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We have an absolute treat for you today in the form of an exclusive image drawn for us to accompany the wonderful children’s book Arthur Wants a Balloon by Elizabeth Gilbert Bedia, and illustrated by Erika Meza. This book is about a parent’s depression but a story that shows a ray of hope and sunshine at the end. The takeaway being that no matter the hardship there is light and love at the end to get us through.
To accompany this wonderful story the books illustrator has drawn an activity sheet excusively for KiddyCharts! Thanks to both her, and Trigger publishing for sharing with us all.
The story of Arthur begins when his gloomy dad rushes him through the park each morning in the grey and rainy weather. Little Arthur only wants a balloon from the park vendor, but his father seems to always say no. Until one morning the balloons magically appear at their doorstep. As this happens Arthur figures out how to bring the sunshine out.
This is a book about a parent’s depression that has a ray of hope and sunshine at the end. A young reader will grasp onto the concept that even in the worst situations, there is light and love.
To accompany the book, we have a KiddyCharts exclusive illustration by the books illustrator, acclaimed artist Erika Meza. The book’s illustration plays a big part in the book as the palette, which goes from drab to bright as the story progresses, brings this delicate and emotional story to life.
Arthur Wants a Balloon Activity Sheet
The image is absolutely beautiful, isn’t it? We love that this activity sheet can be used in various ways and for different age ranges. The book is geared for kids between 2-5 years old, but the activity sheet can go beyond that.
As a suggestion, we have some ideas for how you can use this exclusive illustration, for example;
- Colour in Arthur,
- Use the sheet for kids to discuss how they are feeling,
- Colour in each balloon dependent on their emotions (cheery colours for positive emotions, and negative emotions in a darker shade),
- Older kids can write how they feel on each balloon, and
- Use the sheet daily as an emotion guide.
The best thing about this sheet is that you can be flexible depending on the different stages of your kids life.
This is a great way to begin a dialogue with your children and get them to open up about their feelings and emotions. The printable can be used both between parents and their children or between educators or school counsellors, and their students.
We know this is a brilliant conversation starter and it’s a great way to allow kids to open up at their pace.
<< Click on the circular image below to get your own exclusive printable >>
We hope you like this as much as we do, and that you download your copy to accompany the brilliant book, which you can find here – Arthur Wants a Balloon.
Check out these additional resources to help your kids to speak about their emotions.
Help your kids in identifying their feelings with these feelings resources that we have for you on the site.
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Do have a look at these additional resources from the web too.
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Here are a few more ideas for you about mindful activities that your kids can do today.
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Some prompts for the journal that you might now have from Upside Down Books - or just some general journaling ideas for your kids.
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Ideas for encouraging mindful sibling relationships - something that we struggle with a little in our family...so perhaps some of you do to?
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Helping your kids with their self-esteem is a great way to encourage them to be more mindful too. Why not check out this advice to help them?
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Thanks for stopping by and see you back soon,
Helen
Helen
Helen is a mum to two, social media consultant, and website editor; and this site is (we think) the only Social Enterprise parenting magazine!Since giving up being a business analyst when juggling travel, work and kids proved too complicated, she founded KiddyCharts so she could be with her kids, and use those grey cells at the same time.KiddyCharts has reach of over 1.1million across social and the site. The blog works with big family brands (including travel) to help promote their services, as well as offering free resources to parents of kids under 10.It gives 51%+ profits to Reverence for Life, who fund a number of important initiatives in Africa, including bringing running water and basic equipment to a school in Tanzania.Helen has worked as a digital marketing consultant (IDM qualified) with various organisations, including Channel Mum, Truprint, Talk to Mums, and Micro Scooters. She loves to be creative in the brand campaigns she works on.Get in touch TODAY!