Children make collages based on Carle’s book

NEW HARTFORD — The Licia & Mason Beekley Community Library hosted an Eric Carle collage event, inspired by his book “Mister Seahorse,” on Friday, Aug. 14.

“It’s the end of summer, so I figured I’d pick something that had to do with an ocean theme,” said children’s librarian Nicole Misko. At the start of the event, set to Hawaiian-themed music, Misko passed out leis and children gathered around to hear the story.

“I love Eric Carle,” Misko said. “Last year I did another Eric Carle collage day, so I wanted to kind of stay with the same theme with this artist and author. The kids, especially in this age group, seem to respond very well to his books.”

After hearing the story of “Mister Seahorse,” the children were inspired to begin their own underwater-themed collages.

“It’s interesting because, in this story, the father carries the mother’s eggs,” attendee Anne Austin said as her grandchildren worked on their art.

“It’s all about creativity with children,” Austin said.

Misko added that the theme of the book was in line with some of the other summer learning programs in which the children have participated.

“The whole book is about different creatures in the sea where the male is the one that harbors the eggs, and then sees that the eggs are born,” she said.

“With the children’s garden in the back, we’ve been talking a lot about procreating, like parts of a flower and things in nature