Don’t Push the Button! by Bill Cotter is an interactive children’s picture book featuring Larry and a large red button that he shouldn’t push. When he can’t resist the temptation any longer, he tells the reader to push the button. And the results are unexpected for each additional push.
So what could make a button pushing book even better? How about a soft and cuddly button you can push?
Here’s what you’ll need:
• “Don’t Push the Button” book by Bill Cotter
• Don’t Push the Button! Red Button Activity PDF
• Printer for printing out the template
• Paper for printing out the template
• 1” Foam (6” square)
• Gray fleece (8.5” x 12.5”)
• Red felt sheet
• X-Acto Knife
• Scissors
• Sharpie
• Light colored crayon
• Yardstick or ruler
• Hot glue gun and gluestick
Print out the last page of the pdf. Trace the 3″x5″ rectangle and 2″ circle on the foam with a Sharpie. Cut both out carefully with an X-Acto Knife. You can use scissors on the foam, but the knife cuts easier.
Cut out a 8.5″x12.5″ rectangle of gray fleece. Center the foam rectangle on the fleece. Use a yardstick or large ruler to draw straight lines along each edge of the foam on the fleece.
Hot glue along one of the short lines.
Fold the fleece over so the longer line aligns with the glue on the short line. Press together until the glue bonds. Be careful not to press directly on the fleece with your fingers, since the glue will seep through the fleece.
Cut off the excess fleece. Don’t cut on the line of glue.
Repeat the glue, align and cut off steps for each of the four corners of fleece until you start to get a box shape.
Turn the fleece right side out. Stuff the foam rectangle into the fleece and stretch the corners until you get a nice fit.
Glue the extra fleece on the back side like you’re giftwrapping a present.
Trace a 2″ circle and 1″x7″ rectangle on the felt with a crayon. Cut out.
Hot glue the felt circle to the top of the 2″ foam circle and long rectangle felt around the edge. Cut off any excess felt.
Add hot glue to the foam side of the button and glue to the center of the fleece covered rectangle. Now you have a red button to push along with the story or in case of emergencies. Have fun!