By: Lisa Manzione
Illustrations by: Kristine Lucco
Bella and Harry are on an adventure visiting Paris. They are happy to be your little one’s guide on this great journey. The book does a wonderful job of introducing Paris and French culture so on that momentum let’s expand the lesson and do some activities to engage the child.
Day One: Find France on Map
The first thing you need to know is where you are going. Show your child a map of the world or a globe and point out France. Then point out the United States and how the distance to France. Ask your child to point to France.
Click HERE for a map of France and some background information.
Click HERE for a printable map of France.
Activity: Make a French flag
Supplies:
Blue, white (2 sheets) and red construction paper
Scissors
Glue
Directions:
Cut your construction paper so that one third of each color covers a whole sheet of white construction paper. Glue the colors in the proper order.
Click HERE for a printable to color.
Day Two: Visit the Monuments
In the book, Bella and Harry visit the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. Look up both online for your child to see what each looks like from a photograph. The book explains the significance of each briefly. Simply see what your child remembers from the book and explore the monuments together.
Click HERE for printables of the monuments.
Activity: Build the Eiffel Tower.
Supplies:
CitiBlocs, Legos or other building blocks
Directions:
Simply have fun seeing how high you can build a tower. You may want to try to make your tower look like the Eiffel Tower but the point is to have fun.
Day Three: French Food
In the book, Bella and Harry note the children are eating French food. The girl is eating crepes and the boy is eating jambon baguette or a ham sandwich. Look up other types of French food online together with your child.
Activity: French Chefs
Now it is time to play French Chef. Gather all the ingredients to make the jambon baguette and the crepes.
Jambon Baguette
Ingredients:
Ham
French bread
Cheese
Directions:
Slice the baguette and make a sandwich with the ham and cheese.
Crepes
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter, melted
Directions
1.In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and the eggs. Gradually add in the milk and water, stirring to combine. Add the salt and butter; beat until smooth.
2.Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each crepe. Tilt the pan with a circular motion so that the batter coats the surface evenly.
3.Cook the crepe for about 2 minutes, until the bottom is light brown. Loosen with a spatula, turn and cook the other side. Serve hot.
Recipe found on AllRecipes.com.
You can fill the crepes with strawberries and cream cheese or even chocolate chips and cream cheese for a simple treat.