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For several years, the girls and I went often to a weekly story time at a local toy store. Ms. Helen was awesome at reading aloud. She was a retired kindergarten teacher who always took time to chat with the kids and give nice warm hugs that Lena and Maggie looked forward to. Normally, I would use story time as a chance to make some lists, brainstorm ideas for blog posts, or look over our schedule for the week.
One week, however, Ms. Helen started reading Pezzettino. I put my lists aside and listened with rapt attention. I had never heard anything like it! The illustrations were so unique, but perfect for young children. I picked up a copy on our way out that day.
Since then, Pezzettino has been one of my favorite books. That little orange block you see on the cover is Pezzettino. He believes that he is so small that he surely must be a part of someone else. Everyone seems so much bigger and more daring than he is! Eventually Pezzettino learns that he is his own self, and that he, too is daring and complex, just like all the other creatures he has been admiring.
As part of our author study of Leo Lionni, the girls made Pezzettino creatures out of Duplos! We have LOADS of Duplos, so that's what we used, but you could also use Legos. I started by dumping them out into a giant pile in the middle of the room. Then, I re-read Pezzettino to the girls. I could see them eying the Duplos, their little imaginations working!
Lena decided to build the first character, "the-one-who-runs." She started by building his long skinny legs.
Then she thought about and figured out how to add his body, head, and tail. I loved watching her study the picture and think about what to do!
Figuring out his mouth and tail were definitely the trickiest part!
Next Lena wanted to build Pezzettino himself. Instead of just using one small block, she built a larger cube made up of many smaller parts-- just like in the story.
Then she climbed up in a chair and tossed her little Pezzettino down a "hill" and watched him break apart into many pieces!
This was a fun (and SUPER simple) way to explore one of our favorite books! I think Ms. Helen would be proud!
What kind of Pezzettino creations would your children like to create?
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