Toddler Storytime - Love

Presented at Bellevue Public Library on Thursday, February 14, 2013.

Books:

Won't You Be My Kissaroo? by Joanne Ryder, illustrated by Melissa Sweet




* Te Amo, Bebe, Little One by Lisa Wheeler, illustrated by Maribel Suarez







Be Mine, Be Mine, Sweet Valentine by Sarah Weeks, illustrated by Fumi Kosaka




Songs:

Skinnamarink-a-dink-a-dink
Skinnamarink-a-do, I love you!

Skinnamarink-a-dink-a-dink
Skinnamarink-a-do, I love you!

I love you in the morning and in the afternoon.
I love you in the evening and underneath the moon, oh

Skinnamarink-a-dink-a-dink
Skinnamarink-a-do, I love 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!


Ten Little Fingers
I have ten little fingers (show 10 fingers)
And they all belong to me. (place hands on chest to indicate ownership)
I can make them do things. (let fingers dance in front of you)
Would you like to see?

I can put them up high, (reach up high)
I can put them down low. (bend down low)
I can make them hide, (hide hands behind back, in pockets, etc.)
And I can fold them so. (fold hands in front of you)

(Once you know this rhyme, try saying it again - a little faster...and even faster! How fast can you go??!)


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).

* Enrichment
I spoke with the adults today about the way I use the book "Te Amo, Bebe, Little One" by Lisa Wheeler.  I love this book for the ways you can involve children while you read it.  There is a stanza that is repeated throughout the book, with slight variations to the line "I love you more than rain and sun".  To make it easier for children to remember the rhyme and to take part in saying it, I take the liberty of using the same version each time we say it.  The stanza is:

"I love you once, (hold up one finger)
I love you twice, (hold up 2 fingers)
I love you more than beans and rice! (rub tummy)
I love you more than rain and sun,
(bring fingers down to simulate rain, then put arms above your head to make the sun)
Te amo, bebe, little one. (hug yourself or your youngster)


Every Child Ready to Read® advocates spending time enjoying books in this way.  Allowing your child to move along with the text, and to help supply the text, is very beneficial to their brain development...and it's just plain FUN, too!

Library News:
Seussathon 2013 is just a couple weeks away!  Miss Tammy and I have been busy getting ready for this daylong, drop-in event for the whole family.  For more information about this annual event, see my "Seussathon: Nine Years and counting" entry.
We registered a new friend, Sophia, at Storytime today! We hope you had fun and will be a regular participant at Toddler Storytime!
Our next Toddler Storytime will be on Thursday, February 21, 2013!

Next week's theme: Trucks and Truck Drivers!

Seussathon: Nine years and counting!!!

Bellevue Public Library's Seussathon was first conceived and held in 2004, attracting about 125 people. Over the past 9 years this annual event has drawn a total of almost 1500 people of all ages! And that total includes attendance at Seussathon 2007, which was held during a major snow storm that closed metro schools and businesses! (Our one exception to the "We cancel library programs if schools are closed due to weather" rule!)

Below are photos from the past 9 years:

Our giant Cat hat was first unveiled in 2006. It was designed and fabricated by students at Bellevue West High School, under the direction of Mr. Pat Kraus. It is proudly displayed every year as a symbol to the community of our Seuss Week activities.

Seussathon starts with creating a cozy place to read. ACE Rent-to-Own has generously provided furniture for us each year (except for 2007, when that nasty snowstorm grounded their delivery trucks - and just about everything else in town!)

What's a party without food?! Over the years we have received donations from wonderful local businesses including Baker's Supermarket, No Frills, Village Inn, Golden Corral, McDonald's, Panera, Summer Kitchen Cafe, and The Cake Specialist. Other businesses, including Shopko, Apples and More, and Wal-Mart, lend their support by providing door prizes, paper goods and other items.

Freebies and door prizes are a fun part of Seussathon, too!

Now all we need are some Dr. Seuss stories...and lots of

people to read them!

Did you know?

In 2005 the Bellevue Public Library's programming idea for Seussathon was included in the National Education Association's "50 Great Event Ideas" for Read Across America?

Did you know?

The National Education Association's Read Across America Day is a nationwide reading celebration that takes place annually on March 2 — Dr. Seuss’s birthday. Across the country, thousands of schools, libraries, and community centers participate in a wide variety of activities that support and encourage a love of reading!

Did you know?

In 1984, Theodore Geisel (Dr. Seuss) received the Pulitzer Prize for his contribution to children's literature!

Did you know?

Dr. Seuss' first book, "And To Think I Saw It On Mulberry Street", was published in 1937 after being rejected by at least 27 publishers!

Did you know?

In choosing his nom de plume, Theodore Geisel used his middle name - Seuss (which was also his mother's maiden name.)

Geisel's mother often soothed her children to sleep with rhymes from her childhood. Dr. Seuss credited his mother for both his ability and desire to create the rhymes for which he became so well known.

At the time of his death on September 24, 1991, Dr. Seuss had written and illustrated 44 children's books.

Over 200 million copies of Dr. Seuss' books have been sold

around the world. His books have been translated into

more than 15 languages!

Did you know?

Dr. Seuss didn’t interact well with children. His wife Audrey

once said he was afraid of children!

Did you know?

Dr. Seuss is credited as being the first person to use the word Nerd. He used the word in his book "If I Ran the Zoo", written in 1950.

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

                                              Dr. Seuss

“I like nonsense. It wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living.”
                                     Dr. Seuss

“Words and pictures are yin and yang. Married, they produce

a progeny more interesting than either parent.”

                                        Dr. Seuss

“Today I shall behave as if this is the day I will be remembered.”

                               Dr. Seuss

“To the world you may be one person; but to one person

you may be the world.”

                             Dr. Seuss

“You're never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up

a book and read to a child.”

                                          Dr. Seuss

Did you know?

Celebrity guest readers at Seussathon 2011 included Sergeant (now Lieutenant)Tim Melvin, Mayor Rita Sanders, Captain (now Police Chief) Mark Elbert and City Council members Don Preister and Carol Blood.

Will YOU join us for Seussathon 2013?

It will be history in the making!

                                     
                                        Mrs. B and Miss Tammy

Baby & Me Storytime

Presented at Bellevue Public Library on Tuesday and Wednesday, February 12 & 13, 2013.

Book:

Hug, hug, hug! by Emily Jenkins and Tomek Bogacki




Songs:

(We used this song at Tuesday's Storytime)
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!)


(We used this song at Wednesday's Storytime)
Welcome to Storytime!
(tune: Old McDonald)

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


You Are My Sunshine
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.
You make me happy when skies are gray.
You'll never know, dear, how much I love you.
Please don't take my sunshine away!

I Can Make My Baby Smile
(tune: "Muffin Man'")

I can make my baby smile,
My baby smile, my baby smile.
I can make my baby smile
When I tickle your toes!

You can also substitute "laugh" for "smile"!
Additional verses:
When I tickle your...nose, tummy, feet, chin, etc.



Activities:

I Have a Little Heart

I have a little heart and it goes thump, thump, thump.
It keeps right on beating when I jump, jump, jump.
I get a special feeling when I look at you!
It makes me want to give you a kiss or two!

Pudding on the Plate

(sway gently from side to side with your child)
Pudding on the plate, pudding on the plate,
Wibble, wobble, wibble, wobble,
Pudding on the plate.

(shake* or bounce gently with your child)
Candies in the jar, candies in the jar,
Shake them up, shake them up,
Candies in the jar.

Candles on the cake, candles on the cake,
Blow them out, blow them out,
Candles on the cake.
(gently blow in your child's face!)

*  Always remember that any playtime activity that involves shaking should be done very gently.  One way to let your child experience the feeling of shaking is to gently bounce him on your lap.


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 ExploreTime Activity this week was board books!
Every Child Ready to Read® recommends giving your child lots of opportunities to hear stories being read to them.  Babies of all ages can enjoy board books.  From their thick pages to their bright colors to their familiar subjects, board books are a wonderful way for babies to explore their world.  I spoke with parents and caregivers today about the benefits of helping their children make connections between what they see in a book and what they see or experience in real life.  Use a book that includes a picture of a dog to talk about the dog you have in your family. A picture of an apple can lead to helping your child hold and taste an apple or applesauce, while you talk about the apple's color, shape, size, texture, etc.

This week we welcomed new friends Cole and his big sister Grace!  We hope you had fun today and will visit often!

Our next Baby and Me Storytime will be Tuesday and Wednesday, February 19 & 20, 2013!

Library News:
We are gearing up for our annual celebration of Dr. Seuss, which will be held February 25 - March 2.  There will be daily activities at the DIY Table in the Children's Area.  Our big event is our 10th annual Seussathon, an 8-hour reading marathon, held on Saturday, March 2 from 9 AM - 5 PM.  People of all ages are invited to stop by the library anything that day and enjoy a comfy atmosphere of our special reading room, lots of Dr. Seuss books to read, freebies, door prizes, and great food donated by local businesses! 

Check out my "Seussathon: Nine Years and counting!" entry for photos from Seussathons 2004-2012!

** As an added bonus, anyone who "likes" us on Facebook can take part in daily activities on Feb. 25 - Mar. 1.  Make a comment or answer the daily question and you will receive an additional drawing slip for the Seussathon door prize drawing!

Each Baby & 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).

Pajama Storytime

Presented at Bellevue Public Library on Tuesday, February 12, 2013.

Books:

It's Duffy Time! by Audrey and Don Wood

Time For a Hug by Phillis Gershator and Mim Green, illustrated by David Walker




A Nap in a Lap by Sarah Wilson, illustrated by Akemi Gutierrez

 
















When the World is Ready for Bed by Gilliam Shields, illustrated by Anna Currey






K is for Kiss Good Night by Jill Sardegna, illustrated by Michael Hays



Tonight, in honor of Valentine's Day, we sang "Skinnamarink" and "You Are My Sunshine".

I encourage you to take some time at home to sing these, or other songs, with your child.  Here are the words, in case it's been awhile since you've sung these classics:

Skinnamarink-a-dink-a-dink,
Skinnamarink-a-doo,
I love you!

Skinnamarink-a-dink-a-dink,
Skinnamarink-a-doo,
I love you!

I love you in the morning and in the afternoon,
I love you in the evening and underneath the moon, oh

Skinnamarink-a-dink-a-dink,
Skinnamarink-a-doo,
I love you!

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.
You make me happy when skies are gray.
You'll never know, dear, how much I love you.
Please don't take my sunshine away!


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).

Our next Pajama Storytime will be on Tuesday, March 12, 2013 at 7 PM!

It was nice to see so many of you at Storytime tonight!

Sleep tight!
     ~Mrs. B.

Peter Sarpy Preschool - Clothes!

Presented to Mrs. VanMeeteren's morning and afternoon preschool classes at Peter Sarpy Elementary School on Thursday, February 7, 2013.

Books:

In My New Yellow Shirt by Eileen Spinelli, illustrated by Hideko Takahashi
(The students learned about using their IMAGINATION - a very big word which means "to pretend"!  The little boy in this story has a very vivid imagination!)

The Jacket I Wear In The Snow by Shirley Neitzel, illustrated by Nancy Winslow Parker
(This cumulative story, read to the morning class only, lists all the clothes we have to put on before we head out to go sledding)

Froggy Gets Dressed by Jonathan London, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz
(Froggy can't wait to play in the snow!  But will he take his time and put on everything he needs?!  With a zzp! zzp!  zzp! he thinks he's ready to head out the door, but... something's missing!)

Song:

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

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

If your clothes have any pink...give me just a little wink...
If your clothes have any white...then please smile with all your might...
If your clothes have any brown...turn that smile into a frown...
If your clothes have any black...put your hands behind your back...


(I enjoyed singing "The Wheels on the Bus" with the afternoon students!  Thanks for suggesting this fun song!)


I brought my puppet friend, Luna, to Peter Sarpy today to talk to the children about wearing the right clothes for the weather or the activity.  She asked them to name articles of clothing, then incorporated them into her rhyme.



Here are the rhymes she shared:

What would I wear if I went to the store,
And outside it was raining?
In a raincoat, boots and umbrella
You'd never hear me complaining.

What would I wear if I went to the beach,
With the sand and the sea and the sun?
I'd wear a swimsuit, sunglasses and sunscreen
Oh what fun!

What would I wear on a hot summer day,
When the temperature is ninety-nine?
My shorts and a tank top are both nice and cool,
Either of them would be fine.

What would I wear to play out in the snow,
When the cold winter wind is blowing?
I'd wear a coat, a scarf and some mittens,
And boots on my feet 'cause it's snowing.

My thanks to Mr. Weber and to Mrs. "Van" and her assistants for helping us feel so welcome!  Luna and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Peter Sarpy Elementary!

~ Mrs. B.

Toddler Storytime - Apples and Bananas

Presented at Bellevue Public Library on Thursday, February 7, 2013.

Books:

Apples Farmer Annie by Monica Wellington



 
Banana! by Ed Vere






Gladys Goes Out to Lunch by Derek Anderson




Songs:
Apples and Bananas

I like to eat, eat, eat, apples and bananas.
I like to eat, eat, eat, apples and bananas.

If you are not familiar with this song, here is the link to a video featuring the wonderful singer, Raffi!

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 Red Apples

Five red apples growing on a tree.
(raise hands out to form branches)

There's some for you and some for me!
(point to others, then to self)

When we shake the tree just so,
(shake body)

Five red apples will fall below.
1...2...3...4...5!
(close, then open fist as though dropping each apple)



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).

Enrichment
I engaged the children in talking about which they like better: APPLES or BANANAS.  I also encouraged them to show their parents the hand stamp they had chosen, and to tell them which fruit they prefer.  Each child was given the opportunity to pick a piece of fruit to take home, so they needed to decide, again, which fruit they would choose. Every Child Ready to Read® advocates spending lots of time talking with your child.  Giving your child the opportunity to choose between two things is a great exercize in decision-making, and gives you a chance to talk with them about choices.  Your child will benefit from your questions: "You like bananas better?  Is it because monkeys like bananas?... Is it because it comes wrapped in its own peel?... or because it doesn't have any seeds?  Can you think of other fruits that don't have seeds?



Our next Toddler Storytime will be on Thursday, February 14, 2013.  Can you guess what next week's theme will be??!!

Here's a hint:

Baby & Me Storytime

Presented at Bellevue Public Library on February 5 & 6, 2013.

Book:
Where is Baby's Yummy Tummy? by Karen Katz
* see note below

Songs:

Hello, Friends!  (Used on Tuesday)
(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!)


Welcome to Storytime! (Used on Wednesday)
(tune: Old McDonald)

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


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.


I Can Make My Baby Smile
(tune: "Muffin Man'")
I can make my baby smile,
My baby smile, my baby smile.
I can make my baby smile
When I tickle your toes!

You can also substitute "laugh" for "smile"!
Additional verses:
When I tickle your...nose, tummy, feet, chin, etc.


Activities:

I Have a Little Heart

I have a little heart (hand over heart)
And it goes thump, thump, thump. (pat chest with fingers)
It keeps right on beating
When I jump, jump, jump.(lift baby in the air)
I get a special feeling (hug baby)
When I look at you.(point to baby)
It makes me want to give you
A kiss or two! (kiss baby)


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!)



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!"



Each Baby & 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).

Our ExploreTime Activity this week was beanbags! 

Every Child Ready to Read® recommends spending lots of time playing with your little one - and beanbags are just one of many ways you can engage your baby in playing and having fun!  Even though your little one may be just beginning to experience these fun toys, he can enjoy the feel of the beanbags, as well as the subtle sound they make when shaken near his ears.  The beanbags used at the library come in several colors and shapes, giving parents a chance to talk about these concepts with their babies.  We also have fun stacking them up and then knocking them over!  Many children enjoy the fun of following directions such as, "Can you put a beanbag on your knee?",  "How about putting one on your shoulder!"  Some children love to hide their beanbags under their shirt!!

Library News:
* Our storytime book kits are here!  I have mentioned recently that we had ordered multiple copies (15) of several board books to be used in Storytime.  The books have arrived and we used one of the titles today.  I welcome feedback from you on whether or not you and your child benefited from having your own copy during storytime, and why.  Your comments will be important when the library director and I evaluate this purchase and consider expanding our collection of storytime book kits.  It's easy to leave a comment!  Just click on the comment box below and start typing!

On Tuesday we welcomed new friends Elliot, Miss Ashley, and Maximus (who is also celebrating his birthday this week!)  On Wednesday we welcomed Miss Caroline! We are so glad you came!  It makes Baby & Me Storytime that much more fun!

Our next Baby and Me Storytime will be on Tuesday and Wednesday, February 12 & 13, 2013!