Deep thoughts from story time

Miss Katie: I have a little brother named Andy. And guess what? He has a brand new baby!

Aidan, age 3: A new baby? Like a new fish?

In like a lion...

This was our March craft for crafty tots. If it wasn't abundantly clear to you before that I am not an art school graduate, it will be when you see my lamb. Also, please ignore the clutter under my desk.




Supplies:
2 paper plates
Brown and white contruction paper for ears
Markers
Glue
Cotton balls
Ribbon or yarn
Hole punch

Color one paper plate to look like a lion. Color the other paper plate to look like a lamb (or in the case of my sample, a strange but cheerful dog). Glue cotton balls to the lamb's head. Cut out one set of brown ears for the lion and one set of white ears. Glue them together, then glue them onto the back side of one plate. Glue the plates together, back to back, and when they're dry, punch a hole on either side and string a ribbon through to hang it up.

Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

Caldecott Review - Mei Li

Mei Li
written and illustrated by Thomas Handforth
1938

I have to admit that when I picked up this book, I was expecting to find page after page of Chinese stereotypes. I was wrong. Oh me of little faith. According to the book jacket, Thomas Handforth lived in China after receiving a Guggenheim Fellowship for study in 1931, and both the story and the illustrations show his respect and love for the Chinese culture. Of course, I don't know anything about what life was like for people in China in 1930, so I can't say with any certainty that the story is an accurate portrayal of that place and time. It felt authentic, though, and that's what makes for an interesting story.

The story is all about Mei Li, who convinces her older brother, San Yu, to take her to the New Year Fair in the city. While there, she plays with the acrobats and the trained bears, she rides the circus ponies, she gets attacked by a kite (flown by San Yu...typical brother!), and most importantly, she has her fortune read. According to the fortune teller, Mei Li will one day rule over a kingdom. At the end of the story, as the family celebrates the new year, the kitchen God appears to tell Mei Li that her home is her kingdom and her family will be her subjects. The pictures are very detailed, and Mei Li is just adorable. I wish the whole book was in color, because I love her rosy cheeks there on the cover.