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We should treat language like play dough when we write...When we use our imaginations and play with words, it's exciting to see the shape...that emerges.
~ Margriet Ruurs
Remember how relaxing it felt to squeeze play dough or clay through your fingers and to make whatever came to mind?
Dev Petty took that idea and made a story about two balls of clay that can become anything! And they get a little crazy when the artist is not around.
"So...are you new here?"
"Yeah."
"Me too."
"What do you think is going to happen?"
"Probably something WONDERFUL."
Mirra Ginsburg retells the story of Clay Boy from Russian folklore. Grandpa found a piece of clay and formed it into a boy. As soon as the boy is dried, the clay boy is very, very hungry.
"I am here! I am hungry!"
Grandma gave him milk.
Grandpa gave him bread.
In a wink, the clay boy gluped it all down and cried,
"More! I want more!"
The lyrical language in this book considers the lives of an ancient people whose pieces of pottery are found in the Southwest.
Women then
must have
spoken
to the earth
as they took
its clay.
They must have
sung special songs
for shaping the bowl,
for polishing it,
for baking it
so it would be
strong enough
to last
long after
that tribe
was gone...
Your challenge: squeeze clay or play dough and let your mind wander. Make little characters and move them around. Relax and play. Did something wonderful happen?
Did an idea emerge?
Have fun. Post your squeeze in the comments.
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"So...are you new here?"
"Yeah."
"Me too."
"What do you think is going to happen?"
"Probably something WONDERFUL."
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By Mirra Ginsburg |
Mirra Ginsburg retells the story of Clay Boy from Russian folklore. Grandpa found a piece of clay and formed it into a boy. As soon as the boy is dried, the clay boy is very, very hungry.
"I am here! I am hungry!"
Grandma gave him milk.
Grandpa gave him bread.
In a wink, the clay boy gluped it all down and cried,
"More! I want more!"
![]() | ||
By Byrd Baylor |
The lyrical language in this book considers the lives of an ancient people whose pieces of pottery are found in the Southwest.
Women then
must have
spoken
to the earth
as they took
its clay.
They must have
sung special songs
for shaping the bowl,
for polishing it,
for baking it
so it would be
strong enough
to last
long after
that tribe
was gone...
Your challenge: squeeze clay or play dough and let your mind wander. Make little characters and move them around. Relax and play. Did something wonderful happen?
Did an idea emerge?
Have fun. Post your squeeze in the comments.
Embed from Getty Images
I recently read CLAYMATES and just loved it! So many layers to that book! I'm going to try your challenge later -- a fun idea!
ReplyDeleteYeah, Andrea. ❤️ Sometimes you just have to play.
DeleteLove this post, Janie :) I am going to read these books. I wish I had some clay to post here, but I only have some ground beef-LOL I'm making meatloaf tonight so I'll consider that my squeeze of clay for the day!
ReplyDeleteCharlotte you made me laugh out loud😄
DeleteThere is so much to love about clay. It's relaxing, it's creative, it's squishy. I'm sure Claymates has just as much to love about it.
ReplyDeleteClaymates is funny. The characters are likeable in all their forms.
DeleteI just started playing with clay again. I love the clay theme of these books. Can't wait to read them.
ReplyDeleteClaire let us know what ideas or other creations develop 😊
ReplyDeleteHi Janie, you have awaken the creativity in me. I loved reading the book, the only thing is I did not have time to put it in action as I was busy in submitting my Buy Research Papers more about visit this site.
ReplyDelete