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.

Easter Story Time: June 27-28, 2016

Books:
The Easter Bunny's Assistant by Jan Thomas *
Easter Mice by Bethany Roberts
Max Counts His Chickens by Rosemary Wells *
Minerva Louise and the Colorful Eggs by Janet Morgan Stoeke
Piggy Bunny by Rachel Vail *

Craft: Easter Bunny Headband
Our craft was based on the picture at left.  Kids colored ears, headband strips, and nose/teeth before gluing the pieces together to make into a bunny headband.  The kids could also glue on tissue paper onto the ears if they liked.

Literacy Extensions:
- After reading Piggy Bunny, name other animals and have your child give you reasons why or why not they could become the Easter Bunny.
- Following the directions in The Easter Bunny's Assistant, make Easter eggs with your child.


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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.

Happy Birthday! Story Time: June 6-7, 2016

Books:
Bears and a Birthday by Shirley Parenteau *
Bear's Birthday by Stella Blackstone
The Birthday Pet by Ellen Javernick *
Don't Spill the Beans! by Ian Schoenherr *
Happy Birthday, Bunny! by Liz Garton
Whopper Cake by Karma Wilson

Craft: Birthday Cupcake Magnet
Children colored a cardstock cutout of a cupcake and a candle before gluing the candle to the cupcake along with sequins for sprinkles.  A magnet was attached to the back.

Literacy Extensions:
- After reading The Birthday Pet, have your child list different animals for pets and why or why not they would make a good pet for them.
- Have your child "plan" a birthday party.  Have them give suggestions for food, games, and activities.


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