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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DiNovember: Week 3 -- 11/19/24

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.

Duck, Duck, Dinosaur by Kallie George
Dinosaur Kisses by David Ezra Stein

Books:
Chill, Chomp, Chill! by Chri Ayala-Kronos
The Little Green Goose by Adele Sansone
Lizard from the Park by Mark Pett
Penny & Pip by Candace Fleming
Regina Is Not a Little Dinosaur by Andrea Zuill
Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug by Jonathan Stutzman

Craft: Hatching Dinosaur

- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Cut out pieces (egg and dinosaur) and color

- Fold egg in half along dotted line

- Cut along solid jagged line of egg

- Glue dinosaur "popping" out of egg

Extension Activities:

- After reading Dinosaur Kisses, ask your child to come up with directions on how to do simple activities as if teaching a baby dinosaur (ex - kiss, clap, etc.).

- Have your children poll people to find out the favorite dinosaur.


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Virtual Story Time: All Together Now, Part 2 -- July 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 video.

Because Amelia Smiled by David Ezra Stein
What a Wonderful World illustrated by Tim Hopgood

Books:
Be a Tree! by Maria Gianferrari
Be My Neighbor by Maya Ajmera

Change Sings: A Children's Anthem by Amanda Gorman

Ever Little Letter by Deborah Underwood

Harlem Grown: How One Big Idea Transformed a Neighborhood by Tony Hillery

Hot Pot Night by Vincent Chen

Love by Matt de la Pena

One Hen: How One Small Loan Made a Big Difference by Katie Smith Milway

Extension Activities:

- Decorate some Kindness Rocks to hide throughout the community.  Then go on a search to see if you can find some.

- Make cards to share with the inhabitants of a nursery home.

- Help others by investigating various volunteer opportunities and charities.  Or collect items for a food pantry or clothing exchange.

Squirrels Story Time -- 11/22/22

Story Times are held weekly on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am.  Online Story Times will be posted weekly on Tuesday mornings.  (The video is available to watch for one week before a new one is uploaded.)

Click HERE for this week's Story Time video.

Ol' Mama Squirrel by David Ezra Stein

Books:

Acorns Everywhere by Kevin Sherry
Bear and Squirrel Are Friends . . . Yes, Really! Yes, Really! by Deb Pilutti

Bob & Rob Love Corn on the Cob by Todd McQueen

Earl the Squirrel by Don Freeman

Nuts to You by Lois Ehlert

Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt

The Squirrels Who Squabbled by Rachel Bright

Where Are My Books? by Debbi Ridpath Ohi

Craft: Squirrel

- Print template onto heavy paper or cardstock

- Cut out pieces (body, tail, ears)

- Color pieces

- Glue body into a tube

- Glue ears to top of body

- Glue tail to back of body

Extension Activities:

- Go on a nature walk in the woods and look for acorns.  See how many you can gather.

- Play a game of "Pin the Tail" on a squirrel.

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The Alphabet: L -- 3/8/22

Join us weekly on Tuesdays for an online Story Time featuring books read by Miss Amy.  The video will be available for a week before a new online Story Time is posted.

Click HERE for this week's Story Time video.

Leaves by David Ezra Stein
She'll Be Comin' 'Round the Mountain by Philemon Sturges

Books:
The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle
Lamby Lamb by Christopher Raschka
Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen
Lion Lessons by Jon Agee
Lizard from the Park by Mark Pett
Mary Had a Little Lamp by Jack Lechner
What Is Love? by Mac Barnett

Craft: L is for Lighthouse
- Print out template on heavy paper or cardstock
- Color pieces
- Cut out pieces
- Glue small house to top of L
- Glue big house to leg at bottom of L





Extension Activities:
- Have fun with Legos.  Ask your child to complete different challenges such as making a tower as tall as they can, building an animal, etc.
- Listen to music.  The library has lots of music CDs for children and adults that can be checked out.  Listen to your favorite songs and then listen to something new.


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Our Favorite Books of 2018 Story Time: December 10-11, 2018

Books:
Bear's Scare by Jacob Grant
Hello, Hot Dog! by Lily Murray *
Honey by David Ezra Stein *
Neck & Neck by Elise Parsley
Penguin & Tiny Shrimp Don't Do Bedtime! by Cate Berry
People Don't Bite People by Lisa Wheeler *

Craft: Gingerbread Man
The kids colored a diecut cardstock gingerbread man before gluing on sequins.  They could tie on a piece of string to turn it into an ornament for their Christmas tree if they liked.

Literacy Extensions:
- After reading People Don't Bite People, have your child list things they can and can not bite.
- Honey tells why a bear likes to eat honey so much.  Have your child give the reasons for why a certain food is their favorite. 

Squirrels Story Time: November 13, 2018

Books:
Bear and Squirrel are Friends . . . Yes, Really! by Deb Pilutti *
Nuts to You by Lois Ehlert
Ol' Mama Squirrel by David Ezra Stein *
Scaredy Squirrel at Night by Melanie Watt
The Secret Life of Squirrels by Nancy Rose
Squirrels Leap, Squirrels Sleep by April Pulley Sayre

Craft: Standing Squirrel
Children colored a squirrel cutout and two legs.  They then bent the legs and glued them to the squirrel's body to make it stand.  (Note - the template includes a slit for the legs to slide into but that didn't seem to work very well.  So instead we glued the legs on.)

Literacy Extensions:
- Practice letter recognition.  Squirrel is one of the first words found in picture books that includes the letter "Q".  Ask your child to find various letters as you are reading the book.
- Learn more about squirrels.  Check out a nonfiction informational book about squirrels from the library.


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Mommy Story Time: May 8-9, 2017

Books:
It's Snowing! by Olivier Dunrea
Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney *
Mama's Coming Home by Kate Banks
My Monster Mama Loves Me So by Laura Leuck *
Ol' Mama Squirrel by David Ezra Stein *
Upside Down Babies by Jeanne Willis

Craft: MOM Heart Necklace
Children colored three small hearts that spelled out "MOM".  They then strung the hearts onto curling ribbon along with pony beads to make a necklace.

Literacy Extensions:
- You can use the books Llama Llama Red Pajama or Mama's Coming Home to start a discussion with your child about patience.  Talk about how it is difficult to be patient at times and maybe come up with some strategies to help be more patient.
- After reading My Monster Mama Loves Me So, have your child point out similarities and differences between the monster mama and their mom.


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Dinosaurs Story Time: April 3-4, 2017

Books:
Brontorina by James Howe
Dig Those Dinosaurs by Lori Haskins Houran *
Dinosaur Kisses by David Ezra Stein *
Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs by Mo Willems
How to Raise a Dinosaur by Natasha Wing
What the Dinosaurs Did Last Night by Refe Tuma *



Craft: Pterodactyl
This week's craft was based on the picture at right.  We simplified it a little by only adding a head and two feet to a small plate cut in half.  We also only used crayons to color the pterodactyl rather than gluing on tissue paper squares.

Literacy Extensions:
- After reading Dig Those Dinosaurs, visit a science museum to look at some actual dinosaur bones.
- Have your child try to "re-write" a familiar story substituting dinosaurs for the main characters like Mo Willems did in Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs.


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Leaves Story Time: October 13, 2015

Books:
Fall Is Not Easy by Marty Kelley *
Fall Leaves Fall! by Zoe Hall *
Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert
Leaves by David Ezra Stein *
When the Leaf Blew In by Steve Metzger *

Craft: Leaf Necklace
Children colored a cardstock leaf cutout before stringing it onto curling ribbon along with pony beads.  It was then tied into a necklace.


Literacy Extensions:
- After reading Leaves by David Ezra Stein, learn about hibernation and which animals hibernate during the winter.
- Make a leaf collage.  Pick up fallen leafs and see what kind of picture your child can make with those leaves.


Notes:
Story Time was not held on Monday as the library was closed for a Staff Development Day.

I like to use curling ribbon with the younger kids when making necklaces.  It is thick enough that the beads do not fall off after they are slid on.  Also, it is stiffer which makes it easier for the kids to handle and to thread on beads.

2015 Building Block Award Nominees Story Time: September 28-29, 2015

Books:
Digger Dog by William Bee *
I'm My Own Dog by David Ezra Stein *
Naked! by Michael Ian Black *

Craft: Digger
The children colored and then glued together cardstock pieces to make a digger.  The template can be found at the bottom of this entry.

Literacy Extensions:
- After reading Digger Dog, talk about being a paleontologist who searches for dinosaur fossils.
- After reading I'm My Own Dog, learn about dog training.  Several books are available at the library on dog training.


Notes:
Attendees at this week's story times were able to vote for their choice for the Missouri Building Block Picture Book Award.  You are still able to vote even though you didn't attend by visiting the Kansas City Public Library's online voting at http://www.kclibrary.org/kids/missouri-building-block-2015 or by voting at the Arnold Branch during the month of December.

Template for Digger Craft

Everyday Heroes - Parents: June 1-2, 2015

Books:
Meet the Parents by Peter Bently *
My Dad Is Big and Strong, But . . . by Coralie Saudo
My Father the Dog by Elizabeth Bluemle *
My Mom by Anthony Browne
Ol' Mama Squirrel by David Ezra Stein *

Craft: Superhero Mom and Dad
Kids were each given two small gingerbread person cutouts to color and glue on capes to make into a superhero mom and superhero dad.


Literacy Extensions:
- Talk with your child about heroes.  What makes someone a hero?  Superpowers?  Bravery?  Who are their heroes?
- After reading My Father the Dog pick a different animal and have your child find ways that animal is like mom.

K - Kings & Kisses: March 9-10, 2015

Books:
Chicken in the Kitchen by Tony Johnston *
Dinosaur Kisses by Paul Ezra Stein *
King Bidgood's in the Bathtub by Audrey Wood *
Plant a Kiss by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
The Tiny King by Taro Miura

Craft: Paper Sun Kite
The template for this kite can be found online at http://www.ict.griffith.edu.au/anthony/kites/paper_sun.gif.  The children colored the cutout kite, folded and glued as instructed, and glued on crepe paper streamers.  I then hole punched for string that could be added at home.

Literacy Extensions:
- Use alphabet flash cards, asking your child to give the sound of each letter as it is shown.
- After reading the book Dinosaur Kisses, see if your child can break down the steps and tell how to give a kiss as if the person doesn't know what a kiss is.

D - Dragons & Dinosaurs: January 26-27, 2015

Books:
Dinosaur Kisses by David Ezra Stein *
Duck at the Door by Jackie Urbanovic
Ducks Don't Wear Socks by John Nedwidek *
My Dad is Big and Strong, But . . . by Coralie Saudo
Oh So Brave Dragon by David Kirk *
Who Wants a Dragon? by James Mayhew

Craft: Dog
Our craft this week is based on the picture at left.  The only difference was that we just used strips of cardstock folded in half instead of envelopes.  The children colored the cardstock before gluing on ears and a tongue.

Literacy Extensions:
- Pick a specific dinosaur and see how much you can learn about it.  See if the library has a book on that specific type of dinosaur or if it is in a general dinosaur book.
- Discuss bravery with your child.  What makes someone brave?  (i.e. Oh So Brave Dragon)

Mom Story Time: May 5-6, 2014

Books:
Kiss Kiss! by Margaret Wild *
Mama's Coming Home by  Kate Banks
Me and My Mom by Alison Ritchie *
My Monster Mama Loves Me So by Laura Leuck *
Ol' Mama Squirrel by David Ezra Stein *
When Dinosaurs Came With Everything by Elise Broach

Craft: Card for Mom
Our craft this week was a card to give to Mom.  The children were given a half sheet of cardstock with simple lines printed on it so the kids would know where to glue the strips of paper and flower.  They could then write a personal message on the back to give to their moms for Mother's Day.

Literacy Extensions:
- Practice letter recognition by having your child point out all the "m"s and "o"s in the book you are reading.
- Go over animal sounds with your child (i.e Ol' Mama Squirrel).

Our Favorite Books 2013: December 16-17, 2013

Books:
Bear and Bee by Sergio Ruzzier *
Bug Patrol by Denise Dowling Mortensen
Dinosaur Kisses by David Ezra Stein *
Puffin Peter by Petr Horacek
Ribbit! by Rodrigo Folgueira *

Craft: Dinosaur Coloring Book
The book was compiled of coloring pages from http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/dinosaurs/printouts/a.shtml.

Literacy Extensions:
- Ask your child to describe different animals.  See how the descriptions compare with other animals. (i.e. Bear and Bee)
- Talk about ways your child can try to make new friends (i.e. Ribbit!)