Our daughter has just moved into beginning chapter books and we are always on the lookout for ones that have meaningful narratives, characters that children connect with and those that will engage them to learn about new things or perspectives. The Zoey and Sassafras series from The Innovation Press has done just that with a curious young girl who brings her scientific inquiry to a magical world. In the fifth book in the series Zoey and her cat companion Sassafras discover a magical pod and they have to figure out what it is and what it contains! We were inspired by not only the story, but also the illustrations in the book and wanted to replicate the beauty of the mysterious pod. We used a watercolour technique that always creates marvel! Materials Circle card template circles Scissors Watercolour paper Tape Pencil/ eraser Liquid watercolours Water Containers Paint brushes Drying rack Markers We always find these items useful too: Get the book here: Canadians: https://www.amazon.ca/Pod-Bog-Asia-Citro/dp/1943147388/ https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-pod-and-the-bog/9781943147380-item.html Americans: https://www.amazon.com/Pod-Bog-Zoey-Sassafras/dp/1943147388/ *We do not use affiliate links, nor do we recommend books that we wouldn’t honestly suggest to a friend. We received our copy for review, only as we enjoyed other books from The Innovation Press.* Directions Print out the circle card template. Cut it out and trace around it onto the rough side of your watercolour paper. To hold it in place while you trace around it, you could tape it down with tape donuts (tape wrapped onto itself with the sticky side out). Cut it out. Lay your card flat in your tray with the rough side up and cover it with a thin layer of water. While your card is still wet, apply your paint. We used regular colours and a metallic for the splatters, taping the brush handle with our hand. The magic in this process is watching the paint travel on the wet surface- it creates a magical effect. Allow your card to dry on a cooling rack over night. Once dry, fold it in half and then place it under a stack of books to flatten out. Write an inscription in your card and give it to a friend, perhaps with the book- it would make a lovely gift! Pin this idea: Purpose: Extending literature with creative activities. Experimenting with various painting techniques. Safety Notes We suggest that you use a tray and a smock to protect your clothing and surfaces. Use scissors with care and direct, adult supervision. Please like & share: Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Your email address will not be published. Name* Email* Website Comment Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email.
