The latest author and illustrator to be featured in an Inspirations kit is Vashti Harrison! You can make a paper doll (based on her illustrations in the Little Leaders series) and two outfits for the doll to wear. You can also find activities from the publisher of the Little Leaders books and a list of books she has written or illustrated.
Want to explore more?
- Visit YouTube to see Vashti Harrison’s videos for kids. The Paper Craft Tutorial video might be helpful if you want to make additional outfits for your paper doll. We used a Cricut cutting machine to make the dolls and outfits, so if you have one of those, you can also search “paper dolls” to make additional clothes (or doll friends).
- In the Little Leaders series, Vashti Harrison suggests books, music and videos created by some of the people featured in the books! The lists include some kid-friendly options–try exploring them (the library’s digital collection might be helpful). If you’re looking for age recommendations (the books range from picture books to novels for adults), try Common Sense Media or the Parents Guide/Content Advisory feature at imdb.com.
- Are you signed up for the Summer Adventure? Keep track of your reading, and one of the books you can earn is by Vashti Harrison! Remember, you can get points for other activities, too. Take a hike like Cece on a Bolingbrook Park District or Forest Preserve trail to earn more points!
- If Sulwe inspired you to enjoy the night sky, check out a book on constellations or stargazing and check the weather forecast for a clear night. If you are going to camp or vacationing in the country, places with fewer artificial lights tend to have the best view of the stars and planets. Magazines like Astronomy and Sky and Telescope have news on the latest interesting things to see, and Astronomy For Kids is now available in the Libby app! Star Walk is another free app that will help you find your way around the constellations.
- Chapter book readers might enjoy books for which Vashti Harrison created the cover art: Ophie’s Ghosts (by the author of the YA horror novel Dread Nation), Forever This Summer, Love Like Sky (also available as an eAudiobook on hoopla), The Turning (also available on hoopla) and the young adult title Calling My Name (also available on hoopla).
- Find more excellent books by African American authors and illustrators–and resources like author interviews–at the Coretta Scott King Book Awards Curricular Resource Center of teachingbooks.net. Teaching Books is usually a resource you pay to access, but the resources in this section are available for free!