40 is a milestone birthday, and we're getting ready for a party at the bookshop.
It's no secret that I am partial to planning the odd children's party. Particularly ones involving crafty activities. So it shouldn't really be any surprise that I jumped at the chance to dream up a bit of fun for this one. Time to channel my inner Eric Carle - and make a caterpillar head.
Slapping paint on in a haphazard fashion is so liberating! But my feelers do require re-inforcement so as to avoid embarrassing droop. And there's the small matter of several pairs of legs. Clearly, the body segments were going to be a big job, so everyone coming into the shop over Easter, gets the chance to decorate a paper plate in green in some inspired fashion. Hopefully we'll have a suitably impressive caterpillar by the end of it.
And the party goers? They'll get to make thumbprint caterpillar bookmarks and string pasta caterpillars. Oh, and eat cake and listen to stories. Which all sounds very blissfully idyllic.
So fingers crossed that the sun will shine so we can do it all in the courtyard. Otherwise there are going to be some slightly stressed booksellers squeezing a quart of fun into a pint pot of a shop.
oh fantabulous!
(and are you making the huge butterfly too? (which always looked upside down to me in the book)
Have a great caterpillaversary...
Posted by: monica | 04 April 2009 at 13:57
Perhaps some diluted PVA would work as a stiffener? I used to make 3d embroideries and it did the trick for me. Sounds like fun!
Posted by: French Knots | 04 April 2009 at 14:03
Oh that looks like so much fun! The weather here is ok so far ... fingers crossed it's the same for you, down the road! x
Posted by: Kitty | 04 April 2009 at 14:07
It does sound like a lot of fun - we love the very hungry caterpillar. I hope the sun shines and the courtyard echos with the happy sound of excited little voices.
Posted by: Julie | 04 April 2009 at 14:29
Oh How Fun! I LOVE those thumbprint caterpillars -- VERY clever!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | 04 April 2009 at 16:48
EVERYONE needs to be celebrating this birthday!
Have fun x
Posted by: The Antidote | 04 April 2009 at 16:57
It all looks very exciting! I want one of those thumbprint caterpillar bookmarks!!!!!!
Lucy x
Posted by: Lucy Locket-Pocket | 04 April 2009 at 17:14
Hope the sun shines and lots of fun is had by all.
Love the caterpillar bookmark idea.
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa | 04 April 2009 at 17:22
this is so great!
Posted by: Bridget | 04 April 2009 at 19:54
What fun! And such a wonderful book!
Posted by: Gina | 04 April 2009 at 20:04
It all looks and sounds wonderful, and I particularly love the bookmarks! Fingers and toes crossed for lots of sunshine. Did I ever tell you I met Eric Carle in my museum-management days? He was so jolly and lovely. K x
Posted by: kristina | 04 April 2009 at 21:04
that is a great idea - i love parties like that. you doing a great job. we have been in his museum while we lived in Amherst right after in opened.
Posted by: Nicole | 05 April 2009 at 02:23
How wonderful! I will have to do some of those things with the girls as it's school holidays here. Have a lovely party!
Posted by: Louise | 05 April 2009 at 05:38
What brilliant ideas! I wish I could come along. We have just bought an assortment of Carle books as a christening gift, I am loving the seahorse book with acetate!
Posted by: Jenny | 05 April 2009 at 08:09
How I love the feelers.
Over here we have a product called 'Stiffy' which would be perfect for them.
(Oh stop snickering you lot).
Posted by: suse | 05 April 2009 at 10:39
I've finally decided what I want to do when I grow up: I want a job in a bookstore, where I get to make hungry caterpillars.
I wish we could come to the party.
Posted by: UK lass in US | 05 April 2009 at 16:51
How wonderful! We're great fans of the Very Hungry Caterpillar in this house too! Think I might have to pinch your thumbprint idea - those bookmarks look wonderful and it's something I can do with baby small. Good luck with the party!
xxx
Posted by: Rebecca | 05 April 2009 at 19:44
There's an award for you on my blog
April xx
Posted by: April | 05 April 2009 at 20:50
What a fantastic idea! I love that book. Have you seen the Portmeirion range? Great Christening presents. Have a super party! C x
Posted by: Cat | 05 April 2009 at 22:32
Oh, such fun...wish I could drop in and join in!
Posted by: Pebbledash | 05 April 2009 at 23:35
Love those bookmarks. How fun to be organising that,wish we lived near the bookshop. Have a great time with it
Posted by: Thimbleina | 06 April 2009 at 07:00
Fabulous ideas for activities Ali - the VHC is ALWAYS a winner. MissP1 loves her giant VHC jigsaw and the book helped me to teach her to count.
Love the fingerprint caterpillars x
Posted by: Emma | 06 April 2009 at 09:24
The thumb-print caterpillars is the most amazing idea - I love it. You clever thing - I hope you have the most fantastic party. x
Posted by: Florence | 06 April 2009 at 22:27
Hope the party was lots of fun! I'm sure there were lots of smiling faces. Did you see the Google icon of the Hungry Caterpillar a few weeks back? I had to email a link to all my friends!
I worked in a children's bookshop while I was in sixth form and at uni. I loved all the crafts, storytimes and face painting - it never failed to cheer you up and was so rewarding. I'm sure you had as much fun as the children! x
Posted by: Account Deleted | 07 April 2009 at 11:45
What fantastic projects, Ali! I'm sure everyone will enjoy them. Clever, you.
Posted by: misschris | 07 April 2009 at 17:36
I hope the party was a huge success--I love all the stuff you had for it! We are big Eric Carle fans around here, and children's bookstores, too!
frances
Posted by: frances | 11 April 2009 at 02:18