Oh My Goodness!

Well, today is Sunday, November 6 and, at my home in Glastonbury, we just got power last night. What about you? Seems like Marlborough did better with this storm than with Irene. Hopefully all of us will back to civilized living soon; We can turn on lights, drink clean water, wash with hot water...ah, luxury. It certainly makes me think of those around the world who live without these basic things every day.


As if the storm didn't wreak enough havoc, Richmond Memorial Library, is still suffering the ill-effects of water damage. Yes, again! Remember last winter?! So, we're replacing sheetrock and drying out shelving and walls. My fingers are crossed that we open as scheduled tomorrow, Monday November 7.


What about storytimes? Well, of course we will extend the storytime sessions to give everyone 5 classes. Normally, on Sundays, I post about the storytime theme for the week (for my 2s and 3s), however today I'm not sure what exactly is happening, so IF the library is open tomorrow there WILL be storytime with a relaxed theme. If the library is open don't forget the DROP-IN STORYTIME AT 1:00.

I hope to see all you soon! I miss storytime!
Ms. Patty

Fall Storytime Week 5: Apples and Pumpkins

We'll end Session I of our fall storytimes with that classic fall theme: Apples and Pumpkins.

This Week's Books:
Spot's Harvest, by Eric Hill
Dappled Apples, by Jan Carr, ill. by Dorothy Donohue
Piggies in the Pumpkin Patch, by Mary Peterson and Jennifer Rofe
Apple Farmer Annie, by Monica Wellington
Red Are the Apples, by M. Harshman, C. Ryan, ill. by W. Zahares
The Pumpkin Path, by Elizabeth King

This Week's Songs:
Apple Tree, by Justin Roberts
Pick a Bag of Apples, by Liz Buchanan
Apples and Bananas, by Raffi

This Week's Action Rhymes:
Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate
The first one said, "oh my it's getting late"
The second one said, "we don't care"
The third one said, "there are leaves in the air"
The fourth one said, "I'm ready for some fun"
The fifth one said, "Let's run and run"
Whoosh went the wind
Out went the light
And the five little pumpkins rolled out of sight.

This Week's Craft: Apple Printing

Fall Storytime Week 4: In the Kitchen

We've been to the woods and the farm with our new storytime friends, so now let's head into the kitchen!

This Week's Books:
Apple Pie ABC, by Alison Murray
In the Night Kitchen, by Maurice Sendak
All for Pie, Pie for All, by David Martin, ill. by Valeri Gorbachev
Mouse at Night, by Nancy Hall, ill. by Buket Erdogan
Meeow and the Pots and Pans, by Sebastien Braun
Cows in the Kitchen, by June Crebbin, ill, by Katharine McEwen
Dancin in the Kitchen, by W. Gelsanliter, F. Christian, ill. by M. Priceman

This Week's Music:
Cooking Breakfast for the Ones We Love, by Maria Muldaur
The Cookie Bakers of the Night, by Laurie Berkner
Shoo Fly Pie, by Andrew and Polly

This Week's Action Rhymes:
Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake
Baker's Man
Bake me a cake
As fast as you can.
Roll it and pat it (Roll and clap hands)
And mark it with a B (Trace B on palm)
And put it in the oven (extend both hands)
For baby and me (point to Baby and Self)

Two fat sausages sizzling in a pan
One went pop! And the other went bam!

Mix a pancake, stir a pancake
Pop it in a pan
Fry a pancake, toss a pancake
Catch it if you can!

This Week's Art/Craft: Playdough!

New Books Thanks to the Grange

We have an influx of wonderful new books in the children's area thanks to the generosity of the Marlborough Grange. These books help us celebrate Marlborough's rural and farming roots, just as the Grange celebrates its agriculture heritage while working to strengthen communities and families. Our local Grange has been extremely supportive of our library through the years and, as these books educate and delight, I know I speak for the entire library staff and patrons when I say "THANK YOU!!!"

Here's a sampling of some of the many fine books paid for by the Grange:

"An Edible Alphabet: 26 Reasons to Love the Farm" by Carol Watterson, ill, by Michaela Sorrentino: Facts, farm lore, games, and gorgeous illustrations make this a perfect book for your child who is always wanting to know more. Why are egg yolks yellow? How do bees and ladybugs help farmers? What about those ants? Use the book as a storybook and then read it again for all the great facts. Find this book with the children's new non-fiction, JE 630 Watterson.

"Meow Said the Cow" by Emma Dodd: Not just another farmyard sound book! A mischievous, magical cat turns the barnyard upside down and confuses the other animals when the "wrong" sound comes out of their mouths. A silly, comically-illustrated book that's fun to read, you'll find this with the new picture books, JE Dodd.

"Grandpa's Tractor" by Michael Garland: With gorgeous illustrations and a touching story, I love this picture book as a grandfather shows his grandson what used to be. The grandfather relates his memories before houses were built on the old farm and when the rusty tractor in the weeds was once the star of the farm. A treasure of a book, you'll find it with the new picture books, JE Garland.

"Jobs on a Farm" by Nancy Dickmann: I shared this lovely non-fiction book in storytimes last week and the kids loved it. With great, clear photographs and simple text, children are introduced to the many jobs on a farm from taking care of animals, to planting, to fixing buildings, and using big machines. A terrific overview of the work of farming. Find this with the new non-fiction, JE 630 Dickmann.

Fall Storytime, Week 3: Into the Woods

All of this week's stories take place in the woods.

This Week's Stories:
Animal Tracks, by Arthur Dorros
Big Bear Hug, by Nicholas Oldland
Blackberry Banquet, by Terry Pierce, ill. by Lisa Downey
Owl Babies, by Martin Waddell, ill, by Patrick Benson
Looking for a Moose, by Phyllis Root, ill. by Randy Cecil
Good Job, Little Bear, by Martin Waddell, ill. by Barbara Firth
Every Autumn Comes the Bear, by Jim Arnosky
Mama's Little Bears, by Nancy Tafuri

This Week's Music:

This Week's Action Rhymes:
Little Bunny Foo Foo

Here is our world, our big round world
Here are the mountains high
Here are the fish that swim in the sea
And here are the birds that fly
Here is the sun, the bright warm sun
And here are the leaves that fall
All in our world, our big round world
Go explore and see it all!

This Week's Art: A woodland picture with sponge brushes
Plus a flannel board game

Storytime Updates

We have a variety of storytimes each week. Because I, Ms. Patty, keep this blog I tend to highlight my 2 year old (Monday, Thursday) and 3 year old (Thursday) storytime themes. But I will also update you on Ms. Eileen's themes for her multi-age storytimes (3-5 on Wednesday, 4-6 on Friday).

In addition, Ms. Eileen meets with babies and their caregivers on Friday mornings and I do a drop-in storytime for 2-6 year olds on Monday at 1:00.

The drop-in storytime does not usually have a theme, so even if you come to one of the registered storytimes during the week, please feel free to add an extra 1/2 hour or so to your weekly library time and come see me on Mondays.

I'll try to keep everyone up-to-date on all the storytime happenings.
Ms. Patty

Fall Storytime Week 2: On the Farm

This Week's Books:
Big Red Barn, by Margaret Wise Brown, ill. by Felicia Bond
Barn Sneeze, by Karen Winnick
Farmer Will, by Jane Cowen-Fletcher
Jobs on a Farm, by Nancy Dickmann
Noisy Barn, by Harriet Ziefert and Simms Taback
On the Farm, by David Elliott, ill. by Holly Meade
Meow, said the Cow, by Emma Dodd
Book! Book! Book! by Deborah Bruss, ill. by Tiphanie Beeke
Sally Goes to the Farm, by Stephen Huneck

This Week's Music:
Old McDonald Had a Farm, sing-a-long
Old Straw Hat, by Maria Muldaur
Dueling Banjos, by the Big Kidz Band
Cows, by the Seldom Herd

This Week's Action Rhymes:
Mice are creeping, shhh, shhh, shhh
Mice are creeping, shhh, shhh, shhh
They do not make a sound
As their feet touch the ground
Mice are creeping, shhh, shhh, shhh

Down in the barnyard, early in the morning
See the little animals all in a row
See the farmer giving them their breakfast
Quack, quack, quack, quack
Off goes the duck
Neigh, neigh, neigh, neigh
Off goes the horse
Pig, Chicken

This Week's Craft: A big red barn
Plus a flannel board game

A Fond Farewell To Lee

Do you know Lee Phillips? She's the one who gets everybody their materials from other libraries. If you're in a book club here in town, Lee's the one who helps you get your book without having to leave Marlborough. Lee is also the person who issues our checks (Nancy signs them of course). Lee has been with Richmond Memorial Library for many years (25? more?) and it's time for her to sail off into retirement.

I am unbelievably sad about Lee leaving. I know she will stop by often for a good mystery and to bring us some baked goods and the update on her incredible grandchildren, but I will miss seeing her at work. I will REALLY miss her competency and efficiency here at the library. I'm sure many of you will miss her too. Wednesday is her last day, so if you're in the library be sure to wish her well on her newest adventures. First up, a trip to the nation's capital with her good friend and another ex-RML librarian, Ann Grybko.

Happy Retirement Lee!

Fall Storytime, Week 1: Friends

Welcome to Storytime! Our first week of storytimes this Fall focus on Friends.

This Week's Music:
I Had a Friend, by Laurie Berkner
You and Me Are Gonna be Friends, by Jack Johnson
Somebody Come and Play, from Sesame Street

This Week's Books:
Hi, Harry! by Martin Waddell, ill. by Barbara Firth
My Friend is Sad, by Mo Willems
I'm the Best! by Lucy Cousins
Owen and Mzee, Best Friends, by Isabella Hatkoff, ill by Peter Greste
A Sick Day for Amos McGee, by Philip Stead, ill. by Erin Stead
Me Hungry, by Jeremy Tankard
Will You Be My Friend? by Nancy Tafuri

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

This Week's Craft: A paper-doll friend

Plus, Two Little Blackbirds
and a flannel board game

It's Storytime!!!

Storytimes begin for the season on Monday 9/19. If you haven't yet registered, please do so, there's still room in all sessions. Note on the side of this blog the days and times for each age. We've tried to accommodate as many different schedules as we could. Also note that starting in a couple of weeks we'll have a drop-in storytime on Monday afternoons for all ages.