Storytime: Horses

Storytime: Horses

Storytime: Horses

Clippity-clop, clippity-clop! Whoa… STOP! Children love everything about horses: they way they run, eat, and when they talk to each other. Find out a little more about these appealing creatures with these books and activities.

Join us Monday, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. or Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room.

Ages 2-5

Sing, Talk, Read, Write, Play

Tip

When you give your child positive reinforcement by clapping or telling them that they did a great job, you are encouraging them to act both independently and cooperatively. To encourage this at home, use activities that your child can do easily, and don’t forget to give a lot of positive encouragement.

- Lambert

Activity

Pick some simple activities your child can do that will fill an entire day. After they do the activity, even if they fail, encourage them with clapping, hugs, and positive reinforcement. Then, at bed time, talk about the things they accomplished that day.

Books Presented

Clip-Clop! by Nicola Smee

After Mr. Horse asks his friends if they want to go for a ride, Cat, Dog, Pig, and Duck try to hang on as they urge Mr. Horse to go faster and faster.

Horseplay! by Karma Wilson

A farmer tries to change the behavior of his rowdy horses who play all night and sleep all day.

 

Horses by Aaron Carr

Describes the life cycle and behavior of horses, and how they are raised on a farm.

Horse and Buggy Paint it Out by Ethan Long

When an effort to paint a mural results in knocked-over paint cans and spattering brushes, Horse reluctantly accepts help from Buggy.

Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays

If Your Horse is the Color Blue

Tune to “This Old Man”

If your horse is the color blue,
Gallop it upon your shoe!
If you have a blue horse,
From McDonald’s farm
Come and put it in the barn.

yellow – gallop it upon your elbow
green – gallop it upon your knee
purple – gallop it in a great big circle
red – gallop it upon your head

I Gave My Horse an Apple

I gave my horse an apple,
And she gave me a neigh.
I gave my horse a carrot,
And she moved her head this way.
I gave my horse a sugar cube,
And she gave me a smile.
And then she took me for a ride,
For more than half a mile.

Clippity-clop, clippity-clop, clippity clop, clop, clop!
Clippity-clop, clippity-clop, clippity clop, clop, clop!
Clippity-clop, clippity-clop, clippity clop, clop, clop!
Whoa, STOP!

Crafts and Activities

A horse mare with her colt coloring page

Make a horse from a paper bag!

Additional Books

Splish-Splash by Nicola Smee

Mr. Horse invites all the barnyard animals onto his little boat, and soon he, Cat, Dog, Pig, and Duck are riding though big waves, and come crashing down with a big splash.

A Cowgirl and Her Horse by Jean Ekman Adams

A young cowgirl demonstrates her unique way of caring for her horse, from feeding him hay sandwiches to helping him pick out new shoes.

Blaze and Thunderbolt by CW Anderson

Billy and his loyal pony Blaze attempt to tame the wild horse Thunderbolt.

The Fly-Away Horse

A tiny porcupine just wants a cuddle. All of the other animals turn him away because of his prickly spikes. But finally the porcupine meets an animal who’s happy to hug — a snake! 

More Story Times

Storytime: March is for Eric Carle

Eric Carle is one of the most celebrated authors/illustrators in the world. His picture book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, has been translated into more than 66 languages and sold more than 50 million copies. He believes “that children are naturally creative and eager...

Storytime: February Something New Just for You

For the last storytime of each month, we will present books that are “new” to our library, and perhaps new to you! Here are four of our favorites with an activity to go with each one of them. Enjoy!Join us Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. or Tuesdays at 6:30...

Storytime: V is for Violins and Violins play Music

V is for Violins! The violin is a string instrument. It has a wooden body and four tight strings, the musical sounds come from the vibrations of those strings. Vibrations can be made by plucking the strings or using a bow. Not all instruments have strings but all of...

Storytime: V is for Valentine’s

V is for Valentine’s! Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate love, but that doesn’t mean it is all mushy stuff. It is just as important to celebrate the love shown to children from caring adults and between friends. You don’t have to celebrate with gifts, kind words...

Storytime: V is for Veggies

Is it a vegetable or a fruit? Either way, vegetables are delicious, healthy, and fun to talk about with your child. Try asking open-ended questions with her about her favorite vegetables, where they come from, and their differences and similarities in taste. Or...

Kid & Tween Activities February 2024

Story TimeJoin us in February for a world of imagination and learning at Story Time!  Preschool Story Time (ages 2-5): It’s all about the Letter V! Explore Veggies, Valentine’s Day, Violins, and Something NEW, Just For You! Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 10:30 AM and...

Storytime: D is for Disguise

Have you ever worn a disguise? Dressed up in a costume or worn a mask? Disguises can change what you look like or help you blend in with your environment. For people this means special clothes or maybe a mustache. But animals sometimes use disguises too, and we call...

Storytime: D is for Dirt

Let’s play in the dirt! Soil, mud, and yes, dirt can be a exploration canvas for your child as he engages in sensory experiences, discovers hidden treasures, and learns about the world underneath his feet. You can also create an indoor sensory experience with dirt...

Storytime: D is for Dinosaurs

Is your child a member of the dinosaur fan club? If not, check out some of these fantastic books and doing the activities at home. It’s great to talk about the many characteristic's of dinosaurs and what clues they left giving evidence of their existence.Join us...

Storytime: D is for Dance

Why dance? It’s fun, of course! But it also helps your child develop coordination, spatial sense, mental dexterity, social emotional skills, imagination, confidence and so much more! You can use music and dance at home to build these needed skills which will help...

Storytime: Hugs!

Storytime: Hugs!

Storytime: Hugs!

“You never forget the first time you hug your child. Holding them in your arms and feeling the warmth of their body is a wonderful experience. There’s nothing like it! But did you know there are scientific benefits besides feeling all warm and fuzzy? It’s true.” To discover the science behind hugging and some great activities, click here.

Join us Monday, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. or Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room.

Ages 2-5

Sing, Talk, Read, Write, Play

Tip

Using books and stories to help children think of their own solutions to problems helps them develop develop problem solving skills. Researchers have found that having ideas for tackling problems helps children in learning new tasks and handling social situations.

Activity

Find a book that revolves around a problem-solving situation to read with your child such as Karma Wilson’s, “Bear’s New Friend.” Introduce the book by setting up the problem. Then, when you approach the problem, ask your child what she might do to solve the situation. You can also read through the whole book and go back to the problem.

Books Presented

Hug Machine by Scott Campbell

The hug machine is available to hug anyone, any time, whether they are square or long, spiky or soft.

Hug by Jez Alborough

Bobo the chimp seeks hugs among various jungle animals and their young, but he does not get what he wants until he is reunited with his own parent.

 

Don't Hug Doug (He Doesn't Like It) by Carrie Finison

Doug doesn’t like hugs. He thinks hugs are too squeezy, too squashy, too squooshy, too smooshy. He doesn’t like hello hugs or goodbye hugs, game-winning home run hugs or dropped ice cream cone hugs, and he definitely doesn’t like birthday hugs. He’d much rather give a high five—or a low five, a side five, a double five, or a spinny five. Yup, some people love hugs; other people don’t. So how can you tell if someone likes hugs or not? There’s only one way to find out: Ask! Because everybody gets to decide for themselves whether they want a hug or not.

Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays

Looking for a Hug!

I’m looking for something warm and snug,
You open your arms and give a great big _______________!
Bug?
Rug?
Slug?
Mug?
Doug?
(Pull out each goofy answer from the magic hat until you give the right one! (a great big HUG).

I Can Hug

I can hug, hug, hug
I can hop, hop, hop
I can kiss, kiss, kiss
I can stop, stop, stop
I can nod my head for yes,
And I can shake my head no,
And I can sit down very slow.

I Have a Little Heart

I have a little heart (place hand over heart])
It goes thump, thump, thump (pat chest 3X)
It beats even faster when I jump, jump, jump (jump 3X)
I get a special feeling when I look at you (point to eyes, then audience)
It makes me want to give you a hug or two! (Hug yourself)

Crafts and Activities

Tigger and Winnie the Pooh love hugs!

A hugging craft ♥

Additional Books

One Hug by Katrina Moore

 A young boy discovers many different kinds of hugs and ways to show love as family members and friends gather to welcome his immigrant relatives from China.

If You're Groovy and You Know It, Hug a Friend! by Eric Litwin

Set to the rhythm of the classic children’s song, Groovy Joe invites the reader to laugh, sing, explore, and best of all, hug a friend.

Hug? by Charlene Chua

How many hugs is too many? This girl’s had enough! This humorous picture book explores compassion and the importance of setting boundaries. After coughing up a hairball, a girl’s cat doesn’t feel well. So the girl offers to give her cat a hug, which makes the cat — and the girl — feel better. More and more animals ask for hugs… How much more of this can she take? The story shows how important hugs can be to our happiness — even the most unlikely of creatures sometimes need one! — but that doesn’t mean they’re always welcome.

I Need a Hug by Aaron Blabey

A tiny porcupine just wants a cuddle. All of the other animals turn him away because of his prickly spikes. But finally the porcupine meets an animal who’s happy to hug — a snake! 

More Story Times

Storytime: March is for Eric Carle

Eric Carle is one of the most celebrated authors/illustrators in the world. His picture book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, has been translated into more than 66 languages and sold more than 50 million copies. He believes “that children are naturally creative and eager...

Storytime: February Something New Just for You

For the last storytime of each month, we will present books that are “new” to our library, and perhaps new to you! Here are four of our favorites with an activity to go with each one of them. Enjoy!Join us Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. or Tuesdays at 6:30...

Storytime: V is for Violins and Violins play Music

V is for Violins! The violin is a string instrument. It has a wooden body and four tight strings, the musical sounds come from the vibrations of those strings. Vibrations can be made by plucking the strings or using a bow. Not all instruments have strings but all of...

Storytime: V is for Valentine’s

V is for Valentine’s! Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate love, but that doesn’t mean it is all mushy stuff. It is just as important to celebrate the love shown to children from caring adults and between friends. You don’t have to celebrate with gifts, kind words...

Storytime: V is for Veggies

Is it a vegetable or a fruit? Either way, vegetables are delicious, healthy, and fun to talk about with your child. Try asking open-ended questions with her about her favorite vegetables, where they come from, and their differences and similarities in taste. Or...

Kid & Tween Activities February 2024

Story TimeJoin us in February for a world of imagination and learning at Story Time!  Preschool Story Time (ages 2-5): It’s all about the Letter V! Explore Veggies, Valentine’s Day, Violins, and Something NEW, Just For You! Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 10:30 AM and...

Storytime: D is for Disguise

Have you ever worn a disguise? Dressed up in a costume or worn a mask? Disguises can change what you look like or help you blend in with your environment. For people this means special clothes or maybe a mustache. But animals sometimes use disguises too, and we call...

Storytime: D is for Dirt

Let’s play in the dirt! Soil, mud, and yes, dirt can be a exploration canvas for your child as he engages in sensory experiences, discovers hidden treasures, and learns about the world underneath his feet. You can also create an indoor sensory experience with dirt...

Storytime: D is for Dinosaurs

Is your child a member of the dinosaur fan club? If not, check out some of these fantastic books and doing the activities at home. It’s great to talk about the many characteristic's of dinosaurs and what clues they left giving evidence of their existence.Join us...

Storytime: D is for Dance

Why dance? It’s fun, of course! But it also helps your child develop coordination, spatial sense, mental dexterity, social emotional skills, imagination, confidence and so much more! You can use music and dance at home to build these needed skills which will help...

Storytime: Hats

Storytime: Hats

Storytime: Hats

Let’s learn about the letter “H”! There’s hopping, horses, happy, hands, and… HATS! Hats are not only great for pretend play, they also have a purpose such as protection, like a bicycle helmet, or shade, like a sun visor. Some people wear hats for their job like a police officer or a construction worker. Others wear hats for fashion! So, grab some hats with your child and have fun pretending and learning about the part of clothing that’s totally on top!

Join us Monday, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. or Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room.

Ages 2-5

Sing, Talk, Read, Write, Play

Tip

When you read a book with your child, running your finger under the printed words helps her to know that it is the text you are reading, not the pictures. Did you know that without our guidance, 4- year- old children will give 95 percent of their visual attention to the pictures?

- Lambert

Activity

Read “Hats are Not for Cats” by Jacqueline Rayner or another book with your child, and run your finger under the title as you read the words. If the book has a repeated phrase, run your finger under those words as well. Encourage your child to say the repeated phrase while pointing at each word as he says it. Then encourage him to point at the words.

Books Presented

Finders Keepers by Keiko Kasza

When a squirrel uses his red hat to mark the spot where he buried an acorn, he sets off a chain of events involving other creatures, each of which finds an unusual use for the chapeau.

Hats Are Not For Cats by Jacqueline K Rayner

A patronizing, plaid-hat-wearing dog informs a cat that hats are only for dogs but the cat, joined by others, dons a wide assortment of hats proving, at last, that hats are for everyone.

 

This is Not My Hate by Jon Klassen

A little fish thinks he can get away with stealing a hat.

Do You Believe in Unicorns? by Bethanie Deeney Murguia

Is that a horse wearing a hat, or is it a unicorn in disguise? It all depends on how you look at it in this charming story about finding the extraordinary in the ordinary.

 

Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays

Silly Hat Song
Tune to “This Old Man”

On my head, I wear my hat.
It is such a silly hat
That my head will wiggle waggle to and fro
Where else can my silly hat go?

These Are Grandma’s Glasses

These are Grandma’s glasses
This is Grandma’s hat
This is the way she folds her hands
And lays them in her lap
Here are Grandpa’s glasses
And here is Grandpa’s hat
And here’s the way he folds his arms
And takes a little nap

Crafts and Activities

Make a fun hat!

Additional Books

We Found a Hat by Jon Klassen

Two turtles find a hat that looks good on both of them, but, with fairness in mind, they decide to leave it be, until night falls and one of the turtles changes its mind.

I Had a Favorite Hat by Boni Ashburn

At the end of summer, a girl’s mother wants to put away her favorite beach hat but the girl asks to keep it out, then decorates it for each holiday and season from autumn through spring.

Hats Off to You! by Karen Beaumont

Emily, Ashley, Kaitlyn, and Claire are busy trying on different hats, uncertain which ones to wear to the street fair.

Whose Hat is This? by Sharon Katz Cooper

Put on your thinking cap and guess whose hat is whose. There are hard hats and soft hats, square hats and round hats. There are even very tall hats. Some workers wear special hats to help them do their jobs. Can you guess whose hat is whose? Learn all about the different hats worn by construction workers, police officers, firefighters, and more.

More Story Times

Storytime: March is for Eric Carle

Eric Carle is one of the most celebrated authors/illustrators in the world. His picture book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, has been translated into more than 66 languages and sold more than 50 million copies. He believes “that children are naturally creative and eager...

Storytime: February Something New Just for You

For the last storytime of each month, we will present books that are “new” to our library, and perhaps new to you! Here are four of our favorites with an activity to go with each one of them. Enjoy!Join us Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. or Tuesdays at 6:30...

Storytime: V is for Violins and Violins play Music

V is for Violins! The violin is a string instrument. It has a wooden body and four tight strings, the musical sounds come from the vibrations of those strings. Vibrations can be made by plucking the strings or using a bow. Not all instruments have strings but all of...

Storytime: V is for Valentine’s

V is for Valentine’s! Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate love, but that doesn’t mean it is all mushy stuff. It is just as important to celebrate the love shown to children from caring adults and between friends. You don’t have to celebrate with gifts, kind words...

Storytime: V is for Veggies

Is it a vegetable or a fruit? Either way, vegetables are delicious, healthy, and fun to talk about with your child. Try asking open-ended questions with her about her favorite vegetables, where they come from, and their differences and similarities in taste. Or...

Kid & Tween Activities February 2024

Story TimeJoin us in February for a world of imagination and learning at Story Time!  Preschool Story Time (ages 2-5): It’s all about the Letter V! Explore Veggies, Valentine’s Day, Violins, and Something NEW, Just For You! Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 10:30 AM and...

Storytime: D is for Disguise

Have you ever worn a disguise? Dressed up in a costume or worn a mask? Disguises can change what you look like or help you blend in with your environment. For people this means special clothes or maybe a mustache. But animals sometimes use disguises too, and we call...

Storytime: D is for Dirt

Let’s play in the dirt! Soil, mud, and yes, dirt can be a exploration canvas for your child as he engages in sensory experiences, discovers hidden treasures, and learns about the world underneath his feet. You can also create an indoor sensory experience with dirt...

Storytime: D is for Dinosaurs

Is your child a member of the dinosaur fan club? If not, check out some of these fantastic books and doing the activities at home. It’s great to talk about the many characteristic's of dinosaurs and what clues they left giving evidence of their existence.Join us...

Storytime: D is for Dance

Why dance? It’s fun, of course! But it also helps your child develop coordination, spatial sense, mental dexterity, social emotional skills, imagination, confidence and so much more! You can use music and dance at home to build these needed skills which will help...

Storytime: Tiger Tales

Storytime: Tiger Tales

Storytime: Tiger Tales

“The wonderful thing about Tiggers… Is Tiggers are wonderful things!” Of course they are! Especially TIGERS. This week in Story Time we learned that tigers have patterns in their fur, live on the other side of the world in Asia, and and have very large paws. Try reading some of these books and singing the rhymes together. Then, in the words of the adorable Tigger, you and your child can, “Consider yourself pounced!”

Join us Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. or Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room.

Ages 2-5

Sing, Talk, Read, Write, Play

Tip

Have your preschooler tell you the story. By age 5, children can sit still for longer books and can create their own stories based on the pictures.

Activity

After reading a book with your preschooler, ask him to tell you the basic plot of the book or make up stories based on what he sees on each page. You can also pretend play the story and act it out with one another.

Books Presented

Tigers by Kate Riggs

A kindergarten-level introduction to tigers, covering their growth process, behaviors, the habitats they call home, and such defining physical features as their striped fur.

Who is the Beast? by Keith Baker

 A tiger is confused by jungle animals fleeing from a beast until he discovers he is the beast they are fleeing from.

 

Oh No! by Candace Fleming

 A series of animals falls into a deep hole, only to be saved at last by a very large rescuer.

Mr. Tiger Goes Wild by Peter Brown

Are you bored with being so proper? Do you want to have more fun? Mr. Tiger knows exactly how you feel. So he decides to go wild. But does he go too far? Bored with city life and the proper behavior it requires, Mr. Tiger has a wild idea that leads him to discover his true nature. From Caldecott Honor artist Peter Brown comes a story that shows there’s a time and place for everything…even going wild.

 

Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays

Five Little Tigers

Five little tigers out for a stroll
One tripped on a rock and started to… ROLL.
She bounced down a hill and landed with a flop.
How many tigers are left walking through the swamp?
(count down until there are no more tigers)

The Jungle Song
Tune to “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”

Tiger, tiger, orange and black,
He’s got stripes upon his back.
When he growls, sharp teeth I see.
He’s as scary as can be!
Tiger, tiger, orange and black,
He’s got stripes upon his back.

The Tiger
Tune to “Frere Jacques”

Orange and black, great big cat
(hold hands wide to side)
Four big paws (hold up hands)
Long sharp and claws (curve fingers like claws)
Through the jungle running (pretend to run)
Do you see her coming? (shade eyes)
What a sight! Will she bite? (clap hands)

I’m a Little Tiger
Tune to “I’m a Little Teapot”

I’m a little tiger in the jungle.
Here are my stripes.
Here is my tail.
When I get excited you will see
Just how loud that I can growl.

Crafts and Activities

Tiger Coloring Page

Paper plate tiger craft!

Additional Books

A Tiger Like Me by Michael Engler

A little boy—um, no, a tiger!—tells us all about what he gets up to on an ordinary day: how he wakes up in his tiger den, what he eats for breakfast at his feeding spot, and how little tigers feel when they are wide awake, hungry, thirsty, or in the mood for adventures. But at night, even the wildest of tigers is happy to curl up in bed with Tiger-Mom and Tiger-Dad and become a cuddly little tiger cub.

I Am a Tiger by Karl Newson

Despite the evidence, Mouse insists that he is a tiger–or maybe a crocodile.

Tiger Cubs by Ruth Owen

Young readers will learn about what some people consider to be the most beautiful wild cats in the worldSiberian tigers. Born in the bitter cold of Siberia in a safe hideaway of tall bushes or rocks, the cute little cubs of this species are well cared for by their mothers. They cuddle, lick, and nurse their babies and keep them safe. Through gorgeous pictures and simple text, readers will see how the babies learn all about hunting and living on their own in this coming-of-age introduction to tiger cubs.

Under My Bed

There’s a tiger under the bed! Luckily Mum knows just what to do…

More Story Times

Storytime: March is for Eric Carle

Eric Carle is one of the most celebrated authors/illustrators in the world. His picture book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, has been translated into more than 66 languages and sold more than 50 million copies. He believes “that children are naturally creative and eager...

Storytime: February Something New Just for You

For the last storytime of each month, we will present books that are “new” to our library, and perhaps new to you! Here are four of our favorites with an activity to go with each one of them. Enjoy!Join us Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. or Tuesdays at 6:30...

Storytime: V is for Violins and Violins play Music

V is for Violins! The violin is a string instrument. It has a wooden body and four tight strings, the musical sounds come from the vibrations of those strings. Vibrations can be made by plucking the strings or using a bow. Not all instruments have strings but all of...

Storytime: V is for Valentine’s

V is for Valentine’s! Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate love, but that doesn’t mean it is all mushy stuff. It is just as important to celebrate the love shown to children from caring adults and between friends. You don’t have to celebrate with gifts, kind words...

Storytime: V is for Veggies

Is it a vegetable or a fruit? Either way, vegetables are delicious, healthy, and fun to talk about with your child. Try asking open-ended questions with her about her favorite vegetables, where they come from, and their differences and similarities in taste. Or...

Kid & Tween Activities February 2024

Story TimeJoin us in February for a world of imagination and learning at Story Time!  Preschool Story Time (ages 2-5): It’s all about the Letter V! Explore Veggies, Valentine’s Day, Violins, and Something NEW, Just For You! Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 10:30 AM and...

Storytime: D is for Disguise

Have you ever worn a disguise? Dressed up in a costume or worn a mask? Disguises can change what you look like or help you blend in with your environment. For people this means special clothes or maybe a mustache. But animals sometimes use disguises too, and we call...

Storytime: D is for Dirt

Let’s play in the dirt! Soil, mud, and yes, dirt can be a exploration canvas for your child as he engages in sensory experiences, discovers hidden treasures, and learns about the world underneath his feet. You can also create an indoor sensory experience with dirt...

Storytime: D is for Dinosaurs

Is your child a member of the dinosaur fan club? If not, check out some of these fantastic books and doing the activities at home. It’s great to talk about the many characteristic's of dinosaurs and what clues they left giving evidence of their existence.Join us...

Storytime: D is for Dance

Why dance? It’s fun, of course! But it also helps your child develop coordination, spatial sense, mental dexterity, social emotional skills, imagination, confidence and so much more! You can use music and dance at home to build these needed skills which will help...

Storytime: Trains

Storytime: Trains

Storytime: Trains

Chugg chugg! Choo, choo! Off we go! Hop aboard a terrific train with these books, songs, and activities.

Join us Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. or Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room.

Ages 2-5

Sing, Talk, Read, Write, Play

Tip

When your children have happy experiences, they want to repeat them. Starting kindergarten can seem as an extension of informal library classes. Children who have had joyful experiences in the public library often approach school with a positive attitude, ready and excited to learn.

- Lambert

Activity

After attending Storytime at the library, talk with your child about the things she thought was fun. Perhaps it was the yarn railroad track we walked around in the back of the room, or maybe it was Cody’s train noises. Then do some of the rhymes and songs that were presented.

Books Presented

Terrific Trains by Tony Mitton

Rhyming text introduces a variety of trains as they leave a station, rush along the tracks, and arrive at the platform where travelers are waiting.

The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper

Although she is not very big, the Little Blue Engine agrees to try to pull a stranded train full of toys over the mountain.

Freight Train by Donald Crews

Brief text and illustrations trace the journey of a colorful train as it goes through tunnels, by cities, and over trestles.

Steam Train Dream Train by Sherri Duskey Rinker

In this book with rhyming text, the dream train pulls into the station and all the different cars are loaded by the animal workers, each with the appropriate cargo.

Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays

Flannel Board: Down by the Station

Down by the station early in the morning
See the little puffer trains all in a row
See the engine driver turn the little handle
Puff puff, chuff chuff, off we go!
(remove one train, and count)

The Wheels on the Train
Tune to “Wheels on the Bus”

The wheels on the train go clackety clack
Clackety clack, clackety clack
The wheels on the train, go clackety clack
All along the track.

More verses:
The whistle… goes whoo, whoo, whoo
The conductor… says, “All Aboard”
The people … go bumpety, bump

Engine on the Track

Here is the engine on the track. (thumb)
Here is the coal car just in back. (pointer finger)
Here in the boxcar to carry freight. (middle finger)
Here is the mailcar. Don’t be late! (ring finger)
Way back here at the end of the train (pinky finger)
Rides the caboose through the sun and rain.

This is a Choo Choo Train

This is a choo-choo train, (bend arms at elbows)
Puffing down the track. (rotate forearms in rhythm)
Now it’s going forward, (push arms forward, continue rotating motion)
Now it’s going back. (pull arms back, continue rotating motion)
Now the bell is ringing, (pull bell cord with closed fist)
Now the whistle blows. (hold fist near mouth and blow)
What a lot of noise it makes, (cover ears with hands)
Everywhere it goes! (stretch out arms)

 

Crafts and Activities

Learn shape and build a fun train!

Additional Books

I'm Fast by Kate and Jim McMullan

Meet one hard workin’ freight train. He’s got to get to Chicago on time and nothing is going to stop him. Mountains? Not a chance! Cows? Out of his way, ladies! He’s going to get there—and fast!

The Caboose Who Got Loose by Bill Peet

Tired of being last on the smoky, noisy freight train, Katy Caboose wishes for some way to escape the endless track.

Choo-Choo School by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

No racing in the haul-ways! A look at seven adorable train cars on their first day of school. All aboard the train-car pool! A new lineup of students is off and rolling to Choo-Choo School. After reciting their classroom rules — Work hard, play fair, be kind — it’s time for some math to get the wheels turning. Then everyone’s ready to climb a hill in gym (it’s good to blow off steam), sing songs in music (Flat Car is a bit off-key), and learn the whole alphabet, especially the letter R. In one of Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s last books, lighthearted verse portrays a world where train stations are classrooms, the conductor doubles as the teacher, and Boxcar is happy to hand out tissues to anyone who ah-choo-choos. Bright, energetic illustrations by animation artist Mike Yamada bring the whole clickety crew to rollicking life.

Terrific Trains by Dennis R Shealy

Few travel by trains today, but kids regardless are fascinated by the freight train, passenger trains, the conductor, and even the caboose. Terrific Trains will mix both illustrations and photographs to bring the railroad to life!

More Story Times

Storytime: March is for Eric Carle

Eric Carle is one of the most celebrated authors/illustrators in the world. His picture book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, has been translated into more than 66 languages and sold more than 50 million copies. He believes “that children are naturally creative and eager...

Storytime: February Something New Just for You

For the last storytime of each month, we will present books that are “new” to our library, and perhaps new to you! Here are four of our favorites with an activity to go with each one of them. Enjoy!Join us Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. or Tuesdays at 6:30...

Storytime: V is for Violins and Violins play Music

V is for Violins! The violin is a string instrument. It has a wooden body and four tight strings, the musical sounds come from the vibrations of those strings. Vibrations can be made by plucking the strings or using a bow. Not all instruments have strings but all of...

Storytime: V is for Valentine’s

V is for Valentine’s! Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate love, but that doesn’t mean it is all mushy stuff. It is just as important to celebrate the love shown to children from caring adults and between friends. You don’t have to celebrate with gifts, kind words...

Storytime: V is for Veggies

Is it a vegetable or a fruit? Either way, vegetables are delicious, healthy, and fun to talk about with your child. Try asking open-ended questions with her about her favorite vegetables, where they come from, and their differences and similarities in taste. Or...

Kid & Tween Activities February 2024

Story TimeJoin us in February for a world of imagination and learning at Story Time!  Preschool Story Time (ages 2-5): It’s all about the Letter V! Explore Veggies, Valentine’s Day, Violins, and Something NEW, Just For You! Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 10:30 AM and...

Storytime: D is for Disguise

Have you ever worn a disguise? Dressed up in a costume or worn a mask? Disguises can change what you look like or help you blend in with your environment. For people this means special clothes or maybe a mustache. But animals sometimes use disguises too, and we call...

Storytime: D is for Dirt

Let’s play in the dirt! Soil, mud, and yes, dirt can be a exploration canvas for your child as he engages in sensory experiences, discovers hidden treasures, and learns about the world underneath his feet. You can also create an indoor sensory experience with dirt...

Storytime: D is for Dinosaurs

Is your child a member of the dinosaur fan club? If not, check out some of these fantastic books and doing the activities at home. It’s great to talk about the many characteristic's of dinosaurs and what clues they left giving evidence of their existence.Join us...

Storytime: D is for Dance

Why dance? It’s fun, of course! But it also helps your child develop coordination, spatial sense, mental dexterity, social emotional skills, imagination, confidence and so much more! You can use music and dance at home to build these needed skills which will help...

Storytime: Tools

Storytime: Tools

Storytime: Tools

“T” is for tools! Explore the world of tools and construction with your child using these books and activities. You can also talk with your child about what a tool is… an object that that is used, especially in your hand, to do or make something. Then try making something together with a tool.

Join us Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. or Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room.

Ages 2-5

Sing, Talk, Read, Write, Play

Tip

Singing to your children is very important, and it doesn’t matter if you sing in English or another language. In one scientific study, babies as young as one week could distinguish their mother’s voice from a group of other female voices. Children love being sung to by their parents, and such singing helps to trigger their speech development and continues on with early literacy phonetic awareness. So, sing aloud to your children at home in any language you like.

- Lambert

Activity

Create a “Favorites” or core nursery song list to sing with your child every day, then you can add other songs that match with books you like to read together.

Books Presented

I Love Tools! by Philemon Sturges

Tools can cut things apart . . . . . . or put them back together again. You can use tools to make almost anything! From the clamps that hold down the wood for the very first cut through the paintbrush that adds the finishing touches, this book is full of useful tools! Young readers will love watching a busy family saw, hammer, and chisel as they work together to create a new home for their friend the bluebird.

Old MacDonald had a Woodshop by Lisa Shulman

Together with the other farm animals, Old MacDonald is building a surprise for the babies on the farm. Saw, drill, chisel, file, screwdriver, and paintbrush are operated by cat, goat, chicken, pig, cow, and dog. With a zztt zztt here and a tap tap there, there’s a miniature toy farm being made—just for the baby animals. For any preschooler who likes tools and making things, Old MacDonald Had a Woodshop is sure to be a hit! E-I-E-I-O!

 

Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays

Five Little Nails

Five little nails, standing straight and steady (hold up 5 fingers)
Here I come with my hammer ready! (make fist with other hand)
Bam, bam, bam! (tap fist to 1 finger)
That nail goes down (lower 1 finger)
Now there’s just four nails left to pound

(count down)

I’m a Builder
Tune to “Frere Jacques”

I’m a builder, I’m a builder.
Watch me pound, hear my sound.
Tap, a tap, a tap, tap. (tap fists)
Tap, a tap, a tap, tap.
Hear me pound, hear me pound!

Johnny Works With One Hammer

Johnny works with one hammer, one hammer, one hammer (tap fist to leg)
Johnny works with one hammer, then he works with two
Johnny works with two hammers…. (tap both fists to legs)
Johnny works with three hammers… (tap both fists to legs and stomp one foot)
Johnny works with four hammers… (tap both fists to legs and stomp both feet)
Johnny works with five hammers… (tap both fists to legs, stomp both feet and nod head)
And then he goes to sleep (snore)

Crafts and Activities

Coloring Page

Build a tool set with your little ones!

Additional Books

Drew the Screw by Mattia Cerato

The saw cuts, the hammer hits, and the drill makes holes; so Drew needs a job too.

Tools Rule by Aaron Meshon

In a messy yard, a team of tools gets organized, then spends a busy day building a shed.

Workshop by Andrew Clements

The dazzling cut-paper artistry of Caldecott medalist David Wisniewski combines with Andrew Clements’s free-verse celebration of woodworking tools to tell the story of a surprise in the making. The evocative description of each workshop tool-ruler, axe, saw, hammer, and the rest-is accompanied by a vivid, dramatically composed illustration showing how it is used in the step-by-step construction of an ornate, old-fashioned carousel. An eager young apprentice assists one craftsman after another as the project takes shape and is rewarded with a toolbox of his won. Young wood-working enthusiasts will enjoy the affectionate and knowledgeable portraits of familiar tools as well as an acclaimed artist’s vision of the magic simple tools can do.

Big Enough to Help, a Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood Book

 Dad Tiger is building a playhouse. Daniel wants to help, but he’s not big enough to use the grown-up tools yet. Daniel learns that there are lots of other things he can do to help. Everyone is big enough to do something. Little ones will love reading the story and then measuring how big they’re growing with the pull-out growth chart inside.

More Story Times

Storytime: March is for Eric Carle

Eric Carle is one of the most celebrated authors/illustrators in the world. His picture book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, has been translated into more than 66 languages and sold more than 50 million copies. He believes “that children are naturally creative and eager...

Storytime: February Something New Just for You

For the last storytime of each month, we will present books that are “new” to our library, and perhaps new to you! Here are four of our favorites with an activity to go with each one of them. Enjoy!Join us Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. or Tuesdays at 6:30...

Storytime: V is for Violins and Violins play Music

V is for Violins! The violin is a string instrument. It has a wooden body and four tight strings, the musical sounds come from the vibrations of those strings. Vibrations can be made by plucking the strings or using a bow. Not all instruments have strings but all of...

Storytime: V is for Valentine’s

V is for Valentine’s! Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate love, but that doesn’t mean it is all mushy stuff. It is just as important to celebrate the love shown to children from caring adults and between friends. You don’t have to celebrate with gifts, kind words...

Storytime: V is for Veggies

Is it a vegetable or a fruit? Either way, vegetables are delicious, healthy, and fun to talk about with your child. Try asking open-ended questions with her about her favorite vegetables, where they come from, and their differences and similarities in taste. Or...

Kid & Tween Activities February 2024

Story TimeJoin us in February for a world of imagination and learning at Story Time!  Preschool Story Time (ages 2-5): It’s all about the Letter V! Explore Veggies, Valentine’s Day, Violins, and Something NEW, Just For You! Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 10:30 AM and...

Storytime: D is for Disguise

Have you ever worn a disguise? Dressed up in a costume or worn a mask? Disguises can change what you look like or help you blend in with your environment. For people this means special clothes or maybe a mustache. But animals sometimes use disguises too, and we call...

Storytime: D is for Dirt

Let’s play in the dirt! Soil, mud, and yes, dirt can be a exploration canvas for your child as he engages in sensory experiences, discovers hidden treasures, and learns about the world underneath his feet. You can also create an indoor sensory experience with dirt...

Storytime: D is for Dinosaurs

Is your child a member of the dinosaur fan club? If not, check out some of these fantastic books and doing the activities at home. It’s great to talk about the many characteristic's of dinosaurs and what clues they left giving evidence of their existence.Join us...

Storytime: D is for Dance

Why dance? It’s fun, of course! But it also helps your child develop coordination, spatial sense, mental dexterity, social emotional skills, imagination, confidence and so much more! You can use music and dance at home to build these needed skills which will help...

Book Babies + Toddler Time: Construction Site

Book Babies + Toddler Time: Construction Site

Book Babies + Toddler Time: Construction Site

Having fun and learning in the construction zone!

Book Babies: Wednesday @ 9:45am in Community Room

Ages 0 – 10 months

Toddler Time: Monday & Tuesday @ 9:45am in Community Room

Ages 11 – 23 months

Welcome Songs

Here We Are Together

Here we are together, together, together! Oh, here we are together in our library. There’s (sing names)… Here we are together in our library!

Hello Everybody

Hello everybody let’s clap our hands*, clap our hands, clap our hands. Hello everybody let’s clap our hands today! *pat our head, stretch up high, wiggle our fingers, tickle our knees, kick our feet, bounce up high!

S, T, R, W, P

(Sing while pointing to each finger on your child’s hand.) Sing, talk, read, write, play! Sing, talk, read write, play! Sing, talk, read, write, play! Sing, talk, read, write, play each day!

Sing, Talk, Read, Write, Play

Tip: Singing to your children is very important, and it doesn’t matter if you sing in English or another language. In one scientific study, babies as young as one week could distinguish their mother’s voice from a group of other female voices. Children love being sung to by their parents, and such singing helps to trigger their speech development. So, sing aloud to your children at home in any language you like.

- Lambert

Activity

Create a “Favorites” or core nursery song list to sing with your child every day, then you can add other songs that match with books you like to read together.

Books Presented

Construction by Sally Sutton

Hoist the wood. Hoist the wood. Chain and hook and strap. Swing it round, then lower it down. Thonk! Clonk! Clap! Build the frame. Build the frame. Hammer all day long. Make the stairs and floors and walls. Bing! Bang! Bong!

Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker

As the sun sets behind the big construction site, all the hardworking trucks get ready to say goodnight. One by one, Crane Truck, Cement Mixer, Dump Truck, Bulldozer, and Excavator finish their work and lie down to rest—so they’ll be ready for another day of rough and tough construction play!

I'm Dirty by Kate and Jim McMullan

A busy backhoe loader describes all the items it hauls off a lot and all the fun it has getting dirty while doing so.

Five Trucks by Brian Floca

Five different trucks do five different jobs to get an airplane ready for takeoff.

Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays

Bumpity Bumpity Goes the Dump Truck

Bumpity, bumpity goes the dump truck
Bumpity, bumpity goes the dump truck
bBumpity, bumpity goes the dump truck
Dump out the load.

Dump Truck

Dump truck, dump truck
Bumping down the road,
bounce baby on lap
Spilling gravel with our heavy load!
rock baby back & forth on lap
Dump truck, dump truck
Bumping down the road,
bounce baby on lap
Spilling gravel,
rock baby back & forth on lap
And now it’s time to DUMP!
tip baby backward, or lift in air

Scoop and Dump

Tune to “Skip to My Lou”

Scoop! Goes ditch digger in the dirt.
(Bend low, raise arms high)
Scoop! Goes ditch digger in the dirt.
Scoop! Goes ditch digger in the dirt.
Scoop up all the dirt!
Reach up high with the crane.
(Cup hands, hold high)
Reach up high with the crane.
Reach up high with the crane.
Hold the dirt up high!
Dump the dirt into the truck.
(Reach high, drop hands to knees)
Dump the dirt into the truck.
Dump the dirt into the truck.
Haul it all away!

Hello Bubbles

Hello bubbles, hello bubbles
come and land, come and land
right in the middle, right in the middle
of my hand, of my hand.
Goodbye bubbles, goodbye bubbles
time to go, time to go
I will help you, I will help you
with a blow, with a blow.

Rainbows in My Bubbles

Tune to “She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain “

I’ve got rainbows in my bubbles, yes I do.
I’ve got rainbows in my bubbles, yes I so.
When I blow up towards the sun,
They have rainbows, every one.
I’ve got rainbows in my bubbles, yes I do

Baby Sign Language

“More”

“All Done”

Additional Books

Vroom, Vroom, Trucks! by Karen Katz

 

In this book “little ones can lift the flaps at the construction site to reveal bulldozers, dump trucks, and more things that build!”

Construction: a Lift the Flap Book by Roger Priddy

There’s a lot of building going on in Playtown! There is so much to explore, learn, and discover inside this busy, busy book – diggers are digging holes, materials are being delivered, and roads are being laid. On every page there are fun flaps to lift which tell children more about the picture above, and at the back of the book is a big page to fold out that reveals a bustling construction scene

Roadword by Sally Sutton

Rhyming text and illustrations show how a road is made, from planning to moving dirt, laying asphalt, putting up signs, and landscaping.

Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night? by Brianna Caplan Sayres

Discover what bedtime looks like for the snowplows, dump trucks, giant cranes, and more that dot the pages of this irresistible construction story. Just like you and me, the vehicles in this story get tuckered out after a long day of hard work and need to quiet down and settle in for sweet dreams. Young readers will surely identify as these trucks ask for one more story while their parents sing them a goodnight song and send them off to bed

More Book Babies

MARCH Book Babies + Toddler Time: Eric Carle

If you haven’t discovered the bold, colorful world of Eric Carle, you are in for a enchanting experience. “Eric Carle (1929-2021) was the creator of The Very Hungry Caterpillar. But that’s not the only reason why he received nearly 10,000 fan letters every year. Carle...

FEBRUARY Book Babies + Toddler Time: Music & Movement

Music and movement can improve a child’s mood and help to reduce stress all while stimulating the formation of important brain connections. So, sing those lullabies, dance in the kitchen, play an instrument, and sing a book with your baby each and every day! ​ ​ Book...

JANUARY Book Babies + Toddler Time: Dinosaurs

Dinosaurs, dinosaurs, we love you! We love the way you stomp! We love the way you chomp! We love the way you soar! And, we especially love the way you, ROAR! There are so many things to do with your budding dinosaur. ​Book Babies: Wednesday @ 9:30am in Community Room...

NOVEMBER Book Babies + Toddler Time: Under the Sea

Glub! Glub! Glub! went the slippery little fish! Children love “diving” under the sea and meeting all the different creatures who reside in the deep blue ocean. In addition to the activities listed below, try filling a large container with water, possibly tinting it...

OCTOBER Book Babies + Toddler Time: Opposites

Children love learning about the world around them, and using concept words with compare/contrast are a great way to help them see things differently. So, try talking about movement, textures, feelings, etc. with its conceptual opposite such as, “Look at the car...

SEPTEMBER Book Babies + Toddler Time: Farm Animals

Let’s go to the farm! Some of the first sounds a child will make are the sounds of an animal like a cow. You can help him make a sound/image association with a DIY flip-the-flap picture book. Using a small spiral notebook, paste pictures of animals on every other page...

September Kids & Tween Events

Story TimeJoin Miss Gina, Grace, and Marybeth for Preschool Story Time, Toddler Time, and Book Babies! For September, we will have fun with the letter F and farm animals! Preschool Story Time is for ages 2-5 and meets Tuesdays at 10:30 AM and 6:30 PM or Wednesdays at...

JULY Book Babies + Toddler Time: Friends Forever

Let’s make friends! Toddlers and infants, despite their stage of individual play, can begin the process of making friends. Babies observe facial expressions. Toddlers begin learning how to share. All of these stages lead to social and emotional growth, so have fun...

JUNE Book Babies + Toddler Time: Let’s Watch the Weather Together!

Watching the weather change with the seasons can be fun for baby and you! When getting ready in the morning, talk about the weather and why baby is wearing warm pants and boots or a cool sun shirt, shorts and sandals. You can also associate the seasons to colors such...

July Kid & Tween Activities

CHESS AND GAME CLUB Learn the art of chess and other games from the master of fun and strategy, Nick Allison. Game supplies will be provided. Every Monday from 4:30-5:30 P.M. in the Community Room For ages 9-184TH OF JULY CLOSURE The Library will be closed Tuesday,...

Storytime: Way Up High!

Storytime: Way Up High!

Storytime: Way Up High!

Look up in the sky – it’s a bird!

Join us Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. or Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room.

Ages 2-5

Sing, Talk, Read, Write, Play

Tip

When you’re talking with your preschooler, look for opportunities to use different words to help build his or her vocabulary. A large vocabulary is important for a child who is learning to read.

Activity

Play the “ask” game while talking with your preschooler. Ask lots of questions that don’t have a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer which allows them to use their vocabulary. Then try and find the words in their environment, on the computer, or in a book!

Books Presented

Birds by Kevin Henkes

Fascinated by the colors, shapes, sounds, and movements of the many different birds she sees through her window, a little girl is happy to discover that she and they have something in common.

Ten on a Twig by Lo Cole

Illustrations and an easy-to-read countdown rhyme follow ten birds that, one by one, fall off the twig on which they were sitting, but the last one finds a surprise waiting.

 

Up Tall and High by Ethan Long

In three laugh-out-loud situations, an irresistible cast of colorful birds illustrate the concepts of “up,” “tall” and “high.” First, a short peacock proves that he may not be tall, but he definitely isn’t small. Then, a resourceful bird helps his penguin friend find a way to fly. Finally, two birds want to live in the same tree, but what goes up must come down! Each short story features a flap that reveals a surprise twist.

Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays

There’s a Bird in This Egg

There’s a bird in this egg.
Hear it crack! Crack! Crack!
There’s a bird in this egg.
Hear it crack! Crack! Crack!
There’s a bird in this egg and it’s ready to come out.
There’s a bird in this egg.
Hear it crack!

There’s a Bird in the Air

There’s a bird in the air, in the air
There’s a bird in the air, in the air
There’s a bird in the air, now he’s flying in my hair

There’s a bird on my leg, on my leg
There’s a bird on my leg, on my leg
There’s a bird on my leg and he is pretty big

There’s a bird on my hand, on my hand
There’s a bird on my hand, on my hand
There’s a bird on my hand but now he is my friend

Birds are flying in the air
Flying here, flying there!
They are flying way up high in the sky.
Yellow* birds are in the air
Flying here, flying there!
Yellow* birds are way up high in the sky.

 

Scarf Song: Popcorn Kernels

Tune of Frere Jacques

Popcorn kernels (wave scarves overhead)
Popcorn kernels
In the pot (bunch scarves up in fists)
In the pot
Shake it, shake it, shake it (shake fists)
Shake it, shake it, shake it
Til they pop (throw scarves)
Til they pop

Bird in the Egg

Tune of Frere Jacques

Popcorn kernels (wave scarves overhead)
Popcorn kernels
In the pot (bunch scarves up in fists)
In the pot
Shake it, shake it, shake it (shake fists)
Shake it, shake it, shake it
Til they pop (throw scarves)
Til they pop

 

Crafts and Activities

Kid Made Bird Feeder

Click the below to find instructions for making your very own bird feeder!

Make these adorable birdie binoculars at home!

Additional Books

More Than Fluff by Madeline Valentine

Daisy the chick is cute, fluffy, soft, and tired of others hugging and petting her, so her mother suggests she tell them what she would prefer, such as a wing bump or a pinkie shake.

Mel Fell by Corey R Tabor

Follow Mel on her journey from downward fall to triumphant flight in this tale of self-confidence and taking a leap of faith.

All the Birds in the World by David Opie

Take a beautifully illustrated journey — with an adorable kiwi bird as your guide — through the vast and colorful world of birds, with its tapestry of textures, sounds, and sights.

Friends Stick Together by Hannah E Harrison

When a loud-mouthed tickbird lands on Mortimer the rhino’s nose and starts a symbiotic relationship, the reserved Mortimer is mortified, until he realizes they just might be the perfect pair.

More Story Times

Storytime: March is for Eric Carle

Eric Carle is one of the most celebrated authors/illustrators in the world. His picture book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, has been translated into more than 66 languages and sold more than 50 million copies. He believes “that children are naturally creative and eager...

Storytime: February Something New Just for You

For the last storytime of each month, we will present books that are “new” to our library, and perhaps new to you! Here are four of our favorites with an activity to go with each one of them. Enjoy!Join us Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. or Tuesdays at 6:30...

Storytime: V is for Violins and Violins play Music

V is for Violins! The violin is a string instrument. It has a wooden body and four tight strings, the musical sounds come from the vibrations of those strings. Vibrations can be made by plucking the strings or using a bow. Not all instruments have strings but all of...

Storytime: V is for Valentine’s

V is for Valentine’s! Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate love, but that doesn’t mean it is all mushy stuff. It is just as important to celebrate the love shown to children from caring adults and between friends. You don’t have to celebrate with gifts, kind words...

Storytime: V is for Veggies

Is it a vegetable or a fruit? Either way, vegetables are delicious, healthy, and fun to talk about with your child. Try asking open-ended questions with her about her favorite vegetables, where they come from, and their differences and similarities in taste. Or...

Kid & Tween Activities February 2024

Story TimeJoin us in February for a world of imagination and learning at Story Time!  Preschool Story Time (ages 2-5): It’s all about the Letter V! Explore Veggies, Valentine’s Day, Violins, and Something NEW, Just For You! Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 10:30 AM and...

Storytime: D is for Disguise

Have you ever worn a disguise? Dressed up in a costume or worn a mask? Disguises can change what you look like or help you blend in with your environment. For people this means special clothes or maybe a mustache. But animals sometimes use disguises too, and we call...

Storytime: D is for Dirt

Let’s play in the dirt! Soil, mud, and yes, dirt can be a exploration canvas for your child as he engages in sensory experiences, discovers hidden treasures, and learns about the world underneath his feet. You can also create an indoor sensory experience with dirt...

Storytime: D is for Dinosaurs

Is your child a member of the dinosaur fan club? If not, check out some of these fantastic books and doing the activities at home. It’s great to talk about the many characteristic's of dinosaurs and what clues they left giving evidence of their existence.Join us...

Storytime: D is for Dance

Why dance? It’s fun, of course! But it also helps your child develop coordination, spatial sense, mental dexterity, social emotional skills, imagination, confidence and so much more! You can use music and dance at home to build these needed skills which will help...

Storytime: Cool, Cool Water

Storytime: Cool, Cool Water

Storytime: Cool, Cool Water

When you talk with your child about the water, it’s also fun to show them concept terms of “over” and “under.” Ask them what lives over the water… like ducks and other water fowl. Then ask them what lives under the water… perhaps fish and tadpoles. Finally, it’s fun to talk about what lives over AND under the water!

Join us Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. or Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room.

Ages 2-5

Sing, Talk, Read, Write, Play

Tip

Have your preschooler tell you the story. By age 5, children can sit still for longer books and can create their own stories based on the pictures. Ask your preschooler to tell you the basic plot of the book or to make up stories based on what he sees on each page.

Activity

After you attend Storytime, talk with your child about what they enjoyed most. Then sing the songs that were presented. You can find the words and links on this blog post.

Books Presented

Over and Under the Pond by Kate Messner

Celebrates the forms of life that live above and under a pond, including turtles, red-winged blackbirds, blue herons, minnows, frogs, and catfish.

The Wide-Mouthed Frog by Keith Faulkner

From the Okefenokee Swamp comes a frog with a wide mouth that he just loves to use. He’s particularly interested in the eating habits of other creatures found in the great outdoors, from the blue-feathere bird to a furry brown mouse. Until one day, he meets a big green animal with lots of teeth who finds wide-mouthed frogs simply delicious.

 

There's a Hole in the Log on the Bottom of the Lake by Loren Long

Celebrates the forms of life that live above and under a pond, including turtles, red-winged blackbirds, blue herons, minnows, frogs, and catfish.

Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays

Five Green and Speckled Frogs

Five Green and Speckled Frogs
sat on a speckled log
Eating some most delicious bugs.
Yuuuuuuuuummmmmmmmm…yuuummm!

One jumped into the pool,
where it was nice and cool.
Then there were four green speckled frogs,
Glub glub.

Four green and speckled frogs…
Three green and speckled frogs…
Two green and speckled frogs…
One green and speckled frog…
…Then there were no green speckled frogs!
Glub glub, glub, glub

Row, Row, Row Your Boat

Row, row, row your boat
Gently on the pond
Merrily, merrily, merrily
This is so much fun!

PBS KIDS: Elinor Wonders Why – Pond Life 

Explore and learn about nature as you collect nature adventure tools to help all of Elinor’s friends!

Crafts and Activities

Coloring Page

Click the link below to find and print out an “Over and Under the Pond” coloring page

Have a party with this frog party blower craft!

Additional Books

In the Small, Small Pond by Denise Fleming

Illustrations and rhyming text describe the activities of animals living in and near a small pond as spring progresses to autumn.

Life in a Pond by Allan Fowler

The natural world comes alive for young readers with Rookie Read-About “RM” Science! With striking, full-color photos and just the right amount of text, this series immediately involves young readers as they discover intriguing facts about the fascinating world around them.

I'm a Duck by Eve Bunting

One day, an egg rolled out of a nest and right into a deep pond. Now that egg is a little duck, and the water is still very scary. Jumping into the pond at all seems impossible, never mind swimming in a line with all his brothers. “You’re a duck, and ducks don’t sink,” Big Frog points out. Practicing in a puddle helps a little, while backrubs and snacks from his mother help a little more. Big Frog offers to hold his friend’s wing and dive in together, but our little duck knows that some challenges need to be faced alone. Even when they are very scary!

Ducks on the Road: A Counting Adventure by Anita Lobel

Ten little ducks go for a walk with their parents but one by one, they get distracted and go off on their own adventures, meeting new friends along the way

More Story Times

Storytime: March is for Eric Carle

Eric Carle is one of the most celebrated authors/illustrators in the world. His picture book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, has been translated into more than 66 languages and sold more than 50 million copies. He believes “that children are naturally creative and eager...

Storytime: February Something New Just for You

For the last storytime of each month, we will present books that are “new” to our library, and perhaps new to you! Here are four of our favorites with an activity to go with each one of them. Enjoy!Join us Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. or Tuesdays at 6:30...

Storytime: V is for Violins and Violins play Music

V is for Violins! The violin is a string instrument. It has a wooden body and four tight strings, the musical sounds come from the vibrations of those strings. Vibrations can be made by plucking the strings or using a bow. Not all instruments have strings but all of...

Storytime: V is for Valentine’s

V is for Valentine’s! Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate love, but that doesn’t mean it is all mushy stuff. It is just as important to celebrate the love shown to children from caring adults and between friends. You don’t have to celebrate with gifts, kind words...

Storytime: V is for Veggies

Is it a vegetable or a fruit? Either way, vegetables are delicious, healthy, and fun to talk about with your child. Try asking open-ended questions with her about her favorite vegetables, where they come from, and their differences and similarities in taste. Or...

Kid & Tween Activities February 2024

Story TimeJoin us in February for a world of imagination and learning at Story Time!  Preschool Story Time (ages 2-5): It’s all about the Letter V! Explore Veggies, Valentine’s Day, Violins, and Something NEW, Just For You! Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 10:30 AM and...

Storytime: D is for Disguise

Have you ever worn a disguise? Dressed up in a costume or worn a mask? Disguises can change what you look like or help you blend in with your environment. For people this means special clothes or maybe a mustache. But animals sometimes use disguises too, and we call...

Storytime: D is for Dirt

Let’s play in the dirt! Soil, mud, and yes, dirt can be a exploration canvas for your child as he engages in sensory experiences, discovers hidden treasures, and learns about the world underneath his feet. You can also create an indoor sensory experience with dirt...

Storytime: D is for Dinosaurs

Is your child a member of the dinosaur fan club? If not, check out some of these fantastic books and doing the activities at home. It’s great to talk about the many characteristic's of dinosaurs and what clues they left giving evidence of their existence.Join us...

Storytime: D is for Dance

Why dance? It’s fun, of course! But it also helps your child develop coordination, spatial sense, mental dexterity, social emotional skills, imagination, confidence and so much more! You can use music and dance at home to build these needed skills which will help...

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