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!

Toddler Storytime - Being Sick and Getting Better!

Presented at Bellevue Public Library on Thursday, January 31, 2013.

Books:

Llama Llama Home With Mama by Anna Dewdney




How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon? by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Mark Teague



Songs:

Sneeze in Your Elbow
(tune: "Up on the Housetop")

My thanks to the wonderful students and staff at Welcome School for teaching me this song!!

Sneeze in your elbow, please, please, please,
So you don't get germs on me.
Sneeze in your elbow, quick, quick, quick,
So nobody else gets sick, sick, sick!

(Underlined words or syllables indicate the major beats in the song)

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??!)


Today we had a special guest join us for Toddler Storytime.  Her name is Monica Boeckman and she just happens to be a nurse...and my daughter!  Monica came to talk to the children about the importance of washing their hands.  Most of the children were a little suspicious of the stethoscope hanging around her neck!

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). 

Playing is a wonderful way to introduce your child to new (and possibly stressful) situations, such as going to the doctor.  Enjoy helping your child think about what kinds of things he might see and do when at an appointment.  You and your child can take turns being the doctor and the patient, or encourage your child to be the doctor and select a stuffed animal to be the patient. This type of play can have a positive affect on your child's first experiences at the doctor and can empower them by helping them anticipate what might happen at an appointment.

Here is a great site with information on the importance of handwashing.  With the cold and flu season upon us, it is especially important to do what we can to reduce the spread of viruses.

Baby & Me Storytime

Presented at Bellevue Public Library on Tuesday, January 29, 2013.

Book:

Bye-Bye Time by Elizabeth Verdick, illustrated by Marieka Heinlen




Songs:


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!)

Where is Baby?
(tune: "Frere Jacques")

Where is (child's name)?  Where is (child's name)? 
(Cover child's face with a blanket or scarf)

There you are!  There you are!
(pull cover away)

I'm so glad to see you!  I'm so glad to see you!
(lots of smiles!)

Peek-a-boo!  Peek-a-boo!
(cover and uncover child's face again)



Ten Little Tootsies
(tune: "One Little, Two Little, Three Little")

One little, two little, three little tootsies,
Four little, five little, six little tootsies.
Seven little, eight little, nine little tootsies,
Ten little tootsie toes!

Ten little, nine little, eight little tootsies,
Seven little, six little, five little tootsies.
Four little, three little, two little tootsies,
One little tootsie toe!


Activities:

Everybody Knows I Love My Toes
(By Barbara Allyn, copyright SOCAN)

Everybody knows I love my toes.
Everybody knows I love my toes.
I love my noggin', my knees,
my neck and my nose,
And everybody knows I love my toes!

Everybody knows I love my eyes.
Everybody knows I love my eyes.
I love my legs, my lips,
my neck and my nose,
And everybody knows I love my toes!

Everybody knows I love my feet.
Everybody knows I love my feet.
I love my skin, my chin,
my neck and my nose,
And everybody knows I love my toes!



Pizza, Pizza, Pumpernickel

Pizza, pizza pumpernickel,
(gently pat child's legs in rhythm on the underlined syllables)
My little baby shall have a tickle.
(continue patting child's leg )
One on the nose,
(gently tickle child's nose)
And one on the toes,
(tickle toes)
And one on the tummy
(gently pat child's leg in rhythm on the underlined syllables)
where the pizz-a goes!
(gently pat child's tummy in rhythm on the underlined syllables)



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 hand puppets! We have a nice selection of puppets available for our use during storytimes, but you can very easily (and cheaply!) make your own puppets for use at home.  Watch for sales of stuffed animals at stores, garage sales and second-hand stores.  Make a slit along the bottom.  Often there is a seam that runs along the bottom of the animal.  Pull out the stuffing and voila!  To give your puppets more body you can opt to leave in some of the stuffing, such as at the top of the head or at the ends of the arms and legs.  Every Child Ready to Read® recommends frequent playtime with your child.  Playing with puppets will help your little one develop vocabulary and narrative skills as you and your child talk about the various animals, the sounds they make, their habitats, and the color and feel of their skin or fur. Spark your child's imagination as you enjoy the creative fun of making up stories about the puppets.

Library News:
On Tuesday morning it was sea of pink, with five little girls and their mommies!  Our newest friends at Baby & Me Storytime are Samantha and Hannah who joined us on Tuesday.  We welcome you both and look forward to sharing lots of fun stories, songs and rhymes with you!

Wednesday's storytime was canceled due to the wintry weather and Bellevue school closings. Stay home with your precious little ones...it might be a good day to turn an old stuffed animal into a puppet!