mister seahorse

Posted on 14. Jul, 2008 by admin in Grab Bag

Did you ever read Eric Carle books? Either to your children, or since you were a child yourself?

At my elementary school, our librarian came into our class once or twice each week and read a book to us. They really pushed the Eric Carle books…Mister Seahorse, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Very Quiet Cricket…we had them read to us by the librarian, and then the art teacher would come in and have us do a craft related to the book too.

The book that the librarian chose to read each week became the most popular…so I never got to check out an Eric Carle book at school. There was a looooonggg waiting list.

But at our local library, they had several copies. I remember picking out all the Eric Carle books at once, and carrying them in a big stack over to a beanbag like a big selfish baby. Hoarding all the pretty books. Poring over them with the knowledge that there was no waiting list–no one was impatiently waiting to open the last page of The Very Quiet Cricket or learn about the plight of the poor Hungry Caterpillar. I remember noticing and studying how the art was made by layering tissue paper. Wondering how I could make a Very Hungry Caterpillar too, to tape up on my wall. I spent so many summer mornings reading at the library–especially fancy books like those and all the craft books. Then I’d ride my bike a few blocks to the pool when it got hot in the afternoon.

Anyway. This is a hoodie for my friend Miss Erica. She works at a local preschool–a job I TOTALLY envy.

I know that she does a lot of Eric Carle books and crafts too. I hope Miss Erica’s kids notice her new Mister Seahorse hoodie. Art teachers are the coolest.