Reading mural

Last week, I read Superheros and Princess's post about the book mural she created over the summer.  I thought it was such a fun idea I started to brainstorm ways to let my kids create something similar.  Since I have three independent readers and one kid who can choose her own stories (I really didn't think Little Ones stories should count, since she is only 3 months old!)  I needed a way for them all to be able to participate.

I also needed a way that would keep me from constantly cutting things out.  I have enough to do without adding to it.  I finally realized the best way was to show the kids her mural, give them some wall space and let them decide what design to use.  Of course it isn't summer, but they do have plenty of free time, and this doesn't have to have a time limit unless I want it to.

At first they wanted to start right away with all the books they had read previously.  I put a stop to that saying they had to use new books.  Well today they asked again so I put up three large sheets of paper by our front hall.

Of course the perfectionist in me is saying they are doing it all wrong.  Little Man is just writing on the paper, not on separate scraps cut into shapes.  And Dude forgot the art shapes part.  Princess is using white paper on white background!

I took photos but it is kinda hard to see due to all the white.
Princess seems to be placing a scene with a girl and some other items.  While little man is drawing animals (there were several other animals on his, but this one is the easiest to see in the picture)

Dude's literally was two strips with the name of two books on them (he has read more this week, but only recorded two)

Ah well it is cute and they are having fun keeping track of books.

One of the books they all had down was called "Michelangelo's Surprise"  A cute tale of a boy page looking for his father to ask about the surprise.  They find each other in the courtyard where Michelangelo has worked up a wonderful surprise, with the help of the father, for a winter festival.  I checked the historical note, it was apparently a true story (about the surprise, not the page)

Princess read another of the Nancy Drew and the clue crew stories.  I am glad we found this series.  It brings the mystery and fun of Nancy Drew down to an easy 1st or 2nd grade reading level.  Right now they are a bit easy for her, but the 'real' Nancy Drew books are a bit much so she is still reading them.

And this week we found a new series to test out.  Princess loves the various fairy books by Daisy Meadows.  I read a few and while they were harmless, they were also pure 'twaddle'.  Some had at least a decent 'do the right thing' message, but most were about 5 pages of reading, and 20 more of wasted time.  Still we let her read them, figured enjoying a good quick book is not a bad thing.

Last time my husband went to the library, Princess was not able to go, so he looked for a book for her.  He found "The Fairy Chronicles, Firefly and the Quest of the Black Squirrel".  I only had a chance to skim the book, but right off the bat I liked it.  It  starts off about a homeschool girl named Lennox!  How could I pass up a chance for my kids to actually read a story about a homeschooled kid.  The reading level isn't much harder than the Nancy Drew books, though it seems a bit longer.  Lennox is 9, the age of the main character often gives a clue as to the best age of the reader (with-in a year or two)