Family Bond Paper™

Source: Author Unknown. nd.  Reprinted without comment. Materials: Baking Soda  Cornstarch  Water Wax Paper Rolling Pin Measuring Cup Cookie Cutters Spoon  Pan In a pan put 1 cup of cornstarch and 2 cups (1 lb. pkg) baking soda. Mix them thoroughly. Add one and one-fourth cups of cold water. Place on heat and boil one minute to consistency of moist mashed potatoes. Stir constantly, and be careful as to not over cook. Turn out of pan onto a plate. Cover with a damp cloth until the mixture cools enough to handle. When cool, knead as you would bread or cookie dough.  DO NOT FLOUR BOARD! Roll out on wax paper to depth of 1/4". Cut with cookie cutters to make decorative patterns. Insert a small stick (wider than a toothpick) into each ornament.  You have just created holes for hanging ornaments. Place on cookie sheet and bake for 30 minutes at 350F. They may also dry by laying them on paper over night. [Baking them is much faste...

An illustrator is the person who provides their artwork skills to enhance the value of reading a good story. Who doesn't like to see pictures of what an author is trying to express to the reader? Allow your child to verbally explain to you what he/she thinks is happening. Give them a few seconds to view all of the delightful colors and expressions. Read the illustrator's name aloud just like you would the author's. You don't have to go to art galleries to appreciate beautiful artwork.  Watercolor, oil painting, pen and ink, collage, and other forms of artwork can be found in quality children's literature. Take time to tell the story of the artwork, too. Why do you think that color was used? Is it day or night? Inside or outside? What is the season? Many illustrators have distinct artistic styles that even young children can learn to recognize with very little adult assistance. --Oh, that's illustration from Eric Carle, Tomie de Paola, Don Tate, Cheryl Willis...