Kids Nook

Around the World Peace Party

2011-08-24T12:08:00.001-07:00

For our end of summer finale Miss Karin and I put on an Around the World Peace Party. Each traveler started out at our visitors center. There they got a passport and directions to where each country was located around the library. They also got their fortune cookie and star sticker for China since I didn't have enough volunteers to man each country. Each country they visited they got a treat to enjoy and a sticker in their passport. We had 60 travelers. It was a very fun evening.

Welcome to Hawaii

In Hawaii travelers got to enjoy fruit kabobs and were able to make tie dyed t-shirts. Hawaii was located in our downstairs meeting room.

Welcome to Greece

In Greece our travelers enjoyed rice pudding. Greece was located over by the adult music CD's.

Welcome to Paris

In Paris our travelers enjoyed mini cream puffs and iced lattes. They had a nice view of the Eiffel Tower. Paris was located in the young adult section of the library.

Welcome to Italy

Italy was serving up Olive Garden bread sticks and Alfredo dipping sauce. Italy was located by the recently returned DVD's.

Welcome to China

China was located in the Children's Picture book section. Fortune cookies were served at the visitors table.

Welcome to Mexico

In Mexico our travelers enjoyed walking nachos. They could make Mexican tissue flowers as well. Mexico was located in out Children's programing room.

Painting on Canvas

2011-08-09T14:33:00.000-07:00

African Masks

2011-08-09T14:24:00.000-07:00

Fear Factor

2011-08-02T10:40:00.001-07:00

Fear Factor was for those who could stomach what I cooked up for them. Truthfully it wasn't that bad. Once they got past their gag reflex it was a lot of fun. The first stunt was to sniff baby diapers. Yes, baby diapers. I melted down six different chocolate bars and numbered each diaper. Each contestant had to sniff or taste each diaper and take a guess at what type of candy bar it was. Some called it disgusting, some called it delicious ;).

The next stunt was tasting baby food. Once again groans were heard throughout the room. Not all were brave enough to eat it but most were. Bananas were everyone's favorite.

The third stunt was pulling out bugs from stinky gooey food. My own creation. The ones that initially balked at this stunt in the beginning went into round two with a gusto. All in all fear factor was taken on by some brave contestants.

Baby food anyone!

Baby Diaper Challenge!

Find all the critters!

Ewwwwww!!!! Yuckkkkkyyyy!!!! I can't believe I ate that!

Monster Pops

2011-06-15T16:36:00.001-07:00

Today the tweens made ghoulish creatures out of cake balls and chocolate. They had a blast making them and an even better time eating them. This is a fun activity for really any age group, even the really big kids. You know who you are!

To make cake balls all you do is bake a cake according to the package directions. Let it cool and then in a bowl mix it up with 3/4 can of frosting. Using a small cookie scoop or your hands shape into balls. You can usually get about 50 balls per package of cake mix. Let the balls firm up in the freezer for about 10-15 minutes. Chocolate melts work the best for dipping but regular chocolate chips with a little oil works really well too. Melt the chocolate. Dip the stick in the chocolate and then stick it into the ball. Dip the ball into the chocolate letting the excess chocolate drip down. Have fun decorating them. Stick them in the fridge or freezer to harden the chocolate if necessary. It's better to keep the cake balls in the fridge after they are made.

Masterpiece by Elise Broach

2011-04-26T12:54:00.000-07:00

Lexile Level: 700

Grade Level: 4-8

Age Level: 9-12

Genre: Action/Adventure

“Masterpiece”, written by Elise Broach and illustrated by Kelly Murphy, c2008, is about a boy named James who befriends a beetle named Marvin who lives underneath the floorboards of James’ New York City apartment. For James’ birthday, Marvin gives him a picture he has drawn. Mistakenly, James’ family thinks that James has drawn it. James keeps the secret to protect Marvin and his beetle family from being found out about by James’ family. However, difficulty with this plan arises when James is told that his artwork looks like that of the famous artist Durer. He is then asked by an art museum curator to create a forgery of a Durer drawing in order to fool a thief. Somehow, James and Marvin have to pull this off, but how? This is a charming, well-written, story. It seemed to move slowly at certain points, but I definitely enjoyed it.

Submitted by Karin

Ivy & Bean Break the Fossil Record by Annie Barrows

2011-04-26T12:53:00.000-07:00

Lexile Level: 520L

Grade Level Equivalent: 2.7

Age Level: 6 - 8

Interest Level: K-2

Series: Book 3

“Ivy & Bean Break The Fossil Record” written by Annie Barrows and illustrated by Sophie Blackall, book three in the series, is a very funny book! It is about two girls in the second grade. They are friends and their names are Ivy and Bean. When their teacher, Ms. Aruba-Tate, shows them the “Amazing Book of World Records”, they decide they will attempt to set their own world record. They read about various world record setters and try to set records by doing the most cartwheels, dishwashing, and carrying the greatest number of spoons on their faces. Finally, upon reading about Mary Anning, a twelve-year old girl who discovered dinosaur bones, they decide they will discover dinosaur bones of their own. In doing so, they will become the youngest paleontologists in the world! So they start digging up their back yard. Read the book and see what happens! I think this is a great series for this age group.

Submitted by Karin

The Mouse of the Amherst by Elizabeth Spires

2011-04-21T11:56:00.001-07:00

Lexile: 900L
Guided Reading: Q
Interest Level: Grades 3-5
Grade Level Equivalent: 5.5

I totally loved “The Mouse of Amherst”, c 1999, by Elizabeth Spires. It is a sweet and poetic book about a mouse named Emmaline who is staying in the house of the famous poet Emily Dickinson. Emmaline lives behind the wainscoting, a style of wall paneling, located behind Dickinson’s room. Before she arrived at the Dickinson household, Emmaline says that she was “nothing more than a crumb gatherer, a cheese nibbler, and a mouse-of-little purpose.” She states, “There was an emptiness in my life that nothing seemed to fill.”

The room which Emmaline occupies comes complete with a desk, paper and a quill pen. Left behind by the former tenant is a poem. It says:

Day by day and year by year,

You soon will find by living here

That words you thought you knew so well – Big ones, small ones, short ones, tall ones –

Words in every shape and size

Hold many meanings, more surprise

Than you would give them credit for!

Upon exploring Emily Dickinson’s room, Emmaline discovers Dickinson’s poetry and decides to leave a poem of her own. Surprisingly, Dickinson leaves a poem for Emmaline, starting a poetry correspondence between the two. This is a very tiny book. It only consists of 64 pages. It contains very sweet illustrations by Claire A. Nivola. Quite inspiring! I am very happy I found this book!

Submitted by Karin

The Case of the Graveyard Ghost by Michele Torrey

2011-04-21T11:54:00.001-07:00

Age Range: 8 to 11
Grade Level: 2 to 4
Lexile: 570 L

I simply loved “Doyle and Fossey, Science Detectives, The Case of the Graveyard Ghost” by Michele Torrey. It’s a short, really funny, chapter book about two children science detectives who solve cases. Their names are Drake Doyle and Nell Fossey. They take their business very seriously. They wear white coats and have business calling cards. This book contains four cases Drake and Nell have solved. The first is the case of a snobby girl who falls down a laundry shoot. The second is about the Junior Rose Club. The third case is about a ghost. The fourth case is about parrots. In the back of the book, from the cases are science experiments that children can try. I loved the humor and the focus on science. I think it is a good book for boys or girls.

Submitted by Karin

Leprechaun in Late Winter by Mary Pope Osborne

2011-04-14T12:42:00.000-07:00

Age Range: 7-12 Lexile: 500L

“Leprechaun in Late Winter” by Mary Pope Osborne, is #43 in the Magic Treehouse series. In this story, the main characters Jack and his sister Annie are whisked away from their tree house in Frog Creek woods to Galway, Ireland. They are on a third Merlin mission to “help a creative person give their special gifts to the world”.

The person Jack and Annie help in Gallway is Miss Augusta (a real person in history officially named Isabella Augusta Persse who later became, as an adult, Lady Gregory, the wife of a knight named Sir William Henry Gregory). Miss Augusta’s special gift is her love of stories and her ability to remember the exact speech or dialect of the storytellers.

Later in her life, as Lady Gregory, she became known for the folklore she collected from the Irish. She was also a good friend of Ireland’s most famous poet, William Butler Yeats and together, in the year 1904, they founded Dublin’s Abbey Theatre, which is the national theater of Ireland.

I enjoyed this story. It was short but well written. It presented information on Lady Augusta and the fairies or, as they call them in Ireland, si (pronounced shee), in a fun way. There is also a Magic Treehouse Research Guide, you can read, with more information on the subject, called “Leprechauns and Irish Folklore”. This guide, also in our library system, is written by Mary Pope Osborne and Natalie Pope Boyce.

Submitted by Karin

Giving Up the Ghost by Sheri Sinykin

2011-04-14T12:38:00.000-07:00

Lexile Level: 600

Age Level: 10-14

“Giving Up The Ghost”, written by Sheri Sinykin and published by Peachtree Publishing in 2007, is about a thirteen-year-old girl named Davia who travels with her parents to Louisiana to help great-aunt Mari who is in the process of dying from cancer. Mari lives at Belle Foret, an old plantation home that has been passed down in the family for generations. From the first that Davia arrives there, she thinks the place feels scary. It turns out that there is a ghost named Emilie, a French Creole girl, who is haunting it and that great-aunt Mari can speak with her. Then Davia also finds out that she too can see and speak with Emilie, eventually be-friending her. Meanwhile, even though her great-aunt Mari is sharp-spoken, Davia is becoming close with her as they work together in figuring out how to release Emilie’s ghost from “Belle Foret” before Mari dies. Besides all of this, Davia is also working through the fear of her mother’s cancer returning. This book is a 2009-2010 Young Hoosier winner for grades 6-8. It is basically an emotional novel about overcoming fear. Written in an easy to read manner, I think it is a great engaging story that gives the reader a lot to think about.

Submitted by Karin

Hello Cupcake: Shark Attack

2011-03-28T14:14:00.000-07:00

The last week of the Hello Cupcake series ended with Shark Attack cupcakes. These were fun to make but defiantly were a challenge. The biggest challenge was getting the Twinkie to stay upright properly and I couldn't find thin enough wafer cookies so the ones I ended up with were a little too heavy. For full instructions check out Karen Tack's awesome books Hello Cupcake and What's New Cupcake.

Hello Cupcake: Rubber Ducks

2011-03-28T13:59:00.000-07:00

In February and March I did a four week Hello Cupcake series. It started with making Sweet Talk cupcakes. I unfortunately didn't get any photos of them. the second week was Chinese Takeout and unfortunately no one came. The third week we did Rubber Ducks and I had five people in attendance. These were very easy and fun to make. To get the full instructions check out Karen Tack's awesome books Hello Cupcake and What's New Cupcake.

Pre-School Story Hour

2011-03-28T13:56:00.000-07:00

“The Summer I Shrank My Grandmother” by Elvira Woodruff

2011-03-09T12:30:00.000-08:00

Lexile Level: 740, Grade Level: 3-6

“The Summer I Shrank My Grandmother” by Elvira Woodruff, c1990, is a funny book. I really enjoyed it. Nelly Brown is a girl who wants to be a scientist when she grows up. Her parents are also scientists. Nelly is always performing science experiments. However, she sometimes gets into trouble when the experiments don’t go right. It is the summertime and Nelly’s parents are going on a work vacation to New York. Nelly, however, decides not to go with them but to instead join her grandmother, Emma Brown, at a rented cabin on the seashore. While there, Nelly discovers an ancient looking chemistry set called “McFinney’s Powerful Potions”. With this set, the experimenter is granted one powerful wish. Since Nelly’s grandmother is getting so old, Nelly decides that she will make her grandmother younger. She does but unfortunately her grandmother keeps getting younger and younger, so young that Nelly is afraid she may disappear and she won’t have a grandmother anymore! Read this story to find out what happens!

Submitted by Karin

The Star Maker by Laurence Yep

2011-03-08T10:22:00.001-08:00

Grade Level: 3 – 5, Ages 9-12, 112 pages

I just love The Star Maker by Laurence Yep, c 2011. I read one of his other books, Angel Fish, and felt the same way about it. There is something about the way Yep creates his characters and their relationships to one another that leaves me with a good feeling. Through Yep’s stories I have also learned a lot about Chinese customs and what it is like to live in China Town. I have visited the San Francisco, New York City, and Chicago China Towns and along with my family, have always liked Chinese food. So maybe that is why I have an affinity with or interest in China Town. Set in the 1950’s in the San Francisco China Town, “The Star Maker” is based upon Lawrence Yep’s childhood. The story is told from the viewpoint of Artie, an eleven year old boy, who is unpopular with his extended family and who is being bullied by his mean cousin Petey. In order to gain some respect, Artie says he will provide all of the fireworks for the Chinese New Year. Not having any money though, Artie’s Uncle Chester, with whom Artie has a close relationship, saves the day by agreeing to buy them. However, when Uncle Chester falls upon hard times, you wonder how or if he is going to be able to pull this off. Another theme running through the story is how Artie’s Uncle Chester, still single at an older age, meets a woman who becomes special to him. I definitely recommend this book and any of the many other books by Lawrence Yep.

Submitted by Karin

The Very Little Princess by Marion Dane Bauer

2011-03-07T11:53:00.000-08:00

Ages 9-12, Grades 2-4, 122 pages

“The Very Little Princess” by Marion Dane Bauer, c2010, is about a girl named Zoe who is dropped off by her mother to live with her grandmother because either her mother needs time alone or can’t handle taking care of her. When Zoe’s mother drops her off at her grandmother’s, it is evident that her mother is not close to her grandmother. The communication between her mother and grandmother is tense. Zoe overhears them arguing and suspects it is about her. Only until recently, when she was told she would be going to live with her grandmother, Zoe had never heard of this grandmother or known she had any relatives. It has always been just her and her mom, living in various apartments in Minneapolis. As she is being driven to her grandmother’s, a house in the Minnesota countryside with a green lawn and lilac bushes, she suspects that her current life will possibly come to an end. She doesn’t know for sure though. You don’t know when, if ever, Zoe will go back to live with her mother. While at her grandmother’s, she plays with a dollhouse and a doll named Regina. One day, the doll, a not so very nice princess, comes to life, ordering Zoe around and claiming her as her mother. This takes up most of the story. I didn’t care for this story at all. I didn’t like the tone of voice it was written in. I definitely didn’t like the doll. This doesn’t mean that everyone is going to dislike the story. It is about a topic that perhaps some children have experienced or are experiencing with a parent and may be something they can identify with. It got excellent reviews on Amazon. I have enjoyed other stories by Marion Dane Bauer, such as “The Blue Ghost”.

Submitted by Karin

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

2011-03-07T11:33:00.000-08:00

To celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday we feasted on green eggs and ham and birthday cake of course.

Tri Kappa Presents...

2011-03-07T11:29:00.000-08:00

On February 22, 2011 we were fortunate enough to have a pre-school story hour presented by Hobart Tri Kappa. They come every year and always do a wonderful job. The children that came enjoyed stories, finger plays, a craft, and refreshments.

Thank you Tri Kappa!

Frindle by Andrew Clements

2011-03-07T11:28:00.000-08:00

Interest Level: Grades 4-6

Actual Grade Level: 4.8

Lexile Level: 830L

“Frindle” by Andrew Clements, c1996, is about a boy named Nick Allen, who enjoys making his school “more cool”. In his third grade classroom, Nick creates a tropical party, complete with sand, and in fourth grade, he initiates a bird peeping noise (to emulate his teacher’s beak-shaped nose), that other students join in with. The sound and the fact that she can’t pinpoint a certain student, annoys his teacher to no end.

Now Nick has reached fifth grade. It is time for preparation for middle school and he has a very serious teacher named Mrs. Granger. She is a dictionary fanatic. Nick, however, is the opposite! He likes words, but not dictionaries. Already, at the very beginning of the year, he feels like it is going to be a very long one! You’ll have to read this book to see what happens with Nick during this year in Mrs. Granger's classroom. A clue is that, again, it has to do with something Nick creates. Also, another clue is that Mrs. Granger does not like made-up words, whereas Nick does. At only 105 pages long, the story, a classic, is short, but a lot of fun. I had wanted to read “Frindle” for some time and I’m glad I did!

Submitted by Karin

Coraline

2011-01-31T10:54:00.000-08:00

Three of our younger patrons with their families enjoyed Coraline last month. They were nice enough to pose for Miss Karin.

Christmas Treat/Lanterns

2011-01-17T11:59:00.000-08:00

Also in December I did a family Christmas Treat/Lantern program. The kids and parents were able to make a Christmas treat jar or a lantern.

To make the lanterns you need:

Washed out Spaghetti jars
Tissue Paper, all colors
Elmer's glue or Mod Podge
Sponge or regular paint brushes

Cut the tissue paper into strips. On the outside of the jar brush the glue lightly. Place the tissue paper over the glue. Then brush more glue over the tissue paper. Repeat until the jar is completely covered with tissue paper. Let dry. Use for putting treats in or a candle.

Pre-teen Sugar Cookie Program

2011-01-17T11:53:00.000-08:00

In December the pre-teens got together at the library and made sugar cookies. From the smiles on their faces it looks like they had a good time.

Fun Books

2010-12-08T13:50:00.000-08:00

Toddler Storytime

2010-11-11T16:27:00.000-08:00

Pre-School Story Hour

2010-11-11T16:26:00.000-08:00

Toddler Halloween

2010-10-28T12:36:00.001-07:00

Family Fall Fun Fest

2010-10-28T12:22:00.001-07:00

On Wednesday October 27 was our 2nd annual fall fun festival. We served hot dogs, cupcakes, and lemonade this year. The kids had fun playing Creepy Spider aka hot potato, Bowling, and Pumpkin Toss.

MGOL Halloween

2010-10-28T12:17:00.000-07:00

Pre-school Halloween

2010-10-28T12:13:00.001-07:00

Pumpkin Painting

2010-10-21T13:04:00.000-07:00

Recommended Picture Books

2010-10-14T12:53:00.000-07:00

Halloween Books

2010-10-14T12:51:00.000-07:00

Miss Smith Reads Again! by Michael Garland

2010-10-11T13:15:00.000-07:00

Miss Smith is a second grade teacher and Zack can't wait to go to school each day. When Miss Smith reads from her incredible storybook the stories literally come to life around them. In this book she reads the Lost World where they trek through the jungle and then they meet up with a Tyrannosaurus Rex. The class has to split up and run and when they meet up again they are missing Miss Smith. So they have to find her so she can finish the story and get them home. Very fun read with colorful illustrations.

Charlie and Lola

2010-10-11T13:04:00.000-07:00

This year's pick for Books to Bridge the Region is I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato by Lauren Child.

It's a cute read about how Lola is a picky eater. She will not eat carrots, peas, potatoes, mushrooms, and many other things. She will never not ever eat a tomato. So Charlie her brother decides to trick her. Carrots become orange twiglets from Jupiter, peas are green drops, mashed potatoes are cloud fluff, fish sticks are ocean nibbles, and tomatoes are moonsquirters. So Lola wants to eat them and moonsquirters aka tomatoes are her favorite. Very cute. And there is also a video on it as well in Charlie and Lola Volume One. Check it out. Your kids will love Charlie and Lola.

Cool Kids

2010-09-28T10:43:00.000-07:00

The month of September was Cool Kids Have a Library Card. Children with a library and children applying for a library card received a prize and were entered into a drawing. In celebration of Cool Kids month Miss Karin and Miss Carol planned a really fun program. They had the Wii set up to play, board games, golf, and craft tables. They made paper bag hats and glasses out of toilet paper rolls. Of course there were snacks.

Toddler Story Time

2010-09-09T13:46:00.001-07:00

Mother Goose on the Loose

2010-09-09T13:35:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures from this summers MGOL programs.

Recommend Reading

2010-07-28T17:27:00.000-07:00

Miss Karin used these books for her pre-school and Mother Goose on the Loose story times and she said the kids really enjoyed them.

Gooey Jellyfish by Natalie Lunis
Pip Squeak by Sarah Weeks
Fancy Nancy Every Day is Earth Day by Jan O'Conner
Secret Seahorse by Stella Blackstone and Clare Beaton
Come Here Cleo! by Caroline Mockford
Zoe's Hats A book of color and patterns by Sharon Lane Holm
Corduroys Day by Don Freeman
Maisy Dresses Up by Lucy Cousins
Knick Knack Paddy Whack by SteveSongs
The Usborne Nursery Rhyme Tresury by Dubravka Kolanovic
Fish Eyes by Lois Ehlert
The Napping House by Audrey Wood
Frogs by Martin Schwabacher
Taddy the Toad by Jane Burton
Frogs by Nic Bishop
Froggy Rides a Bike by Jonathan London
Horray for Fish! by Lucy Cousins
Tale of a Tadpole by Karen Wallace
Diego and the Baby Sea Turtles by Lisa Rao
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Trout! by Teri Sloat
Turtle Bay by Savior Pirotta
Swimming by Leo Lionni
Little Hands Fingerplays and Action Songs by Emily Stetson and Vicky Congdon

Upcoming Craft Preview

2010-06-30T12:01:00.000-07:00

On July 8th at 2pm school age children will learn about whales, dolphins and sharks. They will also make a Shark Hat.

An Octopus Garden

2010-06-30T11:59:00.001-07:00

Humor on the High Seas

2010-06-30T11:54:00.001-07:00

Painted Beach Towels

2010-06-30T11:27:00.000-07:00

Pre-teens painted beach towels on June 23rd at 2pm.

Water Fun Books

2010-06-30T11:04:00.000-07:00

Toddler/Preschool Books

Rainbow Fish Opposites by Marcus Pfister
Rainbow Fish Opposites by Marcus Pfister
One Lonely Sea Horse by Saxton Freymann and Joost Elffers
Maisy's Pool by Lucy Cousins
Rainbow of My Own by Don Freeman
The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
Mister Seahorse by Eric Carle

Grade School Books

Sea of Riddles by Marcus Pfister
Wish for a Fish by Bonnie Worth
Sea to Shining Sea by Walker Hughes
What the Sea Saw by Stephanie St. Pierre
Down in the Sea: The Octopus by Patricia Kite
Under the Sea from A to Z by Anne Doubilet
Octopuses by Ron Hirschi
An Octopus is Amazing by Patricia Lauber
The Octopus Phantom of the Sea by Mary M. Cerullo
The Octopus by Kris Hirschmann

Sea Serpent Books

2010-06-30T11:01:00.000-07:00

Sea Serpent Fun

2010-06-18T12:53:00.000-07:00

On June 17 school age children had fun learning about sea serpents and they made a sea serpent craft.

Family Mini Golf

2010-06-18T09:36:00.000-07:00

Mini Golf was on June 16 at 6pm. I had about 47 people participate and I hope that fun was had by all. It seemed like everyone was having a good time. The golf courses were throughout the library. Downstairs in the meeting room I served cookies, chips, and lemonade while everyone was waiting for the program to begin. Hole #1 was in the hallway downstairs. Then you went upstairs to hole #2 down one of the adult fiction aisles. Then you went over the the young adult section for hole #3. Hole #4 was by the picture books, hole #5 was in the children's room, hole #6 was between the easy readers and juvenile mystery books, and hole 7 was over by the juvenile non-fiction. All the kids got a prize at the end.

Course #1: Finding Nemo

Course #2: Baskets with a butterfly

Course #3: Dolphins and Whales

Course #4: Raft

Course #5: Colorful Frog and Turtle

Course #6: Elmo lounging on a raft reading in the sun

Course #7: Animal Kingdom series of unfortunate events

Catch of the Day

2010-06-18T09:17:00.000-07:00

On June 15 children ages 4-7 heard stories, songs, finger plays, and made a craft about fishing.

Books Used: One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss
The Berenstain Bears and the Spooky Old Tree by Stan & Jan Berenstain
Froggy's Day With Dad by Jonathan London
Because Your Daddy Loves You by Andrew Clements
The ABC's of Oceans by Bobbie Kalman
Whales & Dolphins of the World by Mark Simmonds

Songs Played: Spin Again by Jim Gill
Teddy Bear Song
Wheels on the Bus
Frere Jacques

Finger Plays:

Two Little Dickey Birds Sitting On a Cloud

Craft: Flying Fish

Toddler Story Time

2010-06-18T09:12:00.000-07:00

Window Painting

2010-06-18T09:05:00.000-07:00

This year for summer reading we had a window painting contest. The contest was Make a Splash and the drawings were geared toward surfing, beaches, underwater, pool fun, and more. We had a lot of entries and five winners were chosen. Below are three pictures that were chosen and painted on the windows. More pictures to come.

Summer Reading is Underway

2010-06-18T08:38:00.000-07:00

Does it feel like summer is already flying by? It does to me. I can't believe that two weeks of summer reading has almost gone by. I missed the first week because I was in Arizona visiting a really good friend and her family. So when I got back it just seemed like Summer Reading was already in full swing and that I missed out on something but I'll be here for the rest of the summer and we are already are having a blast here at Hobart.

For those of you who don't know the theme this year for kids is Make a Splash and for every 10 books a kid reads they get to pick a prize. For those of you reading chapter books every 50 pages counts as a book. So start reading so you can collect some really cool treasure.

Mad Hatter Tea Party

2010-05-13T15:30:00.000-07:00

The Mad Hatter Tea Party was really fun. I had six families in attendance and we had a really good time. I decorated the room with pictures of scenes from the Disney Alice in Wonderland Movie and Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland Movie. I made tea pots and tea cups out of construction paper and wrote quotes from the movies on the tea pots. I covered the tables with plastic table covers and used colorful plates and serving dishes.

On the menu was cheese pizza and chips. For dessert was vanilla and chocolate cupcakes with whipped cream icing. To drink I made lemonade and raspberry ice tea. During the tea they watched Disney's Alice in Wonderland on our big screen.

Summer Reading is Coming

2010-05-13T13:35:00.001-07:00

Summer reading is right around the corner and we have some really fun programs planned for kids of all ages. This years theme for the kids is Make A Splash, teens is Catch a Wave, and Adults is Water Your Mind. Have you caught onto the water theme yet? Don't be surprised this summer when you come into the library and find all kinds of water related pictures and items throughout the library.

To find out what's going on at the library and to register for programs all you have to do is go to the Library Events Calendar page. To limit to Hobart uncheck All Locations to the left of the page and check Hobart and click on Find. When you find a program you want to go to click on it and fill in the information to register or you can call the library and we will register you.

Have children ages 0 to 23 months? Then check out Mother Goose on the Loose.
Have children ages 2 and 3? Then check out Toddler Time.
Have children ages 4 to 7? Then check out Summer Story Time.
Have school age children? Then check out our school age programs and Tween programs.

Looking for something to do with the whole family? In June we are having family Mini Golf throughout the library and July we are having a family Ice Cream Social.

Plus do you like to read? Because we give out prizes for reading. Yes, you read that correctly prizes for reading. For the kids every 10 books you read you get a prize. For the chapter books every 50 pages counts as a book so a 500 page book would equal one prize.

This year Teens and Adults can sign up for summer reading online and enter their entries from home if they would like. For those who don't want to mess with the computer paper entry forms will be available.

So with all the great things going on at the library this summer we hope to see all of you here.

Ghoulish Goodies by Sharon Bowers

2010-04-21T13:20:00.000-07:00

I Love Halloween! It is my favorite holiday. I love getting dressed up and decorating my house. I love making creepy but delicious foods for the Halloween party I have every year. This cookbook is full of frightful recipes that look creepy but I bet taste fantastic. And what's better is that this cookbook is for kids.

Egg Hunt

2010-04-15T13:01:00.000-07:00

On April 14, 2010 we had an Egg Hunt throughout the library. Two volunteers and I hid 345 candy filled eggs all over the library for the kids to find. I had about 30 children and adults and the egg hunt was a big hit. This may become a tradition.

Tip for Librarians: Doing an egg hunt after Easter can save you money. I was able to buy plastic eggs and candy for half the price. But make sure you go right after Easter because supplies only last so long.

Can you spot the Easter Eggs?

MGOL

2010-04-14T13:32:00.001-07:00

MGOL was on April 14, 2010. This is program for babies and toddlers, 6 to 23 months, accompanied by their caregivers. They participate in a fun, interactive, 30 minute nursery rhyme program filled with rhymes, books, songs, and movement. This program aids in literacy development.

Miss Karin focused on the letter C this week.

Books used: Colors by Emily Bolam
A Child's Good Morning by Margaret Wise Brown

Nursery Rhyme used: "Two little dickeybirds sitting on a cloud. One named "Soft", the other named "Loud." Fly away Soft! Fly away Loud! Come back Soft! Come back Loud!" by Barbara Cass-Beggs

Pre-school Story Hour

2010-04-14T13:20:00.001-07:00

On April 13, 2010 was pre-school story hour for 3 and 4 year olds.

Books read: Rabbits Birthday Kite by Maryann MacDonald
If you take a Mouse to School by Laura Numeroff
Abigail Spells by Anna Alter
A Child's Good Morning Book by Margaret Wise Brown
Round is a Pancake by Joan Sullivan Baranski
Babar's ABC by Laurent de Brunhoff

Music: Teddy Bear Song
Top of the Morning
If You're Happy and You Know It

Fingerplays used: From 52 Programs for Preschoolers by Diane Briggs: My Garden, Five Plump Peas, and A Little Plant

Craft: Kites

Miss Karin focused on the letter C this week.

Think Spring Art

2010-04-07T12:15:00.000-07:00

Photo Magnets

2010-03-24T12:45:00.001-07:00

On March 17 tweens made photo magnets. I think they turned out really cool.

What you need: Clear, rounded with a smooth back, pebbles (we got them from Michael's, I'm not sure what they are called), hot glue, hot glue gun, decorative paper, pictures and round magnets.

Cut out the paper or picture to fit on the back of the pebble. Hot glue the picture to the pebble and then hot glue the magnet to the picture.

These would make fun homemade gifts.

Reading with Kaylee and Janessa

2010-03-16T14:39:00.001-07:00

Janessa and Kaylee came to the library to read to younger kids. They only had one this time but they will be back to do it again.

Toddler Story Hour

2010-03-13T08:56:00.000-08:00

Toddler story hour is for children ages 2 to 3. Accompanied by their caregivers toddlers hear stories, songs, finger plays and, nursery rhymes in this half-hour program.

Books Used: Babar's ABC by Laurent De Brunhoff
Baby Danced the Polka by Karen Beaumont
Toot Toot Beep Beep by Emma Garcia

Ms. Karin focused on the letter A this week.

Also used were rhymes and finger plays found at www.lovetolearnplace.com. Ms. Karin did some St. Patrick's Day rhymes and poems.

MGOL

2010-03-13T08:55:00.000-08:00

Mother Goose on the Loose is a program for babies and toddlers 6 to 23 months old. Accompanied by their caregiver babies and toddlers participate in a fun interactive 30 minute nursery rhyme program filled with rhymes, books, songs, and movement. This program aids in literacy development.

This week Ms. Karin focused on the Letter A.

Books Used: Daisy's Favorite Things by Jane Simmons
Baby Animals by babygenius

A finger play used is "Goosey, goosey gander, where do you wander? Upstairs, and downstairs, and in the lady's chamber."

Pre-School Story Hour

2010-03-09T12:41:00.000-08:00

On March 9 preschoolers enjoyed hearing stories, songs, and finger plays. They made a paper shamrock craft.

Books used: Ballet Sisters by Jan Ormerod
Fancy Nancy's Favorite Fancy Words by Jane O'Conner
Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? by Dr. Seuss
Happy St. Patrick's Day by Abbie Mercer
Too Many Leprechauns by Stephen Krensky

Craft: Paper Shamrocks

Tween Time: Hot Chocolate Treats

2010-03-03T16:25:00.000-08:00

On February 24, 2010 our tween group made a hot chocolate treat to give away to someone.

What you need:
Small jars (various shapes and sizes) we used small ball jars
glitter paint (to decorate the jar)
a can of hot chocolate
string
labels

Scoop hot chocolate mix into the jars. Seal the jar tight. Decorate the outside with paint and various other cute items. Tie a label to the jar with the string. Give away as a gift or keep for yourself.

Sorry the camera was not working and we didn't get any pictures.

Tri Kappa Pre-School Story Hour

2010-03-03T16:08:00.000-08:00

Tri-Kappa co-sponsored the pre-school story hour program on February 23, 2010 at 1pm. Nicole Lopez of Tri-Kappa Sorority talked to the children about the environment and how to go green. The children made green bean terrariums to take home. Tri-Kappa also provided the children with refreshments. It was a very fun program and we would like to give a big round of applause to Ms. Lopez and Tri-Kappa. Thank you so much for coming!

Books Used: African Animals ABC by Philippa-Alys Browne
Where is the Green Sheep by Mem Fox and Judy Horacek
The Monster at the end of this Book starring Lovable, Furry Old Grover
Finn Throws a Fit! by David Elliot

Toddler Story Time

2010-02-12T08:58:00.000-08:00

Toddler Story time was on February 11 and another one will be on February 25.

Books Used: Where is the Green Sheep? by Mem Fox

Clifford's Valentines by Norman Bridwell

First Picture Nursery Rhymes by Usborne

Mouse's First Snow by Lauren Thompson

Songs Sang: Wheels on the Bus

Eency Weency Spider

Head, Shoulder, Knees, and Toes

If You're Happy and You Know It

CD Used: Toddler Time Classics

Craft: Tissue Paper Valentines

What you need for the craft. Construction paper, tissue paper cut into small pieces, glue, and sparkly decorations (optional). Cut out a heart using the construction paper. Glue pieces of the tissue paper all over the heart. Decorate as desired.

Mother Goose on the Loose

2010-02-12T08:16:00.001-08:00

Babies and toddlers (ages 6 months to 23 months with a caregiver), in this half hour program, will hear a variety of stories, songs and nursery rhymes.

One finger play used is:

Old Mother Goose when she wanted to wander would fly through the air on her very fine gander.

Pre-School Story Hour

2010-02-12T08:12:00.001-08:00

On February 9th pre-school age children, 4 & 5 year olds, heard Valentine stories, participated in finger plays and songs, and made tissue paper Valentines. They also made heart mobiles.

Books used: The Sleepy Little Alphabet by Judy Sierra
Mouse's First Snow by Lauren Thomspon
Can You Say Peace? by Karen Katz
Everybody Bonjours! by Leslie Kimmelman

Music used: It's Toddler Time by Carol Hammett
Toddler tunes 26 classic songs for toddlers by Cedarmont Kids Singers
Jim Gill sings do re mi on his toe leg knee by Jim Gill
Toddler Time Classics by Kids Direct

For the craft of tissue paper Valentines you will need construction paper, tissue paper, glue, and sparkly decorations if desired. Cut out a heart from the construction paper and glue small pieces of the tissue paper onto the heart. Decorate as desired.

For the heart mobiles you need construction paper, yarn or ribbon, and tape. Cut out hearts on the construction paper and then tape the hearts to the yarn or ribbon.

Tie Dye Cupcakes

2010-02-11T16:06:00.000-08:00

I think that these tie dye cupcakes turned out great and it's fairly easy to do.

What you need: Box of white cake mix, food coloring, muffin pans and muffin baking cups, 1 big bowl, 6 smaller bowls, and spoons.

In the one big bowl make the cake mix as directed on the box. Then split the batter evenly into the remaining 6 smaller bowls. Dye each bowl of batter a different color. I did pink, yellow, blue, green, purple, and orange. Line the muffin tins with the baking cups and then put a spoonful each of the colored batter into each cup. So that you end up with each baking cup having all six colors or various colors you want it to have. Bake at 350 degrees for 18-22 minutes.

While the cupcakes were baking we frosted plain cupcakes with different colored frosting. It was a very sweet and fun program.

Tweens Make Origami

2010-01-26T13:30:00.000-08:00

On January 20th tweens made origami lead by the talented Kaylee.

Chinese New Year Celebration

2010-01-26T13:12:00.000-08:00

Chinese New Year/ Chinese Books and CD at Hobart Library

Taste of Asia - CD – Q.CD ASIA TA N25

Chinese New Year Crafts by Karen E. Bledsoe
JUV 745.5941 BLED

Bringing In The New Year by Grace Lin
JUV P LIN

Chinese New Year’s Dragon by Rachel Sing J
UV P SING

The Jade Stone, A Chinese Folktale, adapted by Caryn Yacowitz
JUV 398.20951 YACO

How the Ox Star Fell from Heaven Retold and Illustrated by Lily Toy Hong
JUV 398.20951 HONG

A Chinese Zoo adapted and illustrated by demi
JUV 398.20951 DEMI

The Beggar’s Magic A Chinese Tale Retold by Margaret and Raymond Chang
JUV 398.20951 CHAN

The Lost Horse by Ed Young
JUV 398.20951 YOUN

Chinese New Year by Alice K. Flanagan J
UV 394.261 FLAN

Tikki Tikki Tembo retold by Arlene Mosel
JUV 398.2 MOSE

Mouse Match by Ed Young
JUV 398.20951 YOUN

My Chinatown, One Year in Poems
JUV P MAK

The Magic Horse of Han Gan by Chen Jiang Hong
JUV 398.20951 CHEN

Chinese New Year by Dianne M. MacMillan
JUV 394.261 MACM

Chinese New Year by David F. Marx
JUV 394.261 MARX

Sam And The Lucky Money by Karen Chin
JUV P CHIN

Two of Everything by Lily Toy Hong
JUV 398.210951 HONG

Chinatown by William Low J
UV P LOW

They made Dragon Streamer Puppets.

Mother Goose on the Loose

2010-01-26T13:03:00.000-08:00

MGOL was on January 13th at 10:30am. This program is for babies and toddlers, 6 to 23 months of age, accompanied by their caregivers. This is a fun interactive, 30 minute nursery rhyme program filled with rhymes, books, songs, and movement. This program aids in literacy development.

Pre-School Story Hour

2010-01-26T12:53:00.000-08:00

On January 12th at 1 or 6pm three and four year olds enjoyed stories, songs, finger plays, and made Winter King and Queen finger puppets.

Toddler Story Time

2009-12-14T15:21:00.000-08:00

Toddler Story time was on December 10, 2009.

Books Used: Numbers by Michel Blake

There's Something at the Mail Slot by Jez Alborough

First Snow by Emily McCully

First Picture Nursery Rhymes by Jo Litchfield

Finger Plays: Santa in the Chimney

Santa and his Sleigh

Music Used: Toddler Tunes by Cedarmont Kids Classic

Craft: Paper Chains

Pre-School Story Hour

2009-12-14T13:36:00.000-08:00

On December 8, 2009 Hobart Library had two pre-school story hour sessions, 1pm and 6pm.

Books Used: Tyrannoclause by Janet Lawler

Merry Christmas, Splat by Rob Scotton

Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree by Robert Berry

Christmas at the Top of the World by Tim Coffey

Songs from the Toddler Tunes Cd: Wheels on the Bus

Are You Sleeping

Ba Ba Black Sheep

Eency Weensy Spider

Craft: Reindeer Paper Bag Puppets from Enchanted Learning online.

Pre-Teen: Snow Globes

2009-12-10T08:46:00.000-08:00

On December 9, 2009 pre-teens made snow globes. I think they turned out pretty cute.

What you need: baby food jars (empty and washed out), little figurines, water, and white snow glitter, glue, and ribbon.

Glue the figurine to the bottom of the jar. Once dry add the water and snow glitter. Put the lid on the jar and secure tightly. Add a colored ribbon around the lid for decoration.

Greyt Readers

2009-12-08T11:44:00.000-08:00

On November 18, 2009 the Greyt Readers came to the Lake Station New Chicago library. Greyt Readers is a program where children can read to Greyhounds. The program was in celebration of Children's Book Week.

Toddler Story Time

2009-12-08T11:21:00.000-08:00

On December 3rd at 10:30am toddlers heard stories and made a Reindeer puppet.

Books Used: My Very First Look at Colors by Christiane Gunzi

M is for Mistletoe by Tanya Stone

Hello Kitty Hello Love!

The Three Bears Christmas by Kathy Duval

Music: It's Toddler Time

Fingerplay: Two Little Black Birds

Craft: Reindeer Paper Bag Puppets

www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/christmas/paperbag/

Friendship Bracelets

2009-11-23T13:51:00.000-08:00

On November 18, 2009 pre-teens enjoyed making friendship bracelets.

For instructions on how to make friendship bracelets try these websites: http://www.how-to-make-jewelry.com/friendship-bracelet-patterns.html
http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/friendshipbraceletshowtopatternskids.html
http://www.squidoo.com/friendship-bracelet-instruction

Or these books: http://catalog.lakeco.lib.in.us/ipac20/ipac.jsp?term=friendship+bracelets&index=.GW&menu=home&aspect=subtab&profile=leo#focus

National Children's Bookweek Program

2009-11-23T13:32:00.000-08:00

November 17 and 18 pre-schoolers celebrated National Children's Bookweek by hearing award winning stories and making Chippewa Indian Dream Catchers.

Books used: My Mother is Mine by Marion Dane Bauer

My Very First Book of Colors by Eric Carle

Biscuit's First Sleepover by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

One Little, Two Little, Three Little Pilgrims by B.G. Hennessy

Finger plays: Touch the Earth and Mother Earth from 52 Programs for Pre-schoolers by Diane Briggs

Music: Four Baby Bumblebee's Classic Singable Songs by Kimbo Educational
Spin Again and Silly Dance Contest by Jim Gill

Craft: Chippewa Indian Dream Catchers

Toddler Story Hour

2009-11-23T13:18:00.001-08:00

On November 12, 2009 we had a toddler story hour.

Books used: My Very First Book of Colors by Eric Carle
My Mother is Mine by Marion Dane Bauer
One Little, Two Little, Three Little Pilgrims by B.G. Hennessy

Songs sung: Alphabet song
Twinkle Twinkle little star
Wheels on the Bus
Eency Weensy Spider

Finger plays: Touch the Earth and Mother Earth from 52 Programs for Pre-schoolers by Diane Briggs

CD's used: Spin Again by Jim Gill
Toddler Time CD

Craft: Indian Headbands

The Missing Tarts

2009-11-18T08:13:00.000-08:00

On November 11, 2009 the Queen of Hearts lost her tarts and families were invited to help her find them. I had eight in attendance and the kids had fun making tarts to eat.

I read The Missing Tarts by B. G. Hennessy. We made the tarts and while they were baking we played several games.

Games: Hot Potato, Red Light Green Light, Duck Duck Goose, Monkey in the Middle, Simon Sez, and Sit down Balloon Volleyball.

How to make the tarts: Refrigerated pie crust, circle cookie cutter, rolling pin, flour, mini muffin pans, and pie filling.

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

We made cherry tarts and chocolate chip cookie tarts.

Sprinkle some flour on a flat surface. Place the pie crust on the flour. With the rolling pin roll out crust to be a little bit thinner. This way you can get 24 or more circles. If you want the crust to be thicker don't roll it out. Once it's rolled out take the circle cookie cutter and cut out as many rounds as you can. You can then roll the scraps out to make more. Place a round over a mini muffin cup and using your fingers gently press the dough into the muffin cup. Once all the cups are filled drop a couple teaspoons full of pie filling into each. I used a can of cherry pie filling.

Bake between 12-15 minutes or until crust is browned.

For the chocolate chip cookie tarts I used the Nestle Toll House recipe for chocolate chip cookie pie. I would recommend for the tarts instead of mixing in the chocolate chips into the batter place a few chocolate chips into each muffin cup and then spoon the batter over. Don't fill to the top. When I baked them they were starting to overflow in the oven. This way you could use different flavored chips like butterscotch or white chocolate instead of just chocolate. They baked at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes. Eating one is plenty these are very rich but the kids loved them. As you can see from the picture above that the chocolate chip cookie tarts were pretty much wiped out. There were like 3 left.

Toddler Story Time

2009-11-06T07:48:00.000-08:00

They always seem to have a blast during toddler story time. Just look at all those cute faces.

Books Used: My Very First Look at Colors by Christiane Gunzi
Sea Lion Swims
Peter Rabbit's Five Fluffy Bunnies
Sleepy Little Yoga by Rebecca Whitford
The Usborne Nursery Rhyme Treasury by Usborne
Finger Rhymes by Marc Brown

Music Used: Baby Beluga by Raffi
It's Toddler Time by Carol Hammett and Elaine Bueffel
Cedarmont Kids Classics Toddler Tunes

Songs Sang: The Alphabet Song and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Counted to five

Craft: Thanksgiving Hand Turkeys

Toddler Story Hour

2009-10-29T13:07:00.000-07:00

Books Used: The Usborne Nursery Rhyme Treasury by Dubravka Kolanovic

600 Black Spots by David A. Carter

Clifford and the Halloween Parade by Norman Bridwell

I Like Pumpkins by Jerry Smath

Finger Rhymes by Marc Brown

Cat's Colors by Jane Cabrera

Music Used: Animal Favorites by the Music for Little People Band

Toddler Tunes by Cedarmont Kids Singers

Arthur and Friends the first almost real not live CD

It's Toddler Time by Carol Totsky Hammett

Craft: Water Coloring Sheets

Fall Pre-School Story Hour

2009-10-29T12:56:00.000-07:00

The last session of the pre-school story hour was a fun one. The kids came dressed up in Halloween attire and they were so cute. They got to parade around the library.

Books Used: A Job for Wittilda by Caralyn Buehner
Cat's Colors by Jane Cabrera
I Like Pumpkins by Jerry Smath
Clifford and the Halloween Parade by Norman Bridwell
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Music Used: Holiday Songs by Newbridge Learning
Jim Gill Sings Do Re Mi on his Toe Leg Knee
Burl Ives A Twinkle in You Eye

Songs Sang: Alphabet Song
Counted to twenty

Craft: Balloon Ghost

Pumpkin Painting

2009-10-26T17:15:00.000-07:00

What is better than carving a pumpkin? Painting one of course! School age children had fun painting their pumpkins and pasting on beads and feathers. And using glitter, can't forget the glitter.

Fall Pre-School Story Hour

2009-10-26T17:11:00.001-07:00

Wow, time is really going by fast. The week of October 20th was the 5th week of pre-school story hour. The last week is quickly approaching.

Books Used: Moonlight The Halloween Cat by Cynthia Rylant

Mrs. McMurphy's Pumpkin by Rick Walton

I Like Pumpkins by Jerry Smath

Usborne First Picture Fairytales by Usborne

Music Used: Holiday Songs by Newbridge

Jim Gill Sings Do Re Mi on his Toe Leg Knee

Children's Songs-A Collection of Childhood Favorites-Sung by Susie Tallman & Friends

Arthur & Friends The First Real Not Live CD

Songs Sang: The Alphabet Song and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Craft: Halloween Windsocks

Fall Fun Fest

2009-10-25T12:29:00.000-07:00

On October 14th families enjoyed what might be our first annual fall fun fest. I may do it again next year. It was that much fun. The families that came enjoyed chips, apple cider, lemonade, and mini caramel apples. The kids and some adults participated in the games.

First up was the Mummy Wrap game. This game calls for teams of two and toilet paper. One person on the team gets wrapped and the other does the wrapping. Whoever used up all the toilet paper first won. If you had a more controlled environment you could vote on the best mummy.

Next we did pumpkin bowling. Warning you need something to provide cushion when the pumpkin rolls into the wall. The pumpkins did not split open, they did lose there stems, but they whacked up against the wall pretty hard. I bought small pumpkins and used water bottles for the pins.

The next game was a leaf race. I had fabric leaves that I put in a bucket. They had to pick three leaves and run to the other side of the room, deposit them into another bucket, and run back to tag the next person in line.

The fourth game we played was hot pumpkin. They sat in a circle and passed around a stuffed pumpkin and when the music stopped whoever had the pumpkin was out. They really enjoyed that game. They played it twice.

The last game we played was a pumpkin race. I had pumpkin garbage bags filled with newspaper around the room as decorations. So we used those for the pumpkin race. They had to race down to the other end and back. That was a lot of fun.

To make mini caramel apples you need fairly large apples (I used green), a melon baller, and caramels (I used Kraft Traditional Caramels in a bag and they have a recipe right on the bag). Wash the apples. Using the melon baller melon out several balls. It actually makes a half ball but they were still cute and you can get several half balls out of one apple. I placed the balls in water but water with lemon would help them from turning brown. I melted the caramels on the stove and transferred it to my crock pot to keep it warm. I had my two volunteers put the apple balls into bowls and pour the caramel over them. The kids ate them with a fork.

If you do decide to make mini caramel apples take the time to melon out the apples way before the program starts. It took me about a half hour to an hour to melon out 20 apples. It was really worth it.

The Post Tribune sent a writer and a photographer so the story should be in the paper soon.

Pre-Teen: Melted Crayons

2009-10-19T11:29:00.000-07:00

This is a great project for all those broken and used crayons you have around the house. So instead of throwing them out use them to make melted crayon art. For detailed instructions click on the link below:

http://home.howstuffworks.com/art-pictures6.htm

Pre-teens enjoyed doing this program with the help of the children's librarian and volunteers. By the smiling faces it looks like they had a great time.

Fall Pre-School Story Hour

2009-10-19T11:28:00.000-07:00

The fourth week of pre-school story hour has come and gone.

Books Used:

Higher! Higher! by Leslie Patricelli

First Picture Fairytales by Francesca Allen and Jo Litchfield

Daisy the Doctor by Jo Litchfield and Felicity Brooks

The Littlest Owl by Caroline Pitcher and Tina Macnaughton

Holly's Red Boots by Francesca Chessa

Craft: Crayon Scratch Pictures

What you need: paper, colored crayons, black crayons, and toothpicks.

Have the children color on the paper with the colored crayons. Then have them take the black crayon and color completely over the colored crayons. Once that is done take a toothpick and etch out a drawing. The black crayon gets scraped away leaving the colored crayons beneath. It makes a really cool picture.

Toddler Story Hour

2009-10-08T11:40:00.001-07:00

Toddler Story hour is always fun. Just look at those smiles.

Books Used: I Took My Frog to the Library by Eric A. Kimmel
First Picture Nursery Rhymes by Jo Litchfield
Finger Rhymes by Marc Brown
Fall Leaves Fall by Zoe Hall

Music Used: Jim Gill's Spin Again, Pat-a-Cake, Pat-a-Cake, Head Shoulders Knees and Toes.

Craft: Traced their hands on paper and decorated the hands.

Fall Pre-School Story Hour

2009-10-08T11:24:00.000-07:00

Time is just flying by. The third week of pre-school story hour has come and gone. We had a really good time.

Books Used: Jackson's Blanket by Nancy Cote
I Took My Frog to the Library by Eric A. Kimmel
Some Dogs Do by Jez Alborough
Finger Rhymes by Marc Brown

Music Used: They did the Silly Dance Contest and Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes. Sang the Alphabet Song and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

Craft: Paper plate Necklaces
The idea came from the Paper Plate Mania book by Christine M. Irvine.

Fall Pre-School Story Hour

2009-10-05T09:35:00.000-07:00

The second sessions of pre-school story hour were on September 29 and 30. This week I got to do a story hour and it was really fun. I haven't done one in a long time.

Books used: Dance by the Light of the Moon by Joanne Ryder

Poppleton in Fall by Cynthia Rylant

Your Kind of Mommy by Majorie Blain Parker

Music Used: Birthday Songs
We did The Hokey Pokey, If You're Happy and You Know It, and Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes.

Craft: Owls
This idea came from the book Paper Plate Mania by Christine M. Irvine.

School Age: Crayon Resist

2009-09-28T08:06:00.000-07:00

On September 24th school age children heard a fall story and made crayon resist paintings.

The story read was The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton.

What you need: crayons, paper, water colors, brushes, and water.

First have the children draw pictures with the crayons. Have them make thick lines and press down really hard when they draw. To get the best effect use light colored crayons.

Second mix dark water colors with plenty of water to dilute them. Then have the children paint over their crayon drawings with the water colors. The crayon drawing will resist the water color and will show through the paint.

To find different variations on how to do crayon resist simply google crayon resist and you will get several ideas.

Kids Nook

Around the World Peace Party

Painting on Canvas

African Masks

Fear Factor

Monster Pops

Masterpiece by Elise Broach

Ivy & Bean Break the Fossil Record by Annie Barrows

The Mouse of the Amherst by Elizabeth Spires

The Case of the Graveyard Ghost by Michele Torrey

Leprechaun in Late Winter by Mary Pope Osborne

Giving Up the Ghost by Sheri Sinykin

Hello Cupcake: Shark Attack

Hello Cupcake: Rubber Ducks

Pre-School Story Hour

“The Summer I Shrank My Grandmother” by Elvira Woodruff

The Star Maker by Laurence Yep

The Very Little Princess by Marion Dane Bauer

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

Tri Kappa Presents...

Frindle by Andrew Clements

Coraline

Christmas Treat/Lanterns

Pre-teen Sugar Cookie Program

Fun Books

Toddler Storytime

Pre-School Story Hour

Toddler Halloween

Family Fall Fun Fest

MGOL Halloween

Pre-school Halloween

Pumpkin Painting

Recommended Picture Books

Halloween Books

Miss Smith Reads Again! by Michael Garland

Charlie and Lola

Cool Kids

Toddler Story Time

Mother Goose on the Loose

Recommend Reading

Upcoming Craft Preview

An Octopus Garden

Humor on the High Seas

Painted Beach Towels

Water Fun Books

Sea Serpent Books

Sea Serpent Fun

Family Mini Golf

Catch of the Day

Toddler Story Time

Window Painting

Summer Reading is Underway

Recommended books and My 100th Post

Mad Hatter Tea Party

Summer Reading is Coming

Ghoulish Goodies by Sharon Bowers

Egg Hunt

MGOL

Pre-school Story Hour

Think Spring Art

Photo Magnets

Reading with Kaylee and Janessa

Toddler Story Hour

MGOL

Pre-School Story Hour

Tween Time: Hot Chocolate Treats

Tri Kappa Pre-School Story Hour

Toddler Story Time

Mother Goose on the Loose

Pre-School Story Hour

Tie Dye Cupcakes

Tweens Make Origami

Chinese New Year Celebration

Mother Goose on the Loose

Pre-School Story Hour

Toddler Story Time

Pre-School Story Hour

Pre-Teen: Snow Globes

Greyt Readers

Toddler Story Time