Good Comics for Kids- the artist as mother

Many children catch the joy of reading through comics.

I was admittedly snobby about so many kids in our class "totally into Garfield". He's a grumpy, fat cat, who's rude. What's so great about that? Don't they have better things to read? Blah.

Slowly I realized how much the kids love it. And kids who were slower to catch onto reading, were absorbed in these cartoon books. Ok, so Garfield isn't my favorite, but comics may be a great place to start for many kids, including my older son who wasn't keen on reading. Fun pictures, lots of little phrases to read, and the character's expressions make the kids WANT to read what they are saying.

You can do fun things like divide up the characters and read together, using your best funny voices. I have enjoyed this link of Good Comics for Kids. I haven't read all the books listed yet, so can't vouch for them ALL myself.

Our family are Moomintroll and Avatar- the last airbender fans. Why isn't Avatar listed? It is a great adventure story, with good values and characters that grow. LOVE the animated series from Netflicks, as well as the graphic novels.



Since the beginning of summer, I have been going to the library- rounding out the kids' choices (the kids are 6 and 9 currently), with some short chapter books, big picture books, graphic novels, stylish manga, and whatever they are interested in this week. Zoo stories? Dragons? Magic tricks?

At home, I arrange the books on the hearth seat, like a library display. My kids go right to the livingroom, when they wake up, eager to snuggle on the couch and read. They don't ask to watch cartoons, unless it's Saturday. Sometimes I wake to the sound of them reading out loud to eachother and giggling. They help themselves to quiet time, reading happily, on and off during the day. This is new and darn exciting to our household.

On Friday's they write a short book report. Keep up those writing skills.

KIDS BLOG
On our upcoming trip to the Redwoods, I hope to have them writing their own blog! I'll let you know, and you can follow along if you like. Maybe some comments will encourage them. They both adore taking photos, of course many of those photos include close ups of bottoms, lego people, and for some reason the salt and pepper shaker cows gets tons of press. ?? I'm looking for some fun kid blogs to inspire them. Recommend any?

Moomin Gardening

Yesterday, our package from Finnland arrived at the door! (I did a fabric and Moomintroll goods trade with a friend). We love the Finn Family Moomintroll book series, and were more than thrilled to receive some little moomintroll figures to go in the Moomin garden we have out front. I've been plotting for a YEAR how to make figures for the garden, and it turns out you can just buy them! The kids were so excited.

The Moomintrolls live in a big blue circular house in the story, and I'll have to figure out how to make that. Perhaps cast in cement! For now, the teapot represents their house.

You can just see MamaMoomin in her striped apron, and the Hemulin who is face down in his dress, doing a nematode study for one of his collections....

Holding the little blue Moomintroll carefully, Mudslide creates a walking trail, and stream represented by stones.


Moomintroll gardening .......


A sneek peek at my new applique bags. They are fully lined with fun fabrics, interior pockets, and a zipper closure. I must find a way to photograph them nicely so I can post them in my Etsy shop.