Children’s Activities: Using Picture Book Layers

Are you looking for entertaining children’s activities using picture book layers? I’m delighted to introduce you to a new friend, Kathy O’Neill, who has some wonderful ideas. I began following Kathy’s blog about a year ago and found her content delightful. She’s a talented artist who teaches and guides children and adults in discovering God and their own creativity through art, history, and nature.

Discover the Rich Layers of Picture Books

Guest Post by Kathy O’Neill

Children love to read picture books over and over again. The next time that happens, don’t secretly groan (we’d never do that, right?). Instead take advantage of the time to help them learn from the rich layers of picture books. Discovering something new each time through keeps the story fresh for children and parents, alike.

Let’s look at Laura Sassi’s Little Ewe as our example.

Three Rich Layers in Little Ewe

The most important layer is the story itself—one that relates to a child’s life and holds their interest. Lovable Little Ewe enjoys exploring her world just as children do. Then her fun day turns scary, and suspense builds when she gets lost. Will she be rescued? The story won’t change, but children do. Sometimes they may feel happy and enjoy Little Ewe’s early adventures. Other times they may want the comfort of a well-loved story with a happy ending.

Another layer to enjoy is a well-written text that helps children use their five senses to experience the story. Little Ewe finds figs that are “juicy, plump, and sweet!” Children also love rhymes and counting.

Picture books have a third layer called a theme. In Little Ewe children see how much the shepherd loves and cares for his lost lamb. This can lead to conversations about how much Jesus, the Good Shepherd loves us and wants us to be part of His family.

The Enrichment of Illustrations

I especially love how picture book illustrations can teach about art. Pictures complement and extend the text, helping little ones “see” the story being read. Look what children may learn from Little Ewe’s illustrations.

Children’s Activities Using Picture Book Layers

Color can set the mood for parts of a story:

When Little Ewe bounces on logs, cool blues and greens of sky and water, grass and trees match her happy mood.

Activity: Bring out a big box of crayons. Ask children to look for the different blues and greens found in the illustration. This encourages children to notice nuances of color, and using their hands helps some children learn better.

As night approaches, Little Ewe becomes afraid.

Activity:  Ask questions. The text doesn’t say it’s night, so how do we know it is? What colors make the shadows? What sounds would Little Ewe hear?

At the end, yellows, oranges, and reds surround Little Ewe with warmth, just as the shepherd’s hug surrounds her with love.

Activity: Send children on a scavenger hunt to find something red, orange, or yellow. Give them a big hug when they return! Some children learn better when we include actions.

Colors may also be symbolic. In Jesus’ time, only kings or very wealthy people wore purple clothes. What does the shepherd’s royal purple robe reveal about who he is?

Children can learn how artists show texture—how things feel—through lines and spatters.

Activity: Pretend you’re with Little Ewe as she splashes with the frogs. How would the grasses feel on your legs? Would the water feel cold or warm to bare feet? Have some of these things handy for children to feel.

Children can learn to understand how photos and illustrations show distance. Two ways are size and a winding path or stream.

Activity: Pretend to take a walk into these scenes. What could you follow back to the shepherd?

Who is closest—Little Ewe or the shepherd? What tells you he’s far away?

All that space around Little Ewe makes her seem very alone. But when children see the shepherd coming over the distant hill, they learn to anticipate what comes next—an important comprehension skill in reading.

Don’t try to do everything at once. Keep story time fun, with learning coming naturally as you discover a story’s layers together. Point out a rhyme on one page, and ask them to find a color on another. Another time send them on a scavenger hunt or talk about how it feels to be lost and then found. 

I hope these ideas will help you and your children discover the rich layers of picture books and enjoy them with fresh eyes, ears, and hands!

Many thanks to Sally for inviting me to write for her blog and to Laura Sassi for allowing me to use Little Ewe as the example picture book.

Kathy O’Neill is an art teacher who engages children’s and adult’s hearts and hands to discover God and their own creativity through art, history, and nature. Kathy grew up in Maine and loves family time, horses, dogs, and walks on stormy beaches. She’s taught all ages in Christian schools, and church and homeschooling groups. Kathy has written for The Quiet Hour, Light from the Word, Highlights, Appleseeds, and Devokids. To learn about great art and find related kid-friendly devotions and art activities, visit Kathy at http://www.kathy-oneill.com/ and https://kathythepicturelady.wordpress.com/