Pre-Writing Activity: Rainbow Fish Note Cards

Back in my college days, I worked at a children’s bookstore (one of my favorite jobs ever!) where I made no money because I spent it all on books. I vividly remember the copy after copy after copy we sold of Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister. The illustrations in the book were breathtaking. Fast forward a few decades and I get to feature this book in this month’s Virtual Book Club for Kids.

When thinking of an activity to compliment the book, I kept coming back to the art. So, we have a beautiful pre-writing activity to make homemade watercolor cards.

If you are new to Virtual Book Club for Kids here is a little background. The Educators’ Spin On It, Toddler Approved and Rainy Day Mum have put together a wonderful line-up of great books to explore. Talented bloggers share activities to compliment the books. You are invited to try out as many of the ideas that you feel would be a good fit for your kids.

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The Book: Rainbow Fish

[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”500″ identifier=”1558580093″ locale=”US” src=”/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/51PmILof0yL.jpg” tag=”groboobyboo-20″ width=”374″]

[easyazon_link identifier=”1558580093″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Rainbow Fish[/easyazon_link] by Marcus Pfister

Pre-Writing Watercolor Note Cards

To make the note cards you will need the following materials:

[easyazon_link identifier=”B004M59O4C” locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]watercolor paper[/easyazon_link]

[easyazon_link identifier=”B00114RIIQ” locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]watercolors[/easyazon_link] (pinks, purples, greens, and blues)

paintbrush

cardstock paper

markers or pens

scissors

aluminum foil

Page through Rainbow Fish and focus on the illustrations. Ask your child, “What do you notice about the illustrations?” Discuss how Pfister created the illustrations with watercolors. List the colors observed.
Invite your child to paint her watercolor paper completely with blues, greens, pinks and purples. Allow to dry. (working on making marks on paper)
On the back of the dried watercolor painting, draw different shapes and images such as fish, seahorses, anemone, etc.
Cut out each shape. (fine motor scissor practice)
Fold the cardstock paper in half to form a card. Glue each watercolor image onto the front of the card.
Add a little sparkle with an aluminum foil cut out shape.
The card is ready to house your great writing or drawing. Invite your child to write or draw a note to someone and mail it to the lucky recipient.

I’d love to see the cards you make. Share a picture on Instagram and be sure tag me @growingbookbybook.

Now it’s time to see more great activities that compliment Rainbow Fish. But, before you leave to see all the goodies… Have you signed up for our FREE newsletter? Each week you get lots of literacy goodies delivered to your inbox. Take a second and sign-up HERE.