One Big Canvas | Beyond the Book Activities

One Big Canvas Awareness Tour in partnership with REED Foundation for Autism
The Children’s Book Review

We’ve been reading the ‘One Big Canvas’ book series created by the REED Foundation for Autism. It’s a series that seeks to celebrate differences, showcasing how each individual can be an integral part of a much larger picture regardless of their unique qualities. Author Jay Miletsky uses different paintbrushes to showcase how neuro-diverse personalities can react to everyday situations. The books highlight the importance of kindness and understanding and are wonderful stepping stones to conversations about inclusion and empathy!

You can take the ‘One Big Canvas’ reading experience even further with the following activities.

One Big Canvas Inspired Kindness Rocks

As both The Masterpiece and The Molding of Clay highlight the importance of kindness and understanding, we recommend painting rocks and including words of encouragement on them to leave around the garden or school playground. Younger kids can go to town with their painting and have an adult write their encouraging words of choice over the top of their design.

Supplies Needed:

• Rocks (Find them in your garden, buy them from your local landscaping supply store, or try these: Capcouriers Rocks for Painting.)
• Paint or Paint Pens (Any paint will do, but acrylic paints work best on rocks and we love the Posca paint pens.)
• Paintbrushes
• Sealant (Here’s a suggestion: DecoArt DuroClear.)

One Big Canvas Inspired Clay Molding Activity

In The Molding of Clay, readers see Clay learn to mold his behavior. For this activity, grab some modeling clay and shape it into whatever your heart desires. Or try shaping it into the shapes Clay makes. This activity also helps with fine motor skills.

Supplies Needed:

• Modeling Clay
• Any fun tools for shaping and creating patterns: rolling pins, plastic knife, cookie cutters, etc.

One Big Canvas Inspired Masterpiece Activity

In The Masterpiece, the characters work through the day and paint a canvas inspired by their newfound wisdom. For this activity, grab a canvas, some paints, and brushes. What inspires you? Talk about it and then paint to your heart’s content.

Supplies Needed:

• Canvas (any size)
• Paintbrushes
• Paints

About the ‘One Big’ Canvas Series

One Big Canvas: The Masterpiece

Written by Jay Miletsky

Illustrated by Luis Peres

Ages 3-9 | 24 Pages

Publisher: New Paige Press | ISBN-13: 978-0578496382

Publisher’s Synopsis: Join a spunky collection of paintbrushes as they set out to create a grand masterpiece.

When some of the brushes don’t cooperate, is it because they are misbehaving…or is there another reason entirely? In this story, young readers are introduced to some of the behavioral differences in their autistic peers.

Without ever mentioning any particular challenge or disability by name, this story helps children recognize and understand what autism is, and impress upon them the importance of showing kindness to those who are different, wrapped into a fun story with lighthearted, engaging characters.

They worked through the day, then stopped and admired,
the wisdom their now-painted canvas inspired:
their painting was perfect, It all meshed just fine,
with it’s colorful circles, and angry green line.
It was a true masterpiece, not one thing was wrong,
including the hum of their single-note song.

Buy the Book

One Big Canvas: The Molding of Clay

Written by Jay Miletsky

Illustrated by Luis Peres

Ages 3-9 | 24 Pages

Publisher: New Paige Press | ISBN-13: 978-0578496382

Publisher’s Synopsis: The brushes are back! Join Reese, Estelle and the rest of the gang in the art studio in another adventure as they learn the value of kindness and understanding.

When Clay comes to visit from the other side of the art studio, the brushes are excited to welcome their friend. But when a few of the brushes start acting differently, Clay needs to be reminded that it’s important to be accepting:

“Some brushes are different, so we like to remind,
it’s kind to be caring, so take care to be kind.”

Will Clay leave the brushes in frustration, or will he learn to mold his thinking as he comes to understand and accept that brushes have different abilities and challenges? Without ever mentioning autism or any particular disability, The Molding of Clay helps introduce children to the behavioral differences of their autistic peers, creating an opportunity for discussion. It helps teachers and parents impress upon them the importance of understanding, acceptance and kindness, through a fun, lighthearted story with quirky and colorful characters.

Buy the Book

You can learn more about the REED Foundation for Autism here: https://www.reedfoundationforautism.org/

Thanks for following along with us on the The ‘One Big Canvas’ Book Series Awareness Tour, sponsored by the REED Foundation for Autism. We hope you enjoy these beyond the book activities.