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| find this book at www.Storysingers.BarefootBooks.com |
Embark on a dreamy, nighttime journey with a young boy and the moon.
The book begins
"I took the Moon for a walk last night.review by –Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI
It followed behind like a still summer kite,
Though there wasn't a string or a tail in sight when I took the Moon for a walk."
The child's journey continues over a bridge, past a sharp steeple that nearly snags the moon, through a pack of howling dogs, and across the dewy grass. Throughout, the language is fresh and visual: "rust-bellied robins," "neighborhood dogs made a train-whistle choir," "clouds that were fragile as lace."
The book ends with two pages of facts about the phases of the moon and some of the animals and plants included in the story. The folk-art-inspired illustrations are a perfect complement to the gentle fantasy. Using oil painted on paper with a crackling varnish, Jay creates a moving, panoramic country landscape in which the pictures tell many stories that children will love to discover–the skinny-legged moon loses a slipper; the neighborhood dogs run out for an evening romp; a gentleman pedals by on a bike, enjoying the still evening. This is a quaint and quiet book worth sharing.
Book related activities:
Sing about the moon or the night! A few suggested songs:
Mr. Moon
Oh Mr. Moon, moon, bright and silvery moon
Please shine down on me.
Oh Mr. Moon, moon, bright and silvery moon
Hiding behind a tree.
These little children are asking you, to please come out so we can play with you.
Oh Mr. Moon, moon, bright and silvery moon
Please shine down on me.
Aiken Drum
There was a man lived in the moon, lived in the moon, lived in the moon,
There was a man lived in the moon,
And his name was Aiken Drum.
And he played upon a ladle, a ladle, a ladle,
And he played upon a ladle,
and his name was Aiken Drum.
And his hat was made of good cream cheese, of good cream cheese, of good cream cheese,
And his hat was made of good cream cheese,
And his name was Aiken Drum.
And his coat was made of roast beef, of roast beef, of roast beef,
And his coat was made of roast beef,
And his name was Aiken Drum.
And his buttons made of penny loaves, of penny loaves, of penny loaves,
And his buttons made of penny loaves,
And his name was Aiken Drum.
And his waistcoat was made of crust pies, of crust pies, of crust pies,
And his waistcoat was made of crust pies,
And his name was Aiken Drum.
And his breeches made of haggis bags, of haggis bags, of haggis bags,
And his breeches made of haggis bags,
And his name was Aiken Drum.
Mister Moon
Mister Moon, Mister Moon,
You're out too soon;
The sun is still in the sky.
Go back to bed and cover up your head,
And wait till the day goes by!
Play a game of Silly Walks:
Directions:
First of all, ask your child to walk around in her normal, everyday walk.
Now try walking very high, very low, very wide, very narrow, very fast, and very slowly.
Think of other ways people walk and try them out.
Now ask your child to create her own special walk and make it as silly as possible.
Can you do your silly walk backwards? Sideways? Turning?
Finally, slow down your silly walk until it stops in an unusual shape.
Next time you are out in public, sit and enjoy watching how unique each person's walk can be.
game found at http://fun.familyeducation.com/dance/activity/40339.html#ixzz2RsUdId8l
Try making Poetry to Go:
Take turns creating a poem-on-the-go.
Start the kids off with a simple line like "I really love to take a walk" and have them add their own rhymes in turn ( examples: "except when I forget my sock" ... "and then I step upon a rock" ... and so on).
From....Walking Games for kids - Liven Up a Hike or Stroll at familyfitness.about.com
Make a Paper Plate "Moon" Kite
What You'll Need:
Large white paper plate
Glue (optional)
Crayons or Markers (optional)
Picture (either drawn or from a magazine)
Paper punch
Ribbon, yarn, or string
Streamers
Stapler
What to Do:
Glue or draw a picture on to the back part of the paper plate.
Punch one hole at the top of the plate, one at the bottom, and one on each side.
Measure 4 pieces of string, about 14 inches long each.
Tie an end of one string through a hole and knot tightly.
Repeat with the other strings, tying one string in each hole.
Tie the ends of the 4 strings together above the front of the plate.
Tie a 12 inch piece of yarn to this knot. You will hold onto this piece while you fly the kite.
Cut 4 streamers around 15 inches long.
Staple a streamer to each hole in the plate.
Go outside and fly your kite!
Recite a Moon Poem:
The poem “Moon Song” was written by Mildred Plew Meigs (1892-1944), in 1923, published in Child Life Magazine. Her last name is sometimes listed as “Merryman.”
Moon Song
Zoon, zoon, cuddle and croon–
Over the crinkling sea,
The moon man flings him a silvered net
Fashioned of moonbeams three.
And some folk say when the net lies long
And the midnight hour is ripe;
The moon man fishes for some old song
That fell from a sailor's pipe.
And some folk say that he fishes the bars
Down where the dead ships lie,
Looking for lost little baby stars
That slid from the slippery sky.
And the waves roll out and the waves roll in
And the nodding night wind blows,
But why the moon man fishes the sea
Only the moon man knows.
Zoon, zoon, net of the moon
Rides on the wrinkling sea;
Bright is the fret and shining wet,
Fashioned of moonbeams three.
And some folk say when the great net gleams
And the waves are dusky blue,
The moon man fishes for two little dreams
He lost when the world was new.
And some folk say in the late night hours,
While the long fin-shadows slide,
The moon man fishes for cold sea flowers
Under the tumbling tide.
And the waves roll out and the waves roll in
And the gray gulls dip and doze,
But why the moon man fishes the sea
Only the moon man knows.
Zoon, zoon, cuddle and croon--
Over the crinkling sea,
The moon man flings him a silvered net
Fashioned of moonbeams three.
And some folk say that he follows the flecks
Down where the last light flows,
Fishing for two round gold-rimmed "specs"
That blew from his button-like nose.
And some folk say while the salt sea foams
And the silver net lines snare,
The moon man fishes for carven combs
That float from the mermaids' hair.
And the waves roll out and the waves roll inAnd the nodding night wind blows,
But why the moon man fishes the sea
Only the moon man knows.
Mildred Plew Meigs
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