Holiday Hoopla!!!

Thanks to all of you who joined us for our Holiday Hoopla this Thursday, Dec 15, 2011!

We had so much fun singing and crafting with all of you! 

Holiday Storytime Lineup:

-Beat Your Drums (To the tune of "Row Your Boat")

Beat, beat, beat your drums

Beat them loud and clear

Beat them hard and beat them soft

For everyone to hear

Beat, beat, beat your drums

Beat them all around

Beat them hard and beat them soft

Now don't make a sound.

-Flannel Story- Candles of the Season

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Rudolph the Reindeer has a red nose,

Rudolph the Reindeer has a red nose,

Rudolph the Reindeer has a red nose,

Go, Rudolph, Go!

Frosty the Snowman dances

Frosty the Snowman dances

Frosty the Snowman dances

Dance, Frosty, Dance!

My little dreidel spins around

My little dreidel spins around

My little dreidel spins around

Spin, dreidel, spin!

Kinara candles go flicker, flicker

Kinara candles go flicker, flicker

Kinara candles go flicker, flicker

Shine, candles, Shine!

Family visits from far away

Family visits from far away

Family visits from far away

Come, family, come!

-Creative Dramatic- Build a Snowman

-The Lights on the tree (To the tune of the "Wheels on the Bus")

The lights on the tree go

blink, blink, blink

Blink, blink, blink

blink, blink, blink

The lights on the tree go

blink, blink, blink

All Christmas day!

The grownups in the kitchen go cook, cook, cook...

The kids at the house go yum, yum, yum...

The sleds on the hill go whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…

-Who Will Guide my Sleigh Tonight? by Jerry Pellotta and David Biedrzyski

-Up on the House-Top

-Puppet Show! from Jan Brett's book The Hat

-Jingle Bells- With a surprise guest! Just as we started singing, Santa Claus himself joined us and passed around jingle bells for everyone to sing-a-long with!

After the program we made jingle bell bracelets, snowmen and Christmas tree ornaments, and we decorated some cookies at the snack station!  Several brave children even got their pictures taken by the tree with Santa!  Happy Holidays to everyone!!!

(Reminder: Storytime will start up again the week of January 10- Stay posted for new times!)

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Elephants Storytime- Week of Dec 3-8 2011

Lots of Elephants this week for our Elephant Themed Storytimes!

"Clap Your Hands" from Wiggleworms Love You
E is for Elephants
Peanut by Linas Alsenas
Let's be Elephants Action
"Very, Very Tall" from Wiggleworms Love You
If You're Happy and You Know It by James Warhola
6 Blind Mice Flannel
"Going to the Zoo" from Raffi's Singable Songs for the Very Young
Circus Opposites by Suse MacDonald
Elephant and Monkey- puppet story

Ready To Read Skill: Vocabulary- Words!
Talk about words for different textures with your child. Have them repeat the word for "squishy" while they squeeze a toy or doll, or "rough" while rubbing sandpaper.

Books that show the meanings of concept words, like Circus Opposites, are very helpful for young children to form understandings of more abstract ideas.

Home Sweet Home- Storytimes Week of Nov 26-Dec 1

Our Toddler and Preschool Storytimes were about Houses and Homes:

"Walking, walking" from Songs for Wiggleworms
H is for House, Homes Flannel
Whose House? by Barbara Seuling
"Old McDonald" from Songs for Wiggleworms
Build a House- Action
The Little Red House Flannel
"Drive the Fire Truck" from Songs for Wiggleworms
Mommy, Where Are You? by Leonid Gore
"Finger' Poppin" from Preschool Aerobic Fun
Guess the House- puppet activity

The theme for our Tuesday morning Baby Laptime was "Things that Go!"

"Baby Hop" from Diaper Gym
Peek a Choo Choo by Marie Cimarusti
"Ride Baby Ride" from Bob McGrath
The Babies on the Bus by Karen Katz
Riding in my Stroller flannel story
"Zoom, Zoom, Zoom" song
That's Not My Train by Naomi Watt
Henry Drives a Blue Bus flannel song

Yum, Yum! Food Storytimes- Week of Nov 19-24

Lots of tasty stories about food this week! (Thursday we will be closed so you can enjoy your tasty Thanksgiving!)

Preschool Storytime Lineup
"Wheels on the Bus" from Songs for Wiggleworms
F is for Food
The Cow Loves Cookies by Karma Wilson
"Peanut Butter and Jelly" from Songs for Wiggleworms
Make a Pizza- Creative Dramatic
"The Sneezing Song" from Jim Gill Sings the Sneezing Song
Charlie Chick by Nick Denchfield
"Milkshake Song" from Songs for Wiggleworms
Nail Soup- Prop Story (from the book by Eric Maddern)

Toddler Storytime Lineup

"Clap Your Hands" from Wiggleworms Love You

F is for Food

What's for Lunch? by Ann Garrett

"Peanut Butter and Jelly" from Songs for Wiggleworms

Flip Flap Jack- Flannel 

"I'm a Little Teapot" Action Rhyme

The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Pop Up book!) by Eric Carle

"Milkshake Song" from Songs for Wiggleworms

Charlie Chick by Nick Denchfield

"I Feel Crazy so I Jump in the Soup" from Victor Vito

The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry and The Big Hungry Bear- Prop Story (from the book by Don and Audrey Wood)

Ready 2 Read Skills: Loving Books
Take a book like Nail Soup or The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry and The Big Hungry Bear and act it out! Have you child help add things to the nail soup, or come up with new ways to hide the strawberry from the Big Hungry Bear. Turning books into games is a great way to model how much fun reading can be!

Look for Pop-Up and Lift-the-Flap books! Charlie Chick, What's for Lunch?  and the pop-up version of The Very Hungry Caterpillar are books that your child will quickly grow to love!

Rain, Rain! Storytimes- Week of November 14, 2011

It's Wet and Rainy Day Storytimes this week!

Our Preschool Lineup:

"Can't Wait to Celebrate" from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem
R is for Rain
Move Over Rover by Karen Beaumont
"Row, Row, Row Your Boat" from Songs for Wiggleworms
Raindrop Plop by Wendy Lewison
Middle of the Puddle- Flannel Story
"Itsy Bitsy Spider" from Songs for Wiggleworms
Thirsty Thursday by Phyllis Root
Stamps and Stickers

Our Toddler Lineup:

"Row, Row, Row Your Boat" from Songs for Wiggleworms
R is for Rain!

Thirsty Thursday by Phyllis Root
"Milkshake Song" from Songs for Wiggleworms
It's Raining- Flannel Story
Make a Rainstorm- Action Play
Ducks Like to Swim by Agnes Verboven
"Leaky Umbrella" from Jim Gill Sings The Sneezing Song
The Big Storm- Puppet Story
Stamps and Stickers

Make a Rainstorm

Hear the gentle rain (rub hands together)

Listen to the raindrops (snap fingers)

That rain is really coming down! (slap thighs)

It's really pouring now! (stomp feet)

It's starting to die down (slap thighs)

The rain is slowing (snap fingers)

The rainstorm is almost over (rub hands together)

Now here comes the sun! (arch arms overhead)


Ready 2 Read Skill: Sounds

Even very small children love to interact with sounds in books like Ducks Like to Swim. Have your child help "call the rain' with each animal.

Songs and rhymes are great ways for kids to have fun while developing understanding of different sounds.

Make a rainstorm with your little one! Show them all the different sounds you can hear in a rainstorm by making them with your hands and feet.

Snip! Snap! Crocs and Gators Storytime- Week of Nov 7

This week our stories were all about Alligators and Crocodiles!

Our Preschool Lineup:

"Jumping and Counting" from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem
A is for Alligators!
Where's Your Smile Crocodile? by Claire Freedman
"Knuckles Knees" from Jim Gill Sings Do Re Mi on his Toe Leg Knee
There's a Crocodile Under My Bed by Ingrid Schubert
Five Little Monkeys- Flannel Story
"Silly Dance Contest" from Jim Gill Sings The Sneezing Song 
The Wide Mouthed Frog by Keith Faulkner
Stamps and Stickers

Our Toddler Lineup:

"Shake Your Sillies Out" from Raffi's More Singable Songs
A is for Alligators!

How Do You Make a Baby Smile by Philemon Sturges
"Alligator Pie" Rhyme
Finger Poppin' from Preschool Aerobic Fun
A Kiss Like This- Flannel Story 
The Wide Mouthed Frog by Keith Faulkner
"Jumping and Counting" from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem
Little Bunny and the Crocodile- Puppet Story
Stamps and Stickers

Alligator Pie

Alligator, alligator,
Alligator Pie. (clapping hands like alligator jaws)
If I don't get some
I think I'm gonna cry. (rub eyes with fists)
You can take away the grass (wave fingers like grass)
And take away the sky, (arch arms overhead)
But please don't take away
My Alligator Pie! (clapping again)



Ready 2 Read Skill: Loving Books

Books that encourage interaction are one way of getting squirmy little ones excited about reading. Ask your child to do the actions in How Do You Make Your Baby Smile?

Pop-up books like The Wide Mouthed Frog are lots of fun and will have your child looking forward to reading time!

Remember, the best way to show your kids how fun books are, is by loving them yourself! Let your child "catch" you reading something you love!

The Mysterious Gap

You may have noticed a sad lack of posts lately. Rest assured, our storytimes have continued at the Hilltop Library! We have not had updates for the month of October while Elisa L. was at the Main branch downtown. But we are picking up again with our storytime updates!

Happy Birthday! Storytimes- Week of Sept 24

This has been a week of celebrating BIRTHDAYS in our storytimes!

Our Preschool Lineup:
"Can't Wait to Celebrate" from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem
C is for Cake!
Fantastic Mr. Wani by Kanako Usui
"Silly Dance Contest" from Jim Gill Sings The Sneezing Song
Let's Make a Giant Cake- creative dramatic
A Birthday for Cow by Jan Thomas
"The Milkshake Song" from Songs for Wiggleworms
Stamps and Stickers

Our Toddler Lineup:
Can't Wait to Celebrate from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem
C is for Cake!
A Birthday for Cow by Jan Thomas
"Silly Dance Contest" from Jim Gill Sings The Sneezing Song
Let's Make a Giant Cake- creative dramatic
POP! Went Another Balloon by Keith Faulkner
"My Big Balloon" fingerplay
The Day Barnaby Bear Fell into the Batter Bowl- flannel story
Stamps and Stickers

My Big Balloon (fingerplay)
Here I have a big balloon.
Watch me while I blow.
Small at first, then bigger,
Watch it grow, grow, grow!

Do you think it's big enough?
Maybe I should stop,
For if I blow much longer
My balloon will surely POP!



Ready to Read Skills- Storytelling (Narrative Skills)
Repetitive books are great ways to prompt your child about what they think happens next. In POP! Went Another Balloon, ask your child whether Toby will get away from the birds this time.

Asking questions about what is happening involves your child in an active way. While reading Fantastic Mr. Wani, ask where all the other animals are going. Wonder if Mr. Wani will make it on time to the party.

Bake a pretend cake and talk about the beginning (mixing), the middle (baking) and the end (eating!).

Dinosaurs! Sept 17-23

We did lots of stomping and roaring with dinosaurs at our storytime this week!

Our Toddler Storytime Lineup included:

Song- Clap Your Hands! (from Wiggleworms Love You)
D is for Dinosaurs!
Book- Tyson the Terrible by Diane and Christyan Fox
Song- We Are the Dinosaurs (from Whaddaya Think Of That?)
Book- Snappy Little Dinosaurs by Dugald Steer
Flannel- Build a Dino
Song- Very, Very Tall (from Wiggleworms Love You)
Flannel- Sleepy Dinosaurs
Dinosaur Stamp and Stickers!





Our Preschool Storytime Lineup included:

D is for Dinosaurs!
Book- How to Raise a Dino by Natasha Wing
Song- If You're a Dino and You Know it
Book- Tyson the Terrible by Diane Fox
Flannel- Sleepy Dinosaurs
Book- Dinosaur vs. Bedtime by Bob Shea
Dinosaur Stamp and Stickers!

If You're a Dino and You Know it

If you're a dino and you know it
Stomp your feet. (Stomp, Stomp!) (2x)
If you're a dino and you know it
Then your face will really show it,
If you're a dino and you know it
Stomp your feet. (Stomp, Stomp!)

If you're a dino and you know it
Roar out loud. (Roar, Roar!) (2x)
If you're a dino and you know it
Then your face will really show it,
If you're a dino and you know it
Roar out loud. (Roar, Roar!)
If you're a dino and you know it
Scratch your claws. (Scratch, Scratch!) (2x)
If you're a dino and you know it
Then your face will really show it,

If you're a dino and you know it
Scratch your claws. (Scratch, Scratch!)

If you're a dino and you know it
Swish your tail. (Swish, Swish!) (2x)
If you're a dino and you know it
Then your face will really show it,
If you're a dino and you know it
Swish your tail. (Swish, Swish!)

If you're a dino and you know it
Chomp your food. (Chomp, Chomp!) (2x)
If you're a dino and you know it
Then your face will really show it,
If you're a dino and you know it
Chomp your food. (Chomp, Chomp!)

Ready to Read Skill- Sounds (Phonological Awareness)

Have your child stomp her feet and yell "Boom!" each time you point to the words "Boom, Boom, Boom" in Tyson the Terrible.


Rhyming books like Snappy Little Dinosaurs help to develop awareness of similar sounds.


Sing songs with lots of different sounds that your child can make. If You're A Dino and You Know It gives children many different sounds to play with.

Creepy, Crawly BUGS!- Week of Sept 13, 2011

This week BUGS starred in all our creepy, crawly stories!

Our Storytime Lineup included:

Song- Finger Poppin'
B is for Bugs!
Book- The Very Lazy Ladybug by Isobel Finn
Rhyme- Butterfly, Butterfly
Book- Big Bug, Little Bug by Paul Stickland
Flannel Story- Five Little Ladybugs
Book and Song- The Itsy Bitsy Spider by Lorianne Siomades
Puppet Story- Sitting In My Box (based on the book by Dee Lillegard)
Butterfly Stamp and Stickers!

Butterfly, Butterfly

Butterfly, butterfly dancing all around  (hook thumbs & fly fingers up and down)  

Butterfly, butterfly now you’re on the ground  (flutter fingers to the floor)  

In a tree hard to see, now you’ve flown away  (flutter fingers up and behind back)  

Butterfly, butterfly please come back someday (flutter fingers to front again) 

Ready to Read Skill- Using Books (Print Awareness)

Your child will love turning the pages on pop-up books like The Very Lazy Ladybug.


Big Bug, Little Bug is great for showing kids that words mean different things. With the word"BIG" in large font and the word "little" in small font, children begin to understand that print carries meaning.

Try turning The Itsy, Bitsy Spider upside down and see if your baby notices!

New Storytime Schedule

Our Storytimes are back for the Fall! Here is our Fall Schedule:

• Tuesday, 9 a.m.- Baby Laptime
• Tuesday, 10 a.m.- Toddler Storytime
• Thursday, 10 a.m.- Toddler Storytime
• Thursday, 7 p.m.- Bilingual Storytime (Spanish and English)
• Saturday, 10 a.m.- Preschool Storytime

And be sure to ask about our new Ready to Read Club!

Balls Baby Laptime - July 14, 2011

This week we talked about balls!

Our Baby Laptime Lineup included:
Song - Baby Hop from Diaper Gym
Flannel - A Little Ball
Book - The Ball Bounced by Nancy Tafuri
Rhyme - Up the Railroad Track
Song -This Is The Way the Ladies Ride from Songs for Wiggleworms
Book - Maggie's Ball by Lindsey Barrett George
Flannel Story - Where Is Baby's Ball? from the book by Karen Katz
Song - Walking Old Joe from Songs for Wiggleworms

Song - Skinnamarink from Great Big Hits by Sharon, Lois, and Bram

Up the Railroad Track

(adapted from Brain Games for Babies, Toddlers, and Twos by Jackie Silberg)
Choo choo choo choo,
Up the railroad track.
Choo choo choo choo,
Then we'll come right back.

First we'll go to Megan's house,
And then we'll go to Sarah's house,
Then we'll go to Elisa's house,
And then we'll come right back.

Choo choo choo choo,
Up the railroad track.
Choo choo choo choo,
Then we'll come right back.

Dogs Storytimes - Week of July 11, 2011

This week we talked about dogs at storytime!

Our Toddler Storytime lineup included:
Song - Fingerpopping from Preschool Aerobic Fun
Introduction to the letter D for Dog
Book - Please, Puppy, Please by Spike Lee and Tanya Lewis Lee
Flannel Story - Come Back, Puppies
Song - Jumping and Counting from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem
Book - Maggie's Ball by Jessica Barret George
Song with props - Storytime Dogs (dogs on sticks)
Song - Happy and You Know It from Songs for Wiggleworms
Puppet Story - Why Dogs Chase Cats

Our Preschool Storytime linup included:
Song - Walking, Walking from Songs For Wiggleworms
Introduction to the letter D for Dog
Flannel Story - All the Lassies
Song - Drive the Firetruck from Songs for Wiggleworms
Book - Don't Lick the Dog by Wendy Wahman
Song with props - The Storytime Dogs (dogs on sticks)
Story - The Pigeon Wants a Puppy by Mo Willems
Puppet Story - Why Dogs Chase Cats

Our Ready to Read Skill: Print Awareness (Using Books)

Print Awareness means noticing print, knowing how to handle a book and knowing how to follow the words on a page. Some great ways to practice this skill with your child include letting your child hold the book and showing them which way to turn the page, using your finger to follow along with the text on the page, and pointing out words and letters on signs when you are out and about. Books we used this week that highlight the use of text are Maggie's Ball, where the shape of the text mimics the ball's movements, and The Pigeon Wants a Puppy, which uses bubbles to show all of the pigeon's dialogue. If you are worried that your child is too young to use books without tearing the pages, try using cloth or board books that are more durable. Don't forget that the library has books that are sturdy enough for all ages!

Babies Themed Baby Laptime - July 7, 2011

This week we talked about babies!

Our Baby Laptime Lineup included:
Song - Baby Hop from Diaper Gym
Book - The Big Book of Beautiful Babies by David Ellwood
Rhyme - Up the Railroad Track
Song - Little Red Wagon from Songs for Wiggleworms
Book - Ten Tiny Tickles by Karen Katz
Rhyme - Here Are Baby's Fingers
Flannel Story - Five Little Babies Jumping on the Bed
Song -This Is The Way the Ladies Ride from Songs for Wiggleworms
Book - You and Me, Baby by Lynn Reiser
Rhyme - One I Love You, Two I Love You
Song - Skinnamarink from Great Big Hits by Sharon, Lois, and Bram

Rhymes:

Up the Railroad Track
(adapted from Brain Games for Babies, Toddlers, and Twos by Jackie Silberg)
Choo choo choo choo,
Up the railroad track.
Choo choo choo choo,
Then we'll come right back.

First we'll go to Megan's house,
And then we'll go to Sarah's house,
Then we'll go to Elisa's house,
And then we'll come right back.

Choo choo choo choo,
Up the railroad track.
Choo choo choo choo,
Then we'll come right back.

Here Are Baby's Fingers
Here are baby's fingers.
Here are baby's toes.
Here is baby's belly button,
Round and round it goes.

Here are baby's elbows.
Here are baby's knees.
Here is baby's chin,
Tickle if you please.

One I Love You
One I love you, two I love you,
Three I love you so.
Four I love you, five I love you,
Rock you to and fro.
Six I love you, seven I love you,
Eight you love me too.
Nine I love you, ten I love you,
You're my bouncing buckaroo!

Tools Storytimes - Week of July 4, 2011

This week at storytime we talked about tools!

Our Toddler Storytime Lineup included:
Song - Fingerpopping from Preschool Aerobic Fun
Introduction to the letter H for Hammer
Tool Belt
Book -Tap Tap Bang Bang by Emma Garcia
Action Rhyme - Pound Pound Pound
Song - Little Red Wagon from Songs for Wiggleworms
Book -Building a House by Byron Barton
Flannel- Old MacDonald Built a House
Book - Tip Tip Dig Dig by Emma Garcia
Song - Happy and You Know It from Songs for Wiggleworms

Our Preschool Storytime Lineup included:

Introduction to the letter H for hammer
Paddington Bear's Tool Belt
Book -Tools by taro Miura
Flannel- Old MacDonald Built a House
Book -I Love Tools by Philemon Sturges
Action Rhyme - Baking Tools
Prop Story - Growing Vegetable Soup from the book by Lois Ehlert


Ready to Read Skill: Words (Vocabulary)
Vocabulary means knowing the names of things. Knowing many words will help your child recognize written words and understand what he or she reads. Some great ways to work on this skill include talking to your child about what is going on around you, speaking clearly and using short sentences, and pointing out pictures in books when you say certain words. All the books we looked at this week that are great for building vocabulary- not only the names of the tools, but also the actions they require.