wordplayhouse®: February 2012

(The following contains Amazon Affiliate links) I wouldn't usually expect this book to be my cup of tea. This or this would be more expected of my borne interests. And, if you have been visiting and enjoying what we share here, maybe more likely yours too.

But, books are often filled with surprises. The Disappearing Spoon was. Quirky, inspiring history. Amazing science made readable. Surprising facts. The Periodic Table of Elements made simple—and yes—very interesting indeed. And, I found out how that disappearing spoon disappeared...

Good with a cup of warm tea, I read for a bit. Until my last tea sip. Then more on a road trip—until I had finished it.

And, the best part. Our nine-year-old saw it. She fell in love with the elements. Everything about them. And has begun her element collection in a tall wooden file drawer. And, now her mind is in another just-as-wowing book.

Oh, what an unexpectedly good (science) book will do.

✮ Endnote—I do judge a book by its cover. I can't help it. I have designed to many covers not to. So, I suppose I was originally drawn to the interesting cover, above. And, this science book for younger children, below. I like a book that is good on the inside and outside. Besides, It is pretty wonderful that you can buy the vintage-look book, below, then get an original painting done by the illustrator too.

| find the book (Amazon Affiliate link) here | | buy an illustration from the book here |

Science books for kids

Our recent additions to our you make do™ shop: classic train party, sweet bees party (with hand-drawn bees and sunflowers), and star flowers designed by our sweet 7-year-old. ©heather cahoon • wordplayhouse®

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As a mother of a few, I have revered in a generous share of children's birthday parties anticipated here. Of a birthday child wistfully counting down the days. Of reassurances that the eager young one's special day will come—our toddler awaiting his birthday in June, but wanting it to be his turn in December. Of dreaming and making our celebrations earlier than need be—placing our eager, anticipated energy into making and readying for our handmade home birthdays. above, the birthday girl puts the magical touch on top of her homemade fairy cupcakes.

So many of our birthday parties have been sung to within our home. And, so many of my drawings have been placed into children's books you may have read to your own young ones—

So, I put them together.

We are sharing our handmade birthdays in you make do™ party play kits™. These books kits are filled with party decorations—from our own party celebrations—you and your children cut out and make. And, I have also created a you make do™ paper play kit™ filled with playthings too. Because if there is one thing I have shared most on wordplayhouse® —It is play. Unstructured, wildly creative play.

Enjoy the joy of handmade making with your own children; or share the gift of creativity with others by giving our paper play kits as thoughtful, unique gifts. Today we celebrate, not another birthday, but the culmination of thought and inventiveness poured into our paper play creations. We are so happy to finally share our playful work with you here today. We hope you will share our cheer too.

Hand-drawn fairies for our fairy blossom party, our 6-year-old's celebration upon her 7th year—

party play kit: fairy blossoms created by heather cahoon

This wondrous party kit is filled with imaginative, easy-to-assemble decorations. Create a playful and magical celebration day, to make it a remember-for-always one.

Book kit includes: 12 dainty fairy cupcake toppers, 42 pretty blossoms to make a garland, 12 flower straw toppers, and a template to make blossom fairy wands and necklaces. All for a sweet celebration your special guests will remember with wondrous awe.

This full-of-imagination kit was made by the mother of a few, New York Times bestselling illustrator Heather Cahoon, to add simplicity and delight to your special celebration. This kit is simple enough for young ones to join in the party planning fun. Make memories creating your next celebration together.

Share in the marvel of play with our growing treasury of paper play books. Cherish them all. 40 pages. Paperback. Also available as instant download printables in my shop.

Image gallery of party play kit: fairy blossoms (Amazon Affiliate link). Click images to enlarge.

Available in book format, or as an instant download printable pdf file.

buy: |instant download| (from my printable shop) or |amazon| (Amazon Affiliate link)

Handmade sailboat playsets for our children, and now yours. A day of making and creative play—

paper play kit: sail away created by heather cahoon

This you make do™ paper play kit™ is brimming with creative playthings to cut out and make, create, build, and imagine for a wondrously playful learning day. Hours of paper play, to make days of imaginative pretend play. Share in the marvel of play with our growing treasury of paper play books. Cherish them all.

sail away make-and-play set™ includes: 6 sails and sailboat flags to make sailboats, sailors, fish, whale, pelican, seagull, crab, starfish, nautical flag chart to roll up and bring on imaginary sailing adventures or to frame and hang, sailor knot chart, 12 banner flags to make a garland, and instructions to make a dock for play. 40 pages. Paperback. Also available as instant download printables in my shop.

Image gallery of paper play kit: sail away (Amazon Affiliate link). Click images to enlarge.

buy: |instant download|(from my printable shop) or |amazon| (Amazon Affiliate link)

party play kit: whimsical bugs created by heather cahoon

This wondrous party kit is filled with imaginative, easy-to-assemble decorations. Create a playful and magical celebration day, to make it a remember-for-always one.

Book kit includes: 12 whimsical bug cupcake toppers, 18 reversible garland flags, 12 striped drinking straw toppers, and 12 bug treat bag toppers. All for a sweet celebration your special guests will remember with wondrous awe.

This full-of-imagination kit was made by the mother of a few, New York Times bestselling illustrator Heather Cahoon, to add simplicity and delight to your special celebration. This kit is simple enough for young ones to join in the party planning fun. Make memories creating your next celebration together.

Share in the marvel of play with our growing treasury of paper play books. Cherish them all. 40 pages. Paperback. Also available as instant download printables in my shop.

Image gallery of party play kit: whimsical bugs (Amazon Affiliate link). Click images to enlarge.