Down on the Farm

Presented at Bellevue Public Library on Wednesday, October 23, 2013.

Books:

Farmyard Beat by Lindsey Craig, illustrated by Marc Brown

 (The children helped me with this story by playing their rhythm sticks in time with the beat!)

 
 Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Felicia Bond

Here are a couple pictures from Buzz's trip to the Henry Doorly Zoo.  The barn was closed on the day we visited.  Maybe the other animals were napping??  Buzz had fun visiting the Dairy Barn and petting the goats, though!

Here are some pictures of the Petting Barn taken by other people:

Songs:

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.



Animals Live On the Farm
(tune: "London Bridge")

Animals live on a farm, on a farm, on a farm.
Animals live on a farm, with the farmer.

Cows and pigs live on a farm, on a farm, on a farm.
Cows and pigs live on a farm, with the farmer.


Help your child think of other animals that live on the farm. 

Pair two of them together to make a verse!

Today's ECRR Activities (and the Every Child Ready to Read early literacy practices used:)

Little Critter Farm Book with Stickers (Talking, Reading)

Book with Magnetic Farm Set (Talking, Reading)

Zoo Flannel Pieces (Talking, Playing)

Play Musical Instruments to Farm Songs (Playing, Singing)

Farm Collage (Talking, Writing)

Jigsaw Puzzles (talking, playing)

Library News:  Our annual Halloween Party will be held on Friday, October 25 from 6:30-8:00 PM.  Come when you can and stay as long as you'd like!  There'll be games and crafts for a variety of ages, as well as cookies and juice as well as a costume parade!
Next week's storytime theme will be: "Let's Pretend!"  Children may wear a costume, if they'd like!

Here are a few photos from today:

Library News:  Our annual Halloween Party will be held on Friday, October 25 from 6:30-8:00 PM.  Come when you can and stay as long as you'd like!  There'll be games and crafts for a variety of ages, as well as cookies and juice as well as a costume parade!

Next week's storytime theme will be: "Let's Pretend!"  Children may wear a costume, if they'd like!

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.

Papa Bear & Me Storytime

Presented at Bellevue Public Library on Tuesday, October 22, 2013.

Books:

Good Night, Sleep Tight by Mem Fox, illustrated by Judy Horacek

Because I'm Your Dad by Ahmet Zappa, illustrated by Dan Santat

My Most Favorite Thing by Nicola Moon, illustrated by Carol Thompson

Activities:

When Daddy Reads

When Daddy reads a book to me,
I snuggle up on Daddy's knee.

I sit and look and listen, too,
And kiss my dad when he is through!

You can substitute other words for "Daddy", such as Grandpa, Uncle, or a person's name.


Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear

Teddy bear, Teddy bear, turn around,
Teddy bear, Teddy bear, touch the ground.

Teddy bear, Teddy bear, reach up high,
Teddy bear, Teddy bear, touch the sky.

Teddy bear, Teddy bear, bend down low,
Teddy bear, Teddy bear, touch your toes.

Teddy bear, Teddy bear, go to bed,
Teddy bear, Teddy bear, rest your head.

Teddy bear, Teddy bear, turn out the lights.
Teddy bear, Teddy bear, say "good night."




Our activity tonight was leaf rubbings!
Here is an example:

And here are the instructions!

Have fun!!!!

Our next Papa Bear and Me Storytime will be on Tuesday, November at 7 PM!

  ~ Mrs. B.

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).

Baby & Me Storytime

Presented at Bellevue Public Library on Tuesday, October 22 and Thursday, October 24, 2013.

Book:
Pat-a-Cake illustrated by Annie Kubler

Songs:

Let's Shout Hooray!
(tune: "Old MacDonald")

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



This is the Way We Take a Bath

This is the way we take a bath,
Take a bath, take a bath.
This is the way we take a bath
So early in the morning.

2) This is the way we take a nap...
3) This is the way we peek-a-boo!...
4) This is the way we give a hug...
5) This is the way we clap our hands...


Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are.
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are.


 Activities:

Tony Chestnut
Tony Chestnut knows I love you!  

(point to your toes, knees, chest, head, nose, eyes,
then hug arms to chest)

Tony knows!  Tony knows!

(point to your toes, knees and nose, then repeat) 

Tony Chestnut knows I love you! 

(point to your toes, knees, chest, head, nose, eyes,
then hug arms to chest)
That's what Tony knows! 

(point to your toes, knees and nose)

Our activity this week was Jigsaw Puzzles!

Here are some photos from Thursday's Storytime!:

On Tuesday we welcomed our new friend Lillith!
We also sang to her for her upcoming birthday!

Next week's Baby and Me Storytime will be on October 29 and 31!


 

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).

Community Helpers

Presented to Mrs. Goosen's and Mrs. Williams' Kindergarten classes at Cornerstone Christian School on Monday, October 21, 2013.


Firefighter Fred and I really enjoyed visiting the Kindergarten students at Cornerstone this week!  They have been learning about Community Helpers, so I was invited to visit - to represent the librarians of the world!




Two of the jobs highlighted in Anne Rockwell's book, Career Day, are those of author and illustrator!  I wouldn't have the greatest job in the world, working as a librarian at the Bellevue Public Library, if we didn't have authors and illustrators!!  *See the end of this blog for photos of some authors and illustrators I have met!

 

I brought along supplies for the students to make their own book or journal, using wallpaper samples, pencils, and rubber bands.  Here is how they are made:

 

Step #1: Cut the cover to the size of your pencil.  You can use wallpaper samples, construction paper, cereal boxes or other sturdy materials to make the cover.

 

Step #2: Cut blank or ruled paper to the size of your book covers or slightly smaller.

 

Step #3: Fold or cut the cover in half.

 

Step #4: Punch 2 holes along the side that will be the spine of your book.  Punch holes through the covers and the pages.

 

Step #5: Insert a rubber band through the back of one of the holes.

 

Step #6: Put one end of the pencil through the rubber band loop.  The pencil will run along the front of the book.

 

Step #7: Stretch the rubber band along the back of your book and insert the loop through the other hole.

 

Step #8: Put the other end of the pencil through the rubber band.

 

Here is more information on how to make your own book!  This terrific blog  shows one way to make it, using a pencil for the book spine.  I have also made them using a drinking straw.  You could even try using a stick!  Can you make a small book using a popsicle stick?  How about a very small book using a toothpick!?
 
http://drjeanandfriends.blogspot.com/2013/10/pencil-power_4.html
 
 
It was a pleasure to be back at Cornerstone Christian School again!  The students were great listeners... and great participants, too!

Books:
 
Trashy Town by Andrea Zimmerman and David Clemesha

("Dump it in, smash it down, drive around the trashy town!  Is the trash truck full yet?  NO!")

Career Day by Anne Rockwell

(Each child in Mrs. Madoff's class brings a visitor who tells the group about his or her job.)

Song:

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

My Work as a Children's Librarian

 

Sometimes children and parents ask me how I decided to be a children's librarian.   I have always been a voracious reader.  When I was growing up I visited the library at least once a week.  Here is a photo of the library in my hometown:

 

When I was about 10 years old I received a book that many of you might recognize: Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry. 

 

 

 

Tucked inside the book was this photo of Misty!  And on the back Marguerite Henry had written a personal note to me.

This was the book that really helped me understand that books are written and illustrated by real people!

 

Even with these wonderful books inspiring me to read and explore, it was only about 20 years ago that I started to think about working in a library.  It all started when I began to volunteer in the library at my daughters' elementary school. 

Since working at the Bellevue Public Library I have had the privilege of meeting many children's authors, including:
 
Margaret Peterson Haddix:

 

Barbara Robinson:

 Ben Mikaelsen:

Judy Schachner:

Jon Scieszka:

 

and Mac Barnett:

 

For more "close encounters" I have had with authors and illustrators, click on "Authors" - found in the right column under "Labels".

   ~ Mrs. B.