The Empire Invades WVPL!

On March 2, 2013, the Wissahickon Valley Public Library in Blue Bell was invaded by The Empire from Star Wars! The library welcomed 10 characters including Darth Vader, Storm Troopers, an Imperial Officer, Boba Fett, a functioning R2D2, and others from the Garrison Carida Chapter of the 501st Legion for this 2-hour event. During the event, children and parents participated by answering trivia questions, asking questions of the guests, and, most importantly getting pictures with their favorite characters! The characters took some time to explore our library as well. Some highlights included Storm Troopers trying to find the droids in the library catalog, Darth Vader behind the circulation desk, and dancing with R2D2, Storm Troopers and anyone in the library by the main entrance. A great time was had by everyone who attended.*

Look for The Empire to return in March 2014!

Check out the pictures below!

 

 

*This article also appeared in our Spring 2013 newsletter coming soon.

Baby Story Time -Feb. 28, 2013 - What Was Read

Moo! Moo! Baby Story Time met for the second time in February, on Thursday, February 28 at 10:30 AM with Ms. Tegan (that's me!) and a small group. A fun time was had by all as we explored the theme of Animals! For a short time after Story Time, I opened up Play Place and everyone had some time to play and chat.

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.

Our next session will be Thursday, March 21 at 10:30 AM. Be sure to sign up to save your seat as spaces are limited (10 babies max).

What We Read

• Are You a Cow? by Sandra Boynton. - JJ BOARD BOY
• The narrator wants to know what you are. What are you though?   
• Noisy Beasties by Neecy Twinem. - JJ BOARD TWI
• Animals make lots of noises. Who makes what noise?
• Country Animals by Lucy Cousins. - JJ BOARD COU
• Animals you find in the country or woods.
• Gossie & Gertie by Olivier Dunrea.: - JJ DUN
• Gossie & Gertie are the best of friends and do everything together. Or do they?

What We Did

• Recited the rhyme "Leg, over Leg, the Dog Went to Dover" with motions
• Sang "Heads, Shoulders, Knees, & Toes" and pointed to the body part
• Recited the bouncing rhyme "This is the way the baby/farmer/jockey rides..." while bouncing baby faster and faster.
• Sang my favorite opening and closing songs: "If You'd Like to Hear a Story" and "The More We Read Together."

Early Literacy Tip

• Support phonological awareness by introducing sounds, which help with hearing the smaller sounds in the words. When you play or read or when you are out or about, say the animal sounds, car or vehicle sounds, house sounds, or any other sounds. If your child is starting to talk, have them repeat the sound with you (if they can).

Author Event: Peter Catalanatto!

Check out this book display in Blue Bell!

You are invited to see Peter Catalanotto at the Ambler Library on March 7 at 7:00 P.M. Peter is the author of great children’s books such as Dylan’s Day Out, Matthew ABC and Mr. Mumble. Peter will show us how he creates his books.

The event is perfect for kids of all ages!  Sign up now at Ambler!

Baby Story Time - Feb. 21, 2013 - What Was Read

Baby Story Time met for the first time in February, on Thursday, February 21 at 10:30 AM with Ms. Tegan (that's me!) and a small group. A fun time was had by all as we explored the theme of Like and Love! For a short time after Story Time, I opened up Play Place and everyone had some time to play and chat.

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.

Our next session will be Thursday, February 28 at 10:30 AM. Be sure to sign up to save your seat as spaces are limited (10 babies max).

What We Read

• I Kissed the Baby by Mary Murphy. (this was a request from another library)
  -Various animal friends talk about how they cared for the baby!
• I Like It When -Me Gusta Cuando by Mary Murphy ; [translated by F. Isabel Campoy and Alma Flor Ada] - JJ BOARD MUR
  A little penguin tells parent penguin all of the things he likes.
• Mommy Hugs / by Karen Katz. - JJ KAT
  Counting book of 10 great hugs for baby from Mommy. There is a Daddy version as well.

What We Did

• Spoke a rhyme about eyes, ears, nose, and mouth while point to the body part.
• Bounce rhyme called "Up, Up, Up!"
• Clapped, waved, and hugged as part of a "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" adaptation.
• Sang my favorite opening and closing songs: "If You'd Like to Hear a Story" and "The More We Get Together.'

Early Literacy Tip

• Background Knowledge – Repetition is important. Sometimes I talk about introducing new words, but repetition is just as important. As your child discovers more books, he or she will have a favorite. When you get tired of the favorite, remember that you are helping to reinforce concepts and words, which help build a stronger knowledge base for children as they grow and learn.

Valentine's Day Party Recap

Valentine's Day is a fun day for any age! This year was we had a Valentine's Day event after Valentine's Day, but we still had fun and enjoyed it. Here's a brief recap of what was read, what we sang, and what we made, with pictures!

What We Read

• Let's Get Ready for Valentine's Day by Lloyd G. Douglas. - J 394.2618 DOU
  Non-fiction titles can be read just like picture books to children. This title, in a simple language, explains what one child learns in school about Valentine's Day and how she makes a Valentine's Day card for her parents. 
• Valentine Cats by Jean Marzollo; illustrated by Hans Wilhelm - JJ MAR
  Writer cats, artist cats, and postal cats get ready for Valentine's Day by making cards! Wait, are those kittens playing with the scraps? A fun cat tale about creating a card and the pictures enhance this tale.
• Smooch your pooch:by Teddy Slater & Arthur Howard - JJ SLA
  If you love your pooch, give them a big smooch and more in this tale! Pooches require a lot of attention and this picture book gives you some suggestions on how to show you love your pooch, from smooches to throwing a ball to snacks that may or may not be right for your pooch. Not necessarily Valentine's, but still a great story about caring for your pet.

What We Sang

• 10 Little Valentine's
• Skidamarink (a Dink a Dink) - with motions!
• And of course, The Hokey Pokey!

What We Made

• A Heart Buddy (or puppet or Valentine)
  This cute and simple craft was inspired by these Silly Heart Puppets from this blog. Check out some of our cute Heart Buddies that were created!

Photos from the Event!

Book Talk: Guinea Pig Pet Shop Private Eye: Hamster and Cheese by Colleen AF Venable

Hamster and cheese: by Colleen AF Venable.

Guinea Pig, Pet Shop Private Eye, #1
Hamster and Cheese
by Colleen AF Venable, Illustrated by Stephanie Yue
Call Number J GN VEN #1
WVPL - BB

Mr. Venezi's Pets & Stuff is facing a crisis. The koalas will be sent away if no one can figure out who keeps stealing Mr. Venezi's sandwiches. The koalas (who later learn they're actually hamsters) want to find out who it is, but they sleep all day. So enter Sasspants, the Guinea Pig, who is dubbed "Guinea PI" in a bizarre set of circumstances. She'll find an answer but mostly so her new partner, Hamisher the hamster, will leave her alone.

In this brightly colored graphic novel (a book in comic book style), readers will follow Sasspants as she rigs up tricks to find answers, quiz the forgetful goldfish, bother the birds, and saves the beauty queen chinchillas. With the wrong suspects, she'll work through the case until finally she gets an answer. Readers will be laughing and guessing throughout the story, only to be surprised at who the sandwich eater really is. Who knew a pet shop could be so much fun when the humans aren't looking?

Let's Read Math for Grades 2-3

Let's Read Math™ is one of our popular events for kids! We've brought it back again this, especially for those in grades 2-3. We have a 3-week session set up where each week a math concept will be investigated.

What's Let's  Read Math™? Let's Read Math™ is an event where stories and math combine! There is a story read to the group and then fun math activities that relate to the story. This is the perfect math enrichment for students as we go over concepts they are learning in school as well as further the concept that they learned. Our Let's Read Math™ classes are presented by a wonderful volunteer from the AAUW of Valley Forge who enjoys sharing her love of math and reading with children.

Still not sure what it is? Did you attend our End of Summer Reading Event at Blue Bell this past summer? Our Sundae Party was actually a Let's Read Math™ activity!

Have you signed up yet? We currently have a lot of room for students in grades 2-3. Home schooling students, private school students, and public school students are all welcome! Make sure to sign up to save your seat (click here to sign up)!

We hope you'll join us!