Eric Carle Collage & Cracking Nuts

On Saturday, I usually put away structured work for E and rest a little. However, he was just completely restless and seemed a bottomless pit of activity and agitation almost all day. Must have stemmed from the fact that he couldn't nap for some odd reason. In addition, he woke up at about 2 a.m. in the wee hours of the morning and decided to talk about his passion - dinosaurs thus lacking that much more sleep. He fell asleep about 1-1/2 hours later I believe. I on the other hand, was feeling somewhat sick but something had to be done to help E. So, I told him I was going to read him some stories and do some artwork plus crack some nuts. He perked up, readied himself and headed down to the play/learn area.

We read these books by Eric Carle and he especially loves THE GREEDY PYTHON. Then I thought we might create pieces of different patterned paper done in all kinds of ways keep them stored until we have enough made to then cut and recreate some of our very own Eric Carle style pictures. So, we will be adding more ideas to our blog as we go along. The first one was done by just putting crayon to paper in many colors and then going over it with black crayon. He then took a hairpin to carve right through them to create some abstract pattern. Second piece was done by putting crayon to paper again and whatever way he pleases and then going over it with watercolor.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"Time to move," said Hermit Crab one day. "I've grown too big for this little shell." Much-loved master of cut-paper collage Eric Carle created A House for Hermit Crab to comfort any little ones (okay, and adults, too) who dread change--whether the new shell is a new home, a new school, or a new experience. In this soothing, upbeat story, Hermit Crab casts his eyestalks on a newer, bigger shell, but it seems plain and unwelcoming at first. When he meets some beautiful, swaying sea anemones, he asks if one of them will come to adorn the outside of his shell. In time a colorful sea star, some coral, an industrious sea snail, a fortress-protecting sea urchin, and an illuminating lantern fish all join forces with him, making his house a home. Much to his dismay, just when his dwelling and new family fit him to a T, he finds he's physically outgrown his shell yet again. Instead of bemoaning his fate, he eagerly spots a newer, bigger shell--to him a fresh, blank artist's canvas--and relishes the thought of all the undersea home-improvement possibilities: sponges, barnacles, clown fish, and more! Kids will love Carle's rich, affectionate portrayal of Hermit Crab's ocean odyssey, and the gentle story may help them see that giving up the old for the new is not a loss, but an opportunity. (Ages 4 to 8) --Karin Snelson

From Publishers Weekly

Hermit Crab moves out of his small shell on the sea floor, in search of a new residence. When he finds a bigger place, a sea anemone offers to move in with him; a starfish agrees to decorate the joint. A snail and a sea urchin are employed for cleaning and protection, a lantern fish for lighting and smooth pebbles are used for a wall. Hermit lives happily for a while, until it is time to move again, to a still larger place. Carle's underwater neighborhood is snug, dynamic and full of possibilities. Droplets of color enrich the sea bottom and blades of seaweed are superimposed on the bright white background, in pictures that are occasionally quite abstract, but always engaging. All ages. Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. From

School Library JournalPreSchool-Grade 2

Hermit Crab, having outgrown his old shell, sets out to find a new one. He's a bit frightened at first, but over the course of the next year acquires not only a shell, but also an array of sea creatures to decorate, clean, and protect his new home. The story ends with him once again outgrowing his shell. He finds a new ``tenant'' to look after his friends and sets off on a new adventurea big empty shell with ``so many possibilities.'' This simply-told fable is replete with gentle messages about growing, moving on, accepting new challenges, interdependence, and building self-confidence. It is beautifully illustrated and designed in bold, full-color, distinctively Carle collages. Carle includes a little factual information about the various sea creatures mentioned in the story at the end of the book. A good solid picture book with many story hour and bibliotherapy possibilities. Luann Toth, Summit Free Public Library, N.J.Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

Eric Carle's magnificent collage illustrations invite readers and viewers on a breathtaking underwater tour where brilliantly-colored sea creatures dazzle and delight the eye. His modern-day fable is both wise and simple; based on the true habits of the hermit crab, it not only introduces young readers to the wonder and beauty of the marine environment but also contains an encouraging message for small children facing the inevitable challenges of growing up.

Hermit Crab's problem is that he keeps outgrowing things. When he outgrows his first shell-house, he's a bit scared. The next one he finds is big enough -- but depressingly bare. To his happy surprise, all sorts of beautiful and useful undersea neighbors come to his aid and decorate and protect his home. Finally, the new house is perfect but now it, too, has become too small! Once again, Hermit Crab must move on. But this time he is not only bigger -- he is more self confident. While he is sorry to leave his friends and his familiar shell behind, he now sees the future as full of exciting possibilities.

Children who must change schools, move to a new town, or even just be promoted to a higher grade will empathize with Hermit Crab's situation, and will take heart as they see that growing up is not really so alarming after all. About the AuthorEric Carle well-known creator of many beloved picture books for small readers and listeners, including such classics as Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me, The Tiny Seed, Rooster's Off to See the World, A House for Hermit Crab, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. He is especially celebrated for his unique ability to combine learning with pleasure. Children delight in the distinctive beauty of his illustrations -- richly layered collages in glowing colors -- and they love his entertaining stories, which invite them to make their own discoveries in a natural, joyful way.

Born in Syracuse, New York, Eric Carle received much of his education in Germany. He is a graduate of the Akademie der bildenden Künste in Stuttgart, where he learned about Goethe's color theory and complementary colors. But the chief inspiration for Hello, Red Fox came from his talks with young readers themselves, who were surprised and fascinated when he demonstrated for them -- just like in this book -- that all colors have opposites.
Eric Carle has two grown children. He and his wife live in western Massachusetts.

Eric Carle well-known creator of many beloved picture books for small readers and listeners, including such classics as Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me, The Tiny Seed, Rooster's Off to See the World, A House for Hermit Crab, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. He is especially celebrated for his unique ability to combine learning with pleasure. Children delight in the distinctive beauty of his illustrations -- richly layered collages in glowing colors -- and they love his entertaining stories, which invite them to make their own discoveries in a natural, joyful way.

From School Library Journal

ea. vol: illus. by Eric Carle. unpaged. CIP. Picture Book Studio, dist. by Alphabet Pr. Aug. 1985. pap. $3.95. PreSchool-Grade 2 Combining Buckley's original verse based on Aesop's themes with Carle's bold, vibrant collages creates a dynamic collaboration. Joined artistically for two allegorical tales, the duo blend their verbal and visual talents to create well-paced suspenseful fables. At times Buckley's terminology will elude his younger readers/listeners, but the metered message maintains a familiar pattern. Thus, integrated with the illustrations, the texts flow flawlessly in their interpretations of slow but safe and of greed. With typical aplomb Carle splashes the pages with greens, yellows, browns and blues, recreating many of his popular creatures. The foolish tortoise finds that although his shell may make him slow, it also protects him from preying animals and the elements. The greedy python, having made himself sick by gobbling up every animal in sight, finds that his last greedy gulp, his own tail, is his final gulp. Of the two tales, children will take more delight in the plight of the python due to its pervasive humor, yet both stories are painless prophets of moral values. Cathy Woodward, Lima City Schools, OhioCopyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

"The Greedy Python" is quick to gobble up every creature he meets--including to his own great misfortune, himself, when he mistakes the tip of his tail for a lunchtime treat. Full-color illustrations.

NUTS!

We found these at a garage sale today for $1! A myriad of ideas ran through my mind as I caught sight of it. It was in a beautiful wooden box ala-Montessori in style. It was a great practical life activity - cracking nut; sensorial - texture, shape, weight, color, hue gradation, smell, etc; math - counting, sorting, addition, subtraction; language - nomenclature (brazil nuts, walnuts, hazel nuts, almonds); art - can use cracked shells for texture art; botany.

Here's a link to a poem on hazel nut:
http://www.lair2000.net/fairy_autumn_poems/poems/The_Song_Of_The_Hazel-Nut_Fairy.html

Have a wonderful fall day!