1. Gather your materials. You will need a piece of black construction paper, a few cupcake liners, markers, glitter ( of course), scissors and glue.
2. Start by drawing on your cupcake liners with the markers. It was challenging for him to hold the liner and color, but a good challenge. If it’s frustrating , just tape the edges with masking tape.
3. Fold your cupcake liner up and cut slits into it.
4. Add glue to your black paper.
5. Add your fireworks.
6. Time for glitter.
7. Let dry.

Books!

“Apple Pie 4th Of July” by Janet S. Wong is an awesome book. I am always awed by authors who can tackle complicated “adult” issues in the pages of a children’s book successfully. In this case the issue is 1st generation identity and immigration, at least that’s my take. The little girl in this book is sulking around her parent’s store on the 4th of July. They are busy making Chinese food for customers she is sure won’t come, who would want Chinese food on such an American holiday is her rational. Of course there are layers about her connection to her ancestral culture and her own national pride. As a proud owner of a green card and a Canadian passport I relate to this story, sure the differences are as deep or as obvious to an outsider but unlike the previous book when this book ended with fireworks I got tingles of pride for my adopted country. Fantastic book- and my son liked it too.

” M is for Maple, A Canadian Alphabet ” by Mike Ulmer. This book will make you feel proud to be from Canada if you are Canadian and teach you something about your neighbour if you are an American. It will also teach your children things about the country they live in and why we feel pride when we hear names like Terry Fox, Anne with an E and Gretzky! I love this book and have since I first read it during teacher’s college in Thunder Bay, if you can be happy about being in Canada during a very cold Thunder Bay winter you can be happy about it anywhere.