Category: Seasonal

Holiday Gift Ideas - Space Edition

12/13/2024

It's the most wonderful time of the year!
But if, like me, the season snuck up on you and you're rushing to fill your gift-giving list, never fear. I've got some great AFFORDABLE gift ideas for the young space-enthusiast in your life. Pair them with my picture book, REACHING FOR THE STARS, for a fun, educational gift they will love for years to come.

*note: I am not recommending these products, nor am I affiliated with any of the companies listed (beyond my book of course); neither do I make any money off your purchases. I am providing these links as an informational service to you only.

REACHING FOR THE STARS: A Mission to Space

Astronaut Plush

NASA Gear $24.99
Amazon $17.99
Target $24.99

Vivitar Mini Telescope

Vivitar $14.99
Amazon $19.00
Walmart $19.99

NASA Space Capsule Toy

LED Moon Lamp

Walmart $15.49
Amazon $19.95
Home Depot $19.98

My Grandpa, My Tree, and Me Seasonal Tree

1/19/2023

My newest book, MY GRANDPA, MY TREE, AND ME, is a lyrical look at the growth and harvest cycle of pecan trees as told through the relational lens of a grandfather and child.

It highlights each season of the year, and is a great read a-loud for learning about gardening practices and where our food comes from.

To extend the fun, you can make this simple seasonal tree using materials you probably have on hand.

Materials:

~ paper plates
~ pencil
~ brown marker
~ acrylic paints
~ scissors
~ brad
~ cotton swabs

Procedure:

Each child will need two paper plates. (One will become the trunk of the tree. The other will be its branches.)

1) Divide both paper plates into four equal sections and mark the middle. On one plate, you may want to label the seasons for future reference. (See image 1)
2) Choose one plate and draw the tree's trunk. (Hint: Place your drawing in the middle of a "pie piece." See image 2) Color it with the brown marker, and cut out the triangle at the top of your trunk. (See image 3)

*image 2

*image 3

*image 4

*image 5

*image 1

3) On the other plate, use your brown marker to draw branches in each section of the pie as if they were naturally extending from the trunk. (See images 4-5)
4) On both plates, erase any extra pencil lines.
Hint: For very young children, all this should be done ahead of time.

Time to Paint:

Each child will need a cluster of 4-5 cotton swabs and access to paint. (HInt: A paper plate makes a great paint palate. See image 6. For very young children, instead of labeling each season of branches, you can mark each section with its corresponding leaf color.)
5) On your branch plate, find the section for spring. Dip the cotton swab cluster into light green paint and lightly sponge it over the branches. (See image 7)

*image 7

6) Repeat for the summer section using a darker green paint. And for "fall" using a mix of green, yellow, orange, and red.

*image 6

7) Before painting the winter section, flip your cotton swab cluster to the clean end and dip into a light blue paint. Allow each section to dry. (See image 8)

Assembly:

8) Once dry, stack both plates together with the colored branches on the bottom. Using the sharp end of a compass or pair of scissors, poke a hole through the center of both plates. Attach with a brad. (See images 9-10)