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 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 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 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 was read in Baby & Toddle Story Time - July 19

Until August 2, there is a special set of story times on Saturday 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 colors!

What We Read

• I Say, You Say: Colors! by Tad Carpenter. - JJ BOARD CAR
• A lift the flap book about colors! This takes a different spin by saying an item with the color and asking the child to say the color.
• My Colors = Mis Colores by Rebecca Emberley. - JJ BOARD EMB
• Read for Baby Story Time, this simple book has a color spread on one page and an object with the color on the other.
• Orange Pear Apple Bear by Emily Gravett.:- JJ GRA (There's also a copy in board book format).
• Four words. One story about a bear and his fruit. What a silly bear!

What We Did

• Sang my favorite opening and closing songs to story time: "If You'd Like Hear a Story" and "The More We Read Together."
• Recited "Baa, Baa Black Sheep" and changed the colors of our sheep as we sang.
• Sang "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes."
• In Baby Story Time, sang "Bumping Up and Down In My Little Red Wagon."
• In Toddle Time, recited "Two Little Black Birds."

We'll meet again on Saturday, July 26. Only two sessions left until the fall!

What Was Read - Baby Story Time & Toddle Time Saturday, July 12

This summer, we're having Baby Story Time (ages 6 months to 18 months) and Toddle Time (19 months to 3 years) on Saturday mornings at 10:15 AM and 11:15 AM, respectively, until August 2nd. Both sessions will be similar, but I will swap or add a book to the Toddle Session. Here's what we read this week:

Theme: Animals!

What We Read

• Are you a cow? / by Sandra Boynton. - JJ BOARD BOY 
• A chicken wants to know what you are. Are you a cow, pig, or bear? This is an interactive story.
• Country animals / Lucy Cousins. - JJ BOARD COU
• Words and simple images illustrate animals you might see in the country.
• At the Zoo / Illustrated by Mandy Stanley.:  - JJ BOARD STA
• What animals might you see at the zoo? This book introduces them to your youngster.
• Hurry! hurry! by Eve Bunting - JJ BUN
• READ AT TODDLE TIME ONLY. Why is the chicken rushing the farm animals to follow her?

What We Did - Baby Story Time

•  Sang my favorite opening and closing songs: "If You'd Like to Hear a Story" and "The More We Read Together."
• Recited a rhyme about being a cat.
• Recited "Leg over leg, the dog went to Dover."
• Sang "This is the way the baby/farmer/jockey rides."

What We Did - Toddle Time

•  Sang my favorite opening and closing songs: "If You'd Like to Hear a Story" and "The More We Read Together."
• Recited a rhyme about being a cat.
• Sang "Old MacDonald"

We hope you'll join us on Saturday, July 19!

What We Read for Baby Story Time - June 28

It was our first Saturday Baby Story Time and while we had a small group, it was still lots of fun!

Here's what we read.

Theme: Favorites

What We Read

• Where is Baby's Belly Button? a Lift-the-Flap Book by Karen Katz. - JJ BOARD KAT
• In this lift the flap story, Baby is hiding his/her eyes, hands, feet and more, but where?
• I Kissed the Baby by Mary Murphy.:- JJ BOARD MUR
• All the animals love the baby and they talk about what they did with baby!
• Bumble bee by Margaret Wise Brwn - JJ BOARD BRO
• A poem about a bumble bee with colorful pictures sure to catch baby's eyes.

What We Did

• Sang my favorite opening and closing songs: "If You'd Like to Read a Story" and "The More We Read Together."
• Sang "Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes."
• Recited: "I'm Bouncing, Bouncing Everywhere!"
• Recited:
• Two little eyes to look around
  Two little ears to hear each sound
  One little nose that smells what's sweet
  One little mouth that likes to eat (Yum!) 

We talked about many tips today about reading with baby. It is never too early to start reading with baby!

Baby Story Time is meeting during the summer on Saturdays. We'll be taking a break due to the Fourth of July weekend. Our next session is July 12 at 10:15. Hope to see you and baby then!

Baby Story Time - What Was Read - May 22

Today brings the last Baby Story Time for this school year! I'll be taking a small break to get ready for Summer Reading. I invite you and baby to join our Summer Reading Club. Baby Story Time returns for a special summer time slot on Saturdays, at 10:15 from June 28 to August 2. I hope to see you and baby this summer!

Theme: Peek-a-boo!

What Was Read

• Peekaboo Baby by Sebastien Braun.- JJ BOARD BRA
• Play Peek-a-boo with different babies in this favorite lift-the-flaps book!
• I Kissed the Baby! by Mary Murphy. - JJ BOARD MUR
• The animals are excited about the baby! They all want to kiss, sing, or hug the baby. Simple illustrations and a repeating text make this a fun story.
•  Peek-a-boo! by Roberta Grobel Intrater. - JJ BOARD INT
• Bright photos, simple texts invite a peek-a-boo game and discussion of emotions.
• Peek-a-who? / by Nina Laden.:  
• Part guessing game, part peek-a-boo game.

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.

Baby Story Time - What Was Read - May 15

We had a great turnout with lots of new faces! What a treat!

There is only one session left in the 2013-2014 school year. We'll meet on May 22 at 10:15 AM. After that, we'll move to Saturdays during Summer 2014 starting June 28 at 10:15 AM.
 
Baby Story Time at Blue Bell is a story time session geared specifically toward babies (ages 6 months to 18 months). We'll read stories, sing songs, chant rhymes, and play with baby! Baby Story Time is also an event for parents and caregivers to learn about early literacy skills to help prepare baby for reading as well as to help foster a love of reading. We meet Thursdays, at 10:15 AM.

Here's what we read today!

Theme: Animals

What Was Read:

• Animal opposites : a pop-up book / Petr Horáček.:  - JJ HOR
• This book has it all! Flaps, pop-ups, and awesome illustrations featuring animals demonstrating an opposite.
• Are you a cow? / by Sandra Boynton.:- JJ BOARD BOY
• The Chicken wants to know, what ARE you?
• Dog comes too / by Hazel Hutchins ; art by Gosia Mosz.: 
• Dog and owner go for a hike. With simple words, the story of their hike is told.

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 "Leg over leg, the dog went to Dover, when he came to a wall, he jumped right over!"
• Recited "This Little Cow" (similar to "This Little Piggy." We used fingers)
• Recited "This is the way the baby/farmer/jockey rides." Speeding up on each verse.