Zachary Quack
Books can provide a great springboard into creative activities. After sharing a picture book together, my daughter and I often want to respond in some creative way. Sometimes as the parent I make a suggestion, but increasingly it is Little Miss 3 who is coming up with her own ideas!
This week at the library we borrowed Hairy Maclary and Zachary Quack. Lynley Dodd’s stories are guaranteed to evoke a “read it again!” response, especially if they are well read (not with too much sing-song rhythm). After reading it through three times, and zipping around the house like the duckling in the story, my daughter announced, “Mummy, we need to make a Zachary Quack.”
So we did. We found a free clipart duck online, enlarged it and printed it out. I already had a bag of feathers in the craft box from the cheap store, so I set my daughter up with feathers, glue, felt pens and the printout and let her go for it! I think she did a lovely job making her own “Zachary Quack” and I was reminded of the importance of activites being child directed in the early years.
If your child has an idea for an activity – go with it! There is nothing nicer than being led by a child on a creative journey.
Oh, I’ve heard her talk about Hairy Maclary! That’s the dog, right?? And I guess I’d now better stop ready books in a sing-song rhythm…although it’s hard with books like Fox in Sox!!
We are big lovers of hairy maclary here. Noah knows all the words and can quote many of them back, often at inappropriate times, like in the supermarket bread isle, just when there is a second of silence.
Imagine doing the scarface claw yowl right about then.
Yeah.
I love you Zachary Quack
@Tiff
We saw someone walking a little sausage dog the other day and my daughter announced (for the world to hear, of course) “Look Mummy! A tiny sized Schnitzel Von Krumm with a very low tum!”
How cute. very fond of books and activities. My teacher resources are coming in very handy around the home too.
LOVE this book. What a great idea!
I love Hairy Maclary!!! Used to love reading these books to my kids when they were little, and especially doing the sound effects for Scarface Claw (the cat) … rrrRRROOOOWWWWrrrrr! Tee hee ee!
The Lynley Dodd books have been a great hit with my children at the 2 – 3 age mark. I also love it when the child leads the activity, it is gorgeous to gain an insight into what they are thinking about.
Amelie is also a big fan of all the Lynley Dodd stories. Actually so am I!
Another fantastic article, which we’ve not only featured on our Cradle Fables facebook fan page, but we’ve decided to launch a competition based around your idea!
Hairy Maclary is definitely a favourite for my nephews, too. Although it’s usually me that is the one quoting lines to them and often calling them names like “Isaac Maclary from Donaldson’s dairy”