Momaha Storytime

Presented at Bellevue Public Library on Thursday, February 6, 2014, in partnership with Momaha, The Omaha World-Herald's online community for moms.

Books:

The Princess and the Packet of Frozen Peas by Tony Wilson, illustrated by Sue deGennaro

Falling For Rapunzel by Leah Wilcox, illustrated by Lydia Monks



The Princess and the Pea written and illustrated by Rachel Isadora

Snow White: A Three-Dimensional Fairy-Tale Theater by Jane Ray

Our Momaha Storytime began with a short introduction to the works of Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm who published their first book of fairy tales in 1812.  While everyone has heard of such tales as Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella, Rumpelstiltskin and Rapunzel, few in our audience were familiar with some of their more obscure tales such as Donkey Cabbages, The Ear of Corn, The Three Army Surgeons, and The Nightingale and the Slow Worm.  I read two fractured fairy tales that were based on stories by the Grimms brothers : "The Princess and the Packet of Frozen Peas" and "Falling for Rapunzel".  I also briefly showed some other examples of authors' treatment of Grimms tales: The Princess and the Pea" and "Snow White: A Three-Dimensional Fairy-Tale Theater.  Then I introduced J.D. Cottrell, a Junior at Bellevue West High School, who wrote a short story in German, as an assignment for Frau Amanda Messerschmitt's German language class.  He read his story in German, translating each page into English for those of us who do not speak fluent German!  I thank J.D. for visiting the library and sharing his story with us!

"Rapunzel! Rapunzel! Throw down your hair!  She thought he said..."

(You'll have to read the book to find out what she thought he said!)

Grimm's Fairy Tale stories available for checkout.

"On top of the pea, the prince piled twenty mattresses.  
And on top of that, he piled 20 down comforters!"

Now it's time for everyone to say, "Hi" to J.D. Cottrell.

J.D. read his original story, entitled Der Lama, Der Uhu, und Die Ente.

At the end of Storytime we offered a Rapunzel-themed craft 

to make at the library or take home to make later.

Our guests also enjoyed cookies and milk provided by The Cake Specialist, which has sponsored the first six months of our Momaha Storytimes.  I'd like to thank Jayme and Ryan at The Cake Specialist for their generous support of Bellevue Public Library's newest collaborative program.

J.D. made himself available after Storytime to answer questions 

and let our guests get a close-up look at his story.

Our next Momaha-Bellevue Storytime will be held on Thursday, March 7th at 7 PM, when our guest will be local author Bruce Arant.  I hope to see you there!

  ~Mrs. B.

German Language Storytime!

Presented at Bellevue Public Library on Friday, January 17, 2014 by students of Amanda Messerschmitt's German class at Bellevue West High School.

Frau Messerschmitt and four of her students visited the library today to read some original stories written in German and illustrated by the students.  It was a wonderful opportunity for those of us in the audience to learn a little bit about the German language, while giving the students a chance to practice their diction, pronunciation and presentation as they read aloud to us.

Books:

Das Schwein by Rachel, illustrated by the author

Der Elefant und die Maus  by Kasey, illustrated by the author

Das Kleine Chamäleon by Kjersten, illustrated by the author

Johannes und Wolfie by Kirsten, illustrated by the author

Some families brought brown bag lunches 

to enjoy during the storytime.

After introducing herself, Frau Messerschmitt shared some information about the German program at Bellevue West.  For anyone who is interested, there is an opportunity for your young child to learn German, through a special program at Bellevue West!  For more information, you can email Frau Messerschmitt at: fraumesserschmitt@gmail.com

or visit her website:  http://fraumesserschmitt.dietafel.com/

After sharing this info, Frau Messerschmitt sat back 

and watched her students share their stories.

Rachel:

Kjersten:

Kasey:

Kirsten:

After the stories were shared, the students spread out 

and spoke with members of the audience, letting them see 

the illustrated stories up close.

Getting a close-up look at Das Kleine Chamäleon

 "Then it began to rain."

"The pig climbed into bed."

The audience was taught how to say, "I would like a cat" 

and "I would like a dog."

Children then came up to the teens and 

asked for either a Katze or a Hund to take home.

This big sister asked for a Katze for herself 

and a Hund for her little sister!

My thanks to Frau Messerschmitt and her students for visiting the library and presenting this storytime today!  Many parents commented afterwards about the teens' impressive command of German, and especially about their poise and the gentle way in which they interacted with the children.  This was a lot of fun for everyone!  I know Frau Messerschmitt and I will be watching for opportunities to collaborate in the future!   Dankeschön Frau Messerschmitt, Kirsten, Kjersten, Kasey und Rachel!!

   ~Frau Boeckman 

(According to my husband's relatives, the family name changed its spelling a few generations back. It was originally spelled Böeckmann!)