Volcanoes!

Seth is beyond enamored with volcanoes. It all started with an Usborne book which came in a pack of books from a Scholastic book order. I ordered the pack because I’ve been searching for good books for preschoolers on skeletons and body parts, another of his interests. I thought one of the books in the pack might fit this bill nicely. However, once I received the set I realized it is intended a slightly older age bracket. Unfortunately, Scholastic book orders are, of course, delivered to the child at school so I was unable to review the book prior to Seth getting his hands on it. Otherwise I believe I would have removed the volcano book straight away due to a couple pages on Pompeii. Specifically, the photo of a plaster cast of a man who had perished by choking to death on ash. Lesson learned. I found myself particularly at a loss when Seth questioned me on this page and so I fell back on the actual text. I believe he was first drawn in by the sketch of a skeleton buried in ash and he made me read this page over and over with thousands of questions along the way. During the last couple weeks he has been engaged in acting out volcanoes erupting AND choking to death on ash. Completing the scenario is a scientist who fills the body with plaster and it comes back to life. Obviously the concept of death isn’t quite complete in my 3 year old’s mind. In an effort to refocus this creativity I suggested we make our very own volcano in the kitchen. Here I give you our version of Mt. Vesuvius, complete with instructions:

1. Let one inquisitive child pour baking soda in a cup set on a plate in the kitchen or out of doors. By no means should you measure, but if you need a rough idea a couple tablespoon should more than do it.

2. As the adult in control, pour vinegar into said cup. What! You didn’t pour enough? Just pour some more on top. Maybe 1/2 cup in the end? It depends on the size of your glass.

3. Watch with awe.

Next time maybe we’ll add food coloring for realism and dish soap to slow it down a bit. I’m going to hold off on the paper mache volcanic mountain for a bit though.

In the end, I’m glad we got the books. It’s been quite an experience. As for my original quest, does anyone out there have any suggestions for preschool appropriate books on body parts or skeletons? Preferably no death scenes.