Holiday Hours!

More Holidays are around the corner and we have special hours coming up. Mark your calendars so you can pick up your holds or books to share with the whole family while they visit.

• Wednesday, December 24: 10 AM to 1 PM (close early)
• Thursday, December 25: CLOSED
• Friday, December 26: CLOSED
• Saturday, December 27: Return to normal hours.
• Wednesday, December 31: 10 AM to 3 PM (close early)
• Thursday, January 1, 2015: CLOSED.
• Friday, January 2, 2015: Return to normal hours.

Story Time Information:

• Baby Story ends December 18 and will return January 8, 2015
• Miss Michelle's Story Times for 2014, end on December 20 and will return January 5, 2015.

Enjoy the Holidays and we hope to see you soon!

What We Read in Baby Story Time on December 18

This is the last Baby Story Time for 2014. Baby Story Time returns January 8 at 10:15 AM! I'll see you in the new year!

Our Theme: Winter

What We Read

• Baby Loves Winter! by Karen Katz.:  - JJ BOARD KAT
• In this lift the flap book, Baby explores winter around home!
•  Welcome Winter by Jill Ackerman ; illustrated by Nancy Davis: - JJ BOARD ACK
• This touch and feel story follows a child as he explores winter!
•  Out and About illustrated by Mandy Stanley. - JJ BOARD STA
• A book of words talks about the weather baby might see.

What We Did

• Sand my favorite opening and closing songs: "If You'd Like to Hear a Story" and "The More We Read Together."
• Recited  and counted "Five Little Snowmen."
• Recited "Heads, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes." We followed that with "Boots, Parka, Scarf, and Hat."
• Recited "Trot Trot to Boston."

Baby Story Time will pick up in January! Want to sign up for our Baby Story Time e-mails? Click here.

What We Read at Baby Story Time on December 11

Shorter days mean longer nights! Maybe we're going to bed earlier or we're getting ready for bed earlier. On December 11, we read Bedtime stories!

Our Theme: Bedtime!

What We Read

• Jack-- it's Bedtime by Rebecca Elgar  - JJ BOARD ELG
• In this lift the flap, counting story, Jack is getting ready for bed, but he just needs a few things.
•  Dream, Baby, Dream! by Raquel Jaramillo.:- JJ BOARD JAR
• With photos, the author muses on what baby could be dreaming about.
•  Hush, Little Baby, Don't Say a Word. - JJ BOARD HUS
• The popular song gets a book treatment.

What We Did

• Sang my favorite opening and closing songs: "If You'd Like to Hear a Story" and "The More We Read Together."
• Sang "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star"
• Recited   "5 Little Monkeys"
• Recited the bounce rhyme "This is the way the baby/farmer/jockey rides."

What We Read at Baby Story Time on December 4

Baby Story Time is back for December! Miss out this week? Join us on December 11 at 10:15 AM. Click here to learn more!

Here is what we read!

Our Theme: Baby's Favorites!

What We Read

• Play Baby Play! by Marilyn Janovitz.:- JJ BOARD JAN
• Baby likes to play with new friends! See what baby plays with. We even acted some of it out!
• My Toys = Mis Juguetes by Rebecca Emberley. - JJ BOARD EMB
• This is a bilingual book! If you know the words, consider reading it in English, then in Spanish. Even if you can't read the other language, you can still read the English in a bilingual books. This series is a great basic book.
•  Baby Goes Shopping by Monica Wellington. - JJ BOARD WEL
• When baby goes shopping, what does s/he get?

What We Did

• Sang my favorite opening and closing songs: "If You Want to Hear a Story..." and "The More We Read Together."
• We recited "Two Little Eyes."
• Acted out "Where is Thumbkin?"
• Bounced to "I'm Bouncing bouncing everywhere!

What We Read at Morris Arboretum on Decemeber 2

It has been busy the last few weeks! Here we are at December and the end of the year. Wow!

On December 2, I went to Morris Arboretum to share stories about winter! We had a great group and lots of fun. Want to hear stories at the Arboretum? Learn more here!

What We Read

• Snow by Manya Stojic. - JJ STO
• Snow is coming! The animals sense it. What changes happen when snow comes?
•  Snowy, Blowy Winter by Bob Raczka ; illustrated by Judy Stead. - JJ RAC
• What fun things can you do in the winter? This book has it all!
•  Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson - JJ WIL
• Bear is sleeping soundly in his cave when some animal friends come in. Will bear wake up as they warm up?

What We Did

• Sang my favorite opening and closing songs: "If You Want To Hear a Story..." and "The More We Read Together."
• Recited and acted "Snow Man, Snow Man" (similar to Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear)
• Recited a rhyme called "The Wind."
• Sang "There's Snowflake on My Shoulder."

If you'd like the words to the rhymes or songs, please contact me here (select Youth).

What We Read in Baby Story Time on November 6

What is Baby Story Time? It is a special story time designed for babies and caregivers that includes books, rhymes, and songs. We meet for about 15 minutes and have a little playtime afterward. Baby Story Time happens Thursdays at 10:15 AM. Next session is November 13 at 10:15 AM. See you then!

Our Theme: Food!

Early Literacy Tip and Activity: Food provides a rich learning opportunity. Add to their vocabulary by looking at their food with all five senses (when possible) and using descriptive words.

What We Read

• Where is Baby's Yummy Tummy? : a Karen Katz lift-the-flap book by Karen Katz.:- JJ BOARD KAT
• Baby has such a "yummy tummy" and "toes good enough to eat" but where are they hiding?
• I Smell Honey by Andrea and Brian Pinkney.  - JJ BOARD PIN
• The mother and child are cooking in the kitchen. What are they making?
• Yummy Yucky  by Leslie Patricelli
• Some foods are yummy and others are yucky. This baby tells you what s/he finds yummy and yucky.

What We Did

• Sang  my favorite opening and closings songs: "If You'd Like to Hear a Story" and "The More We Read Together."
• Sang "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes."
• Recited "This Little Cow."
• Sang "Do You Know the Muffin Man?"
• Recited "Pat-a-cake, Pat-a-cake."

What We Read in Baby Story Time on October 23

What is Baby Story Time? It is a special story time designed for babies and caregivers that includes books, rhymes, and songs. We meet for about 15 minutes and have a little playtime afterward. Baby Story Time happens Thursdays at 10:15 AM. Next session is October 30 at 10:15 AM. See you then!

Our Theme: Halloween!

Early Literacy Tip and Activity: Talk to baby about everything s/he is seeing, feeling, or tasting during the Halloween season. You're helping build baby's vocabulary!

What We Read

• Where is Baby's Pumpkin? : a lift-the-flap book by Karen Katz.
• Baby has a special trick-or-treat pumpkin. Where is it? Lift the flap to find it!
• Happy Halloween, Peter / [based on the works of Beatrix Potter].- JJ BOARD HAP
• Peter Rabbit counts through his Halloween night!
• Spooky. - JJ BOARD SPO
• Bright photographs and simple words introduce vocabulary of Halloween.

What We Did

• Sang  my favorite opening and closings songs: "If You'd Like to Hear a Story" and "The More We Read Together."
• Sang "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes."
• Recited "I'm a Little Pumpkin."
• Sang "The Itsy Bitsy Spider."
• Recited "Pumpkin, Pumpkin sitting on a wall."

What We Read in Baby Story Time on October 16

Our theme of Monsters sounds scary but these monsters were not scary!

What is Baby Story Time? It is a special story time designed for babies and caregivers that includes books, rhymes, and songs. We meet for about 15 minutes and have a little playtime afterward. Baby Story Time happens Thursdays at 10:15 AM. Next session is October 30 at 10:15 AM. See you then!

Our Theme: Monsters

Early Literacy Tip and Activity: Monster noises are a great way to build phonological awareness and develop the sounds baby will need for words. Pretend you are monsters! Make silly noises! Have fun!

What We Read
    

• Creepy Monsters, Sleepy Monsters : a Lullaby by Jane Yolen ; illustrated by Kelly Murphy.:- JJ YOL
• Two little monsters wrap up their day. They take a bath and get tucked into bed, but they aren't quite tired yet!
• Nighty Night Little Green Monster by Ed Emberley.:- JJ EMB
• Little Baby Green Monster is getting ready for bed. This story follows the format of building up to Little Green Monster and saying good night to Little Green Monster.
• That's Not My Monster by Fiona Watt ; illustrated by Rachel Wells. - JJ BOARD WAT
• A touch and feel story about different monsters as we search for the narrator's own monster.

What We Did

• Sang  my favorite opening and closings songs: "If You'd Like to Hear a Story" and "The More We Read Together."
• Sang "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes."
• Recited "Two Little Eyes to Look Around."
• Recited "Five Crazy Monsters Jumping on the Bed."
• Recited "I'm bouncing, bouncing everywhere."

What We Read at Morris Arboretum on October 14

Can you believe that just yesterday it was sunny and warm? With the weather, it was fun pretending we were in the jungle at Morris Arboretum.


Join us for Story Times a Morris Arboretum twice a month. Learn more here.

Our Theme: Fall!

What We Read

• Leaf Jumpers by Carole Gerber ; illustrated by Leslie Evans.:- JJ GER
• Learn about different leaves in this fall story.
• Autumn Orange by Christianne C. Jones ; illustrated by Todd Ouren.: - JJ JON
• Orange is a color we see a lot of in fall. Read about the different ways we find orange in fall.
• Scarecrows by Calvin Harris.: - JJ HAR
• When do we scarecrows? Why do we see scarecrows?

What We Did

• Sang  my favorite opening and closings songs: "If You'd Like to Hear a Story" and "The More We Read Together."
• Sang "Autumn Leaves are falling down."
• Recited "5 Little Pumpkins."

I'll be back in November!

What We Read in Baby Story Time on October 9

We had a great group today! Our largest group yet!

What is Baby Story Time? It is a special story time designed for babies and caregivers that includes books, rhymes, and songs. We meet for about 15 minutes and have a little playtime afterward. Baby Story Time happens Thursdays at 10:15 AM. Next session is October 16 at 10:15 AM. See you then!

Our Theme: Fall!

Early Literacy Tip and Activity: Seasons provide a great chance to build background knowledge. Talk to your baby about the world and how this happens every fall. Next fall, baby might surprise you with what s/he remembers!

What We Read
 
  

• I Love You, Little Pumpkin! by Sandra Magsamen. 
• Who is hiding behind different flaps? Baby in costume! 
• Autumn Leaves: - JJ SAU
• Bright photos and simple text describe the fall leaves.
• I'm a Dingle-Dangle Scarecrow / illustrated by Annie Kubler.:  - JJ BOARD KUB
• A children's song gets a nice book rendition in this board book.

What We Did

• Sang  my favorite opening and closings songs: "If You'd Like to Hear a Story" and "The More We Read Together."
• Sang "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes."
• Recited "Five little pumpkins."
• Sang "Autumn Leaves are falling down."
• Recited "Pumpkin, Pumpkin" bounce rhyme.

What We Read in Baby Story Time on October 2

This is what we read on October 2nd. The library has been busy lately!

What is Baby Story Time? It is a special story time designed for babies and caregivers that includes books, rhymes, and songs. We meet for about 15 minutes and have a little playtime afterward. Baby Story Time happens Thursdays at 10:15 AM. Next session is October 16 at 10:15 AM. See you then!

Our Theme: Colors!

Early Literacy Tip and Activity: Color books are a great way to introduce books to children and bring about print awareness. Use books to show them familiar things and mention what color they are. Talk about colors throughout the day!

What We Read

  

• Baby Loves Fall! : a Karen Katz lift-the-flap book by Karen Katz
• What are all the fun things you can see in fall? Lift the flap and find out!
• Baby Loves Colors Illustrated by Dave Aikins- JJ BOARD BAB
• A simple color book where one page is the full color and the next page has some things in that color. A great lap and discussion book.
• My Colors = Mis Colores by Rebecca Emberley.. - JJ BOARD EMB
• Another simple color book with one page full of a single color and the next featuring one object with the color.

What We Did

• Sang  my favorite opening and closings songs: "If You'd Like to Hear a Story" and "The More We Read Together."
• Sang "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes."
• Recited "Baa, baa, black sheep."
• Sang "Bumping up and down my little red wagon."

What We Read at Baby Story Time on September 25

It was a wet and rainy day but we had a great turnout for Baby Story Time! What is Baby Story Time? It is a special story time designed for babies and caregivers that includes books, rhymes, and songs. We meet for about 15 minutes and have a little playtime afterward. Baby Story Time happens Thursdays at 10:15 AM. Next session is October 2 at 10:15 AM. See you then!

Our Theme: Fall!

Early Literacy Tip and Activity: The seasons provide a rich opportunity for vocabulary! When babies play in the leaves, you can talk to them about what they might be feeling, seeing, hearing (or not hearing) and more! Books, play, and talk are all easy ways to expand vocabulary. You never know what baby's first word (or words) might be!

What We Read
 

• Who Loves the Fall? by Bob Raczka ; illustrated by Judy Stead. - JJ RAC
• Large images, one word or phrase per page, describe fall. This one is great for a lap and to point out different parts in the picture.
• Welcome Fall  written by Jill Ackerman ; illustrated by Nancy Davis.
• An interactive book about fall.
• Blue Hat, Red Coat by Clara Vulliamy.:- JJ BOARD VUL
• Baby wears colorful clothing. What are all the different pieces and what is teddy bear doing?

What We Did

• Sang  my favorite opening and closings songs: "If You'd Like to Hear a Story" and "The More We Read Together."
• Sang "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes."
• Recited "Autumn winds begin to blow/ Colored leaves fall fast and slow/ Twirling, whirling all around / Until, at last, they touch the ground."
• Sang "Autumn Leaves are Falling Down."
• Sang " Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."

What We Read at Baby Story Time on September 18

Baby Story Time had our second session this week. What is Baby Story Time? It is a special story time designed for babies and caregivers that includes books, rhymes, and songs. We meet for about 15 minutes and have a little playtime afterward. Baby Story Time happens Thursdays at 10:15 AM. Next session is September 25 at 10:15 AM. See you then!

Our Theme: Farms!

Early Literacy Tip and Activity: Animal sounds support phonological awareness. Play pretend and act like different animals and ask baby to try to imitate you!

What We Read

  

• Barnyard baby  by Elise Broach ; illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld.:- JJ BOARD BRO
• Barnyard Baby is checking out the farm. What are her animals friends up to?
• Are you a cow? by Sandra Boynton.:- JJ BOARD BOY
• Chicken wants to know what kind of animal you are.
• On the farm / [illustrated by Mandy Stanley].:
• Colorful images highlight animals and things you might see at the farm.

What We Did

• Sang  my favorite opening and closings songs: "If You'd Like to Hear a Story" and "The More We Read Together."
• Sang "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes."
• Recited "This Little Cow" which is similar to "This Little Piggie."
• Sang "This is the way the baby/farmer/jockey rides"

What We Read at Baby Story Time on September 9

Baby Story Time is BACK! What is Baby Story Time? It is a special story time designed for babies and caregivers that includes books, rhymes, and songs. We meet for about 15 minutes and have a little playtime afterward. Baby Story Time happens Thursdays at 10:15 AM. Next session is September 18 at 10:15 AM. See you then!

Our Theme: Peek-a-Boo!

Early Literacy Tip and Activity: Help build baby's background knowledge (all that knowledge they'll use as they start to understand their world)! Right now, baby is like a sponge and the world is his/her teacher. Help them by talk, talk, talking to them. Use descriptive words and talk about what they are doing or using or touching or passing by!

What We Read

 

• Peekaboo Baby by Sebastien Braun.- JJ BOARD BRA
• Play Peek-a-boo with different babies in this favorite lift-the-flaps book!
•  Reach by Elizabeth Verdick - JJ BOARD VER
• Full page photographs of babies reaching out for different things.
•  Peek-a-boo! by Roberta Grobel Intrater. - JJ BOARD INT
• Bright photos, simple texts invite a peek-a-boo game and discussion of emotions.

What We Did

• Sang  my favorite opening and closings songs: "If You'd Like to Hear a Story" and "The More We Read Together."
• Sang "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes."
• Sang "Clap/Wave/Hug Like Me" to the tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat.
• Recited the "I Bounce/Tickle/Hug You" rhyme.

What We Read at Morris Arboretum on September 9

Back to school time is here, but Story Time at Morris Arboretum continues! I made my way over there on September 9 to read stories about fall! The leaves haven't changed colors quite yet, but they will soon.

What We Read

• Who Loves the Fall?  by Bob Raczka ; illustrated by Judy Stead. - JJ RAC
• Lovely full page spreads with one word or small phrase illustrate reasons to love fall from apples to Thanksgiving!
•  Apple Harvest  by Calvin Harris. - JJ HAR
• Full page photographs and simple text illustrate how apples are harvested and what lovely treats they can become.
•  Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert.- JJ EHL
• Leaf Man goes where ever the wind goes. He travels North, South, East, and West past birds and animals and fields. This is a great book to read and then make leaf designs with the fall leaves. What can you make?

What We Did

• Sang my favorite opening and closing songs "If You'd Like to Hear a Story" and "The More We Read Together."
• Sang "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."
• Recited a rhyme called "Little Apple."
• Sang "Autumn Leaves Are Falling Down."

Want to know what the words to the rhymes were? Send me a note through our "Contact Form" and select "Youth."

Want to learn more about Morris Arboretum Story Times? Visit here (book mark the site as they update it with the most current story times)!

What We Read at Stories in the Parks on July 29 & 30

This was the last week for Stories in the Park! We had great weather all summer and had a great time every session. I hope I'll see you in the library throughout the year.

Don't forget, if you joined our Summer Reading Club the last day to log your books into the log is August 5. You can still join and record all of your summer reading. The club opened on June 9 and goes until August 5. We're having our celebrations next week!

What We Read

•  Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. ; pictures by Eric Carle.- JJ MAR
• All the different animals see something near them until it all comes together at the end.
• Can You See Me?  by Ted Lewin.- JJ LEW
• Animals of the rainforest have different ways to hide. Can you see them?
• Stripes of All Types / written and illustrated by Susan Stockdale.: - JJ STO
• Read about animals that have stripes and where they live. A great book for building vocabulary.

What We Did

• Sang my favorite opening and closing songs: "If you'd like to hear a story" and "The more we read together."
• Recited "Five little monkeys"
• Sang "Old MacDonald Had a Farm."
• Made animal noises!
• Read Monday the Bullfrog.

What We Read at Baby Story Time & Toddle Time on July 26

There is one more Saturday left to enjoy a special story time for babies and toddlers. Babies meets at 10:15 AM and is for ages 6 months to 18 months. Toddlers meet at 11:15 AM and is for ages 19 months to 3 years.

Hope you'll join us!

This week we enjoyed stories about Baby's World!

What We Read

• How a Baby Grows by Nola Buck ; pictures by Pamela Paparone.- JJ BOARD BUC
• Here the things a baby sees and does!
•  Baby Sleeps by Janet & Allan Ahlberg.: - JJ BOARD AHL
• Read at just Baby Story Time. Simple text about a baby's world.
•  At the Beach / [illustrated by Mandy Stanley]. - JJ BOARD STA
• One word a page, this book introduces or reinforces beach activities.
• Wake Up Frog! by Annie Owen. - JJ BOARD OWE
• Read at Toddle Time. Join Frog as he gets up and gets dressed for the day!

What We Did

•  Sang my favorite opening and closing songs: "If You'd Like to Hear a Story" and "The More We Read Together."
• Recited a rhyme: "Two Little Eyes."
• Sang "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes."
• Recited "I saw a little bird go, hop, hop, hop."

What We Read at Stories in the Park July 22 & July 23

It has been hot the last few days, but luckily, Stories in the Park is in the shade and happens right before the day gets hot. There is one more week of Stories in the Park as Summer Reading start to wind down.

What We Read

• Dinosaur vs the Library:by Bob Shea - JJ SHE
• Dinosaur versus some animals friends on his way to the library, but when he gets to the library, who will win?
•  Bones, Bones, Dinosaur Bones: by Byron Barton - JJ BAR
• Follow along as dinosaur bones are found and where they go!
•  How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food? by Jane Yolen ; illustrated by Mark Teague.- JJ YOL
• Using dinosaurs, the authors of this book introduce manners at meal time.
• Monday the Bullfrog

What We Did

• Sang my favorite opening and closing songs: "If You'd Like to Hear a Story" and "The More We Read Together."
• Sang "The Alphabet Song" at Wentz Run.
• Sang "One Little, Two Little, Three Little Dinosaurs."
• Pretended we were dinosaurs with "Dinosaur, Dinosaur"

Stories in the Park at Wentz Run meets one last time for 2014 on Tuesday, July 29 at 10:30 AM.

Stories in the Park at Oxford Park meets one last time for 2014 on Wednesday, July 30 at 10:30 AM.