Four Otters Toboggan: An Animal Counting Book

Hey Artists!

I am now reviewing children’s books and adding inspired crafts for you to do! My first review is of Four Otters Toboggan: An Animal Counting Book written by the fantastic Vivian Kirkfield (roll over the image below for artist information).

About Vivian Kirkfield

A retired kindergarten teacher with a masters in Early Childhood Education, Vivian inspires budding writers during classroom visits and shares insights with aspiring authors at conferences and on her blog.
VivianKirkfield.com

Four Otters Toboggan: An Animal Counting Book

With beautifully creative illustrations of animals, we don’t tend to think of, this has been a fun and challenging read for my daughters. The words used to describe nature itself are eye-opening, reminding me of the Fancy Nancy books. There’s extra information about the animals and their endangered habitats in the back. We also really enjoyed the seek and find challenge in the end to find some smaller animals we may have missed in the illustrations. This book opens a child to a new way of viewing these creatures through counting.

There is also a companion activity book with interactive activities, including a maze, origami, word search, finger puppets, and many more!  Visit the website of illustrator Mirka Hokkanen for a Free copy of this activity book. http://www.mirkah.com/books/

Click on the pictures above for a larger view of the book, the illustrations, and the companion activity book.  You will receive a super cute themed bookmark for those who order an Ao & Tauri arts and crafts box this month or have a subscription!

*I received a copy of Four Otters Toboggan: An Animal Counting Book free in exchange for offering an honest review.

Nature Scene Shadow Box

Now it’s craft time! After reading Four Otters Toboggan, I wanted to create a craft that was as fun and whimsical as the animals described in the book. I was inspired to create a colorful nature-themed shadow box craft. I have also included a matching coloring sheet for younger kiddos that may find this craft too challenging. Parental help is needed as there are many steps to this craft, but so much fun to do! Click the button below to download this FREE shadow box printable craft and coloring sheet.

Craft Supplies
Step 1

Gather your materials. Click on the green button above to print out the Nature Scene Shadow Box craft sheets in the image below. Cardstock paper is best for this craft but copy paper will work too.

Ao and Tauri Book Review Crafts ShadowBox 01
Step 2

Start coloring all of the nature scene layers. Use colors you see outside in nature! When finished, cut out all the layers. Be careful when cutting out layer #4 because it gets a little difficult around the owl and tree. Set them aside.

Ao and Tauri Book Review Crafts ShadowBox 02
Step 3

Color the sheet labeled Box Top. Have fun with this one! You can color as much or as little as you want.

Ao and Tauri Book Review Crafts ShadowBox 03
Step 4

Now it's time to score the paper so that it's easier to fold the cardstock. Grab a score tool and a ruler to trace over those blue dashed lines. The picture below shows two examples of tools to use for scoring and cutting. On the right, you can use a mechanical pencil with the lead pushed in to score the paper and use scissors to cut. On the left, you can use a scoring tool and an XACTO knife to cut.

Ao and Tauri Book Review Crafts ShadowBox 05

View the slideshow below for more details.

Step 5

We will do the same scoring and cutting for the paper labeled box bottom (on the right in the image below). Score the blue dashed lines and then cut only the black lines. Set it aside.

For the image on the left, score both the blue and black dashed lines and then cut the RED lines only.

Ao and Tauri Book Review Crafts ShadowBox 07

Example of score lines.

Ao and Tauri Book Review Crafts ShadowBox 08

Accordion fold your papers by folding back and forth on the scored lines.

Ao and Tauri Book Review Crafts ShadowBox 09
Step 6

Now you are going to glue the layers to the accordions.

Ao and Tauri Book Review Crafts ShadowBox 10

Grab your glue stick and put glue at the end of one of the accordions. Starting with the biggest layer, glue the left side to the accordion. Repeat those steps on the right side. Click on the slideshow below the see the progression of adding the layers. When your done, cut off the excess accordion folds.

Step 7

Time to put together the top and bottom of the box!

Ao and Tauri Book Review Crafts ShadowBox 12 01

Click on the slideshow below the see the progression of gluing it together.

Do the same steps for the bottom of the box.

Step 8

Now let's finish up by putting the box together. Grab the nature scene, top lid, and bottom of the box.

Ao and Tauri Book Review Crafts ShadowBox 13
All Done!

Great job! It was a lot of steps but it was sooo worth it right!!

Ao and Tauri Book Review Crafts ShadowBox 13 4

Share your creations with Ao and Tauri on Facebook or Instagram.

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Screen Free Fun for Kids!

Every box is inspired by an encouraging phrase. As kids journey through the activities, I hope it sparks learning, understanding, and conversation about life lessons with their family and friends.
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