Wisdom from a Cow: Courage, Acceptance, and Diversity

This is the way it had always been.  There were two kinds of cows and one really lush pasture. Every year, the cows had a wrestling match to see who would control the pasture.  The problem?  The cows who grazed on the really lush pasture grew larger and stronger than the other kind.  So one kind always won.  Until Clancy came along.

How can one little cow change the way of the world?  He didn't set out to be a hero.  He wanted to be like everyone else. However, he looked different than the other cows of his kind.  They teased him. He didn't like it. He tried to make himself look like the others.  It didn't work. But sometimes, different is good.

Because he looked different, Clancy could graze on the really lush pasture without being noticed.  He grew big and strong like the other kind of cows that grazed there regularly. Now instead of being teased, Clancy was promoted to lead wrestler for the contest!  And, he won!  His kind could take over the really lush pasture for the first time ever!  Hooray!  Or.... not?

It turns out Clancy wasn't just different on the outside.  He had new ideas on the inside. He didn't want to go back to the way things were.  He bravely yelled, "STOP!" and changed his world.  His new popularity and life experience gave him courage.  And the others listened.  It took a little while, but soon both cows were grazing peaceably together.

Hmm... does this story remind you of another told in late January every year?  I find Lachie Hume's, "Clancy the Courageous Cow" to be such a wonderful story for young people learning about Martin Luther King Jr. Even better, the author was 12 when he wrote it! What an inspiration!

Of course, I had to make some cow finger puppets to go with it.

Unfortunately, the book is out of print. I picked up an ex-library copy from Half.com, though it pains me to think a library wouldn't want to keep this fabulous story on its shelves.  I know my copy is a keeper.

P.S. The author's note on the title page explains that he got a 9/10 on the project from his teacher. He thinks it was because Clancy is technically a bull, not a cow.  I think there's another lesson right there.  ;)

Aaaarrgghh! Spider!

Going to add Aaaarrgghh!  Spider!, by Lydia Monks,  to the spider puppets page but am drawing it to your  attention here first.  What a fun story!  A spider wants to become a family pet but despite her best attempts to show them how cool she is, it is soon apparent that no one in the family appreciates her.  So, the spider finally stays outside.  And that's when she captivates them! Her beautiful webs make everyone think twice about her!  You will think twice, two, because the page is sparkly with silver glitter webs... I am a sucker for touchy-feely books!  The display leads the family to decide she'd make a great pet afterall... until one day when she invites in some of her friends.... Aaaarrgghh, Spider!

Just maybe though, this story is especially dear to my heart because it reminds me of something similar!  When we were in the process of moving to Virginia, a certain little boy fell in love with "crack spider"... a little spider that lived in the crack in the carpet by the wall edge.  Dear boy did not want to move because he was afraid for crack spider and what might become of him.  Luckily for me, crack spider disappeared before we had to capture him and take him with us. :)

When a Dragon Moves In

Nothing quite warms up a wintery bedtime than a beach story!  Gonna add When a Dragon Moves In, by Jodi Moore and Howard McWilliam, to the dragon puppet page but am putting it here first.

This is a cute story about fun times at a beach, written in a lively "If you give a mouse a cookie" style.  The usual topics are delightfully illustrated to spur on your own beach memories, such as building a castle, looking at tracks, swimming, eating, throwing sand, kite flying, book reading, and sibling rivalry. The fun is the dragon part and all the happy and detailed illustrations...The dragon is in all the scenes playing with the boy and defending him, but  is it real (yes! according to my younger son) or just his perspective (yes! according to my older son)?  No matter which way you decide, the fun is thinking about the power of imagination in the middle of happy, sandy memories. A perfect bedtime choice!

Spotty Silly Spring Smiley Slimey Snails

These little cuties deliver a lot of cuteness and charm from a simple and easy design. Only three pieces mean you can whip out a class size group of these in no time.  With the range of printed felt out there, you can make quite a statement in shell design!  

Have your kids add a bow, bonnet, or bling for a fancier design, perhaps to go with Ordinary Oscar, an entertaining snail story by Laura Adkins and Sam Hearn.  Oscar Slimeglider is tired of being like all the other snails: dull, drab, and BORING!  On his quest to go beyond the ordinary, he learns that there are good reasons for snails to look ordinary on the outside... but that doesn't mean he can't be EXTRAordinary on the inside...

Our family snail story favorite, with artwork sure to appeal to Olive the Other Reindeer fans, is Gluey, a Small Snail Tale, by Vivan Walsh and J. Otto Seibold. This is one of those feel-good stories that sticks with you long after you read it, one that you can use to start many different "character" conversations with kids.  Celerina, a rabbit, moves into a house that is already occupied, but she doesn't realize it. Gluey the snail lives there, and keeps the place in shape like all good carpenter snails do. When things she breaks start to "fix themselves", she starts to think her house is magic... She doesn't realize it is Gluey, who is so small and has such a small voice she doesn't even hear him.  You are sure to enjoy this wonderful tale of mistaking someone's character, making a mess, then making it right again...

Free Snail Felt Finger Puppet Pattern

Ghost Stories

When my kids were little, I struggled a bit with the whole idea of introducing them to "ghosts" but was quickly reminded that they saw them as just another character in their list of learning, like a cartoon. There are so many cute ghost crafts for toddlers, I didn't want to miss out!  My boys also had (have!) a particular fondness for walking around with sleeping bags or blankets over their heads (ouch!).

Lynda Graham-Barber's, SAY BOO! was our family's introduction to the concept of ghosts.  It is a darling story about a little ghost having trouble pronouncing BOO! You can use the story literally, to show how one letter changes the word (rhyming moo, boo, whoo, etc.) but also to discuss feelings as little boo gets frustrated by not being able to make the right sound.  Barbara Lehman's illustrations are colorful and have just the right detail to capture the concepts.

If you haven't read David LaRochelle's, The Haunted Hamburger and other Ghostly Stories, you must put it on your (kids) Halloween reading list this year.  Paul Meisel's illustrations are expressive and detailed, highlighting all the emotion in the stories as well as the concepts.  While trying to get his kids to bed, father ghost spins three tall tales to entertain them.  These three tales are scary for the ghosts (being turned into a diaper, being tricked by a hamburger, and kissed by a granny), but will leave kids laughing. You'll surely catch kids of many ages reading this creative story again on their own.

Does your family love pie?  The Perfect Pumpkin Pie, by Denys Cazet, is a tasty pie ghost story, although a slight step up on the spooky scale than the two stories above.  The spooky part is that Mr. Wilkerson actually dies, is buried and turns into a ghost (in the first pages).  If your kids can get past that (we looked at each other with wrinkled eyebrows), they'll be hooked on the rest.  The granny and boy face the ghost without fear (all he wants is pie).  The prose is clever, fun to read aloud and easy to add character voices...  Pumpkins, pumpkins,/pumpkin pie!/I must have one/before I die./It must be round/and brown as toast,/or I'll haunt this house/a hungry ghost!  The wonderfully detailed illustrations are reminiscent of David Catrow, and really add to the tale.  So much to look for on each page!

I searched a little on Amazon to get a few more ideas together:

The adorable illustrations in Kristen Depken's One, Two Boo!  caught my attention right away.  This lift the flap book would have been on my interest list when my boys were toddlers.

This one got me right from the title, ghosts aren't supposed to be timid! Ten Timid Ghosts, by Jennifer O'Connell, is a count down book that would surely appeal to the preschool/kinder audience interested that may feel timid about ghosts themselves!  The plot involves a witch employing a clever scheme to scare away the ghosts, and builds in math concepts (counting, subtraction).

Ghosts in the House, by Kazuno Kohara will leave you in great "spirits" at how resourceful the clever heroine is... Got ghosts? Just put them in the laundry and turn them into something else!  Eyecatching drawings and a perfect blend of sweet and spooky for Halloween storytimes.

Pirate Finger Puppets

 

 

Yo ho ho! Look who arrived just in time for Talk Like a Pirate Day (Sept. 19th, 2012).

 

 

 

I was thinking I'd have it easy this year, just making puppets for one class (2nd grade).  But my 5th grader wanted them, too!  And they are already asking what is next...

 

 

 

Meanwhile, these hearties were well received by my son's second grade teacher...  I just love it when they get put to classroom use!

 

 

I've already covered our favorite pirate books in another post but we just discovered Melinda Long's sequel, "Pirates Don't Change Diapers."  David Shannon's entertaining drawings make this a must check out from your local library!

 

 

And also look for I Love My Pirate Papa, by Laura Leuck.  Kyle Stone's illustration are cute cute CUTE!  You don't have to be a pirate fanatic to fall in love with this book.. father and son lead us through plenty a pirate escapade aboard their ship to keep us entertained, laughing, and loving.  Watch for the little mice who help with the action!

 

 

Ribbon Rainbow Cloud

Cheerful ribbon rainbows dangled from the lamp over our kitchen table for St. Patrick's Day (and I'm posting this in May?).  It would make a colorful add-in to a teacher appreciation basket or an easy summer sewing craft for kids.

Yay for oodles of colorful 1/4" ribbon, each just 50 cents! Sparkly glitter felt, a little tacky glue, and some silver thread is all the materials you need.  Make your own cloud or use the template below.

Stories to go with these... do you have any favorite rainbow stories?  When my kids were little.,they had two favorites.  What makes a rainbow, by Betty Ann Schwartz was super fun pre-k sturdy book because it has real ribbon inside.  Colors are added to the rainbow as you turn the page. Each page features the color that is added with other things the same color with a full rainbow at the very end.  I'm pretty sure it was the ribbon that my kids liked... the text is so-so.

A Rainbow of My Own, by Don Freeman, was a favorite bedtime story or one to read right after the rainbow disappeared. What would you do if you had your own rainbow to play with?  Dreamy illustrations invite you to keep on imagining... 

 I haven't tried Krupp's, The Rainbow and You, and it is out of print but it sure looks like a good one to answer questions about how rainbows work, their meaning in ancient culture, and even how to make one at home. Keep an eye out for this one at thrift stores!

The Rainbow Goblins, by Ul De Rico got high reviews on Amazon. A story about good triumphing over evil and the golden rule sounds like one right up my alley... Darn, library doesn't have this either!

Ribbon Rainbow Cloud Pattern

Hippopotamus Felt Finger Puppet

Hippo, hippo, hooray!  Don't forget to add a tail to this guy!  A short little swishy one!

If you need a story to go along with these cuties, you MUST try Chubbo's Pool, by Betsy Lewin (yes! the famous illustrator of Click Clack Moo!).   This is a delightful tale of overcoming selfishness in a beautifully wild African setting. "GET OUT OF MY POOL," roars hippo, as he chases all the other animals out of his pool.  After all his water is gone he realizes he is lonely. He finds the other animals in a different pool, but knows he has been mean to them and so doesn't ask to join in.  Surprise!  The other animals come to join him anyway, bring water by the trunkful to fill up his old pool. Beautiful illustrations, beautiful message. I love the picture of him in the water where all you can see is his little ears/eyes poking out... The one thing I change when reading this is the name... I change Chubbo to hippo, because I'm more comfortable with that.

Owen and Mzee, The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship, by Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff, Paula Kahumbu, and Peter Greste,  chronicles the story of a baby hippo stranded by the Dec. 2004 tsunami and his "adoption" by a real tortoise friend who happens to be 130 years old. This heart warming tale of friendship where you least expect it, and when you need it most, is most certainly a family bookshelf treasure.

Hippo goes Bananas, by Marjorie Dennis Murray, is a telephone game story with lively illustrations by Kevin O'Malley.  Hippo has a tooth ache!  As the story spreads through all the Serengeti animals, it grows and grows.  A fun read!

Hot Hippo, by Mwenye Hadithi and Adrienne Kennaway is a delightful selection from the African Animal Tales series.  How can a hippo find relief from the heat?  He seeks Ngai, who offers him cool rivers and streams as long as he promises never to eat a fish.

Ah, Sandra Boynton.  I've loved her art since I was a girl.  Just try not to smile as you read through this happy hippo counting book with your preschooler. Her illustrations are simply (pun intended) amazing!

Hippo Felt Finger Puppet Pattern

A Tree is Nice, A Forest is Sublime!

Tree puppets for Earth Day (especially using recycled fiber felts), and Arbor Day, too!

Do you have a favorite tree story? 

Our Tree Named Steve, by Alan Zweibel and David Catrow, is my all time favorite tree book.  The story is delivered as a letter tenderly written to kids from their Dad.  A favorite tree in their yard named Steve, because the youngest in the family couldn't pronounce "tree" when they first met him, has fallen over, and Dad wants them to know before they come home. The sweetly nostalgic memories of the children growing up with Steve (the tree) overhead are kept light by the exuberant Catrow illustrations.  You just have to laugh, even as tears may be in your eyes, as Steve's legacy captivates and motivates you to read this tribute again and again.  This comforting story is truly about friendship, love, and family.  My kids, now 7 and 10, still love this story...

We received a copy of A Tree is Nice, by Janice Udry and Marc Simont from a dear friend and adored it at once.  This book is a non-fiction early reader with rich, colorful illustrations.  How telling it is that the child's perspective of why trees are nice is timeless!  Ours is inscribed to Karen, apparently a Christmas gift from Ellen and Jim in 1957.  My favorite part is the ending that encourages everyone to go plant a tree for themselves.  Hooray for trees!  Hooray for the spirit of passing good things on!

I just put The Tree by Karen Ruelle and Deborah Desaix on hold at our library.  It looks like a good one, going through history that took place during a famous tree's life (New York City's oldest Elm). I'll be back with a review soon!

Tree Felt Finger Puppet Pattern

Ninja Books: Setting the Mood for a Ninja Party!

Gearing up for Christmas, and a certain kiddo's seventh birthday just around the corner.  Our library had a selection of only five Ninja books, but the ones they had are great!  Do you have any favorites? I'm going to check on the non-fiction selections next week...

Also, I'm collecting NINJA party ideas on pinterest... link here!

Start with Ninja, Cowboy, Bear (Bruins and Leung) and learn about Ninja strengths through comparison to others.  Wonderful storyline that shows how three friends had trouble getting along but worked it out (for siblings, too!).  Has a fun "game" at the end akin to rock/paper/scissors that you do with your whole body... maybe I'll have to capitalize on this active game at the party.  We'll be reading this one again! The story appears to be one in a series of three. Sure wish our library had more!

Not really a Ninja story, but still fun to read and with cute illustrations, The Boy Who Cried Ninja, by Alex Latimer is pure imagination!  Mysterious creatures show up and wreak havoc, but who would believe in those creatures... unless you invite them to a party!  The nonsense appeals to my sleepy, exhausted boys at bed time. They can relate to the boys' relationship with his parents, ie. they won't quite believe him and he keeps having to rake leaves!  :)

Wink, the Ninja Who Wanted to be Noticed, by J.C. Phillips is a darling tale that inspires individualism. Sure SILENCE and stealth are the weapons of the ninja, but Wink just wanted to be noticed!  Is there anyway the two can meet?  At the circus!  Even the master acknowledges the great fit.

In Wink, the Ninja Who Wanted to Take a Nap, by J.C. Phillips, the famous Ninja is tired after performing as the star in the Lucky Dragon Circus.  He can't escape his fans though, who keep him awake!  His master gives him wisdom, but he doesn't understand it... then he sees it, and finally figures out a way to get his rest.

Ah, Mary Pope Osborne!  Magic Tree House stories are a perennial favorite, and here is one (Night of the Ninjas) perfectly suited to our quest of learning about Ninjas...

Monster Bookmark Paper Craft

I came across these adorable corner bookmarks on pinterest and knew they would be perfect for the first grade gift exchange.  We needed something inexpensive and homemade, by a six year old.  In the end, we had to make one for the whole family, too!

You'll find the full tutorial and tempate on I Could Make That. Too much fun to pass by!

Pirate Felt Finger Puppets: Talk Like a Pirate Craft

Yo ho!  Talk like a pirate day anyone?  These cute little pirates make great reading buddies!  Put them on a pencil or your finger and they are all set for a good story!

There are a lot of pieces for these guys so you may need an early start or a long road trip to get a good batch of these.  A package of small gold rings from the jewelry supply section of your craft store make a great addition.  Add plastic tooth pick swords for a fun an original party favor!

How-to tip: cut the slit to make legs after puppet is sewn together-- more forgiving when lining the pieces up.

For a sweet treet to go along with these, check out Simple Girl's Pirate Pops!  Just darling, and edible, too!

Pirate Finger Puppet Pattern

Need a pirate story to go with it? After Kim Kennedy's pirate series, don't forget George Ella Lyon's, The Pirate of Kindergarten for a non-traditional pirate story... a girl doesn't know she has double vision until she goes through screening at school. She wears a patch for awhile for sight therapy.  All kids should have a chance to hear this story!  Generate empathy for others and appreciation for the gift of sight!

Then there's Gingerbread Pirates, by Kristin Kladstrup and Matt Tavares.  What creativity!  When the child goes to sleep at night, the pirate cookies come alive.  Watch out for Santa!  I won't tell you any more so the end will remain a surprise for you... just know that it does have a happy ending.  :)

Last but NOT least, the boys in my house highly recommend Melinda Long and David Shannon's How I Became a Pirate.  The story covers pirate shenanigans in a friendly and imaginative way, as they capture a soccer player and adopt him as crew.  Do pirates brush their teeth? Do they eat vegetables?  What about pajamas?  These and many other questions are tackled in fun to read prose, perfect for inspiring sweet pirate dreams.  Shannon's illustrations make this a must read many times story, for there is always something more to behold in the details!