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 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 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.

What We Read at Stories in the Park on July 15 & 16

Stories in the Park is where I bring the story time to you at the park. We'll read stories, sing songs, and even act a few things out. I'm at Wentz Run on Tuesdays at 10:30 AM and Oxford Park on  Wednesdays at 10:30 AM. Hope you'll join us!

What We Read

• Birds by Kevin Henkes ; illustrated by Laura Dronzek. - JJ HEN
• There are birds all around us! What would you ask a bird? What do you see?
•  Birds by Tracey Crawford. - J 598 CRA
• Did you know we have simple non-fiction books? This book talks about birds in a basic and easy to understand way for children as young as preschool. They'll enjoy point out the birds.
•  An Egg is Quiet by Diana Aston ; illustrated by Sylvia Long. - J 591.4 AST
• Similar to the book from last week, this one is another one to pick up and browse. You'll learn a lot about eggs just from this simple work.  

 
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" finger rhyme
• Acted out "Little Bird, Little Bird" actions (similar to Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear).
• Guessed what Monday the Bull Frog ate.

I hope you'll join us next week for more stories!

What We Read at Stories in the Park - July 8 & 9

We had a great week for Stories in the Park (maybe a little warm though) at Wentz Run (Tuesday at 10:30 AM) and Oxford Park (Wednesday at 10:30 AM). Here's what we read!

 What We Read

•  Up, Down and Around by Katherine Ayres ; illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott. - JJ AYR
• What grows in a garden? What goes up, what goes down, and what goes around and around? Learn about a veggie garden in this story!
• Little Mouse's Big Secret by Éric Battut. - JJ BAT
• Little Mouse has a perfect little secret, so he hides it. As his friends come to visit, they ask about his secret that has its own secret behind Little Mouse!
•  A Seed is Sleepy by Dianna Hutts Aston ; illustrated by Sylvia Long. - JJ AST
• This informative picture book is one that is worth spending time reading. I only read one line of text, but there is a lot more to read in this book all about seeds.
• Monday the Bull Frog

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 "Itsy Witsy Spider" three ways: Normal, small, and big.
• Recited/Acted "The Garden in the Yard."

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!

What We Read for Toddle Time - June 28

We had a great group for Toddle Time today! We listened to stories and tried out some new things.

Toddle Time meets on Saturdays in the summer. We'll take a break next weekend for the Fourth of July, but we'll be back July 12 at 11:15 AM. Hope you'll join us next time!

Theme: Food! (Right before lunch time)

What We Read

• Lunch / written and illustrated by Denise Fleming.:- JJ FLE
• This little mouse is HUNGRY. What does he eat?
  
• My teeth: - JJ BOARD MY
• A counting book about teeth!
• Brownie & Pearl grab a bite / by Cynthia Rylant ; pictures by Brian Biggs.: - JJ RYL
• It's lunchtime. What would make a good lunch (or snack time)?

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 "Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake."
• Sang "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes."
• Sang "Do you know the muffin man?"

We hope to see you next time!

What We Read for Stories in the Park

This week marks the first week of our Summer Events for kids! Our Summer Reading Club is still going strong. If you haven't logged your books, do! If you haven't signed up, what are you waiting for? Find our log here.

Did you know that if your child participated in Stories in the Park this week you can count these stories? Yes! Your child was being read to and heard three new stories this week! (The titles are linked to our catalog if you want to read a favorite again!)

What We Read

• Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh. - JJ WAL
• Three little white mice change colors and find out what happens when you dance in color puddles. What color will it be?
• Big Red Farm by Christianne C. Jones ; illustrated by Todd Ouren. - JJ JON
• The color red is everywhere on a farm. See how this story highlights just some of the red you might see.
• Splish, Splash, and Blue by Christianne C. Jones ; illustrated by Todd Ouren. - JJ JON
• Blue is everywhere at this water park. Cool down and enjoy the fun!
• Monday the Bullfrog by Matthew Van Fleet - Book/Puppet Combo.

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 "Old MacDonald Had a Farm."
• Acted like little mice with a rhyme.
• At Wentz Run: Recited "Two Little Black Birds."
• At Oxford Park: Sang the Alphabet Song

I hope to see you at Wentz Run or Oxford Park next week!

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!

Baby Story Time - What Was Read - March 20

Finally! It is the first day of Spring! During Baby Story Time, we read stories about Spring and only thought about warm weather, the flowers, rain, and more.

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.

Theme: Spring!

What Was Read:

•  Baby Loves Spring! by Karen Katz- JJ BOARD KAT
• In this lift the flap book, a baby dressed in a rain coat and rain boots explores the sights and sounds of spring. What's that?
•  Welcome Spring - illustrated by Nancy Davis ; written by Jill Ackerman. - JJ BOARD ACK
• Another baby dressed in a rain coat and boots explores sights and sounds of spring. Instead of flaps, this book has parts for baby to feel like a squishy flower.
•  Butterfly Colors and Counting by Jerry Pallotta ; illustrated by Shennen Bersani. - JJ BOARD PAL 
• Count up to 10 with ten different butterflies or just talk about the colors of the butterflies.

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 that starts with "I saw a little bird, hop, hop, hop."
• Recited a rhyme about "Two Little Black Birds" named Jack & Jill.
• Recited a rhyme about going "Up-up-up" and "Down-Down-Down."

 Early Literacy Tip

• Ah! Spring! The weather is changing and we'll be outside a lot soon! Spring is a great time to introduce more background knowledge, especially through play! Play in the dirt as you garden. Have baby check out the tools you use (supervise them, of course). The more they learn, the more they know.

Toddle Time - What Was Read - Mach 15

I hosted my first Toddle Time today, Saturday, March 15 to a very small group, but we had lots of fun reading stories and moving around! Here's what we read!

Theme: Buggy Bugs!

What Was Read

• I Love Bugs! by Emma Dodd.:- JJ DOD
• This child loves all kinds of bugs but one particular bug is his favorite.
• Ten Little Caterpillars by Bill Martin Jr. ; illustrated by Lois Ehlert.:- JJ MAR
• Count up to 10 with these different caterpillars and see what kind of butterfly the 10th caterpillar is!
•  Can You Make a Scary Face? by Jan Thomas
• In this interactive book the reader is asked to pretend they have a tiny bug on their nose!  

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 Beehives.
• Sang and marched around the room to "The Ants Go Marching One by One..."
• Recited "Flutter, Flutter." A rhyme about a butterfly.

I hope you'll join me for our next Toddle Time on March 22 at 11:15 AM!


Toddle Time is for ages 18 months to 3 years (walkers). We'll read stories, move around, and recite rhymes.
 

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!

Winter Party Wrap-Up!

Merry Winter to you and yours! This is a wonderful season for snuggling in blankets with a good book, and with hot chocolate (which many of our attendees said they LOVED). There were around 30 adults and kids at our Winter Party Event! Below is a recap about what we read, what we did, and what we made (with photo!).

What We Read
(The titles will take you to the catalog to request the book.)

•  Snow Party by Harriet Ziefert ; illustrated by Mark Jones. - JJ ZIE
• It's the first day of winter and the snowmen, snow women, and snow children have gathered to celebrate and open a big box. What's in the box?
• Snowmen All Year by Caralyn Buehner ; pictures by Mark Buehner.:  - JJ BUE
• What if your snowman could live all year? A child imagines all the fun things he'd do with his snowman if only his snowman was made of magic snow.
•  Frozen Noses by Jan Carr ; illustrated by Dorothy Donohue.: - JJ CAR
• Winter is so much fun! We'll go sledding and build snowmen and keep warm. This was especially fun to read because of the enthusiasm for hot chocolate!

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 Five Little Snowmen."
• Recited "I'm a Little Snowman" which is similar to "I'm a Little Teapot."
• Sang and danced the "Snowkey Pokey."

What We Made
 
We had a craft too. "Name" Snowmen! This was a great activity for children to practice writing and letter knowledge (early literacy skills!). Everyone made awesome snowmen. Here's my example (That reads "Ms. T."):

Baby Story Time - December 12 - What Was Read

Tuesday's snow was the perfect backdrop to our Baby Story Time today! We read books and recited rhymes about winter and snow! It is perfect to be able to go out from story time and talk about the snow that was in our books today.


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. Our next session is January 9, 2014 at 10:15 AM. Drop in to check out how it works and you can sign up to be reminded of future sessions.

What Was Read

• Three Little Kittens Illustrated by Paul Galdone.:- JJ GAL
• This traditional rhyme in book form is a fun one to read to baby or toddlers.
•  Welcome Winter by Jill Ackerman ; illustrated by Nancy Davis.:- JJ BOARD ACK
• This little book talks about what happens in winter with interactive parts.
• Winter by Chris L. Demarest.:  - (request)
• Another little board book that introduces winter with two word phrases.

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 "Heads, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes."
• Recited a rhyme about "Five Little Snowmen."
• Recited the bounce rhyme "I bounce you here, there, everywhere." (Source)  

 Early Literacy Tip

• Phonological awareness is the ability to hear the rhythm of language and the smaller sounds within words. This ability is helpful to our babies when they start talking and reading. Researchers have found that it "helps children sound out words when they learn to read."
• The Holiday season is here and a great way to work on phonological awareness is to sing! Sing to baby any time of the year and make up songs or adapt.
  

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)