Advert. Ever had a friend people didn’t approve of? I’m so excited to be working with Two Hoots to share a craft with you today for Cyril and Pat, the gorgeous new book from CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal winner Emily Gravett.
My kids have asked me to read this story again and again since we received it, and they made their own versions of this craft too – a fun Cyril and Pat rat and squirrel toilet roll craft.
What You'll Find on This Page
Cyril and Pat
Cyril is the only squirrel in Lake Park, and he’s very lonely. Until one day he meets Pat – Pat the big, grey . . . other squirrel.
Cyril and Pat have lots of adventures and fun together and Cyril is so pleased he’s made a friend. But everyone is adamant that Cyril and Pat simply cannot be friends, and they soon reveal why: Pat, as the reader has known all along, is actually a RAT!
I’ve loved reading Cyril and Pat with my kids, it’s a great story about friendship not being restricted to those who are exactly the same as you and the story is beautifully illustrated too.
If you’d like to share it with your kids too then you can order your copy here from Amazon.
Cyril and Pat Craft
To make alongside reading Cyril and Pat I’ve made a rat and squirrel craft inspired by the two characters, my four year old daughter actually made her own ones too which I’m now wishing I’d photographed as they had Cyril and Pat wearing purple headbands too! (No idea why other than she likes purple and who am I to argue?!)
To make your Cyril and Pat craft you will need:
Two toilet rolls
Paint in grey and white
Pink pipe cleaner
Grey fake fur
Glue
Paintbrushes
Coloured pens
Let’s make it!
Start by painting your toilet rolls grey, I’ve used chalk paint as I had some left over which looked like the perfect colour and it gives a great coverage but you could use normal children’s grey paint or mix your own.
Once the grey paint is dry paint on white stomachs for both Cyril and Pat. While these are drying you can make their tails.
Cyril’s furry grey squirrel tail is made out of fake fur and I’ve glued two pieces together using PVA glue and then stuck it to the back of the toilet roll but you could use just one piece of fake fur (as my daughter did) or if you can’t get hold of any grey fake fur you could use some of a roll of cotton wool if you wanted your squirrel to have a fluffy tail.
For Pat the rat’s long pink tail I made a hole in the back of his toilet roll using a pencil pushed into some play dough and then threaded through a long pink pipe cleaner.
Finally is drawing the friends faces which I’ve done with some Posca chalk pens as well as adding a bit of brown to Cyril.
Like this craft? Don’t forget to bookmark this page or pin an image so you don’t forget to make it? Like the sound of this book? Don’t forget to check it out with Two Hoots and if you love crafts and activities for kids books make sure you check out the links below too.
Activities for Kids Books:
Have you read the What The Ladybird Heard series? Check out this fun paper plate craft for What The Ladybird Heard on Holiday that’s great as a literacy activity too.
Do your kids like sensory play? This cake dough scented play dough is the perfect accompaniment for Sue Hendra’s book Cake.
Finally we love Supertato and this round up of Supertato crafts and activities is perfect for keeping the kids busy and happy too.
Sponsored Post.
Wendy
Oh that just looks a super cute book! Love the little craft too – my smallest boy would LOVE this!
Rachel
I think Cyril and Pat are the only two rats I would be happy with my cats bringing to me as a present lol x
Angela Milnes
This is a super cute idea and I love crafts which go alongside kids books! Very cool!