5
Dec
How to Make an Autumn Leaf Crown
Ahhh autumn. It’s the time of the year when the world is ablaze in rich colors of crimsons, golds, bronze, and brown. The trees in our neck of the wood turned late this year starting in October and continuing well into the end of November. After posting this picture of Lorelei wearing a leaf crown […]
3
Jun
The Summer Nick Taught His Cats to Read + Reading Buddy
Summer is almost here, which means it’s that age-old time when kids flood the library in search of books to read or have read to them. Books for outside picnics, books for vacations, books for summer day dreams, and books for hot starry nights with a side of ice cream. The Summer Nick Taught His Cats […]
9
May
Swatch: The Girl Who Loved Color + Face Painting Fun
“In a place where colors ran wild, there lived a girl who was wilder still. Her name was Swatch, and she was a color tamer. She was small, but she was not afraid.” Open Swatch: The Girl Who Loved Color by Julia Denos (public library) and experience a stampede of color. Young Swatch is a collector. […]
14
Apr
Abracadabra, It’s Spring + Magic Wand Craft
Spring is a magical season– Every day reveals a new sight to be seen. Abracadabra, It’s Spring! by Anne Sibley O’Brien, illustrated by Susan Gal (public library) highlights these changes in a playful picture book about the exciting surprises of springtime. With rhyming text, each foldout page is a transition from winter to spring using popular […]
5
Feb
Chinese New Year Good Luck Decorations
It is almost the Lunar New Year, which means we have been busy making good luck decorations for our home to welcome the new year. One of the most popular Lunar New Year decorations is hanging good luck characters, nianhua, as well as spring couplets, chun lian, good wishes for the new year on doors […]
26
Jan
Last Stop on Market Street Bus Craft
I’m over at Library as Incubator Project celebrating the 2016 Newbery winner and Caldecott and Coretta Scott King honoree, Last Stop on Market Street (public library | local bookstore) by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson. Learn how to make this delightful 3-D bus craft just like the one CJ and Nana ride in the […]
21
Oct
Autumn Fairy Dust
This Autumn Fairy Dust activity is a unique, whimsical way to play outside and learn about the autumn season that calls on phenology, imagination, and a touch of magic. Ingredients Autumn leaves Dried flowers and spices (We used cloves, cider spices, roses, clover buds, and lavender) Flower seeds Small empty glass jars Edible glitter* Before […]
30
Sep
Painted Lanterns + Moonlight Lantern Walk
Lanterns have a way of making any evening magical. Inspired by the Super Blood Moon and Mid-Autumn Moon Festival this past Sunday, the kids painted paper lanterns and went on a moon walk in the evening hours. They enjoyed this art project so much that I thought it would be a good one to share […]
22
Dec
Colorful Acorn Caps (The Easiest Acorn Craft Ever)
Aren’t these stunning? I learned about this craft from a couple of my coworkers and had to share. The 4-year-old and I made these with the large stash of acorns we’ve been collecting over the fall season. She used them as a form of fairy currency for pretend play. We also turned them into necklaces, […]
20
Oct
No Such Thing
Halloween is my *favorite* holiday of the year, which means of all the holidays I have soft spot in my heart for Halloween picture books. This year, I fell hard for No Such Thing, by first time picture book author, Ella Bailey. As Halloween nears, young Georgia notices bizarre happenings around her house. A vase falls out […]
