The Snail and the Whale Art Activity
This is an art activity based on our favorite book of the month, The Snail and the Whale. We are on repeat mode for this book for over a week and it’s still going strong. Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, the author and illustrator respectively for the popular books The Gruffalo and Room on the Broom nailed it again with this book. The story has a beautiful message, the rhymes are seamless and the illustrations are vivid, cute and engaging!
Setting up the Invitation to Create
I set up this invitation to create with a humpback whale and tiny snail cut outs (I drew them myself and cut them out) and invited my children (2.5yo and 5yo) to bring them for another adventure. It was such a simple invitation, just a few materials (the story book, a Nat Geo magazine, paper and basic art materials) but it got my children very excited.
Bring the Snail and the Whale for Another Adventure
My son (5yo) went through every page of the National Geographic magazine to pick a location for his adventure. For the next one hour, he was contentedly drawing and coloring out a beautiful seaside drawing. He chose to use the oil pastel crayons I set out. Then I thought of trying out this new technique, oil painting and midway, I gave him oil to paint over his drawings. The oil pastel crayons blended like paint with the oil and the effect was amazing!
Even little sister (2.5yo) stayed on this activity for over 30 minutes. She wanted to make a collage with tissue papers and her current favorite thing, glue instead. It was a great 2 in 1 art and fine motor as she shredded the paper and squeezed the glue bottle to make this collage. When she saw the oil, she decided she had to add oil to her creation too.
We added on the whale and snail (using hot glue since tape doesn’t work on the oily surfaces) on their beautiful creations. Finally, I asked my children to tell me their imaginary adventures. Children have the best imagination and both my children had such interesting stories to share.
Book activities, especially those based on your children’s favorites books are one of the best way to engage the children. We have set up a learning shelf for another of my children’s favorite book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Pick out your child’s favorite book and set up an invitation to create today!
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