The Creative Family

Do you like to play, create, sew, imagine, and explore with your children? Having a hard time coming up with just the right project or running out of ideas? Then it is time you checked out The Creative Family and two other inspiring books by Amanda Blake Soule. In her introduction Soule writes about how her need and desire to create was initially sparked when she became pregnant with her first child; how she feels more complete when her creativity is expressed; and most importantly how she has nurtured her children's growing, creative spirits. Soule's book of simple projects and activities is arranged in four parts; gathering, playing, living, and connecting. There are projects for felting, drawing, finger knitting, and weaving; recipes for natural glue, henna and earth dyes; patterns for bedtime bags, birthday banners, and wool blocks. One of my favorite ideas is creating a musical banging wall (outside, of course) made up of pots, pans, plastic bottles and other items found around the house. (see page 196) Soule's writing has inspired and enriched my life. May it do the same for you. Her other books are Handmade Home: simple ways to repurpose old materials into new family treasures and The Rhythm of the Family: discovering a sense of wonder through the seasons.

Miss Julie

Keiko Kasza -- Picture Book Author & Illustrator Extraordinaire

Isn't it wonderful to come across an author-illustrator that is able to combine entertaining storytelling with appealing illustrations that young children just love? Keiko Kasza does both combining funny stories that contain messages about sharing, self-esteem and friendship, with watercolor illustrations of adorable, expressive animal characters. Here are a few of my personal favorites.

In her story, The Rat and the Tiger, children learn about the importance of sharing and taking turns. Tiger is not very good at either and almost loses his best friend when he starts bossing Rat around, doesn't equally share at snack time and karate chops the block castle Rat spent a long time making. Children will automatically sympathize with Rat as he struggles through hurt feelings and anger towards Tiger. It all works out in the end as Tiger goes about proving that he can be a good friend after all.

Another fun story, especially if you have a young worrywart in the family is, Ready for Anything! Duck is all ready to go on a picnic until his good friend Raccoon starts to imagine all the bad things that could go wrong. After all, "what if" they were chased by killer bees, or got stuck in a terrible rain storm, or met up with a scary dragon? Luckily, Duck has a much more optimistic outlook and is able to reassure Raccoon about all the good things that might happen instead.

 And finally, one of my favorites provides a twist to the classic bad wolf image found in a lot of children's tales. In, The Wolf's Chicken Stew, the ever hungry wolf is set on making a delicious chicken stew. He has chosen the perfect chicken and is just about ready to pounce when he decides it would be better to fatten her up instead. Children will laugh out loud as they see images of Wolf making 100 scrumptious goodies over three days which he leaves outside chicken's door. At the end of the story, you'll end up saying "ah shucks" along with Wolf after he meets 100 endearing little chicks that shower him with kisses and call him "Uncle Wolf." Needless to say, a change of heart occurs and instead of making stew, Wolf ends up making lots of new friends.

Check out other books by Keiko Kasza and be on the lookout for her newest book called, Silly Goose's Big Story, coming in March 2012. I can hardly wait!

Miss~Mary