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 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 Morris Arboretum on July 1

The circus is in town at Morris Arboretum! It is Circus Week at the Garden Railway. If you have not see the Garden Railway, check it out. It's a small garden with a variety of model trains making their way around the tracks. For train lovers, this is an absolute delight, especially when you're trying to follow the train. I've had the chance to visit it twice so far and I'm just as excited about the different trains as the children you see there.

Our Theme: Circus and trains!

What We Read

• Circus by Lois Ehlert. - JJ EHL
• Take a trip to the circus and watch daring acts and enjoy snacks!
•  And The Train Goes-- by William Bee- JJ BEE
• The train makes a variety of noises as it travels down the tracks. This is a fun one to recite as you read it!
•  Mice Mischief : Math Facts in Action by Caroline Stills ; illustrated by Judith Rossell. - JJ STI
• 10 mice clean up and practice until it is time to play!

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."
• Sang "The Alphabet Song."
• Acted out "Circus Clown," a rhyme similar to "Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear."

I'll be back at Morris Arboretum on August 5th at 10:30 AM! Sign up!

Children's Events - Week of June 30

Have you joined our Summer Reading Club yet? Anyone can join! Grown-ups, teens, kids, and babies are all welcome to join in the Summer Reading Club fun!

Here's what we have happening this week:

Monday, June 30

• Make & Take Monday at Blue Bell at 10 AM and goes while supplies last!
• Story-Guitar Time with Miss Michelle at Blue Bell at 10:30 AM. 

Tuesday, July 1

• Stories in the Park at Wentz Run at 10:30 AM with Miss Sally.
• Story Time at Morris Arboretum at 10:30 AM.
• Story-Guitar Time with Miss Michelle at Ambler at 10:30 AM.
• Moments of Science with Family Stages at Blue Bell at 7 PM.

Wednesday, July 2

• Stories in the Park at Oxford Park at 10:30 AM.
• Summer Writing Workshop at Blue Bell at 10:30 AM. Registration is required.

Thursday, July 3

• Dance Party for Kids with Bruce Fagan at Ambler at 7 PM.

Friday, July 4

• We are closed for Independence Day! Enjoy your day!

Saturday, July 5

• There is NO Baby Story Time or Toddle Time today.
• No Children's events scheduled today.

For these events and more, visit our Kids Page here! Or follow on Twitter @WVPLYouth

Morris Aroboretum - What Was Read - June 3

We had a lovely day on June 3! Story Time was held outside at the Arboretum.

Curious what it's all about? Want to know when I'm back? Learn more here.

What Was Read

• Whooo, whooo ... here come the trains / Molly Carroll. - J 625.1 Car
• Simple text and full color photos show different trains and different train cars. Have you ever seen a double decker train car before?
• Terrific trains / Tony Mitton and Ant Parker. - JJ MIT
• This cartoon illustrated book shows readers even more different trains and a train traveling down the tracks.
• Trouble on the tracks / Kathy Mallat. - JJ MAL
• The train is on its way but Trouble is just around the bend! What is that Trouble?
• Rattle and rap / illustrated by Susan Steggall. - JJ STE
• Rhyming text. A traveling train. This simple text illustrates the sounds trains 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."
• Recited a counting rhyme titled "Clickety-Clack, Clickety-Clack."
• Recited and acted out "I'm a Little Choo-Choo Train."
• Recited "Down By the Station." 
• Sang The Alphabet Song.

I'll be back on July 1. Hope to see you then!

What Was Read - Morris Arboretum Story Time - April 29

The renovations at Morris Arboretum are done and we returned for Story Time! Sadly, the weather wasn't nice enough for us to go outside, so we were inside yet again. That didn't stop us though from having a good time!

Curious as to what "Morris Arboretum Story Time" is about? Check out this link for more.

What We Read

• Birds / by Kevin Henkes ; illustrated by Laura Dronzek.: - JJ HEN
• Birds come in all shapes and sizes. A child recounts the types of birds and muses on what might happen if birds left trails and more.
• Feathers / Cassie Mayer. - J 598.147 MAY
• A factual book about body coverings. This one focuses on feathers and features a guessing game!
• Up, Tall and High! : [but not necessarily in that order] by Ethan Long.:- JJ LON
• Short chapters that feature birds who illustrate concepts for kids. There are awesome flaps that add to the story! 
• Look Whooo's Counting by Suse MacDonald. - Request
• A little owl learns to count up to 10.

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 "Two Little Black Birds."
• Recited "Little Bird, Little Bird" to the tune of "Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear."
• Recited a rhyme that starts "I saw a little bird go hop, hop, hop"

I hope to see you June 3rd at Morris Arboretum! That's the next time I'll be there!

What Was Read - Morris Arboretum Story Time - April 1

Story Time at the library was no joke for April 1st! We had a small group meet at WVPL for stories and songs and rhymes about birds! This is the last Morris Arboretum Story Time at a library. We'll be back at Morris Arboretum on April 29 at 10:30 AM.

Curious as to what "Morris Arboretum Story Time" is about? Check out this link for more.

What Was Read

• Feathers For Lunch by Lois Ehlert.:- JJ EHL
• The cat is bored of his regular food so when the door is accidentally left open, the cat sneaks out for a feathered treat, only to find that those birds can outsmart him for a few reasons!
•  Birds by Tracey Crawford. - J 598 CRA (Creature Comparisons series)
• This is actually a very simple nonfiction book that explains birds to young children.
•  An Egg is Quiet  by Diana Aston ; illustrated by Sylvia Long. - J 594.4 AST
• Do you know about eggs? In this special book, readers learn about eggs. A highlight for this one was the chance for children to find the egg in one spread (it isn't as easy as it looks)!

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: "I saw a little bird go hop, hop, hop..."
• Recited: "Two Little Black Birds."

I hope you'll join me next time!

What Was Read - Morris Arboretum Story Time - March 3

It was as cold day on Tuesday, March 3rd, bu that didn't stop everyone from joining us for some stories in the warm library.

Please watch Morris Arboretum's website regarding whether or not we'll be back there in April. You can see me (Ms. Tegan) there in April! I hope you'll join me!

The theme today was seasons! Just think, spring is right around the corner...

What Was Read
 

• A Kitten Tale by Eric Rohmann.:- JJ ROH
• Four kittens have never seen the snow. Three are scared, but one "can't wait!"
•  The Stars Will Still Shine by Cynthia Rylant ; illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke.:- JJ RYL
• In this poem/book, readers travel through the year with the constant reminder that "the stars will still shine."
•  Here Comes Spring, and Summer and Fall and Winter by Mary Murphy
• A puppy and doggy parent talk about what each season will bring.

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 about "Seasons."
• Recited a rhyme called "Tiny Seeds" which we acted out.

I hope you'll join me next month!

Children's Events - Week of February 3

Here's what we have happening this week:

Monday, February 3

• Story-Guitar Time with Miss Michelle at Blue Bell at 10:30 AM. 
• Critters for Kids - We welcome Briar Bush Nature Center to Ambler at 4:30 PM. Learn more here. Registration required. Learn more here.

Tuesday, February 4

• Story-Guitar Time with Miss Michelle at Ambler at 10:30 AM.  
• Morris Arboretum Story Time with Ms. Tegan @WVPL at 10:30 AM at Blue Bell. 
• Have you been attending our Story Times at Morris Arboretum? Due to construction, the librarians who visit are hosting it at their libraries! Check out Morris Arboretum for more info.

Wednesday, February 5

• Story-Guitar Time at 4:30 PM with Miss Michelle at Blue Bell.

Thursday, February 6

• Baby Story Time at 10:15 AM with Ms. Tegan.
• Story-Guitar Time at 4:30 PM with Miss Michelle at Ambler.

Friday, February 7

• Story-Guitar Time with Miss Michelle at Blue Bell at 10:30 AM.

Saturday, February 8

• Art with Benita at Ambler at 10:30 AM. Register at Ambler. 
• Family Movie Matinee at 1:30 PM. Learn more here.

For these events and more, visit our Kids Page here! Or follow on Twitter @WVPLYouth

What Was Read - Morris Arboretum - December 3

Welcome December! What that means for the Morris Arboretum is lights and trains! (I took a small walk after Story Time this week). You know December also means? The beginning of winter! We read stories about snowmen and doing snow things!

What Was Read

• Snowmen All Year by Caralyn Buehner ; pictures by Mark Buehner. - JJ BUE
• What would you do if you could have a snowman all year? One boy talks about all of his plans if only his snowman would be made of some magic snow...
• Snowballs by Lois Ehlert. - JJ EHL
• Collect things and when snow falls, make a snow family!
• Frozen Noses by Jan Carr ; illustrated by Dorothy Donohue - JJ DON
• What do you do on a winter day? These frozen noses go through their snow 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 "Five Little Snowmen."
• Sang "Make a Snowball" with actions.
• Sand and danced the "Snowkey Pokey."

What Was Read - Morris Arboretum - November 5

Can you believe it is November all ready? The clocks have been set back, the leaves have turned brilliant colors, and I'm sharing Thanksgiving stories! We had a small group at Morris Arboretum's Story Time, but we had fun nonetheless!

What Was Read

•  Ten Turkeys In the Road by Brenda Reeves Sturgis - JJ STU
• Ten crazy turkeys disappear one by one as a farmer watches.

• The Firefighters' Thanksgiving by Maribeth Boelts - JJ BOE
• The firefighters are getting ready to make a feast, but just as they get ready, a call comes in. When a fellow firefighter is hurt, what happens to Thanksgiving?
• Thank You Thanksgiving by David Milgrim - JJ MIL
• A little girl is sent out to pick up some last minute supplies and says thank you to things she passes by.

 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  The Turkey (Rhyme found here)
• " The turkey is a funny bird.
  Its head goes wobble, wobble.
  And all it knows is just one word:
  "Gobble, gobble, gobble." "
  
• Sang and danced the Turkey Trot! (To the tune of the Hokey Pokey)

What Was Read - Morris Arboretum - September 10

Ah fall! School has started. The leaves are starting to change colors and we have a very hot and humid day! That didn't stop families from enjoying some stories at Morris Arboretum today! Today's special theme was farms, in honor of all the farm festivals and harvesting that will be coming up soon.

What was Read

• Giggle, Giggle, Quack / by Doreen Cronin ; pictures by Betsy Lewin.:Farmer Brown and Duck are back (of Click, Clack, Moo fame!). This time, Farmer Brown is taking a well-deserved vacation. He left notes for his brother and Duck, so far, hasn't done anything. Why is Duck looking at that pencil?
• Chickens to the Rescue / John Himmelman.:There is trouble at the farm! A watch down the well? Dog ate homework? A cow in a tree? The chickens are here to save the day!
• Barnyard Banter / Denise Fleming.:Animals on the farm make different noises. Through out the farm, there is a goose chasing something.

What We Did

• Sang my favorite opening and closing songs: "If You'd Like to Hear a Story" and "The More We Read Together."
• Performed the rhyme "5 Squeaky Clean Pigs"
• Sang "Old MacDonald"

I'll be at Morris Arboretum again on October 8. at 10:30 AM*

*Please note if you want to attend this story time, you must register in advance and you may need to pay an admission fee (unless you are a member). We do have a Morris Arboretum pass available to check out of the library.  I am there once a month and another librarian from Montgomery County is there on the other Tuesday.
 

What Was Read - Morris Arboretum & Stories In the Park - Week of August 5

Summer Reading is winding down at the library! Last week saw our last meeting of stories at Wentz Run and this week, we had our last Stories in the Park at Oxford.

I also had my monthly story time at Morris Arboretum* (that will still continue during the year).

The weather was nice for both sessions and we had a great theme: TREASURES. The library is a treasure, family is a treasure, and our friends are treasures. Thank you for joining me this summer and I hope to see our Stories in the Park listeners around the library!

What Was Read

• Max & Ruby's Treasure Hunt by Rosemary Wells - JJ WEL - What a lovely day for a tea party! Until it rains! The kids are bored and Grandma has just the solution: a treasure hunt!
• What a Treasure! by Jane and Will Hillenbrand - JJ HIL - Mole gets a brand new shovel and starts digging. Things he finds are treasures to others until he finds the perfect treasure.
• Treasure by Suzanne Bloom. - JJ BLO - Goose thinks Bear is getting ready for a treasure hunt! Off they go, but will they find treasure?

What We Did

• Sang my favorite opening and closing songs: "If You'd Like to Hear a Story" and "The More We Read Together."
• We recited and acted "We're Going on a Treasure Hunt."
• At Morris Arboretum, we sang "Row, Row, Row Your Boat."
• Read and guessed Monday the Bull Frog. 

I'll be at Morris Arboretum again on September 10 at 10:30 AM.

*Please note if you want to attend this story time, you must register in advance and you may need to pay an admission fee (unless you are a member). We do have a Morris Arboretum pass available to check out of the library.  I am there once a month and another librarian from Montgomery County is there on the other Tuesday.

What Was Read - Morris Arboretum - July 9

On Tuesday, July 9, I made my way down to Morris Arboretum for story time. What was really special about this particular session is that we were finally outside! I know for me, the last two times were indoors and I was told that the story times have been indoor for a while. Despite the slight humidity, the trees kept us cool and we have a great time.

What We Read

• Oh, No! by Candace Fleming and Pictures by Eric Rohmann. -  JJ FLE - One little animal falls into the "deep, deep hole," then another, then another until the tiger is prepared to make a feast of them. Will anyone save them? This fun story has a great refrain that a child can join in on and everyone shouted out "Oh, No!" as I read the story.
•  Picture a Tree by Barbara Reid. - JJ REI -Trees have different shapes during the year. We explore the many sides of trees in this work.
• The World is Waiting for You by Barbara Kerley. - JJ KER -With photographs, this book challenges the reader to explore his or her world.
• Monday The Bullfrog - This puppet is a book! The book is in his mouth! Monday the Bullfrog is a hungry frog and he eats lots of yummy-to-him things.

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 "Plant a Little Seed" which I acted out by making a plant grow on my flannel board.
• Acted out a rhyme called "Little Mouse" from The Complete Book of Rhymes, Songs, Poems, Fingerplays, and Chants / [compiled by] Jackie Silberg, Pam Schiller ; illustrated by Deborah C. Wright.

I'll be at Morris Arboretum again on August 6. at 10:30 AM*

*Please note if you want to attend this story time, you must register in advance and you may need to pay an admission fee (unless you are a member). We do have a Morris Arboretum pass available to check out of the library.  I am there once a month and another librarian from Montgomery County is there on the other Tuesday.

What Was Read: Morris Arboretum - June 11

On Tuesday, June 11, I made my way to Morris Arboretum. It was a beautiful day for walking around and to enjoy stories! We were inside though because the outdoor seats were still wet. This was my second story time there. If you've been to one of my "Stories In the Park," it is very similar to that, only at Morris Arboretum.

Our theme for the day was BUGS to celebrate their large bugs that are hanging out at Morris Arboretum. If you go to Morris Arboretum to check out the giant bugs, spend some time talking with your child. Help created background knowledge by talking about the giant bugs and facts or experiences with the real bug. Example: Are ants really that big? Do they go in rows? Remember when there were ants in the kitchen and we watched them?

What We Read

• The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle. - JJ CAR - The wind blows spider to a fence post and she begins building a web. The farm animals ask her to join them, but can she?
•  Ten Little Caterpillars by Bill Martin Jr. ; illustrated by Lois Ehlert- JJ MAR - Ten very different caterpillars are doing ten very different things. Check out the caterpillars featured in this book as well as what kind of butterfly or moth they become!
• I love Bugs! by Emma Dodd. - JJ DOD - Big bugs, little bugs, slimy bugs, bouncy bugs. This little boy LOVES bugs and he'll tell you all about them, including his favorite bug.
• Can You Make a Scary Face? by Jan Thomas- A bug asks us to play pretend, so I asked the crowd to participate with us!
• Monday The Bullfrog - This puppet is a book! The book is in his mouth! Monday the Bullfrog is a hungry frog and he eats lots of yummy-to-him things.

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 "Itsy Weentsy Spider" 3 times, normal, squeaky, and low voices.
• Recited "Here is a Beehive" and I had five bees fly from my hands to my board.
• Acted out Can you Make a Scary Face?

I'll be at Morris Arboretum again on July 9 at 10:30 AM*! (Stories in the Park at Wentz Run will be with Miss Sally that day).

*Please note if you want to attend this story time, you must register in advance and you may need to pay an admission fee (unless you are a member). We do have a Morris Arboretum pass available to check out of the library.  I am there once a month and another librarian from Montgomery County is there on the other Tuesday.

What Was Read: Morris Arboretum Story Time - May 28

On a wet and rainy Tuesday (May 28), I made my way to Morris Arboretum for my first every story time* there! We've started a new partnership with Morris Arboretum where I'll be visiting once a month to read stories, sing songs, and perform action rhymes. If you've been to one of my "Stories In the Park," it is very similar to that, only at Morris Arboretum.

Despite the rain, we had a good crowd from all over to hear stories, sing songs, and act like a train! Our theme that day was trains since the garden railway opened just before my story time.

What We Read

• Trouble on the Tracks by Kathy Mallat. - JJ MAL - Everything is in order for the train to travel the route it has traveled many times before. Wait! What is that on the tracks? There are two large green eyes! Oh no!
• Two Little Trains by Margaret Wise Brown ; pictures by Leo and Diane Dillon. - JJ BRO - Two little trains are heading west. One little train is a real train traveling across the country while another is crossing the house. This is a fun story for the juxtaposition of the pictures and use of imagination to find the similarities in the differing situations.
• And The Train Goes--:- JJ BEE - Here comes the train! See all the colorful train cars as they travel down the track. A fun one for making silly sounds with your child.

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 flannel song called "Clickety-clack, Clickety-Clack" and counted the lovely trains.
• Sang an echo song called "Down by the  Station" From SurLaLune Story Time
• Recited a rhyme called "This is a Choo-Choo Train" where we acted like trains! From SurLaLune Story Time
• Sang The ABCs!

*Please note if you want to attend this story time, you must register in advance and you may need to pay an admission fee (unless you are a member). We do have a Morris Arboretum pass available to check out of the library.