“Winter Trees” by Carole Gerber and Bubble Wrap Painting

Have the kids paint with bubble wrap to make a snow covered tree after reading “Winter Trees” by Carole Gerber. In “Winter Trees” a boy and his dog stroll through the winter forest discovering seven different types of trees. This book is a fun early introduction to tree identification and a great way to encourage […]

“Winter Dance” by Marion Dane Bauer and Coloring Page

“Winter Dance” by Marion Dane Bauer is a fun winter book about a fox trying to figure out what to do when winter comes. Snow is coming, and it’s time to get ready! The squirrel gathers nuts, the geese soar south, and the snowshoe hare puts on its new white coat. But what should the […]

Make a Sled after Reading “Snow Day!” By Lester L. Laminack

Going to the library with children weekly is fun. The parents you work for and the children you care for will love doing crafts projects that correspond to the children’s books you borrow from the library. After reading “Snow Day!” by Lester L. Laminack make a sled out of craft sticks with the kids. In […]

“Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama” by Selina Alko

Some children are so lucky to have one parent that was raised celebrating Christmas and another parent was raised celebrating Hanukkah because the kids can celebrate both holidays! In “Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama” by Selina Alko a girl named Sadie has such a family and she gets to celebrate both holidays. Holiday time at […]

Thankful Chains and “Thankful” by Elaine Vickers

“Thankful” by Elaine Vickers is the perfect children’s book (and project) to do with children for Thanksgiving or anytime of the year. “Thankful” is a beautiful story of being thankful. Each year, a little girl writes down the things she’s thankful for on strips of paper and links them together. As one idea leads to […]

“Stumpkin” and Pumpkin Sun Catchers

One of my favorite children’s books is “Stumpkin” by Lucy Ruth Cummins. It’s the story of a pumpkin without a stem trying to be sold in a store in the city that feels left out. “Stumpkin” has a stump, not a stem. So, no one seems to want to buy a stemless jack-o-lantern for their […]

3D Autumn Tree Pointillism

In “Meet Georges Seurat,” Seurat the artist describes his unique approach to art. He describes pointillism and how to use math, logic, and lots of dots to make beautiful paintings. I had the children I care for use the idea of pointillism to make autumn leaves for 3D cardboard trees. Also be sure to read […]

Jellyfish Craft and “Bloom” by Julia Seal

“Bloom” by Julia Seal of a beautiful book that has a great message for children about climate change and pollution. The illustrations in “Bloom” are so stunning they inspire little ones to make their own craft jellyfish. Before reading this book I didn’t know that a group of jellyfish is called a bloom and that […]

“Barbie” by Cindy Eagan

I’m going to see the new movie “Barbie” tonight with family and friends so I bought this book for my friend who invited me to see the film. “Barbie” by Cindy Eagan is a beautifully illustrated picture book about Barbie — the most famous doll in the world — and her visionary creator, Ruth Handler. […]

Tissue Paper Flowers

My youngest Nanny Kid and I are making flower crafts this summer and reading our favorite children’s books about flowers. This is a super simple arts and craft flower activity to make with kids preschool-aged and up. See how to make beautiful flowers with coffee filters, flowers out of paper plates, cupcake liner flowers, paint […]