Our First Funny Friday!

Ok, so you may know that Ms Patty and I both can have weird senses? of humor? Not sure how to pluralize that. Anyway, we're starting "Funny Fridays" here on the blog, where we can share the things we always share with each other! You have to check out this link- especially if you know children's books. Really, hysterical.
http://www.somethingawful.com/d/photoshop-phriday/childrens-book-movies.php?page=1

New Drop-In Storytime

In February, Thursday mornings will be for drop-in storytimes for children ages 2-5 (parents/caregivers will need to stay with the youngest).   At 10:30 a.m. with Ms. Patty, come once or every week for stories, songs, and a craft.  

And don't forget our regular scheduled storytimes:
Twos on Friday mornings at 10:00.am
Three and four year-olds on Wednesday or Thursday at 1:00 pm
Four, five and six year-olds on Tuesday at 10:00 or Friday at 1:00

Storytime Begins!

Our Winter Storytimes have begun with Ms. Eileen hosting a large group of 4 and 5 year olds this morning, reading books about snow and snow friends and making adorable snow people to take home.  She'll have another group on Friday and in the meantime my 2s, 3s, and 4s will be making easy bird feeders to help out our feathered friends during these cold months and we'll read some books about Silly Birds including perpetual storytime favorite, Minerva Louise.  This theme also gives me a chance to break out Jack and Jill, the two little blackbirds.  Several years ago I modified the typical Jack and Jill finger play to great a storytime staple.  In case you are wondering, here are the words:

Two little blackbirds sitting on a hill
One named Jack and one named Jill
Fly away Jack, Fly away Jill,
Come back Jack, Come back Jill.

Two little blackbirds sitting on a cloud (Quiet and Loud)
Two little blackbirds sitting on a toe (High and Low)
Two little blackbirds sitting on another toe (Fast and Slow)
Two little blackbirds sitting on a gate (Early and Late)

Two little blackbirds very good friends,
Even though they are very different
And that's how this ends.

WELCOME TO Kids@RML!

Ms Patty created this blog a few years ago to keep parents informed about storytime here at RML and to share what we were doing for topics, crafts, etc. I made a few appearances, we neglected it, we downright ignored it when it wasn't storytime-time even! 
So, in short, we decided to revamp the children's part of the website, and use this blog instead to relay all sorts of cool stuff that relates to anything and everything to do with...kids@RML! Soon, you will be able to head to the RML website at www.richmondlibrary.info and just click on the link to take you here for all the info, ideas, commentary, etc. Or you can just come here or get the feed.
So let's start with something fun, on this weekend before the start of our Winter/Spring Storytime Session I!
I have always loved Snowballs by Lois Ehlert.

 It's simple, and the kids LOVE it. So, in honor of Snowballs, send me a pic of your kiddos creating their snowperson or the finished product. Here are my girls and their latest creation:

You can send your pic to me at ewashburn@richmondlibrary.info

Here are some pics from Ms Patty of her kids when they were younger and their creations:

The one above was taken 19 years ago of her son Max and his first snow friend! Below is Max and sister Anna, hard at work.

 

Changes to RML Website

Hi everyone!
There is a little construction going on around here (in virtual land that is) so don't be alarmed if things look different than usual! The program dates on this blog are correct
Thanks for your patience!

We Love Cookies!

Ms. Patty and I are enjoying a wonderful week of cookie-themed storytimes! 'Tis the season for all that baking goodness! Here are a few of the stories we've been sharing:

This one is such a great storytime story! And of course, some of the kids have no problem guessing why the cow loves cookies so much!
This one is always a favorite around here this time of year:

More Stories:
Who Ate All the Cookie Dough? by Karen Beaumont
Ginger Bear by Mini Grey
The Duckling Gets a Cookie!? by Mo Willems

Song: Who Stole the Cookies from the Cookie Jar?

And to top it off, we're playing with 'dough'! The recipe can be found here on the blog under 'links'.

Fall Storytime Update

Oh poor neglected blog...

But we've been having fun with Fall Storytime, Session 2.  The 2s, 3s, and 4s, started off with stories about families and made collages based on "The Family Book" by Todd Parr.  We followed up with windy day stories playing a fun kite game on the flannel board. Books included "Who Took the Farmer's Hat" by Joan Nodset, and "Like a Windy Day", by Frank Asch.  Finally, this past week the children made decorated card stock pine trees with mini pine cones and mixture of glue and shaving cream which hardens like puffy paint.  We shared a brand new book called "Penguin and Pinecone" by Salina Yoon.

Meanwhile, Ms. Eileen's 4s, 5s, and 6s shared books about silly birds, windy days, and Thanksgiving.  An adorable bird craft and funny books including "Grumpy Bird" by Jeremy Tankard made for lots of fun.  For Thanksgiving storytime the kids made paper bag turkeys and played with a gigantic felt board turkey and shared a new book, "Five Silly Turkeys" also by Salina Yoon.  (I guess she's our children's author of the month!)

We don't meet for storytimes during the week of Thanksgiving, but Ms. Eileen and Ms. Patty will be back next week with more great books, games, and terrific crafts.  Have a great holiday.

Library closed

The town of Marlborough is closing town buildings for Monday and Tuesday, October 29 and 30, hence the Richmond Memorial Library will also be closed.  Any items you have that are due on those days will be now due on Wednesday.

Stay safe and enjoy the opportunity for some family time and for reading. I have fond memories of my mom reading aloud by candlelight when we would lose power as kids.  Have fun making memories of your own.

The End (of Storytime Session 1)

We ended the first session of Fall 2012 Storytimes at RML with Ghosts (Ms. Eileen) and Spiders (Ms. Patty).  Ms. Eileen's 4,5, and 6 year old crafters made lovely ghosts using contact paper and all sorts of white scraps, while Ms. Patty's 2 and 3 year olds made spider webs with weaving and spiders from cupcake liners and chenille sticks.  Great fun!

Our books included the Bake Shop Ghost, by Jacqueline Ogburn and Marjorie Priceman, and the tale of the Three Little Ghosties (eating burnt, or was it buttered, toasties!).  Toddlers were fascinated with Eric Carle's "The Very Busy Spider" with its spiderweb.  And of course we sang the classic "Itsy Bitsy Spider". 

Storytime Weeks 3 & 4: apples, pumpkins and monsters, oh my!

For the last few weeks, we have been focusing on those favorite fall themes (leaves, apples, etc) and reading some favorites that lend themselves to this colorful and favorite time of year for many. Above is an illustration from David Ezra Stein's Leaves. This is how Ms Eileen feels when Fall comes around!
Ms Patty's classes also learned this fingerplay:

Leaves are falling from the trees
Swirling, twirling, in the breeze.
On the ground in a great big pile
Jump on in with a great big SMILE!

Ms Eileen's 4s & 5s enjoyed MONSTER stories this past week, so of course we had to do Tickle Monster by Josie Bissett. Not that the kids enjoyed getting tickled. No, not at all. And the 'Monster Boogie' song by Laurie Berkner provided a great backdrop!

JUST A REMINDER THAT NEXT WEEK IS THE LAST STORYTIME WEEK FOR SESSION I - CALL US, STOP IN OR REGISTER ONLINE FOR SESSION II - you can register anytime for Session II if your child hasn't done Session I - if they have, they can register after their last class next week for Session II. Online registration can be found at :
http://www.richmondlibrary.info/events.html