Crocodile Smile: A Read, Discuss, Do! craft

I WANT YOUR SMILE, CROCODILE by Denette Fretz and illustrated by Jackie Urbanovic is a picture book about a young meerkat who is envious of the other zoo animals' unique traits. But after a jaunt through the zoo (with a harried zoo-keeper following after him), he learns to accept himself just the way God made him! This book is charming, funny, and a pleasure to read aloud. And it's perfect for fostering discussions about self-acceptance.

READ: I WANT YOUR SMILE, CROCODILE by Denette Fretz

DISCUSS: The crocodile has an impressive smile. It may be his best feature! What is your best feature? Have you ever wished you could change something about yourself?

DO: Make your own crocodile smile!

You will need:

• Paper plate
• Green and pink tempura paint (or markers)
• Paint brush
• Glue
• Scissors
• Hole punch
• Large wiggly eye
• Brass fastener 

Directions:

Cut the paper plate in half. Cut a curved section out of the round side of each plate half. Cut a simple zig-zag into the straight side of each paper plate half.

Paint (or color) both sides green. While the paint dries, cut triangles out of the cut-out pieces of the
plate for teeth. Glue the teeth onto the white side of the zig-zagged edge, leaving a few inches on the end tooth free! Be sure to put the teeth on the correct end! The best way to be sure you do this right is to lay both pieces white-side-up with their zig-zagged edges facing each other as you glue.

Overlap the jaw and punch a hole through both plate sections. Secure it with a brass fastener. Glue on the eye and give the crocodile a nostril with pink paint or marker! (If you don't have a wiggly eye, you can draw or paint an eye instead!)

Now you have your own crocodile smile! Be careful. Those teeth are sharp!