Black and White
Recently I held a reading at The Seward Park Environmental and Audubon Center, for preschoolers and their families. We were in the park's education center, next to Lake Washington where the wind was whipping up white caps. Rain beat hard against the windows. Inside, children sprawled on the old wood floor creating phenomenal art work.

I always bring beautiful black paper and white crayons to my readings. Listeners are invited to draw their own night scenes. At this particular reading, we knew there would be gathering and socializing before hand. I wanted to provide the kiddos with something to do, so I set out my supplies. The wonderful folks who run the environmental education center also brought white star stickers, as well as black and white googly eyes. 

Even the littlest children created fabulous scenes, using only black and white resources. There were super heros fighting villains, bunnies holding flowers, exploding stars, bats of all kinds, and even "a night of 100 eyes"! Not one of the children asked for brightly colored markers or a different color paper. They were a charming group of children with wonderful imaginations.

They snuggled in for a reading and story telling with puppets. After the event, many could hardly wait to pop their boots back on and go puddle jumping. It is the simple pleasures, after all: black and white art work, a pair of rubber boots, and a big old puddle!