The beautifully illustrated wordless book Sidewalk Flowers by JonArno Lawson and Sydney Smith is an ode to the importance of small things, small people, and small gestures. In this story that unfolds in pictures, allowing you and your child to develop the narration on your own, a little girl collects wildflowers while her distracted father pays her little attention. Each flower becomes a gift, and whether the gift is noticed or ignored, both giver and recipient are transformed by their encounter. After exploring this book, make some paper flowers and basket of your own to brighten someone else’s day.
Paper Flower and Cone Craft
Materials
- 9″ x 9″ square of construction paper
- scraps of construction paper in green and any color you want your flowers to be
- one green pipe cleaner
- yarn or ribbon, about 18″ long
- scissors
- glue stick
- hole punch
- crayons
Directions
- Cut the construction paper squire in half, diagonally (making a triangle) and decorate one side with crayon (see below)
- Roll the triangle into a cone and secure with glue. Watch this video tutorial to see how it’s done! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5x2dQAY6ea0.
- Punch two holes in the top of the cone, opposite each other, and attach the yarn to each side of the cone using these holes (see below).
- Draw two simple flower shapes, two circles, and four simple leaf shapes and cut them out (see below).
- Carefully poke the pipe cleaner through two of the leaves and the middle of one flower. Fold down about 1/4 inch of the pipe cleaner (see below).
- Glue one circle over the folded down pipe cleaner, in the middle of the flower.
- Repeat steps 5 an 6 with the other end of the pipe cleaner.
- Fold the pipe cleaner in half and place inside the cone. (See below for finished project).
