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.