Storytime & Craft: Playdough Monsters

Several blogs I follow announced a Summer Virtual Book Club a few weeks back (you can check out the post at Reading Confetti) and I thought we would join in the fun since I love books and crafts-- it was a win/win!  This month's author was Mo Willems, author of the famous "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!"  I've read Tyler hundreds... thousands.... of books and this was our first experience with his books.  Okay... okay, I've never kept track, but it sure seems like I have read "thousands" of books; it might be possible ; )

We checked out several books authored by Mo Willems and decided to do an activity based on the book, "Leonardo the Terrible Monster."  The book reminded me of the storyline of Monsters, Inc. in several ways; Leonardo was a monster who just couldn't scare anyone no matter how hard he tried.  One day he found the most "scaredy-cat" kid in the world and thought that he had made him cry, but to his dismay that wasn't the case.  Leonardo then made a decision to become a good friend, not a terrible monster.

 

 After reading the book, I pulled out the play dough and we made Play dough Monsters!  Yes, I made a couple too!  How could I resist when my sweetie asks, "Mommy, will you make one, too?"

I don't bring out play dough often as I find it is one of the messiest craft items we have!  I find pieces of play dough everywhere!  I also set out googly eyes, feathers, dried beans, and pipe cleaners.  We actually did  a similar activity for Halloween a couple years ago, and I am not sure where I found the idea; however, if you do a google search you will find many other blogs that have done the same activity.

Our first creation with a pig's tail-- isn't he scary?!

 My scary creation!

 Tyler's brother and sister monsters!

 Our Monsters on parade!

Scary, huh?!