He's A Little Black Rain Cloud...of Course!

Check out this little guy. What is he? Well he's a little black rain cloud, of course. Actually, he's a little pencil-top puppet that one of my creative colleagues dreamed up. Isn't he cute?

Not only is he cute, kiddos and parents alike have fallen in love with him; and he's very easy to make. See the directions below:

Step 1: Cut a pipe cleaner in half.
Step 2: At one end of the pipe cleaner, make a small loop.
Step 3: On the looped end, place a drop of glue (hot glue works best, but
use with caution).
Step 4: Glue a medium black pom-pom to the pipe cleaner loop.
Step 5: Put a dollop of glue on the pom-pom at each side of the pipe
cleaner.
Step 6: Glue a medium blan pom-pom to each side of the pipe cleaner. (He should start to
resemble a cloud.)
Step 7: Glue on two little google eyes.
Step 8: Out of felt, cut out a little lightening bolt mouth and glue it to the pom-pom cloud.
Step 9: Coil the pipe cleaner around the eraser end of a pencil.

Voila! A very simple and inexpensive project to work on with the kiddos that allows them to "touch" the story and engage with the main character. Have a reader's theater where the parent / teacher reads the narrative and kiddos read the storm's voice using their puppet.

We are always looking for neat ideas to share with the kids at our book signings and read alouds. If you have any ideas, we would love to hear from you.