The Cinnamon Bear is the classic story of Judy and Jimmy Barton who are searching for the family's silver star that goes on top of their Christmas tree. They go up to the attic, where they discover that the star has disappeared. There they meet Paddy O'Cinnamon (the cinnamon bear), and fly to Maybe Land in his soda pop airplane. They are in pursuit of the crazy quilt dragon, whom they believe took the star. They meet a host of characters, including the Wintergreen Witch, Fe Fo the Giant, and even Santa Claus.
This classic story was written by Glan Heisch, inspired by the stuffed bear of his boyhood, for Catherine, his daughter. Radio historians differ on the year of the first broadcast. Some say as late as 1943 , but others insist on the earlier date 1937. Airplay would start just after Thanksgiving and run until Christmas Eve. It used to air on the radio from November 29 until Christmas Eve.
I first found out about this from Homeschool Radio Shows. I've already listened to some of it and it's such a wonderful story. There are twenty six chapters in all, so I plan on starting this tonight, November 29, so we can listen to the last chapter on Christmas Eve. And each chapter is only approximately 11 minutes long, so not too short and not too long to loose a toddlers interest. Originally, they were 15 minutes, but that included adds for toys and stuff.
Paddy O'Cinnamon's introduction song to the children:
I'm the Cinnamon Bear with the Shoe-button eyes
And I'm looking for someone to take by surprise
I go growling and prowling each night after dark
But the folks say my growl's just a cinnamon bark
Though I growl grr-rah!
And I growl grr-rooh!
My victims only say
Oh, who's afraid of you?
I'm the cinnamon bear with the shoe button eyes
And I'm huffy and fluffy and tough for my size
I devour lots of honey and cinnamon buns
Just to make me ferocious but nobody runs
Now I'll growl grr-ah!
And I'll growl grr-ooh!
And if you'll act afraid
I'm much obliged to you
So begins this enchanting journey...............
Episode Synopsis
Audio
The Cinnamon Bear
Radio Lovers (episodes not in order)
Homeschool Radio Shows (free email subriscription, several chapters at a time.)
Cinnamon Bear Music & Songs (click on the text for the lyrics, right click on pics to hear/save the music)
Amazing Grace Radio Archives (this one isn't free, but they have a ton of old vintage radio shows on disc.)
Free Coloring Books
Free coloring book #1 (pdf file)
Free coloring book #2 (pdf file)
Free coloring book #3 (pdf file)
Here is a fun activity that I found at Teachers.Net.
Scratch & Sniff Cinnamon Bear
coloring sheet with poem (pdf file)
powdered cinnamon (or bark and a small grater to make your own)
glue
Let the children have fun coloring their bear. Then spread glue on the forehead (or anywhere else you'd like) and sprinkle on the cinnamon. Wait until it's dry to scratch and sniff. You can make cinnamon toast as part of the activity too!
We made this last night and now our kitchen smells all Christmasy.
More about the cinnamon bear at First Generation Radio Archives.
Even Wikipedia has a blurb about The Cinnamon Bear!
