Eyes That Speak To The Stars | Book Kit

A young boy discovers his own power and ability to love who he is after a friend at school draws a hurtful drawing. His family lights a path of awareness by showing him how his eyes rise to the skies and speak to the stars, connecting him to his family's past and shining the way to his own future.

Woven throughout this lyrical story are dragons and stars - important images in Chinese culture to illuminate the future and overcome obstacles to see success. Lighting lanterns that float to the sky are thought to be a way to release problems or worries.

We've put together an inspiring activity kit that will captivate kids from 3+ as they explore these pivotal themes and images in the story - and develop new skills along the way.

The best part is we've done all the heavy thinking on this, and provided you with over 8 open-ended activities and all of the supplies you need. (Note that you will need a hot glue gun to make the lantern, and there is an option to have one included in the kit.)

This kit is ideal for a creative and gentle introduction to a body diversity conversation, or a powerful validation for those who can relate to the young boy in the book.

So what's included? Inside your box if you select the FULL KIT (options are available for sibling add-ons or kits without the book) you will receive:

• A hardcover copy of Eyes That Speak To The Stars by New York Times bestselling author Joanna Ho
• 1 ten frame made from FSC-certified Canadian maple
• 1 dragon made from FSC-certified Canadian maple
• 20 real wool felt stars
• Various long and short bamboo sticks
• Sheets of rice paper
• Cotton string
• 1 battery operated tea light
• 1 "s" vocabulary card
• 1 bamboo paint brush
• Paint (non-toxic acrylic)
• Organic cotton bags for supply storage
• Glue dots
• 1 Hot glue gun * (optional add-on if you do not have one. Note that you will need a hot glue gun to assemble the lantern.)
• Directions for 8+ suggested activities

*Please note that the Sibling option does not include another book, nor does it include another ten frame. The Supplies Only option does not include the book but does include a ten frame.

All the materials can be used in many open-ended ways, and have been supplied to provide you with the beginning of a wood and felt heritage collection that you return to year after year. You can mix and match your creating and playing by using the wooden dragon for small world imaginary play, and foster learning through play by using the loose parts to practice sorting, patterns, addition, and subtraction. The lantern can be set on display in your home or brought to your local Lantern Festival. (Please note that it is not a sky lantern and is not intended to be set into the sky.) The ten frame can be used throughout the year to count other loose parts in your home or outside, like rocks, pussy willows, snails, acorns, shells, or goldfish crackers.

Of course, buried within each activity is a connection to the book and a developmental skill to (secretly) practice, enhancing reading, writing, and math skills through a multi-sensory approach. Whether it's counting, making patterns or shapes, peeling, sticking, glueing, pinching, drawing or painting, your child will never realize they are learning because all of this is done through the magic of play as the book comes to life in their own homes.

But the most important benefit of all?

Slowing down. Being mindful. Creating with intention. Spending time with you. (Ok, that's more than one.)

Oh, and reading. Did you know that 6 additional minutes of reading per day can significantly improve kids' reading performance? And that children who read at least 20 minutes a day are exposed to almost 2 million words per year?

True story. (Story - get it? Ha.)

About Ignited Play

Ignited Play is what happens when creative worlds unite. It's the combination of two wildly imaginative teaching moms who joined forces from their own hand crafted businesses (Northwest Felts and Modern Imagination) to ignite play in a whole new way by connecting books and natural materials with the power of mindful creativity. Each activity kit will feature a curated new (or classic gem) book that will springboard a series of nature-inspired activities, with natural wool felt and FSC-certified maple wood being the centrepoint for the supplies. Eco-minded, sustainably sourced, and made with minimal plastic, the materials can be used in many ways to explore universal themes and raise literacy success.

Ages 3+ (some materials are choking hazards)

What's included:

• a hard copy of Eyes That Speak To The Stars by New York Times bestselling author Joanna Ho
• a ten frame made from FSC-certified Canadian maple
• a dragon made from FSC-certified Canadian maple
• 20 real wool felt stars
• long and short bamboo sticks
• sheets of rice paper
• paint
• bamboo paint brush
• cotton string
• 1 battery operated tea light
• Ss stars vocabulary card
• glue dots
• hot glue gun * (optional add-on if you do not have one. You will need a hot glue gun to assemble the lantern.)