All posts by Children's Staff
Toddler book on Monday, December 8
Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? by Bill Martin, Jr., with illustrations by Eric Carle, is a bit difficult to share at storytime. We have to guess what wild animals sound like. I know the sounds of animals on a farm, but not in the wild. At home you can make up silly sounds or scary sounds to go with the walrus and flamingo and zebra. Perhaps a trip to the zoo would help you guess more acurately.
Baby Storytime, Friday, December 5, 12-18 months
A big group of babies/toddlers and their loved ones gathered today for a fun storytime together. We did lots of movement, danced the Hokey Pokey, and sang many songs. The children and grownups joined in with the book, making train noises on each page. A fun time was had by all.
This is the big book that we read today.
Baby Storytime, Friday, December 5, 0-12 months
A lovely group of moms and babies gathered today for lots of songs, finger plays and fun. Together we all read a silly board book by Sandra Boynton. Sandra Boynton writes lots of fun and entertaining books. If you have not read a Sandra Boynton book, come in to the library and borrow one or two. You are sure to get a smile on your face!
This is the book we read today.
Books for Preschoolers on Thursday, December 4
On Saturday we will have our annual Gingerbread Festival, complete with cookie-decorating. There will also be a large gingerbread house display at the Central Baptist Church (a benefit for Habitat for Humanity). So of course we had to read the story of the Gingerbread Man. There are many versions of this old tale. The one we read today was:
Then we read another of Bill Thomson’s incredible wordless picture books. The children did a fabulous job of telling this suspenseful story:
Books for Toddlers on Wednesday, December 3
Today’s toddler storytime was more of a sing-along than a traditional story program. Even our big book had everyone on their feet for some gross motor activity. We waddled like ducks, strutted like turkeys, and brayed like donkeys while we read I Love Animals by Flora McDonnell.
We also used a lift-the-flap book to sing “Old MacDonald Had a Farm.” We didn’t read the text of the book, but we looked at the animals and imitated the sounds they make.
~Amy
Books for Preschoolers on Wednesday, December 3
With the weather getting colder, today we read books about hats, mittens, scarves, and everything we wear to keep warm.
~Amy
Preschool Storytime, Monday, December 1
Today we read a couple of books that are part of picture book series. The group heard one of the books but got to see other books that are in the series. Two of the books from series we read are below. If you like these, be sure to check out the other books in the series.
We also read two other fun and enjoyable stories.
Toddler Storytime, Monday, December 1
Unfortunately, Maureen was home sick today but storytime continued! We sang songs, drove to Minneapolis, popped bubbles and even hugged the monkey at the end!
Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle have written several books together including Brown Bear, Brown Bear. Today we read a similar story in the series and listened to the different noises the animals make. We read Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?
Preschool books on Wednesday, November 26
Amy Reimann is our new Children’s Specialist. She will lead the Wednesday morning storytimes at the main library and the Friday morning storytime at the MacKay branch. Families got to know her at today’s storytime. It was a small group, on the day before Thanksgiving, so most of you will meet her next week.
Today we read the following books: (view the Monday blog post for more info)
I did not read Thank You, Thanksgiving on Monday. I love the book, because the girl is thankful for all the tiny details in her life. I never liked that there was so much snow on the ground in the illustrations, but this year it seems most appropriate.
Thank you to all of you who bring your children to the library and share books with them. I am very thankful to be working with all of you.
~Maureen
Preschool books on Monday, November 24
Becky Herrmann, our library director, was once a children’s librarian. She shared with me that she often read The Relatives Came by Cynthia Ryland, illustrated by Stephen Gammell as a Thanksgiving story. The story takes place in the summer, but it is about a family gathering with lots and lots of hugs and food. I have continued that tradition.
The Firefighters’ Thanksgiving is full of drama. There are a number of fires that need to be fought on Thanksgiving. One firefighter gets injured, and the dinner never gets made. Grateful residents make dinner for them, and the injured firefighter is on the mend by the end of the story. I read this at a Dads and Donuts storytime a couple of years ago. There was a firefighter in the room with his young children. Although he said that Chelmsford does not have more than one fire at a time, that was the year of the ice storm and Hurricane Irene. Firefighters were very busy in town then.
When reading The Perfect Thanksgiving, it is easy for me to sympathize with the family that is not perfect. I try not to let that come out in my voice, however, because the message of this book is that the way the 2 families are alike is “in just how loving our different families are.” Both of them deserve respect.
Speaking of gatherings that may not be perfect, This is the Turkey has a food disaster in the middle. Everyone makes the best of things. There is plenty of food for everyone. Max comments at the end of the story, “I bet we had the best Thanksgiving yet!”
So whether you are traveling to someone’s home, hosting a big dinner yourself, or just relaxing, have a very Happy Thanksgiving. ~Maureen