Mittens, we need Mittens

It's getting chilly and we here at the library have been thinking about mittens. We have an idea and you can help us.

First, we need your SINGLE mittens, y'know, ones that have lost their pairs. We will be putting up a bulletin board display with them at the beginning of November.

Second, if you have mittens or gloves that are too small we will happily collect them and donate them to a local charity.

So as you get out your cold weather gear keep us in mind. (There will be two boxes in Ms. Eileen's office where you can put PAIRS and SINGLES.) Thanks.

Whoo Whoo Who Whoo!

Both Ms. Eileen and Ms. Patty are talking about owls these days. Today Ms. Eileen's storytime kids made very beautiful owls out of just circles, ovals, and triangles and read books such as "I'm Not Cute" by Jonathan Allen, and "Owliver" by Robert Krauss. Ms. Patty's kids will be up to some owl-y fun next Thursday and the following Monday. So, in honor of our feathered friends, we thought you might appreciate this link to the Owlcam which highlights several seasons in the life of a pair of Barred Owls and their family in Eastern Massachusetts. It's fascinating.

Pie! Storytime Week 4

Today's Music:
Making Pie, by Kira Willey
Peggy's Pie Parlor Polka, by Ralph's World
Shoo Fly Pie, traditional, by Andrew and Polly

This Week's Books:
The Apple Pie Tree, by Zoe Hall, ill. by Shari Halpern
Pie in the Sky, by Lois Ehlert
All for Pie and Pie for All, by David Martin, ill. by Valeri Gorbachev
The Apple Pie that Papa Baked, by Lauren Thompson, ill. by Jonathan Bean
A Apple Pie, by Kate Greenway
Blueberry Mouse, by Alice Low
Where is the Apple Pie, by Valeri Gorbachev

Today's Action Rhymes:
I see an apple, big and round
It falls from the tree onto the ground
I pick up and wash it and cut it in two
Half for me, and half for you.

Five little pumpkins sitting on the ground The first one said, "I'm big, orange and round!" The second one said, "I'm fresh off the vine!" The third one said, "I taste divine!" The fourth one said, "I'm ready to be tasted!" The fifth one said, "Bake my seeds so they're not wasted!" Someone from the kitchen picked them up and we know why.... The five little pumpkins all became Pumpkin Pie.

Blueberry, blueberry, blueberry pie
If I don't get some, I think I'm going to cry
You can take away the grass
You can take the sky
But don't take away my blueberry pie!

Today's Craft: Pie Playdough!

Kevin Henkes

Kevin Henkes is one of those rare childrens book authors whose picture books can take your child from diapers to first grade. From Kitten's First Full Moon to Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, his books are beautifully illustrated, and often poignant. The books for older kids have lovely stories of being brave, and being yourself and his books for younger kids are sweet and beautiful. We have 29 items by Kevin Henkes in the library, so check one out today.

Snakes! Storytime Week 3

This Week's Music:
Don't Ever Step On a Snake, by Don Spencer
Sammy the Snake, by Sesame Street
Spiders and Snakes, by Jim Stafford

This Week's Books:
Hide and Snake, by Keith Baker
Mouse Count, by Ellen Stoll Walsh
Help! by Holly Keller
I Need a Snake, by Lynne Jonell, ill. by Petra Mathers
Crictor, by Tomi Ungerer
Slithery Jake, by Rose-Marie Provencher, ill. by Abby Carter

This Week's Action Rhymes:
I'm going to slither like a rattlesnake Over the rocks and under the tree I'm going to slither like a rattlesnake And see what a rattlesnake sees! (Cha-cha-cha!)

Here comes a bright green garden snake Making the grass shiver and shake He raises his head, and looks around Then slithers away to his hole in the ground.

Plus a beaded snake craft and a rattlesnake sing-a-long. Ssssssssssee you there!

Orange Pear Apple Bear

Ms. Eileen's storytimers had a fun morning talking about apples and, taking a cue from Emily Gravett's "Orange Pear Apple Bear", the kids made their own Blue Cat Apple Hat stories. She provided cut outs of cats, apples, and hats, plus colors, and asked the kids to make a collage and tell their own story based on the words. Ms. Eileen tells us that this fun (and educational) activity will work seasonally using words such as: Ghost Leaf Orange Pumpkin White Witch Black Cat Spider Newt, combined with rhyming words like Cat and Hat, or Bear and Pear. Have fun. And check out "Orange Pear Apple Bear". Beautifully illustrated and destined to become a classic.

Stephen Huneck's "Sally"

I grew up with Labrador Retrievers and love them, so imagine my delight when I happened upon Stephen Huneck's "Sally" books. In this series of brilliantly illustrated books, Sally the lab takes us through her day and adventures. I shared "Sally Goes to the Beach" at storytime this week and we all loved it. Sadly, that is the only Sally book in our collection...but hopefully not for long.

Boats, Storytime Week 2

This week's music:
Sloop John B., by The Beach Boys
Row, Row Medley, by Ella Jenkins
I Love to Sail, by Willy Welch

This week's fingerplay:
A sailor went to sea, sea, sea
To see what he could see, see, see
But all that he could see, see, see
Was the bottom of the deep blue sea, sea, sea

This week's books:
The Boat in the Tree, by Tim Wynne-Jones, ill. by John Shelley
Boats, by Patricia Hubbell, ill, by Megan Halsey and Sean Addy
Mr. Gumpy's Outing, by John Burningham
Sally Goes to the Beach, by Stephen Huneck
I Love Boats, by Flora McDonnell
Harbor, and Sail Away, by Donald Crews

Plus, Row, Row, Row Your Boat, a soap boat craft, and a game
See you soon!

Jitterbug!

I just came across the best website, it's called jitterbug.tv (clickable link) and it's where you can listen to all sorts of great independent kids music. I'm getting all sorts of ideas for CDs to add to our collection just by listening at this great site. It's also enjoyable to just have some nice music playing in the background while doing other computer stuff.

Have a listen and let me know your favorites so we can add their CDs to our library collection. So far, I'm liking Dog on Fleas, The Dreyer Family Band, and Dennis Caraher. (I just started listening in the "D"s.)

A Note from Ms. Eileen!

"Hi Patty!
Just thought I would pop in to say first,what a great job you are doing with this blog, and also to let my storytime 4s & 5s know that I look forward to seeing them this Friday! We will be doing stories and other fun stuff related to "All About You" or Me, or actually, THEM!!!

Lastly, I wanted to pass on this fun event for families - unfortunately I cannot go, but if I could, I would! There is going to be a PIGEON PARTY! on Oct, 25 at the Henry Carter Hull Library in Clinton, CT. BIG WOODEN HORSE Theatre Company is putting on a musical based on author Mo Willems books (LOVE HIM!)

And wait, there's more! Tickets are FREEEEEE!!!
For further information contact the Childrens Room at Clinton's Library at 860-669-2342.
Ms. Eileen"