Polly Bemis:  A Chinese American Pioneer
Paper Action Figures
by Karin Beno

Educational as well as entertaining, the paper action figures are an 
artistic rendition of one of Idaho's most famous pioneers, 
Polly Bemis, and her husband, Charlie Bemis.

The figures of Polly and Charlie, their clothing, the animals, 
and the accessories are composite drawings based on 
photographs of Polly and Charlie Bemis, the story by 
Priscilla Wegars, and research on lifestyles and conditions 
typical of the time period in which Polly and Charlie lived.

Students can use the paper action figures to recreate scenes 
from the life of Polly Bemis as depicted in 
Polly Bemis:  A Chinese American Pioneer by Priscilla Wegars.

Instructions and Helpful Hints

1.  Photocopy or print the figures of Polly and Charlie and the animals on white heavy weight card stock or tag board.
2.  Photocopy or print the accessories on either white card stock or white all-purpose copy paper, depending on how they will be used.

3.  Photocopy or print the clothing on white all-purpose copy paper.

4.  Color the figures, clothing, animals, and accessories completely, before cutting out.

5.  When cutting out the figures of Polly, Charlie, and the animals DO NOT cut off the half-round bases.  These are needed to stand the figures up.

6.  When cutting out the clothing DO NOT cut off the broken-line tabs.  These hold the clothes on the figures.  *This needs to be mentioned to students before cutting, as many have never played with paper action figures.

7.  Charlie's beard will have to be cut along the bottom edge, from the shoulder to the neckline, in order for it to show over the clothes.  This is optional.  *Younger students will need help with this.

8.  Some hats will need slits cut along the broken lines to slip the head through. *Younger students will need help with this.

9.  Cutting away the "blank" area between the legs of Polly, Charlie, and the animals is an option. *Younger students will need help with this.

TO MAKE STANDS for Polly, Charlie, and the animals:  See Diagram
1.  Cut ½" wide strips from heavy card stock or tag board.
2.  for each figure, cut a strip the length of the figure.
3.  Bend the strip back ½" at one end and glue to the back of the figure.
4.  Bend the bottom of the strip towards the figure to form an easel.
 

 
Stand illustration for action figures
List of Paper Action Figures
    Click on a picture to get a large format version to print out using your browser's "Print" button.  Once the page is printed, click on your browser's "Back" button to return to this list.
Polly and Charlie Bemis Figures Click here for Polly and Charlie Bemis Action Figures
Polly and Charlie's Clothes Click here for Polly and Charlie's wedding clothes
Polly and Charlie's Wedding Clothes Click here for Polly and Charlie's wedding clothes
Polly and Charlie's Work Clothes Click here for Polly and Charlie's work clothes
Polly and Charlie's Fishing and Hunting Clothes Click here for Polly and Charlie's fishing and hunting clothes
Polly and Charlie's Hens, Cougar, Dog

(To print this page properly, please change
your printer setting to Landscape)

Click here for Polly and Charlie's hens, cougar, dog
Polly and Charlie's Horse and Cat Click here for Polly and Charlie's horse and cat
Polly and Charlie's Tools Click here for Polly and Charlie's tools
Polly and Charlie's Supplies and Fishing Pole Click here for Polly and Charlie's supplies and fishing pole

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