Here's a cutie of a book: The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt. The crayons are tired and upset and just can't take it anymore.... so they each pen a letter to their owner to explain their point of view. Creative, funny, a fabulous example of writing with "voice", this book will tickle your funny bone and motivate you to consider what your belongings would say to you....
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to your drinking straws.
to your broken printer.
to your last box of toothpicks.
to the Lego bricks in your house. Make magazine not only shows the reader how to make certain items - it inspires them to creative new items of their own. It's been great fun to watch our son imagine the possibilities. What would your young creative genius build?
These Antoinette Portis are a cute read and have inspired many a teacher to incorporate literature, art, drama, and even music within their children's programs. These books ask the reader to imagine how a simple object (such as a cardboard box or a twig) can be transformed through their imagination.
For example.. a stick is transformed into a fishing pole!
Or.. the weights to be lifted in the competition for a gold medal! After reading the book, children can then try their own hand at 'transforming' the simple to the sublime. Here's a few examples of taking these story one step further...
Thank you to Melody who passed on this book title to my family: 
Generations of children have been throwing a sheet over the dining room table to create a magical club house. This book shows all the variations of that theme while also offering a few new ideas. This book inspired a frenzy of fort building at our place - perfect for the span of nice weather we enjoyed in early March. First came the "lean-to shelter". Made from cuttings off the apple tree, it was covered with a blanket to create a shady spot for an afternoon snack. Next came a "simple remodel" of a large cardboard box and (with additional resources) an "advanced remodel". Scissor work completed by children. X-acto knife commandeered by Mom. Then came the "cover the play structure with all the
blankets and sheets we can find" fort. This seemed to be a big hit because it held the most friends and provided privacy from adults. When I did peek inside, I found the kids sitting inside talking about what to do next. The consensus: the construction phase of a project is the most fun. |
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