Upcoming March Teen Craft: Keyring Dream Catcher
Upcoming March Teen Craft: Keyring Dream Catcher
Our first teen craft take n’ go kit for March will be keyring dream catchers, available starting Thursday, March 4th.
Teen Craft: Duct Tape Pens
Teen Craft: Duct Tape Pens
Story Time: Friends!
Story Time: Friends!
Making friends is easy for some children and more difficult for others, but when you show your child “how” to be a friend, it makes the task seem easier. As you do so, don’t forget to point out that not every one will be kind in return, but to be patient. Below you will great links, songs, videos, and books about friends. And remember… your child will always find a friend in the library!
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Ages 2-5
Sing, Talk, Read, Write, Play
Tip
“Research shows that establishing friendships is an important developmental goal for children under the age of seven. Friendships developed during the preschool and early school years give children valuable contexts in which to learn and practice skills related to social, cognitive, communicative, and emotional development.”
Activity
Print off the “How to Play with Friends” game circles at https://www.powerfulmothering.com/how-to-play-with-friends-a-preschoolers-visual-guide-and-game/. Then play Charades with your child taking turns acting out the activity on the game circle. Take time to talk about why that activity is good for playing with friends. You can also read a book about friendship and talk about how to be a good friend.
Books Presented
Boy + Bot by Ame Dyckman
A boy and a robot strike up a friendship despite their differences.
Join In and Play by Cheri Meiners
It is fun to make friends and play with others, but it is not always easy to do. You have to make an effort, and you have to know the rules, like ask before joining in, take turns, play fair, and be a good sport. In simple words and real life illustrations, this book teaches the basics of cooperation, getting along, making friends, and being a friend.
My New Friend is So Fun! by Mo Willems
Gerald the elephant and Snake fear that Piggie and Brian Bat will have so much fun together they will no longer need their best friends.
Big Friends by Linda Sarah
Best friends Etho and Birt love going up Sudden Hill and sitting in simple cardboard boxes imagining they are kings, soldiers, astronauts, or pirates until Shu asks to join them, and their “two-by-two rhythm” is disturbed.
Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays
Sesame Street: Be a Good Friend (with Gwen Stefani)
If You’re Friendly and You Know It
(Tune: If you’re happy and you know it)
If you’re friendly and you know it,
clap your hands.
If you’re friendly and you know it,
clap your hands.
If you’re friendly and you know it,
then you really want to show it,
If you’re friendly and you know it,
clap your hands!
– Literaryhoots.com
Make a Heart
I put my hands together, (hands together like praying)
This is how I start
I curve my fingers right around, (curl fingertips)
And I can make a heart!
This is how I start
I curve my fingers right around, (curl fingertips)
And I can make a heart!
– Veronastorytime.com
F-R-I-E-N-D
(Tune: There Was a Farmer Who Had a Dog)
___(name)__ is so very __(positive attribute)__.
And she/he is our good friend.
F-R-I, E-N-D, F-R-I, E-N-D,
F-R-I, E-N-D
And she/he is our good friend.
And she/he is our good friend.
F-R-I, E-N-D, F-R-I, E-N-D,
F-R-I, E-N-D
And she/he is our good friend.
– Adapted from childhood
Crafts and Activities
Coloring Page
Print out this coloring page!
Pick up these friend story time kits today.
Additional Books
A Friend Like You by Andrea Schomburg
Squirrel and Bird are very different, but willing to try new things–and they’re the best of friends.
Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller
When Tanisha spills grape juice all over her new dress, her classmate contemplates how to make her feel better and what it means to be kind.
Bear's New Friend by Karma Wilson
Bear and his friends persuade a bashful owl to play with them.
The Adventures of Beekle: the Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat
An imaginary friend waits a long time to be imagined by a child and given a special name, and finally does the unimaginable–he sets out on a quest to find his perfect match in the real world.
More Story Times
Kid and Tween STEAM: Cardboard Constructions
Story Time: Fashion!
Story Time: Fashion!
Lights! Camera! It’s fashion! This week we learned that “F” is for fashion, and “fashion” can help you express how you are feeling, where you want to go, and what is good for the weather outside.
Join us live Tuesdays at 10:30 AM – Online on Facebook
Ages 2-5
Sing, Talk, Read, Write, Play
Tip
“Dress-up play allows anyone to dream, hope, and use their imagination. It gives kids permission to pretend to be someone or something different and extraordinary that reflects their personality and current interests and promotes more independence by allowing kids to practice self-care skills.”
Activity
Gather a bunch of clothes and have a dress-up fashion show. Talk about what each clothing item is used for, what weather would be good in which to wear it, and where you might go in each outfit. You can also take some old clothes and “remake” them into something new!
Books Presented
Bling Blaine: Throw Glitter, Not Shade by Rob Sanders
Blaine loves to shine… well, actually, he loves to sparkle. Blaine’s all about the bling, just like Sue’s all about orange, and Alberto is all about high-tops. But when Blaine’s bling rubs some people the wrong way, he begins to lose his shine — and so does his entire school. Can Blaine’s friends work together as allies and convince everyone to throw glitter, not shade?
The Nuts: Sing and Dance in Your Polka Dot Pants by Erik Litwin
Hazel Nut wants to sing and dance, but Mama, Papa, and Wally Nut are too busy, so Hazel calls in a special family member to get everyone moving.
Froggy Gets Dressed by Jonathan London
Love grows between two ducklings as they bill and coo around the farmyard.
Ella Sarah Gets Dressed by Margaret Chodos-Irvine
Despite the advice of others in her family, Ellah Sarah persists in wearing the striking and unusual outfit of her own choosing.
Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays
The Nuts: Sing and Dance in Your Polka Dot Pants
I’m Going to Take a Sweater
(Tune: Jolly Good Fellow)
I’m going to take a sweater, a sweater, a sweater
I’m going to take a sweater when I go out today
When I go out today, when I go out today
I’m going to take a sweater when I go out today
(Additional: Umbrella, hat, raincoat, etc.)
– Storytimekatie.com
Old Shoes, New Shoes
Action Rhyme: “Old Shoes, New Shoes”
Old shoes, new shoes,
(Child) is wearing (description) shoes
One, two, three four,
Now I stomp them on the floor!
Old shoes, new shoes,
(Child) is wearing (description) shoes
One, two, three four,
Now I stomp them on the floor!
– Storytimekatie.com
Crafts and Activities
Coloring Page
Print out this coloring page activity!
Pick up these fashion story time kits today.
Additional Books
Shoe-la-la! by Karen Beaumont
Four girls go in search of the perfect pair of party shoes.
Crafts for Styling Your Wardrobe by Susannah Blake
A variety of crafts for kids to make their clothes their own. Includes upcycling old clothes and basic sewing stitches.
Along Came Coco by Eva Byrne
In a time when children were meant to be seen and not heard, along came Coco, a small French orphan with an eye for style, a talent for sewing, and a big imagination. An exploration of Coco’s early life and a celebration of her creativity, Along Came Coco shows the ways in which Coco Chanel’s imaginative spirit led her to grow into one of the world’s most beloved fashion icons.
Sadie and the Silver Shoes by Jane Godwin
Family members try various ways to cheer up their grouchy bulldog.
More Story Times
Teen Craft: Paper Lanterns
Teen Craft: Paper Lanterns
Celebrate Chinese New Year with these paper lanterns! You will need the following supplies:
- scissors
- a pencil
- a marker or a pen
- a box (we used a Kleenex box) to use when poking holes
- a ruler
- a push pin or awl
- yarn
- scrapbook paper
- a pipe cleaner
- a piece of straw
- a square of cardboard
- six pony beads and three washers
- a template
- gold sticker tape and sticker sequins (or whatever you want to decorate it with)
Story Time: Feelings
Story Time: Feelings
This week in Storytime, we learned that “F” is for feelings. Sometimes children have a difficult time expressing or understanding their feelings. When you help them attach a color to a feeling, it helps them understand and how to deal with their emotions. Thankfully there are a lot children’s books to help. Try some of the titles below, or go to the online catalog and do a subject search for, “emotions juvenile fiction,” where you will find many, many stories about feelings.
Join us live Tuesdays at 10:30 AM – Online on Facebook
Ages 2-5
Sing, Talk, Read, Write, Play
Tip
Helping your child put words to feelings develops vocabulary in a meaningful way. You can talk not only about your child’s feelings, but also about yours as well. Children can understand the words long before they can say them.
Activity
Ask your children to listen for words related to feelings as you read “Grumpy Gloria” by Anna Dewdney or other books with words that pertain to feelings. Then talk about how those feelings might be translated into a color.
Books Presented
I'm Feeling Macaroni and Cheese by Tina Gallo
What kind of day are you having? Are you feeling Razzmatazz excited? Or Tickle Me Pink silly? Or maybe you’re feeling brave–like Wild Blue Yonder! When was the last time you felt a little Macaroni and Cheese? Learn how to express your feelings through colors.
Glad Monster, Sad Monster by Ed Emberley and Anne Miranda
Monsters of different colors explain what makes them feel glad, sad, loving, worried, silly, and angry. Fold-out masks encourage readers to talk about their feelings.
I Love You! A Bushel and a Peck by Frank Loesser
Love grows between two ducklings as they bill and coo around the farmyard.
Weasel is Worried by Giara Gavin
When Weasel is caught in a storm, he builds a fortress to hide in. But then he meets Mole, who loves to play in the wind and splash in the rain. Wait to see if Weasel learns to overcome his fears and find joy, whatever the weather.
Grumpy Groundhog by Maureen Wright
On Groundhog’s Day, the townspeople try to entice the groundhog to leave his den, but the furry character refuses as it is warm and cozy inside.
Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays
Signing Song: Old McDonald Felt So Glad
(to tune of “Old MacDonald had a farm”)
Old MacDonald felt so glad (Happy)
HA-HA-HA-HA-HA
And when he’s glad we sign it like this:
Happy Happy Happy Happy Happy
With a Happy Happy here and a Happy Happy there
Here a Happy, there a Happy everywhere a Happy Happy
Old MacDonald felt so glad.
Happy Happy
Repeat this, substituting the following emotions and signs:
Grumpy = Grumpy
Sad = Sad
Silly = Silly
– Jeninthelibrary.com
Crafts and Activities
Coloring Page
Print out this coloring page activity!
Learn how to make colorful pasta necklaces.
Additional Books
Bear Feels Scared by Karma Wilson
Bear’s animal friends come to his rescue when he becomes lost and frightened in the woods.
A Little Book About Feelings by Abbie Schiller
From the award-winning Ruby’s Studio: the Feelings Show. Learn about feelings and how to express them.
The Color Monster: A Story About Emotions by Anna Llenas
One day, Color Monster wakes up feeling very confused. His emotions are all over the place; he feels angry, happy, calm, sad and scared all at once! To help him, a little girl shows him what each feeling means through color. As this adorable monster learns to sort and define his mixed up emotions, he gains self-awareness and peace as a result.
Grumpy Gloria by Anna Dewdney
Family members try various ways to cheer up their grouchy bulldog.
More Story Times
Story Time: Pandas!
Story Time: Pandas!
Today we learned about pandas with Peter Panda! Check out our books, songs, and activities below.
Join us live Tuesdays at 10:30 AM – Online on Facebook
Ages 2-5
Sing, Talk, Read, Write, Play
Tip
Be sure to share factual books with your young children. Follow their interests, whether in a particular animal, in how things work, in trains, or in anything else that piques their curiosity. The information in nonfiction books introduces new vocabulary words, and we learn right along with our children. Supporting their curiosity goes a long way in encouraging a love of learning. Many children who are less interested in stories are very interested in particular topics- trains, dinosaurs, various animals, how things work, and so forth.
Activity
Check out a variety of junior non-fiction books on different topics. Place them in front of your child to see what he is interested in. Then read the book together, look at the pictures, and talk about the new things you learned.
Books Presented
The Panda Problem by Deborah Underwood
A narrator’s story is disrupted by the main character (Panda) who refuses to play the part.
Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr.
Illustrations and rhyming text present ten different endangered animals.
Giant Pandas by AnnMarie Anderson
A new reader about cuddly, adorable pandas: what do they eat? What are their habitats like? What does it mean when we say pandas are an endangered species?
Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays
The Giant Panda Cam at the Smithsonian National Zoo
Crafts and Activities
Coloring Page
Print out this coloring page!
Make your own panda heart craft!
Additional Books
Xander's Panda Party by Linda Sue Park
Xander’s plan to host a panda party falls through, since he is the only panda at the zoo, but when he extends the invitation to all of the bears, complications ensue. Includes author’s note on the wonders of the animal kingdom and the international effort to save pandas from extinction.
How Many Baby Pandas? by Sandra Markle
Looks at the eight panda pairs that were born at China’s Wolong Giant Panda Breeding and Research Center in 2005, examining how they live, grow, and play and the steps that are being taken to prepare them for their release into the wild.
More Story Times
Kid and Tween STEAM crafts in February
Kid and Tween STEAM crafts in February
Check out our February kid and tween STEAM Take N’ Go kits below. Each will be available through curbside pickup. Instructions will be available on our website and our YouTube channel.
Cardboard Construction craft – available starting February 9th
Make towers with these simple cardboard building pieces.
STEAM magic craft – available starting February 23rd
Are these experiments science or magic? Try them for yourself!