‘Abiyoyo’ shows children how they can defeat the giants in their own lives

Based on a South African folk tale, Abiyoyo is a giant who eats everything in sight— cows, goats and even children! This one-man storytelling experience encourages audience members to face the monsters in their own lives with honesty, courage and resolve. 

The tale has appeared in various forms over time; legendary American folksinger Pete Seeger adapted the story in 1986 for an English-language children’s picture book, illustrated by Michael Hays and published by Simon & Schuster. Seeger’s version in turn inspired a Once Upon a Symphony production, with music performed by members of the CSO and with sets, costumes and images created by Chicago Children’s Theatre. It will be performed three Saturdays this spring, April 5, April 19 and May 10.

A boy and his father save the town that ostracized them from a hungry giant. In this town, the boy loves to walk around while playing the ukulele. The townspeople get tired of the clink, clunk, clonk and beg him to stop while covering their ears. The boy’s father has a magic wand he uses to make things disappear, like a playing card or a glass of water — or a chair just as someone’s about to sit.

The townspeople have had quite enough of the boy’s noise and the father’s tricks, and drive them from the town. But then the giant called Abiyoyo comes to town and starts gobbling up everything in sight. If they work together, can the magician and his son make this very big problem disappear?

For the PBS series “Reading Rainbow,” Pete Seeger joined host LeVar Burton to read and sing the classic African folk tale Abiyoyo. In this “Reading Rainbow” segment from 1986, Seeger sings and tells us the story of a fearsome giant named Abiyoyo. Watch as a father and son use music and magic to battle a mighty monster. Seeger’s heartwarming voice, accompanied by his banjo, brings the characters and story to life.  A staple in classrooms for many years, Abiyoyo is perfect for sing-alongs, storytime and bedtime.