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 - Stories in the Park - Week of July 29

Stories in the Park had an eventful week this week! The first was that this week was the last time we met in Wentz Run for this summer! We had a large crowd for the event. On Thursday, it was raining so much that we didn't have Stories in the Park. Here's what was read about DIRT and BATHTIME.

What Was Read

• Pirates Don't Take Baths by John Segal. - JJ SEG - A little pig doesn't want to take a bath so he comes up with every excuse as to why he can't take a bath.
• Toad by Ruth Brown.- JJ BRO - A mucky, yucky toad has an adventure.
• I'm Dirty! by Kate McMullan - JJ MCM - A backhoe is very excited to get to work and get dirty cleaning up junk!
• Read Monday The BullFrog

What We Did

• Recited "5 Clean and Squeaky Pigs." 
• Sang "This is the way we wash..." and acted out the motions as we pretended to take a bath.
• Sang "If You'd Like to Hear a Story" and "The More We Get Together."

We'll be meeting at Oxford Park (hope for good weather!) one more time on Thursday, August 8 at 10:30 AM!

What Was Read - Stories in the Park - Week of July 22

Let's talk about this weather. Somehow, this week, we finally got some really nice weather for Stories in the Park. It was fantastic! Although, Thursday was a little too chilly for some of us. We enjoyed stories either way! Here's what we read about EARTH.

What Was Read

• On Earth by G. Brain Karas - JJ KAR: A simple, scientific explanation of the Earth just for preschoolers.
• An Island Grows by Lola M. Schaefer ; illustrated by Cathie Felstead.: - JJ SCH - How does an island grow? It can't grow like a little boy or girl grows. Here's how an island grows.
• The World Is Waiting For You by Barbara Kerley.:- JJ KER - A beautifully photographed book takes readers around the world! See if you can guess everyone's favorite part.

What We Did

• Sang "Five Bottles of Juice on the Wall."
• Sang and acted out "The Earth Goes Round and Round."
• Sang "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."
• Sang my favorite opening song: "If You'd Like To Hear a Story" and closing song: "The More We Read Together."

July 30 at 10:30 AM is the LAST time we'll be meeting at Wentz Run Park so stop by! We will meet at Oxford two more times.

Children's Summer Events - Week of July 22

Here are our summer events for the week of July 22 at Blue Bell!

Monday, July 22

• Starting at 10:30 AM, Make & Take Monday craft!
• Chess Club for Kids at 6:30 PM. Ages 6-up. Register here.

Tuesday, July 23

• Stories in the Park at Wentz Run at 10:30 AM with Ms. Tegan.

Wednesday, July 24

• Young Writer's Summer Workshop at 10:30 AM. (Please note: Classes are filled at this time. We are taking a waiting list.)
• ScienceTellers at 7 PM. ScienceTellers are back with a new story and science experiments! Ages 6-up.

Thursday, July 25

• Stories in the Park at Oxford Park at 10:30 AM with Ms. Tegan.
• Read to Dogs at 10 AM to 11 AM. Sign up (in person or over the phone) for a 10 minute slot to read with one of our volunteer therapy dogs. Ages 6-up.
• Wissahickon Pops Orchestra performs at 11 AM.  Ages 2-up.
• Lego Club at 4:30 PM! We have the Legos, you bring your imagination. Ages 3-up. Parents of children 5 years and younger must attend with child.

Saturday, July 26

• Family Movie starting at 2 PM on the library big screen! 

Check out these events and more at WVPL.org.

Don't forget to log your books in the Summer Reading Club!

What Was Read: Stories in the Park - Week of July 15

We met at both Wentz Run and Oxford Park this week and read fun books and sang songs! We continued with our theme of "Dig Into Reading" by reading about construction stories!

What We Read 

• Construction Kitties by Judy Sue Goodwin Sturges ; illustrated by Shari Halpern.- JJ GOO - Four friendly kitties get to work at the construction site. What do you think they'll build?
• B is for Bulldozer : a Construction ABC / June Sobel ; illustrated by Melissa Iwai. - JJ SOB - We work through the alphabet as we watch construction workers build a new, fun place!
• Dazzling Diggers / Tony Mitton and Ant Parker. - JJ MIT - Construction vehicles do a lot. Learn about the different things they do.

 What We Did

• Sang "The Alphabet Song."
• Performed "I'm a Little Dump Truck" (similar to "I'm a Little Teapot")
• Sang my favorite opening song: "If You'd Like to Hear a Story" and closing song "The More We Read Together."

Join us next week at Wentz Run at 10:30 AM on Tuesday and Oxford Park at 10:30 AM on Thursday. Keep on reading! 

Children's Summer Events - Week of July 15

Here are our summer events for the week of July 15 at Blue Bell!

Monday, July 15

• Starting at 10:30 AM, Make & Take Monday craft!
• Chess Club for Kids at 6:30 PM. Ages 6-up. Register here.

Tuesday, July16

• Stories in the Park at Wentz Run at 10:30 AM with Ms. Tegan.

Wednesday, July 17

• Young Writer's Summer Workshop at 10:30 AM. (Please note: Classes are filled at this time. We are taking a waiting list.)
• ScienceTellers at 7 PM. ScienceTellers are back with a new story and science experiments! Ages 6-up.

Thursday, July 18

• Read to Dogs at 10 AM to 11 AM. Sign up (in person or over the phone) for a 10 minute slot to read with one of our volunteer therapy dogs. Ages 6-up.
• Stories in the Park at Oxford Park at 10:30 AM with Ms. Tegan
• Silly Joe Sings! at 11 AM.  Ages 2-up.
• Lego Club at 4:30 PM! We have the Legos, you bring your imagination. Ages 3-up. Parents of children 5 years and younger must attend with child.

Saturday, July 6

• Family Movie starting at 2 PM on the library big screen! 

Check out these events and more at WVPL.org.

Don't forget to log your books in the Summer Reading Club!

What Was Read: Stories in the Park - Week of July 8

We met at both Wentz Run and Oxford Park this week and read fun books and sang songs! Miss Sally was at Wentz Run this week and Miss Tegan was at Oxford. Today's post will highlight what we did at Oxford, but both story times were similar.

What We Read

• Dinosaur vs. the Library by Bob Shea. - JJ SHE - It is Dinosaur versus various friends and then THE LIBRARY. Who will win?
• Bones, Bones, Dinosaur Bones  by Byron Barton.: - JJ BAR - They are out to find some bones and they dig them up and pack them up. Wait? Where are those bones going?
• How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food? by Jane Yolen ; illustrated by Mark Teague.:- JJ YOL - Are dinosaurs messy or neat? How do they eat?
• Edwina, the Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct by Mo Willems.:- JJ WIL - Edwina is the friendliest dinosaur in town, but Reginald needs everyone to know one thing: she is extinct!

What We Did

• Performed "Dinosaur, Dinosaur" (similar to Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear)
• Sang my favorite opening song: "If You'd Like to Hear a Story" and closing song "The More We Read Together."

Join us next week at Wentz Run at 10:30 AM on Tuesday and Oxford Park at 10:30 AM on Thursday. Keep on reading!

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.

Children's Summer Events - Week of July 8

Here are our summer events for the week of July 8 at Blue Bell!

Monday, July 8

• Starting at 10:30 AM, Make & Take Monday craft!
• Chess Club for Kids at 6:30 PM. Ages 6-up. Register here.

Tuesday, July 9

• Stories in the Park at Wentz Run at 10:30 AM with Miss Sally (Ms. Tegan is at Morris Arboretum at the same time).

Wednesday, July 10

• Young Writer's Summer Workshop at 10:30 AM. (Please note. Classes are filled at this time. We are taking a waiting list starting Tuesday at 5 PM.)
• "I want my mummy!" Join us as we welcome Dr. Steve back to WVPL to talk about MUMMIES. Why do we like mummies? What are their differences? Ages 6-up.

Thursday, July 11

• Read to Dogs at 10 AM to 11 AM. Sign up (in person or over the phone) for a 10 minute slot to read with one of our volunteer therapy dogs. Ages 6-up.
• Stories in the Park at Oxford Park at 10:30 AM with Ms. Tegan.
• Diggin' Dinoaurs at 11 AM with Giggle Magic. Join us for the story of one confused dinosaur. Ages 2-up.
• Lego Club at 4:30 PM! We have the Legos, you bring your imagination. Ages 3-up. Parents of children 5 years and younger must attend with child.

Saturday, July 6

• Family Movie starting at 2 PM on the library big screen! 

Check out these events and more at WVPL.org.

Don't forget to log your books in the Summer Reading Club!

What Was Read: Stories in the Park - Week of July 2

We only met at Wentz Run this week due to the July 4th holiday. I was also pushing my luck when it came to the weather. We were able to get in a few stories and songs before it finally decided to ran. Here's what we got to.

What We Read

• Up, Down and Around by Katherine Ayres ; illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott.: - JJ AYR - What grows in the garden up in the garden and down in the garden? 
• Little Mouse's Big Secret by Éric Battut.:- JJ BAT - Little Mouse has a secret he won't share, but what happens when his secret starts to grow?
• Potato Joe by Keith Baker.- JJ BAK - 10 potatos and their adventures!

What We Did

• Sang my favorite opening song: "If You'd Like to Hear a Story."
• Sang "10 Little Earth Worms"
• Sang "The Garden in the Yard" and acted it out.

Join us again next week at Wentz Run on Tuesday, at 10:30 AM.

What Was Read: Stories in the Park, Week of June 24

Summer Events are in full swing here at Wissahickon Valley Public Library! We started our Stories in the Park Series on the week of June 24. Ms. Tegan is going to two parks this year!

• On Tuesdays at 10:30 AM until July 30, I'll be at Wentz Run by the playground.
• On Thursdays at 10:30 AM, until August 1, I'll be at Oxford Park by the playground.

 What We Read (note: you can count these titles in the summer reading log if your child attended).

• One Dark Night by Lisa Wheeler ; illustrated by Ivan Bates - JJ WHE - On a dark night, when the moon disappears, Mouse and Mole get lost and hear something! What could it be?
• Let's Dig and Burrow by Anna Nilsen ; illustrated by Anni Axworthy - (Request) - What animals like to "Dig and Burrow" in this story?
• Underground by Denise Fleming. - JJ FLE - Under the ground, there is lots to see. What do you see?
• 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" 
• At Wentz Run, I shared a little rhyme about a Little Mouse who hides behind a rock, tree, hedge and hill. We played two rounds, but had to stop because the wind kept winning.
• At Oxford, we sang "Ten Little Earthworms" to the tune of a popular song.
• We acted like little mice with a rhyme called "Walk Little Mouse."

Join us at the parks this summer where we'll sing songs and read stories!

*Please note, on July 9, I will be at Morris Arboretum, but Miss Sally will be there to read stories!

Children's Summer Events - Week of July 1

Here's what's happening at Blue Bell this week as part of our Summer Events!

• Monday, July 1 
• Starting at 10 AM - Make & Take Monday Craft
• Meet at 6:30 PM for our Chess Club for kids. Register here.
• Tuesday, July 2 at 10:30 AM
• Stories in the Park at Wentz Run at 10:30 AM. Join Ms. Tegan at Wentz Run for Story Time.
• Wednesday, July 3
• Young Writer's Summer Workshop at 10:30 AM. (Please note. Class is filled for July 3 and July 10. There are two slots available for July 17, July 24, July 31 and August 7). Register here.
• Craft Closet Cleanout! at 7 PM - We have lots of left over craft kits. Sign up and make one of these crafts.
• Thursday, July 4
• The library is closed. Happy 4th of July!
• Saturday, July 6
• Family Movie starting at 2 PM on the library big screen!

 Don't forget to log your summer reading for the Summer Reading Club!

Summer Reading Clubs @WVPL

The Wissahickon Valley Public Library is pleased to announce that our Summer Reading Club for Children and Teens is now available (the Adult Summer Reading Club will begin on June 24)! The Summer Reading Club (SRC) is available online here and is open to anyone who plans to read this summer!

Here is what you need to know:

• The Summer Reading Club is online! Register online now and start recording the books you've read! You can access it anywhere with an Internet connection.
• Make sure to log on anytime between June 10 and August 6 (dates for the Adult SRC vary). The log will automatically close at 9 PM on August 6.
• There are goals for those ages 0-12:
• Ages 0-6: Read (or be read to) 40 picture books. Count story times, grandparent visits, camp visits and all the reading you do!
• Ages 7-12: Read 10 chapter books.
• Celebrate and pick up your prize on August 7 at 7 PM at Blue Bell! Those who reach the goal by August 6 will get a free t-shirt and a book to take home. (Can't make it? Let me know and we'll schedule a way for you to pick up your prize).
• You do not have to be in the SRC to attend our events. Events are open to everyone as well!

Any questions? Contact me here.  (Please select Youth. That goes directly to me). 

We hope you'll join us for a fun filled summer with activities and reading!