June 4th, 2020
Bookshow at Home with Satoshi Kitamura
This week's Book of the Week is the wonderfully imaginative Millie's Marvellous Hat by Satoshi Kitamura. Find out about Satoshi, and listen to the story. Then you can spend some time exploring the activities and get creative. You can sign up to our newsletter here, or follow us on twitter @ChildrensBkShow. Our activities should appeal to all kinds of readers, writers and artists, so everyone can get involved.
Book of the Week: Millie's Marvellous Hat
Author in focus
Born in Tokyo in 1956, Satoshi Kitamura started his career working in advertising as an artist, and soon made his way to London where he lived for over 20 years.
Satoshi drew constantly from an early age. He says "Like all Japanese children I drew all over the pavement — and on the road when there weren't so many cars. At school I drew caricatures of the teachers."
Satoshi's other books include Stone Age Boy and Hat Tricks.
Watch Liz from the Bookshow read Millie's Marvellous Hat
Satoshi Activities!
Make Paper Creatures
These are the instructions to make some brilliant paper creatures. To do this activity you'll need to download and print out these animal templates.
See Satoshi's finished paper creatures here:
Make Your Own Marvellous Hat
Millie’s hat is very special; it can be whatever she imagines it to be. Can you imagine and design your own special hat? It could be based on your favourite things like food, animals, places, hobbies and be any shape, size or colour you desire.
First, create one of these basic hat designs using some paper or thin card (a cereal box is ideal):
Cone Hat
Step 1 Draw around a dinner plate and cut out the circle.
Step 2 Mark and cut out one quarter.
Step 3 Fold into a cone and secure with tape.
Hat Band
Step 1 Cut 2-3 rectangular lengths of card.
Step 2 Tape together to form one long band which is long enough to fit around your head.
Step 3 Cut to size and secure with tape.
Paper Plate Hat
Step 1 Draw three straight lines across a large paper plate to create six equal sections.
Step 2 Carefully cut along the lines.
Step 3 Fold the resulting triangles upwards.
Then, get creative and add extra sections and decorations to your hat to make your unique design. Try re-using or recycling different bits and bobs which you can find around the house. Then it will be an eco-friendly hat, as well as a marvellous one!
Invent and Write
Millie’s marvellous hat has the power to become anything Millie imagines it to be. Could you invent another accessory or item of clothing which would give you a special power? Perhaps some special trainers which make you run at supersonic speed, or a magical coat which enables you to time-travel? How about a suit to make you invisible or a cape to help you fly?
Draw and label your special invention and write about it. You could write an adventure story where the hero or heroine saves the day; a diary entry describing what happened the first time you wore it; a set of instructions for how to use it, or an advert to persuade people to buy it.
We'd love to see your stories, hats and paper creatures. To send us your work to display in our gallery use the link below, or upload to twitter with the hashtag #BookshowAtHome. You might also like to send us a video of you reading your work or wearing your hat!
