Best of 2016: December 27, 2016

Books:
The Cow Who Climbed a Tree by Gemma Merino
Dragon Was Terrible by Kelly DiPucchio
It Came in the Mail by Ben Clanton
Lion Lessons by Jon Agee *
Oh No, Astro! by Matt Roeser
Woodpecker Wants a Waffle by Steve Breen *

Craft: Waffle
The kids colored a cut out woodpecker and glued onto a jumbo craft stick as a tree.

Literacy Extensions:
- Lion Lessons tells kids how to act like a lion.  See if your child can follow the lessons to become an honorary lion.
- Use It Came in the Mail to talk about letter writing.  Have your child practice writing a letter.

Christmas Story Time: December 19-20, 2016

Books:
Babushka by Sandra Ann Horn
Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson *
I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas by John Rox
Minerva Louise on Christmas Eve by Janet Morgan Stoeke *
Monster Needs a Christmas Tree by Paul Czajak *

Craft: Candle Wreath
This week's craft was based on the picture at left.  The children colored a candle cutout before gluing it to a small paper plate with the center cut out.  Die cut holly leaves and large sparkles for berries were also glued onto the plate.

Literacy Extensions:
- Minerva Louise is a chicken that is confused about the different symbols at Christmastime.  Have your child identify different Christmas symbols and talk about what they mean (i.e. star, Christmas tree, Santa, angels, etc.)
- Christmas is a great time to give back to those who are less fortunate.  One great way is to have your child donate a toy to a charity for each new toy they get at Christmastime.


Candle Template:

Best of 2016: December 12-13, 2016

Books:
Alan's Big, Scary Teeth by Jarvis *
President Squid by Aaron Reynolds
Rex by Simon James
Still a Gorilla! by Kim Norman *
There's a Bear on My Chair by Ross Collins *
When Spring Comes by Kevin Henkes

Craft: Gorilla
This week's craft is pictured above.  Kids colored the parts of a gorilla - body, head, arms and feet - before gluing them together.

Literacy Extensions:
- Reading Alan's Big, Scary Teeth would be a great lead-in to a talk about tooth brushing and dental hygiene.
- Have your child act out the various animals while reading Still a Gorilla.  See if your child can come up with additional animals to extend the story.

Best of 2016 Story Time: December 5-6, 2016

Books:
Barnacle Is Bored by  Jonathan Fenske *
I Am Bear by Ben Bailey Smith *
Is That Wise, Pig? by Jan Thomas *
The Mixed-Up Truck by Stephen Savage *
They All Saw a Cat by Brendan Wenzel

Craft: Barnacle
The children colored a cutout template of a barnacle before gluing it into a cylinder.  The legs could be slightly bent to make it look like they were moving in the waves.

Literacy Extensions:
- I Am Bear's humor comes for the odd things he says based on his rhymes.  Practice rhyming with your child.  See how many rhyming words they can come up with.
- They All Saw a Cat demonstrates in its pictures how different animals see something in different ways.  Have your child experiment with that by having them ask various people for the names of shades of colors.


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Bears Story Time: November 28-29, 2016

Books:
Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson *
A Beginner's Guide to Bear Spotting by Michelle Robinson
Every Autumn Comes the Bear by Jim Arnosky
Leaves by David Ezra Stein
Shh! Bears Sleeping by David Martin *
We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen *

Craft: Standing Bear
The children were given a bear cutout to color.  The legs were then bent down so the bear could stand.

Literacy Extensions:
- Discuss hibernation after reading Shh! Bears Sleeping or Every Autumn Comes the Bear.  See if your child can guess which animals hibernate during the winter.
- We've now read about four different animals that live in the forest this month.  See how many other animals your child can list that lives in the woods.


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Turkey Story Time: November 21-22, 2016

Books:
10 Turkeys in the Road by Brenda Reeves Sturgis
I'm a Turkey! by Jim Arnosky *
A Plump and Perky Turkey by Teresa Bateman
Run, Turkey, Run! by Diane Mayr *
Turkey Day by Grace Maccarone

Craft: Paper Plate Turkey
Children colored a small paper plate before gluing on a beak, waddle and eyes to the center of the plate.  They then glued on orange, yellow, and red feathers to the back of the plate to finish the turkeys.  They could then either write their name on the feathers of things they were thankful for.

Literacy Extensions:
- After reading Run Turkey Run!, have your child come up with how they would avoid becoming Thanksgiving dinner if they were a turkey.
- Ask your child what things they think of when you say Thanksgiving (i.e. types of food, parade, football, pilgrims, etc.)


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Moose Story Time: November 14-15, 2016

Books:
Ernest the Moose Who Doesn't Fit by Catherine Rayner *
If You Give a Moose a Muffin by Laura Numeroff
Looking for a Moose by Phyllis Root *
Moose on the Loose by Kathy-Jo Wargin
This Is a Moose by Richard T. Morris *
This Moose Belongs to Me by Olivier Jeffers

Craft: Moose Ornament
This week's craft is pictured at left.  The children colored the pieces of the moose before stringing it onto curling ribbon in the following order -- legs, pony bead, body, pony bead, head.  It was then tied into an ornament.

Literacy Extensions:
- Practice word recognition while reading one of the books.  Ask your child to point out the word "moose" each times it appears on a page.
- After reading This Is a Moose, read a nonfiction book about moose to learn how they truly act.  Books are available at the library.


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You will need to make sure to cut out a "bump" at the top of each piece to hole punch and string onto ribbon.

Owls Story Time: November 7-8, 2016

Books:
Good Night Owl by Greg Pizzoli
Hoot Owl, Master of Disguise by Sean Taylor *
"I'm Not Cute!" by Jonathan Allen
Little Hoot by Amy Krouse Rosenthal *
Whoo Goes There? by Jennifer A. Ericsson

Craft: Owl Picture
This week's craft is pictured at left.  The children were given the outline of an owl on a piece of paper.  They then glued on tissue paper feathers, brown wings, eyes, and a yellow beak to finish their owl.

Literacy Extensions:
- After reading Hoot Owl, see if your child can continue the story by coming up with costumes Hoot Owl could use to catch other animals.
- Learn more about owls.  Informational books on owls are available at the library.  Or visit the Wild Bird Sanctuary in St. Louis.

Sweets: A Trick or Treat Story Time: October 31-November 1, 2016

Books:
Bad Kitty Does Not Like Candy by Nick Bruel *
The Cow Loves Cookies by Karma Wilson
Cupcake by Charise Mericle Harper *
If You Give a Cat a Cupcake by Laura Numeroff
Little Pea by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Should I Share My Ice Cream? by Mo Willems *
Who Took the Cookies from the Cookie Jar? by Bonnie Lass

Craft: Ice Cream Cone Picture
This week's craft was based on the picture at left.  Kids were given a brown triangle for a cone and two white mini-cupcake liners.  The cupcake liners were squashed flat and colored before gluing with the cone onto a half piece of cardstock.  They also had the option of gluing it onto a brown paper lunchbag to use while trick or treating.

Literacy Extensions:
- Use this opportunity to go over Halloween safety tips and rules while trick or treating.
- After reading Bad Kitty Does Not Like Candy, go over brush teething with your child.

Fruits Story Time: October 24-25, 2016

Books:
Blueberry Mouse by Alice Low
Ned's New Home by Kevin Tseng *
Raisin and Grape by Tom Amico
Ten Orange Pumpkins: A Counting Book by Stephen Savage *
The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli *

Craft: Banana Man
The children colored a banana cutout before gluing on yellow strips of paper that were accordian-folded for arms and legs.


Literacy Extensions:
- Have your child take a poll to see which fruits are most liked in your family.
- After reading Ten Orange Pumpkins, have your child come up with a similar story using a different type of fruit.

Meat Story Time: October 17-18, 2016

Books:
Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin
Everyone Loves Bacon by Kelly DiPucchio *
Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss *
On Top of Spaghetti by Paul Brett Johnson *

Craft: Plate of Spaghetti
This week's craft was based on the picture at right.  The children were given a paper plate and asked to color pasta sauce on it.  They then colored meatball cutouts.  They were also given a long piece of yarn that could either be glued onto the plate whole or cut into smaller pieces if the parents agreed to them using scissors.  The meatballs were glued on top of the yarn spaghetti.

Literacy Extensions:
- Take a poll and see what types of meat your child likes.  See which one is their favorite.
- After reading Green Eggs and Ham, try a new food with your child.

Vegetables Story Time: October 11, 2016

Books:
Bob & Rob & Corn on the Cob by Todd McQueen *
Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert
Rabbit Food by Susanne Gretz
Rah, Rah, Radishes! A Vegetable Chant by April Pulley Sayre
Three Little Peas by Marine Rivoal *
Up, Down, and Around by Katherine Ayres *

Craft: Peas in a Pod
This week's craft is based on the picture above.  The kids colored three pea cutouts along with a paper plate cut into a pod shape before gluing them onto a half sheet of paper.

Literacy Extensions:
- See how many vegetables your kids know.  When visiting the grocery store, ask your child to identify the various vegetables found in the produce section.
- Try growing some vegetables together.  Start a small container garden with your favorite vegetable in the spring and see what you can grow.

Food Story Time: October 3-4, 2016

Books:
Badger's Fancy Meal by Keiko Kasza
Bear Wants More by Karma Wilson
How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food? by Jane Yolen
I Really Like Slop! by Mo Willems *
My Little Sister Ate One Hare by Bill Grossman *
Sylvie by Jennifer Sattler *
Worms for Lunch by Leonid Gore

Craft: Flamingo
The kids colored a cardstock flamingo cutout before taping on a pipe cleaner that was folded in half to the back of the flamingo for its legs.

Literacy Extensions:
- Teach your child to be adventurous and try a new food with your child.
- After reading How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food? have your child practice good table manners while eating

Building Block Award Nominees Story Time: September 26-27, 2016

Books:
Dad's First Day by Mike Wohnoutka *
Little Penguin Gets the Hiccups by Tadgh Bentley *
Ragweed's Farm Day Handbook by Anne Vittur Kennedy *

Craft: Penguin
Our craft this week was based on the picture at right.  The kids colored cardstock cutout body, tummy, wings and feet before gluing them together to make a penguin.

Literacy Extensions:
- Dad's First Day is a great introduction to empathy for kids.  Talk about feelings and how different people might feel in particular situations.
- After reading Little Penguin Gets the Hiccups learn what penguins really like to eat.  There are several books on penguins at the library.

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Building Block Award Nominees Story Time: September 19-20, 2016

Books:
Bunnies!!! by Kevan Atteberry *
Get Out of My Bath! by Britta Teckentrup *
Vincent Paints His House by Tedd Arnold *
The Whale in My Swimming Pool by Joyce Wan *

Craft: House
This week's craft was based on the picture at left.  Children glued a large H cutout and a triangle to a piece of paper to make into a house.  They then colored it their favorite color(s) and drew on doors and windows.


Literacy Extensions:
- Practice color recognition and counting while in the car.  Ask your child to identify the color of the houses and buildings you pass.  Then have count all the houses / buildings of a particular color.
- After reading The Whale in My Swimming Pool, have your child extend the story by coming up with ways to try to get the bear out of the bed.

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Building Block Award Nominees Story Time: September 12-13, 2016

Books:
I Don't Want to Be a Frog by Dev Petty *
Rex Wrecks It! by Ben Clanton *
Simon's New Bed by Christian Trimmer *

Craft: Frog
The kids colored a frog cutout and a small fly cutout. They then glued on a small strip of paper for a paper tongue and glued the fly to the tongue.



Literacy Extensions:
- After reading Rex Wrecks It, practice teamwork and sharing by building a block tower together.
- After reading I Don't Want to Be a Frog, have your child "rewrite" the story with another animal that would rather be something else.


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Building Block Award Winners Story Time: September 6, 2016

Books:
Move Over, Rover! by Karn Beaumont *
Mustache Baby by Bridget Heos *
Naked! by Michael Ian Black
The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen

Craft: Accordian-Fold Dog
This week's craft was based on the picture above.  Children colored a dog cutout that had been cut into front and back pieces.  They then glued a piece of accordian-folded paper between the two halves of the dog so the dog can expand.

Literacy Extensions:
- After reading Move Over, Rover!, talk about storms with your child.  Are they scary?  Why or why not?
- Have your child "practice" reading a book.  Have them tell you the story from the pictures.

Art Story Time: August 29-30, 2016

Books:
Bear Sees Colors by Karma Wilson *
The Dot by Peter Reynolds
Go, Shapes, Go! by Denise Fleming *
I Dream of an Elephant by Ami Rubinger
I'm the Best Artist in the Ocean by Kevin Sherry *
Mouse Shapes by Ellen Stoll Walsh

Craft: Whale
This week's craft goes with the book I'm the Best Artist in the Ocean.  The kids drew pictures on a whale cutout and then colored it.

Literacy Extensions:
- Practice color and shape recognition by playing I Spy.
- Tangrams are a great way to play with shapes.  Tangram patterns can be found online.


Notes:
Last week's story times focused on science.  They were covered by another staff member as I was on vacation.

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Math Story Time: August 15-16, 2016

Books:
Count the Monkeys by Mac Barnett
Let's Count Goats! by Mem Fox *
One More Bunny: Adding from One to Ten by Rick Walton
Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons by Eric Litwin *
Ten Eggs in a Nest by Marilyn Sadler *

Craft: Color by Numbers Sheet
The children practiced their number recognition by completing a color by numbers sheet.  Template below.

Literacy Extensions:
- Practice number recognition.  Look for numbers around you and see if your child can identify them.  (i.e. clock, signs, etc.)
- Count while you eat.  Count the number of chips you have or the number of bites it takes to eat your sandwich.

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Reading Story Time: August 8-9, 2016

Books:
A Is for Salad by Mike Lester
The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak *
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr. *
Jeepers Creepers: A Monstrous ABC by Laura Leuck *
Old Black Fly by Jim Aylesworth

Craft: Monster Bookmark
Kids colored a monster-shaped bookmark and glued on horns and sequins.


Literacy Extensions:
- Play the alphabet game while in the car.  Take turns finding the various letters of the alphabet on signs or license plates.
- There are a lot of fun foods that incoporate letters that you can have kids identify while they eat (i.e. Scrabble Cheezits, Alphabet Soup, M&Ms, etc.)

School Story Time: August 1-2, 2016

Books:
Bear's School Day by Stella Blackstone
Dad's First Day by Mike Wohnoutka
Dinosaur vs. School by Bob Shea *
Kindergarten Countdown by Anna Jane Hays *
Kitty Cat, Kitty Cat, Are You Going to School? by Bill Martin Jr.
Minerva Louise at School by Janet Morgan Stoeke
Ollie's School Day: A Yes-and-No Book by Stephanie Calmenson *

Craft: Paper Bag Backpack
This week's craft is based on the picture at left.  A paper lunch bag was cut so it stood 8" tall.  Then the template was used to cut out paper pouches and clasps.  1" x 8-1/2" strips were cut from paper.  All the pieces were colored before gluing together.  The bag was opened before gluing the clasp onto both sides of the bag at the top.

Literacy Extensions:
- Talk with your child about what they will be doing at school.  Try to list all the different activities they might do during the day (i.e. nap time, music, story time, recess, etc.)
- Review the various learning concepts before the start of school (i.e. alphabet, counting, shapes, etc.)

Notes:
I am also doing a Chick-Fil-A story time this week that will use the school books I did not read at the library's story time.

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Christmas Story Time: July 25-26, 2016

Books:
Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson
Click, Clack, Ho! Ho! Ho! by Doreen Cronin *
Dinosaur vs. Santa by Bob Shea *
How Do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas? by Jane Yolen
Snowbear's Christmas Countdown by Theresa Smythe *

Craft: Christmas Tree
This week's craft is pictured at left.  The children colored a large triangle before lacing red yarn for garland.  They then glued on sequins and star for a topper.

Literacy Activities:
- After reading Snowbear's Christmas Countdown discuss different things you do to prepare for Christmas.  Maybe make a list of things to do together as a countdown for your family.
- Talk about things you might want to give as presents to friends and family for Christmas.  Maybe come up with some gifts you can make together.

Thanksgiving Story Time: July 18-19, 2016

Books:
Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson
Over the River and Through the Woods by L. Maria Child
Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes *
Thanksgiving for Emily Ann by Teresa Johnston *
Turkey Day by Grace Maccarone *
The Very First Thanksgiving by Rhonda Gowler Greene

Craft: Paper Plate Turkey
This week's craft was based on the picture above.  Children colored a turkey cutout before gluing it onto a half paper plate along with colored paper squares.

Literacy Extensions:
- Discuss with your child all the things he/she is grateful for.
- Talk about Thanksgiving traditions.  What traditions does your family keep?


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Halloween Story Time: July 11-12, 2016

Books:
Click, Clack, Boo! A Tricky Treat by Doreen Cronin *
Jungle Halloween by Maryann Cocca-Leffler *
Six Creepy Sheep by Judith Ross Enderle
Ten Orange Pumpkins: A Counting Book by Stephen Savage
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat! by Lucille Colandro *
Wild Witches' Ball by Jack Prelutsky

Craft: Ghost Necklace
Children drew a face onto a cardstock ghost before stringing it onto curling ribbon with pony beads to make into a necklace.

Literacy Extensions:
- Halloween is always a good time to talk about stranger danger.  Remind your children that they should only talk to strangers when you are around.  Check out some of the books and videos available at the library about this topic.
- Do some counting practice with candy.  Count the number of candies that are different colors, different types, different shapes, etc.


Notes:
I found several years ago that curling ribbon works great for making necklaces - especially when stringing on pony beads.  The ribbon is stiffer than yarn and does not fray at the ends which makes it easier for kids to string the beads on.  It is also just thick enough that the beads will not move once they are put on the ribbon.

Fourth of July Story Time: July 5, 2016

Books:
America the Beautiful by Katherine Lee Bates
Fourth of July Mice! by Bethany Roberts *
Red, White, and Boom! by Lee Wardlaw
Tulip Sees America by Cynthia Rylant *
You're a Grand Old Flag by George M. Cohan

Craft: US Flag
Children glued on red stripes and a blue field onto a half sheet of white cardstock before sticking on either silver or gold star stickers.

Literacy Extensions:
- Explore the history of the United States with your child.  There are several great picture books that share historical tales of the early days and leaders of the country.
- Make sure to go over firework safety with your child before doing any fireworks together.

Easter Story Time: June 27-28, 2016

Books:
The Easter Bunny's Assistant by Jan Thomas *
Easter Mice by Bethany Roberts
Max Counts His Chickens by Rosemary Wells *
Minerva Louise and the Colorful Eggs by Janet Morgan Stoeke
Piggy Bunny by Rachel Vail *

Craft: Easter Bunny Headband
Our craft was based on the picture at left.  Kids colored ears, headband strips, and nose/teeth before gluing the pieces together to make into a bunny headband.  The kids could also glue on tissue paper onto the ears if they liked.

Literacy Extensions:
- After reading Piggy Bunny, name other animals and have your child give you reasons why or why not they could become the Easter Bunny.
- Following the directions in The Easter Bunny's Assistant, make Easter eggs with your child.


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St. Patrick's Story Time: June 20-21, 2016

Books:
Good Luck Bear by Greg Foley *
Green Shamrocks by Even Bunting
The Luckiest St. Patrick's Day Ever! by Teddy Slater *
The Night Before St. Patrick's Day by Natasha Wing *
Ten Lucky Leprechauns by Kathryn Heling

Craft: Paper Plate Leprechaun
This week's craft was based on the picture at left.  The kids colored a face and hair onto a large paper plate before gluing on a green hat.  They could cut slits around the plate for the beard if they liked.

Literacy Extensions:
- Learn about the history of St. Patrick's Day.  Tomie DePaola's book Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland gives a lot information about the real St. Patrick.
- Practice cutting shapes by making shamrocks out of various shapes (i.e. circles, hearts, ovals, etc.)

Valentines Story Time: June 13-14, 2016

Books:
The Ballad of Valentine by Alison Jackson
The Day It Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond *
If You'll Be My Valentine by Cynthia Rylant *
One Heart: A Valentine Counting Book by Maryann Cocca-Leffler
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Rose by Lucille Colandro *

Craft: Mr. Valentine (or Mrs. Valentine)
This week's craft is based on the picture above.  Children were given one large and four small cardstock hearts to color.  The large heart was decorated as either a Mr. or Mrs. Valentine with facial features.  The kids could either glue together the hearts with straight arms and legs or accordian-folded arms and legs.

Literacy Extensions:
- See how much your child can tell you about Valentine's Day (i.e. traditions, colors, symbols, etc.)
- Have your child practice drawing heart shapes.  If old enough, let them practice cutting them out with scissors.

Happy Birthday! Story Time: June 6-7, 2016

Books:
Bears and a Birthday by Shirley Parenteau *
Bear's Birthday by Stella Blackstone
The Birthday Pet by Ellen Javernick *
Don't Spill the Beans! by Ian Schoenherr *
Happy Birthday, Bunny! by Liz Garton
Whopper Cake by Karma Wilson

Craft: Birthday Cupcake Magnet
Children colored a cardstock cutout of a cupcake and a candle before gluing the candle to the cupcake along with sequins for sprinkles.  A magnet was attached to the back.

Literacy Extensions:
- After reading The Birthday Pet, have your child list different animals for pets and why or why not they would make a good pet for them.
- Have your child "plan" a birthday party.  Have them give suggestions for food, games, and activities.


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Train Story Time: May 31, 2016

Books:
All Aboard the Dinotrain by Deb Lund *
Clickety Clack by Amy & Rob Spence *
Freight Train by Donald Crews *
How to Train a Train by Jason Carter Eaton
Steam Train, Dream Train by Sherri Duskey Rinker
Whoosh and Chug! by Sebastien Braun

Craft: Name Train
This week's craft is pictured above.  The children were given a diecut train engine and then a train car for each letter of their name.  They colored the pieces and then glued them to a thin strip of card stock as a connector.

Literacy Extensions:
- Review different types of transportation.  See how many different types of vehicles your child can name.
- If you are in the St. Louis area, visit the Transportation Museum.  Check out the trains they have on display there.


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Boats Story Time: May 23-24, 2016

Books:
The Father Who Had 10 Children by Benedicte Guettier *
One-Dog Canoe by Mary Casanova *
Row, Row, Row Your Boat by Jane Cabrera *
Three Bears in a Boat by David Soman
Tugga-Tugga Tugboat by Kevin Lewis

Craft: Boat Picture
The children were given a sheet with the outline of a boat made out of shapes.  They were also given the shapes already pre-cut out to color.  They then matched the shapes to glue them on the paper to make a boat.

Literacy Extensions:
- Come up with additional verses to Row, Row, Row Your Boat adding in more animals.
- See how many different types of boats your child can name (i.e. canoe, yacht, submarine, etc.)


Notes:
The Father Who Had 10 Children by Benedicte Guettier has been re-released as The Dad With 10 Children.  The original translation of the French story is much better so try to find that version if possible.

Templates:

** Makes three boats

Truck & Tractor Story Time: May 16-17, 2016

Books:
20 Big Trucks in the Middle of the Street by Mark Lee *
Down by the Barn by Will Hillenbrand *
I'm Brave! by Kate McMullan
The Little Dump Truck by Margery Cuyler
McToad Mows Tiny Island by Tom Angleberger
Red Truck by K.R. Hamilton
Tip Tip Dig Dig by Emma Garcia *

Craft: T is for Tractor
The craft for this week is picture above.  The children were given a large T, small T, small L and two circles to color and then glue together into a tractor.

Literacy Extensions:
- Most children assume all tractors are green as John Deere tractors are very common.  Explore different color tractors and learn what companies use what colors.
- After reading I'm Brave, have your child "write" a similar book about another kind of truck or tractor.  Have them give characteristics and list what they do for their job.


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