For Little Friends

By Lana Krumwiede

By Lana Krumwiede

Based on a true story

[Give] thanks always for all things unto … the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 5:20).

Illustrated by Val Chadwick Bagley

By Sherry Timberman

You will need: scissors, a ruler, two sheets of heavy paper of contrasting colors, glue, a marker, and an envelope.

1.
Cut a 1″ x 11″ (2.5 cm x 28 cm) strip from one sheet of paper.
2.
Fold the strip accordion-style into 1″ (2.5 cm) squares (see illustration).

Illustrated by Val Chadwick Bagley
3.
Cut out five identical shapes of your choice 1 1/2″ to 2″ (4 cm to 5 cm) in size from the other sheet of paper. Squares, circles, or triangles work well.
4.
Glue a shape to the front of each fold on the strip (see illustration); let the glue dry.
5.
Write a continuous message to your dad on the shapes (one word per shape) starting at the top (see illustration).
6.
Refold the ladder, slip it into an envelope, and give it to your dad with all your love.

By Ruth R. Harmon

A robin’s nest in a budding tree,

A chirping cricket, a droning bee—

A flower pushing through rain-soaked ground,

Ducks on a pond, ants in a mound—

Gulls circling in a cloudy sky,

Fish in a stream, waves breaking high—

A squirrel’s home in a hollow log,

A bright butterfly, a leaping frog—

The sounds I hear and sights I see

Are gifts that God has given me.

By Julie Christensen

You will need: 1 tablespoon cinnamon, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tub cream cheese, and 4 slices bread.

1.
In a small bowl, mix the sugar and cinnamon.
2.
Spread cream cheese on the bread.
3.
Sprinkle cinnamon sugar on the cream cheese.
4.
Roll the bread up like a sleeping bag, and you have a cross between a cinnamon roll and a sandwich. It makes a delicious snack for family picnics.

[illustrations] Illustrated by Annmarie Infanger