Snowbear's Christmas Countdown

We started our book and ornament advent today by reading Snowbear's Christmas Countdown by Theresa Smythe.  I thought it was the perfect book with which to begin our countdown to Christmas since, in the story, Snowbear counts down to Christmas, also!

It was the month of December and time for Snowbear to get ready for Christmas.

~from Snowbear's Christmas Countdown

The month of December is full of joyful anticipation for Snowbear.  There are so many things to do before Christmas arrives!  Snowbear counts the days to Christmas as he puts up decorations, buys presents for his friends, makes cookies, and plays in the snow.

This is a good "counting book" with cute, fuzzy-looking illustrations.  :)  The artist used cut-paper collage to create the illustrations.

To go along with the book, T made a polar bear ornament.

Supplies:

• card stock:  white and blue
• scissors
• glue
• scraps of fabric
• pom-pom
• white craft fur
• snowflake stickers
• hole punch
• ribbon (for hanging)

Directions:

Print and cut out the polar bear.  (It's on the first page of the printables that go with the book, Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?)

Cut a scarf and a hat shape* from the scraps of fabric.  (*I used this drawing by Kerry Godsall as a pattern for the hat shape.  Scroll down to "What is the Meaning of Christmas?")  Cut a piece of craft fur for the polar bear's body.

Tie the scarf around the polar bear's neck, and glue it in place.  Glue a pom-pom to the tip of the hat, and glue the hat to the polar bear's head.  Glue the piece of fur to the polar bear's body.

Mount the polar bear on blue card stock, and add snowflake stickers.

Punch a hole near the top, add a loop of ribbon, and hang the ornament on your Christmas tree!  :)

Linked to:
   Christmas Ornament Party
   Christmas Craft Party
   12 Days of Christmas Party
   Read Explore Learn
   T.G.I.F. Party
   Shine on Fridays