Tag Archives: simple

Once Upon a Time…in a Galaxy Far, Far Away…

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The tale of Cinderella takes an intergalactic spin with this charming paper cup rocket. Never underestimate the power of a space ship. The story time kids LOVED this project!

We read Interstellar Cinderella, written by Deborah Underwood, and illustrated by Meg Hunt (Chronicle Books, 2015). When Cinderella, our tool-handy heroine, is kept from attending the Prince’s Royal Space Parade, she is visited by her Fairy Godrobot. Cinderella arrives to the parade just in time, as the Prince’s ship is malfunctioning and only she can fix it! Cinderella and the Prince have a blast talking mechanics, but she flees at midnight, leaving behind her sonic socket wrench. The Prince circles the galaxy, intent on finding the only person who can fix his ship. It’s Cinderella, and no, she doesn’t want to get married. She wants to be his chief mechanic!

You’ll need:

  • 1 paper cup
  • Space ship decor
  • Scissors, tape, and glue for construction
  • Markers for decorating
  • Hot glue

As you can see, this rocket is a paper cup propped up on little legs. We had some extra Petri dish lids (leftover from this Hobbit door project) that made terrific windshields, but that’s totally optional!

For decor, we offered embossed foil paper, color mirror board, twisteez wire, star stickers, large gemstones, metallic mesh tubing, plastic cup boosters with tissue paper flames, and little plastic blocks for landing gear.

Ready for take off!

Read Me Like a Book

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Perhaps our simplest project yet, this little table card codex doubles as an immediate ice breaker at any party, gala, program, or reception! Just pop it by your place setting, and let the other guests read your (abbreviated) autobiography!

You’ll need:

  • 1 extra large binder clip (ours was 3″)
  • 1 Read Me Like a Book template printed on 8.5 x 11 card stock
  • Pen

We’ll begin with the little book! You can simply cut and fold a page directly from the template, or you can add a poster board book cover, as I did in the example project. To create the book holder, flip the two silvers handles of the binder clip upwards. Stand the clip on its base, then pull the handles until they lean backwards at an angle, like so:

Place the book on top of the base, leaning the spine back on the silver handles. Done!

Hint: if you’re displaying these at an outdoor party with steady breezes, we highly recommend securing the book to the handles with a piece of tape.

Simply Luminous

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It’s beautiful, botanical, and inspiring…find your little light in the darkness with this lovely garden box illuminated with shimmering votive candles!

We read Just One Little Light, written by Kat Yeh, and illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault (Balzer + Bray, 2023). With its gorgeous colors and uplifting text, the reader is powerfully reminded that even in darkness, just one little light is enough to light the way. Have faith. Your little light will always lead you to the path of beauty and hope.

You’ll need:

  • 1 small box
  • Colored cellophane
  • Decorative flowers and leaves
  • LED votive candles
  • Scissors, tape, and glue for construction

We used 4.5″ x 4.5″ x 3″ cupcake boxes with window lids (if you’re using a regular box, simply cut a window in the lid). Next, cover the window with a piece of colored cellophane. Place votive candles inside the box, then finish by decorating the outside of the box with tons of paper flowers and leaves!

Once the kids garden boxes were finished, we hid them around the gallery, and kids went forth to find their own unique little lights! Note: we recommend writing the kids’ names on the bottom of the box, just to avoid confusion.

While this was a quiet and simple project, it was incredibly cozy and the kids absolutely loved it. Our story time can sometimes get a little raucous, so this sweet and mellow project was a delightful change of pace.

Did you know that Kat Yeh doesn’t just write picture books? Check out our interview with her about her middle grade novels The Truth About Twinkie Pie, and The Way to Bea. Also! Katie tested the recipe for Twinkie pie in the Pop Goes the Page blog kitchen. See how it turned out here! Mmmmmmm.

finished twinkie pie 3