Create and Craft - Spring

November 2024

Spring and gardening recommendations from our Storytime Team. Scroll down for a Create and Craft video with a spring time craft from our team.

	Worms are our friends by Toni D'alia and Mimi Purnell Worms are important for keeping our soil healthy and making sure our plants have a fertile place to grow. This book is perfect to explain to preschoolers how and why worms are essential to nature. Request a copy via our catalogue
	The busy garden by Mary Luciano and Nandina Vines It's a typical day in the backyard garden, with all manner of creatures weaving webs, building nests and gathering nectar. But there are a couple of visitors to the garden who can make the day even better! Request a copy via our catalogue
	Spring by Lizzie Scott and Stephanie Fizer Coleman What do you love about spring? Do you look out for new buds on the trees? Do you listen for the sounds of spring like the birds getting up earlier? In this book explore the many things to love about spring and how it affects plants and animals. Request a copy via our catalogue
	Together with you by Patricia Toht and Jarvis As spring turns to summer, then autumn and winter, a young boy and his grandmother share the many joys of the changing seasons -- from jumping in puddles to tasting sweet frozen treats to flying kites to nestling under blankets on a cold, snowy night. But no matter the weather, whatever they do, their greatest joy is in simply being together. Request a copy via our catalogue
	The concrete garden by Bob Graham After a cold, dark winter, doors opened. Children spilled out like sweets from a box. Amanda was last one out of the tower block. She brought some chalk with her. On every inch of the concrete outside, the children drew pictures of everything they could think of, from flowers and snails, to spaceships and queens. Before long, a beautiful & exotic garden spread out across the concrete. From master storyteller Bob Graham comes a charming, and gently post-pandemic story about finding optimism after a dark spell, and the nurturing power of community friendships in an urban setting. The Concrete Garden will resonate with anyone who has been apart from their loved ones, and will encourage us all to find the brightness and colour within ourselves. Request a copy via our catalogue
	In an artist's garden : a seek-and-find book by Claire Orrell Explore the gardens of celebrated artists from around the world in this charming picture book of rhyming verse. Visit Claude Monet's famous waterlily ponds and Frida Kahlo's bright and colourful garden, as well as secret gardens, seaside gardens and desert gardens. With all manner of creatures and objects to seek and find, discover the delights of nature and the inspiration found within. Request a copy via our catalogue
	Wildflower by Melanie Brown and Sara Gillingham Daisy is new to the garden and just opening her petals to the sun when Rose tells her that she's just a weed. What's a weed? Daisy asks. Weeds aren't planted on purpose, Rose explains, and they only get in the way. Soon Daisy compares herself to other plants in the garden: she isn't tall like Sunflower, nor sweet like Strawberry, nor fragrant like Rose. Daisy worries that Rose might be right--that she is a weed after all--until a strange and beautiful plant offers Daisy a different perspective. Maybe Daisy can choose her own purpose! Request a copy via our catalogue
	Moomin and the spring surprise by Tove Jansson and Richard Dungworth It's winter in Moominvalley and the Moomin family are deep in their Long Winter Sleep, waiting for the sound of Too-Ticky's barrel organ to rouse them, as it did every spring. But when a mysterious ratta-tattle wakes Moomintroll with a start, will he be brave enough to investigate the noise on his own? And what surprises will he find if he does venture outside? Request a copy via our catalogue
	A walk in the woods by Flora Martyn and Hannah Tolson Join Lucy and Oscar and their dog Jasper as they explore spring, summer, autumn and winter on a woodland walk. What amazing things can you see? Come rain or shine, Oscar and Lucy walk Jasper the dog every day. On a spring morning, the world is waking up, animals peek out from their burrows and the birds sing happy songs. On summer afternoons it is hot hot hot and picnics are a joy to have. On autumn evenings, the sky turns black and minibeasts find their perfect hiding spots. Winter mornings are frosty and cold. Spot all the nature elements that make woodland walks so special. Each spread uncovers an exciting new scene, at a certain time of the day and the year. Spot all the animals, minibeasts, leaves, trees and flowers. The wood is full of treasures. Request a copy via our catalogue
	The garden on Red Gum Road by Phil Cummings There's a special place for Nonna and me, for friends, for pets, for family. When we go, it's a busy day, we talk, we dig, plant seeds and play. We join our friends, share the load, in the community garden on Red Gum Road. Request a copy via our catalogue
	Pollination : how does my garden grow? by Christopher Cheng and Danny Snell A child's day in the garden with their Gran and Pa leads to a wonderful exploration of pollination. Join them in discovering how pollination happens in our gardens and backyards, and the importance it has for our environment. Meet the animals involved in pollination and the plants that depend on pollination to produce our fruit, vegetables and even our clothes! Request a copy via our catalogue
	The big bad bug by Kate Read The Big Bad Bug, a self-proclaimed 'very rare species' is used to getting his own way, but claiming a giant berry all for himself is a step too far . . . Will he ever learn to share, and mend his bullying ways? This bug's eye view from the bottom of the garden will entrance any young child and show them the value of kindness and community. Request a copy via our catalogue
	Gardens are for growing by Chelsea Tornetto and Hsulynn Pang In this tender poem, the love between a father and daughter blossoms alongside the seeds they plant together. As the garden grows, the daughter grows from a toddler to a teen and finally to a woman with a child of her own. Request a copy via our catalogue
	I love you all year round : four classic Guess how much I love you stories by Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram Big Nutbrown Hare and Little Nutbrown Hare love each other very much and play together all through the year. These four joyful stories leap through the seasons from Spring to winter. Request a copy via our catalogue
	The tiny tailors by Kat McLeod Join the Tiny Tailors in the garden as they stitch, weave and piece together their costumes for the upcoming summer parade. The berries have been threaded into sleeves and the daisies arranged into a fan... but it looks like something might be missing? Will the Tiny Tailors be able to find what they need in time for the parade? Following on from the first book in the series, The Tiny Explorers, Kat Macleod's signature mixed-media style captures all the wonders and possibilities of the garden. A new bud can be turned into a cape and an armful of forget-me-nots can make the most beautiful gown. Seemingly ordinary elements- flowers, feathers, leaves and seeds- are turned into stylish suits and floral costumes when seen from the Tiny Tailors' vantage point. A variety of verbs are used to construct the costumes helping young readers learn the language to build their own creations. Explorers big and small are encouraged to use their imagination and discover new natural artefacts in their own garden. Request a copy via our catalogue
	Ben plants a butterfly garden by Kate Petty and Axel Scheffler Ben loves flowers and Ben loves butterflies, so when his friends Worm and Ladybird suggest he makes his garden prettier by growing his own butterfly garden, he soon sets to work. Join Ben as he watches the flowers grow then discovers butterflies growing too, with four flaps to lift to see what's happening underground and an impressive pop-up surprise. Request a copy via our catalogue

We have two Create & Craft videos to go with these books.

Fly snatching frog

For this craft you will need:

• 1 x copy of the frog and fly template, printed on card - frog and fly template(PDF, 2MB)
• 2 x googly eyes
• string
• glue stick/craft glue
• scissors
• sticky tape
• colouring-in crayons, pencils or textas

Directions:

• On the printed template draw some spots on the blank side of the template - this will become the body of the frog. 
• Draw some spots on the legs.
• Using the scissors, cut off the body part of the frog at the dotted line. Cut out the legs and fly.
• Roll the body part of the template into a cylinder. Tape or staple the cylinder closed.
• Tie a knot in one end of the string. Thread the string through the cylinder with the end at the spotty end of the body.
• Holding the string, flatten the end of the cylinder and staple it so the string is caught under the staple. The string should be able to be pulled through the staple back and forth, only stopped by the knot.
• Sticky tape the fly to the other end of the string (the end without the knot).
• Use sticky tape or staples to attach the arms and legs of the frog.
• Outline the frog's mouth with red crayon or texta, and glue on the googly eyes.
• Now your frog is ready to snap up a juicy fly!

Peg butterflies

For this craft you will need:

• 1 x copy of the butterfly template, printed on card - butterfly-template.pdf(PDF, 73KB) (template contains two butterflies)
• 1 x wooden spring peg
• decorative paper - shiny, holographic, patterned or coloured paper
• glue stick
• scissors
• sticky tape
• colouring-in crayons, pencils or textas

Directions:

• Colour-in the  butterfly and the rectangle strip beneath it in whatever colours you like.
• Using scissors, cut out both the butterfly and rectangle strip.
• Cut out some shapes from the decorative paper and stick them onto the butterfly. An actual butterfly has symmetrical wings - each wing is a mirror image of the other side - but you can beautify your butterfly any way you like.
• When you've finished decorating, fold each wing upwards at the edge of the butterfly's body.
• Glue the butterfly's body to the peg. The butterfly's head should be at the opening end of the peg.
• Lay the butterfly decorated side down, exposing the peg.
• On the back of the rectangle strip, add some glue to the centre, about the width of the peg.
• With the coloured side up, stick the strip to the peg towards the opening end. 
• Fold both ends of the strip down to meet the  back of the butterfly and sticky tape the strip to both wings.
• The wings of the butterfly should flap when you open and close the peg. Enjoy playing with your new fluttering butterfly!

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