Preschool Storytime: The Books of Don Freeman

Don Freeman is well known as an artist, cartoonist, lithographer, book illustrator and an author of children's books. This preschool storytime contains books by Don Freeman and some activities you can do with your group to enhance the stories.

The Chalk Box Story by Don Freeman (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins)

This story is about a box of talking chalk sticks that magically put their talents together to create a colorful story about a little boy who is marooned on a desert island. As you read this book aloud, show children the bright pictures. Then provide these art materials to create this project.

A Wet Chalk Rainbow Drawing

Materials:

-colored chalk
-plastic bowl
-water
-large sheets of construction paper

What to do:

1. Invite children to soak pieces of colored chalk for about 5 minutes in a plastic bowl filled with water.

2. Show them how to draw with the end of the chalk and then the side of the chalk on the paper. Help your group notice the effects.

3. Invite children to draw a rainbow so they can see how different colors look. The order of the rainbow is red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet; though any way a child creates it will be fine.

4. Hang up the pictures for all to see. Ask the children: "What happened when you wet the chalk? Did the color change? Which color is the brightest?"

Dandelion by Don Freeman (Live Oak Media)

Dandelion overdresses for a come-as-you-are party and is turned away because the hostess does not recognize him.

Materials:

-art supplies
-white copy paper
-photo of each child

1. Read aloud this story and discuss changes that the lion made in his appearance.

2. Have each child bring in a photo of themselves from home. Using a photocopier, enlarge each photo and print this on paper.

3. Pass out art supplies and ask children to change the appearance of their enlarged picture. Encourage them to use their imaginations and with paint, markers, crayons or materials to glue on-create an improved photo.

4. When the pictures are complete, have children match the original photos to the newly created ones.

All About Corduroy by Don Freeman (Viking)

Corduroy is a cute little stuffed bear who nobody wanted to buy: There are bigger and newer toys, and besides, the button is missing from one strap of his overalls. A little girl named Lisa showed interest in him, but her mother hesitates and they left without him. While looking for the button after the store closes, Corduroy experiences the wonders of a big department store. Lisa returns the next day and buys him with her own money. She takes him home and they become "best friends."

Here are a few activity suggestions:

-After reading the book, pass around a fabric piece of corduroy for the children to feel. Check to see if anyone is wearing corduroy clothing. Have children describe how it looks and feels.

-Make a stuffed bear. Have children trace around a pattern and cut out two bear shapes from brown grocery bags. Staple or glue around the edges leaving an opening. Stuff the bear with cotton balls or polyester fiberfill. Close the opening. With fabric, cut out some overalls for children to glue onto their bear. Draw facial features with a marker.

-Have children bring in their favorite teddy bear (or stuffed animal). Have a 'teddy bear picnic' during snack time.

-Use buttons for math activities: count them, sort and classify them, create patterns, and estimate the number of buttons in a jar.

- Make bear prints. Buy or make a bear shape out of a sponge. Dip the sponge into brown paint and make a print on paper. Fill in details (facial and clothing) with markers.

As you read the following books by Don Freeman and the many others he has authored, think of activities to enhance the story. This makes preschool storytime fun for young children and helps them to comprehend the story easier.

Sources:
Personal Experience in the Classroom
Story Stretchers by Shirley C. Raines and Robert J. Canady