What We Read in Baby Story Time on October 2

This is what we read on October 2nd. The library has been busy lately!

What is Baby Story Time? It is a special story time designed for babies and caregivers that includes books, rhymes, and songs. We meet for about 15 minutes and have a little playtime afterward. Baby Story Time happens Thursdays at 10:15 AM. Next session is October 16 at 10:15 AM. See you then!

Our Theme: Colors!

Early Literacy Tip and Activity: Color books are a great way to introduce books to children and bring about print awareness. Use books to show them familiar things and mention what color they are. Talk about colors throughout the day!

What We Read

  

• Baby Loves Fall! : a Karen Katz lift-the-flap book by Karen Katz
• What are all the fun things you can see in fall? Lift the flap and find out!
• Baby Loves Colors Illustrated by Dave Aikins- JJ BOARD BAB
• A simple color book where one page is the full color and the next page has some things in that color. A great lap and discussion book.
• My Colors = Mis Colores by Rebecca Emberley.. - JJ BOARD EMB
• Another simple color book with one page full of a single color and the next featuring one object with the color.

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 "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes."
• Recited "Baa, baa, black sheep."
• Sang "Bumping up and down my little red wagon."

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!

Baby Story Time - What Was Read - May 1

"April showers bring May flowers!" That best described April 30. I saw someone suggest that all of the rain for April happened in that one day. We'll have to see about the flowers, but wow! The first day of May was a lovely, sunny, and warm day!

Here's what we read.

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: Colors!

What Was Read:

• Flaptastic Colors  [text, Charlie Gardner ; U. S. editor, Jennifer Quasha].:  - JJ BOARD GAR
• One bright object! What is its color? Flip the flap and you'll find the color as well as a few more objects in that color!
•  Play Baby Play! by Marilyn Janovitz.: - JJ BOARD JAN
• Baby is with friends and will get to decide what to play with...until baby gets tired...
•  Orange Pear Apple Bear by Emily Gravett.:- JJ GRA
• This book is a play on words as bear becomes and then eats the fruit in the title.

What We Did:

• Recited "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep" and had black and white sheep.
• Sang "Heads, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes."
• Recited "Bumping up and down in my little red wagon." Then blue, then green wagon.
• Sang my favorite opening and closing songs: "If You'd Like to Hear a Story" and "The More We Read Together." 

Early Literacy Tip

• Color books are a great way to introduce books to children and bring about print awareness. Use books to show them familiar things and mention what color they are. Talk about colors throughout the day!

Baby Story Time - What Was Read - April 24

Here's what we read on April 24!

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: Animals!


What Was Read:

•  Animal Sounds! by Tad Carpenter- JJ BOARD CAR
• Colorful, friendly animals illustrate this story! A grown-up animal says the animal name and the babies make the sound! 
• Chomp! by Heather Brown. - JJ BOARD BRO
• Check out all the different animal mouths as the chomp, growl, laugh, and more! You manipulate their mouths. (This did scare some of our little ones and impressed others).
• Who's That-- Jumping? : and other animal actions.:  - JJ BOARD WHO
• Check out all the different animals and their actions. Great photos!
•  At the zoo / [illustrated by Mandy Stanley].:- JJ BOARD STA
• Simple, colorful illustrations name just a few animals you might see at the zoo.

 What We Did

• Recited a rhyme about being a cat. "I have fur upon my back..."
• Recited the action rhyme "Leg over leg, the dog went to Dover."
• Recited "Five Little Monkeys."
• Sang my favorite opening and closing songs: "If You'd Like to Hear a Story" and "The More We Read Together."

Book Trail 2014 Pictures!

Did you check out our Book Trail this year? Did you miss it? Here are some awesome pictures from our Book Trail. I was invited to check out the trucks this year which was loads of fun! What was your favorite truck there?

Thanks again to Lower Gwynedd Township's Department of Parks & Recreation for partnering with us again for another awesome Book Trail and Touch-a-Truck Event.

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!

Book Talk: New Book Hightlights

I love new books! I love seeing the new books that will become your new favorites. Today, I have 2 to share with you that are worth checking out!

The Hueys In It Wasn't Me
by Oliver Jeffers
JJ JEF

The Hueys are a strange bunch. You may remember them from The Hueys In The New Sweater. Generally, they dress the same, act the same, so they all get along, but not in this story! The Hueys In It Wasn't Me are unhappy and fighting. Gillespie sees an argument (written in a vague word bubble of scribbles and other angry looking things) and asks a great question: "What are you fighting about?" It immediately goes from there as the group starts to blame each other. Gillespie brings is back to his question and offers a solution that will make everyone happy. It's a predictable story, but I caught myself laughing anyway.

Flora & Ulysses : The Illuminated Adventures
by Kate DiCamillo
Illustrated by K. G. Campbell
J DIC

Flora is a cynic. She does not hope for things. Ulysses is an average squirrel, at least until he gets sucked up into a vacuum and Flora saves him. On that day, his life changes, and so does Flora's. Ulysses is a superhero! He has super squirrel strength, he can fly, he's hungry, he can write poetry, and he's hungry. Oh, and he's aware of his world now. He cares and loves. He wants to save the day and with Flora's help and guidance, they may just do that. Except Ulysses has an arch nemesis. Will he be able to write his poem? Will he ever get to have a big doughnut? The latest Newbery winner is told in prose and some comic book panels. Readers will root for Flora as much as they root for Ulysses. This is worth a look!

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. 

Baby Story Time - September 19, 2013 - What Was Read

Today marked the start of a five week Baby Story Time Session! There were four babies and their caregivers in attendance. There were stories and songs and lots of fun to be had. The theme today was BABIES!

Baby Story Time at Blue Bell is a story time session geared specifically toward babies (ages 6 months to 23 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.

What Was Read

• You and Me, Baby / concept and words by Lynn Reiser ; photographs by Penny Gentieu.: - JJ REI
• With repetitive words, this book goes through normal activities that a baby does with his or her caregiver.
• Peekaboo Baby / Sebastien Braun.:- JJ BOARD BRA
• Under familiar objects, someone is hiding. Who could it be?
• Oops! / David Shannon.:- JJ BOARD SHA
• Diaper David is learning words! Here are his first words throughout the 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." 
• Sang a song to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat," but changed the words to highlight an activity such as clapping, waving, patting knees, and hugging. Many of today's babies enjoyed this one!
•  Sang "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" as we pointed to each part.
• Recited a bounce rhyme about "Popcorn!" where gently wiggled baby and lifted up on each pop!

Early Literacy Tip

• Background knowledge is all about helping to build knowledge and build a firm foundation upon which all information is organized. The more experiences, the more knowledge babies will gain. In a little while, I’ll tell you how talking to a baby can help build that background knowledge.
• Talk! Talk! Talk! Talk to your baby. Narrate the day or talk about what is going on or think out loud as you make a meal and they watch. Use “I feel,” “I hear,” as jumping off points to introduce new words and reinforce old ones. Talk in specifics in an attempt to identify things. Baby doesn’t always know that “it” means the chair or phone.

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: 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! 

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.

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!

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!

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.

Baby Story Time - May 9 - What Was Read

BRRRR. WHIRR. CLUNK! SQUIRM! Underground and moving dirt was our theme during Baby Story Time on Thursday, May 9.

Baby Story Time at Blue Bell is a story time session geared specifically toward babies (ages 6 months to 23 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.

What We Read

•  Underground by Denise Fleming.
• Brightly colored and illustrated work that follows a robin and a family planting a tree.
• Trucks by Debbie Powell
• Whir! Brr! What are those construction vehicles doing?
• Dig it, dump it, push it! by Holly Karapetkova
• Construction vehicles at work!

What We Did

• Sang "Heads, Shoulders, Knees, & Toes" and pointed to the body part
• Recited the bouncing rhyme "Bouncing up and down in my little red wagon..." while bouncing baby faster and faster
• Recited a peek-a-boo rhyme: "Where is Baby?"
• Sang my favorite opening and closing songs: "If You'd Like to Hear a Story" and "The More We Read Together"

Early Literacy Tip

• Print Awareness – This includes how to handle a book and read a book. For a Baby, a book is something to test out like a toy. Reading to a child from the beginning is very important. You don’t have to finish the book right away. If Baby gets uncomfortable, just put the book down and pick up again later. Also, help the child explore the book. They may turn pages (board books are perfect for Babies).
• Example: This summer we’ll have a summer reading club. Babies are allowed to participate in this as well! You can count what you read to baby toward the goal. Keep track of the books you finish reading, even if it takes two sittings. Every little bit helps.