Yertle the Turtle Craft

"On the far-away Island of Sala-ma-Sond, Yertle the Turtle was king of the pond." I came up with a cute little turtle that's easy to make in honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday. And the craft stick legs allow them to stand up on their own. These turtles can be stacked too, if you feel inclined to "pile up more turtles!"  Yertle declared that he would "need 'bout five thousand, six hundred and seven!" but I'm sure a few will do for you.

Materials:

{Yertle the Turtle by Mia, age 4}

• small paper plate
• scissors
• glue
• 2 wiggly eyes
• green paper
• 2 craft sticks
• marker
• masking tape

Directions:

1. Cut several small square(ish) pieces of green paper. Mia used the textured border parts of a paper napkin and I used tissue paper, but you could also use construction paper or crepe paper.
2. Glue paper pieces to the back side of a small paper plate (or bowl, if you prefer). I did mine in a sort of mosaic, but Mia bunched hers all together, collage style.
3. Cut a 2 inch square of green paper. Round one side and glue or tape to the turtle for the head. (Mia glued hers to the turtle shell. I taped mine underneath.)
4. Cut a long, skinny triangle of green paper and glue or tape opposite the head to make the tail.
5. For legs, cut two craft stick in half. We used the large tongue depressor sized craft sticks. Tape to the back side of the turtle's body. (I glued green paper over top of mine and Mia left hers plain.)
6. Decorate the turtle's face by gluing on two wiggly eyes and drawing a mouth with a marker.