June 24, 2009 | 32 Comments

Fireworks Craft – 4th of July Craft

Summer is here. It’s almost time to celebrate Canada Day and The 4th of July! My favorite part of both days are the fireworks. I had to show my son videos of fireworks I found online because he’s never seen them in person. Although the videos could only capture half the magic he loved them and I can’t wait for him to see them in person this year. This 4th of July Craft is a wonderful way to get excited and have fun with red, white and blue at the same time.

Gather your materials. You will need a piece of black construction paper, a few cupcake liners, markers, glitter ( of course), scissors and glue.
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.
Fold your cupcake liner up and cut slits into it.
Add glue to your black paper.
Add your fireworks.
Time for glitter.
Let dry.

Books!

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How to Bake an American Pie Karma Wilson is sentimental, sweet and probably should be reviewed by an American. The reason I say that is that it’s written to pull at your heart strings, make you feel pride in your country and I am sure it succeeds when the reader is American. But the same way I wouldn’t expect an American to get choked up singing “O Canada” the way I do, I just don’t get the full effect. Strictly as a book this was a little too figurative for my son although he loved the illustrations of the dog and cat baking the pie and kept turning back to the page with rainbows. Older kids will recognize some of the text that is taken from America the Beautiful and will understand the figurative language, although may be put off by the illustrations that seem more geared towards little ones. I would love to hear from any Americans who have read this book to get your take!

Apple Pie Fourth of July 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 (Discover the World) Mike Ulmer. This book will make you feel proud to be from Canada if you are Canadian and teach you something about your neighbour ( Canadian spelling) 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.