Naughty or Nice: Christmas -- 12/19/23

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 a virtual Christmas Story Time.

Don't Let Pigeon Drive the Sleigh! by Mo Willems
Deck the Walls: A Wacky Christmas Carol by Erin Dealey
Merry Christmas, Gus by Chris Chatterton

Books:

I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas by John Rox

The Little Drummer Boy by Ezra Jack Keats

My Christmas Wish for You by Lisa Swerling & Ralph Lazar

Red & Green by Lois Ehlert

Samurai Santa by Rubin Pingk

Santa Duck by David Milgrim

Craft: Pigeon & Sleigh

- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Cut out pieces (pigeon, hat, sleigh)

- Color pieces

- Glue hat to pigeon's head

- Glue pigeon either inside "driving" the sleigh or outside being "nice"

Extension Activities:

- As you read various Christmas books, have your children point out the "nice" and "naughty" behavior.

- Make Christmas cards to give to friends and families.

Template --

Virtual Story Time: Merry Christmas! -- December 2023

Enjoy this extra virtual Story Time for the holidays!

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 the 2023 virtual Christmas Story Time.

Red & Green by Lois Ehlert
My Christmas Wish For You by Lisa Swerling & Ralph Lazar

Books:

And Then Comes Christmas by Tom Brenner
A Christmas Goodnight by Nola Buck

Christmas Parade by Sandra Boynton

The First Christmas by Phillips Brooks

This Is Christmas by Tom Booth

Was That Christmas? by Hilary McKay

Extension Activities:

- After reading My Christmas Wish For You, make a family list of things you would like everyone to experience this holiday season.

- Make a simple Christmas tree to decorate.  Fold a piece of green construction paper in half longways and then cut it into a triangle from the top folded corner to the opposite diagonal corner.  Unfold to have a Christmas tree.  Have your child decorate it with crayons, sequins, pompoms, etc.

Naughty or Nice, Week 2 -- 12/12/23

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 Just Ate My Friend by Heidi McKinnon
When Cows Come Home by David L. Harrison
Llama Destroys the World by Jonathan Stutzman

Books:

Dinosaur vs. School by Bob Shea

Hooray for Today! by Brian Won

King Bidgood's in the Bathtub by Audrey Wood

Ten Hungry Pigs by Derek Anderson

Ten Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed by Eileen Christelow

Toad on the Road by Stephen Shaskan

Craft: Cow Bell
- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Cut out pieces (bell body, legs, ears)

- Draw two horn shapes and cut out from cardstock or heavy paper also

- Color pieces 

- Glue legs to bottom of bell

- Glue ears to side of bell

- Glue horns to top of bell

Extension Activities:

- After reading I Just Ate My Friend discuss with your child ways to behave with friends.  What behaviors are naughty or nice.

- Sharing is a great way to be "nice".  Make a snack or treat with your child to share with others.

Template --

Naughty or Nice -- 12/5/23

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 Nuts: Bedtime at the Nut House by Eric Litwin
What Will Fat Cat Sit On? by Jan Thomas

Books:

Bubble Bath Pirates by Jarrett Krosoczka

Cha-Cha-Chimps by Julia Durango

How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food? by Jane Yolen

How to Cheer Up Dad by Fred Koehler
Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney

Craft: Winter Fat Cat

- Print out a cat picture to color and cut out

- Draw a scarf and hat to color and cut out

- Glue pieces together

Extension Activities:

- As you read through the books, ask your child to point out any "naughty" or "nice" behaviors.

- Bedtime rituals are a great way to encourage your child to go to bed easier.  Talk with your child about what rituals they have to get ready to go to bed (i.e. bath, brush teeth, final drink of water, read a story, etc.).

Virtual Story Time: When Stravinsky Met Najinsky -- December 2023

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.

When Stravinsky Met Najinsky: Two Artists, Their Ballet, and One Extraordinary Riot by Lauren Stringer

Books: (Music & Dance)
Baby Flo: Florence Mills Lights Up the Stage by Alan Schroeder
Danza! Amalia Hernandez and el Ballet Folklorica de Mexico by Duncan Tonitiuh
Irving Berlin: The Immigrant Boy Who Made America Sing by Nancy Churnin
Ketzel, The Cat Who Composed by Leslea Newman
Rap a Tap Tap: Here's Bojangles -- Think of That! by Leo Dillon
Ready for the Spotlight! by Jaime Kim

Extension Activities:
- Explore classical music.  There are several music CDs of classical music that can be checked out from the library.

- Learn a new dance (i.e. polka, square dance, etc.).  KidzBop has videos on YouTube teaching dances to popular songs.

Bears -- 11/28/23

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.

Every Autumn Comes the Bear by Jim Arnosky
Hugless Douglas by David Melling
Bear's Big Breakfast by Lynn Rowe Reed

Books: 

Bear Is a Bear by Jonathan Stutzman

Bear Wants More by Karma Wilson

A Beginner's Guide to Bear Spotting by Michelle Robinson

The Curious Cares of Bears by Douglas Florian

Don't Eat That by Drew Sheneman

Find Fergus by Mike Boldt

Hush Up and Hibernate! by Sandra Markle

It's the Bear! by Jez Alborough

Craft: Bear Scene

- Cut a small paper plate in half and color as the background of the scene (grass, sky, cave, mountain, etc.)

- Print out template at left and cut out pieces (bear, tree)

- Color pieces

- Glue bear and tree to paper plate background scene

Extension Activities:

- In Bear's Big Breakfast, Bear is looking for something to eat that starts with the letter "B".  Practice phonics and letter recognition by asking your child to come up with foods that start with specific letters.

- Learn more about hibernation and what animals hibernate throughout the winter.  Visit the library to find books on the topic.

Thankfulness -- 11/21/23

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.

Apple Cake: A Gratitude by Dawn Casey
Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson

Books:

Around the Table That Grandad Built by Melanie Heuiser Hill
Thank You and Good Night by Patrick McDonnell

The Thank You Letter by Jane Cabrera

Thank You, Oma! by Oge Mora

Thankful by Eileen Spinelli

Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes
We Give Thanks by Cynthia Rylant

Craft: Thankful Wreath

- Cut out leaves from red, yellow, orange, green, and brown paper

- On select leaves write things you are thankful for

- Write on the center of a paper plate "Thank You For"

- Glue leaves around edges of plate to make wreath

Extension Activities:

- Practice letter recognition and phonics by asking your child to come up with something they are thankful for starting with each letter in the word "THANKS".

- Have your child(ren) help with Thanksgiving dinner preparations.  Come up with simple recipes they can help with or ask them to set the table for the meal.

Turkeys -- 11/14/23

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.

Turkey Tot by George Shannon
10 Turkeys in the Road by Brenda Reeves Sturgis

Books:

Cold Turkey by Corey Rosen Schwartz

Gobble, Gobble by Cathryn Falwell

How to Hide a Turkey by Sue Fliess
Little Tom Turkey by Frances Bloxam

The Turkey Train by Steve Metzger

Craft: Turkey
- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Cut out pieces (body, feathers)

- Color pieces

- Glue feathers to back of turkey

Extension Activities:

- Practice drawing skills.  Have your child trace around their hand and then show them how to turn it into a turkey.

- Get up and moving with some turkey dancing.  Play some fun music and have your child dance like different types of turkeys (ex - big, small, quiet, sad, mad, etc.).

Template --

Acorns -- 11/7/23

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.

Because of an Acorn by Lola M. Schaefer
The Little Guys by Vera Brosgol
Acorn Was a Little Wild by Jen Arena

Books:

Acorns Everywhere by Kevin Sherry
The Bad Day by Frann Preston-Gannon

Earl the Squirrel by Don Freeman
The Golden Acorn by Katy Hudson

The Sky Is Falling! by Mark Teague

Craft: Acorn Man
- Cut out an oval, acorn cap, and eyes from cardstock or heavy paper

- Color pieces

- Glue pieces together as shown in picture at left

- Cut four small pieces of pipe cleaner and tape to back for arms and legs

Extension Activities:

- Have an acorn rolling contest.  See who can roll their acorn across the distance first.

- Go on a nature walk to see if you can find any acorns.  Who can find the most?

Virtual Story Time: Lights! Camera! Alice! -- November 2023 (pARTy! Celebrate the Arts)

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.

Lights! Camera! Alice! The Thrilling True Adventures of the First Woman Filmmaker by Mara Rockliff

Books: (Movies and Acting)
Strongheart: The World's First Movie Star Dog by Emily Arnold McCully
That's Betty! The Story of Betty White by Gregory Bonsignore
This Is a Moose by Richard T. Morris

Extension Activities:
- See if your child can act out their favorite picture book.  Film it if possible.

- Poll family and friends to see what their favorite movie is.  Then host a movie night watching some of those movies.

Halloween -- 10/31/23

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.

Happy Owl-Oween by Laura Gehl
We're Off to Find the Witch's House by Richard Krieb

Books:
10 Spooky Pumpkins by Gris Grimly
Bears and Boos by Shirley Parenteau
Click, Clack, Boo! by Doreen Cronin
Dino-Halloween by Lisa Wheeler
Halloween Good Night by Rebecca Grabill
Jungle Halloween by Maryann Cocca-Leffler
Minerva Louise on Halloween by Janet Morgan Stoeke
Pick a Pumpkin by Patricia Toht

Craft:  Craft Stick Mummy
- Color a jumbo craft stick as the mummy's body making sure to color eyes
- Wrap two white pipe cleaners around craft stick (wrapping so can still see eyes) for the mummy's bandages

Extension Activities:

- Before going trick or treating discuss safety issues with your child. (i.e. crossing streets, staying in a group, stranger danger, etc.)

- Use the candy from trick or treating to practice counting and sorting.  Sort the candy into different types and have your child count the pieces.  See which type they have the most, least, etc?

Pumpkins -- 10/24/23

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.

Plumply, Dumply Pumpkin by Mary Serfozo
Pumpkin Trouble by Jan Thomas
Ten Orange Pumpkins by Stephen Savage

Books:
Five Little Pumpkins by Iris van Rynbach
How to Help a Pumpkin Grow by Ashley Wolff
The Perfect Pumpkin Pie by Denys Cazet
Pick a Perfect Pumpkin by Robin Koontz
Pick a Pumpkin by Patricia Toht
The Pumpkin Fair by Eve Bunting
Pumpkin Heads by Wendell Minor
Sixteen Runaway Pumpkins by Dianne Ochiltree

Craft:  Paper Plate Pumpkin
- Tear a piece of orange paper into pieces (about 1")
- Tear a piece of black paper into smaller pieces (about 1/2")
- Glue orange pieces to a paper plate
- Cut out a rectangle from green paper and glue to top of plate for stem
- Glue black pieces on top of orange to make a jack-o-lantern face

Extension Activities:
- Visit a pumpkin patch to pick out a pumpkin.  
- Roast some pumpkin seeds to eat as a snack.  Experiment with different spices to flavor the seeds.  (Visit Roasted Pumpkin Seeds - Kid Food Explorers for various recipes.)

Leaves -- 10/17/23

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.

Fall Leaves Fall by Zoe Hall
Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert
Fall Is Not Easy by Marty Kelley

Books:
If You Find a Leaf by Amiee Sicuro
A Leaf Can Be by Laura Salas
Leaf Jumpers by Carole Gerber
Leaves by David Ezra Stein
The Little Yellow Leaf by Carin Berger
Lucky Leaf by Kevin O'Malley
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves by Lucille Colandro
A Very Big Fall by Emmy Kastner

Craft: Leaf Necklace
- Print template (at left) onto cardstock or heavy paper.  (You should be able to fit two sets of the template onto one regular letter size paper.)

- Cut out leaves  (We used three leaves per necklace.)

- Color leaves

- String leaves onto a 30" piece of curling ribbon along with pony beads

- Tie string into necklace

Extension Activities:

- Go on a leaf hunt.  See how many different types of leaves you can find.  Can you name what kind of leaves they are?  If not, the library has books on leaf identification.

- Grab some fallen leaves from outside and see what you can make out of them (i.e. Leaf Man).

Apples -- 10/10/23

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.

Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson
The Starry Giraffe by Andy Bergmann
Apples for Little Fox by Ekaterina Turkhan

Books:
Apple Cake by Dawn Casey
The Apple Pie That Papa Baked by Lauren Thompson
Chicka Chicka 1-2-3 by Bill Martin Jr.
Hungry Bunny by Claudia Rueda
Johnny Appleseed: A Tall Tale by Steven Kellogg
Ten Apples Up On Top! by Theo LeSieg

Craft:  Apple Tree

- Cut out a circle for a tree top and color it green

- Glue red sequins to the circle for apples

- Color clothespin as trunk

- Clip clothespin to bottom of tree top

Extension Activities:

- Visit an apple farm or orchard to go apple picking.

- Taste test several different kinds of apples to see which is your favorite.

Autumn -- 10/3/23

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.

When Autumn Falls by Kelli Nidey
In the Middle of Fall by Kevin Henkes

Books:
Hungry Bunny by Claudia Rueda
I Know It's Autumn by Eileen Spinelli
I See Fall by Charles Ghigna
In November by Cynthia Rylant
Mouse Loves Fall by Lauren Thompson
Mr. Pumpkin's Tea Party by Erin Barker

Craft: Fall Puzzle

- Print template at left onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Color picture

- Cut along lines to get a 16 piece puzzle

Extension Activities:

-  Discuss typical fall weather with your child.  Ask them to point out clothes in their closet that would be appropriate to wear during fall season weather.

-  Make a fall wreath.  Have your children go through magazines and cut out pictures that remind them of fall.  Glue them around the edges of a paper plate and write "Hello Fall" in the middle.

Virtual Story Time: If You Find a Leaf -- October 2023

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.

If You Find a Leaf by Aimee Sicuro

Books: (Autumn)

Crow Not Crow by Jane Yolen

In November by Cynthia Rylant

It's Fall by Linda Glaser

My Autumn Book by Wong Herbert Yee

The Squirrels Who Squabbled by Rachel Bright

Sweater Weather by Matt Phelan

Extension Activities:

- Go on a nature walk / autumn scavenger hunt.  Try to find different things related to the autumn season. (ex - leaves of different colors, squirrels, acorns, animal tracks, etc.)

- Create a picture based on a found fall leaf like in the book If You Find a Leaf.

- Visit a pumpkin patch or go apple picking at a local orchard.

Building Block Nominees: Week 4 -- 9/26/23

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.

Cows Go Boo! by Steve Webb
I'm Terrified of Bath Time by Simon Rich

I'm a Unicorn by Helen Yoon

Missouri Building Block Picture Book Award Nominees)
The Book of Rules by Brian Gerhlein
Cows Go Boo! by Steve Webb
Don't Eat Bees: Life Lessons from Chip the Dog by Dav Petty
I'm a Unicorn by Helen Yoon
I'm Terrified of Bath Time by Simon Rich
Lou by Breanna Carzoo
Mel Fell by Corey R. Tabor
One Sheep, Two Sheep by Tammi Sauer
People Are WILD by Margaux Meganck
Shhh! The Baby's Asleep by JaNay Brown-Wood

Craft: Unicorn Headband

- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper and cut out

- Cut out 1-2  long strips of cardstock or heavy paper

- Color unicorn horn and strips

- Glue unicorn horn and 1-2 strips into headband to fit child's head

Extension Activities:

- After reading all ten of the Missouri Building Block Picture Book Award nominee books, vote for your choice for the award at Missouri Library Association - Building Block Award (molib.org).

- Extend the book Cows Go Boo by adding more farm animals to the story.

Template --

Building Block Nominees: Week 3 -- 9/19/23

 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 Book of Rules by Brian Gerhlein
One Sheep, Two Sheep by Tammi Sauer

Missouri Building Block Picture Book Award Nominees)
The Book of Rules by Brian Gerhlein
Cows Go Boo! by Steve Webb
Don't Eat Bees: Life Lessons from Chip the Dog by Dav Petty
I'm a Unicorn by Helen Yoon
I'm Terrified of Bath Time by Simon Rich
Lou by Breanna Carzoo
Mel Fell by Corey R. Tabor
One Sheep, Two Sheep by Tammi Sauer
People Are WILD by Margaux Meganck
Shhh! The Baby's Asleep by JaNay Brown-Wood

Craft: Sheep

- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper and cut out

- Cut cardstock or heavy paper into 4"x1/2" strips.  

- Glue strips into starburst shape making it as full as you like.  

- Optional: Leave 2-4 strips to glue to bottom of starburst sheep body for legs.

- Color head and glue to center of body.

Extension Activities:

- Play a game of Simon Says.  See how well the kids follow the "rules" that Simon gives.  Make longer sequences of actions to do in a row.

- Make a sheep mask by cutting out the center of a large paper plate.  Then cut out two triangles and glue them to the top of the plate ring.  Glue cotton balls around the plate's ring.  To turn into a mask, either glue a jumbo craft stick to the bottom or tie a string to either side of the ring.

Template --

Building Block Award Nominees: Week 2 -- 9/12/23

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.

Don't Eat Bees: Life Lessons from Chip the Dog by Dav Petty
Lou by Breanna Carzoo

Missouri Building Block Picture Book Award Nominees)
The Book of Rules by Brian Gerhlein
Cows Go Boo! by Steve Webb
Don't Eat Bees: Life Lessons from Chip the Dog by Dav Petty
I'm a Unicorn by Helen Yoon
I'm Terrified of Bath Time by Simon Rich
Lou by Breanna Carzoo
Mel Fell by Corey R. Tabor
One Sheep, Two Sheep by Tammi Sauer
People Are WILD by Margaux Meganck
Shhh! The Baby's Asleep by JaNay Brown-Wood

Craft: Bee

- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Color long strip as bee's body adding eyes to middle of strip

- Pinch ends together and glue to make body

- Color hearts as wings

- Glue wings to top of bee's body

Extension Activities:

- Make a snack bee to eat out of a banana.  Stripe melted chocolate along the banana.  Poke two chocolate chips at one end for the eyes.  Stick two pretzel braids on either side of the banana for wings.

- Go over fire safety with your child(ren).  Discuss the different tools that a firefighter might use including hoses, fire axes, fire hydrants, etc.

Template -- (makes 8 bees)

Building Block Award Nominees: Week 1 -- 9/5/23

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.

Mel Fell by Corey R. Tabor
Shhh! The Baby's Asleep by JaNay Brown-Wood
People Are WILD by Margaux Meganck

Books: (2023 Missouri Building Block Picture Book Award Nominees)
The Book of Rules by Brian Gerhlein
Cows Go Boo! by Steve Webb
Don't Eat Bees: Life Lessons from Chip the Dog by Dav Petty
I'm a Unicorn by Helen Yoon
I'm Terrified of Bath Time by Simon Rich
Lou by Breanna Carzoo
Mel Fell by Corey R. Tabor
One Sheep, Two Sheep by Tammi Sauer
People Are WILD by Margaux Meganck
Shhh! The Baby's Asleep by JaNay Brown-Wood

Craft: Bird

- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Color pieces (body, wing) and cut out

- Fold wings on dotted lines

- Place glue inside folds of wings and glue to top of bird

- (Optional) Hole punch bird in middle of wings and tie a piece of string.  This will allow the birds wings to "flap".

Extension Activities:

- Learn more about different types of birds (including kingfishers like from the book Mel Fell).  Check out informational bird books from the library or visit a local pet store for more information.

- Play the Quiet Game.  See who can stay quiet the longest.

Template --

Virtual Story Time: A Library Book for Bear -- September 2023

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.

A Library Book for Bear by Bonny Becker

Books: (Libraries)
The Book Hog by Greg Pizzoli
The Boy Raised by Librarians by Carla D. Morris
Dinosaur vs. the Library by Bob Shea
Froggy Goes to the Library by Jonathan London
The Library by Sarah Stewart
Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen
Stanley's Library by William Bee

Extension Activities:
- Visit your local library.  See about getting a library card for you and your child(ren).
- Attend a library program with your child.  Most libraries offer weekly story times for younger children, book clubs for all ages, and much more.
- Discuss with your child expected behaviors for visiting the library.  How are these different from expected behaviors at other locations (school, store, home, park, etc.).

Back to School: Science -- 8/29/23

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.

Bear in Sunshine by Stella Blackstone
Oh No, Astro! by Matt Roeser
Who Has These Feet? by Laura Hulbert

Books:
Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty
Charlotte the Scientist is Squished by Camille Andros
Hello, Puddle! by Anita Sanchez
I've Got Eyes! by Julie Murphy
The Weather Girls by Aki
What Is Science? by Rebecca Kai Dotlich


Craft:  Sea Turtle
- Print out template onto cardstock or heavy paper 
- Cut out and color pieces (body, shell)
- Glue shell to body


Extension Activities:
- Practice some simple engineering by building with Legos.  Give your child some challenges to build such as tallest tower, favorite animal, etc.
- Visit the St. Louis Science Museum or the Magic House.  They have many interactive exhibits to make science fun for kids.


Template --

Back to School: Art -- 8/22/23

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 Dream of an Elephant by Ami Rubinger
Warthogs Paint by Pamela Duncan Edwards
Mouse Shapes by Ellen Stoll Walsh

Books:
The Dot by Peter Reynolds
I'm the Best Artist in the Ocean by Kevin Sherry
It Looked Like Spilt Milk by Charles G. Shaw
Seen Art? by Jon Scieszka
When Glitter Met Glue by Karne Kilpatrick

Craft: Shapes Collage
- Cut out various shapes of different sizes from colored paper
- Glue shapes onto a piece of white paper to make a picture

Extension Activities:
- Play a game of I Spy or go on a scavenger hunt asking your child to find items of different colors.
- Visit the St. Louis Art Museum. What kind of art there did your child(ren) like?

Back to School: Math -- 8/15/23

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.

Ten Pigs: An Epic Bath Adventure by Derek Anderson
Night Light by Nicholas Blechman
The Completed Hickory Dickory Dock by Jim Aylesworth

Books:
Counting Chickens by Harriet Ziefert
Growing Patterns by Sarah C. Campbell
I'm Trying to Love Math by Bethany Barton
Math Curse by Jon Scieszka
Mice Mischief by Caroline Stills
Mouse Count by Ellen Stoll Walsh
Numbers Everywhere by Elliott Kaufman
Ten Apples Up on Top by Theo LeSieg
What Is Math? by Rebecca Kai Dotlich

Craft: Numbers Snake
- Print template (snake's head) onto cardstock or heavy paper and cut out

- Cut ten strips of paper about 1" thick and write the numbers 1-10 on them

- Glue paper strips into a paper chain making sure the links are in numerical order
- Color snake's head and glue to end of paper chain

Extension Activities:
- Practice number recognition by looking for numbers around you (ex - clock, ads, etc).  You can make a game out of it by having to find them in order or playing on a car ride by finding certain numbers on license plates.
- Teach your children about counting money.  Take a trip to the store and let them help pick items dependent on price or let them count out the (cash) money to pay at checkout.


Template --

Back to School: Reading -- 8/8/23

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.

Eating the Alphabet by Lois Ehlert
Little Plane Learns to Write by Stephen Savage

The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak

Books:

Animalicious: A Quirky ABC Book by Anna Dewdney

Big Words for Little Genuises by Susan Patterson

Dr. Seuss's ABC by Dr. Seuss

How Do Dinosaurs Learn to Read? by Jane Yolen

How to Teach a Slug to Read by Susan Pearson

I Can Read With My Eyes Shut by Dr. Seuss

Max Can Read by Rosemary Wells

Read the Book, Lemmings! by Ame Dyckman

Craft: Plane Bookmark

- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper and cut out pieces

- Cut cardstock into a 2-1/2" x 8-1/2" piece strip and color as sky

- Color plane and glue onto bookmark

- Write a word onto clouds (ex - name, READ, BOOK, etc)

- Glue clouds onto sky to spell out word

Extension Activities:

- Go on an alphabet scavenger hunt.  Try to find an object that starts with each letter of the alphabet.

- Practice letter recognition by asking your child to find specific letters on different pages of the book you are reading.

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