Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Favorite Newbery Titles

   These are my favorite Newbery titles (winners and honors books).

1. One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate- I loved this touching story about Ivan the gorilla and his other animal friends. I loved the idea of the short chapters especially since the story was told from Ivan's point of view.

2. Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata- Is a bittersweet story about a teenage Japanese American girl and her family in 1950s Iowa.  I loved how the author depicted the relationship between the two sisters.

3. From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg- This book helped develop my love of the Metropolitian Museum of Art. This is one of my favorite books growing up.

4. Holes by Louis Sachar-This book had it all, a little bit of humor, mystery and a memorable story about a teen named Stanley.

5. One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia. This is a wonderful family story but also a great historical piece of fiction about the civil rights movement during 1968's Oakland, CA.

6. The Giver by Lois Lowry- This is an intriguing science fiction story about the challenges a teenage boy faces in a dystopian society.

7. Number the Stars by Lois Lowry- This is a moving frienship story that takes place during the Holocaust in Denmark.

8. View from Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg- The author does a great job of telling the different perspectives of the students from Epiphany Middle School.

9. Little House on the Prairie Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder- A number of her books received honors. I remember enjoying the stories of Laura and her family and learning what it was like to grow up in family who were pioneers in 1860s in midwestern USA.

10. Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage- I have not completed this book but I included it because I am really enjoying it so far.

Top Ten Tuesday:
Top Ten (favorite) Picture Books:

1. Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

   I love a lot of Eric Carle's books but this one is my absolute favorite. The illustrations, concepts (days of the week, fruits and lifecycle of a caterpillar) are all very well done. Whenever I use this book in storytime, children love to mention the amount of fruit the caterpillar eats every day. I love to see their joy and excitement when I read this book to them.

2. Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes

  This is an adorable picture book about teasing, that is done in a very non-didatic manner. His adorable mouse character, Chrysanthemum gets teased about her name. The ending (no spoilers here) is very fitting and fun.

3. Froggy Series by Jonathan London

  These cute picture books feature a boy frog named of course, Froggy. Froggy is depicted in all sorts of situations such as: going out to dinner, going on vacation, going to the doctor and many more. I love the humor featured in these books.

4. Napping House by Audrey Wood

  This sweet but simple story is one of the best cumulative stories I know. It is fun to use in storytime, because the children love to tell me which animal goes on the bed next. The illustrations are also very adorable too and has a funny ending.

5. Nana Upstairs, Nana Downstairs by Tomie DePaola

  This bittersweet picture book features a boy and his relationship with his grandmother and great grandmother. This book is very touching and reminds me of the great relationship I had with my grandmother.

6. Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

  This simple but wonderfully illustrated picture book features a young boy enjoying a fun winter day. Through this story, you cannot help but want to be part of his journey and remember your own times as a child enjoying the winter.

7. Lunch by Denise Fleming

  I love the illustrations in this book. This basic but creative book is a great fit for storytime. Children will love to participate and mention the fruits depicted in this book.

8.  The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco

 This moving picture book about family and traditions reminded me a little of my family, who were also Eastern European Jewish immigrants. I love how the quilt brought the family together.

9. Library Mouse by Daniel Kirk

 This sweet book features an adorable mouse who loves books and writing. His stories intrigue the children and his terrific idea encourages the children to write their own books.

10. Harold and the Purple Crayon

 This is a great story about a boy's imagination. I love all of Harold's creations with his "magical crayon".

Next week will feature chapter books for older elementary school children.

Toddler Time 2/11/13 Valentine's Day

  I had thought we would only get one or two kids because of the weather (snow is done, but parking was tough). It turns out that we got 6 kids. I was pleasantly surprised. Our theme this week was Valentine's Day.

Valentine's Day


Start by introducing Mr. Monkey. Mr. Monkey introduces our books:
1.  Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons by Eric Litwin
2.  If You'll Be My Valentine by Cynthia Rylant
3.  Biscuits Valentine's Day by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

• Good Morning, Good Morning (song)
• Shake Shake Your Hands (song)

Book #1

•       Five Little Valentines (with heart valentine's on craft sticks, children participation)
•       Old McDonald Had a Farm 

 

Five Little Valentines

Five pretty valentines waiting at the store.
(Child's name) bought one and then there were four.
Four pretty valentines shaped like a V,
(Child's name) bought one and then there were three.
Three pretty valentines said: 'I love you'
(Child's name) bought one and then there were two.
Two pretty valentines, this was so much fun.
(Child's name) bought one and then there was one.
One pretty valentine sitting on the shelf.
I felt sorry for it, so I bought it for myself

(good song if you want to get to know the names of your kids at storytime)

Book #2

• 5 Little Monkeys
• Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Book #3

• If You're Happy and You Know It (song)
• Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes (song)
• Ring Around the Rosie (song)
• Hokey Pokey (song)
• Teddy Bear Teddy Bear

Coloring pages

 

Mother Goose Thursday Feb. 6th

  Mother Goose is our storytime for our youngest library users. The children range from 9 mos-23 mos. We get an average of 8-10 children each week. That seems like a good amount. I enjoy this group because they are so cute and I like their reactions to the songs and the books. Here is what we did for this week's storytime:

Song: Good Morning, Good Morning

Song: To Market, To Market

Song: Sing with Me

Book: The Big Baby Book by Guido Van Genechten

Song: Shake, Shake, Your Hands

Song: This Little Piggy

Song:  Now It's Time

Book: Swing Like a Monkey by Harriet Ziefert

Song: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Song: Hey Diddle Diddle

Song: Patty-Cake, Patty-Cake

Song: Gray Squirrel

Book: Red Truck by Kersten Hamilton

Song: Itsy-Bitsy Spider

Song: ABC Song

Song: Ring Around The Rosie

Song: Goodbye Song

  We spent the last twenty minutes with puzzles and blocks. They had a good time.

Toddler Time Monday February 4th

   We just had our second session of Toddler Time for our winter/spring session. Our program is for children ages 2-4. Most of the children are 3-3 1/2. Our program is 50 minutes long, with stories, songs and coloring pages. Each week has a different theme. Here are the themes, books, and songs for the first two weeks.

Week 1: Snowmen

• Start by introducing Mr. Bear. Mr. Bear introduces our books:

1.  Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons by Eric Litwin
2.  All You Need For a Snowman by Alice Schertle
3.  Snowmen at Night by Carolyn Buehner

• Good Morning, Good Morning (song)
• Shake Shake Your Hands (song)

Book #1

•       Five Little Monkeys (song)
•       Five Little Snowmen (song with snowmen puppets on craft sticks, pictures to follow later

Five Little Snowmen

Five little snowmen sitting on the ground, (stomp feet on floor)
The first one said; 'oh my aren't we round' (make circle with arms)
The second one said; "'there are snowflakes in the air"(point and wiggle fingers)
The third one said; "but we don't care." (shrug shoulders)
The fourth one said; "lets run and run and run. (Run in place)
The fifth one said; "I'm ready for some fun." (Smile Big)
Whew went the wind (blow) and out came the sun (point)
And the five little snowman knew their fun was done. (Hang head sadly)

Book #2

• I'm a Little Snowman (song)

I'm a Little Snowman (sung to the tune of "I'm a Little Teapot")

I'm a little snowperson short and fat.
Here are my buttons, here is my hat.
When the sun comes out, I cannot play.
I just slowly melt away!

• Itsy Bitsy Spider (song)

Book #3

• If You're Happy and You Know It (song)
• Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes (song)
• Ring Around the Rosie (song)
• Hokey Pokey (song)
• Teddy Bear Teddy Bear

Coloring pages

Week 2: Bears

Start by introducing Mr. Bear. Mr. Bear introduces our books:

1.  Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons by Eric Litwin
2.  Can You Growl Like a Bear by John Butler
3.  Maybe A Bear Ate It by Robie Harris

• Good Morning, Good Morning (song)
• Shake Shake Your Hands (song)

Book #1

• Five Little Ducks (song)
• Five Little Bears (song) (use bear puppets with craft sticks)

Five Little Bears:

Five little bears little bears were dancing on the floor
One fell down and that left four
Four little bears climbed up a tree
One found a bee hive that left three
Three little bears were wondering what to do
One chased a bunny rabbit that left two
Two little bears were looking for some fun
One took a swim that left one
One little bear sitting all alone
He looked all around and then ran home.

Book #2

• Itsy Bitsy Spider (song)
• Open Shut Them (song)

Book #3

• If You're Happy and You Know It (song)
• Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes (song)
• Ring Around the Rosie (song)
• Hokey Pokey (song)
• Teddy Bear Teddy Bear

Coloring pages

Week 1: The children loved the snowmen song and enjoyed participating by holding the snowmen puppets

Week 2: The children also loved the bear song and holding up the bear puppets

Attendance was good both weeks.