Inside Outside ~ Picture Book & KID KANDY

Inside Outside
By Lizi Boyd
(Chronicle Books, 2013)

Clever cut-out windows play a part of two different story book pages in Inside Outside.

Inside Outside is a wordless picture book about things that happen inside and outside. Designed on brown craft look-alike paper, ink drawings and focused infusions of color draw attention to the inside and outside activities of the main character. I love this picture book and its simplicity and story about an industrious and creative child.

Inside Outside is full of ideas of things to do. I don't think that is the main purpose, but readers will be inspired about activities that could entertain and inspire children. The four different seasons are a part of the illustrations and activities in Inside Outside.

Young readers will love looking through the windows and cut-outs to discover how the pictures connect to both sides. Non-readers and readers alike will be engaged in this fun book.

KID KANDY:

What Is Outside and Inside Your Window?

Look out your window. What do you see? Does it change when you move?

Go outside. Look in your window. What do you see now? Do you need help to see inside the window?

Choose which way you prefer to look out (or in) the window. Draw a large rectangle on paper to make a window. Draw things inside the rectangle that you see through your window.

Use a different piece of paper to cut out a window. Hold it up and look through the paper window. What do you see?

Hold your thumbs to the opposite index fingers (the finger you use to point) to make a window. Walk around and look through the window made by your fingers. How does the view change when you are inside? Outside?

Where do you like to spend most of your time - inside or outside? Why?

Fox's Garden - PIcture Book & KID KANDY Activity

Fox's Garden
By Princesse Camcam
(Enchanted Lion Books, 2014)

What a treasure! Our public library had Fox's Garden on a display rack when I recently walked through with my granddaughter. We snatched it up right away.

The first draw for me was the long and narrow size. And then I was immediately attracted to the beautiful illustrations. Once we were home, I perused the rest of the book and discovered that it was a wordless book.

A fact soon noticed by my kindergarten grandson who set himself to read it. Only to find no words. "Nana," he called, "there are no words!"

An easy enough problem to solve. "Then you get to make up your own story to go with the pictures! How fun is that?"

He was sold and continued on to tell the story to sissy.

Fox's Garden is a simple story about Fox. Fox is not liked by town inhabitants, but she must find a warm spot ASAP. In a greenhouse, Fox finds the perfect place to rest. In that cozy environment, Fox meets a special friend and the reader gains a surprise. Several surprises.

Fox's Garden is a treat for nature and book lovers.

KID KANDY:

Princesse Camcam uses paper cutouts for many of the illustrations in Fox's Garden. Let's make our own paper cut-out picture!

1. Dig out cutting magazines, pencils, cardstock, scissors, crayons, and glue sticks.

2. Cut out pictures of people, animals, houses, food, or whatever else your child wants to use on his project. Of course, your child will do the work for his project. You are the assistant.

3. Draw some items to be a part of the picture - table, chair, car, swing, and so on. Cut those out as well.

4. Glue the cut-outs together in whatever way pleases your child. If the glue stick is too unwieldy for the paper, use tape or tiny drops of white school glue.

5. Add color with crayons.

Ta-da!

Angie Quantrell loves beautifully illustrated books. She especially loves nature themes and stories that can be enjoyed over and over again.