Painted paper collages and storytelling inspired by Eric Carle

Eric Carle is well known for beautiful collage-style illustrations that fill the pages of his books. We explored this style of artwork through painted paper story telling and our children created painted paper collages that I think would make Mr. Carle very proud…

Painted paper collages and storytelling inspired by Eric Carle [Teach Preschool]

It all began with the book The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse.  Eric Carle has written this book in a style that makes it easy for the children to read along.  The first pages of the book feature a boy who exclaims, “I am an artist,” and he then proceeds to share all of the pictures he has painted…

Painted paper collages and storytelling inspired by Eric Carle [Teach Preschool]

The artist paints animals in rather unusual colors, which the children found to be quite funny.  He paints a red alligator, a yellow cow, and a polka dot donkey…

Painted paper collages and storytelling inspired by Eric Carle [Teach Preschool]

After reading our story, the children helped retell the story using only artwork…

Painted paper collages and storytelling inspired by Eric Carle [Teach Preschool]

Each piece of paper was painted before we read the book using paint colors and designs that resembled the artist’s animals shown in the book…

Painted paper collages and storytelling inspired by Eric Carle [Teach Preschool]

As each painted paper was shown to the children, they were able to recall the animal that matched the color in our book. If they couldn’t recall the animal, we simply took a second to look it up and find the matching animal…

Painted paper collages and storytelling inspired by Eric Carle [Teach Preschool]

As we looked at the book and our painted pieces of paper, we took notice of how the animals looked like they were made from  pieces of painted paper. So we cut up the paper into smaller pieces for the children to create their own painted paper collages… 

Painted paper collages by Teach Preschool

Several of the children already had an idea of what they wanted their collage to look like.  Others weren’t quite as sure, but still enjoyed the process of cutting up the paintings into different shapes…

Painted paper collages by Teach Preschool

As the children cut up the painted paper, they laid the pieces out on their white paper and when ready, glued the painted pieces in place. Some children then used markers to add details to their pictures…

Painted paper collages by Teach Preschool

Some of the children had their own story to tell about their painted paper collages. For example, this was a lion drinking water…

Painted paper collages by Teach Preschool

And this collage was a self-portrait…

Painted paper collages by Teach Preschool

And this collage was the ocean…

Painted picture collages and Story Telling by Teach Preschool

Some of the collages were just that…collages.  They didn’t represent an animal or necessarily tell a story. For some children, the experience was more about the process of cutting and gluing…

Painted paper collages and storytelling inspired by Eric Carle [Teach Preschool]

But every collage was beautiful. Simply beautiful…

Painted paper collages by Teach Preschool

Available on Amazon

Links to grow on:

A wonderful collection of Eric Carle books and activities by Teach Preschool

Art inspired by music by Sun Hats & Wellie Boots

Art activity: zoo animal puzzles by Hands On: As We Grow

Deborah J Stewart

Deborah J Stewart

Every time I think I know everything I need to know about teaching young children, God says, "Hold on a minute!" and gives me a new challenge.

Let me tell ya...

With each new challenge that you overcome, you will find yourself better equipped and more passionate about teaching young children.

God didn't call wimps to lead, teach, or care for His children. Nope, he has high expectations, so get ready. You will have to give your very best but after teaching for over 30 years, I can tell you that it is a wonderful and rewarding journey.

Whenever your calling feels hard, just remember, 'He who began a good work in you (and in the children you serve) will be faithful to complete it.'

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