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Regular trips to the Glen
Rock Library's story-time serve as one of our family's favorite
pastimes. Each visit introduces us to new books and stories, and
after the librarian reads, she nearly always leads us in a craft
project. Such a follow-up activity not only increases children's
understanding of the text, but often prompts children to continue to
include the story as part of their conversations and imaginative
play. It is a wonderful way to instill a passion for reading.
I enjoy connecting stories and crafts at home, both with my own children
and those who attend my classes and camps. A perennial favorite,
Jan Brett's Gingerbread Baby, inspires young imaginations each time we
read it. In the story, a crowd of villagers chases a gleeful
Gingerbread Baby through the countryside. By the end of the story,
my students chant along with the lead character: "I am the
Gingerbread Baby, fresh from the pan, if you want me, catch me if you
can!" The twist at the end surprises even the Gingerbread
Baby.
After I share this story with the children (ages 4 to 11), I supply foam
sheets and templates or cookie cutters. The students trace
gingerbread shapes (males, females, babies) onto the foam and cut them
out. Each child's unique personality comes out as they decorate
the shapes with round moveable eyes, but it is helpful to have a
low-temperature glue gun handy. One student made a karate
Gingerbread Boy! To complete the project, provide your child with an
assortment of fabric puff paints - use them as the "icing" for
the gingerbread person and allow 24 hours for projects to dry.
Once it is dry, you can affix a magnet or ribbon on the back so that it
can be hung on the wall or used as a Christmas tree ornament.
For more ideas related to Gingerbread
Baby and other Jan Brett books, check out the Jan Brett website at www.janbrett.com
For information on arts and crafts classes, contact Robin Kroll, owner
of Creative Crafts of Glen Rock, at 201 652-0882.
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