Build an Edible Snowman for Woodland Animals
One of the picture books we read as part of our Advent Picture Book Tree is Stranger in the Woods by Carl R Sams II.
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In this Caldecott award winning book, talented photographers Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick tell a story about the reactions of the local woodland animals to a stranger that has appeared in their woods. The stranger is a snowman built by a brother and sister who intentionally lured the animals to the snowman by using edibles such as nuts, seeds, and carrots. After much discussion among the mouse, deer, porcupine, owl, etc..., the animals are finally brave enough to approach this stranger, and are treated to a delicious reward once they do.
I love the photographs in this book. They provide a beautiful and real visual representation of woodland animals.
Knowing that winter is a very difficult time for animals to survive, Pooky and I were inspired by the book (and our fresh snow) to build a snowman with edibles for the local woodland creatures.
Where we live, we often see deer, marmots, raccoons, squirrels, and lots of birds. We tried to take their diets into consideration when creating our edible snowman for them.
First, we got a couple buckets to gather snow from around the yard,
and started building our snowman.
Next we added one of Pooky's hat and scarf sets (hand-made by her auntie) as well as some twigs for arms.
Pooky helped me add the edibles; hazelnuts, almonds and a carrot nose (along with some bird seed sprinkled on the hat. For some reason, we snapped the picture before adding more nuts for the mouth.
Feeling generous, we sprinkled plenty of bird seed and more nuts and carrots pieces on the ground around the snowman.
And there is our edible snowman for woodland animals. I can't wait to see the deer, squirrels, and birds nibbling at it. We love doing crafts and activities based on books. If you read this gorgeous picture book to your kids (or even if you don’t), I hope you get a chance to make your own edible snowman for the animals in your neighborhood.
I would greatly appreciate it if you would share this by pinning the image below. Thanks!
