear remains, and he says that this is his hometown..."
On August 13th, in the Children's Branch of Yangpu District Library, the summer original children's picture book drama "Forest Guarding Big Bear" was staged. Two square tables, set up a simple small stage, several groups of paper dolls, shaping the dense green and dense northeast forest sea. Characters such as the humble big bear, the magical bobcat, and the cute fox appeared in turn, "lived" in the hands of the actors, and unfolded warm and cute fairy tale scrolls...
The play is adapted from the picture book of the same name jointly created by picture book celebrity Peng Yi and children's book illustrator Li Haiyan for their hometown Mountain Forest, telling the story of the adventures of the deep mountain ranger Big Bear who sticks to his home and meets the animals. The long-dormant mountain finally comes alive, and the mountain people sing and dance around the bonfire with the bear.
All the props are hand-painted by the artists of the traditional German paper theater, although most of them are made of paper, they are not thin at all, but fresh and healing, vivid, connecting young audiences with the world of theater, allowing everyone to immerse themselves in the vast forest of autumn in the book.
The reporter noticed that unlike the stereotypical seats for watching the drama, the children at the scene sat freely on the ground and burst into laughter in a relaxed atmosphere. They are also invited to participate in interactive sessions in the play, playing, dancing, dialogue, and singing with actors and characters. As audiences, but also participants in fantasy adventures, children are active in the script story, shining around the forester Big Bear, and get an immersive viewing experience.
Many parents said that this activity was full of creativity and fun, allowing children to feel the warmth and beauty of their hometown in the picture book story, the strong homesickness, and the bond between the villagers and neighbors in the process of immersing themselves in watching the drama. As the characters travelled deep in the forest, the children not only watched a good performance, gained a heartwarming story, but also slowly understood the importance of protecting the environment and natural resources. In the fun and education, it inspires children's love and sense of responsibility for nature.
Text: Tang Shunjia
Editor: Xi Yuxuan