Things that Grow in the Spring

My Red Umbrella
We have a script typed up for this story. I have never seen the book, so I didn't know the umbrella grows. These are our pieces with the umbrella. When it is on the easel I can crouch down under the umbrella with everyone else.

Here are my magical umbrella triangles. It looks less like an umbrella as it grows, but I'm sure one of you fabulously creative flannelizers can make it work!

Mushroom in the Rain
Here is my growing mushroom. You will need a pair of pantyhose and a styrofoam or paper bowl. Cut a hole in the bottom-about 3/4 in. diameter. Pull the waist of the pantyhose from the inside of the bowl, through the bottom. Turn the waist inside out and pull down around rim of bowl. 

 I twist and knot the legs to make a stem. Little ant fits under it perfectly.

The loose extra nylon has been tucked under the inside of the bowl. Start to pull it down around the animals as you add them.

Just keep stuffing the animals in. I think in the story they don't let fox in, but it's more fun to just squeeze him in there with everyone else (he promises to be good).

I don't think there is a bear in the story, but the more the merrier. The BIGGER the better. The kids crack up.

 As you take out the animals,the mushroom shrinks right back down to size. And of course, frog shows up to explain the phenomenon.

Hope you have as much fun with it as I do!

Princess Frog (no, not that one)
I'm pulling books for fairytale storytime, and I can't wait to do one of my favorite puppet plays base on the book My Froggy Valentine by Matt Novak. I adore unconventional princess stories, and this one works perfectly well without reference to Valentine's day. I use puppets because we have a lot of frogs, but it could easily be a flannel board story. Princess Polly searches for her prince, but cannot find the right one. In the end, it is she who must change to find her perfect prince.