Preschool Storytime: New Books for September!

This Preschool Storytime was presented at Bellevue Public Library on September 12, 2018.

Each Preschool Storytime includes activities that support all or most of the five early literacy practices identified as essential in helping your child develop the skills they need before they can learn to read. The five practices – singing, talking, reading, playing and writing – were developed for Every Child Ready to Read®, an initiative of the Association for Library Services for Children (ALSC) and the Public Library Association (PLA).

Reading:

Little Mouse's Big Breakfast by Christine Pym

There's a Monster in Your Book by Tom Fletcher, illustrated by Greg Abbott

I also book talked 2 other picture books that have just been added to the library's collection:

My Tail's NOT Tired! by Jana Novotny Hunter, illustrated by Paula Bowles

One Little Monster: A Frightfully Funny Counting Book by Mark Gonyea

Singing:

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

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


Everybody Say Hello!
(tune: "London Bridge")

Everybody say hello, say hello, say hello,
Everybody say hello, hello Wesley!

(Wesley is my turtle puppet who pops out of my apron pocket whenever we sing this song.  Then he sits quietly on his rock and listens to the stories and sings along with us.  At the end of storytime he says goodbye to the children, gives them high fives, eats pretend food from their hands, blows kisses, and plays hide and seek!)

If Your Clothes Have Any Red
(tune: "If You're Happy and You Know It")

If your clothes have any red, any red,
If your clothes have any red, any red,
If your clothes have any red, 
Put your finger on your head,
If your clothes have any red, any red.

Additional verses:
If your clothes have any white...then please smile with all your might!
If your clothes have any blue...put your finger on your shoe!
If your clothes have any black...put your finger on your back!
If your clothes have any yellow...smile like a happy fellow!
If your clothes have any green...then please wave so you are seen!
If your clothes have any pink...give me just a little wink!


The Silly Dance Contest
(Here is a video of Jim Gill performing his song!)

Dance any way you want to,
Dance any way you please.
Dance any way you want to,
But stop when I say "FREEZE!"

Dance as silly as you want to...
Dance as slowly as you want to...
Dance as fast as you want to...

What's in the Green Box?
(tune: "Sally Wore a Red Dress")

What's in the green box,
The green box, the green box?
What's in the green box 
For us today?

Today's green box held Mega Bloks!

Every Child Ready to Read^® @ your library^®, PLA and ALSC logos are registered trademarks of the American Library Association and are used with permission.

Toddler Storytime: New books for January 2016!

This Toddler Storytime was presented at Bellevue Public Library on January 6, 2016.

Each Toddler Storytime includes activities that support all or most of the five early literacy practices identified as essential in helping your child develop the skills they need before they can learn to read. The five practices – singing, talking, reading, playing and writing – were developed for Every Child Ready to Read®, an initiative of the Association for Library Services for Children (ALSC) and the Public Library Association (PLA).

Writing:



Reading:

Tony Baroni Loves Macaroni by Marilyn Sadler, illustrated by Lucie Crovatto

Wild Feelings by David Milgrim

Singing:

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

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


Everybody Say Hello!
(tune: "London Bridge")

Everybody say hello, say hello, say hello,
Everybody say hello, hello Wesley!

(Wesley is my turtle puppet who pops out of my apron pocket whenever we sing this song.  Then he sits quietly on his rock and listens to the stories and sings along with us.  At the end of storytime he says goodbye to the children, gives them high fives, eats pretend food from their hands, blows kisses, and plays hide and seek!)

Can You Make a Happy Face?
(tune: "Muffin Man")
Can you make a happy face,
A happy face, a happy face?
Can you make a happy face?
Show it to me now!

additional verses:
...angry face
...sleepy face
...sad face
...silly face

Goodbye, Friends!
(tune: "Goodnight Ladies")

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

What's in the Green Box?
(tune: "Sally Wore a Red Dress")

What's in the green box,
The green box, the green box?
What's in the green box 
For us to play?

Talking:
Adults were encouraged to talk with their children about the meaning of the words "stubborn" and "clumsy", both found in Wild Feelings by David Milgrim. The children were also asked about their favorite pasta in preparation for reading Tony Baroni Loves Macaroni by Marilyn Sadler.  Everyone was also encouraged to learn and repeat this phrase which is spoken 4 times during the story: "No, Nonna, please!  Just macaroni and cheese!"

Playing:

Every Child Ready to Read^® @ your library^®, PLA and ALSC logos are registered trademarks of the American Library Association and are used with permission.

New Books! (No fooling!) ~ Toddler Storytime

This Toddler Storytime was presented at Bellevue Public Library on April 1, 2015.

Books:

Row, Row, Row Your Boat by Jane Cabrera

The Nuts: Bedtime at the Nut House by Eric Litwin, illustrated by Scott Magoon

Songs:

Everybody Say Hello!
(tune: "London Bridge")

Everybody say hello, say hello, say hello,
Everybody say hello, hello Wesley!

(Wesley is my turtle puppet who pops out of my apron pocket whenever we sing this song.  Then he sits quietly on his rock and listens to the stories and sings along with us.  At the end of storytime he says goodbye to the children, gives them high fives, eats pretend food from their hands, blows kisses, and plays hide and seek!)



Put Your Finger On
(recorded on "Feel the Music" by Parachute Express)
If you do not know the song you can listen to it here!


Put your finger on, put your finger on,
Put your finger on your...nose.
Put your finger on, put your finger on,
Put your finger on your...nose.

Turn around and clap, clap!
Turn around and clap, clap!
Turn around and clap, clap!
Turn around and clap, clap!


Rhymes: 

Open, Shut Them!

Open, shut them,

Open, shut them,
Give a little clap, clap, clap!

Open, shut them,

Open, shut them,

Lay them in your lap, lap, lap!

Waving, waving, waving, waving,

High up in the sky, sky, sky.

Wave to me...I'll wave to you.

Now let's all say goodbye, bye, bye.

We always say this rhyme at least twice, increasing the speed with each repetition!

Playtime Activities:

What's in the Green Box?
(tune: "Sally Wore a Red Dress")

What's in the green box,
The green box, the green box?
What's in the green box 
For us to play?

Easter Bingo!
(Bingo with a twist!  For markers we used gummy bears and jelly beans!)

Dinosaur Floor Puzzle

Egg Shakers 

Each lettered egg has a matching numbered egg, with each pair having the same objects hidden inside them (for example: Two eggs is filled with rice, two have had jingle bells placed inside them, and one pair has pompoms!  Can you tell which ones match by the sounds they make when you shake them?

Each Toddler Storytime includes activities that support one or more of the five early literacy practices identified as essential in helping your child develop the skills they need before they can learn to read. The five practices – singing, talking, reading, playing and writing –were developed for Every Child Ready to Read®, an initiative of the Association for Library Services for Children (ALSC) and the Public Library Association (PLA).

Every Child Ready to Read^® @ your library^®, PLA and ALSC logos are registered trademarks of the American Library Association and are used with permission.

Pajama Storytime ~ February 10, 2015

This Pajama Storytime was presented at Bellevue Public Library on February 10, 2015.

Books:

Making Colors: A Pop-Up Book byJames Diaz

Mix It Up by Hervé Tullet

Mimi and Bear In The Snow by Janee Trasler

Swim, Duck, Swim by Susan Lurie, photographs by Murray Head

Each Pajama Storytime includes activities that support one or more of the five early literacy practices identified as essential in helping your child develop the skills they need before they can learn to read. The five practices – singing, talking, reading, playing and writing –were developed for Every Child Ready to Read®, an initiative of the Association for Library Services for Children (ALSC) and the Public Library Association (PLA).

Papa Bear & Me

This Papa Bear & Me Storytime was presented at Bellevue Public Library on Tuesday, January 27, 2015.

Books:

I decided to change things up a bit tonight.  Instead of focusing on books that feature a strong male character or some kind of bear, I chose titles from our newly arrived book order. There are so many great titles that I couldn't resist sharing a few of them!

Don't Turn the Page by Rachelle Burk, illustrated by Julie Downing

Daytime Nighttime by William Low

Meet the Parents by Peter Bently, illustrated by Sara Ogilvie

Each Papa Bear & Me Storytime includes activities that support one or more of the five early literacy practices identified as essential in helping your child develop the skills they need before they can learn to read. The five practices – singing, talking, reading, playing and writing –were developed for Every Child Ready to Read®, an initiative of the Association for Library Services for Children (ALSC) and the Public Library Association (PLA).

New Books for April!

This Toddler Storytime was presented at Bellevue Public Library on Wednesday, April 2, 2014.

Books:

My Octopus Arms by Keith Baker

Nighty-Night, Cooper by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Lynn Munsinger

Songs:

Everybody Say Hello!
(tune: "London Bridge")

Everybody say hello, say hello, say hello,
Everybody say hello, hello Wesley!

(Wesley is my turtle puppet who pops out of my apron pocket whenever we sing this song.  Then he sits quietly on his rock and listens to the stories and sings along with us.  At the end of storytime he says goodbye to the children, gives them high fives, eats pretend food from their hands, blows kisses, and plays hide and seek!)


Library News: 
We have just TWO more weeks of morning storytimes before we go on hiatus until the start of our summer reading program, "Fizz, Boom, READ!"   I encourage our storytime families to continue doing many of the same things we enjoy at storytime:  read stories together, sing, pretend, say silly rhymes, play with puppets or stuffed animals, write and draw, etc.  These activities are so important for your child's physical, emotional and intellectual development.  And, perhaps just as importantly, these activities provide opportunities to hug, snuggle, and hold your little one.  What better way to say to your child: "I love you!", "I love being with you!", I think you are wonderful!"

Our Summer Library Program begins on Tuesday, May 27, with registrations beginning on Monday, May 19.

Each Toddler Storytime includes activities that support one or more of the five early literacy practices identified as essential in helping your child develop the skills they need before they can learn to read. The five practices – singing, talking, reading, playing and writing –were developed for Every Child Ready to Read®, an initiative of the Association for Library Services for Children (ALSC) and the Public Library Association (PLA).

Every Child Ready to Read^® @ your library^®, PLA and ALSC logos are registered trademarks of the American Library Association and are used with permission.

New Books - January!

This Toddler Storytime was presented at Bellevue Public Library on Wednesday, January 8, 2014.

Books:
Magic Opposites by PatrickGeorge

Dino Bites! by Algy Craig Hall

Songs:

Everybody Say Hello!
(tune: "London Bridge")
Everybody say hello, say hello, say hello,
Everybody say hello, hello Wesley!

(Wesley is my turtle puppet who pops out of my apron pocket whenever we sing this song.  Then he sits quietly on his rock and listens to the stories and sings along with us.  At the end of storytime he says goodbye to the children, gives them high fives, eats pretend food from their hands, blows kisses, and plays hide and seek!


Good Morning!
(tune: "Frere Jacques")
Good morning! (echo)
How are you? (echo)
I'm so glad to see you! (echo)
Wesley is too! (echo)


If You're Ready For a Story
(tune: "If You're Happy and You Know It")
If you're ready for a story, take a seat.
If you're ready for a story, take a seat.
Clap your hands and stomp your feet,
Make your hands all nice and neat.
If you're ready for a story, take a seat.

Playtime Activity:
This week we played with floor puzzles, magnetic storybooks and matching games!

Our next Toddler Storytime will be held on Wednesday, January 15, 2014, when we will resume our virtual visit to the zoo!  Our theme for next week? PENGUINS!

Each Toddler Storytime includes activities that support one or more of the five early literacy practices identified as essential in helping your child develop the skills they need before they can learn to read. The five practices – singing, talking, reading, playing and writing –were developed for Every Child Ready to Read®, an initiative of the Association for Library Services for Children (ALSC) and the Public Library Association (PLA).

Every Child Ready to Read^® @ your library^®, PLA and ALSC logos are registered trademarks of the American Library Association and are used with permission.

New Books for December!

This storytime was presented at the Bellevue Public Library on Wednesday, December 4, 2013.

Books:
Lola Goes to Work by Marcia Goldman
This is a new book, found in our nonfiction section, that tells the true story of Lola's transformation from a puppy to a certified therapy dog!

 

Best Foot Forward by Ingo Arndt
Another new nonfiction selection, this book features close-ups of creatures' feet.  Can you figure out who these feet belong to??

The Little Red Hen retold by Mary Finch, illustrated by Kate Slater, narrated by Debra Messing
This book includes a CD of actress Debra Messing reading the story of The Little Red Hen.  You can listen to the story with musical accompaniment, without any music, or with sounds to indicate page turns.

 

Songs:

Everybody Say Hello!
(tune: "London Bridge")

Everybody say hello, say hello, say hello,
Everybody say hello, hello Wesley!

(Wesley is my turtle puppet who pops out of my apron pocket whenever we sing this song.  Then he sits quietly on his rock and listens to the stories and sings along with us.  At the end of storytime he says goodbye to the children, gives them high fives, eats pretend food from their hands, blows kisses, and plays hide and seek!)


Good Morning!
(tune: "Frere Jacques")

Good morning! (echo)
How are you? (echo)
I'm so glad to see you! (echo)
Wesley is too! (echo)



If You're Ready For a Story
(tune: "If You're Happy and You Know It")

If you're ready for a story, take a seat.
If you're ready for a story, take a seat.
Clap your hands and stomp your feet,
Make your hands all nice and neat.
If you're ready for a story, take a seat.


Open, Shut Them

Open, shut them.
Open, shut them.
Give a little clap, clap, clap.

Open, shut them.
Open, shut them.
Lay them in your lap, lap, lap.

Waving, waving, waving, waving,
High up in the sky, sky, sky.
Wave to me,
I'll wave to you.
Now let's all say good bye, bye, bye!


At the end of Storytime we were greeted by Brody and Pepper, two of our Pawsitive Reading dogs who visit the library each month!  They decided to come and say "Hi!" to children and let parents know about our program in which children may practice their reading skills by spending time reading to one of the dogs!  Here are a few pictures:

Playtime Activities:
Due to a rather late start - I think everyone was caught off guard by the frost on their windshields, and the windchill that made coats, hats and mittens a necessity - many of our parents arrived late for today's storytime. 

We had planned to have some fun with our parachute but we ran out of time, 

so I promised the children we would include it in next week's activities!

Next week's theme: "Christmas With Our Friends!"

Each Toddler Storytime includes activities that support one or more of the five early literacy practices identified as essential in helping your child develop the skills they need before they can learn to read. The five practices – singing, talking, reading, playing and writing –were developed for Every Child Ready to Read®, an initiative of the Association for Library Services for Children (ALSC) and the Public Library Association (PLA).

Every Child Ready to Read^® @ your library^®, PLA and ALSC logos are registered trademarks of the American Library Association and are used with permission.