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Got the idea to make this neat little art portfolio for Olivia from our favorite art book, First Art: Art Experiences for Toddlers and Twos by MaryAnn F. Kohl. Mom and I sewed the gallon-sized freezer bags together (not much of a seamstress here) and then I punched holes in the “spine” to add decorative ribbon ties, created a nifty digital cover, and cut pieces of black card stock to back her creations. The neat thing about using baggies is that it holds any glitter or flotsam from the artwork and the pieces are easy to change out as she creates new masterpieces.

Olivia seems to like it. She really likes to open and close the baggies. We are leaving it out on the end table right now and sometimes when I walk by it is open, so I know she has been enjoying her work.

First Art is wonderful if you have small children. All of the projects are process oriented, and supplies are easy to come by. I also like the fact that Kohl gives little anecdotal pointers. On a project we did with chalk, water, and black paper, she mentioned that some kids’ favorite part might be painting the paper with water or just peeling the wet paper from the table over and over. Olivia did both of those things for a while before settling in to draw with her chalk. If I had not read that, it might have frustrated me that she was not doing the project “correctly”. That’s what I like about this book. It reminds my type-A self that there is no “correct” way. As long as she is enjoying the experience, then it is all good.

Kohl has a website where you can see the books she offers and check out free projects from all of her books. Enjoy.