Click the links below each image to download or print.

Giraffe Meets Bird — Colouring Sheet

Giraffe Meets Bird — Activity (Continue the Story)

Giraffe and Bird — Colouring Sheet

Giraffe and Bird — Activity (Facial Expressions)

Don’t Laugh at Giraffe — Colouring Sheet

Don’t Laugh at Giraffe — Activity (Write a Song for Bird)

Since getting my daughter a Klutz Pom Pom Puppies book kit for Christmas, I have become a little obsessed with making pompoms. My latest is a pompom version of Bird. Fuzzy green yarn turns out to be the perfect way to craft him in 3D as a fledgling chick, like he appears in Giraffe Meets Bird.

I’ve taken some photos to show my steps, but consider this intermediate pompom making; you’ll want to learn how to make a basic pompom first before attempting this. It is explained really well in the Klutz books and I’m sure other places online.

You can buy pompom makers (see the pink circle things) at craft stores. I made my pompom with green yarn that was multicoloured, but I manipulated the various shades of green to sit where I wanted them to. I also used some cream coloured yarn for his belly.

Using another colour of yarn for clarity, tie areas of the pompom where you want the wings to go. Then you can give him a hair cut and not worry about snipping them off by mistake. It’s messy, so use a tray or shoe box lid to contain the clippings. Tip: save the trimmings, they can be useful for adding spots and extra fluff!

Here he’s starting to take shape after his trim. Comb the yarn on the wings to make them even fuzzier, but be careful not to pull out the strands.

For the eyes I used black beads and the beak is cut from felt. Before I glued down the eyes, I parted the yarn and added some turquoise fluffy bits. I’m using Tacky Glue which works really well.

For finishing touches, I glued longer strands of yarn to the wings and more turquoise spots on his belly. Oh, and his feet are cut out of felt as well.

This tree needs some holiday decorations, don’t you think? Download colouring page here.

I recently had to the chance to talk to ECE (Early Childhood Education) students at Georgian College about pictures books and how I present them to children. They prepared for my visit by selling raffle tickets for gift baskets and signed copies of my books. They also printed posters to advertise the event and handled book sales for me after the talk.

Needless to say, I had a wonderful time sharing my work with these passionate students, who will no doubt spread a love of reading as they set out in their careers.

Thank you Georgian College!