“Whens My Birthday” and Paper Collage Candle Craft

“When’s My Birthday?” by Julie Fogliano and Christian Robinson

For many children (and sometimes even adults) the most exciting day of the year is their birthday.  Often even more so than other major holidays.  That is because it is a day devotted completely to celebrating them.  With presents, cake, ice cream and other traditions, what’s not to love?  The only hard part is waiting for that glorious day to arrive.  364 days is a really long time, especially when your extra young.  You fellow parents of toddlers and tiny children especially can relate I’m sure to hearing the question “when’s my birthday?”  over and over again throughout the year.

That simple concept is what this book is devoted to.  It is centered all around birthdays and speaks of different expectations and hopes children can have centered around their birthday.  It is simply written, but wonderfully written.  To the point where you can almost feel the anticipation building to the end where the narrators birthday finally comes at last.  Plus, the bright and joyful illustrations make the whole book feel more like a celebration.  Love it!

Click here to purchase “When’s My Birthday?”  *affiliate link

  

Candle Collage Craft

I always find myself feeling inspired by Christian’s style.  He uses so many different mediums in his collage illustrations and I always find myself amazed at how cleverly he’s used them.  He is great at adding small details, but some of my favorite illustrations he’s done are his very simple ones, like the balloons above. They have an innocent, yet innovative vibe to them that I find nostalgic because they are such a lovely nod to childhood.

My favorite illustration in this particular book happen to be the candles used at the endpapers.  They are perhaps the most simple illustrations in the book, yet they are so striking.  I thought it would be fun to mimic his style with my kids to make some collage candles of our own.  I think one aspect that my toddlers especially loved about this project was having some simple scissor practice.  All-in-all it was a big success.

Supplies:

• colored construction paper
• scissors
• white copy paper
• glue stick

Process:

1. Fold your paper in half long ways and then cut it down the crease to make 2 narrow rectangle pieces.
2. Cut strips along the short edge of your long rectangles and repeat this process with multiple colors to create multiple short strips.
3. Cut almond shaped, yellow flames to a size appropriate for your short strips.
4. Glue your candle sticks (strips) and flames on a piece of white copy paper in a row or however you’d like.

If you give this Beyond the Book activity a try I’d love to hear how it goes! Share it on Instagram using hashtag #beyondthebook (I’m on Instagram as @book.nerd.mommy) or even just comment here with your thoughts. It would make my day! Or to simply save for later pin the image below.