My son…on a fishing trip with us last year.
I can’t believe it is Friday already! The days are flying by. In a way, I’m happy because I am looking forward to May 11th when my younger son is flying in from Chicago to spend the weekend with us. We already have a cabin reserved near Eleven Mile Canyon where we plan to go fly-fishing.
Living here in Colorado, we sometimes take for granted the pristine rivers and streams that are only a short drive away, as well as the faucets we can turn on to receive clean drinking water . This is not the case for millions of people in other parts of the world.
I’m fortunate to have connected with Angela over at From the Faith of a Child. She has started a new blog for a wonderful project that will benefit children who don’t have access to clean water the way we do. Her son, Jackson, decided to forego birthday presents this year for his sixth birthday. Instead, he wants to raise money so that a well can be dug in an area where children and their mothers have to walk hours each day to collect water for drinking and cooking and washing…and the water that they finally collect is often dirty and virtually unusable. These children are being robbed of their childhoods…and often their lives are cut short because of the contaminated water.
If you click http://www.charitywater.org/whywater/ you can view the three minute video clip that will move you to tears…and hopefully to action!
Your children can participate by drawing a picture to add to the Water Wish Art Gallery that Angela and Jackson have set up.
I hope everyone will read Angela’s post, look at Jackson’s art work that depicts his “Water Wish” and donate whatever they can to this worthwhile project. The most impressive element in all of this is that it is a child who is leading the way. Encouraging young children to contribute to the community and care about others is one of the most important lessons a parent can teach. If you have the time, you can check out another organization that champions children who help others: www.KidsAreHeroes.org.
Now, since today is Perfect Picture Book Friday where I link up with Susannah Leonard Hill’s fantastic group of picture book writers, illustrators, librarians and others who contribute a picture book review and related resources for parents, teachers and children, my entry is about a young boy who also understood the importance of helping his entire community by using his ingenuity and special talents.
Lentil
Written and illustrated by Robert McCloskey
Publisher: Viking Juvenile (1940)
Ages: 4 and up
Themes:
Music, community, cooperation, perseverance, problem solving, self-esteem, self-worth, teamwork, coping with disappointment, celebrating our uniqueness
Opening Line:
“In the town of Alto, Ohio, there lived a boy named Lentil. Lentil had a happy life except for one thing – he wanted to sing but he couldn’t.”
Synopsis:
When Lentil discovers he cannot sing, he works very hard learn to play the harmonica instead. One day, the townspeople gather to welcome home one of their leading citizens. A jealous member of the town sabotages the homecoming and the band is unable to play. Will Lentil and his harmonica save the day?
Why I like this book:
It is written and illustrated by Robert McCloskey…who also gave us One Morning in Maine, Make Way for Ducklings and Blueberries for Sal! Enough said! The book was published over seventy years ago, but the issues it touches on remain relevant today.
The story shows children that even when they have a disappointment, they should never give up and that each of us has unique gifts and talents of great worth. It also encourages community-mindedness and teamwork. When so much of the world is in poverty and so many young children are suffering, we want our children to learn to reach out and help others, now and as they grow into adulthood.
Related Activities:
Most children love music. An empty oatmeal container and a wooden spoon make a great drum. A piece of waxed paper wrapped around a plastic comb becomes a kazoo. Check out the websites below for enough homemade instruments to form your own rhythm band.
Picture from Tania Cowling at Suite 101
Simple Homemade Musical Instruments For Kids
Picture from Quirky Momma
More homemade instruments from The Crafty Crow
Learn about multi-award-winning author/illustrator Robert McCloskey here
Read more about Mr. McCloskey on Laura Frazin Steele’s LA Books Examiner site.
LAST CHANCE: If you haven’t nominated your local library to win one of the 25 FREE copies of Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking that we are donating, PLEASE do so now! Click the book title link above to read a review from Summit Series for Families.
Help your favorite library win a copy! Just leave a comment on this post or email me at vivian@positiveparentalparticipation.com, naming the library and telling why the people in your community would benefit from having the book available to them. There are only a few more days…nominations close on April 30 and twenty-five libraries will be chosen using Random.org.
This post is part of a series for parents and teachers called Perfect Picture Book Fridays hosted by Susannah Leonard Hill. Click on her link and find lots of other picture book suggestions with summaries and activities. And please don’t forget to leave a comment here, nominating your local library to be the recipient of a copy of Show Me How!
Related articles
- A Picture Book for Lil C (mydailycreativesarah.wordpress.com)
VIVIAN KIRKFIELD - Writer for Children 