Favorite Picture Books of 2025 -- 12/30/25

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.

Calling All Bears! by Diana Murray
The Bear and the Hare at the Fair by Em Lynas

Books:
Bear Feels Sad by Karma Wilson
The Bear Out There by Jess Hannigan
Oh Dear, Look What I Got! by Michael Rosen
On All Fours by Gaetan Doremus
Short Dog, Long Dog: A Book of Opposites by Anna Hrachovec


Craft: Bear Headband
- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper
- Cut out pieces (face/ears and 2 extra strips)
- Color pieces
- Glue, tape, or staple strips together to fit child's head


Extension Activities:
- Learn about different types of bears.  Check out one of the nonfiction bear books from the library or visit the zoo.
- Take a field trip to a local amusement park.  What rides do you like?  What rides do you not like?

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Favorite Picture Books of 2025 -- 12/16/25

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.

George & Lenny Are Always Together by Jon Agee
Let's Be Bees by Shawn Harris

Books:
Bearsuit Turtle Makes a Friend by Bob Shea
Don't Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson
I Am Tree Rex! by Mo Davey
Piece Out by Alex Willan
Six Little Sticks by Tiffany Stone
This Book Is Dangerous! by Ben Clanton

Craft: George & Lenny

- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Cut out pieces (bear, bunny)

- Color pieces

- Fold bear's arm along line and glue end to back of other side of bear

- Lightly Fold bunny in half (top to bottom) and cut small diagonal slit on tummy to make a downwards triangle

- Slip bunny onto bear's arm

- Optional: Glue bunny into place if you like

Extension Activities:

- Discuss with your child whether they prefer being alone or with friends.  Come up with a list of activities you can do in the different situations.

- Extend the book Let's Be Bees by coming up with more sounds for various things.  Turn it into a guessing game to see if you can guess what the object is from the sound.

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Favorite Pictures Books of 2025 -- 12/9/25

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.

Me and Other Bunnies by Mo Willems
Cranky, Crabby Crow (Saves the World) by Corey R. Tabor
Pop! Goes the Nursery Rhyme by Betsy Bird

Books:
Big Bike, Little Bike by Kellie DuBay Gillis
Canteloupe and HoneyDo Bake a Cake by Mike Boldt
Henry Is An Artist by Justin Worley
Little Freddie Two Pants by Drew Daywalt
The Peddler of Puddles by Beth Ferry
We're Moving House by Mick Jackson


Craft:  Humpty Dumpty Puzzle
- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper (two-sided front and back)
- Color sheet
- Cut along lines on back to make into puzzle


Extension Activities:
- Extend the book Pop! Goes the Nursery Rhyme by asking your child to recite more nursery rhymes before inserting "Pop Goes the Weasel".
- Cranky Crabby Crow includes a simple code within the book.  Explore other codes.  Have your child(ren) figure out some sayings in secret code.


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Favorite Picture Books of 2025 -- 12/2/25

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.

A Scrub in the Tub by Jan Thomas
The Pigeon WON'T Count to 10! by Mo Willems
Every Monday Mabel by Jashar Awan

Books:
Big Bike, Little Bike by Kellie DuBay Gillis
Cats in Construction Hats by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
Cranky, Crabby Crow (Saves the World) by Corey R. Tabor
Nellie's Big Splash by Cori Doerrfeld
Who Meows? A Book of Animal Sounds by Robin Page

Craft: Pig Ornament

- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Cut out pieces (body, head, legs, holly leaves & berries)

- Color pieces

- Glue head onto center of body

- Glue legs to back bottom of body

- Glue holly berries & leaves where you like

- Optional: Cut a piece of yarn/string and tape to back for a ornament hanger

Extension Activities:

- Make bathtime more fun with some Ice Fishing.  Add a couple drops of food coloring to water and freeze in ice cube trays.  Add 1-2 cubes to the bath water and see if your child(ren) can catch them.

- Practice counting to ten by having your child(ren) find 10 related items.  (ex - blue items, pieces of clothes, books, etc.)

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Virtual Story Time: New Books of 2025 -- December 2025

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.

The Pigeon WON'T Count to 10! by Mo Willems
I Hate Everything! by Sophy Henn

Books:
The Backwards Alphabet Book by Paul Friedrich
The Book That Never Ends by Beck Stanton
Loki! Loki! Where Are You? by Kurt Hartman
The Mushroom of Doom by Becky Davies
This Book Is Dangerous! by Ben Clanton
Vampire Jam Sandwich by Casey Lyall


Extension Activities:
- Poll family and friends to discover what books they read this year were their favorites.  Read those books and see if you agree.
- Make a scrapbook of favorite memories from 2025.  Let your children dictate their favorite memories and stories to include.  Draw or add in photos of those memories.

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 Do NOT Eat Children by Marcus Cutler
Nothing Scares a Dinosaur by Jonathan Fenske
Do I HAVE to Go to the PARTY? by Jonathan Fenske

Books:

Dog vs. Strawberry by Nelly Buchet

The Guessing Game by Catherine Rayner

I Am Wriggly by Michael Rosen

Why Won't You Sleep?! by Adam Wallace

The Wrong Book by Drew Daywalt

Craft: Puffer Fish

- Print out template onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Color and cut out pieces (body, fins, spikes)

- Glue fins to side of body

- Glue spikes around top of puffer fish's head

Extension Activities:

- All three books this week deal with fears in some way (monsters, night time fears, social anxiety).  Discuss things you and your child fear.  How do you deal with those fears?  What are some coping mechanisms?

- Nothing Scares a Dinosaur is a beginning reader book.  Have your child read any sight words in the book.  How many words can they identify?  Are there any words they can sound out with phonics?

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New Picture Books 2024: Week 3 -- 12/17/24

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.

Two Birds . . . and a Moose by James Preller
The Man Who Didn't Like Animals by Deborah Underwood

Books:

Canteloupe and HoneyDo Ride a Bike by Mike Boldt

Sour Apple by Linda Liu

The Squish by Breanna Carzoo

Tough Guys (Have Feelings Too) by Keith Negley

The Walk of the Field Mouse by Nadine Robert

Craft:  Moose

- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Color and cut out pieces (head, body, tail)

- Glue pieces together as shown in picture at left

Extension Activities:

- Sing the song "Old MacDonald Had a Farm".  Let your child suggest animals to include on the farm and have them come up with their sounds.

- We've been sharing some of our favorite picture books from this past year.  Ask your child what their favorite picture books are.  Which books would they choose for a "favorites" story time.

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New Picture Books 2024: Week 2 -- 12/10/24

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.

Hedgehog and the Log by Pam Fong
Goodnight Sun by Eoin McLaughlin

Books:

Are You Big? by Mo Willems
Are You Small? by Mo Willems

Cranky by Phuc Tran

Oh, Are You Awake? by Bob Shea

Why Won't You Sleep? by Adam Wallace

Craft: Sun

- Cut out a small yellow circle (approx 3") and draw on a face

- Cut out small yellow triangles (approx 1")

- Cut strips of colored paper (approx 1"x3")

- Glue circle to center of a recycled CD

- Glue triangles around sun for rays

- Glue strips of colored paper on back of CD for a rainbow

Extension Activities:

- Read the books Are You Big? and Are You Small? by Mo Willems.  Then have your child come up with several objects to compare the sizes of them.  Which are smaller?  Which are bigger?

- The Sun in Goodnight Sun does not like the dark.  Make a fun night light with your child.  Purchase a cheap night light from the dollar store and use Sharpies to color on the bulb/shade.  This will give a fun colored night light for your child.

New Picture Books 2024: Week 1 -- 12/3/24

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.

A Bear, a Fish, and a Fishy Wish by Daniel Bernstrom
A Best Friend for Bear by Petr Horacek
Ursula Upside Down by Corey Tabor

Books:
Big Bear and Little Bear Go Fishing by Amy Hest
The Fish of Small Wishes by Elana K. Arnold

Five Bears by Catherine Rayner
I Am Friendly: Confessions of a Helpful Bear by Kristen Tracy

Sharing is UnBEARable by J.E. Morris

Craft: Fish

- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Cut out template

- Color template

- Fold/roll template and glue tails together to make 3D fish

- Optional: Glue bottom fins together to make it stand right side up or glue top fins to make it stand upside down

Extension Activities:

- As you read/go through the book A Bear, a Fish, and Fishy Wish with your child have them tell you the story by filling in what is happening (more than the words in the book).

- Play a game of Hide and Seek with friends/family.

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Our Favorite Picture Books of 2022 -- 12/13/22

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.

Hamsters Make Terrible Roommates by Cheryl B. Klein
I'm a Unicorn by Helen Yoon
I Am a Baby by Bob Shea

Books:

Knight Owl by Christopher Denise
Moonlight by Stephen Savage

Craft: Hamster

- Print template on cardstock or heavy paper

- Cut out pieces (body, arms, legs)

- Color pieces

- Glue body into tube so ears on outside

- Fold tube at bottom so hamster will stand

- Glue arms to sides of hamster

- Glue feet to bottom of hamster

Extension Activities:

- After reading Hamsters Make Terrible Roommates, discuss with your child(ren) things they have in common with each other and you and things that are different.  Talk about compromise and how that works in your family.

- Ask your child their favorite book and why.  Then have them poll their friends and family as to their favorite books.  If you are unfamiliar with any of the books, check with the library to see if they are available to check out and read.

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Our Favorite Books of 2022 -- 12/6/22

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 to view this week's Story Time video.

One Blue Gnu by Danna Smith
Color the Sky by David Elliott

Books:

Five Hiding Ostriches by Barbara Barbieri McGrath

Skip to My Moo by Iza Trapani

Walter Had a Best Friend by Deborah Underwood

Craft: Party Crown

- Print template at left onto heavy paper or cardstock

- Cut out template plus additional strips as needed

- Decorate pieces with colors, sequins, pompoms, etc

- Glue pieces into crown shape to fit child's head

Extension Activities:

- Play a game of Color I Spy.  Ask your child to find items of certain colors.

- Ask your child to make their own counting story.  

Virtual Story Time: Our Favorite Books of 2022 -- 12/28/21

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

Click HERE for this week's Story Time video.

Something Stinks by Jonathan Fenske
Not Now, Cow by Tammi Sauer

Books: (New Books of 2021)

Blueberry Cake by Sarah Dillard

Chez Bob by Bob Shea

I'm Sorry by Michael Ian Black

Ship in a Bottle by Andrew Prahin
Vampenguin by Lucy Ruth Cummins

We Give Thanks by Cynthia Rylant

We Want a Dog by Lo Cole

Craft: Cow Bookmark

- Print template on heavy paper or cardstock

- Cut out pieces

- Color pieces

- Glue head to top of body

- Glue bell beneath head

Extension Activities:

- Not Now, Cow is all about seasons and the clothes and activities for each season.  Ask your child to pull out appropriate clothes and/or toys for the season you name.

- After reading Something Stinks, have a smell test.  Ask your child to close their eyes and then tell you what object you have by smell.

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Virtual Story Time: Our Favorite Books of 2022 -- 12/14/21

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

Click HERE for this week's Story Time video.

One-Osaurus, Two-Osaurus by Kim Norman
Atticus Caticus by Sarah Maizes

Books:  (New Books of 2021)
Bear Can't Wait by Karma Wilson

The Capybaras by Alfredo Soderguit

I Am the Shark by Joan Holub

I'm a Hare, So There! by Julie Rowan-Zoch

It's So Quiet by Sherri Duskey Rinker

Sheepish (Wolf Under Cover) by Helen Yoon

Snakes in Space by Kathryn Dennis

Yes & No by Elisha Cooper

Craft: Cat

- Print template on heavy paper or cardstock.

- Cut out pieces.

- Color pieces of cat (head, ears, body, feet, tail).

- Glue ears to top of head.

- Glue head to pointy end of body.

- Glue feet to opposite end of body.

- Glue tail to side of body.

Extension Activities:

- Both of this week's books involve some fun word play.  Play a word game with your child.  Ask them to make up "funny" rhyming words.

- Play a game of hide and seek.

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Virtual Story Time: Our Favorite 2020 Picture Books, Part 4 -- 12/29/20

Join us weekly for an online story time featuring a book read by Miss Amy on Tuesdays at 10:00 am.  The video is available to watch for one week before a new one is uploaded.

Click HERE to view the latest video. 

The Run by Barroux

My Best Friend by Rob Hodgson

Books: (2020 Picture Books)

Don't Feed the Coos by Jonathan Stutzman

Don't Worry, Little Crab by Chris Haughton

Fire Truck vs. Dragon by Chris Barton

I Really Want the Cake by Simon Philip

It Is (Not) Perfect by Anna Kang

Memoirs of a Tortoise by Devin Scillian

No More Naps! by Chris Grabenstein

Ohana Means Family by Ilima Loomis

Summer Song by Kevin Henkes

The Yawns Are Coming by Christopher Eliopoulos

Extension Activities:

- Take a look back at the past year and talk with your child about their favorite memories.

- This whole month we've been sharing some favorite books.  Talk with your child and favorites and see if they can list their favorite book, tv show, toy, food, etc.

Virtual Story Time: Our Favorite 2020 Picture Books, Part 3 -- 12/15/20

Join us weekly for an online story time featuring a book read by Miss Amy on Tuesdays at 10:00 am.  The video is available to watch for one week before a new one is uploaded.

Click HERE to view the latest video. 

Hat Tricks by Satoshi Kitamura

One of These Is NOT Like the Others by Barney Saltzberg

Books:  (Friends)

Can Cat and Bird Be Friends? by Coll Muir

Carrot and Pea by Morag Hood

How Do Dinosaurs Stay Friends? by Jane Yolen

If You're Groovy and You Know It, Hug a Friend by Eric Litwin

In the City by Christopher Raschka

My Friends Make Me Happy! by Jan Thomas

We Are (Not) Friends by Anna Kang

We Love You, Mr. Panda by Steve Antony

Will You Be My Friend? by Sam McBratney

Craft: Magic Hat

- Print template on heavy paper or cardstock.

- Cut off magic hat section and then cut out bunny, cat, and dinosaur.

- Color pieces.

- Glue craft sticks to the back of the cat, bunny, and dinosaur.

- Cut a slit in the magic hat on the line.

- Stick the various animals through the slit to appear in the magic hat.

Extension Activities:

- Write (or draw) letters to send to your friends.

- Ask your child to find the similarities and the differences between themselves and their friends.

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Virtual Story Time: Our Favorite 2020 Picture Books, Part 2 -- 12/8/20

Join us weekly for an online story time featuring a book read by Miss Amy on Tuesdays at 10:00 am.  The video is available to watch for one week before a new one is uploaded.

Click HERE to view the latest video. 

Some Dinosaurs Are Small by Charlotte Voake

Where's Baby? by Anne Hunter

Books:  (Family)

Another Brother by Matthew Cordell

Bear With Me by Max Cornell

Dino Duckling by Alison Murray

Dozens of Cousins by Shutta Crum

Hiking Day by Anne Rockwell

The Nuts: Bedtime at the Nut House by Eric Litwin

Ohana Means Family by Ilima Loomis

Ol' Mama Squirrel by David Ezra Stein

Pancakes in Pajamas by Frank Asch

Yes, Let's by Galen Goodwin Longstreth

Craft:  Fox

- Color front and back of small paper plate.

- Fold sides of paper plate and glue to make a triangle.

- Color, ears, eyes, and ears before gluing to plate to make fox's face.

Extension Activities:

- Play a game of hide and seek with your child.  A variation of this would be to have you hide the fox craft and have your child find it.

- Have fun with measurements.  Let your child measure how tall family members are with a tape measure.  Or ask them to tell you the members of your family from tallest to shortest.

Virtual Story Time: Our Favorite 2020 Picture Books, Part 1 -- 12/1/20

Join us weekly for an online story time featuring a book read by Miss Amy on Tuesdays at 10:00 am.  The video is available to watch for one week before a new one is uploaded.

Click HERE to view the latest video. 

Hello, Arnie! An Arnie the Doughnut Story by Laurie Keller

Goodnight, Veggies by Diana Murray & Zachariah OHora

Books:  (Food)

Badger's Fancy Meal by Keiko Kasza

The Cow Loves Cookies by Karma Wilson

Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin

Hello Hot Dog! by Lily Murray

How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food? by Jane Yolen

Little Pea by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Possum Magic by Mem Fox

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Who Took the Cookies from the Cookie Jar? by Bonnie Lass

Woodpecker Wants a Waffle by Steve Breen

Craft: Gingerbread Person Cookie

- Print out template on cardstock or heavy paper and cut out

- Decorate gingerbread person with crayons, sequins, paper, yarn, etc.

Extension Activities:

- Have a discussion with your child about table manners after reading How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food.

- Possum Magic mentions several different foods popular in Australia.  Pick a country and try different foods from there.

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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 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.