Storytime & Artmaking: Pilar's Worries

Take inspiration from Victoria M. Sanchez's book Pilar’s Worries to create a breathing waves drawing. (While this activity is inspired by a book, you do not need to read the book to do the activity.)

About the Book

Pilar loves to dance. She pliés while brushing her teeth. She leaps when hurrying to ballet class. But when tryouts for her favorite ballet are held, Pilar is anxious. Auditioning makes her whole body feel scared. But by using some of the coping techniques she’s learned and focusing on her love for ballet, she is able to persevere. View Select Pages

Getting Started

  • Pilar takes time to breathe when she feels anxious. What are some things you do when you feel anxious?
  • Ballet brings Pilar joy. What are some activities that bring you joy?

Materials

  • Paper
  • Pencil
  • Markers, colored pencils, or crayons

Artmaking Activity

1. Select the direction of your paper: vertical (left) or horizontal (right). 

2. Draw a line dividing your paper in half.

3. We will be creating breathing waves above the line. Place your marker, colored pencil, or crayon on the paper above the line. Take a moment to notice your breathing. Visualize your breath as a wave and represent this on the paper. Move your drawing utensil up as you inhale and down as you exhale.

4. Try altering your breathing so it is a bit faster or a bit slower and notice how this changes your waves on the page.

5. Repeat as many times as you like. You can use different colors if you wish.

7. Below your waves, draw some activities that bring you joy!

Vocabulary

Landscape: a picture of natural scenery

Rhythm: a principle of design that suggests movement or action; it is usually achieved through repetition of lines, shapes, colors, and more

Pattern: a design in which lines, shapes, forms, or colors are repeated

Breathe: to take air into the lungs and let it out