Papa Bear and Me Storytime

Presented at Bellevue Public Library on Tuesday, November 27, 2012.

Books:

Because I Am Your Daddy written by Sherry North, illustrated by Marcellus Hall

Me and My Dad written by Alison Ritchie, illustrated by Alison Edgson

Dad, Aren't You Glad? written by Lynn Plourde, illustrated by Amy Wummer

Daddy's Lullaby written by Tony Bradman, illustrated by Jason Cockcroft

Activity:

Teddy Bear Rhyme
(In honor of Monday's snow showers, we decided to be POLAR BEARS tonight!)

Polar Bear, Polar Bear, turn around.
Polar Bear, Polar Bear, touch the ground.
Polar Bear, Polar Bear, reach up high.
Polar Bear, Polar Bear, touch the sky.
Polar Bear, Polar Bear, pat your knees.
Polar Bear, PolarBear, sit down, please!


Our Make-or-Take Activity tonight was a Christmas calendar or Advent Wreath.


A reminder that December's Papa Bear and Me Storytime has been moved to Tuesday, December 18!
We'll be enjoying some fun Christmas-themed stories!

Transportation!

Presented at Miss Jenny's Golden Hills Head Start classroom on Monday, November 26, 2012

Books:

Six Hogs on a Scooter written by Eileen Spinelli, illustrated by Scott Nash

There Was a Bold Lady Who Wanted a Star
written and illustrated by Charise Mericle Harper

I Wish I Were a Pilot written by Stella Blackstone, illustrated by Max Grover

Songs:

Oh, When I Walk Across the Street
(tune: "Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In")

Oh, when I walk across the street,
Oh, when I walk across the street,
I always take the hand of a grown-up,
When I walk across the street.

Oh, when I walk across the street,
Oh, when I walk across the street,
I always STOP...LOOK...and LISTEN,
When I walk across the street.
Oh, when I walk across the street,
Oh, when I walk across the street,
I always cross at the crosswalk,
When I walk across the street.

The Wheels on the Bus

The wheels on the bus go 'round and 'round,
'round and 'round, 'round and 'round,
The wheels on the bus go 'round and 'round,
All through the town.

The children on the bus bounce up and down...
The wheels on the bus go faster and faster...
The children on the bus shout, "Wheeeeee!"...
The wheels on the bus go slower and slower...


Row, Row, Row Your Boat

Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream,
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream.



It was so nice to spend some time with Miss Jenny's class today!  After reading I Wish I Were a Pilot I challenged the children to remember the different types of transportation mentioned in the story.  They were able to name them all! (Parents may want to ask their children if they can remember all of them.  They are: Airplane, Hot-Air Balloon, Race Car, Tugboat, Train, Bicycle, Rowboat, Coach, Space Shuttle, Horse, Submarine) 

The children decided it would NOT be a good idea for Wesley to use a bicycle as transportation so, as the first snowflakes flew, he and I used my car to return safely to the library! I hope the children are enjoying the new books provided by the library.  I look forward to my next visit with the children and teachers on Monday, December 17, 2012!

Thanksgiving Storytime

Presented to the First Grade students at Peter Sarpy Elementary on Monday, November 19, 2012.

Books:

Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes, illustrated by Doris Barrette

One is a Feast for Mouse: A Thanksgiving Tale by Judy Cox, illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler

Songs:

The Turkey on the Farm
(tune: "The Wheels on the Bus")

The turkey on the farm says, "Gobble, Gobble, Gobble."

"Gobble, Gobble, Gobble.  Gobble, Gobble, Gobble."

The turkey on the farm says, "Gobble, Gobble, Gobble."

On Thanksgiving Day.

The farmer on the farm goes chop, chop, chop...

The turkey on the farm says, "Please help me!"...

The children on the farm say, "Come and hide."...

So... the people on the farm eat Kentucky Fried Chicken...

  ~ Taken from 123Holiday.com

I had a great time visiting the students in Ms. Schliesman's, Mrs. Starbuck's, Mrs. Kahla's and Ms. Hackbart's classrooms!  They were wonderful, respectful listeners and enthusiastic singers!  I hope I'll have a chance to visit them again sometime!
    ~Mrs. B.

Thanksgiving

Presented at Welcome School on Friday, November 16, 2012

Books:

Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes, illustrated by Doris Barrette

The Cow Loves Cookies by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Marcellus Hall

Songs:

Mr. Turkey
(Tune: "Frere Jacques")

Mr. Turkey (echo)
Run away! (echo)
If you are not careful (echo)
You will be a mouthful (echo, using same melody as the previous line)
Thanksgiving Day (echo)

                 ~ Taken from 123Holiday.com


The Turkey on the Farm
(tune: "The Wheels on the Bus")

The turkey on the farm says, "Gobble, Gobble, Gobble."

"Gobble, Gobble, Gobble.  Gobble, Gobble, Gobble."

The turkey on the farm says, "Gobble, Gobble, Gobble."

On Thanksgiving Day.

The farmer on the farm goes chop, chop, chop...

The turkey on the farm says, "Please help me!"...

The children on the farm say, "Come and hide."...

So... the people on the farm eat Kentucky Fried Chicken...

  ~ Taken from 123Holiday.com

I had a wonderful time visiting the children and teachers at Welcome School today!  They are always so responsive and eager!  It has become a sort of tradition that each month I leave Welcome School having learned a new song.  Today the children sang a song for me about a turkey with a very fat tummy!

It reminded me of this turkey puppet I brought to storytime today!

I wish you all a very blessed Thanksgiving.

~Mrs. B. and Wesley

Toddler Storytime - Farms!

Presented at Bellevue Public Library on Thursday, November 15, 2012.



Books:

My Farm Friends by Wendell Minor

The Cow Loves Cookies by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Marcellus Hall

Maisy's Morning on the Farm by Lucy Cousins

Songs:

Farm Sounds
(tune: "The Wheels on the Bus")

The hens in the coop go cluck, cluck, cluck,
Cluck, cluck, cluck,
Cluck, cluck, cluck.
The hens in the coop go cluck, cluck, cluck,
All day long.

Additional verses:
The rooster on the fence goes cock-a-doodle-doo...
The pig in the pen goes oink, oink, oink...
The cow in the barn goes moo, moo, moo...
The duck in the pond goes quack, quack, quack...
The horse in the pasture goes neigh, neigh,neigh...
The rabbit in the field goes... (silently wiggle nose with finger)

Have fun with your child thinking up other farm animals and their sounds or actions!  Your child might also enjoy thinking up animals for a "silly farm", such as the crocodile goes chomp, the monkey goes he-he-he, the elephant goes stomp, the dinosaur goes roar, etc.





Storytime Has Ended
(tune: "Did You Ever See a Lassie?")

Storytime has ended, has ended, has ended.
Storytime has ended 'til we meet again.

(Children wave to each other as we continue)
'Til we meet, 'til we meet, 'til we meet, 'til we meet.
Storytime has ended 'til we meet again.


Activities:

Our Hands Say Hello!

Our hands say hello with a clap, clap, clap.
Our feet say hello with a tap, tap, tap.
Clap, clap, clap,

Tap, tap, tap.

Turn around and take a bow.

Sit right down. It's Storytime now!

The Turkey
(Just in time for Thanksgiving!)

The turkey is a funny bird,
(make turkey's tail by interlocking thumbs and spreading fingers)
His head goes wobble, wobble.
(wobble your head)
And all he says is just one word:
Gobble, Gobble, Gobble!

Remember: No Storytimes at the library next week!  The library will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 22 & 23, 2012.

Wishing you a thankful, blessed Thanksgiving!
              ~Mrs. B.

Blog Blitz!!!

Miss Tammy and I are running a contest aimed at introducing our library blogs and facebook page to our many patrons and Storytime friends!  The contest runs Tuesday, Nov. 13 - Monday, Nov. 19, 2012. 

Visit the Bellevue Public Library facebook page and/or any of our library blogs:
* mrsbsstorytimes.blogspot.com
* storytimesandmore.blogspot.com
* legos-at-your-library.blogspot.com

When you leave a message or comment, your name will be entered in a drawing for a Webkins plush turkey or Beanie Babies Turkey!

For this blitz please limit yourself to one message or comment/person/site.  We will put your name in once for each site you visit and leave a comment on during this event.  If you are not familiar with blogs, there is a place to leave a comment at the end of each post.  If you are the first one to leave a message, click on "No Comments".  This will give you a box for writing your message.  If others have left a message before you, the clickable area will say "1 (2,3, etc) comments(s)".  Don't forget to click PUBLISH to send your comment to us!
Good luck!! We will contact winners next Tuesday.  Winners can pick up their prize at the library.

~ Mrs. B.

Baby & Me Storytime

Presented at Bellevue Public Library on Wednesday, November 14, 2012.

Book:
Yawn by Nick Sharratt, illustrated by Sally Symes

Songs:

Hello Friends!
(tune: "Goodnight Ladies")

Hello friends.
Hello friends.
Hello friends.
We're glad you came today!

(After singing the song I invite an adult to introduce him/herself and their child. We repeat the song, substituting the child's name for the word "friends". We do this until everyone has been introduced and all the children have been serenaded!)


 
This is the Way We Take a Nap
(tune: "Here We Go 'Round the Mulberry Bush")

This is the way we take a nap, take a nap, take a nap.
This is the way we take a nap in the middle of the morning.

(What other verses can you and your child think of?  How about: This is the way we...give a hug, blow a kiss, take a bath, clap our hands, throw a ball.)



Activities:

Popcorn!

Pop! Pop! Pop!
(clap in rhythm each time you say "pop")
Pour the corn into the pot.
(rub palms of hands together briskly)
Pop! Pop! Pop!
(clap in rhythm each time you say "pop")
Take and shake it 'til it's hot.
(rub palms of hands together)
Pop! Pop! Pop!
(clap in rhythm each time you say "pop")
Lift the lid. What have you got?
(rub palms of hands together)
Pop... pop... pop...
(clap in rhythm each time you say "pop")
POPCORN!
(raise arms or lift baby gently into the air!)



Here is Baby Ready For a Nap

Here is baby ready for a nap.
I'll lay you down here in my lap.
I'll cover you up so you won't peep,
And rock you 'til you're fast asleep.



Our Hands Say Goodbye

Our hands say goodbye with a clap, clap, clap.
Our feet say goodbye with a tap, tap, tap.
Clap, clap, clap,
Tap, tap, tap.
We roll our hands around and say... "Let's do it again!"

Our hands say goodbye with a clap, clap, clap.
Our feet say goodbye with a tap, tap, tap.
Clap, clap, clap,
Tap, tap, tap.
We roll our hands around and say... "Goodbye!"

Remember: No Baby & Me Storytime next week (November 21, 2012).  The library will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 22-23, 2012.

I wish you and your families a thankful, blessed Thanksgiving!       ~Mrs. B.

Pajama Storytime

Presented at Bellevue Public Library on Tuesday, November 13, 2012.


Books:

All Kinds of Kisses by Nancy Tafuri

The Napping House by Audrey Wood, illustrated by Don Wood 

 

Sleepy Head by Karma Wilson and John Segal 

 

Happy Adoption Day by John McCutcheon, illustrated by Julie Paschkis 

(This book was chosen from our display of titles about adoption.  November is National Adoption month.  Instead of reading the book I played the song as sung by John McCutcheon from his CD "Family Garden".  We have 6 of John's CDs available for checkout at the library.  I highly recommend them!!  Great for kids AND parents!) 


Over the River and Through the Woods by Lydia Maria Child, illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott

(Many people associate this song with Christmas, but it was actually based on a 12-stanza poem, first published in 1844, titled "A Boy's Thanksgiving Day")

Our next Pajama Storytime night will be held on Tuesday, December 11 at 7 PM!  I hope to see you then!

                                                    ~ Mrs. B.

Toddler Storytime - Cats!

Presented at the Bellevue Public Library on Thursday, November 8, 2012.

Books:

Cat Dreams by Ursula Le Guin, illustrated by S. D. Schindler

Where is Tippy Toes? by Betsy Lewis

I Don't Want a Cool Cat by Emma Dodd

Songs:

I've Got a Cat on My Head
(tune: "Skip to My Lou")

I've got a cat on my head,
I've got a cat on my head,
I've got a cat on my head,
Meow, meow, meow, meow, meow.

Children and parents can suggest other body parts to sing about in this song!  In Storytime I used a stuffed plush cat, giving it to the first child to put on his/her head as we sang the first verse.  The child then passed the cat to another child, who decided what our next verse would be (e.g. I've got a cat on my elbow, leg, ear, tummy, knee, etc.)


Storytime Has Ended
(tune: "Did You Ever See a Lassie?")

Storytime has ended, has ended, has ended.
Storytime has ended 'til we meet again.

(Children wave to each other as we continue)
'Til we meet, 'til we meet, 'til we meet, 'til we meet.
Storytime has ended 'til we meet again.





Activities:

Our Hands Say Hello!

Our hands say hello with a clap, clap, clap.
Our feet say hello with a tap, tap, tap.
Clap, clap, clap,

Tap, tap, tap.

Turn around and take a bow.

Sit right down. It's Storytime now!

I Have a Little Kitten

I have a little kitten

With soft and shiny fur.

And when I pet my kitten,

She goes purr, purr, purr.

(Pretend you are holding and petting a kitten in the crook of your arm as you say this rhyme.  Can you trill your tongue when it comes time to "purr, purr, purr"?)

Next week's theme:.......Down on the Farm!

Breakfast and a Book!

Presented at Leonard Lawrence Elementary School on Thursday, November 8, 2012.

Book:

Senorita Gordita by Helen Ketteman, illustrated by Will Terry

I really enjoyed my time at Leonard Lawrence Elementary School this morning! 

My thanks to Miss Brown and Mrs. Skoff for inviting me!  So great to see parents and children sitting together, enjoying donuts and juice, and READING!  Kids were reading all kinds of things: a pet care book, Joseph Had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback, Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm by Kate Douglas Wiggin, and many more.
I hope everyone enjoyed Senorita Gordita this morning.  By the time I reached the last page of the story, many children had already seen the similarity between this book and the story of The Gingerbread Man!  Yes, this is a fractured folktale!  Thanks to everyone who joined in "with a flip, and a skip, and a zip-zoom-zip" each time Senorita Gordita gave the slip to some very hungry desert animals!

I've been told that Leonard Lawrence's next Breakfast and a Book will be in the spring of 2013!

Baby & Me Storytime

Presented at Bellevue Public Library on Wednesday, November 7, 2012.
Presented at Bellevue West High School Early Head Start on Thursday, November 8, 2012.
Presented at Peter Sarpy Early Head Start on Thursday, November 15, 2012.


Book:
Farmy Farm by Chris Raschka

Fingerplays and Songs for the Very Young illustrated by Carolyn Croll

Songs:

Welcome to Storytime!
(tune: Old McDonald)

At storytime we have (child's name) today.
We're so glad, let's shout hooray!

(After singing the song I invite an adult to introduce him/herself and their child.  We repeat the song, inserting the child's name.  We do this until everyone has been introduced and all the children have been serenaded!)


(At BWHS and Peter Sarpy we sang this in place of "Welcome to Storytime")
Hello Friends!
(tune: "Goodnight Ladies")

Hello friends.
Hello friends.
Hello friends.
We're glad you came today!

(After singing the song once, we repeat the song for each child, substituting the child's name for the word "friends".



Baby, Baby, Wash Your Hands
(tune: "Row, Row, Row Your Boat")

Baby, Baby, wash your hands.  Baby's bath is fun!
Baby, Baby, wash your hands.  Now your hands are done!

Baby, Baby, wash your toes.  Baby's bath is fun!
Baby, Baby, wash your toes.  Now your toes are done!

(Parents then help me come up with other parts of baby's body that need washing.)


  (At Peter Sarpy I used "One Little Baby Rocking in a Tree" instead of "Dance Little Baby")

Dance, Little Baby
(tune: "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star")

Dance little baby, dance up high.
Never mind, baby, I am nearby.

Up to the ceiling, down to the ground,
Backward and forward, 'round and 'round.

Dance little baby, dance up high.
Never mind, baby, I am nearby.


Activities:

'Round and 'Round the Garden

'Round and 'round the garden
(hold child's hand, palm up)
Goes the little mouse.
(draw circles on child's palm with finger)
Up, up, up he creeps,
(crawl fingers up child's arm)
Up into his house.
(tickle under child's arm)

'Round and 'round the garden
(hold child's hand, palm up)
Goes the teddy bear.
(draw circles on child's palm with finger)
One step, two steps,
(crawl fingers up child's arm)
Tickle you under there!
(tickle child's neck)

(An alternate action, especially for very young babies, is to use the child's back or tummy instead of his palm.)


Cuckoo Clock

Tick... tock... tick... tock,  ("tick, tock, tick, tock")
Goes the little cuckoo clock.  ("goes the li...ttle cu-ckoo clock")
Tick... tock... tick...tock,  ("tick, tock, tick, tock")
Now I'm striking one o'clock.  ("Now I'm stri-king one o-clock")
CUCKOO!  ("Cu-ckoo")

(This rhyme can be said quite slowly, which makes for a gentle rocking motion.  When we slow down our speech we lengthen some of the words, which helps your child hear syllables as well as the cadence of our language.  When speaking, put the emphasis on the underlined words or parts of words.  Cradle baby in your arms or hold him up with your hands under his underarms.    Gently rock child from side to side in rhythm with your words.  When you say "CUCKOO", gently lift your child into the air.  For older children: have child stand and gently rock from side to side in rhythm with the chant.   Invite your child to raise hands above his/her head and/or jump one time for each "CUCKOO" they hear.  Continue this chant, changing the verse to "two o'clock...CUCKOO!  CUCKOO!, three o'clock...CUCKOO!  CUCKOO!  CUCKOO!, etc.)


One Little Baby Rocking in a Tree (Used at Peter Sarpy EHS)
One little baby rocking in a tree. (adult gently rocks child)
Two little babies splashing in the sea. (adult/child make "splashing" motion)
Three little babies crawling on the floor. (move hands in "walking" motion in front of child)
Four little babies knocking at the door. (make a fist and "knock" in the air)
Five little babies playing hide and seek. (cover eyes with hands)
Don't look!  Don't look!
Until I say...PEEK! (uncover eyes) 

Our Hands Say Goodbye

Our hands say goodbye with a clap, clap, clap.
Our feet say goodbye with a tap, tap, tap.
Clap, clap, clap,
Tap, tap, tap.
We roll our hands around and say... "Let's do it again!"

Our hands say goodbye with a clap, clap, clap.
Our feet say goodbye with a tap, tap, tap.
Clap, clap, clap,
Tap, tap, tap.
We roll our hands around and say... "Goodbye!"

Today I talked with parents about the importance of incorporating music into a child's daily activities and experiences.  As I mentioned in my notes for "Cuckoo Clock", it is important for children to hear the in-di-vid-u-al sounds in words, as this is a vital pre-reading skill.  Songs and chants help emphasize these smaller parts of words by drawing out the syllables.  Studies have shown that attaching music to words can help a person retain the words longer.  Parents sometimes teach important information (e.g. their address or phone number) to their children by using a chant. ("I live with my mommy and daddy at 4-2-9-9 Ba-ker Av-e-nue!")  There are many books and music CDs that can help parents in their effort to incorporate more music into their daily routines.  I shared the board book Fingerplays and Songs for the Very Young illustrated by Carolyn Croll, as a suggested resource.  I'll share more about the importance of music in next week's Baby & Me Storytime blog.

Toddler Storytime - Birthdays!

Presented at Bellevue Public Library on Thursday, November 1, 2012.

Books:

A Cake All For Me! by Karen Magnuson Beil, illustrated by Paul Meisel

Ivy Loves to Give by Freya Blackwood

Balloons, Balloons, Balloons by Dee Lillegard, illustrated by Bernadette Pons

Songs:

Happy Birthday to You!
(What's a celebration of your birthday without The Birthday Song?!)

Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday dear ______!
Happy Birthday to you!



Storytime Has Ended

(tune: "Did You Ever See a Lassie?")

Storytime has ended, has ended, has ended.

Storytime has ended 'til we meet again.

(Children wave to each other as we continue)

'Til we meet, 'til we meet, 'til we meet, 'til we meet.

Storytime has ended 'til we meet again.

Activities:


Our Hands Say Hello!

Our hands say hello with a clap, clap, clap.
Our feet say hello with a tap, tap, tap.
Clap, clap, clap,

Tap, tap, tap.

Turn around and take a bow.

Sit right down. It's Storytime now!


Five Balloons

Five balloons began to soar.  One went POP!  Now there are four.
Four balloons flying past a tree.  One went POP!  Now there are three.
Three balloons, shiny and new.  One went POP! Now there are two.
Two balloons having so much fun.  One went POP!  Now there is one.
One balloon sparkling in the sun.  It went POP!  Now there are none.

The children had fun helping me with this rhyme!  I presented it with the help of 5 inflated balloons which were attached to the flannelboard. 

Baby & Me Storytime

Presented at Bellevue Public Library on Wednesday, October 31, 2012.

Book:

Splash! by Sarah Garland

Songs:
Hello Friends!
(tune: "Goodnight Ladies")

Hello friends.
Hello friends.
Hello friends.
We're glad you came today!

(After singing the song I invite an adult to introduce him/herself and their child.  We repeat the song, substituting the child's name for the word "friends".  We do this until everyone has been introduced and all the children have been serenaded!)


The Wheels on the Bus

The wheels on the bus go 'round and 'round,
'round and 'round, 'round and 'round.
The wheels on the bus go 'round and 'round,
All through the town.

Suggestions for additional verses:
The people on the bus go up and down...
The horn on the bus goes beep, beep, beep...
The babies on the bus say, "I want a hug"...


We Clap Our Hands Together
(tune: "The Farmer in the Dell")

We clap our hands together, we clap our hands together,
We clap our hands together because it's fun to do!

2) We wave our hands up high...
3) We sway from side to side...
4) We all say "Hello!"
5) We give each other a hug...


Pizza, Pizza, Pumpernickel

Pizza, Pizza Pumpernickel,
(gently pat child's legs in rhythm on the underlined syllables)
My little baby shall have a tickle.
(gently pat child's leg in rhythm on the underlined syllables)
One on the nose,
(gently tickle child's nose)
And one on the toes,
(tickle toes)
And one on the tummy
(gently pat child's leg in rhythm on the underlined syllables)
where the pizz-a goes!
(gently pat child's tummy in rhythm on the underlined syllables)

Activities:

Rub-a-Dub-Dub

Rub-a-dub-dub, one child in a tub.
(rub knuckles gently up and down child's chest)
Tell me what you see.
One foot with toes,
(point to parts of child's body)
A hand, a nose,
As clean as they can be!
(rub hands together)

Rub-a-dub-dub, one child in a  tub.
(rub knuckles gently up and down child's chest)
Tell me what you see.
Two ears, a cheek,
(point to parts of child's body)
So clean they squeak,
(gently rub child's cheeks)
A chin, a tummy, a knee.
(point to parts of child's body)



Our Hands Say Goodbye

Our hands say goodbye with a clap, clap, clap.
Our feet say goodbye with a tap, tap, tap.
Clap, clap, clap,
Tap, tap, tap.
We roll our hands around and say... "Let's do it again!"

Our hands say goodbye with a clap, clap, clap.
Our feet say goodbye with a tap, tap, tap.
Clap, clap, clap,
Tap, tap, tap.
We roll our hands around and say... "Goodbye!"

  Our playtime activity today was puppets!