Small Figures, continued

Continuing from last post:  more 'B-movie figures' with small animal figures, a sample scene the grandchildren concoct.

Think of all the possibilities for dialogue . . .

I admit that even when the grandchildren are not here, I set these up around the house.

I bet you'd do the same.  Right?

Small Figures

My grandchildren love small figures (my grandson calls the human ones his 'guys') that they manipulate in various dramas.  They've done this since they were old enough to talk. It fascinates me how well young children become story-teller, director, animator, stage and prop hand, camera man/woman - maneuvering among these roles with ease.

Often we film these mini-dramas (I take photos & compile in slideshows; lately they're doing their own with a Flip camera.)  On our recent trip to Maine, we took along some 'B movie figures' that I had found (like the man on the left above) and a couple artist models (like the one at right.)

The figures went everywhere with us and the grandchildren:  to the dock, to the lawn, to the picnic table, in the car.  I brought some home with me.  They're like book characters - set them up and see what they say and do.

I've lost my mind, right?

Small Critters

 Mini critters seem to be multiplying here.  We're not able to keep real animals inside (because of travel and allergies), so these are stand-ins. I'm not quite sure why, but turtles, squirrels and birds are regarded as lucky in this house.

We'll be immersed in/with grandchildren the next couple weeks, so my blogging may lag behind.  Be well, everyone  . . . and may the good-luck critters be with you . . .

Do you have any good-luck tokens?

Small Things for Small People

 

The grandchildren are coming--we get so excited! All around the house are small things for their small hands: small figures (our grandson calls them his 'guys'), small books, small houses, small animals.

We found the miniature (two inches high) pottery bunny house for fifty cents at a thrift shop. I probably love it as much as the kids will.

The blue shelf was an antique store find. The two frogs on bottom come from a local shop, Bullfrog Corner, a child's haven of toy animals and critters.

The white bear, also from Bullfrog Corner, is not so small, but it is soft and squishy and beloved.

After speaking at a book conference in Savannah, Georgia, a couple years ago, we had time to stroll around and discovered in a small shop this etching of giraffes and elephants–perfect!

And finally, of course, there are books: on desks and bureaus and tables and shelves, on floor and counters and beds. Books, books, books.

With all the small things, the kids make up their own stories, and when they're done, we read the books, books, books. Of course there are books!

Small Things

On the kitchen counter, small things gather in their own odd world. The figures above are metal, less than two inches high and probably part of an old train set landscape. I love this pair, but it is hard to say why–because they are patiently waiting? That space between them? The way they sit and what they hold?

The frog (or toad?) is also metal and sits on a plaster leaf. The frog is slightly bigger than the couple above and could possibly eat them.

The couple and the frog live among greenery in this four-inch pottery vase made by a Southport, NC, artist.  The vase is soft blue swirled with cream; the greenery is from a winter bush by the back door.

I am partial to small vases and small things. Some day I'd like to do a very small book with small words and small illustrations and big beauty.  

Do you know the Mole Sisters books? Like those, but smaller still, and hardback.

What collects on your kitchen counter?