Enjoy learning about New York City with a creative sponge painted cityscape art project and read a fun interactive book that brings the movement of the city to life!
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New York in Pajamarama Book
Both my kids and I swooned over a new interactive kids' book set in New York City: New York in Pajamarama by Michaël Leblond and Frédérique Bertrand. The story follows a boy who gets ready for bed, but when the lights go out his magical striped pajamas transport him to the hubbub of New York City, the city that never sleeps.
New York in Pajamarama is a unique book which uses an "Ombro-Cinema" technique to create the illusion of movement. Included with the book is a sheet of acetate imprinted with narrow black lines. While reading the book, kids slide the acetate across the book's illustrations. The movement of the acetate across patterned lines imbedded in the illustrations makes the book come alive.
The nature of this illustrative magic is perfect for creating the dynamic movement of city life with its sparking lights, racing taxis, rustling leaves in Central Park, frantic shoppers, and dizzying skyscraper-induced vertigo.
In addition, kids love to control the animation during a read aloud. I highly recommend New York in Pajamarama, especially for kids who might have a wee bit of trouble sitting still for story time.
MORE: The authors have a second book, Pajamarama: Fever: Make It Move with Magic Stripes!
Sponge Painted Skyline
To go along with our celebration of life in the Big Apple, we made cityscape art by stamping shapes cut from sponges to create a colorful skyline of buildings. I confess I sort of had grand ideas in my head of how this project would turn out. I had to remind myself: "process not product!" In any case, we had lots of fun.
MORE: Favorite Children's Books featuring New York City
Instructions
Fortunately, you probably already have everything you need! And the instructions couldn't be easier.
Materials:
- Plain, ordinary household sponges. You'll want 3-5 or more. Cheap ones are better than fancy ones.
- Scissors
- Paper plates; you could also reuse washed and clean take out containers
- Paint, preferably washable paints.
- Markers. We used fine point Sharpies.
- Paper. Although you can use basic construction paper. The project is much more fun with a big roll of paper to cover the entire table!
- Large binder clips. Optional.
MORE: Projects that use our favorite art supply: a big roll of paper!
Preparation:
Cover your table in paper. If desired, secure paper to surface with large binder clips.
Cut the kitchen sponges into various shapes such as squares, rectangles and triangles.
Pour paint onto paper plates. I like to reuse take-out containers or washable plastic plates in order to reduce waste.
How to:
Dip the sponges in paint, swirl to cover the entire surface of the sponge. Then press the painted side of the sponge onto the paper to create an impression.
Repeat, "building" the painted impressions into skyscrapers, houses, and other buildings to create the cityscape.
When your child is finished painting, allow the skyline to dry while you help them clean up (cleaning up is a good practical life lesson!). Then, using the markers draw windows, people, clouds or sun... whatever they want to bring their sponge-painted skyline to life!
MORE: Make another skyline with our Pi City Skyline, perfect for Pi Day!
Bonus! NYC Coloring Page
This post is chock full of goodies, isn't it! As a bonus, Melanie Hope Greenberg has graciously created a New York City skyline coloring page! So if you don't have the energy to set up a sponge art painting project, just print it out for some instant coloring fun.
Download and Print*: City coloring page by Melanie Hope Greenberg *Terms of Service: this coloring page is used with permission from Melanie Hope Greenberg and is for non-commercial use ONLY. You many print out as many copies as you like for personal, library or classroom use. If you would like to share this coloring page, you MUST link to this blog page. It is expressly forbidden to link directly to the coloring page pdf file.
Bethany @ No Twiddle Twaddle says
You're activity idea is AWESOME. And, I really want a copy of the book.
MomandKiddo says
Thanks, Bethany. 🙂
Karyn says
Stopping by to check out some of the other USA books- I represented UT. I love your book choice, it looks so fun! Your sponge city is darling, too!
MomandKiddo says
Thanks, Karyn. I know I'll have fun checking out the other states, too.
maryanne @ mama smiles says
This book sounds very cool! Love your art project as well.
maryanne @ mama smiles says
This book sounds fantastic! Love your art project as well !
MomandKiddo says
Thanks!
Jackie Higgins says
Oh! That book sounds fun. I love books that invite kids to "play" along. We'll have to watch for it to come out. The sponge painting is great. Good way to review shapes.
MomandKiddo says
It's such a unique book, don't miss it.
Kelly at Little Wonders' Days says
This does look like a really great book! We'll have to look for it in April. I personally think this is a great go along craft and certainly pin worthy:) They're really quite adorable.
MomandKiddo says
Haha! The kids did a great job, but I need to work on my photography skills! 🙂
Country Fun says
An interactive book and a really adaptable extension = a thank you for sharing. Working my way through the states enjoying all the variety of resources and creative ideas.
Country Fun says
Working my way through the states enjoying all the variety of resources and creative ideas. Love all the new books being introduced through this event.
Love the adaptable activity you shared and will be looking for this book. Love interactive books and this one is different.
MomandKiddo says
Thanks! Everyone has had such great ideas.
Nina says
I'm loving these state-based book selections. Often, geography plays such a huge role in a story that it's practically its own character.
MomandKiddo says
That's especially true for New York City!
PragmaticMom says
OMG, that is amazing. How does that screen thing work? My son would love this!
MomandKiddo says
It has to do with the movement of the lines. I can't figure it out, it's too cool for me.
Veens says
I love that painting idea. it is so easy, i am sure Aarya would like to dab too (though I doubt I can have a similar type of 'painting' work). That book looks fantastic 🙂
MomandKiddo says
Thanks, it was so much fun and great for even the little kids.
Megan says
That book is so crazy cool! I am totally going to order it!!! And awesome activity!
MomandKiddo says
Yes! Do! Your kids will totally love it.
Reshama says
Love this book! What a creative idea. Thanks for sharing.. can't wait to get my copy!
MomandKiddo says
You'll love it!
Jodie @ Growing Book by Book says
What a beautiful project! I must check that book out. Thank you so much for representing New York in the Booking Across the USA project. I'm off to share your post on Facebook now!
MomandKiddo says
Thanks, Jodie. I loved participating and reading about everyone's book selections.
Tricia Heliker says
Great post for NY. I love the interactive feature of this book.
Debbie says
I stopped by to see what book was going to represent the state of New York. Unfortunately, I am disappointed to see that the book is about the "city" of New York and not something that represents the whole state. It's no wonder when I tell people I'm from upstate New York they look at me funny and ask if that's close to NYC? The cityscape project you did is great. I'm just so disappointed that those seeking to know more about New York will miss things like the mountains, rivers and farms that make up most of the state's geography, including the capital, Albany.
MomandKiddo says
Debbie: Thank you for your comment! I knew that some may be disappointed we chose a book that centered on NYC. The guidelines of the project did not require a book that represented the entire state, and you may have noticed from visiting all the other great posts that many books covered only specific aspects of states, not necessarily the entire state. Do you have a book recommendation for New York State? if so, leave the title here, I'd love to add it to my reading list! Thanks!
Natalie says
Both the book and the project looks great. It's a great blog hop too if I ever return to geography studies. Right now it seems so unlikely - daughter is getting older and is marching to her own drum.
Susan says
I think your city art worked out wonderfully!
MomandKiddo says
Thanks, Susan. It was a lot of fun.