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 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 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 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!

Children's Events - Week of July 7

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, July 7

• 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. 
• Chess Club for Kids at Blue Bell at 6:30 PM.

Tuesday, July 8

• Stories in the Park at Wentz Run at 10:30 AM.
• Story-Guitar Time with Miss Michelle at Ambler at 10:30 AM.
• Science Lab at Blue Bell at 3:30 PM

Wednesday, July 9

• Stories in the Park at Oxford Park at 10:30 AM.
• Summer Writing Workshop at Blue Bell at 10:30 AM. Registration is required.
• X-Raying the Pharaohs with Dr. Steve at Blue Bell at 7 PM.

Thursday, July 10

• Children's Singing Duo Two of a Kind at Ambler at 7 PM.

Friday, July 11

• Miss Michelle's Story-Guitar Time at Blue Bell at 10:30 AM

Saturday, July 12

• Baby Story Time at Blue Bell at 10:15 AM
• Toddler Time, Toddler Story Time at Blue Bell at 11:15 AM
• Art with Benita at Ambler at 10:30 AM. Register with Ambler.

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

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

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 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!

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!

Children's Events - Week of June 23

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 23

• Make & Take Monday starts this week 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, June 24

• Stories in the Park at Wentz Run at 10:30 AM.
• Story-Guitar Time with Miss Michelle at Ambler at 10:30 AM.

Wednesday, June 25

• Stories in the Park at Oxford Park at 10:30 AM.

Thursday, June 26

• Magic with Ari Paul Felber at Ambler at 7 PM.

Friday, June 27

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

Saturday, June 28

• Baby Story Time at Blue Bell at 10:15 AM.
• Toddle Time Toddler Story Time at Blue Bell at 11:15 AM.
• Art with Miss Laura at Ambler at 10:30 AM. Contact Ambler to sign up!

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

Children's Events - Week of June 16

Don't forget about our Summer Reading Club!

Here's what we have happening this week:


Monday, June 16

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

Tuesday, June 17

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

Wednesday, June 18

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

Thursday, June 19

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

Friday, June 20

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

Saturday, June 21

• Teen event scheduled for this day!

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

Children's Events - Week of June 9

Ms. Tegan is visiting schools this week to promote Summer Reading! Join our Summer Reading Club today!

Here's what we have happening this week:


Monday, June 9

• Hooray! Summer Reading Club starts for all! Register here. 
• Story-Guitar Time with Miss Michelle at Blue Bell at 10:30 AM. 

Tuesday, June 10

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

Wednesday, June 11

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

Thursday, June 12

• Dinosaur Day at Story-Guitar Time at 4:30 PM with Miss Michelle at Ambler.

Friday, June 13

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

Saturday, June 14

• Art with Benita at 10:30 AM at Ambler. Contact Ambler for more.

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!