Elephants, Storytime Week One

This week's music:
Baby Elephant Walk by Songs of the Circus
Zouson, Little Elephant by Elizabeth Mitchell
One Elephant, by Sharon, Lois and Bram

This week's books:
The Right Number of Elephants, by Jeff Sheppard, ill. by Felicia Bond
Little Elephant, by Miela Ford, ill. by Tana Hoban
Elmer, the Patchwork Elephant, by David McKee
Splash, by Flora McDonnell
My Cat, the Silliest Cat in the World, by Gilles Bachelet
Seven Blind Mice, by Ed Young
Sam Who Never Forgets, by Eve Rice

This week's fingerplay:
The elephant goes like this, like that
He's terribly big and terribly fat
He has no fingers, he has no toes
But goodness gracious, what a nose!

Storytime Preview

Our first storytime session will be about Elephants! I'll share "Elmer, The Patchwork Elephant" by David McKee as a flannel board story, as well as some other fun elephant-themed stories, music, and fingerplays. In addition, we'll make our own patchwork elephants at the craft tables. Other upcoming themes from me (Ms. Patty) include snakes, boats, owls, and pie! I'll let you know what Ms. Eileen has up her sleeves later this week. See you soon!

Storytime Classics

I hope everyone is signed up for storytime! Ms. Eileen and I are really looking forward to seeing you next week and in anticipation Ms. Eileen put a display of classic storytime books up along the low shelf near the storytime room. Check them out. Literally!
Shown here: Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson, The Very Hungry Caterpillar by by Eric Carle, Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, Inch by Inch by Leo Lionni,Go Away Big Green Monster, by Ed Emberley, and Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak.

9/11

The anniversary of the tragic events of 9/11 is almost upon us. For the youngest children, this anniversary will pass unnoticed. For the slightly older there may be questions as somehow the zeitgeist of our culture has a way of creeping in.

A beautiful book in our library may be a way to begin to address these events with the 5 and older crowd. "Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey" by Maira Kalman tells the true story of an older boat brought into to help on that fateful day. School Library Journal writes, "'Fireboat' does many things. It sets forth an adventure, helps commemorate an anniversary, offers an interesting bit of history, celebrates the underdog, and honors the fire-fighting profession. Children and adults will respond to it in as many ways."

It made me cry...but in a good way.

Make Way For Ducklings

We were in Boston this weekend and what a beautiful weekend it was! The city looked sublime. Everywhere we went there were flowers and fountains and street performers and public art. Even the ice-cream trucks at the public gardens are decorated with art. One featured the artwork from Robert McCloskey's classic children's book "Make Way For Ducklings".

Even though "Make Way For Ducklings" was written in 1941, the Boston public gardens still look remarkably the same as lovingly depicted in the book. The swan boats are still there, and the little island in the pond where the Mallard family lives is still there. In 1987, The city added a perfect sculpture of Mrs. Mallard leading Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Oack, Pack, and Quack safely to their home. In 2000, after a group of school children started a petition, "Make Way for Ducklings" was named the official children's book of Massachusetts.

It's a wonderful book that stands the test of time with it's humor, love, and charm.

Goodbye Ann!

Do you know that none of us here at the Richmond Memorial Library have been sleeping well the last few days? (Don't we all seem a little groggy?) I think it's because we are all feeling sad about the impending retirement of Ann Grybko, long-time Assistant Director. Ann has such a reassuring presence and quietly managed so many things here at the library that losing her leaves a big void. Although we are thrilled for her as she heads off on many new adventures, we need to acknowledge our sadness.

As hard as loss is for adults, it can be especially so for children. As always, books are there to help. A sweet, older book at our library "Ira Says Goodbye" by Bernard Waber addresses the issue of having a best friend who moves away. You may know Ira from "Ira Sleeps Over" and here our pal struggles with his feelings. The illustrations are Waber's usual, rather simple, but the story is wise and funny and reassuring.

Are You My Mother?

"Are You My Mother?" by P.D. Eastman is a favorite of Ann Grybko, retiring assistant director of the library. It was published in 1960 and has been enjoyed by children ever since. While the mother bird is away from the nest looking for food, the baby bird emerges and asks all he encounters, including inanimate objects, "are you my mother?" Like Mo Willem's recent "Elephant and Piggie" series, this book works as a great read-aloud for the toddler set, as well as a great first book for the beginning reader. I loved this book as a child, and my kids loved it as well. A true classic.

Miss Rumphius and Mrs. Grybko

You may or may not know the library's long-time Assistant Director Ann Grybko is retiring after 30 years serving the Richmond Memorial Library and its patrons. Ann has requested very little fanfare or to-do made of her retirement and we wish to respect that, however, I thought perhaps I'd highlight a few books over the next few days in her honor.

First up, "Miss Rumphius", written and illustrated by Barbara Cooney. Miss Rumphius decides very early in life that she must do three things: see the world, live by the sea, and make the world a more beautiful place. On the way, she works in a library. Mrs. Grybko also loves to travel and has been to many unique and far-flung places, (although I don't think she has fallen off a camel as Miss Rumphius does!) and Ann certainly makes the world a more beautiful place just by her presence. Miss Rumphius does too, but then she goes one further. You'll have to read the book to see what she does, but it certainly fits in with Mrs. Grybko's passion for the environment.

The book has won multiple awards and has such a powerful spirit that there is even a Miss Rumphius Award given to a teacher annually. It's a beautiful book that will likely lead to many good conversations with your children. How will each of us make the world a more beautiful place?

Storytime Sessions Are About to Begin. Yay!

9-18 Months: Wednesday at 10:30, with caregiver. Four sessions starting October 7. With Ms. Eileen.
Two year-olds: Monday OR Thursday at 10:00 (for about 30 minutes), with caregiver. Includes a craft. Five classes. With Ms. Patty
Threes and Fours: Monday OR Thursday at 1:00 (for about 45 minutes) Parent or caregiver must stay at the library. Includes a craft. Five classes. With Ms. Patty
Fours and Fives: Friday at 10:00 OR 1:00 (for about 1 hour) Parent or caregiver must stay at the library. Includes a craft. Five classes. With Ms. Eileen

About your four-year-old: As you see you have many options for your four year old to accommodate all nursery school schedules. The Friday sessions are a bit longer and will generally include more complicated crafts and some longer books. However, all classes are appropriate for all four-year-olds.

Sign up begins on Tuesday, September 1st for Marlborough residents, and September 9th for non-residents. Session I starts September 14. Session II starts October 25.

School Days

Well, it's that time again, the school year is about to begin. This is a bittersweet time for most parents; on one hand it's nice to get back into a routine and maybe, for some, have a few hours to yourself. On the other hand it's hard to give up the easy, free, days of summer and the luxury of having the company of our children. I know I will see a lot less of my kids once homework and activities kick in.

For children, it's a time of high emotions, fears, excitement, sadness, and happiness. As parents we know that this is a time to be especially gentle with our children as they make this transition. For those with children starting school for the first time, extra care is especially needed. As always, books are there to help. We have many wonderful back-to-school books and Ms. Eileen has put them on display. Please feel free to talk to us about your children's school transition and how we at the library can help.