Merry Christmas! Story Time: December 23, 2019

Books:
Click, Clack, Ho! Ho! Ho! by Doreen Cronin
Dinosaur vs. Santa by Bob Shea *
Merry Christmas, Big Hungry Bear! by Don & Audrey Wood *
What Could Be Keeping Santa? by Marilyn Janovitz

Craft: Christmas Tree
This week's craft was based on the picture at left.  The children glued four strips of paper to a jumbo craft stick to make a Christmas tree.  (4-1/2"x1", 3-1/2"x1", 2-1/2"x1", 1-1/2"x1")  They then glued on a large star sequin to the top and could glue on sequins for ornaments.

Extension Activities:
- There are many traditions at Christmas.  Explore the different traditions with your child.  Learn the meaning behind the traditions and how Christmas is celebrated around the world.  (There are several books available at the library on these topics.)
- Go on a Christmas light scavenger hunt.  Drive through various neighborhoods to view the Christmas lights keeping track of different displays you see (i.e. snowflakes, stars, nativity, snowman, blow-up, etc.)

Our Favorite Books of 2019: December 9-10, 2019

Books:
I Can Only Draw Worms by Will Mabbitt *
Llama Destroys the World by Jonathan Stutzman *
What Does an Anteater Eat? by Ross Collins *

Craft: Llama
The kids colored a cutout llama and a rectangle that was folded and glued onto the llama's back for a blanket.  They could then decorate the llama with sequins.  They could also turn it into a holiday ornament if they liked.


Extension Activities:
- After reading What Does an Anteater Eat?, learn true information about anteaters including what they really eat.
- After reading a book, see if your child can illustrate it drawing only worms like in I Can Only Draw Worms.


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Our Favorite Books of 2019: December 2-3, 2019

Books:
I Am a Tiger by Karl Newson *
Most Marshmallows by Rowboat Watkins *
Piranhas Don't Eat Bananas by Aaron Blabey *
Truman by Jean Reidy

Craft: Paper Plate Piranha
An approximate 3" triangle was cut from a small paper plate.  The kids colored the plate (body), triangle (tail), and a top fin cutout before gluing them all together.  Four small triangles were glued on as teeth.

Extension Activities:
- I Am a Tiger has a mouse naming animals based on just a few characteristics.  See if your child can name items from just a few characteristics.  (i.e. - small tail, large feet and ears = elephant, underwater, lots of arms = jellyfish, etc.)
- Most Marshmallows encourages kids to dream big.  Ask your child about their biggest dreams.

Our Bodies: Feet Story Time: November 25-26, 2019

Books:
Dancing Feet by Lindsay Craig
Dog in Boots by Greg Gormley *
The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss
From Head to Toe by Eric Carle *
This Little Piggy by Tim Harrington
Who Has These Feet? by Laura Hulbert *

Craft: Dog in Boots
Children colored a dog cutout and four boot cutouts before gluing the boots to the dog's legs.

Extension Activities:
- Ask your child what kind of footwear should be worn for different situations.  (i.e. sneakers for playing, boots for snow, sandals for summer)
- Make some footprint art.  Trace around your child's foot and then see what kind of object they can make out of it.  For inspiration, search for "footprint art" in Google Images or Bing Images.


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Our Bodies: Bottoms Story Time: November 18-19, 2019

Books:
Chicken Butt by Erica Perl
Chicken Cheeks by Michael Ian Black
Parts by Tedd Arnold *
We've All Got Bellybuttons by Bill Martin Jr. *

Craft: Person Puzzle
Children were given a large gingerbread man cutout in pieces.  They glued the pieces onto a piece a paper reassembling into a person.  They then colored the person.


Extension Activities:
- Ask your child what movements different body parts can do.  (i.e. toes can wiggle, fingers can snap, arms can stretch, etc.).
- Chicken Cheeks gives synonyms for "derriere".  Ask your child if they can come up with synonyms for other body parts.  (i.e. toes = piggies)

Our Bodies: Head Story Time: November 4-5, 2019

Books:
A Boy and His Bunny by Sean Bryan
Cowlick! by Christin Ditchfield *
Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed by Eileen Christelow
Ocean Animals from Head to Tail by Stacey Roderick *
There Is a Bird on Your Head! by Mo Willems *

Craft: Bird
This week's craft was based on the picture at left.  The children colored a beak, two eyes, and two wings cut out from cardstock before gluing them to a plastic cup.  (We did not add the feather at top or the "belly".)

Extension Activities:
- This is the first week of our "body" story times.  Ask your child to point to their body part as you list them off.  Get creative and list unusual body parts (i.e. pinkie finger, eyelash, ankle, etc.).
- After making the craft (cup bird), see if your child can balance it on their head.  It requires stillness to do it.

Halloween Story Time: October 28-29, 2019

Books:
Click, Clack, Boo! by Doreen Cronin *
The Hallo-Wiener by Dav Pilkey
Jungle Halloween by Maryann Cocca-Leffler *
Six Creepy Sheep by Judith Ross Enderle
Ten Orange Pumpkins by Stephen Savage *

Craft: Vampire Treat Bag
This week's craft was loosely based on the picture at left.  The kids colored cutout hair, eyes, and bowtie before gluing to a paper bag.  They then drew on a mouth and fangs to complete their vampire.

Extension Activities:
- Go over safety tips before going trick or treating including wearing glow-in-the-dark at night to be seen, stranger safety tips, etc.
- Several of this week's books include counting as part of the story.  Practice counting with the treats received on Halloween.  Have your child separate the treats into the different kinds of food and then count them.

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Pumpkin Story Time: October 21-22, 2019

Books:
Five Little Pumpkins by Iris Van Rynbach *
Piggies in the Pumpkin Patch by Mary Peterson
Plumply, Dumply Pumpkin by Mary Serfozo *
Pumpkin Trouble by Jan Thomas *

Craft: Paper Plate Pumpkins
The kids were given a paper plate.  They drew a jack-o-lantern face in the center of the plate.  Orange squares of paper were glued around the edge of the plate.


Extension Activities:
- Visit a pumpkin patch.  Ask your child to describe the various pumpkins as they are in Plumply, Dumply Pumpkin.  (i.e. large, squat, sumptuous, etc)
- Decorate a pumpkin.  If your child is too young to carve the pumpkin, use finger paints or Sharpie markers.

Apple Story Time: October 15, 2019

Books:
All for Pie, Pie for All by David Martin
From Apple Trees to Cider, Please! by Felicia Sanzari Chernesky
The Starry Giraffe by Andy Bergman *
Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson *
Ten Apples Up on Top by Dr. Seuss *

Craft: Standing Apple Tree
This week's craft is based on the picture at left.  The children colored a quarter sheet of cardstock, rolled, and glued it to make into a tree trunk.  I then cut two slits in the top of the roll.  The kids then colored a cloud shape and glued on red tissue paper pieces as apples.  This makes the tree top.  The top was slid into the slits so the tree could stand.

Extension Activities:
- Conduct a taste test.  Try several different types of apples to see which your child/family likes best.
- Visit an apple farm to pick apples.

Fall Story Time: October 7-8, 2019

Books:
Every Autumn Comes the Bear by Jim Arnosky
Fall Is Not Easy by Marty Kelley *
In the Middle of Fall by Kevin Henkes
Red Are the Apples by Marc Harshaman *
When Autumn Falls by Kelli Nidey

Craft: Paper Plate Leaf Wreath
The children were given a paper plate ring with a piece of yarn tied around it for a hanger.  They could glue small fall-colored die-cut leaves on the wreath.  They were also given 5 larger white die-cut leaves to color and glue on.  They could make it into a family wreath by writing the names of their family members on the larger leaves.

Extension Activities:
- Red Are the Apples talks about the different colors seen in the fall.  Play a game of I Spy using fall colors as you go on a fall walk.
- Create a leaf collage.  Collect various fallen leaves and glue them onto paper to make pictures.

Building Blocks Nominees Story Time: Week 4: September 30-October 1, 2019

Books:
Hello Hello by Brendan Wenzel *
I Just Ate My Friend by Heidi McKinnon *
Where Is Bear? by Jonathan Bentley *

Craft: CD Teddy Bear
The kids colored cardstock cutouts of bear's head and paws before gluing to a used cd-rom.




Extension Activities:
- Hello Hello introduces aspects as animals throughout the book.  Ask your child to come up with their own "Hello's" based on the aspects they see in the illustrations.
- Play a game of hide and seek with the CD Teddy Bear craft you make.  Hide the teddy bear and see if your child can find it.

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Building Block Nominees Story Time: Week Three: September 23-24, 2019

Books:
Eat Pete! by Michael Rex *
A Perfect Day by Lane Smith *
The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld *

Craft: Outlined Rabbit
The kids colored a large sheet with a bunny outline on it.  They then glued on small paper squares to the black outline.

Extension Activities:
- Discuss with your child what things would make up their "perfect day".
- The Rabbit Listened shows different ways to react when things go wrong.  Discuss with your child the different ways of acting and which they think are better.


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Building Block Nominees Story Time: Week 2: September 16-17, 2019

Books:
Beware the Monster! by Michael Escoffier
Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings

Craft: Dog Puppet
Kids colored a dog face, ears, and tongue before gluing them to a paper bag to make into a puppet.

Extension Activities:
- Can I Be Your Dog? is told through letters.  Have your child write a letter to someone.  If they are not able to write yet, have them draw pictures to tell a story in the letter.
- Beware the Monster can be a little scary for younger children.  Ask your child for ways they could "beat" the monster to help them combat any fear they might have.


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Building Block Nominees: Week 1 Story Time: September 9-10, 2019

Books:
Cookiesaurus Rex by Amy Fellner Dominy *
Crunch the Shy Dinosaur - Cirocco Dunlap *

Craft: Dinosaur Magnets
Kids colored three dinosaur cutouts before gluing on sparkles. They then added magnets to the back.

Extension Activities:
- Crunch wrote the children's names at one point during the book.  Have your child practice writing their name.  Maybe paint it on a big rock like in the book.
- Bake and decorate cookies like in Cookiesaurus Rex.


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Building Block Award Past Winners Story Time: September 3, 2019

Books:
Mustache Baby by Bridget Heos *
Naked! by Michael Ian Black *
Pug Meets Pig by Sue Gallion *

Craft: Person
The kids colored a large person cutout and glued on sparkles so it was no longer naked.

Extension Activities:
- Pug Meets Pig is all about friendship and sharing.  Schedule a play date for your kids stressing good friendship and sharing beforehand.
- The character of Beard Baby is introduced at the end of Mustache Baby.  Ask your child what they think would happen after Mustache and Beard Babies meet.  Then read the other books in the series to see how it is the same or different.

Learning Review Story Time: August 26-27, 2019

Books:
5 Little Ducks by Denise Fleming *
Do You Know Which Ones Will Grow? by Susan A. Shea
Marta! Big & Small by Jen Arena *
Shout! Shout It Out! by Denise Fleming *
Up, Down, and Around by Katherine Ayres

Craft: Megaphone
The children colored the megaphone cutout before gluing it into a cylinder.  A handle was then glued into a circle and taped onto the megaphone.

Extension Activities:
- Take a field trip to a museum for some educational fun (i.e. Magic House (science), Art Museum, History Museum, etc.)
- Find out what your child is interested in learning about.  Check out some books on that topic from the library.


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Colors & Shapes Story Time: August 19-20, 2019

Books:
Butterfly, Butterly: A Book of Colors by Peter Horacek *
A Circle in the Sky by Zachary Wilson *
Mix It Up! by Herve Tullet *
Mouse Shapes by Ellen Stoll Walsh
Shape Shift by Joyce Hesselberth

Craft: Butterfly Matching Sheet
The kids match shape cutouts to the shapes on a butterfly coloring sheet.



Extension Activities:
- Play a game of I Spy mixing it up between looking for colored and shaped objects.
- Practice color mixing with dyed ice cubes.  Make colored ice cubes using food coloring.  Ask your child to guess what colors they will get by mixing the different melted cubes.


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ABCs & 123s Story Time: August 12-13, 2019

Books:
Alphabet Trucks by Samantha R. Vamos
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. *
Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed by Eileen Christelow
I Can Only Draw Worms by Will Mabbitt *
Jeepers Creepers: A Monstrous ABC by Laura Leuck
Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons by Eric Litwin
Stack the Cats by Susie Ghahremani *

Craft: Worms Counting Sheet
The kids colored a sheet with worms.  They then glued small strips of paper for stripes on the worms.  They had to glue the correct number of stipes on each worm as indicated by the number next to that worm.

Extension Activities:
- Play the Alphabet Game while in the car.  Ask your child to find all the letters of the alphabet (in order) in signs, license plates, etc.
- Practice counting everyday things.  (i.e. number of chips eaten at lunch, number of commercials during a TV show, number of stairs, etc.)


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Back to School Story Time: August 5-6, 2019

Books:
All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
Dad's First Day by Mike Wohnoutka *
Dinosaur vs. School by Bob Shea
Here Comes Teacher Cat by Deborah Underwood
The Little School Bus by Margery Cuyler *
Oliver and His Alligator by Paul Schmid *

Craft: School Puzzle
The children colored a school coloring sheet on cardstock.  They could then cut it out on the lines on the back of the sheet to turn it into a puzzle.

Extension Activities:
- Visit your child's school for a tour with your child.  Make sure to visit the areas they will be using (i.e. classroom, cafeteria, library, gym, etc.).
- Plan and go over the first day of school schedule.  Practice the various parts (i.e. getting up early, picking out outfit, etc.)

Elephant & Piggie: I Really Like Slop: July 29-30, 2019

Books:
Every Color Soup by Jorey Hurley *
I Really Like Slop! by Mo Willems *
Is That Wise, Pig? by Jan Thomas
Wild Boars Cook by Meg Rosoff *
Worms for Lunch by Leonid Gore

Craft: Cereal Necklace
Kids threaded fruit loops cereal onto a string to make into a necklace.  They were also given an Elephant & Piggie coloring sheet to color.


Extension Activities:
- I Really Like Slop is about trying new foods.  Try a new food with your child to see if you like it.
- Make a simple recipe together with your child.  Have them help with the measuring, counting, stirring, etc.

Elephant and Piggie: I Am Invited to a Party! Story Time: July 22-23, 2019

Books:
Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson *
Groovy Joe: Disco Party Countdown by Eric Litwin *
I Am Invited to a Party! by Mo Willems *
If You Give a Pig a Party by Laura Numeroff
Just Not Invited by Mercer Mayer
Miss Spider's Tea Party by Daniel Kirk

Craft: Party Crown
Kids colored a cutout of the word PARTY with Elephant and Piggie on it.  They could add sequins if they liked.  They then glued on strips of paper to turn it into a crown to wear.

Extension Activities:
- Several of the suggested books include an element of math.  Practice counting in the other books by counting the number of party guests.
- Being invited to a party is a great time to go over etiquette.  Go over simple party manners with your child and practice them at home.


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Elephant & Piggie: Let's Go For a Drive! Story Time: July 15-16, 2019

Books:
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems *
Let's Go for a Drive! by Mo Willems *
Mitchell's License by Hallie Durand
Moo! by David LaRochelle *
Number One Sam by Greg Pizzoli

Craft: Pigeon Bus
The children colored a bus cutout with Elephant and Piggie in the Windows as well as a Pigeon head cutout.  The Pigeon cutout was glued into the driver's window.

Extension Activities:
- After reading Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, ask your child for the reasons why a pigeon should not drive a vehicle.
- Plan a drive with your child.  Ask them to help determine what supplies will be needed and to help pack for the drive. 

Elephant & Piggie: Waiting Is Not Easy! Story Time: July 8-9, 2019

Books:
Click, Clack, Surprise! by Doreen Cronin
Don't Spill the Beans! by Ian Schoenherr
Flora's Surprise! by Debi Gliori
Oh! What a Surprise! by Suzanne Bloom *
That Is NOT a Good Idea! by Mo Willems
Tiptoe Joe by Ginger Foglesong Gibson *
Waiting Is Not Easy! by Mo Willems *

Craft:
Starry Sky Picture - The children colored a cityscape night scene before adding star stickers to it.

Extension Activities:
- After reading Waiting Is Not Easy!, do some star viewing.  Check out one of the library's telescopes if you like and search for constellations or view the moon.
- Read That Is NOT a Good Idea! as a wordless book.  Skip the pages with words and see if your child can come up with a storyline for the story.


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Elephant & Piggie: I Love My New Toy! Story Time: July 1-2, 2019

Books:
Bath Time by Eileen Spinelli
The Boy Who Wouldn't Share by Mike Reiss *
I Love My New Toy! by Mo Willems *
What the Dinosaurs Did Last Night by Refe Tuma *
Where's My T-R-U-C-K? by Karen Beaumont

Craft: Dinosaur Puppet
This week's craft was based on the picture at left.  The children colored a head, eyes, teeth, arms, and legs cutouts before gluing them to a paper bag to turn into a puppet.

Extension Activities:
- Learn more about dinosaurs.  There are a lot of great books at the library to check out about dinosaurs.
- Where's My T-R-U-C-K uses spelling instead of words to tell the story.  Read another story substituting the spelling instead of a word and see if your child still understands the story.

Elephant and Piggie: Should I Share My Ice Cream? Story Time: June 24-25, 2019

Books:
20 Big Trucks in the Middle of the Street by Mark Lee
Groovy Joe: Ice Cream & Dinosaurs by Eric Litwin *
Ice Cream Soup by Ann Ingalls *
The Little Ice Cream Truck by Margery Cuyler
Should I Share My Ice Cream? by Mo Willems

Craft: Ice Cream Popsicle
The kids colored a popsicle cutout before gluing to a jumbo craft stick.  They could also glue on sequins as sprinkles.


Extension Activities:
- Ask your child to list various ice cream flavors.  Then have them take a poll to see which flavor is the most popular.
- Make some homemade ice cream.  If you don't have an ice cream maker, there are some simple recipes and directions for making ice cream in your freezer online.


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Elephant & Piggie: I'm a Frog! Story Time: June 17-18, 2019

Books:
Archie and the Bear by Zanni Louise
The Birthday Box by Leslie Patracelli
For Just One Day by Laura Leuck *
I'm a Frog! by Mo Willems *
I'm Bored by Michael Ian Black *
On My Way to the Bath by Sarah Maizes

Craft: Frog on Lilypad
This week's craft was based on the picture at left.  The children colored a paper plate as a lilypad and a flower to glue onto the plate.  They also colored a frog cutout.  The frog was attached to the plate by a piece of accordian-folded paper to the frog will "hop".

Extension Activities:
- Engage in some pretend play.  Ask you child to act as various types of animals.
- Pick an animal to learn more about.  There are great informational books for kids at the library to learn about animals.


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Elephant & Piggie: I Will Take a Nap! Story Time: June 10-11, 2019

Books:
Baby Danced the Polka by Karen Beaumont *
Cat Nap by Toni Yuly
I Will Take a Nap! by Mo Willems *
The Napping House by Audrey Wood
Naptastropohe! by Jarrett J. Krosoczka *

Craft: Elephant Door Hanger
The kids colored a doorhanger of Elephant dreaming.  They could also glue on sparkles if they liked.


Extension Activities:
- Create a napping nook for the summer.  Make a sheet fort or use a small pop-up tent in a corner of the house.  Add some comfy pillows and blankets.
- At breakfast, ask your child to share the dreams they had at night.


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Elephant & Piggie: Are You Ready to Play Outside? Story Time: June 3-4, 2019

Books:
Are You Ready to Play Outside? by Mo Willems *
Not a Stick by Antoinette Portis
The Nuts: Bedtime at the Nut House by Eric Litwin *
Peek-A-Boo Bunny by Holly Surplice *
Please Play Safe! Penguin's Guide to Playground Safety by Margery Cuyler

Craft: Elephant & Piggie Rainsock
Children colored a half sheet with Elephant on it and Piggie cutout.  They glued the half sheet into a cylinder and glued 3 crepe paper strips to the bottom to make a windsock.  Cutout raindrops and Piggie were glued to the crepe paper.

Extension Activities:
- Take a trip to a local playground.  Go over playground safety beforehand (maybe by reading Please Play Safe).
- Not a Stick imagines all the different things you can imagine a stick to be.  Stretch imaginations by asking your child to come up with different things an object (i.e. - box, rock, ball, etc.) can be.


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Horse Story Time: May 28, 2019

Books:
Are You a Horse? by Andy Rash *
Clip-Clop by Nicola Smee
Do You Believe in Unicorns? by Bethanie Deeney Murguia *
A Horse Named Steve by Kelly Collier
Noni the Pony by Alison Lester *


Craft: H = Horse
The children were given a lower case "h" cutout.  The neck of the "h" was folded near the top to make the horse's head.  The horse was then colored.  Brown raffia strips were glued on for the mane and the tail.  A small triangle was glued to the head as either the horse's ear or a unicorn's horn.

Extension Activities:
- Before reading the books, ask your child to describe a horse.  Ask them for different characteristics and how you would tell a horse from other animals.
- This week's craft is made from the letter "H" as that is what horse starts with.  Ask your child to find the "H"s in the book as you are reading.

Cows Story Time: May 20-21, 2019

Books:
Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin
The Cow Loves Cookies by Karma Wilson *
The Cow That Laid an Egg by Andy Cutbill *
Is Everyone Ready for Fun? by Jan Thomas *
Millie Waits for the Mail by Alexander Steffensmeier
Moo! by David LaRochelle *
Moo Moo in a Tutu by Tim Miller


Craft: C Is for Cow
The children colored a letter "C", a cow head, and a tail before gluing them all together to make the cow.

Extension Activities:
- Practice phonics recognition.  See how many words your child can come up with that starts with the letter "C" -- whether the hard "C" sound or the soft "S" sound.
- Cows help make some of our favorite foods. (i.e. - milk, cheese, ice cream, etc.)  Learn how these different foods are all made from cow's milk.  There are books and videos available at the library or visit a working farm to learn the process.

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Sheep Story Time: May 13-14, 2019

Books:
Another Brother by Matthew Cordell
Farmer Brown Shears His Sheep by Teri Sloat *
Mary Had a Little Lamb by Mary Ann Hoberman *
No Sleep for Sheep by Karen Beaumont
Sheep 101 by Richard T. Morris
Six Sandy Sheep by Judith Ross Enderle *


Craft: Rocking Sheep
This week's craft is based on the picture above.  A paper plate was folded in half.  Cotton balls were stretched and glued to the inner ring of the paper plate for the sheep's body.  Black paper strips were glued as legs and two paper circles were glued on (back-to-back) for the head.  The outer ring could then be colored as grass or other background.

Extension Activities:
- Practice phonics using the "baa" sound.  See how many words your child can think of that start with the "baa" sound.
- See if you can visit a working sheep farm to see what sheep's wool is really like.

Chicken Story Time: May 6-7, 2019

Books:
Chicken Butt by Erica Perl *
Chicken in the Kitchen by Tony Johnson *
Chicken Story Time by Sandy Asher *
Chicken Wants a Nap by Tracy Marchini *
Chickens to the Rescue by John Himmelman
Minerva Louise and the Red Truck by Janet Morgan Stoeke

Craft: Chickens in a Nest
This week's craft is based on the above picture.  Kids colored three chicken cutouts.  They also colored a paper plate cut in half.  The chickens were glued to one half of the plate.  The other half of the plate was either glued or stapled to make it into a nest.

Extension Activities:
- Chicken Butt is a book of rhymes for body parts.  See if your child can come up with more rhymes for various body parts.
- Practice counting while reading the books.  Ask your child to count how many chickens are on each page of Chicken Story Time or Chickens to the Rescue.


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