Bizzy Bones and Uncle Ezra

Illustrated by Stella Ormai
Houghton Mifflin, 1984
Find @ Your Public Library

About the Book

Bizzy Bones and Uncle Ezra is the story of a young mouse who lives near a stone wall on the edge of a field and is afraid of the wind. It was inspired by Justin who was very afraid of the wind as a young child.
In this book Bizzy tries to drum out the sound of the wind.

When Uncle Ezra decides he must help Bizzy get over his fear of the wind he starts a secret project that depends on the wind in order to work just right. This book is out of print now, but you can still find it in libraries.

Curriculum

If you look inside the covers of Bizzy Bones and Uncle Ezra you will see a map of where Bizzy and his Uncle Ezra live. Some children like to use this map as a starting place and make a three dimensional map of Bizzy’s neighborhood with green cloth for the grass, a small shoe for Bizzy’s home and so forth. Or you might want to make a map of your neighborhood.

Making a Windsock
Bizzy was afraid of the wind. We cannot see the wind but we can see it working, moving leaves, branches, kites and windsocks. You can make a windsock yourself with sturdy paper and strips of lightweight cloth or crepe paper.

1. Cut a piece of sturdy paper into a rectangle 6″ x 18″.
2. Decorate the paper with markers, crayon or paints.
3. Glue on one of the 18″ sides strips of lightweight cloth or crepe paper that you have cut to be 2″ (or so) by 24″. Leave about 1 inch between each strip.
4. Fold the 6″ x 18″ rectangle around to make a circle and staple or tape together.
5. Put one inch squares of tape in two places opposite each other on the top of the windsock. Make a hole in the center of each square of tape. Tie string through the holes so you can hang your windsock.