Leo Lionni's It's Mine! and a Lesson on Sharing

Leo Lionni’s It’s Mine! and a Lesson on Sharing

Leo Lionni is probably best know for his book Swimmy which is a classic on the value of being unique. While I love that story, I also really love the story It’s Mine! with the three fabulous frog characters named Milton, Rupert and Lydia. I picked up this copy at my local World Market, YES they have books!!! They are all super selfish and quarrel all the time until circumstances force them to learn to share and get along, thanks to a giant toad. Lionni is one of my favorite authors becuase his stories are ones that can reach all kids. Kids of all abilities are able to decode and gain visual insight from the fabulous bright illustrations and ways in which he used art media. He used nature and animals that kids love. IN this book and his others, the important values of friendship, cooperation, sharing, individuality, and peace are the focus. Leo Lionni’s It’s Mine story is a great one.

Why To Use this Book and Project

Teaching kids about sharing and getting along is so important. Creating stick puppets to act out the story is super fun and offers an opportunity for kids to connect to the story. Literature connections extend the lessons in the story to tangible creations that kids can relate to. The idea of creating art using a book for inspirations gives it more meaning.

How to Make the Project

Here is how I made them. Using watercolor paper, I cut the three frogs out using one of my dies from the Pet Shop collection that I designed for Ellison Education. I used the large frog die from the Calendar Collection to make the toad.

Because Leo Leonni’s artistic style is one of collage and bright colors, using watercolors is perfect for the creatures. If you kiddos use crazy colors, let them! The colors are not important but the creative process sure is. Once the frogs and the toad are done, create a pond by tearing up blue papers and gluing them to a paper plate. If you want to make a bug too, the dragonfly is on the same die with the frog! This is a great Art Project and Free Printable for Leo Lionnis its mine book.

Now you have the pieces to act out the story.

I put together a little activity sheet too to go with this project. If you kiddos are too little for this, it might be a great activity for when older “buddies” come to visit. You can download it FREE here on the blog.

Best Ways to Use Free Printables

You might have seen this list from me before but I think it is worth sharing over and over. Sometimes the people in the back need to hear things a few times, right? There are so many great ways to use free printables. Here are some of my favorites.

Print them and mail in an envelope with a stamp. Snail mail rocks.
Batch some up to make an activity book. This is great for a road trip!
Print and use at a place setting on the table to create a conversation starter.
Add them to goody bags. By the way, goody bags are not just for birthday parties.
Package them up with your favorite markers and crayons to give as a gift.
Drop a few off at the local coffee shop with fun pencils to spread some happy.
Cut them up to make cards, gift wrap and decorations.

BEST Tools For Working With Free Printables

These are my favorite tools and art supplies to use with free printables and why I love them too.

Printer – This Laser Printer is inexpensive and works like a charm. It even works with Alexa. Bonus!
Scissors – Lots of printables can be cut up to create decorations and cards and things like that.
Markers and Crayons – All thing ooly work the best for me. I LOVE all of their markers, pencils and crayons.
Colored Pencils – For adult coloring, PRISM makes the colored pencils that I love to use most.
Twine – For creating banners and garlands from printables, I love this twine best.
Adhesive – Lots of printables have pieces that get cut out and put together. This is my fave tape runner!