Oona and the Shark Book Kit

Description

Spunky mermaid Oona is back in this endearing sequel that helps Oona realize everyone is different.

When Oona meets Stanley the shark she can’t help but want to be friends with him, but nothing seems to work.

How can she befriend this shark who is overwhelmed by everything she does to get his attention?

We’ve put together an inspiring activity kit that will captivate kids from 3+ as they dive into activities to answer this pivotal question of the story – and develop skills in reading, spelling, math and art along the way.

The best part is we’ve done all the heavy thinking on this, and provided you with 9 open-ended activities and all of the supplies you need (except scissors and a hot glue gun because this varies depending on skill and age and risk management).

This kit makes for a great holiday or birthday gift for the ocean-lover, mermaid-lover, shark-lover, or imaginary play-lover on your list.

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

• A hardcover copy of Oona and the Shark by New York Times bestseller Kelly DiPucchio
• A maple shark-shaped sensory tray (handmade from FSC-certified wood)
• A plain oak peg doll (to paint and explore options for skin colour)
• 1 felt mermaid tail (handmade from real wool)
• 1 reversible felt crown (handmade from real wool)
• 1 package of fine sand
• A set of shells
• A set of sea glass in 3 different colours
• A set of alphabet cards (will need to be cut out)
• Spelling template similar to elkonin boxes for Orton Gillingham multi-sensory spelling development
• 1 real piece of driftwood
• 1 canvas
• 1 dabber
• 1 hammerhead shark silhouette
• 2 bamboo paint brushes
• Paint (non-toxic acrylic)
• Natural twine
• Natural cotton string
• Black natural wool rovings
• Real wool shapes in sea stars and seaweed
• 1 hair clip
• Real bamboo sticks
• Organic cotton bags for supply storage
• Directions for 9 suggested activities

*Please note that the Sibling option does not include another book, nor does it include another shark tray.

With all of those materials, you can mix and match your creating and playing by using the sea glass to explore patterns in the shark tray, or by adding the pieces into the sand for sensory exploration. You can use the shark tray to create different coloured sharks with the sea glass, or practice letter or word tracing with fingers in the sand.

Of course, buried within each activity is a connection to the book and a developmental skill to (secretly) practice. Whether it’s counting, making patterns or shapes, matching words, glueing, pinching salt, dotting, painting, tying knots, writing on paper, moving letter cards or cutting, your child will never realize they are learning because all of this is done through the magic of play.

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)