Christmas Story Time: July 25-26, 2016

Books:
Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson
Click, Clack, Ho! Ho! Ho! by Doreen Cronin *
Dinosaur vs. Santa by Bob Shea *
How Do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas? by Jane Yolen
Snowbear's Christmas Countdown by Theresa Smythe *

Craft: Christmas Tree
This week's craft is pictured at left.  The children colored a large triangle before lacing red yarn for garland.  They then glued on sequins and star for a topper.

Literacy Activities:
- After reading Snowbear's Christmas Countdown discuss different things you do to prepare for Christmas.  Maybe make a list of things to do together as a countdown for your family.
- Talk about things you might want to give as presents to friends and family for Christmas.  Maybe come up with some gifts you can make together.

Thanksgiving Story Time: July 18-19, 2016

Books:
Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson
Over the River and Through the Woods by L. Maria Child
Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes *
Thanksgiving for Emily Ann by Teresa Johnston *
Turkey Day by Grace Maccarone *
The Very First Thanksgiving by Rhonda Gowler Greene

Craft: Paper Plate Turkey
This week's craft was based on the picture above.  Children colored a turkey cutout before gluing it onto a half paper plate along with colored paper squares.

Literacy Extensions:
- Discuss with your child all the things he/she is grateful for.
- Talk about Thanksgiving traditions.  What traditions does your family keep?


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Halloween Story Time: July 11-12, 2016

Books:
Click, Clack, Boo! A Tricky Treat by Doreen Cronin *
Jungle Halloween by Maryann Cocca-Leffler *
Six Creepy Sheep by Judith Ross Enderle
Ten Orange Pumpkins: A Counting Book by Stephen Savage
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat! by Lucille Colandro *
Wild Witches' Ball by Jack Prelutsky

Craft: Ghost Necklace
Children drew a face onto a cardstock ghost before stringing it onto curling ribbon with pony beads to make into a necklace.

Literacy Extensions:
- Halloween is always a good time to talk about stranger danger.  Remind your children that they should only talk to strangers when you are around.  Check out some of the books and videos available at the library about this topic.
- Do some counting practice with candy.  Count the number of candies that are different colors, different types, different shapes, etc.


Notes:
I found several years ago that curling ribbon works great for making necklaces - especially when stringing on pony beads.  The ribbon is stiffer than yarn and does not fray at the ends which makes it easier for kids to string the beads on.  It is also just thick enough that the beads will not move once they are put on the ribbon.

Fourth of July Story Time: July 5, 2016

Books:
America the Beautiful by Katherine Lee Bates
Fourth of July Mice! by Bethany Roberts *
Red, White, and Boom! by Lee Wardlaw
Tulip Sees America by Cynthia Rylant *
You're a Grand Old Flag by George M. Cohan

Craft: US Flag
Children glued on red stripes and a blue field onto a half sheet of white cardstock before sticking on either silver or gold star stickers.

Literacy Extensions:
- Explore the history of the United States with your child.  There are several great picture books that share historical tales of the early days and leaders of the country.
- Make sure to go over firework safety with your child before doing any fireworks together.

St. Patrick's Story Time: June 20-21, 2016

Books:
Good Luck Bear by Greg Foley *
Green Shamrocks by Even Bunting
The Luckiest St. Patrick's Day Ever! by Teddy Slater *
The Night Before St. Patrick's Day by Natasha Wing *
Ten Lucky Leprechauns by Kathryn Heling

Craft: Paper Plate Leprechaun
This week's craft was based on the picture at left.  The kids colored a face and hair onto a large paper plate before gluing on a green hat.  They could cut slits around the plate for the beard if they liked.

Literacy Extensions:
- Learn about the history of St. Patrick's Day.  Tomie DePaola's book Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland gives a lot information about the real St. Patrick.
- Practice cutting shapes by making shamrocks out of various shapes (i.e. circles, hearts, ovals, etc.)

Valentines Story Time: June 13-14, 2016

Books:
The Ballad of Valentine by Alison Jackson
The Day It Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond *
If You'll Be My Valentine by Cynthia Rylant *
One Heart: A Valentine Counting Book by Maryann Cocca-Leffler
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Rose by Lucille Colandro *

Craft: Mr. Valentine (or Mrs. Valentine)
This week's craft is based on the picture above.  Children were given one large and four small cardstock hearts to color.  The large heart was decorated as either a Mr. or Mrs. Valentine with facial features.  The kids could either glue together the hearts with straight arms and legs or accordian-folded arms and legs.

Literacy Extensions:
- See how much your child can tell you about Valentine's Day (i.e. traditions, colors, symbols, etc.)
- Have your child practice drawing heart shapes.  If old enough, let them practice cutting them out with scissors.