Free Story Hour

Stories for children of all ages — traditional Japanese paper theater and original 21st century tales

About this Event

Professional storytellers entertain children of all ages with traditional Japanese paper theater and original 21st-century tales

Artist/educator Elizabeth Unpingco, of Dream Egg Productions, presents The Legend of Guali' ik (lizard boy), A Chamorro Tale of Compassion. This Kamishibai (紙芝居) "paper theater" is a form of Japanese street theater and storytelling that was popular during the Great Depression of the 1930s and the postwar period in Japan until the advent of television. Elizabeth has an M.Ed. in integrated teaching through the arts and is a credentialed teaching artist with the Alum Rock Union School district.

Tandem Storytellers Tom and Sandy Farley, of Spontaneous Combustion, share wisdom tales written by retired neurobiologist Eric Sabelman. The Farleys, based in Redwood City and performing since 1979, share traditional and contemporary stories at schools, libraries, hospitals, and summer camps, with themes that include conflict resolution, youth empowerment, cultural diversity, disabilities, wisdom. Their two CDs of stories: and .

Where: San Jose Friends’ historic 1885 Quaker meeting house, 1041 Morse St, San Jose, CA 95126

When: starts at noon on Sunday, August 24, 2025 and lasts for an hour or more

Note: Children under 14 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. This is a free event.

Email: [email protected]

This event is hosted by San Jose Friends Meeting (Quakers) and open to the public.

All are welcome.

Attend any or all of the day’s activities.

10:00 am: Traditional “silent” Quaker worship, all are welcome to attend. How we worship. Hybrid format; to worship online, register here.

11:30 am: Potluck meal, all are welcome, just bring a dish to share.

Noon: STORYTIME

Details: Visit sanjosefriends.org. This story hour is just one of our monthly events celebrating our historic building’ 140th anniversary year. History timeline here. Our schedule of monthly activities through April 2026 is here: tinyurl.com/140th. To support our wheelchair accessibility renovations, donate here.

Liz Unpingo with her Kamishibai paper theater

Tom & Sandy Farley - Tandem Storytellers

Host or Publisher San Jose Friends Meeting (Quakers)