Holiday Hours!

More Holidays are around the corner and we have special hours coming up. Mark your calendars so you can pick up your holds or books to share with the whole family while they visit.

• Wednesday, December 24: 10 AM to 1 PM (close early)
• Thursday, December 25: CLOSED
• Friday, December 26: CLOSED
• Saturday, December 27: Return to normal hours.
• Wednesday, December 31: 10 AM to 3 PM (close early)
• Thursday, January 1, 2015: CLOSED.
• Friday, January 2, 2015: Return to normal hours.

Story Time Information:

• Baby Story ends December 18 and will return January 8, 2015
• Miss Michelle's Story Times for 2014, end on December 20 and will return January 5, 2015.

Enjoy the Holidays and we hope to see you soon!

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 Morris Arboretum on Decemeber 2

It has been busy the last few weeks! Here we are at December and the end of the year. Wow!

On December 2, I went to Morris Arboretum to share stories about winter! We had a great group and lots of fun. Want to hear stories at the Arboretum? Learn more here!

What We Read

• Snow by Manya Stojic. - JJ STO
• Snow is coming! The animals sense it. What changes happen when snow comes?
•  Snowy, Blowy Winter by Bob Raczka ; illustrated by Judy Stead. - JJ RAC
• What fun things can you do in the winter? This book has it all!
•  Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson - JJ WIL
• Bear is sleeping soundly in his cave when some animal friends come in. Will bear wake up as they warm up?

What We Did

• Sang my favorite opening and closing songs: "If You Want To Hear a Story..." and "The More We Read Together."
• Recited and acted "Snow Man, Snow Man" (similar to Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear)
• Recited a rhyme called "The Wind."
• Sang "There's Snowflake on My Shoulder."

If you'd like the words to the rhymes or songs, please contact me here (select Youth).

Children's Events - Week of March 24

Here's what we have happening this week:

Monday, March 24

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

Tuesday, March 25

• Story-Guitar Time with Miss Michelle at Ambler at 10:30 AM. 
• Let's Read Math! with Ms. Tegan at Blue Bell at 4:30 PM. Learn more and register here.

Wednesday, Marc 26

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

Thursday, March 27

• Baby Story Time at 10:15 AM with Ms. Tegan at Blue Bell.
• Story-Guitar Time at 4:30 PM with Miss Michelle at Ambler.
• Ambler Idol with Miss Michelle at Ambler at 7 PM. Learn more here.

Friday, March 28

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

Saturday, March 29

• New! Toddle Time with Miss Tegan at Blue Bell at 11:15 AM. Learn more here.

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

Children's Events - Week of March 17

Here's what we have happening this week:

Monday, March 17

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

Tuesday, March 18

• Tooth Fairy Visit and Story-Guitar Time with Miss Michelle at Ambler at 10:30 AM.

Wednesday, March 19

• Story-Guitar Time with Miss Michelle at Blue Bell at 4:30 PM.
• Middle School Book Group at Ambler at 4:30 PM. Learn more here.

Thursday, March 20

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

Friday, March 21

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

Saturday, March 22

• Art with Miss Laura at Ambler at 10:30 AM. Sign up at Ambler. 
• New! Toddle Time at Blue Bell with Ms. Tegan. Learn more here!
• Tween/Teen Crafternoon! Duct Tape Bracelets! 2 PM at Blue Bell. Register and learn more here.

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

Children's Events - Week of March 10

Here's what we have happening this week:

Monday, March 10

• 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, March 11

• Story-Guitar Time with Miss Michelle at Ambler at 10:30 AM.  
• Rockin' Thru History at 7 PM at Blue Bell! No registration. Learn more here.

Wednesday, March 12

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

Thursday, March 13

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

Friday, March 14

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

Saturday, March 15

• New! Toddle Time with Ms. Tegan at 11:15 AM at Blue Bell. Learn more here.

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

Baby Story Time - What Was Read - March 6

We met again with a great group for Baby Story Time today! We enjoyed stories that go zoom and toot and honk. What was our theme?

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: Things that go!

What We Read

• Llama Llama Zippity-Zoom by Anna Dewdney.: - JJ BOARD DEW
• Llama Llama goes on adventures with swooshing and swishing, zipping and zooming.
•  Go, Go, Boats! [illustrated by Simon Hart].: - JJ BOARD HAR
• Boats! Lots of boats and different boats!
•  Blue bus, red balloon : a book of colors / Brian Biggs.: - JJ BOARD BIG
• The red balloon escapes the hand of a little girl and goes on an adventure past various vehicles.

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 Wheels on the Bus." We acted out wheels, wipers, horns, and bouncing babies!
• Recited a Sea Rhyme
•  Here is the sea, the wavy sea (wave your hands from side to side)

  Here is my boat, (wrap arms around baby like a boat)

  And here is me. (Point to baby)

  All of the fishes (wiggle fingers)

  Down below (point down)

  Wiggle their tails, (wiggle fingers)

  And away they go! (wiggle fingers away)
• Recited a bounce rhyme:
• I’m bouncing, bouncing everywhere, (bounce child on knees)

  I bounce and bounce into the air.

  I’m bouncing, bouncing like a ball,

  I bounce and bounce, then down I fall. (let child slip through) 
  
  

Early Literacy Tip

• Car and trucks provide a rich environment for phonological awareness. Make vroom noises and try to imitate trucks. Screech with a toy car as it makes a turn or stops on a dime. Do this all with play!

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 March 3

Here's what we have happening this week:

Monday, March 3

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

Tuesday, March 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, March 5

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

Thursday, March 6

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

Friday, March 7

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

Saturday, March 8

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

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

Children's Events - Week of February 24

Here's what we have happening this week:

Monday, February 24

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

Tuesday, February 25

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

Wednesday, February 26

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

Thursday, February 27

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

Friday, February 28

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

Saturday, March 1

• The Empire Invades! Star Wars 1-3 PM. Get pictures with your favorite Dark Side characters from around the Star Wars universe and test out your trivia!

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

Children's Events - Week of February 17

Here's what we have happening this week:

Monday, February 17

• The library is closed today for Presidents' Day!

Tuesday, February 18

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

Wednesday, February 19

• Story-Guitar Time with Miss Michelle at Blue Bell at 4:30 PM.
• Middle School Book Group at Ambler at 4:30 PM. Learn more here.

Thursday, February 20

• Baby Story Time at 10:15 AM with a special guest speaking on temperament. Learn more.
• No Story-Guitar Time at Ambler today.
• No Lego Club at Blue Bell today.

Friday, February 21

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

Saturday, February 22

• Art with Miss Laura at Ambler at 10:30 AM. Sign up at Ambler. 
• Tween/Teen Crafternoon! Duct Tape Flowers! 2 PM at Blue Bell. Register and learn more here.

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

Children's Events - Week of February 10

Here's what we have happening this week:

Monday, February 10

• 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 11

• Story-Guitar Time with Miss Michelle at Ambler at 10:30 AM.  
• Juggling Show at 7 PM at Blue Bell! Just drop in. No registration. (Rescheduled from December.)

Wednesday, February 12

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

Thursday, February 13

• Baby Story Time at 10:15 AM with Ms. Tegan. Learn more.
• Blue Bell Lego Club at 4:30 PM at Blue Bell.
• Story-Guitar Time at 4:30 PM with Miss Michelle at Ambler.

Friday, February 14

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

Saturday, February 15

• No events today.

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

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

Baby Story Time - What Was Read - January 30

BRR! It has been so cold lately that some of us have been thinking about going to a certain special place: THE BEACH. All of our stories today featured the beach and warm thoughts!

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.

Our Theme: Beach!

What We Read

• Brownie & Pearl Take a Dip by Cynthia Rylant ; pictures by Brian Biggs.: - JJ RYL
• It's a hot day and perfect for a little swim. Brownie and Pearl head outside but what happens when Pearl (the cat) falls into the little pool (hint: cats normally don't like water!)? 
• Beach Day! by Anahid Hamparian ; illustrated by Kristin Sorra.:  - JJ BOARD HAM
• What do you do when you go to the beach? Say hello to everything of course!
•  At the Beach by Salina Yoon.:- JJ BOARD YOO
• Check out the shiny things at the beach from fish to shells to swimsuits! A word book to help build knowledge of the beach.

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 sea and boat rhyme.
• Sang "Row, Row, Row Your Boat."
• Recited the bouncing rhyme: Trot Trot to Boston.

Early Literacy Tip

• Singing is a great way to introduce phonological awareness. Babies need to hear many, many words and also hear how those words are broken down into syllables. Singing is perfect for this and sing as much as you can (or recite).

Children's Events - Week of January 27

Here's what we have happening this week:

Monday, January 27

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

Tuesday, January 28

• Story-Guitar Time with Miss Michelle at Ambler at 10:30 AM.
• Ultimate Team: Team Robotics at Blue Bell at 7 PM. Is your family the ultimate team? Learn more about this special event here.

Wednesday, January 29

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

Thursday, January30

• Story-Guitar Time at 4:30 PM with Miss Michelle at Ambler.
• Baby Story Time at 10:15 AM with Ms. Tegan. Learn more. 
• Check out a special teen event tonight!

Friday, January 31

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

Saturday, February 1

• No events today, but the Friends are having their Annual CD & DVD Sale! Proceeds benefit the library.

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

Baby Story Time - January 23 - What Was Read

Here is a recap of Baby Story Time on January 23!

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.

Our theme was: FOOD.

What was Read

• Where Is Baby's Yummy Tummy? : a Karen Katz lift-the-flap book by Karen Katz.:- JJ BOARD KAT
• A lift-the-flap book about baby's body parts!
•  My Teeth / [photographers, Richard and Michele Steckel ; Milestones Project].:- JJ BOARD MY
• A counting book showing a baby's teeth. This was one the babies loved.
•  Yummy Yucky by Leslie Patricelli. - JJ BOARD PAT (at our Ambler Branch)
• One type of food is yummy. Another type is not.
• Dog Food by Saxton Freymann & Joost Elffers.  - JJ BOARD FRY
• Don't play with your food! Well, here's an exception as common dog phrases are given a different illustration in food!

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, Baker's Man" with motions.
• Recited "This Little Cow." (various sources. A twist on the traditional "This Little Piggy." Start with the thumb or littlest toe.)
• This little cow eats grass
  This little cow eats hay
  This little cow drinks water
  This little cow runs away
  And this big cow does nothing
  But lie around all day! 
•  Sang "The Muffin Man" while bouncing. Our babies sure love bouncing rhymes.

Early Literacy Tip

• Food provides a great opportunity to continue discussing vocabulary with baby. You can say what he or she is eating, or at the grocery store, use examples in the store. "Do we need a kiwi? Feel this kiwi. How about a can of soup?" Play with food. Discuss how it smells, tastes, feels.

Baby Story Time - What Was Read - January 16

Whoops! Looks like I forgot to post this last week. Here's what we read on January 16 at Baby Story Time.

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.

Our theme was WINTER!

What We Read

• Bunny's First Snowflake by Monica Wellington.- JJ BOARD WEL
• Are you ready for winter? Let's see if the animals are ready too!
•  Snowflake Baby by Elise Broach ; illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld. - JJ BOARD BRO 
• A fun, winter-themed, lift-the-flap book.
•  Snowy, Blowy Winter by Bob Raczka ; illustrated by Judy Stead.:- JJ RAC
• Simple rhymes tell the story about winter and what we like to do on snowy days!
• Out and About.  illustrated by Mandy Stanley. - JJ BOARD STA
• One word on each page talking about weather.

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 "Boots, Parka, Scarf, and Hat" to the tune of "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes."
• Recited the bouncing rhyme "I'm bouncing, bouncing everywhere!"

Early Literacy Tip

• The seasons provide a rich opportunity for vocabulary! When babies play in the snow, you can to them about what they might be feeling, seeing, hearing (or not hearing) and more! Books, play, talk are all easy ways to expand vocabulary. 

Children's Events - Week of January 20

Here's what we have happening this week:

Monday, January 20

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

Tuesday, January 21

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

Wednesday, January 22

• Story-Guitar Time with Miss Michelle at Blue Bell at 4:30 PM
• High School Book Group at Ambler at 4:30 PM. We're talking about The Fault In Our Stars! Learn more here.

Thursday, January 23

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

Friday, January 24

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

Saturday, January 25

• Art with Miss Laura at Ambler at 10:30 AM. Sign up at Ambler.
• Tween/Teen Crafternoon! Perler Bead Mosaics at Blue Bell at 2 PM. Learn more here.

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

Children's Events - Week of January 13

Here's what we have happening this week:

Monday, January13

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

Tuesday, January 14

• Story-Guitar Time with Miss Michelle at Ambler at 10:30 AM.  
• Bruce Fagan Dance Party at Ambler at 4:30 PM. Learn more here.
• The Famous Wentz Family: Local Families During the American War for Independence at Blue Bell at 7 PM. For elementary aged students. Learn more here about this special event!

Wednesday, January 15

• Please note: NO Story Guitar Time today.
• Middle School Book Group at Ambler at 4:30 PM. We're talking about Wonder! Learn more here.

Thursday, January 16

• Story-Guitar Time at 4:30 PM with Miss Michelle at Ambler.
• Baby Story Time at 10:15 AM with Ms. Tegan. Learn more.
• Blue Bell Lego Club at 4:30 PM at Blue Bell.

Friday, January 17

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

Saturday, January 18

• No events today.

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