Mr. Shark
My Mr. Shark puppet has a life of his own. He swims to Connecticut for the spring, then returns to the Caribbean for the fall and winter months. (When my husband and I went on vacation in St. Maarten, we sent a postcard from Mr. Shark!) I had to create a life for this puppet, or I wouldn’t be able to read a story that isn’t shark-related to any child in the area! I’ve perfected ways of using him with two stories:
I couldn’t find a copy of Shark in the Park that wasn’t damaged, and the board book was too small to use in storytime. So I made my own version:
This is a canvas board (you can find at a craft/art store) that has felt glued to it and painted with fabric paint. (Notice the black crow, black cat, and Timmy’s dad hiding behind the newspaper.)
I then bought a white piece of felt to cover the board and cut a hole in it for the telescope.
To tell the story, I ask all the children to put on their telescopes. I say the rhyme with them, and as we are rhyming I slip one of the animals in between the board and peek hole.
Here are the things found in the book: bird, cat, Timmy’s dad, and of course, Mr. Shark.
When I take the white felt off, the children love to laugh when I show them what’s hiding.
I’m trying to think of ways to expand the story…I guess I need to take my viewfinder out for a hike!
I also, love to use The Three Little Fish and the Big, Bad Shark with Mr. Shark and finger puppets:
What’s your favorite Shark activity? (Mr. Shark needs something new for his suitcase. Haha.)
For more ideas to use in storytime, check out Lisa’s Libraryland. She’s hosting Flannel Friday this week.
Wow! Wow! Wow! …!!
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