Favorite Picture Books of 2025 -- 12/30/25

Story Times are held weekly on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am. A monthly virtual Story Time is posted the first Tuesday of the month on the library's Facebook page.  It is available to view for one month before the next video is posted.

Click HERE for this month's virtual Story Time.

Calling All Bears! by Diana Murray
The Bear and the Hare at the Fair by Em Lynas

Books:
Bear Feels Sad by Karma Wilson
The Bear Out There by Jess Hannigan
Oh Dear, Look What I Got! by Michael Rosen
On All Fours by Gaetan Doremus
Short Dog, Long Dog: A Book of Opposites by Anna Hrachovec


Craft: Bear Headband
- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper
- Cut out pieces (face/ears and 2 extra strips)
- Color pieces
- Glue, tape, or staple strips together to fit child's head


Extension Activities:
- Learn about different types of bears.  Check out one of the nonfiction bear books from the library or visit the zoo.
- Take a field trip to a local amusement park.  What rides do you like?  What rides do you not like?

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Merry Christmas -- 12/23/25

Story Times are held weekly on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am. A monthly virtual Story Time is posted the first Tuesday of the month on the library's Facebook page.  It is available to view for one month before the next video is posted.

Click HERE for this year's Christmas online Story Time.

Red & Green by Lois Ehlert
Click, Clack, Ho! Ho! Ho! by Doreen Cronin
Merry Christmas, Big Hungry Bear! by Don & Audrey Wood

Books:
Don't Let Pigeon Drive the Sleigh! by Mo Willems
The First Christmas by Will Moses
I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas by John Rox
The Little Drummer Boy by Ezra Jack Keats
Merry Whatmas? by Eoin McLaughlin
Silent Night by Lara Hawthorne
The Twelve Days of Christmas by Emma Randall

Craft: Christmas Tree Ornament
This week's craft was a kit purchased from Oriental Trading.  Kids assembled the Christmas Tree Ornament be placing sticker ornaments and star onto tree before tying on a hanger.

Extension Activities:

- Merry Christmas, Big Hungry Bear! encourages sharing Christmas presents with those less fortunate.  Participate in a Giving Tree or Toy present drive.

- Have a family Christmas movie marathon by watching your favorite holiday movies and specials.

Favorite Picture Books of 2025 -- 12/16/25

Story Times are held weekly on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am. A monthly virtual Story Time is posted the first Tuesday of the month on the library's Facebook page.  It is available to view for one month before the next video is posted.

Click HERE for this month's virtual Story Time.

George & Lenny Are Always Together by Jon Agee
Let's Be Bees by Shawn Harris

Books:
Bearsuit Turtle Makes a Friend by Bob Shea
Don't Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson
I Am Tree Rex! by Mo Davey
Piece Out by Alex Willan
Six Little Sticks by Tiffany Stone
This Book Is Dangerous! by Ben Clanton

Craft: George & Lenny

- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Cut out pieces (bear, bunny)

- Color pieces

- Fold bear's arm along line and glue end to back of other side of bear

- Lightly Fold bunny in half (top to bottom) and cut small diagonal slit on tummy to make a downwards triangle

- Slip bunny onto bear's arm

- Optional: Glue bunny into place if you like

Extension Activities:

- Discuss with your child whether they prefer being alone or with friends.  Come up with a list of activities you can do in the different situations.

- Extend the book Let's Be Bees by coming up with more sounds for various things.  Turn it into a guessing game to see if you can guess what the object is from the sound.

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Virtual Story Time: Merry Christmas! -- December 2025

Each month, Miss Amy records a virtual Story Time that goes along with the monthly theme.  It will be posted monthly in the morning of the first Tuesday of the month.  (The video is available to watch for one month before a new one is uploaded.) 

Click HERE for this year's Christmas online Story Time.

What the Dinosaurs Did the Night Before Christmas by Refe & Susan Tuma

Books:
Candy Corn Christmas by Jonathan Fenske
Don't Let Pigeon Drive the Sleigh! by Mo Willems

How Carrot and Cookie Saved Christmas by Erica S. Perl
Santa Claus vs. the Easter Bunny by Fred Blunt
Santa Jaws by Bridget Heos
Vegetables in Holiday Underwear by Jared Chapman





Extension Activities:
- Read the original poem that inspired our story time's book -- The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore.

- Bake and decorate cookies for Santa.

- Track Santa online to make sure you don't get tricked by a fake Santa at your house -- www.noradsanta.org.

Favorite Pictures Books of 2025 -- 12/9/25

Story Times are held weekly on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am. A monthly virtual Story Time is posted the first Tuesday of the month on the library's Facebook page.  It is available to view for one month before the next video is posted.

Click HERE for this month's virtual Story Time.

Me and Other Bunnies by Mo Willems
Cranky, Crabby Crow (Saves the World) by Corey R. Tabor
Pop! Goes the Nursery Rhyme by Betsy Bird

Books:
Big Bike, Little Bike by Kellie DuBay Gillis
Canteloupe and HoneyDo Bake a Cake by Mike Boldt
Henry Is An Artist by Justin Worley
Little Freddie Two Pants by Drew Daywalt
The Peddler of Puddles by Beth Ferry
We're Moving House by Mick Jackson


Craft:  Humpty Dumpty Puzzle
- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper (two-sided front and back)
- Color sheet
- Cut along lines on back to make into puzzle


Extension Activities:
- Extend the book Pop! Goes the Nursery Rhyme by asking your child to recite more nursery rhymes before inserting "Pop Goes the Weasel".
- Cranky Crabby Crow includes a simple code within the book.  Explore other codes.  Have your child(ren) figure out some sayings in secret code.


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Favorite Picture Books of 2025 -- 12/2/25

Story Times are held weekly on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am. A monthly virtual Story Time is posted the first Tuesday of the month on the library's Facebook page.  It is available to view for one month before the next video is posted.

Click HERE for this month's virtual Story Time.

A Scrub in the Tub by Jan Thomas
The Pigeon WON'T Count to 10! by Mo Willems
Every Monday Mabel by Jashar Awan

Books:
Big Bike, Little Bike by Kellie DuBay Gillis
Cats in Construction Hats by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
Cranky, Crabby Crow (Saves the World) by Corey R. Tabor
Nellie's Big Splash by Cori Doerrfeld
Who Meows? A Book of Animal Sounds by Robin Page

Craft: Pig Ornament

- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Cut out pieces (body, head, legs, holly leaves & berries)

- Color pieces

- Glue head onto center of body

- Glue legs to back bottom of body

- Glue holly berries & leaves where you like

- Optional: Cut a piece of yarn/string and tape to back for a ornament hanger

Extension Activities:

- Make bathtime more fun with some Ice Fishing.  Add a couple drops of food coloring to water and freeze in ice cube trays.  Add 1-2 cubes to the bath water and see if your child(ren) can catch them.

- Practice counting to ten by having your child(ren) find 10 related items.  (ex - blue items, pieces of clothes, books, etc.)

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Virtual Story Time: New Books of 2025 -- December 2025

Each month, Miss Amy records a virtual Story Time that goes along with the monthly theme.  It will be posted monthly in the morning of the first Tuesday of the month.  (The video is available to watch for one month before a new one is uploaded.) 

Click HERE for this month's virtual Story Time.

The Pigeon WON'T Count to 10! by Mo Willems
I Hate Everything! by Sophy Henn

Books:
The Backwards Alphabet Book by Paul Friedrich
The Book That Never Ends by Beck Stanton
Loki! Loki! Where Are You? by Kurt Hartman
The Mushroom of Doom by Becky Davies
This Book Is Dangerous! by Ben Clanton
Vampire Jam Sandwich by Casey Lyall


Extension Activities:
- Poll family and friends to discover what books they read this year were their favorites.  Read those books and see if you agree.
- Make a scrapbook of favorite memories from 2025.  Let your children dictate their favorite memories and stories to include.  Draw or add in photos of those memories.

Hamsters Make Terrible Roommates -- 11/25/25

Story Times are held weekly on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am. A monthly virtual Story Time is posted the first Tuesday of the month on the library's Facebook page.  It is available to view for one month before the next video is posted.

Click HERE for this month's virtual Story Time.

Hamsters Make Terrible Roommates by Cheryl B. Klein
The Doghouse by Jan Thomas
Cows in the Kitchen by June Crebbin

Books:
A Cat Like That by Lester Laminack
Fluffy McWhiskers Cuteness Explosion by Stephen W. Martin
I Am Wriggly by Michael Rosen
Short Dog, Long Dog: A Book of Opposites by Anna Hrachovec
Sterling, Best Dog Ever by Aidan Cassie

Craft: Cat Necklace

- Print template (left) onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Cut out cat

- Punch hole at end of tail

- Color cat

- String cat onto a piece of curling ribbon

- Optional: String beads onto curling ribbon

- Tie ends of curling ribbon so can wear as necklace

Extension Activities:

- Discuss pet responsibility.  What all do you need to take care of a pet?  What types of food would your pet eat? 

- Extend the song book Cows in the Kitchen by adding more animals into the house (ex - goats in the garbage, bats in the bathroom, ants in the attic, etc).

Roar: A Book of Animal Sounds by Katerina Kerouli

Story Times are held weekly on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am. A monthly virtual Story Time is posted the first Tuesday of the month on the library's Facebook page.  It is available to view for one month before the next video is posted.

Click HERE for this month's virtual Story Time.

Roar: A Book of Animal Sounds by Katerina Kerouli **

Books:
Animals Go Vroom! by Abi Cushman
Beastly Babies by Ellen Jackson
A Couch for Llama by Leah Gilbert
Looking for a Moose by Phyllis Root
Night Animals by Gianna Marino
A Perfect Day by Lane Smith
Wolf Won't Bite by Emily Gravett

Craft: Fox Paper Bag Puppet
- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper
- Cut out pieces (face, ears, tail)
- Color pieces and bag (body)
- Glue head and ears to bottom of bag so can open and close mouth
- Glue tail to back of bag


Extension Activities:
- Play a game of animal charades.  Have your child act out how the animal moves, talks, etc and then try to guess what animal it is.
- Poll family members and friends to determine favorite animals.  Help your child create a chart showing what the favorite animals are and how many people chose them as their favorite.


** Notes - The original plan was to focus the story on the book A Couch for Llama by Leah Gilbert.  However, when I read it to a school class the week before it flopped.  The book would be great in a smaller setting or one-on-one but just geared towards a big group of chidlren.


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I'm My Own Dog -- 11/10/25

Story Times are held weekly on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am. A monthly virtual Story Time is posted the first Tuesday of the month on the library's Facebook page.  It is available to view for one month before the next video is posted.

Click HERE for this month's virtual Story Time.

I'm My Own Dog by David Ezra Stein
Cat Secrets by Jef Czekaj
Cowy Cow by Chris Raschka

Books:
Buddy and the Bunnies in Don't Play With Your Food by Bob Shea
Flat Cat by Tara Lazar
Hamster Sitter Wanted by Tracy Gunaratnam
Pet This Book by Jessica Young
That's My Dog! by Rick Walton
Widget by Lyn Rossiter McFarland

Craft: Hamster

- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Cut out pieces (body, legs/arms)

- Color pieces

- Fold body along dotted lines and then roll and glue end of body to just behind the head to make it stand

- Glue legs to bottom of hamster

- Glue arms to sides of hamster

Extension Activities:

- Visit a pet store to learn more about the different types of pets and how to care for them.

- Make a pets mural by letting your child cut out pictures of animals they think would make good pets from old magazines and then gluing them to a piece of paper.

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How to Lose a Lemur -- 11/4/25

Story Times are held weekly on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am. A monthly virtual Story Time is posted the first Tuesday of the month on the library's Facebook page.  It is available to view for one month before the next video is posted.

Click HERE for this month's virtual Story Time.

How to Lose a Lemur by Frann Preston-Gannon
I Am a Tiger by Karl Newson

Books:
Blueberry Mouse by Alice Low
Finnegan Fox by Katie Gilstrap
Lion Lessons by Jon Agee
Mama in the Moon by Doreen Cronin
Secret Pizza Party by Adam Rubin
Sloth Slept On by Frann Preston-Gannon

Craft: Standing Lion

- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Cut out pieces (body, head, tail)

- Color pieces

- Fold body along dotted lines to make it stand

- Glue tail to back of lion

- Glue head to front of lion

- (Optional) Cut along the lines of the mane and fold them slightly

Extension Activities:

- Have your child(ren) try to guess an animal from physical descriptions (ex - furry, whiskers, stripes, etc).

- Take a trip to a local zoo, petting zoo, nature center, etc. to view the different animals.

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Virtual Story Time: The Perfect Pet for You -- November 2025

Each month, Miss Amy records a virtual Story Time that goes along with the monthly theme.  It will be posted monthly in the morning of the first Tuesday of the month.  (The video is available to watch for one month before a new one is uploaded.) 

Click HERE for this month's virtual Story Time.

The Perfect Pet for You by Estelle Laure

Books:

The Birthday Pet by Ellen Javernick
Lizard from the Park by Mark Pett

Me Want Pet! by Tammi Sauer

My Rhinoceros by Jon Agee

A Pet for Miss Wright by Judy Young

We Want a Dog by Lo Cole

Extension Activities:

- Make pet rocks.  Let kids decorate their rocks and name them.

- Use Legos or craft supplies to build the perfect pet.

- Relax with some animal-themed yoga poses.

Bedtime for Monsters -- 10/28/25

Story Times are held weekly on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am. A monthly virtual Story Time is posted the first Tuesday of the month on the library's Facebook page.  It is available to view for one month before the next video is posted.

Click HERE for this month's virtual story time.

Bedtime for Monsters by Ed Vere
10 Spooky Pumpkins by Gus Grimly

Books:
Frankenbunny by Jill Esbaum
I Do NOT Eat Children by Marcus Cutler
Peanut Butter & Brains by Joe McGee
The Skeleton in the Closet by Alice Schertle
We're Going on a Goon Hunt by Michael Rex
Yeti, Turn Out the Light! by Greg Long

Craft: Zombie

- Template can be purchased from Etsy
- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Cut out pieces (body, feet, arms, head, eyes)

- Color pieces

- Glue pieces together to make zombie

Extension Activities:

- Plan a monster party.  What games would you play?  What music would you listen to?  What foods would you eat?  What would you wear to the party?

- Go over trick or treating safety rules before Halloween.

The Ugliest Monster in the World -- 10/21/25

Story Times are held weekly on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am. A monthly virtual Story Time is posted the first Tuesday of the month on the library's Facebook page.  It is available to view for one month before the next video is posted.

Click HERE for this month's virtual story time.

The Ugliest Monster in the World by Luis Amavisca
Bunnies!!! by Kevan Atteberry

Books:
Frankenbunny by Jill Esbaum
I Will Chomp You! by Jory John
Leonardo the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems
Looking for a Jumbie by Tracey Baptiste
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
Wolfboy by Andy Harkness

Craft: Vampire Puppet
- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Cut out pieces (head, cape, bowtie)

- Color pieces

- Glue head to top of large craft stick

- Glue cape to back of craft stick centered at bottom of head

- Glue on bowtie below vampire's head

Extension Activities:

- After reading a monster book, poll your child(ren) for which monster is the ugliest, scariest, friendliest, etc.

- Ask your child to write their own version of Bunnies!!! with different animals and things for the monster to greet.

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If You're a Monster and You Know It -- 10/14/25

Story Times are held weekly on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am. A monthly virtual Story Time is posted the first Tuesday of the month on the library's Facebook page.  It is available to view for one month before the next video is posted.

Click HERE for this month's virtual story time.

Skeleton Hiccups by Margery Cuyler
I Just Ate My Friend by Heidi McKinnon
If You're a Monster and You Know It by Rebecca & Ed Emberley

Books:
Buddy and the Bunnies in: Don't Play With Your Food by Bob Shea
Give Me Back My Bones! by Kim Norman
Go to Sleep, Little Creep by David Quinn
Jeepers Creepers: A Monsters ABC by Laura Leuck
The Most Terrible of All by Muon Van
The Skeleton in the Closet by Alice Schertle

Craft: Skeleton
- Print skeleton outline onto colored paper
- Print skull onto white paper and cut out

- Cut white paper into short paper strips (1/2" x 1-1/2")

- Glue strips onto skeleton outline for bones

- Glue head to top of skeleton

Extension Activities:

- Learn about our bones and different types of skeletons.  Check out an informational book from the library to look at true skeletons.

- Talk about friendship and how we should treat out friends.

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Are You a Monster? Story Time -- 10/6/25

Story Times are held weekly on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am. A monthly virtual Story Time is posted the first Tuesday of the month on the library's Facebook page.  It is available to view for one month before the next video is posted.

Click HERE for this month's virtual story time.

Are You a Monster? by Guilherme Karsten
Ghost in the House by Ammi-Joan Paquette

Books:
Bye-Bye Big Bad Bullybug by Ed Emberley
The Monster at the End of the Book by Jon Stone
My Monster Mama Loves Me So by Laura Leuck
Snow Beast Comes to Play by Phil Gosier
When a Monster Is Born by Sean Taylor

Craft: Ghost
- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper
- Cut out ghost
- Color ghost if like
- Cut five strips of paper (1/2"x5")
- Glue strips to bottom of ghost
- Curl or accordian-fold strips if you like




Extension Activities:
- Make a ghost in a bag.  Draw a face on a ziploc bag with a sharpie.  Then add a small amount of shaving cream into the bag before sealing the bag.  Let the kids squish the bag to make ghost shapes.
- Have fun with some monster Mad Libs.


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Virtual Story Time -- October 2025

Each month, Miss Amy records a virtual Story Time that goes along with the monthly theme.  It will be posted monthly in the morning of the first Tuesday of the month.  (The video is available to watch for one month before a new one is uploaded.) 

Click HERE for this month's virtual Story Time.

Quit Calling Me a Monster by Jory John

Books:
Benita and the Night Creatures by Mariana Llanos
I Do Not Eat Children by Marcus Cutler
A Monster Is Eating This Book by Karen Kilpatrick
One Chicken Nugget by Tadgh Bentley
Pretty Ugly by David Sedaris
Why Did the Monster Cross the Road? by R.L. Stine




Extension Activities:
- Have a Cookie Monster Day.  Enjoy activities such as baking cookies, cookie taste testing, and polling people for their favorite types of cookies.
- Make a fun craft monster.  Get out all your craft supplies (ex - paper, glue, colors, pompoms, craft sticks, pipe cleaners, sequins, etc) and let your child(ren) have fun making up the craziest monsters they can imagine.

Building Block Award Nominees: Week 4 -- 9/30/25

Story Times are held weekly on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am. A monthly virtual Story Time is posted the first Tuesday of the month on the library's Facebook page.  It is available to view for one month before the next video is posted.

Click HERE for this month's virtual Story Time.

Simon and the Better Bone by Corey R. Tabor
Bear's Lost Glasses by Leo Timmers
Just One Flake by Travis Jonker

Books:
Bear's Lost Glasses by Leo Timmers
Dig Dig Dinosaur by Professor Anjali Goswami
I Live in a Tree Trunk by Meg Fleming
Just One Flake by Travis Jonker
Mr. Fox's Game of No by David LaRochelle
Peg Gets Crackin' Jo RenfroPloof by Ben Clanton
The Quiet Forest by Charlotte Offsay
Simon and the Better Bone by Corey Tabor
Towed by Toad by Jashar Awan

Craft: Snowflake
- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper
- Cut out pieces (snowflake arms)
- Glue arms together in center to make snowflake shape
- Decorate snowflake by coloring or gluing on sparkles




Extension Activities:
- Click HERE to vote for your choice for the Missouri Building Block Picture Book Award.  (Voting will be open through December 31, 2025.)
- Set up a bone scavenger hunt for your child(ren).  Print and cut out bone shapes and then hide them around your house for your child(ren) to find.


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Building Block Award Nominees: Week 3 -- 9/23/25

Story Times are held weekly on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am. A monthly virtual Story Time is posted the first Tuesday of the month on the library's Facebook page.  It is available to view for one month before the next video is posted.

Click HERE for this month's virtual Story Time.

Peg Gets Crackin' by Jo Renfro
Mr. Fox's Game of "NO!" by David LaRochelle

Books:
Bear's Lost Glasses by Leo Timmers
Dig Dig Dinosaur by Professor Anjali Goswami
I Live in a Tree Trunk by Meg Fleming
Just One Flake by Travis Jonker
Ploof by Ben Clanton
The Quiet Forest by Charlotte Offsay
Simon and the Better Bone by Corey Tabor
Towed by Toad by Jashar Awan

Craft: Chicken
- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper
- Cut out pieces (body, legs, feet)
- Color pieces
- Fold body along dotted lines to make beak and wings
- Glue legs to body (optional -- accordian fold legs)
- Glue feet to legs



Extension Activities:
- Play a game of Simon Says.
- Visit a farm or local park with chickens (such as Suson Park).


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Building Block Award Nominees, Week 2 -- 9/16/25

Story Times are held weekly on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am. A monthly virtual Story Time is posted the first Tuesday of the month on the library's Facebook page.  It is available to view for one month before the next video is posted.

Click HERE for this month's virtual Story Time.

Ploof by Ben Clanton
Towed by Toad by Jashar Awan
I Live in a Tree Trunk by Meg Fleming

Books:
Bear's Lost Glasses by Leo Timmers
Dig Dig Dinosaur by Professor Anjali Goswami
Just One Flake by Travis Jonker
Mr. Fox's Game of No by David LaRochelle
Peg Gets Crackin' Jo Renfro
The Quiet Forest by Charlotte Offsay
Simon and the Better Bone by Corey Tabor

Craft: Car with Driver
- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper
- Cut out pieces (driver, circle/tires)
- Cut a piece of cardstock into quarters
- Cut a slit into the quarter sheet's center for driver
- Color pieces (quarter sheet/car body, tires, driver)
- Glue quarter sheet into a tube
- Glue tires to sides of car
- Slide driver into slit at top of car

Extension Activities:
- Learn more about animal habitats by visiting a zoo or nature area such as Grants Farm or Powder Valley.
- Play a game of Green Light, Red Light.


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2025 Building Block Award Nominees -- 9/9/25

Story Times are held weekly on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am. A monthly virtual Story Time is posted the first Tuesday of the month on the library's Facebook page.  It is available to view for one month before the next video is posted.

Click HERE for this month's virtual Story Time.

The Quiet Forest by Charlotte Offsay
Dig Dig Dinosaur by Professor Anjali Goswami

Books:
Bear's Lost Glasses by Leo Timmers
I Live in a Tree Trunk by Meg Fleming
Just One Flake by Travis Jonker
Mr. Fox's Game of No by David LaRochelle
Peg Gets Crackin' Jo Renfro
Ploof by Ben Clanton
Simon and the Better Bone by Corey Tabor
Towed by Toad by Jashar Awan

Craft: Dinosaur Puzzle

- Print template (left) on cardstock or heavy paper

- Color picture

- Cut along straight lines to make a 12 piece puzzle

Extension Activities:

- Retell The Quiet Forest but with different animals.  Ask your child to suggest animals and what their action would be.

- Learn more about dinosaurs.  Check out one of the informational dinosaur books from the library.