We are finishing up our Princess Unit this week, and our next book was The Paper Princess, written and illustrated by Elisa Kleven. It was just a LOVELY book, and it intrigued me to look at her website. I don't know if I've read any of her other books, but I am definitely going to be looking for more Elisa Kleven books when we are out and about today. She even sells her art, which I am going to inquire about; I would hang it in my house.
The collage illustrations are, like I said, lovely. They have a whimsical, dreamy feel. The story is about a little girl who draws a paper doll.
The paper doll accidentally blows away and travels through a series of adventures and mishaps as she longs to find her way back to the little girl.
The kids set to work decorating their own paper dolls. I drew the outlines where the clothes should be. Their only other instructions were: 1) Shoes should look like "watermelons" (we used the closest paper we could find in my scrap paper file). I cut out the shoe shapes for them, as well as the crown shapes.
2) Socks should look like "starry skies."
3) Add hair.
4) Draw on face.
5) Add rosy cheeks with chalk.
Beyond that, I set out markers and paper scraps & scrapbook stickers that might go along with the forest and meadow themes. (The first page reads: The princess's dress was like a forest.) They would use these materials to create her/his collage-clothing. This ended up being one of my favorite projects we've ever done. 
Sissy's paper princess
Dash's paper prince
Tornado's paper prince
At the end of the story, a boy finds the Paper Princess, and he is sad because the meadow picture he drew for his sister blew away. He doesn't have any more paper so the Princess tells him he can turn her over and use her back, which is blank, to draw the picture. When he takes the picture to his sister for her birthday, she realizes it's HER GIRL, who is ecstatic to be reunited with her paper doll princess.
After the kids finished designing their paper dolls, they turned them over and decorated their backs, just as the boy had done!
Sissy's paper princess
Dash's paper prince
Tornado's paper prince
At the end of the story, a boy finds the Paper Princess, and he is sad because the meadow picture he drew for his sister blew away. He doesn't have any more paper so the Princess tells him he can turn her over and use her back, which is blank, to draw the picture. When he takes the picture to his sister for her birthday, she realizes it's HER GIRL, who is ecstatic to be reunited with her paper doll princess.
After the kids finished designing their paper dolls, they turned them over and decorated their backs, just as the boy had done!
For more story + art projects, visit A Mommy's Adventures.
Wonderful project, and story. I think we might "borrow" this one, sometime :)
ReplyDeleteWe haven't read this princess book yet, but I think it looks like a must pick up. Your project turned about beautifully.
ReplyDeleteGreat book and activity recommendations! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'll have to see if that book is in our library, it looks super cute, and I like how your project turned out.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great project! I love the way they turned out. So fun :)
ReplyDeleteThey turned out so pretty!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great project to go with a beautiful story. I like the creativity your kids displayed while decorating their dolls. I have to add this book to our reading list!
ReplyDeleteI have to look for this book. Your project is fantastic - my kids would have a lot of fun with that!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like an awesome book! And I love how you made your own dolls and how you follow along with the story and drew on the backs as well.
ReplyDeleteCute, Jenny. You have three little artists on your hands.
ReplyDeleteReally beautiful project. It looks like a cute book too.
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds wonderful! I love your project.
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