Picture Book Month: Thank You Bear

Thank You Bear

Written and Illustrated by Greg Foley

Published by Viking, 2007

This is such a sweetie, sweet book of friendship. The illustrations couldn't be any sweeter. It is the story of a bear who finds the greatest thing ever to give to his friend, mouse. 

To tie in a project with your kiddos, have them paint up a perfectly perfect box just for fun 9or to gift). 

Materials:

*empty box or carton

*paint

*paintbrushes and/or markers

*glue and gluey bits

*tiny toy (optional)

Juice boxes work great for this. To make it a home for a tiny toy, cut out the front or back of the box with a kinfe/blade. This is NOT something for your kiddo to do. YOU can prep the box by cutting first.

Set up craft area with a splat mat or table cover and hand your kiddos a large(ish0 paintbrush and some white paint.

Paint up boxes and set aside to dry. The white paint will prime your box so your kiddos will have a blank canvas.

Once dry, hand your kiddos smaller paint brushes, markers and or collage bits and glue and let them go to town.

November is Picture Book month, check out the blog here.

Picture Book Month: Moosetache

Moosetache

Written by Margie Palatini

Illustrated by Henry Cole

Published by Hyperion, 1999

Published more than ten years ago, Moostache was way ahead  of the current mustache trend. It is utterly ridiculous and completely amusing to young children. If you can, try for the other two books in the series; Mooskitos and Mooseltoe.

For a fun project, have your kiddos create their own silly mustaches from construction paper. Affix to face with a dab of flour and water or a store bought glue dot and make sure to take oodles of pictures. Or, pull out the felt, popsicle sticks, or pencils and whip up a 'stache or two a la scrumdilly-do!

Picture Book Month: The Genie in the Jar

The Genie in the Jar

Written by Nikki Giovanni

Illustrated by Chris Raschka

Published by Henry Holt and Co., 1998

This title for me is full of freedom and movement, whimsy and song. The title may be a little misleading but don't let that keep you from reading this aloud to your child. A lyrical poem that can be interpreted in a number of ways especially with Raschka's sweet illustrations, The Genie in the Jar is a celebration of family, love and community. To accompany a reading, I would ask the children to draw a picture of themselves as if they were a part of the story, using crayon and watercolor on a brown paper bag.

Don't forget, November is Picture book Month. check out the blog here.

Picture Book Month: The Little French Whistle

The Little French Whistle

Written by Carole Lexa Schaefer

Illustrated by Emilie Chollat

Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2002

This is a story of a boy and his french whistle. Louie plays too loud and without a care for others and will not share with his cousin. What will the fate of the whistle be?

You can make your own candy box whistle to play just as loud as Louie does. All you really need is a small, flattish candy or gum box. This chiclet box is perfect...oh and small raisin boxes work perfectly.

All you have to do is enjoy your sweets. Once empty, flip top flaps open and over outside edges of box. Place mouth over opening and....B L O W ! ! !

What do you hear? Is it loud? Is it funny? You can try painting your box and letting it dry thoroughly before playing, or draw on a small piece of paper trimmed to fit around your box, wrap and attach with glue stick or double stick tape. Have fun!

Picture Book Month: new socks

New Socks

Written and Illustrated by Bob Shea

Published by Little Brown, 2007

If I had a nickel for every time I was interrupted during storytime so a kiddo could tell me that he or she got something new (I got new shoes!) I could be a slightly not-so-broke blogger.  new socks not only embraces the new appeal, it celebrates it! The illustrations are bold and simple and the read aloud effect has kiddo appeal. I adore new socks.

To go along with the book, have your kiddo create their own happy, chickie with new socks!

Materials

*white paper

*white crayon

*watercolor

*paintbrush and water

*construction paper

*glue stick

*scissors

Prep white paper by having your kiddo draw a series of squiggles lines or loops in white crayon over the bottom half. See cover of book as a guide.

Paint over white lines with chosen color of watercolor paint and set aside to dry.

Cut out chickie shape from construction paper. Any color would be great. Glue to the painted paper once that paper is dry and have kiddo draw features of their choice with a black marker onto their chickie (aka jelly-bean) shape.

Cut out sock shapes from white paper and have your kiddo paint, color, collage however they choose to make the most fantastic pair of socks ever! 

Once dry, use a glue stick to assemble and stick all the pieces onto their "cover page" and viola! They too now have new socks!

Picture Book Month: Bing Make Music

Bing: Make Music

Written & Illustrated by Ted Dewan

Published by David Fickling books

I discovered the Bing books back when I was teaching a toddler art class. Myself, I was fond of the colors and illustrations of the single Bing book I had. Once I read it to my toddler group I recognized that Bing was a bunny totally worth reckoning with. I picked up all but one Bing title from new and used sellers on Amazon and haven't looked back. Kiddos LOVE Bing and I do as well. My favorite thing about Make Music is that Bing and Flop make music much like our kiddos do, using everyday objects such as keys and such. To accompany this book, why not have your tots make their very own rice shaker?

Materials

*uncooked lentils

*small beads and bobbs

*empty plastic water bottle

*glue or packing tape

This goes without saying that you know your kiddo better than anyone else. If your child is in danger of choking on any of the above materials, please take precautions and adapt as you will. We recently did this activity with our toddler class without a hitch. Instead of rice, we used popcorn kernels and pumpkin seeds. The beads added a pop of color. I have also done this with Plastic Easter eggs or sturdy paper plates.

Set out empty bottle, sans lid and have your kiddo fill (about one-quarter is good) with beads, buttons, bobbs, and rice.

Screw lid back on and affix with glue and/or tape. Once dry, hand over to kiddo and make some music! Don't have beads and bits? Hand your kiddo a wooden spoon and an empty box and enjoy!

Don't forget, November is Picture book Month. check out the blog here. 

Picture Book Month: The Lion and the Little Red Bird

The Lion and the Little Red Bird

Written and Illustrated by Elisa Kleven

Published by Puffin, 1996

Painting with homemade paints would be a fun project to go along with this book. Check out Elisa Kleven's website for project ideas and questions.

Don't forget, November is Picture book Month. Check out the blog here.

Picture Book Month: Bling Blang

Bling Blang

Written by Woody Guthrie

Illustrated by Vladimir Radunsky

Published by Candlewick, 2000

I love Woody Guthrie and I love Vladimnir Radunsky. The two paired together make a perfect cup of tea. If you can, make sure to have your kiddo give a listen to one of Woody's recordings of Bling Blang. It is folk music at its best. If you find you like this one, please check out Howdi Do as well!

Materials

*popsicle/craft sticks

*cardboard

*glue

*paint and/or markers

There are numerous ways for kiddos to create houses. If I had a group of kiddos with me after i read this book, I would let them choose their own materials. But, since I don't, here is my wee suggestion and project.

Set out cardboard and paint. Paper is fine if that is all you have. Ask your kiddos if their house is going to be in the city or the country or perhaps outer space? Once they decide, have them paint up their background and set aside to dry.

Once dry, bring out the craft sticks and have your kiddos "build" their house using the glue to stitck their sticks to their background.

They can use paint and or markers to color their house. Play Bling Blang while they work. once they have finished, ask them about their house and write down or record what they say, it will make a wonderful story!

Don't forget, November is Picture book Month. check out the blog here.

Picture Book Month: The Adventures of a Nose

 

The Adventures of a Nose

Written by Viviane Schwarz

Illustrated by Joel Stewart

Published by Candlewick Press

The Adventures of a Nose is a picture book about a Nose looking for a place to fit in. The illustrations are BRILLIANT! I adore this title.

To go along with the fun and quirkiness of The Adventures of a Nose, I have a fun collage project you and your kiddos might enjoy.

Materials

*Magazines

*Scissors

*Paper or posterboard

*Glue Stick

*Markers, Paint or Crayons

Have your kiddo go through some kid friendly magazines in search of their very own nose. They may cut out their nose with a pair of scissors.

Taking a cue from the book, have your kiddo collage, draw or paint a background for their nose. Keep in mind the goal is to create a face from an everyday scene. 

Once they have their background ready, paste the nose into place and add legs. Ta-da! Or, as an alternative, they can create a paper doll of their nose and take it on its very own adventure via a walk outside or through another magazine. If you do this, I would LOVE to see your Nose! Enjoy! 

I didn't have time to create my own collage for you but I do hope you'll keep reading, more fun to come! 

November is Picture Book Month, check out the blog!

guest blogging: The Crafty Crow

Howdy friends! This month over at The Crafty Crow, Cassi has put together a lovely series called A Book and a Craft. Being that this is right up my alley, I was delighted to be a contributor. Hop on over to check out my project based on a delightful book titled Willow's Whispers.