HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTMAS CHILD Book Launch Party Craft: Make a Mouse!

Are you ready for the HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTMAS CHILD Virtual Book Launch Party? I am and so is my storytelling companion, Mouse. That’s why we’re reminding you to join us on Instagram Live on Thursday, December 1st at 7pm Eastern (that’s TOMORROW!) to celebrate the release of HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTMAS CHILD. 

Here’s the invitation:

And, now, as I promised, here is the craft!

Inspired by illustrator Gabi Murphy’s darling little mice, our party craft will be making your own mouse. These are some we made in Sunday School. Aren’t they darling? (I will introduce the craft at the party, and you can make it after the party.)

To make one, each child will need:

• One circle cut from gray construction paper
• Two circles cut from pink construction paper
• One circle cut from black construction paper
• Strips of black and gray construction paper for whiskers and tail
• OPTIONAL:  two googley eyes
• You will also need scissors and glue.

Here is the tutorial for the craft from The Little Crafties (and be sure to check out their YouTube channel for oodles of other great crafts:

As a closing reminder, this is the adorable craft that I’ll be presenting at the HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTMAS CHILD Book Launch Party which will take place LIVE on my Instagram Page on Thursday, December 1st at 7pm eastern.  Here’s the link to that page: https://www.instagram.com/laurasassitales/. Just show up!  It’s that easy. And if you follow me there, you’ll be sure to get all the updates for this and other bookish things.  

Hope to see you soon!

10 Book-Themed Crafts and Activities for LITTLE EWE

TEACHERS! CAREGIVERS! LIBRARIANS! I’ve rounded up TEN activities created just for LITTLE EWE: THE STORY OF ONE LOST SHEEP (Beaming Books) — perfect for spring or summer, or any time of year. Enjoy!

ONE: Make your own fluffy Little Ewe (great for preschool storytime) and then play hide and seek.

TWO: Do a book-themed Read, Discuss, DO. (or two!)

THREE: After reading the story, play a book-themed listening game over at Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog.

FOUR: Follow up a Little Ewe story time with a cute paper-plate sheep craft at Glitter on a Dime.

FIVE: Have your kids draw pictures of their favorite scenes/characters and then share on your socials using the hashtag #littleewe.

SIX: After reading the story, spark meaningful conversation using this teacher-created list of lessons to cherish from Little Ewe. 

SEVEN: Make a knitted Little Ewe craft (for shepherds to knit, although it is easy enough for older little lambs as well.)

EIGHT: Follow up Little Ewe story time by making an adorable little lamb resting box (for the little lamb you knitted above or the toy lamb of your choice) and playing a game found over at Celebrate Picture Books.

NINE: Share with little ones how figs made it into the book, then have a figgy snack using this behind-the-scenes post for inspiration.

TEN: Download the Little Ewe activity kit over at Beaming Books (includes craft ideas, reading ideas, coloring pages and a maze!).

Time for the BUNNY FINDS EASTER Bunny Hop: Stop One

One of the joys of having a new book out is getting to visit and celebrate with a virtual book tour!  And because this tour includes more than just blogs, I’ve decided to call it the BUNNY HOP!  Each week, we’ll be visiting somewhere fun but it will be a surprise! Don’t worry, I’ll let you know where to go as we hop along together. 

And where is Bunny, the sweet protagonist from BUNNY FINDS EASTER (Zonderkidz, February 1, 2022) hopping to today?  I’m so glad you asked. She’s over at picture book author Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog for Perfect Picture Book Friday! Thank you for having us, Susanna. The post includes a review, a craft (pictured) and a GIVEAWAY so hurry on over. Here’s the link: https://susannahill.com/2022/02/04/perfect-picture-book-friday-bunny-finds-easter-plus-a-giveaway/https://susannahill.com/2022/02/04/perfect-picture-book-friday-bunny-finds-easter-plus-a-giveaway/

Celebrate HUG A SHEEP Day with LITTLE EWE: Craft and Review!

This past Saturday, in celebration of Hug A Sheep Day which takes place on the last Saturday in October, Little Ewe was featured over at Kathy Carroll’s wonderful Celebrate Picture Books blog. Head over there to find her review with this adorable craft that is also a game. It’s a cozy resting box for Little Ewe! It’s the craft I’ve been using at book store and library events this fall and it’s a big hit. There’s also a giveaway for a free copy of the book which ends 11/4/21.  So grab your favorite cozy November hot beverage and head on over. I’ll make it easy for you.  Here’s the link to the review/craft and here’s the link to the giveaway.  And to make that cute little knitted lamb press here. Thank you for celebrating with Little Ewe!

TEN Book-Themed Activities for GOODNIGHT MANGER

TEACHERS! CAREGIVERS! I’ve rounded up TEN activities created just for GOODNIGHT, MANGER, perfect for introducing Christmas to your little ones. Enjoy!

ONE: After reading the story together, put Baby Jesus to sleep with a song using this as your guide: LULLABY TO JESUS: An Extension Activity for Goodnight Manger.

TWO: Do a book-themed Read, Discuss, DO! 

THREE: Inspired by Jane Chapman’s exquisite illustrations, let your little ones create their own own nativity figures out of egg cartons.  For instructions press here.

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FOUR:  Look for patterns in the illustrations throughout the book, then create your own patterned star ornaments using this activity as your guide: GOING ON A PATTERN HUNT (Plus a Craft!) An Extension Activity for Goodnight Manger.

FIVE: Extend the story with this free downloadable GOODNIGHT MANGER coloring page.

SIX: After reading GOODNIGHT, MANGER, take out your kid-friendly nativity set and retell the story using the pieces as explained in this wonderful activity from Sunny Day Family. 

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SEVEN: Make Wide Awake Baby Jesus ornaments inspired by the book, using this activity as your guide.

EIGHT: Create your own nativity scene inspired by the book using this free printable activity from Inspired Motherhood.

NINE: Foster good visual reading skills as you ponder the Christmas story using GOODNIGHT MANGER as the spark with this visual literacy activity.

TEN: Have your kids draw pictures of their favorite scenes/characters and then share on your socials using the hashtag #goodnightmanger and tag me!

10 Book-Themed Crafts and Activities for DIVA DELORES AND THE OPERA HOUSE MOUSE

TEACHERS! CAREGIVERS! LIBRARIANS! I’ve rounded up TEN activities created just for DIVA DELORES AND THE OPERA HOUSE, perfect for kicking off the new school year, which is just around the corner, or any time of year. Enjoy!

ONE: Make a pair of fancy glasses, then pretend you are at the opera while reading DIVA DELORES AND THE OPERA HOUSE MOUSE at Celebrate Picture Books. 

TWO: Do a book-themed Read, Discuss, DO! 

THREE: Discuss what it means to be a diva, then make a feathered fan like Delores uses in the book with this project created by Rebecca Gomez.

FOUR: Spark even more meaningful book-themed conversation using these seven teacher-approved discussion starters.

FIVE: Extend the story with a DIVA DELORES AND THE OPERA HOUSE MOUSE coloring page and writing prompt.

SIX: Read the story, then create your own Delores and Fernando puppets inspired by illustrator Rebecca Gerlings puppet activity.

SEVEN: Teach a lesson on RESPECT with Diva Delores and Fernando.

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EIGHT: Organize an eight-book opera-themed story time featuring Diva Delores plus seven other fabulous titles!

NINE: Create colorful tissue paper bouquets just like Delores longs for in the story.

TEN: Have your kids draw pictures of their favorite scenes/characters and then share on your socials using the hashtag #divadeloresandtheoperahousemouse.

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HAVE ANY MORE IDEAS? Let me know in the comments!

Free Printable LOVE IS KIND and EL AMOR ES BONDADOSO Matching Game!

Are you a parent, teacher, or librarian, looking for a fun way to extend bilingual story time using LOVE IS KIND and its adorable Spanish version EL AMOR ES BONDADOSO?  Then this easy craft/game is just for you!  It’s primary purpose is to be a matching game, but you can also use the cards as stand-ins for puppets so your little ones can retell the story in Spanish or English, or both, in their own sweet words.  

LOVE IS KIND and EL AMOR ES BONDADOSO Matching Game

MAKE:

1. Print out the English and Spanish versions of the cards.
2. Color in the picture squares.  Then cut out.
3. Glue the picture squares onto construction paper squares.

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PLAY: 

1. Place the cards face down. Take turns turning over two at a time.
2. Name the pictures in Spanish and English. If they are a match keep them. If not, place back face down.
3. Take turns until all the cards have been matched. Player with most cards wins.

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FREE PRINTABLE GAME CARDS:

love-is-kind-el-amor-es-bondadoso-matching-game-page-1Download

love-is-kind-el-amor-es-bondadoso-matching-game-page-2Download

10 Book-Themed Crafts and Activities for LOVE IS KIND

TEACHERS! CAREGVIVERS! I’ve rounded up 10 activities created just for LOVE IS KIND, perfect for summer reading, which is just around the corner, or any time of year. Enjoy!

ONE: Bake and decorate Little Owl cookies inspired by the book at Celebrate Picture Books.

TWO: Read the story then spread a little kindness by making book-inspired kindness pots.

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THREE: Use the book to teach a kid-min object lesson on the theme “kindness is a choice”. Then make a hanging owl craft with children’s author Denette Fretz.

FOUR: After reading the story with your family, do the heart banner kindness project at Glitter On A Dime.

FIVE: Make character-themed puppets inspired by LOVE IS KIND.

SIX: Make a LOVE IS KIND Jelly Bean Jar using this ReadDiscussDo! Activity in English or Spanish!

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SEVEN: Make and send heart-shaped notes using the heart coloring page in the activity kit as your template.

EIGHT: Make Little Owl masks! Template can again be found in the activity kit.

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NINE: Bake muffins with toppers created by illustrator Lison Chaperon!

TEN: Put on a LOVE IS KIND Valentine’s Day party (any time of year!

NEED EVEN MORE IDEAS? Then check out this post featuring SIX more!

LITTLE EWE: Time for a CUTE Craft and a Review

CUTE! Little Ewe is featured today over at Glitter on A Dime with a craft that little ones will love. Hint: Glue and cotton balls and paper plates are involved. Plus there’s a review. Here’s the link:

Paper Plate Sheep Craft and Little Ewe Book Review

PICTURE BOOK KNITTING CRAFT: A Little Ewe inspired by LITTLE EWE!

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Here’s a fun craft for the parent or grandparent (or aunt or uncle, or teacher or friend) of a LITTLE EWE fan. It would also make a fun do-together project as it requires just knitting without the purls! Thank you to my friend, and Cranford Yarnstormers founder, Teresa Murray, for creating this sweet little project in celebration of the release of my newest picture book LITTLE EWE (Beaming Books, 2021). LITTLE EWE is the story of a little lamb who wanders just a bit too far from her Shepherd and in the process discovers the comfort and joy of being found.

And here is the free printable:

little-ewe-knitting-pattern-5Download

Thank you, Teresa, for celebrating this release of the book with this adorable knitted sheep!

If you knit one, please take a picture of it paired with the book and tag me on your socials. Maybe, together, we will knit a whole flock!