Are you feeling tired of winter, do you miss the colors of spring and the fresh summer fruit and vegetables? If so, you totally understand how Frederick’s little friends feel (and me too). By the end of winter the 5 little mice have run out of things to talk about and things to eat. When they are feeling at their lowest Frederick shares his talents to bring them joy. If you haven’t read Frederick by Leo Lionni (affiliate link) now is the perfect time when winter has lingered and spring is on the horizon.

The book has adorable little mice that look like ripped paper art. One of our favorite pages in the book is full of color when Frederick has his friends close their eyes and imagine, “the blue periwinkles, the red poppies in the yellow wheat, and the green leaves of the berry bush…” Lovely right!?! Feeling so inspired after story time we headed to the craft table and started creating another favorite Book Activity.

 Frederick by Leo Lionni (affiliate link)

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Ripped Paper Mouse Craft

Supplies:

• Pieces of light gray, dark gray, black, and white craft paper
• White craft paper
• Water colors and paint brush
• Glue
• Black pen (optional)

Directions:

• Have child paint the white craft paper and set aside to dry. Little Tiger liked making water bubbles on her paper and then filling them with paint by dipping the tip of her coated paint brush inside. She was hoping they would dry like a bubble, but was pleasantly surprised to see them turn into lovely dots of concentrated color.

• Have child rip the light gray craft paper to make rocks. Ripped paper art allows kids the freedom to create without the pressure of needing to make perfect lines with markers or straight cuts with scissors.
• Have child rip the dark gray paper to make a mouse (body, ears, tail). Little Tiger chose to use her scissors to cut out her mouse because she wanted to draw lines on the paper to make sure she got the shape she wanted.
• Have child rip small circles out of the gray and black paper to make the eyes. Little Tiger decided to draw the eyes on instead of using paper.
• Have child glue their mouse together.

• Have child glue the rocks on the white paper and then glue their mouse on the paper. Once the glue is dry they are done.

Little Dragon says he painted a storm and Little Tiger says she painted a spring day–can you see it? 🙂 Thanks for crafting with us today!