Growing a Reader: Kids' Books, Tips and More

Cut and colour. Mousse and mohawk. Gel and glitter. 

There are hundreds of ways to make your hair look wild and wonderful like Stanley does in Barney Saltzberg's book Crazy Hair Day but if you want to try something that doesn't involve any scissors, dyes, or special products may we suggest the following ideas?

Wear a Wig or Tutu

Two of this year's TD Summer Reading Club books feature wild ways to change the top of your head:

In Jack Prelutsky's I've Lost My Hippopotamus, you can read poems about many different kinds of animals including the daper and chic "Wiguanas" who are lizards with a flair for fabulous hair!

And in The Yellow Tutu by Kirsten Bramsen and Carin Bramsen, Margo displays her own uniqueness by wearing a tutu like a bright crown of sunshine.

Crazy Hair Day by Barney Saltzberg (Ages 4-7)

I've Lost My Hippopotamus by Jack Prelutsky (Ages 3-12)

The Yellow Tutu by Kirsten Bramsen (Ages 3-6)

Be Inspired by some WILD Stickers

Have you been going to your local library to report on the books you've been reading to earn TD Summer Reading Club stickers?  Why not let Virginie Egger's artwork inspire you to create some pictures of yourself with some WILD hair like the ones her creations are sporting? You could draw a self-portrait in a style that's similar to her's or paste a photograph of just your face on a piece of paper (remember to cut off the hair!) and then draw your own TDSRC inspired hair style.  Or you could take it a step further and create some photo booth props or cut-outs like they did at Bridlewood Branch:

Monkey, Mike, and Captain Moustache of "Applefun Puppetry" showing off their WILD new hairdos thanks to Bridlewood's TDSRC inspired photo booth.

Get Even More Crafty

Using paints and pencils isn't the only way that you can create some hair-raising selfies. Go on a nature walk and design some temporary outdoor art by making a face out of materials that you find on the ground such as fallen leaves, twigs and pebbles.  Try making yourself into a "Hairy Potter" or use craft materials to cut and paste a three dimensional self-portrait.

Maker Kid & Miss Katherine – TDSRC 2014

Of course if you'd still rather try to change your own hair into something a little more wild, perhaps you should check out the TDSRC Silly Story called "A Wild New 'Do" and think about just how wonderfully wild you really want it to get.