Anyway, the book this time around needed to have an interesting setting. (To create a diorama.) I helped June find a good book, because it is hard for children to envision a book with a good setting. We chose The King's Highway.
Many of you may not have heard of this book. I picked it up one year at Deseret Book. It was on sale, and I am kind of a sucker for children's books. I hadn't ever seen it before but after reading it, I was pleased with my purchase. It is a simple story wherein a king has no successor. He asks people to travel his highway and the one who does this task the best will become king. Wealthy men and knights come out decked in their finery to travel the highway. A young shepherd boy, Michael, watches these men and follows to see who will be chosen.
Along the way, they come to a bridge covered in rubble.
The wealthy men and travelers are put off by this mess in their way. Michael quickly goes to work clearing a path so these men of prestige can pass through. When the path is cleared enough, the travelers continue, but Michael remains to finish the job. At the bottom of the pile of rubble, Michael finds a ring with the King's crest. He would send it to the castle, but no one is left to carry it so he takes it himself.
Upon arriving at the castle, he tells the King he has found his majesty's ring. The King replies that it is not his ring, it belongs to Michael, the one who helped clear the trail for others, and who was therefore the best traveler on the highway.
We had fun creating the King's highway. I particularly like our sucker trees and gumball bushes.
It is fun to create with a child. But I also look forward to the days when my vision doesn't cloud hers.
That's a good looking diorama! I never got to do those in school - maybe I'll just find a child and "help" them!
ReplyDeleteThat's very creative! The "family" projects come home from school and I know I'm the one who will end up doing it all.
ReplyDeleteYour sucker trees are awesome!! I wonder how long they last sitting in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteOK I know I have your e mail but couldn't find it, hmm.
ReplyDeleteSo to answer your questions (you are NOT Wassail-challenge by the way, all valid questions.)
Cloves ARE the little pokey things, pokey and absolutely yummy.
All spice also comes in a jar in the spice section...they are little balls of goodness themselves
And I have taken to using crystalized ginger that is little chunks in a jar too...although truth be told I leave out the ginger if I don't have it and you don't even notice.
So you have a bunch of little twig and dirt looking things floating around...that is why cheesecloth would be nice but I also just strain it through a slotted spoon or something when its done.
Good luck!
OK seriously, I promise not to keep doing this (but you might have to e mail me first because really, where is your e mail? ejscharman@hotmail.com)
ReplyDeleteI have read The Help, loved it...and The Hunger Games, loved some more than others...I have read the first Fablehaven with the girls but we need to get our hands on the next one. Yes, I always need book suggestions but I can't keep up with my list that is neverending. For Christmas I want to ask my husband for a week in a hotel with a stack of books...is that too much to ask?