I love this book.  Willow is a book about a little girl who is full of life.  She’s a free spirit who loves art and the creative process.  She helps her teacher see that there is more to art than staying in the lines.  I don’t consider myself to be an artist.  I pretty pathetic when it comes to painting and drawing.  I love sewing and photography, so I guess that’s my form of art.

After reading the book, I invited my kindergarten class to paint.  They could finger paint anything they wanted.  They could even make pink trees or blue apples, like Willow.

I asked the kids to leave room on their paper for writing.  I explained to them that some grown ups don’t understand kindergarten art, like we do, and they might need a message on the paper to tell them about the painting.

So much joy comes from kindergarten painting!  The room gets surprisingly quiet, as the concentration begins. Their fingers go to work, as their imaginations take hold. 

This is creative writing and illustrating at its best.

Happy painting…
and happy writing too!