Storybook Summer post by Jen of Kitchen Counter Chronicles

At the beginning of the summer my girls and I selected a few books that we would read as a group. Most afternoons we gather around, inside or out, and I read a few chapters from our book. We have already finish “The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe”, which was a magnificent adventure. Now, we are reading “The Wind in the Willows” by Kenneth Grahame. We are lucky enough to have the version of the book that was my husband’s when he was a child. The girls and I have truly enjoyed checking in with Toad, Rat and Mole every afternoon.

Every day my girls open up the book and find the map at the front of the book. They chat about the previous days readings and plot out where the critters are now. Each day we follow along their path. It is amazing how the map has become such a integral part of our reading of this book.  So, when the girls said that they wanted to make their very own storybook maps, I was not at all surprised.

First, the girls drew out their storybook maps on plain white paper. They used markers and crayons to draw their storybook land.

In order to make their storybook maps look old and aged, the girls crumpled up their maps…

…then they took their storybook maps outside and rubbed dirt all over them.

The storybook maps were rolled up and fastened with a rubber band.

The results were storybook maps filled with castles, rivers, forests and pathways. Maps that appeared to be ancient and maybe even magical.

I love it when books inspire my girls to use their imaginations to create. This map making art project has led the girls to want to work on making a map of our own neighbourhood. So, off we go to explore our neighbourhood with sketch books and pencils in hand!

In her “previous life” Jen was a mental health professional…in her current life she’s a stay-at-home mom with 2 beautifully adventurous kids. Jen shares everything that lands on her kitchen counter over on her blog, Kitchen Counter Chronicles. Swing by and learn how they are greening their lives; what they are crafting; what they are cooking and what they are reading. While you will often find Jen and her girls inside the kitchen, you will also find them out and about getting their hands dirty, exploring and learning outdoors.

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