Activity Stuff
In this section, you'll find numerous activity suggestions linked in some way to the story. If you have similarly relevant activities to suggest, feel free to propose them using the contact form. We will need to be selective, so apologies in advance if we're unable to add your activity.
Iona sure collected a lot of Stuff, didn't she?! Were you able to find each object in the pictures as they were mentioned in the story (pages 22-23, 30-31 and 50-51)?
Did you find the miniature Sphinx?
How many different types of household objects (indoors and outdoors) are mentioned in the story?
Did the portrayal of the characters visually match how you imagined them?
And what of the significance of their names?
Did you notice the transition of Lady McStash back to her childhood?
Have you determined Iona’s favourite colour?
How many different environments did you notice?
Whether by intention or not, we tend to acquire, create and accumulate Stuff during our lifetimes that, after a while, becomes burdensome and restrictive.
Free up space in both your household and your mind by regularly clearing out and disposing of unwanted items (with parental approval).
In the story, items are repurposed to create the Stuff Mountain Theme Park. Choose an item, perhaps from your school or home (with your teacher or parent's approval and supervision) and come up with ideas as to how you can re-purpose it to give it a new life or allure.
Every poem, with the exception of free verse, has structure, however these structures can differ greatly in meter, rhythm, rhyme scheme and lines.
Familiarise yourself with the various forms of poetry and try to identify Stuff's poetic structure.
Try writing your own poem on the theme of clutter.
The Environment needs our help. Join or form a group with members of your school, friends, family or local community to collect litter (under supervision) from a beach or area in need of attention. Afterwards, find out if your sense of accomplishment makes you want to repeat the experience.
There is a wealth of wildlife to be discovered in our gardens, parks and countryside. Perhaps sign up to a national survey, such as the Big Garden Birdwatch organised by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) in the UK, to share your findings.
What is the official term for the study of birds?
In addition to identifying the major constellations, there are other simple activities that you can enjoy in the comfort of your own home or school, such as creating a pinhole camera to map the trajectory of the sun (under supervision) or tracking the International Space Station (ISS).
Did you know you can make butter from shaking or blending cream? Half-fill a clean jar with heavy cream and make sure the lid is well sealed before you shake it! After 5-10 minutes, butter will form. Squeeze out the liquid. If you use Organic cream, you can make Organic butter, just like Iona’s!
Like Flora, are you a mountaineer at heart? With the right equipment, supervision and weather conditions, you will discover that Hillwalking has so many benefits in terms of health and wellbeing. Make sure you take enough drinking water with you, as well as suitable clothing and footwear.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recognised hoarding as being a mental health disorder in 2019. For some, hoarding has become a chronic condition.
Numerous organisations exist to help hoarders and those of their entourage who are affected by hoarding activity as well as to increase public awareness to the problem.
Please refer to the DISCOVER STUFF section for further information as to how you can help.
Did you know that each year the 22nd February usually marks “Hug a Ginger Day” - the day on which we are encouraged to show love for people with red hair?
Fewer than 2% of the world's population have red (or ginger) hair and, as is unfortunately so often the case with minorities, there are occasionally stories of unpleasant behaviour towards some people, simply because of their hair colour. The good news is that people with red hair have a superpower - they can create their own Vitamin D - which makes them immensely huggable and you'll find plenty in Scotland and Ireland if you have hugs to offer!
If you represent a school, a bookstore, a festival, a children's hospital, a retirement home, an organisation closely linked to the themes of the story or even a private client hosting a children's birthday party, you are welcome to request a special reading, talk and/or signing event in the presence of the author. Please use the contact form to make the request. Thank you.
In this section, you'll find numerous activity suggestions linked in some way to the story. If you have similarly relevant activities to suggest, feel free to propose them using the contact form. We will need to be selective, so apologies in advance if we're unable to add your activity.