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Tuck Everlasting is one of the greatest stories of all time, for many reasons. It’s fantastical, but at the same time, it deals with some very real and potentially heavy topics for young audiences: Is a crime wrong even if it was done for the “right” reasons? Would we choose to have eternal life if we could? These are big questions, and we hope they will insight some invaluable discussions as you leave the theater.
Before your trip to see TUCK EVERLASTING, we hope this simple project illustrating the life cycle will get your wheels turning on how death is a part of life in a way that is simple, but not overtly juvenile. It’s very serious business to the butterfly. The incredible metamorphosis and pilgrimage of the butterfly reminds us all about growth and change, and about making the most of our lives.
This exercise can be as simple as it needs to be, depending on the age, skills, and curiosity level of your child. Enjoy it together.
- All you will need is one sheet of paper, scissors, and your child’s favorite medium for coloring.
Photo credit: photo courtesy Hative
- Fold the paper in half
- Cut one side into four equal sections that can be lifted to reveal what’s underneath
- Label each of the four sections: FIRST; NEXT; THEN; FINALLY
- Under each section would be a picture of one of the stages from egg to butterfly:
- These can be simple line drawings, or printed copies of photos. If your child needs help, you could help them draw and have them color. The miracle represents the cycle of life and can lead to a great discussion, imagining what everlasting life would be like.
Other options for illustrating this concept can be found here: http://hative.com/life-cycle-projects-for-kids/
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DCT Staff Thoughts
My nine-year-old is fascinated with the idea of what happens after one dies. I’m sure that’s not unusual, as it’s an unknown, and not something that a parent can explain. I usually talk about how different groups of people believe different things, but that there’s no way to know for sure. It’s a mystery to us. That’s one of the things that is so interesting about Tuck Everlasting. It’s not a mystery. In this story eternal life is actually a choice, and the idea that Winnie chooses to allow her life to run its natural course is fascinating, and I can’t wait to discuss that with my son.
Of course we want you to enjoy your time at the theater, but these activities are for you to enjoy while you are at home, and hopefully bring a little DCT fun into your quality time together. We have found that the more prepared our audiences can be before they get to the theater, the more engaged they will be as an audience. If your child is old enough to read the story beforehand, read it together, and I promise you the play won’t be spoiled. It will be full of surprises and will visually take your breath away.
Sherry Ward
DCT Communications
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