Toddler Storytime ~ Spring is Here!

This Toddler Storytime was presented at Bellevue Public Library on March 18, 2015.

Books:
My Spring Robin by Anne Rockwell, illustrated by Harlow Rockwell and Lizzy Rockwell

Everything Spring! by Jill Esbaum, photographs by National Geographic Kids

Songs:

(scroll to the end of this post to find out why we didn't sing Wesley's special song this week!)
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!)




I Wish I Was a Rabbit
(tune: "The More We Get Together")

I wish I was a rabbit, a rabbit, a rabbit.
I wish I was a rabbit, 'cause rabbits can hop.
They hop, and hop, and hop, and hop.
I wish I was a rabbit, 'cause rabbits can hop.


I wish I was a rabbit, a rabbit, a rabbit,
I wish I was a rabbit 'cause rabbits can munch.
They munch, and munch, and munch, and munch.
I wish I was a rabbit 'cause rabbits can munch.

I wish I was a rabbit, a rabbit, a rabbit.
I wish I was a rabbit that wiggles its nose.
It wiggles and wiggles and wiggles and wiggles.
I wish I was a rabbit that wiggles its nose.


Rhymes: 

Here is the Beehive

Here is the beehive,
But where are the bees?
Hidden inside where nobody sees!

Watch, and you'll see them
come out of the hive.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5!  Bzzzzzzzzzzzz!

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?

Instead of our usual green box, one of our Storytime parents, James, brought in his OWN green box...filled with these beautiful violas!  There were enough pots for each family to take one home.  What a wonderful way to celebrate the return of Spring!  Thank you, James!

The reason for Wesley's absence today???  Well, I had a little accident with my morning beverage, which tipped and spilled...all...over...Wesley. Don't worry, my drink was no longer hot!  So, while I was in Storytime I sent Wesley home to take a bath!



In Wesley's absence we welcomed this interesting-looking creature - a terrific reminder of the coming of SPRING!:

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.

It's Spring!!

This Outreach Storytime was presented at Welcome School on Friday, March 28, 2014.

Books:

Rabbits & Raindrops by Jim Arnosky

Jo MacDonald Had a Garden by Mary Quattlebaum, illustrated by Laura J. Bryant

Song:

I'm a Little Bunny
(tune: "I'm a Little Teapot")

I'm a little bunny, my name is Joe.
I hop fast...and I hop slow.
Whenever I get sleepy, my ears droop low,
But after my nap, back up they go!


Rhyme:

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.


My monthly visit to Welcome School is always highly anticipated, and this time was no exception!  The visit was full of laughter, beginning when Wesley decided to bring something hidden in his shell to Welcome School!  When he came out of my pocket I couldn't figure out why everyone was laughing so hard.  Then I looked at Wesley and instead of seeing this...

I saw what the children saw:

At the end of storytime the children taught me a song, as is our tradition.  The song didn't sound familiar although Mrs. Sloniker said I heard it while attending an OoeyGooeyLady workshop with the Welcome School staff. (I think I must have been in the ladies' room at the time!)
Here is a Youtube video of the song, "Waddaleeacha", featuring that same workshop speaker. Enjoy!

Another tradition we observe involves letting the children say goodbye to Wesley before we leave.  And I really do mean "say goodbye to Wesley"!  I rarely get an acknowledgement from children when Wesley is with me... but that's fine with me!
Children have the option of feeding Wesley imaginary food - usually something that falls into one of four broad categories: Drinks - milk and fruit juice are favorites; Fruits, Veggies and Other Healthy Stuff; Cookies, Candy and Birthday Cake (Wesley tends to have a birthday every few months!); and Main Dishes such as Pizza, Chicken Nuggets and Hamburgers!

At our visit today Wesley received many of these foods, as well as these gems!!:
"steak and milk"
"chapstick"
"smelly shoes"
"cooking spray" 

That reminds me - there is a FIFTH category: "things that Wesley should eat LATER or that need to be stored in his shell"!  Some children have figured out that, if they give Wesley a snack for later in the day or something like cooking spray, he will disappear into his shell, put the item where it belongs in his house, and POP back out again!  

Children take their play very seriously!!

Each Outreach 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).

Dinosaurs!

Presented to Miss Jenny's and Miss Amy's Head Start classes at Golden Hills Elementary School on Monday, February 24, 2014.

Books:
Dinosaur Stomp! by Paul Stickland  

Encyclopedia Prehistorica Dinosaurs by Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart

This is a terrific book, although the text is meant for much older children.  So, I didn't read any of the book to the students...but I did show them these amazing pop-ups!  The dinosaur pictured below seemed to jump right out of the book when I opened it in front of the class!

How Do Dinosaurs Go To School? by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Mark Teague

Song:

The Dino Pokey
(tune: "The Hokey Pokey")

You put your claws in,
You put your claws out. 
You put your claws in,
And you shake them all about.

You do the Dino Pokey and
You turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about!

Additional verses:
You put your feet it...and you stomp them all about...
You put your teeth in...and you chomp them all about...
You put your tail in...and you swish it all about...


Activity:
Dinosaur, Dinosaur, Turn Around
(a dinosaur chant!)

Dinosaur, Dinosaur, turn around,
Dinosaur, Dinosaur, stomp the ground.

Dinosaur, Dinosaur, show your claws,
Dinosaur, Dinosaur, snap your jaws.

Dinosaur, Dinosaur, turn around,
Dinosaur, Dinosaur, sit right down!


Open, Shut Them
(a goodbye rhyme!)

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!

Try saying this several times through, each time getting a little faster!


My unusual visit to Golden Hills Head Start Classes:
Today was a very unusual day for me.  The reason?  My puppet friend, Wesley, did not come with me today to visit the children. Wesley woke up with a bad cough and a tummy ache, so he had to stay home and rest.  Because of this the class and I had a short discussion about the importance of not coughing or sneezing on others, taking lots of breaks to wash our hands, and not being around other children when we are sick.  Wesley was very disappointed that he couldn't come with me today, but he got a lot of rest while I was gone.  He should be feeling better very soon!

The students have a tradition of pulling (imaginary) snack foods out of their (real or imaginary!) pockets and giving them to Wesley before he and I return to the library. Since Wesley was not with me today, the children entrusted their snacks to me to give to Wesley as soon as he felt better.  I came back to the library with my book basket full of strawberries, peanut butter, bananas, ice cream, pizza, candy, apples, cake, chicken legs, an egg, bubble gum, cookies, grapes, and several kinds of medicine to help him feel better!  Wesley is in good hands with such loving friends!

Friday, February 28:
I'm happy to report that Wesley is feeling much better and has been getting plenty of rest!  Wesley wanted to thank everyone for the yummy snacks, so here is a video message from him!

Library News: Don't forget our 11th annual Seussathon which is next Monday, March 3 from 9AM to 9 PM!  We hope you will come and be part of the fun!  See my post for pictures from the past 9 years of Seussathon!

My next visit to Golden Hills' Head Start classes will be on Monday, March 31, 2014! 


Each outreach 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).

Firefighters!

Presented to Miss Jenny's and Miss Amy's Head Start classes at Golden Hills Elementary School on Monday, September 30, 2013.


Wesley the Turtle and I - and my puppet friend Fred the Firefighter - enjoyed seeing all the wonderful students at Golden Hills Head Start this week! 




The children each received a new book of his/her
choice as a gift from the Bellevue Public Library. 
I hope the children enjoy reading their books
with their parents and other caregivers!

Books:

Fire Fighter Piggy Wiggy by Christyan and Diane Fox

(Even though Piggy Wiggy is not a real firefighter, he sure likes to pretend he is! 
And he also knows that, if there is a fire, the real firefighters will be there to do their job!)

My Mom is a Firefighter by Lois G. Grambling, illustrated by Jane Manning

(Billy knows alot about what to do if there is a fire. He has learned from an expert - his mom!  It can be very exhausting work battling a fire, and even though he can't help with the fire, he can do something to help the firefighters!)
 

 

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!)

Hurry, Hurry, Drive the Fire Truck!
(tune: "One Little, Two Little...")

Hurry, hurry, drive the fire truck!
Hurry, hurry, drive the fire truck!
Hurry, hurry, drive the fire truck!
Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!

Additional verses:
Hurry, hurry, turn the corner...
Hurry, hurry, climb the ladder...
Hurry, hurry, squirt the water...

Final verse:
Slowly, slowly, back to the station.
Slowly, slowly, back to the station.
Slowly, slowly, back to the station.
Now our work is done!
 
One young student named Cameron pretended to feed Wesley a piece of cake, announcing, "Today is Wesley's birthday!"  As I have never established a birthday for my puppet, I figured that September 30 is as good a day as any!  Thanks, Cameron, for pointing out this important date!  And..."Happy Birthday, Wesley!"

My next visit to Golden Hills Head Start will be on Thursday, October 24 for Miss Amy's afternoon class, and Monday, October 28, 2013 for the morning classes!

Each Outreach 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.

Welcome Back to Toddler Storytime!

Monday, September 16, 2013.

After a nice hiatus in which Tammy and I were able to relax, regroup, and reorganize, it is now time to resume weekly storytimes at the library!
I know Tammy has some wonderful, and NEW, things in store for the Preschoolers, while I will be shaking things up a bit with the Toddlers, who will meet on Wednesdays at 9:15 AM.  I am hoping the switch from Tuesday to Wednesday morning will mean more toddlers and their parents/caregivers can join us for Storytime!

So...what's new?!

Well, for starters, our storytime routine will change slightly.  Along with sharing books, songs, puppets, rhymes, and act-outs, I will be incorporating a short time for creative play toward the end of each session.  These play times will further encourage and reinforce the 5 essential elements of the Every Child Ready to Read Program, (which means lots of talking, singing, reading, writing and playing!)

Also, along with seasonal themes such as Thanksgiving, Spring, Valentine's Day, etc., I will be setting aside the first storytime of each month for sharing new books that have recently been added to the library's collection.  I look forward to showcasing some great new books - especially those that may not fit nicely into a theme.

Finally, throughout the school year I will be including quite a few storytimes whose theme has to do with the zoo.  This came about after I made a trip to the Henry Doorly Zoo with our library mascot, Buzz!  Here is a photo I took of Buzz as we arrived at the Zoo:

He was sooo excited to be at the Zoo!  We took lots of pictures as we walked around the zoo (and sometimes we rode in a golf cart with our zoo worker friend, Andrea!)

So, be watching for more pictures of Buzz in coming weeks, as I highlight storytime themes such as "Bears", "Zoo Workers", "Sea Creatures", "Butterflies" and more!


I hope to see you soon at the library!
                                   ~Mrs. B. and ...

                                                                               Wesley the Turtle

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!

My Puppet Friend, Wesley

Children who regularly visit the library are very familiar with Wesley, my puppet friend who joins me for Toddler Storytimes.  Recently I visited Miss Jenny's Head Start class at Golden Hills Elementary in Bellevue.  The children were excited to meet my friend - and he was excited to meet them!!  Before he came out of my apron pocket (his favorite place to snuggle up for a nap), I gave the children some clues to help them learn more about Wesley.  Here were the clues:
* He is green
* He has 2 front legs and 2 back legs
* He has a tail
* He lives in a shell

Have you guessed what my friend Wesley looks like??!!
Well, here's a picture of him outside his home near the marsh at Fontenelle Forest:

Yep!  He's a turtle!  He has been coming to storytimes with me for about 12 years now!  If you'd like to meet Wesley, the best time to spot him is at Toddler Storytime on Thursday mornings at 9:15 AM!!