It has been a while since I've taken scissors to flannel and I've been wanting to make a Little Mouse flannel for my Toddler Storytimes like this one on So Tomorrow's blog for ages. Finally I found a little time.
But first a little diversion...
Q: What is the connection between the title of this post and Little Mouse?
A: The Scottish pronunciation of 'mouse' as 'moose' and a song...
... with the line, "There's a moose loose aboot this hoose". It comes from a vintage novelty song released in the UK called 'Hoots Mon' by Lord Rockingham's XI. I wasn't born when it was released, but its one of those tunes that was played on kid's radio and at functions and celebrations throughout my childhood. You'll hear the phrase (mentioned just once) in this YouTube clip*.
With a (albeit contrived) Scottish influence, I wondered how my houses should look, and thought about using a But an' Ben as featured on the cover of Maw Broon's Cookbook.
A But and Ben is a Scottish two-roomed cottage with the but/butt end being the kitchen, and the ben being the bedroom. They do still exist. I lived in a larger and extended version for my first 10 years in Scotland.
The basic but and ben building forms the basis of lots of older granite homes all across the north of Scotland, mostly now extended. This photo of one still in original form (minus a thatched roof), taken by Karen, is of a former smallholding called Guildmuir Pendicle in Angus, and was once inhabited by a character called Hairy Nichol (great name, huh?)
Anyway, enough prattle, here are my houses with a template, and a mouse from clipart suggested by Miss Mary Liberry. Anne at So Tomorrow has instructions on how to play the game "Little Mouse, Little Mouse, Are you in the [...colour] house?" (I may adapt to "Wee Moose"), and Miss Mary suggests the use of a colour spinner for larger crowds. I'll be making one of those for our Family Storytimes.
The Flannel Friday crowd have come up with lots of variations on the game.
I'm sure you'll love them all.
- Mouse with presents from My Storytime Life
- Mouse behind leaves from Loons and Quines - that would be me!
- Little Moon behind clouds, Little Worm in apples and Snowball in mittens, all at So Tomorrow
- Dog hides behind household pieces at The Children's Room, and
- Bird hides behind tree at Sunflower Storytime.
Want more?
Find out all about Flannel Friday on the new website. Features include past round ups and host schedule and how to participate.
Scan the Flannel Friday posts on Pinterest.
Search for flannels and storytime ideas at Mel's Desk.
Discuss storytime and flannelboards on the Flannel Friday Facebook Page.
This week’s round up will be hosted by Linda at Notes from the Storyroom.
* Not embedded to avoid copyright infringement, the risks are summarised succinctly in The Blog Herald.