Christopher Nibble

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Use natural objects to create your own artwork. Look at the work of Andy Goldsworthy for some inspiration. At one point in the story, ‘the worst thing imaginable happened?’. Could you use this sentence as the starting point for a brand new story about a different animal (or a person)? Topsy Turvy Theatre have turned Christopher Nibble into magical life in this entertaining, humorous theatre show. The home town of Dandeville, is a beautifully crafted stage set, with patchwork hills, a miniature café , a library and plenty of delicious dandelion leaves . There’s music, dancing and singing for all. My daughter (age 4) was very keen to watch two consecutive shows! I couldn’t be more delighted with the adaptation of my story. “

But when their crawly comrades disappear without a trace the gardening guinea pigs swap their trowels for magnifying glasses and turn detective! Can you find any dandelions in parks and gardens near to you? What other plants grow in these areas? So what for the next tale of Christopher Nibble? So far Christopher’s world has been about the natural cycle of life. His home town Dandeville is a very green and harmonious world and Christopher likes to help keep it that way. Christopher’s Christmas is written especially for children aged 2-7 and their families and is a Makaton Friendly performance. Told using beautiful puppets and stunning scenery, Christopher’s Christmas is a collaboration between the creator of Christopher Nibble, Charlotte Middleton, and Claire Alizon Hills of Topsy Turvy Theatre.The tale follows events in the town of Dandeville, where not only Christopher and the Nibble family, but also the entire town are extremely fond of the local delicacy… dandelions of course Key Stage 1 Written especially for children aged 2-7 (and their big people too) and told with Topsy Turvy Theatre’s own blend of energetic storytelling, handmade puppets, original music and stunning scenery, Christopher Nibble is an uplifting story of one guinea pig’s selfless undertaking to help halt the disappearance of the delicious dandelion forever!

It takes a lot of ‘willpower’ for Christopher to stop himself from eating the last dandelion. What is willpower? How can it help us? Look at the book titles in the illustration of the library. Can you write a story based on one of these titles?

Christopher Nibble

In the next story, then, Christopher would surely be encouraging the residents of Dandeville to help him in his next environmentally-friendly quest, whatever that might be… Look at the different patterns and textures used in the illustrations. Can you make your own patterns / textures using different art materials? The young guinea pigs have worked their magic again and ignited the interest of all the residents of Dandeville and hopefully some aspiring young readers too! Written and illustrated by Charlotte Middleton and adapted for the stage by Claire Alizon Hills, Topsy Turvy Theatre, the company who brought you Ruby Flew Too! and Isabel’s Well, proudly present the charming Christopher Nibble in a tale of dandelion daring-do! But that's where Christopher Nibble steps in. He discovers the last dandelion growing outside his bedroom window and, rather than eat it, he does his horticultural research in the library and then nurtures the dandelion patiently until it has produced a perfect head of tiny seeds. Then he blows the seeds from a hill high over Dandeville so that each dandelion seedling takes root and grows into a new plant.

Think of positive words that Christopher might use to describe dandelions and negative words to describe cabbages! Christopher Nibble loves munching dandelion leaves. And he's not alone. All the guinea pigs in Dandeville eat dandelion leaves for breakfast, lunch and dinner. But no-one seems to do anything when the dandelions begin to dwindle. They just carry on munching. In fact the guinea pigs of Dandeville are heading for eco-disaster . . . The Place Events & Activities Drama Folk Music Live Music Musical Theatre Community Performances Youth Theatre Events for Families Everything

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The performers] had good boundless energy, jolly and quizzical facial expressions throughout, and a clear sense of timing and choreography” – Jonathan Brown Fringe Review, Fringe Recommended. high energy storytelling, bringing fun meaningful theatrical experiences to children aged 2-7 and their families too! Why not create an entire restaurant area in the classroom complete with table cloths, place settings, menus and a specials board? The children could roleplay the heyday of dandelions and be assigned individual roles, such as waiter, cook, maitre d’, and a whole range of different types of customer. Then it will be all change as the dandelions run out and the class could set about creating new menus using all of the vegetables they don’t like. Christopher has to be very patient while he waits for the dandelion to grow. When have you ever had to be patient? When reading the book with the children it is the perfect time to start thinking about Christopher’s character and what they think he should do at this point. Hot seating the poor guinea pig in his moment of decision would be ideal. You could use a conscience alley to explore for and against devouring the plant, and wider discussions with the children about truth and honesty will also present themselves.