by Stephen and Rosemary BenetI loved the story of Johnny Appleseed when I was a kid. I remember watching the Disney video and falling in love with the young John Chapman. He was handsome, loved apples, and lived off the land... he was the first Bear Grylls! I have sung the song to my girls since before they could walk, so I couldn't allow an apple-themed week to pass without teaching Little Page the legend.
There are several books about Johnny Appleseed. This one is a copy of the classic poem matched with beautiful colored-pencil illustrations of a wizened but jaunty Johnny Appleseed. The poem has a sing-song quality which makes it an easy read-aloud. The illustrations are lovely and full of little details children will enjoy. The Johnny Appleseed in these pictures may not be as handsome as the Disney version, but the story should still get your kids to fall in love.
The Craft - Apple Print T's
Apple prints seemed like a logical choice for our craft today, but I'm so sick of throwing Little Page's artwork away. We just don't have the room. I needed to head to Wal-fart this afternoon for rice (for another project) so I picked up a couple cheap kids shirts while I was there. I'm a big proponent of useful crafts!
To make an apple print on a t-shirt, or any other surface, cut an apple in half. Brush the inside of the apple with red paint. Press lightly on a piece of paper to remove any gloopy paint and then press onto the t-shirt. Lift up slowly to reveal your perfect apple print! (Be sure to place a folded piece of paper or cardboard inside the shirt before you do your print so the paint doesn't leak through to the back.)
Once the paint is dry you can add a leaf with a green paint pen. I was thinking of writing an "Aa" next to the apple, but my handwriting stinks and I didn't want to push my luck. Isn't this a sweet shirt for my Littlest Page?
For Little Page's shirt I used orange paint, filling in the hole from the core to create a cute pumpkin. Instead of a leaf, I drew a little stem and a jack-o-lantern face. Then I added Little Page's favorite phrase these days - "Boo!"
She can't wait to show off her new Halloween shirt tomorrow at school! And I can't wait to show off the great pumpkin-themed crafts and stories I have planned for next week, so come back! And as always, if you like what you see, please consider following me.
Thank you for the post! Adorable shirt. But even better, my 4 year old LOVED the video! I taught him the beginning of that song as a (before we eat) prayer. I've never rented the movie to show him where it came from, so now he got to be introduced to Johnny Appleseed too. We watched it three times!
ReplyDeleteYou always have the cutest ideas. I should keep a list of them for when and if we ever have a little girl. :)
ReplyDeleteSuper cute!
ReplyDeleteMichelle - No reason a litle boy couldn't have a jack-o-lantern shirt! And I guarantee little boys would enjoy painting apples with paint... although it might be a bit messier. :)
ReplyDeletelove it!! we may have to do that here...thanks for the ideas.
ReplyDeletei look for great ideas from other people to share on my blog for activity directors in nursing homes and have shared this cute idea. Thanks
ReplyDeleteNeato idea! I think I'll try it with black fabric paint :)
ReplyDeleteI think we'll make pumpkin prints tomorrow. So cute, thanks! And just signed up to follow you :).
ReplyDeleteThose would be cute pumpkins. My kids and I will have to do an art project with this idea tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed looking around your blog! What great ideas!!
ReplyDelete*Eliza’s blog*
You know I'd never seen an apple print turned into a pumpkin, brilliant.
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