Folding Cranes - Finding Peace

                                                          

Statue of Sadako Sasaki in Seattle Peace Park
Photo by Scott Butber

PEACE ON EARTH

Essay by Steve Goodier
Shared with his permission"

In the midst of a world at war, Eleanor Roosevelt captured the mood at Christmas 1942. "How completely the character of Christmas has changed this year," she wrote in her newspaper column. "I could no more say to you a 'Merry Christmas' without feeling a catch in my throat than I could fly to the moon!"

In September 1945, U. S. Navy chief radioman Walter G. Germann wrote his son from a ship anchored in Tokyo Bay to tell him that the formal surrender of Japan would soon be signed. "When you get a little older you may think war to be a great adventure -- take it from me, it's the most horrible thing ever done.I'll be home this Christmas..."  Home. To a world at peace.

In 1955 a thirteen-year-old Japanese girl died of "the atom bomb disease" -- radiation-induced leukemia. Sadako Sasaki was one of many who suffered the after-effects of those bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.

Japanese myth has it that cranes live for a thousand years, and anyone who folds 1000 paper cranes will have a wish granted. So during her illness, Sadako folded paper cranes, and with each crane she wished that she would recover from her illness. She managed 644 cranes before she left this life behind. Sadako's classmates folded the remaining 356 cranes so that she could be buried with a thousand paper cranes. Friends collected money from children all over Japan to erect a monument to Sadako in Hiroshima's Peace Park. The inscription reads:

This is our cry. This is our prayer. Peace on earth. Each year people place paper cranes at the base of the statue to recall the tragedy of war and to celebrate humanity's undying hope for peace. In some places around the world, people fold paper cranes each holiday season to use as decorations and as a symbol of their deep desire for lasting peace.

I, too, have a deep desire for a day when war will become a relic of the past. I yearn for a day when we join hearts in union with one another, while beating swords into plowshares and folding paper into cranes.

Peace on earth. The generation to accomplish it will truly be the greatest generation ever."

~ Steve Goodier

Some websites to help you continue your journey...

The Story of the Peace Crane
http://www.buddhistcouncil.org/bodhitree/Books/Story_of_the_Peace_Crane.pdf
 
Three D Video on How to Fold a Peace Crane
http://origami.org.uk/origamicrane
 
Instructions: How to Fold a Peace Crane
http://www.planetpals.com/IKC/peacecrane.html?d4dab930
 
New Songs for Peace - This UNESCO-endorsed "New Songs for Peace" project is intended to encourage people to think about peace, talk about peace, and write a new song that we will collect and self-publish in a book. These new songs will promote peace, cultural acceptance and understanding for those who work towards peace throughout the world. http://www.newsongsforpeace.org/

Storybug.net - Teaching Tolerance/Promoting Peace - Websites I have collected through the years.
http://www.storybug.net/links/peace.html


With deep appreciation and thanks to all of our service men and women. May they all be home soon, home to a world of peace.


Karen Chace  2010 ©
This blog post was painstakingly researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to my blog or newsletter via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.

A Mischievious Medieval Romp: Come and Play at the Story Cafe!

Join us for the first Story Cafe of 2011!

New Age Gawain and the Green Knight

~ a mischievous Medieval romp

Featuring Storyteller Diane Edgecomb

Accompanied by Margot Chamberlain on Celtic harp

January 22, 2011

The stakes are high for Arthur’s men’s group. First a bungee-jumping Green Man swings into their midst and delivers an ancient macho challenge. Then a mysterious rider gallops off with his head under his arm, taunting Gawain to follow. But the greatest fun comes when three outrageous female archetypes use all their wiles to assail Gawain’s new-age virtue. Welcome to New-Age Gawain and the Green Knight, Edgecomb’s hilarious send up of the men’s movement. Loosely based on the 14th century poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Edgecomb’s comedic adaptation has New Age Arthurian knights running for their therapists faster than you can say "Litigation!"

Celtic harper Margot Chamberlain provides an evocative background of original and traditional tunes as we take this fun-loving journey along the ‘road less traveled by.’

Diane Edgecomb is one of the most versatile voices in the storytelling movement today, known for the seamless way her performances weave together story and music. Diane has received three Storytelling World Honors Awards as well as a Year’s Best Performance Award from the Boston Herald. Diane has enchanted audiences with her richly expressive voice and with the wonderful characters she has created for over twenty-five years. She is equally at home telling a tale of mythic drama, singing a haunting ballad or rapping out a comedic tale. But it is Diane’s ever-changing voice and movements enlivening her tales that brings to her storytelling art an originally entertaining and thoroughly captivating blend. 

Margot Chamberlain studied piano at the Oberlin Conservatory and early music with Marleen Montgomery.  She has performed at the Gardner Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, Counterpoint Theatre and First Night Boston, as well as in many concert situations for both adults and children. She enjoys the wide range of expression, from earthy to ethereal, from mysterious to comedic, that the harp makes possible.

As a Duo: Diane and Margot combine rich story material with carefully orchestrated underscoring of original and traditional music. They have been featured on National Public Radio as well as at theaters, coffeehouses, colleges, museums, and nature centers throughout the United States.

“A storyteller in the grand tradition, Edgecomb is a virtuoso of the spoken word.... an entire cast rolled into one.” Publisher’s Weekly

"National Public regulars Diane Edgecomb and Margot Chamberlain have elevated storytelling to mythic heights." The Worcester Phoenix

ADULT OPEN MIC: Sign up for your eight minute (maximum) turn at the mic beginning at 7:00 p.m. Share your own story, song, music, essay or poem.
TIME: 7:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M. (Feature begins at 8:00 P.M.)
LOCATION: Artworks, 384 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford, MA
ADMISSION: FREE (donation suggested: pass the hat for the featured performers)
AUDIENCE: 14 and older
INFORMATION: Email Karen Chace at storybug@aol.com  or call Artworks at (508) 984-1588.
DIRECTIONS: http://www.artworksforyou.org/hours.html

THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN NEW BEDFORDCome early and take a stroll along the fishing docks or bring your bike, enjoy the ocean breeze and ride around beautiful Fort Taber . Prefer something easier? There is the interesting and historical Whaling Museum .

Later you can enjoy a "flight of wine" and fresh hot or cold tapas at Corks or award-winning chowder (chowda) at Freestones before the show or a night cap afterwards.

How about a trip to one of the best small zoo's in the country? The Buttonwood Park Zoo is an easy drive from downtown. New Bedford also has National Park status and there are many things to enjoy. Spend a day exploring and then relax in the beauty of ArtWorks listening to stories and song. I can't think of a better way to spend a crisp winter day!

RESTAURANTS
Information on Portuguese restaurants in New Bedford.
http://www.ci.new-bedford.ma.us/Tourism/TasteofPortugal/TasteofPortugal.html

Freestones - Affordable, casual dining and it is just around the corner from ArtWorks. http://www.freestones.com/

PARKING

Elm Street Parking Garage and Custom House parking is within easy walking distance to ArtWorks. http://www.newbedford-ma.gov/Tourism/DestinationNB/parking.html

Sponsored by Artworks! Partners for the Arts & Community http://www.artworksforyou.org/

ArtWorks! is supported in part by the MCC as well as business and individual members

Sail Away to the Land of Stories

A Castle was in Sight, Built Close
 by the Sea
by Thomas Mackenzie, 1920

"A folktale is the poetic text that carries some of its cultural contexts within it; it is also a traveling metaphor that finds a new meaning with every telling." ~ A.K. Ramanujan


Since 2008 I have offered the newlsetter Catch the Storybug, filled with story, craft, curriculum sites and more. If you are not a subscriber you may still access previous issues here and of course sign up for upcoming issues. There is always room for one more!

While the newsletter site offers a Google search bar to find specific links I have also compiled and categorized the story sites here for you. And if you need additional resources, please visit my Storytelling Links page on my website at http://www.storybug.net/links.html . Whether for your storytelling performances, classrooms or libraries I hope you find something useful.

AFRICA
African Folktales - Folktales, have an important place in the history of Black Americans. Here are eight unique folktales from the Dark Continent. The home page offers an array of elementary resources as well. http://tinyurl.com/6znapo

ANANSI

Jamaican Anansi Stories - Tricksters are universal figures in folkore and Anansi is one of our most beloved. This site offers a wide variety of Anansi tales as well as trickster folklore from various cultures. The text also includes transcriptions of folk music, and a large collection of riddles, all cross-referenced with folklore studies from other cultures. There are also musical notations in some of the texts for the musical among us! http://tinyurl.com/6huzob

ANIMALS

• The Black Dog of Hanging Hills – USA http://tinyurl.com/2ex4u5l  
• Why Cats and dogs Never Get Along - Haiti http://tinyurl.com/26odwdz  
• Why Dogs Chase Cats - USA http://www.americanfolklore.net/folktales/va.html
• Why Dogs Sniff Tails – Native American http://tinyurl.com/2fujeq2
• Why Dogs Wag Their Tails – Asia http://asiarecipe.com/phitales3.html
• Spectre Dogs – England http://tinyurl.com/25kro8m  
• Catch the Storybug - 2010 was the Year of the Tiger and I put together some terrific tiger tales from around the world on my blog at http://tinyurl.com/ylxdd5l  

APPLES

• The Tale of the Three Apples from the Arabian Nights http://tinyurl.com/mjne76
• Catch the Storybug -  Take a bite out of some apples tales that will, delight and nourish you on my blog at http://tinyurl.com/mztbzp
• Story-Lovers.com - As always, Jackie offers a bushel basket full of apple resources! http://tinyurl.com/lztfrd

ARAB AND PALESTINIAN 

Speak Bird, Speak Again – Palestinian Arab Folktales by Ibrahim Muhawi and Sharif Kanaana http://publishing.cdlib.org/ucpressebooks/view?docId=ft4s2005r4 

ARMENIA

Armenian Fairy Tales - Sixteen interesting folktale. http://tinyurl.com/2uqerz  

AUSTRALIA 

• Australian Storytelling - January 26 is Australia Day and we can celebrate along with them with just a few clicks of the keys! Stories, articles, interviews, guild events, festivals and more. http://www.australianstorytelling.org.au/
• Indigenous Australia - Explore Indigenous Australia. The site offers audio and video clips of stories through storytelling, cultures and histories, teacher resources and more. http://tinyurl.com/cm7j56

BIRDS

• Birds and the Bees - There are stories, crafts and curriculum ideas all about the birds and the bees. Buzz on over if you have the chance. http://tinyurl.com/2vfg9rh
• Birds, Folklore and Facts – You can always count on Jackie Baldwin to have a fabulous compilation of stories on almost any subject; birds are no exception.
• http://www.story-lovers.com/listsbirdstories.html
• Bird Stories from Around the World  Fifteen stories collected for my website. http://tinyurl.com/285gnr4
• Heron and the Hummingbird – Native American folktale from the Hitchiti tribe. http://tinyurl.com/233rkwu 
• How the King of the Birds Was Chosen: and Other Mayan Folktales - http://tinyurl.com/3ajf4zr
• The King of the Birds - http://tinyurl.com/2uealkv  
• The Language of the Birds – From Folktales of the Russian http://tinyurl.com/32jj9xc  
• How the King of Birds Was Chosen: and other Mayan folk tales: http://tinyurl.com/cbhsw3
• King of the Birds -  http://tinyurl.com/d6u2so
• The Language of the Birds -  http://tinyurl.com/dgtupm  

CANADA 

• Canada’s Digital Collections - Listen to stories collected from Aboriginal, (First Nation), Metis and Inuit storytellers of Canada. http://tinyurl.com/2pephx
• The Flying Canoe - http://tinyurl.com/o7f4a7

CAMBODIA

Cambodian Folktales - Four folktales retold; the main site also offers information on the history, people and culture of Cambodia. http://tinyurl.com/57m3s9

Princess Badoura - Edmund Dulac, 1913

CHINA  

• Catch the Storybug - You can find the legend of the Chinese calendar along with additional information on the Chinese New Year at my 2008 blog post at http://tinyurl.com/yfqejbk  
• Chinese Fable Stories - http://tinyurl.com/64rr46
• Chinese Legends or The Porcelain Tower - There are many wonderful myths, folktales and legends from China in this 1848 book now in the public domain. You can even download a copy for free for your own files. http://tinyurl.com/preview.php?num=83p8nd
• Chinese Moon Festival - I have put together some stories, crafts and more about this wonderful Mid-Autumn Chinese festival at my blog post for you to enjoy. http://tinyurl.com/36wqoz8

CHRISTMAS

• A Small Fish Story – From the St. Nicholas Center, an Irish folktale.
• http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=587
• Catch the Storybug – Additional Christmas links I have collected through the years.
• http://www.storybug.net/links/holidays.html#christmas
• Christmas World - This site offers a wonderful collection of stories but it is so much more. This link will take you directly to the story page but you may want to stay and look around a bit more. http://tinyurl.com/ye2rtwr
• Holiday Stories and Winter Tales – Holiday stories from Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa traditions, as well as tales from African-American and Jewish folklore. http://tinyurl.com/2uucf66
• In the Company of a Star - A lovely holiday cut and tell shared with the generous permission of the author, Susan Dailey. http://tinyurl.com/65dow7
• The Legend of the Poinsettia - http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/inspirational-christmas-stories10.htmStorybug.net 
• Storytelling Links - For a number of storytelling links related to the Christmas holiday go to my website at: http://tinyurl.com/yf7sfp9

  

EARTH DAY 

Earth Cakes, Sky Cakes - Folktale from Cambodia - http://tinyurl.com/dy6dsv

The Thrifty Tailor - A wonderful tale to share the idea and fun of recycling with your students. http://tinyurl.com/lchoun

When the Earth and Sky Were Married - Folktale from India http://tinyurl.com/cw34y8

Earth Care – World Folktales to Talk About - A limited preview of this excellent book by Margaret Read MacDonald. You can read some of the folktales online but I bet you will want a copy of your own. http://tinyurl.com/aap7ug

EASTERN INDIA
Pitara for Kids - Many fables from the Panchatantra and Aesop, Jataka stories and tales from India's tribal people. - http://www.pitara.com/

EGYPT 

• Egyptian Myth and Legend – From Sacred Texts, a book by Don Mackenzie, circa 1907. “This highly readable book covers Egyptian religion, history, and culture through its entire civilization.”
• http://www.sacred-texts.com/egy/eml/index.htm
• The Prince and His Three Fates - http://www.storiestogrowby.com/stories/prince_3_egypt.html

FLOWERS 

• Flower Fables - From the gentle hand of Louisa May Alcott, nine lovely, short fables.
• http://www.classicreader.com/book/3/
• Nanabush and the Wild Roses – Canadian Legend http://tinyurl.com/263qsm9  
• The Tulip Bed – From English Fairy and Folktales http://tinyurl.com/29grakc  

FRANCE

The Princess Rosette - The French fairytale collected by Andrew Lang.
http://tinyurl.com/77tfuct

From The Violet Fairy Book by Andrew Lang

FROGS

• The Frog and the Condor - Peru - http://tinyurl.com/yl29sfy
• The Frog Princess - Italian - http://tinyurl.com/yzl97rq
• The Kind Stepdaughter and the Frog - Germany - http://tinyurl.com/yhg33fm
• The Little Green Frog - http://tinyurl.com/ybz9sgq
• 
  
  The Tiger and the Frog - Tibet - http://tinyurl.com/ykl6rzg
• The Tsarevna Frog - Russia - http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/ftr/chap01.htm

GRANDPARENT’S DAY 

•  The Dreaming Tree- Brazil - http://tinyurl.com/m8tjh6   
•  Grandmother’s Golden Dish – Serbia - http://tinyurl.com/ltocuh  
•  Grandmother Spider Steals the Fire – Choctaw - http://tinyurl.com/nggvql  
•  Grandmother Spider Steals the Sun – Cherokee - http://tinyurl.com/m2sqtq
•  Grandmother Wolf – China - http://tinyurl.com/n6zndz  
•  Holger Danske - Denmark - http://tinyurl.com/nasver
•  The Lime Tree – Russia - http://tinyurl.com/np8382
•  The Old Grandfather and His Grandson – Germany - http://tinyurl.com/npargw  
•  A Present for Grandfather – Indonesia - http://tinyurl.com/m9uas2  
•  Raven and His Grandmother – Aleut - http://tinyurl.com/lcdmgh
•  Story-Lovers.com - Grandparent’s Stories - http://tinyurl.com/l9lggz

HALLOWEEN 

The Witch's Meeting by Arthur Rackham

• Can Such Things Be? Short stories, published in 1910, from the talented Ambrose Bierce, courtesy of Gutenberg.org. I am sure you will find some spine tingling tales to add to your storytelling repertoire. http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/4366
• Catch the Storybug - Stop by my website for an array of tales to fright and delight your audiences. http://tinyurl.com/lnx7fp  
• Crabtree Books – Well, this book doesn’t fall into the category of terrifying but it is full of fun for Halloween, offering stories, rhymes, costume ideas, recipes and more. It is a free pdf file and downloads quickly. http://tinyurl.com/2wt5l7l
• Russian Folk-tales by William R. S. Ralston - Just in time for All Hallow’s Eve. Download this book from 1880, full of myths, legends, and folktales of demons, witches, vampires and ghouls if you dare! http://tinyurl.com/28t449c 
• Story-Lovers.com - Halloween Bare Bones for Storytellers with 100 years of story skeletons from around the world! http://www.story-lovers.com/barebonesstories.html  
• Victorian Ghost Stories -Twenty-two ghost stories from such spectral luminaries as Bram Stoker, Arthur Conan Doyle and Charles Dickens. http://tinyurl.com/nb6f7t

HANUKKAH 

• A Special Gift - http://tinyurl.com/y9efvq4  
• The Clotheslines - http://tinyurl.com/yddpue4
• Defending His Property - http://tinyurl.com/yze47uq  
• Loosening the Stopper - http://tinyurl.com/ygjb7vf
• The Three Laughs - http://tinyurl.com/yhkcjr4  

HOLLAND 

• The Flying Dutchman - http://tinyurl.com/otgp4y  
• The Lady of Stavoren - A Dutch legend retold and adapted by Aaron Shepherd. http://tinyurl.com/4y5zpg  

JAPAN  

• Folktales from Japan - http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/japan.html
• Kids Web Japan - A number of Japanese folktales for you students to read. Later, they can explore the culture of Japan using different links. http://tinyurl.com/bqjbur
• Japanese Folk Stories and Fairy Tales - Thirty-three folktales collected by Mary F. Nixon-Roulet and published in 1908. You can download the book for your own files. http://tinyurl.com/ckvg49

The Fish Market
Patrick Street, Dublin by
Walter Osborne, 1894

IRELAND 

• Folk and Fairy Tales of the Irish Peasantry by W.B. Yeats circa 1890. http://tinyurl.com/bmtw6o
• In Chimney Corners: merry tales of Irish folk lore by Seumas MacManus and Pamela Colman Smith, 1899 http://tinyurl.com/p7onf  
• Legends and Stories of Ireland by Samuel Lover, 1831, 1834
• http://sacred-texts.com/neu/celt/lasi/index.htm
• Storybug.net - Visit my blog post to find Celtic stories for adults and children alike, along with some printables and a craft to share. http://tinyurl.com/y85cgdm  
• The Irish Storyteller - Did you ever wonder how Eire got its name? Come read this Celtic legend, meet Irish Chieftains, Queens and more! http://tinyurl.com/c7oxe3

KWANZAA

Folktales.net - Some folktales that highlight the seven principles of Kwanzaa. http://www.folktales.net/Kwanza1.html

Lancelot Bears Off Guenevere 
The Book of Romance, Andrew Lang, 1902

LOVE STORIES 

• Classic Love Stories -  Stories from Green and Hindu Mythology. http://tinyurl.com/ydnnpbq
• Love, Lore and Legends - Brief particulars associated with Cupid’s arrow. http://tinyurl.com/3udzhk
• Storybug.net - Through the years I have collected a number of resources to celebrate Valentine's Day. You may find them on my website at this link: http://tinyurl.com/2b9ymwx
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  MAYANHow the King of the Birds Was Chosen: and Other Mayan Folktales - http://tinyurl.com/3ajf4zr 

Fionn mac Cumhail (Finn Mac Cool)

MISCELLANEOUS

4 TO 40 - The name of this interesting site is based on their goal to cover age groups from 4 to 40. Offering folktales and stories from around the world, including Jakarta, Estonian and Ukrainian folktales, as well as the Panchatantra and more, I would say this site is ageless! http://www.4to40.com/contents.htm

Aesop's Fables Online - Thousands of Aesop’s Fables in five languages from the likes of Joseph Jacobs and William Caton, among others. You won’t have to cry wolf to find what you need! http://tinyurl.com/msxkjj

The Baldwin Project - The Baldwin Project is a virtual page turner, a comprehensive collection of literature in the public domain. http://tinyurl.com/rhx3p  

• Edgar Allan Poe - October 11 is the birthday of Edgar Allan Poe. This site offers his short stories, poems, quotes, biography and additional links. http://www.poestories.com/  
• Fairy Tales From All Nations - July 14 is Bastille Day in France so I went in search of a French folktale to share with you. I found this free, public domain book on Google books, which contains the French tale, Prince Chaffinch and so much more. http://tinyurl.com/msd9oe  
• Fairy Tale Plays and How to Act Them - From 1910, a wonderful book you can download for your own use. While some of the language is antiquated it can be easily updated. The book also offers suggestions on costumes, props and scenery. http://tinyurl.com/bpccbt 
• Folk Tales Every Child Should Know -Twenty tales that have survived the centuries; some well-known, others will be a treat to your storytelling senses. “The stories made by the people, and told before evening fires, or in public places and at the gates of inns in the Orient, belong to the ages when books were few and knowledge limited, or to people whose fancy was not hampered by familiarity with or care for facts…” http://tinyurl.com/ntq22d
• The Golden Rod Fairy Book - Stories from England, France, Poland, Bohemia, Russia, India, China, Italy, Denmark, Ireland and Spain are contained between these cyber covers. http://tinyurl.com/5n6r6a 



The Sea-lady allures Maurice into the Sea
The Lilac Fairy Book by Andrew Lang, 1910

H-NILAS: Stories for the Seasons - An excellent array of seasonal stories. From forest to frogs, moons to maidens, storyteller Cathy Mosley offers us her folktale adaptations from around the world. http://www.h-net.org/~nilas/seasons/

Holiday and Winter Tales - Warm up your winter with folktales of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, and other stories of the season. http://tinyurl.com/5u63wb

Myths and Ancient Stories - From China to France,
Lapland to Peru and beyond, tales featuring the fun and fanciful fox! http://tinyurl.com/6zcswdo

• Myths From Around the World - Explore myths from distant countries from India, Egypt, Japan, and more. http://tinyurl.com/n9mre 
• The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci - Edited by John Paul Richter in 1880 this website offers da Vinci’s perceptions on a variety of topics. Click on the link “Humorous Writings” to discover fables on plants, animals and objects. All of these works are in the public domain. http://tinyurl.com/yzh72ma
• Nursery Rhymes Online - Like Alice in Wonderland you can fall down this hole and find a world of wonder! Rhymes, riddles, proverbs, fairy tales, crafts, activities and more! http://www.nurseryrhymesonline.com/  
• Peace Corp World Wise Schools - From Africa to the Pacific Islands, stories collected by Peace Corp volunteers around the world. http://tinyurl.com/ye5u3wf  
• The Real Mother Goose - May 1 is Mother Goose Day! Here is the original 1916 edition, now available online. http://trmg.designwest.com/

• Story Lovers World - Storyteller Jackie Baldwin is host of this superb radio program, offering tales from tellers around the world. Listen via your own home computer. Turn up the volume and let your imagination take you away! http://tinyurl.com/7vtz9z
• Tales of Laughter - A collection of familiar and not so familiar tales from Russia, Ireland, Spain, France and many more countries from around the globe. They are sure to have you smiling with delight! http://tinyurl.com/dh86jf
• TomsDomain.com – Interesting sight that offers the text of Aesop’s Fables combined with 1692 translations by Sir Roger L'Estrange. Also, the fables are organized by primary characters along with their specific morals. http://tomsdomain.com/aesop/aesopmain.htm  
• World Folklore Online - An index of stories listed by culture, country, book title and story page number. It will make story research a breeze! http://tinyurl.com/3se6sy

 NATIVE AMERICAN 

• Native Languages of the Americas: Wampanoag Indian Legends - Meet Moshup the Giant, read about Squant the Sea Monster and more. There are also additional links and resources to help you learn more about this Indian nation. http://tinyurl.com/l5tx8x   
• The Circle of Life and the Clambake - A lovely story from the Wampanoag culture that encompasses the spirit of thanksgiving, the circle of life and caring for the earth. http://tinyurl.com/kpdyaq
   

NATURE

• The Bee, The Harp, The Mouse and the Bum-Cock - http://tinyurl.com/38w7w3b
  The Bear and the Bees - http://tinyurl.com/398k2k2  
• The Book of Nature Myths by Florence Holbrook, 1902. Read “The Story of the First Hummingbird” find out “Why the Dove is Timid” or “Why the Juniper Has Berries” and so much more. Fifty-four myths to last you through all of the four seasons. http://tinyurl.com/2wrzooy  
• The Queen Bee – Story from the Brothers Grimm http://www.thequeenbee.us/
• Why We Have Insects Bees and Birds – From The Magic Crocodile and other folktales of Indonesia by Alice M. Terada. http://tinyurl.com/2wyqus9  

PHILLIPINES

  

Phikul Thong - A Philippine folktale for spring. It is a Cinderella variant, which is also another version of the French folktale, Toads and Diamonds. http://tinyurl.com/ck8y2j

RAMADAN

The Sweetest Sound – A Story for Ramadan 

http://herbnites.tripod.com/waldorfinspiredschool/id16.html

 SCANDINAVIA 

• Folklore and Legends: Scandinavian - Translated by C.J.T. circa 1890. Download this public domain book for free. http://tinyurl.com/yzbz7kv
• The Heroes of Asgard: tales from Scandinavian Mythology by A & E Keary 1900 http://tinyurl.com/ybpwyhj
• Myths and Folk-Tales of the Russians, ‘Western Slavs, and Magyars by Jermiah Curtin 1903 http://tinyurl.com/yzdmjkd
• Story-Lovers.com - Jackie Baldwin shares a compilation of books, resources and stories on winter and the winter solstice. http://tinyurl.com/yjwq354

SCOTLAND AND WALES 

• Orkneyjar ~ The Heritage of the Orkney Islands - Pronounced "orc-nee-yahr", the name is generally taken to mean Seal Islands. This is a well crafted site. The information is astounding; tradition, folklore and more. Enjoy the beauty and history of the Orkney Islands. http://tinyurl.com/8hqc2f
• Scottish Fairy and Folk Tales - A lovely collection of Scottish fairy and folk tales. Printed in 1901, the work is now in the public domain. http://tinyurl.com/5curxx
• The Welsh Fairy Book - Eighty-four stories published in 1907 by Jenkyn Thomas, along with a page of pronunciation notes. http://tinyurl.com/6gfuhm

The Little Mermaid -
Fairy Tales and Fables by
 Hans Christian
Anderson

 SEA SERPENTS AND MERMAIDS

• The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen http://tinyurl.com/lv4efg  
• Sea, Lake Monsters - From About.com lots of information on a variety of serpents and monsters from around the globe. You will be seeing scales in no time at all! http://tinyurl.com/ltdert  
• Mermaids on the Web - Listen to their call; this site offers you more than 1,720 resources about mermaids, selkies and sirens. http://tinyurl.com/nbjlqy 

SLAVIC 

The Firebird by Edmund Dulac

• Cossack Fairy Tales and Folktales by Robert Nisbet Bain, 1902 – Bain collected these folktales from Ruthenian, the language of the Cossacks, a language intermediate between Russian and Polish. http://tinyurl.com/2uklns8
• Myths and Folk-Tales of the Russians, ‘Western Slavs, and Magyars by Jermiah Curtin 1903 http://tinyurl.com/yzdmjkd
  
  
  Russian Folk-tales by William Ralston Shedden Ralston - Just in time for All Hallow’s Eve. Download this book from 1880, full of myths, legends, and folktales of demons, witches, vampires and ghouls if you dare! http://tinyurl.com/28t449c
• Russian Sunbirds -While this site is home to Russian lacquer art, it also offers a stunning array of Russian folktales, fairytales, songs, literature and poetry. http://tinyurl.com/9o8fl3
• Russian Wonder Tales by Post Wheeler, 1921 http://tinyurl.com/yesflsv
• Sixty Folktales from Slavonic Sources - A delightful mix of tales from Bohemia, Moravia, Serbia, Hungary and more. http://tinyurl.com/26w5v35  
• Story-Lovers.com - Jackie Baldwin shares a compilation of books, resources and stories on winter and the winter solstice. http://tinyurl.com/yjwq354
• The Twelve Month Brothers - Ukrainian folktale to complement the lesson plan in the Curriculum Connections section. http://tinyurl.com/5grqn2

SPRING

• Apples4theteacher.com - Fourteen stories to celebrate the wonderful season of spring. http://tinyurl.com/cv7hcv
• Saving Spring -  http://tinyurl.com/yqu9c7  
• The Spring Beauty - http://tinyurl.com/2tkbl2  

SUN

• Sun Folklore -  http://tinyurl.com/34blrj  
• How the Sun Was Rescued - http://tinyurl.com/2uk5sw  
• Why Cats Sit on the Doorstep in the Sun - http://tinyurl.com/2xga8h  

THANKSGIVING

• Catch the Storybug – Two of my blogs posts, one very recent and another from 2009 offering stories, crafts and curriculum for Thanksgiving: http://tinyurl.com/36ln97w and http://tinyurl.com/ydsld4k  
• The Magic of Mushkil Gusha - I leave you with a lovely story from author/storyteller Aaron Shepherd to add to your repertoire; perfect for the holiday season! http://tinyurl.com/579d83
• The Scarecrow’s Thanksgiving - A Canadian Thanksgiving story. http://tinyurl.com/y9ulwob
• Thanksgiving Short Stories for Kids - http://tinyurl.com/m4563n 

TURKEY  

• Nasreddin Hodja - Information and stories about the beloved character of Turkish tales, including reading comprehension exercises. This website is also a portal to many other Hodja sites. http://tinyurl.com/62gzxx
• Forty-Four Turkish Fairy Tales - Be whisked away to the magical land of Turkey, courtesy of the amazing Sacred-Texts site. http://tinyurl.com/8vtcwx
  
  
  VETERAN’S DAY 

• Veterans History Project - Personal narratives, correspondence and visual materials focusing on World War I, World War II, Korean, Vietnam, and Persian Gulf wars. http://www.loc.gov/folklife/vets/about.html
• What Did You Do in the War, Grandma? - Twenty-six interviews with women who served in WW II. http://www.stg.brown.edu/projects/WWII_Women/tocCS.html
• Return to Makin Island - Pat Mendoza’s moving tribute to the fallen soldiers of Makin Island during WW II and their return home 58 years later. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6f_FvZpm3g

WINTER

• The Baker's Dozen - A charming folktale of generosity that harkens back to a story published in 1836 and perhaps further, retold by storyteller and author Aaron Shepherd. http://tinyurl.com/5swf25 
• Folklore and Legends: Scandinavian - Translated by C.J.T. circa 1890. Download this public domain book for free. http://tinyurl.com/yzbz7kv 



Beneath the Snow Encumbered Branches
by Joseph Farquharson, 1901

• Holiday and Winter Tales - Warm up your winter with folktales of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, and other stories of the season. http://tinyurl.com/5u63wb
   
• The Heroes of Asgard: tales from Scandinavian Mythology by A & E Keary 1900 http://tinyurl.com/ybpwyhj
• Myths and Folk-Tales of the Russians, ‘Western Slavs, and Magyars by Jermiah Curtin 1903 http://tinyurl.com/yzdmjkd
• Russian Wonder Tales by Post Wheeler, 1921 http://tinyurl.com/yesflsv
• The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Anderson http://tinyurl.com/yelmtnm
• Story-Lovers.com - Jackie Baldwin shares a compilation of books, resources and stories on winter and the winter solstice. http://tinyurl.com/yjwq354

UNITED STATES  

• American Folklore - Celebrate America’s birthday and take an armchair journey with folktales, myths, legends, Tall Tales and ghost stories from the 50 United States. Tales are clearly indexed so you won’t even need to ask for directions. http://www.americanfolklore.net/ 
• Legends of America - Straddle your saddle and get ready for a rollicking ride across the wide open spaces of the American West. Here are just a few of the topics covered:

Heritage of the American West

Legends, Myths and Folktales of the American West

Native American Legends

Outlaw Legends

Women of the American West

Treasure Tales

“This is a site for the nostalgic and historic minded” with everything you need to know about the people who lived in the towns and on the plains in a time gone by. http://tinyurl.com/5m4mg5

• Davy Crockett and the Frozen Dawn - http://tinyurl.com/n22wrf
• Hawaiian Legends of Old Honolulu - From 1915 and Sacred Texts 25 legends from beautiful Hawaii. http://tinyurl.com/3nmcc8
• Louisiana Folk-tales - A downloadable book of public domain folktales by Alcée Fortier shared in both French Dialect and English Translation. http://tinyurl.com/yjydcue
• Paul Bunyan: American Folklore - Read the story of Paul Bunyan’s birth, watch him dig Lake Michigan and follow him down to the Whistling River. Six stories that will make him step right off of the page! http://tinyurl.com/35htdo
• Traditions of O’ahu - In honor of our President-Elect, I offer you stories of the island's ancient history and ancestors. The site also offers an extensive bibliography. http://tinyurl.com/5zbnwn  
• Women in American Folklore - Heroines, strong women, witches, ghosts and curious girls are ready to welcome you. http://tinyurl.com/cvur4k  

VIETNAM

The Tree Angel a Vietnam Legend - A lovely story for Arbor Day about how the banana tree was created. http://www.vietnamwebsite.net/myth/myth17.htm

Crayons, Crafts and Coloring Oh My!

"Every child is an artist; the problem is how to remain an artist once they grow up." 
                                       ~ Pablo Picasso


If you subscribe to my bi-monthly newsletter you know that along with the stories, curriculum, etc., I also highlight various craft and activities links. While there is a google search tool on the newsletter site I have categorized and compiled them here as another way for you to access them easily.

So get out the paper, paint, crayons and glue and help your students make something beautiful!


AIRPLANES
Airplane Coloring Page - http://tinyurl.com/2w32bvk
High Flying Airplane Bookmark - http://tinyurl.com/2dschv
10 Paper Airplanes – Ten easy to fold airplanes with video instructions. http://www.10paperairplanes.com/


ANIMALS

Jungle Tiger Activities - http://tinyurl.com/y97eyce
Tiger Mask to Cut and Color - http://tinyurl.com/ya4vvdg
Aesop’s Fables coloring book pages. Bats, birds, fox, hare and more are just waiting to be brought to colorful life! http://tinyurl.com/ng7elr
Dalmation Cookie Bank – http://tinyurl.com/2f5j8bg  
CD Dog - http://familycrafts.about.com/od/cdcrafts/ss/cdanimals_4.htm
Puppy Coloring Page - http://familycrafts.about.com/library/color/blcoldogbowlbug.htm

AUTUMN

Apple Activities & Crafts for Kids - http://tinyurl.com/no6xhl
Autumn Tree Craft - http://tinyurl.com/lwwsxa
Paper Bag Trees - http://tinyurl.com/6pyoz3
Scarecrow Craft - http://tinyurl.com/kp2cgg
Word Jumble - http://tinyurl.com/ycfsfj6
Fall Word Search - http://tinyurl.com/ya3cux8
Autumn Coloring Pages - http://tinyurl.com/6jvvwm
Build A Tree Leaf by Leaf - http://tinyurl.com/68y23p
Paper Bag Trees - http://tinyurl.com/6pyoz3

APRIL FOOLS

Bestkidsbooksite.com - Strut your stuff on April Fool’s Day with this Jolly Jester’s Hat at http://tinyurl.com/cvdew8 and tons of Easter coloring pages to keep you coloring in or out of the lines! http://tinyurl.com/cwqyfo

BACK TO SCHOOL

Back to School bookmarks your students can print out and color - http://tinyurl.com/ls287p
September Bulletin Board Project - Welcome your students back to school in style! http://tinyurl.com/m6z2sp
Teacher’s Survival Kit – School is in session and the teachers in your child’s life will love you for thinking of them. Put together this easy and charming “survival kit” and add a smile to their year! http://tinyurl.com/2frdeng
KinderArt - A Bulletin Board of Spring Flowers - Ages K - 6 http://tinyurl.com/b9w58r
Bug Jars - Children will learn to look at the details of bugs and plants as they learn about symmetry and asymmetry. This is a craft and lesson plan all in one! http://tinyurl.com/dlooot
How to Plan a Scarecrow Storytime - http://tinyurl.com/yckv2ge
KinderArt - A Bulletin Board of Spring Flowers - Ages K - 6 http://tinyurl.com/b9w58r


BASTILLE DAY

O la la…some crafts to help you celebrate. Build an Eiffel Tower http://tinyurl.com/mzspa7  
or Arc de Triomphe - http://tinyurl.com/npueoq

BIRDS AND BUGS

Happy Feather’s Day - http://tinyurl.com/cyuybg
Easy Bird Feeder - http://tinyurl.com/cf43t8
Paper Bag Crow Puppet - http://tinyurl.com/n4kojy
Bug Jars - Children will learn to look at the details of bugs and plants as they learn about symmetry and asymmetry. This is a craft and lesson plan all in one! http://tinyurl.com/dlooot


BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Black History Month Activities - http://tinyurl.com/23ekb2y
Diversity Banner - http://tinyurl.com/djfymu

BOOKMARKS

Arthur Character Bookmark - http://tinyurl.com/llurp9
Bookworm Bookmark – http://tinyurl.com/2f26sl4
Beaded Bookmark for the older students - http://tinyurl.com/nn7qf7
Curious George - http://tinyurl.com/nx7gxn
Scarecrow “If I Only Had A Book” - http://tinyurl.com/lntj54
Back to School bookmarks - http://tinyurl.com/ls287p


CHINESE MOON FESTIVAL

Chinese Moon Festival Coloring Pages – From the Moon Goddess to moon cakes, many choices to choose from. http://tinyurl.com/3yyorka
Follow up with a lesson plan and activity on painting watercolor Chinese Dragons. http://tinyurl.com/8jutqw  


CHRISTMAS

Origami Star - http://www.planetpals.com/ppcraft2.html
Christmas Tree - http://www.tammyyee.com/origamitree.html
Christmas Coloring Pages - http://tinyurl.com/yk5uu4a
Paper Bag Reindeer Puppet – http://tinyurl.com/39yppmg
Paper Plate Poinsettia - http://tinyurl.com/39jmkws
Christmas Crafts and Printables - http://tinyurl.com/yxwong
Gingerbread Man Ornaments - Preschool http://tinyurl.com/5g6pon  
Holiday Origami - Spice up your holiday stories with two easy to do origami folds; a star and a Christmas tree:
http://www.planetpals.com/ppcraft2.html
http://www.tammyyee.com/origamitree.html
World of Christmas – This link will lead you to a wide variety of games to entertain the children through the holiday. http://tinyurl.com/ykcoxud


CINCO DE MAYO

Kaboose.com - Say “Ole!” with these crafts and activities to help you say celebrate Cinco de Mayo. http://holidays.kaboose.com/cinco-de-mayo/
Mexican Bird Craft - http://www.dltk-kids.com/world/mexico/mbirdrattle.htm


DIWALI

Diwali Diya Mobile - http://tinyurl.com/ya64rf5
Diwali Door Hanging - Traditional embroidered door hanging to welcome visitors and hopefully the Goddess of Fortune Lakshmi. http://tinyurl.com/ydr5pch
Diwali Coloring Pages - http://tinyurl.com/ykwu7dt%20


EARTH DAY - RECYCLED CRAFTS

Cutlery Wind Chimes - The summer cookout season is over. Here’s a clever craft to recycle all of the leftover plastic utensils. http://tinyurl.com/mt76o7
Brown Paper Kites - For grades K – 6. http://www.kinderart.com/crafts/bagkite.shtml
Milk Carton Pen Pot - For grades 2 an up. http://tinyurl.com/mxn6sg
Puzzle Piece Picture Frame - For grades K– 2 http://tinyurl.com/n96pxw
Earth Day Crafts - Dig around; there are plenty of crafts here to help you celebrate. http://tinyurl.com/ba67fb
Earth Day Litterbug - Using recycled items help your students make their Earth Day litterbug. http://tinyurl.com/d6mpxq
Ladybug Rocks - Of course, my favorite! http://crafts.kaboose.com/earth-ladybug-rocks.html

FATHER’S DAY

DLTK.COM - Lots of things to make that special man smile on Father’s Day: Crafts, poems, printables, recipes and songs! http://tinyurl.com/nrssk

FLOWERS

Giant Tissue Paper Flowers – Decorate with this lovely flowers. No watering required. http://tinyurl.com/3438nvo
Handprint Lilies – Cute and easy craft for ages 5+. http://www.dltk-holidays.com/mom/mlilies.htm
Flower Coloring Pages – A garden of choices. http://flowercoloringpages.org/


FOURTH OF JULY

Enchanted Learning - Crafts and Activities for Flag Day. http://tinyurl.com/ce59vx
For some extra fun, a word search and maze to celebrate our country's anniversary:
Maze: http://tinyurl.com/n7curj 
Word Search: http://tinyurl.com/lss2pe
Kaboose.com - Lots of fun Fourth of July crafts to make your holiday sparkle! http://tinyurl.com/nymrap
USHistory.org - It was said that Betsy Ross could cut a five pointed star in one snip of the scissors. Learn how to make your own star the same way. http://tinyurl.com/ywoo8r

GRANDPARENT’S DAY

Activity Village - A wonderful page full of activities, printables and information on Grandparent’s Day, sure to put a smile on your face no matter what age! http://tinyurl.com/lbu8t2
Coloring pages and crafts for Grandparents Day - http://tinyurl.com/l88g79
Grandma or Grandpa Apron - http://tinyurl.com/njaamh

HALLOWEEN

Halloween Crafts - Bats, and pumpkins and vampires oh my! Lots of fun, spooky crafts to make your Halloween craft time as easy as saying, trick or treat! http://tinyurl.com/lbffm7%20
FamilyFun.com - Lots of spooktacular ideas for Halloween fun; activities, recipes, games, costumes, crafts and more. http://tinyurl.com/583jd
Kinderart.com - Ghosts in the Graveyard – Using recycled egg cartons you can create your own ghostly setting. Suitable for all ages. http://www.familycorner.com/family/kids/crafts/ghosts_in_the_graveyard.shtml
How to Plan a Scarecrow Story Time - http://tinyurl.com/yckv2ge


HANUKKAH

Menorah - http://tinyurl.com/yl82unf
Star of David - http://tinyurl.com/yg9gvvs
Window Sparklers, Star of David and more. http://tinyurl.com/yjqn5ce
Milk Carton Dreidel - http://tinyurl.com/2dknzg9  
Easy Cut and Fold Star of David - http://www.dltk-kids.com/world/jewish/starofdavid.htm

KWANZAA

Kwanzaa Crafts for Children - http://tinyurl.com/yb9fy9m
Kaboose.com Kwanzaa Crafts - http://tinyurl.com/yht48lk
Kwanzaa Coloring Pages- http://tinyurl.com/yffaodm
More Kwanzaa Coloring Pages - http://tinyurl.com/3aceesk
Kwanzaa Placement – http://tinyurl.com/256u4nv  


LA POSADA

Pinata - “One piñata tradition says: You go around life with your eyes covered, trying to find the good things and working hard to get them.” The original, traditional shape of the piñata is the six pointed star although today countless forms are used. http://tinyurl.com/y9uhmlw


MARDI GRAS

Celebrate Fat Tuesday - http://tinyurl.com/yfxxg55
Mardi Gras Coloring Pages - http://tinyurl.com/cusd89  
Mardi Gras Masks - http://www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/mardig


MISCELLANEOUS

Origami Peace Crane - http://www.planetpals.com/IKC/peacecrane.html
Peace Lantern - http://www.planetpals.com/IKC/peacelantern.html
Peace on Earth - http://tinyurl.com/yknakrv 
Sea Serpent Games and Activities - Lots of creativity swimming around these pages! http://tinyurl.com/mkubfj
Mermaid Paper Doll - Children can color her pretty with your own paints and crayons! http://tinyurl.com/mvkgn5
DLTK 'S Holiday Crafts - "Crafts to help you decorate, games to help you celebrate, worksheets to challenge your mind and songs to sing together!" http://www.dltk-holidays.com/ 
KidsStuffCanada.com - Creative, downloadable coloring pages to complement the stories of Grimm and Andersen. Also, interactive pages for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Halloween, etc. Enough activities to keep you coloring outside the lines until the New Year! www.kidstuffcanada.com/en 


MOTHER’S DAY

Bath Salts for Mom – http://www.kinderart.com/seasons/mother7.shtml
Flower Doorstop for Mom – Just in time for Mother’s Day! http://tinyurl.com/32mrspl
Kinderart.com - Crafts and gifts to make for Mom including Mother's Day, May, Arts and Crafts Activities, Lessons, Coloring Pages, Ideas, Recipes and Treats. http://tinyurl.com/cagxwy


MULTICULTURAL

Activity Village - Make your own carp kite or origami to celebrate Kodomo no hi (Children’s Day). There are many other crafts, activities and printables to make this Japanese national holiday shine! http://tinyurl.com/cxwwv3
Children of the World Necklace - http://tinyurl.com/l6cqsu
Egyptian Crafts– A great selection of Egyptian crafts for all ages. http://tinyurl.com/344bmh8  
Hieroglyphics Bookmarks – Two choices, one with hieroglyphics and another with a maze on the back. Mazes have been in existence since ancient Egypt, when Amenembet III built a funerary temple consisting of 3000 chambers. http://tinyurl.com/38hxvnj  
Japanese Kokeshi Doll - http://tinyurl.com/cscr76
King Tut Mask – Definitely for older children but this would be a wonderful art project to complement an Egyptian unit. http://tinyurl.com/3xenscl
Hawaiian Lei Flower Necklace - http://tinyurl.com/ysydbf
New Zealand Koru Art - “The koru is the Maori name given to the new unfurling fern frond and symbolizes new life, growth, strength and peace. It is an integral symbol in Maori carving and tattoos.” http://kinderart.com/multic/koruart.shtml
Origami Doll - http://tinyurl.com/ddo8w2
Peace Dove - http://tinyurl.com/n4wfwh
World Neighbors: Handprint Craft and Poem - http://tinyurl.com/l45smb


RAMADAN

Children’s Activities for the Month of Ramadan - http://www.submission.org/YES/child2.html
Make a Ramandan Collage - http://www.theholidayspot.com/ramadan/crafts.htm


SAINT PATRICK’S DAY
Leprechaun Crafts - http://tinyurl.com/yl3rmq9
St. Patrick’s Day Wreaths – http://tinyurl.com/yz4bw29
St. Patrick’s Day Word Jumble - http://tinyurl.com/ykjhtf8
St. Patrick’s Day Word Search - http://tinyurl.com/ylx8537
St. Patrick’s Day Coloring Pages - http://tinyurl.com/yz7guar
St. Patrick’s Day Crafts and Printables -http://tinyurl.com/cxfe9a
St. Patrick's Day Coloring Pages - http://tinyurl.com/cy9pwd

SPRING CRAFTS

Frog Pouch Craft – Ages 3 and up http://tinyurl.com/ykjkko5
Frog Paper Bag Puppet – Ages 2 and up http://tinyurl.com/yjc9cbd
Frog Paper Crafts – Ages 2 and up http://tinyurl.com/yjb5tok
Spring Crafts - http://tinyurl.com/adaz63  
Flowered Hat - http://tinyurl.com/b36hnx
KinderArt - A Bulletin Board of Spring Flowers - Ages K - 6 http://tinyurl.com/b9w58r

STORYTELLING

Fables Theme: Preschool Activities and Crafts - “Visit a theme to find activities that include easy instructions and a list of materials needed related to Aesop's and other fables. You will find crafts, printable activities, and related resources.” http://www.first-school.ws/theme/fables.htm 
Story Sack - ‘This is a fun way for parents and children to read stories together. Grandparents, teachers, childcare providers, babysitters and anyone else who spends time with children will also find these useful!” http://tinyurl.com/27pwh8j
Fairy Tale Crafts - From dragons, to princes, knights and wizards, lots of crafts to keep everyone busy. http://tinyurl.com/an3lay

SUMMER

ChildFun.com - Summer brings a bounty of fresh fruit so why not have some fruity fun! http://tinyurl.com/m99dj4
DLTK Crafts – Lots of flavorful ice cream crafts to keep you cool through the summer months. http://www.dltk-holidays.com/summer/national_ice_cream_month.htm
Danielle’s Place - A great site full of very creative, easy and inexpensive paper plate and paper cup crafts for kids. http://tinyurl.com/lyd6cy
Kids Summer Crafts and Summer Printables - http://tinyurl.com/njew6g  
Kinderart - Summer is tine to take the children to the zoo. Download some cute animal printables to keep your students and children roaring with delight long after the field trip! http://tinyurl.com/mfoajz


THANKSGIVING

Blessing Boxes - http://tinyurl.com/5zuk4x
Thanksgiving and Fall Crafts for Children - http://tinyurl.com/ylfuhze
Thanksgiving Coloring Pages - http://tinyurl.com/yauxtpy


VALENTINE’S DAY

Educational Valentine’s Day Crafts - http://tinyurl.com/yawdrqt
Valentine’s Day Word Search - http://tinyurl.com/c6lldr
Kaboose.com - Valentine’s Day word searches, math puzzles, and more. http://tinyurl.com/bfrrnt
Kaboose.com - Lots of easy crafts to make your heart flutter for Valentine’s Day.
http://tinyurl.com/ackzdb


VETERAN’S DAY

Veteran’s Day Activities - Coloring pages, crafts for kids, word searches and more. http://tinyurl.com/kslkv7


WINTER

Family Fun.com - Tons of winter fun; crafts, games, activities, printables and more! http://tinyurl.com/9n2gyt
Kaboose - Winter clip art, games, activities and crafts to help warm your spirit. http://holidays.kaboose.com/winter/
Kinderart - Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow…Decorate your classroom or library with an array of beautiful paper cut creations. http://tinyurl.com/94n9gj
Penguin Fun! Coloring pages, mazes, worksheets, songs, riddles and more! http://tinyurl.com/5g6pon
Polish Gwiazdy – Beautiful paper cuttings that look like snowflakes but they have eight sides not six. http://tinyurl.com/22jo2gd