Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures
by Kate DiCamillo
When Flora’s neighbor vacuums up a squirrel by mistake, nobody is ready for what happens next. Flora’s quick thinking brings the squirrel back to life, but she soon notices that he’s not your ordinary animal. He seems to be developing superpowers! You’ll love this fun, quirky book by the author of Because of Winn-Dixie, The Tale of Despereaux, and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. (Candlewick Press)
Download the print pages as a PDF
Nature’s Art Box
If you enjoy making crafts, you don’t need to buy a lot of expensive art supplies—you can find what you need in your own backyard or in a nearby park. This book will show you how to make cool stuff with sticks, stones, seeds, leaves, and other things from nature. You’ll find easy instructions for 65 projects—from a tiny pinecone-roof cottage to shell candles to clay fossils and much more! (Storey Publishing)
The 14 Fibs of Gregory K.
by Greg Pincus
Eleven-year-old Gregory is flunking math class. His parents think he loves math. What they don’t know—but his best friend, Kelly, does—is that Gregory is a writer. A really good writer. He’s dying to go to Author’s Camp in the summer with Kelly. But if he fails math, there’s no way his parents will agree. When telling fibs gets Gregory into a tough spot, entering the dreaded City Math competition is the only way out. (Arthur A. Levine Books)
The Loomatic’s Interactive Guide to the Rainbow Loom
by Suzanne M. Peterson
If you’re hooked on the Rainbow Loom, you’ll love this book. Inside you’ll find 50 designs with instructions for using the loom’s colored rubber bands to make bracelets and more. Find helpful YouTube videos by using a smartphone or tablet to scan the QR code included with each set of instructions. (Hijinx)
The LEGO Adventure Book
Volume 1: Cars, Castles, Dinosaurs & More!
Volume 2: Spaceships, Pirates, Dragons & More!
by Megan H. Rothrock
Got a big box of Legos lying around? Whether you like to make up your own projects or follow written instructions, these two volumes of The Lego Adventure Book will help your imagination soar! You’ll find step-by-step directions for making 25 Lego models, plus pictures of 200 creations from some of the best Lego builders in the world. (No Starch Press)
Creature Bookmarks
These bookmarks are easy and fun to make! Use your imagination to make bookmarks that look like monsters, dragons, animals, or other creatures.
What You Need
- envelope, any size or color
- scissors
- scrapbooking paper or construction paper
- optional: wiggly eyes, feathers, or other items that are flat
- white school glue
What You Do
Step 1: Cut a square about 2 inches (6 cm) wide from one of the bottom corners of the envelope.
Step 2: Now you have a little pocket with two closed edges and two open edges.
Step 3: With your scissors, cut ONE LAYER of paper from one closed edge to the other.
Step 4: Now you have a pocket that’s a square on one side and a triangle on the other. This is your bookmark!
Step 5: Turn your bookmark into a creature by gluing eyes, ears, teeth, or other things onto the triangle side. Let the glue dry.
Step 6: Slide the bookmark over the corner of a book to save your place.
About the Author
Sandy Swartzentruber serves as the resource coordinator for Faith Formation Ministries and is a member of Sherman Street CRC in Grand Rapids, Mich.
