Happy New Year!

Hey Kids! Take a trip to your local library before or after New Years and pick up a book to celebrate the New Year and the end of vacation. Moms and Dads - pick out a family movie in the media section or share stories with your children. Reading aloud is great for developing literacy skills and promoting family togetherness. To all families, Happy New Year and we will see you in 2008!!

http://www.skinbase.org/files/archive/shots/271/Happy_New_Year_by_clwoods.jpg

Baby Storytime Rhymes

Here is a sampling of some of the rhymes we have sang:

Baa, baa, Black sheep, have you any wool?
Yes, sir, yes, sir, three bags full.
One for my master and one for my dame,
And one for the little boy who lives down the lane.

Gat goon went the little green frog one day,
Gat goon went the little green frog,
Gat goon went the little green frog one day,
And his eyes went gat, gat goon.

Eye winker (place right index finger next to right eye)
Tom Tinker,
(Place left index finger next to left eye)
Nose smeller,
(Place finger on nose)
Mouth eater,
(Place finger on lip.)
Chin chopper, chin chopper, chin chopper,
(Place finger on chin.)
Guzzle whopper!
(Give child a big tickle in the tummy.)

http://www.jamesriverpark.org/images/wildlife_herps_greenfrog.jpg

Happy Holidays to all our families at LBPL!

To you and your kin, we here in the Children's Department at the Long Beach Public Library, wish you Happy Holidays!

Here's a little dance to do at home:

The Reindeer Pokey:

You put your antlers in, you put your antlers out,

You put your antlers in, and you shake them all about,

You do the reindeer pokey and you turn yourself around,

That's what it's all about!

You put your hooves in...

You put your red nose in...

You put your fluffy tail in...

You put your reindeer body in...

You do the reindeer pokey and you turn yourself around,

That's what it's all about!

In our toddler group we sang:
Dashing through the snow,

In a one horse open sleigh,

O'er the fields we go,
Laughing all the way.
Bells on bobtail ring,
Making spirits bright,
What fun it is to ride and sing the sleighing song tonight! Oh!

Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way.
Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh, hey!

Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way.
Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh!

Circus Storytime

We read, Little Monkey Says Good Night by Ann Whitford Paul, Carousel by Donald Crews, and Spot Goes to the Circus by Eric Hill.






We sang:


(To the Tune of "I'm a little teapot"


I'm a little clown, short and fat.

Here is my tummy,

(rub tummy)

Here is my hat.

(touch head)

I can do a trick as you will see,

Just turn around and look at me.

(turn around, point, take a bow).


We did the body motions to this song:


Five circus elephants waiting near the door.
One jumps through a hoop, (jump in place)

And now there are four.


Four circus elephants looking up to see.

One walks around the ring, (walk in place)

And now there are three.


Three circus elephants waiting for their cue.

One dances to a song, (dance in place)

And now there are two.


Two circus elephants looking for some fun.

One bounced a yellow ball, (bouncing motion)

And now there is one.


One circus elephant standing all alone.

He waved his trunk to say good-bye, (wave arm side to side in front of body)

And slowly walked home. (walk in circle).






http://lilteacher72.bravehost.com/myPictures/Circus-elephant.gif

New Baby Storytime at Main

Come on down - Moms and Dads, Grandparents and caregivers and bring your babies, ages 3 months to 18 months for rhymes, songs, fingerplays and stories at the Main Library on Thursdays at 2 o'clock. Babies can play with toys and parents and caregivers can share stories with them. We would love to see you here at the Long Beach Public Library. For more information, call (562) 570-7500.

Babies Themed Storytime for Toddlers

We read Baby Rock, Baby Roll by Stella Blackstone; Babies on the Go by Linda Ashman; Whose Baby Am I? by John Butler.

We sang:

Rock-a-bye baby,
On the tree-top,
When the wind blows,
The cradle will rock;
When the bow breaks,
The cradle will fall,
And down will come baby,
Cradle and all.

Flannel – Hush little baby,
Don’t say a word
Papa’s gonna buy you a mockingbird.
If that mockingbird won’t sing,
Papa’s gonna buy you a diamond ring.

If that diamond ring turns brass,
Papa’s gonna buy you a looking glass.
If that looking glass gets broke,
Papa’s gonna buy you a billy goat.

If that billy goat won’t pull,
Papa’s gonna buy you a cart and bull.
If that cart and bull turn over,
Papa’s gonna buy you a dog named Rover.

If that dog named Rover won’t bark,
Papa’s gonna buy you a horse and cart.
If that horse and cart fall down,
You’ll still be the sweetest baby in town.

We rhymed and fingerplayed:

Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker’s man,
Bake me a cake as fast as you can.
Pat it and prick it and mark it with a “B”
And put it in the oven for Baby and me.

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all of the Long Beach Public Library patrons and their families! We hope you have a wonderful and enjoyable holiday.

(The library will be closed on Thanksgiving and the day after Thanksgiving, as well).

http://www.kardwell.com/images/thanksgiving.jpg

This Month is Native American Month

Come down to your local library and pick up a book about Native American tribes and their customs. It is fascinating to know that the people who lived here before most others settled here, were Native Americans. This month, we celebrate their heritage.

For more information on Native Americans, check out http://www.nativeamericans.com/. It has listings of tribes and information about them. You can also do google searches for tribes you are interested in learning about. Many of these have websites for their groups with more information.

Children's Book Week - RISE UP READING

Children's Book Week is taking place now between November 12-18, 2007. For more information, visit: http://www.cbcbooks.org/cbw/

Let's get involved with reading kids! Pick up a book at your local library for FREE! Any book - you decide - let's RISE UP READING!

Here are some suggestions from LBPL book news: http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/users/lbpl/web/nl_12.html

Libraries and Books Storytime

It's fun to come to the library to read books, but also to come to programs such as storytime, movie time, craft time, to get homework help, or to use the computer to surf the World Wide Web.

At our Toddler Time, we sang:

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,

Turn Around.

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,

Touch the Ground.

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,

Show Your Shoe.

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,

I love you!

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,

Take a Look.

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,

Read a Book.

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear

Work and Play.

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,

Have a Wonderful Day!

To the tune of row, row, row your boat:

Read, read, read a book,

Travel anywhere,

Worldwide, you decide,

A book will take you there.

Read, read, read a book,

Beginning to the end,

What a way to spend the day,

A book's a special friend!

Fingerplay:

Here is my book (put hands in shape of book with palms facing to yourself)

I open it wide (open hands in and out)

To see all the pictures,

that are inside.

We read Lola at the Library by Anna McQuinn and Rosalind Beardshaw; and Book! Book! Book! by Deboarah Bruss

http://www.dorsetforyou.com/media/images/f/0/OpenBookRGB450.jpg

Star Storytime

Don't we just love to look at those twinkling stars? Did you know that our sun is a star? Here are the poems we recited, songs we sang, and books we read at STAR storytime.

Poems:

Star light, star bright,

first star I see tonight,

I wish I may, I wish I might

Have the wish I wish tonight

Higher than a house,

Higher than a tree,

Oh whatever can that be?

* * *

A star!

We sang:

Twinkle, twinkle little star,

How I wonder what you are,

Up above the world so high,

Like a diamond in the sky,

Twinkle, twinkle little star,

How I wonder what you are.

When the blazing sun is set,

And the grass with dew is wet,

Then you show your little light,

Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.

We put flannel stars on the flannel board.

We read Star Climbing by Lou Fancher; and Stars! Stars! Stars! by Bob Barner

http://www.le.ac.uk/ph/faulkes/web/images/stars.jpg

Halloween Storytime Songs

The pumpkin tells,

The pumpkin tells,

What you're gonna be...

The pumpkin tells,

The pumpkin tells,

Please listen carefully...

(Same tune for all below)

Ghost - ooh ooh ooh ooh

Witch - hee hee hee hee

Skeleton - clack clack clack clackity clack

Monster - urgh urgh urgh urgh

Super hero - zoom zoom zoom zoom

Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate

The first one says, "Oh my it's getting late,"

The second one says, "There are witches in the air,"

The third one says, "But we don't care,"

The fourth one says, "Let's run and run and run,"

The fifth one says, "I'm ready for some fun."

http://www.rosiespitutorials.com/piimages2/witch10.jpg

Fun and educational website for kids

http://www.pbskids.org is a great site with games and activities associated with the Public Broadcasting System.

COOL CRAFTERS

Main Library has a Cool Crafters program every 3rd Saturday of the month from 2-3 p.m. All ages welcome. Come to the children's section to make fun and interesting crafts.

HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS AT YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY

http://www.bulatlat.com/images/4-39/jack-o-lanterns_2.jpg

BOO! Happy Halloween kids and families! Here's some events happening at your local library for Halloween:

Brewitt Neighborhood Library

Halloween Flashlight Storytime and Costume Party on Thursday, October 25 at 5:30 for children grades K-5...spooky stories by flashlight and crafts to follow

El Dorado Neighborhood Library

Storytimes on Thursday, October 25 and Friday, October 26 at 10-11 a.m. Wear a costume if you want to and join storytime read by "The Tae Kwon Do Tweedt".

Main Library

Special Halloween Toddler Storytime on Thursday, October 25 at 10:45 a.m.

Scary stories for Halloween Family Storytime on Thursday, October 25 at 7 p.m.

Trick for Treats on Halloween Night from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Los Altos Neighborhood Library

Preschoolers are dressing up and trick or treating this Friday, October 26. Creepy carnival for school age kids on Tuesday, October 30.

Mark Twain Neighborhood Library

Halloween crafts from 1-3 on Saturday, October 27 in the community room.

North Neighborhood Library

Halloween Crafts after Twisted Tuesdays program for grades 1-6 on Tuesday, October 30th.

OCEAN STORYTIME for TODDLERS

We read Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister and Somewhere in the Ocean by Jennifer Ward.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/10/images/051007_robot_fish.jpg

We sang:

Little fish,

little fish,

swimming, swimming, swimming

Little fish,

little fish,

gulp, gulp, gulp

Oh no! The little fish got eaten by a...

Barracuda,

Barracuda,

swimming, swimming, swimming

Barracuda,

Barracuda,

gulp, gulp, gulp

Oh no! The barracuda got eaten by a

Big shark,

big shark,

swimming, swimming, swimming

Big shark,

big shark

gulp, gulp, gulp

Oh no! The big shark got eaten by a

FAT Whale,

FAT Whale,

swimming, swimming, swimming

FAT Whale,

FAT Whale,

BURP! Oh no! The fat whale ate all the fish!

We played instruments and danced at the end of storytime!

Feelings Storytime 10/11/07

We sang:

Old MacDonald Felt So Glad

Ha ha ha ha ha'

With a ha ha ha

and a ho ho ho

Hee hee Ha Ha

Old Macdonald Felt So Glad

Ha ha ha ha ha!

Grumpy - No no no no no!

Sad - Boo hoo hoo hoo hoo!

Silly - Nah nah nah nah nah

Shy - Whisper whisper whisper low

Here's some variations of "If You're Happy and You Know It"

If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands

Jump up high

Shout ya hoo

Blow a kiss

Sad - boo hoo

Silly - shake your head

Grumpy - stamp your feet

Scared - hide your eyes

We read: Shy Charles by Rosemary Wells, I Love It When You Smile by Sam McBratney, and Goldie is Mad by Margie Palatini.

http://bighappyfaces.com/happy-face_happyface_smiley_800x800.gif

Hey Kids! Check out our TumbleBook Library

TumbleBook Library is an online collection of animated talking picture books which teach young children the joys of reading in a format they'll love. Colorful and fun!

To parents: I've tried this storybook computer collection reading with my son at home since he was 3 years old. It's really great to sit with your child and listen to an interactive book. Older children can do this on their own and it's very entertaining!

You can find our TumbleBook Library by going to http://www.lbpl.org/ and clicking on the link for kids. You will find the tumblebook library under the link that says: just for kids. Or just click this link: http://www.lbpl.org/kids/just_for_kids.asp.

Have fun!

Bath Storytime

http://artfiles.art.com/images/-/Leighann-Hill/Rub-a-Dub-Dub-Poster-C12202773.jpeg

Often times, our little ones just don't like taking a bath. Here are some songs we sang at storytime, to make bathtime fun.

We sang:

This is the way we wash our hands

Wash our hands, wash our hands

This is the way we wash our hands

So early in the morning.

This is the way we wash our feet,

Wash our feet, wash our feet

This is the way we wash our feet

So early in the morning.

This is the way we wash our face...

This is the way we brush our teeth...

This is the way we scrub our tummy...

So early in the morning!

To the tune of Row, row, row your boat:

Wash, wash, wash your hands

after work and play

scrub, rinse, shake them dry,

Keep the germs away!

Here's a good book: Dad's Car Wash by Harry A. Sutherland.

Another good one: Dirt Boy by Slangerup, Erik Jon.

Family Storytime

New storytime on Thursday nights at 7:00 p.m. at the Main Library Story Theatre @
101 Pacific Avenue 562-570-7500

Songs, stories, puppets and more - FUN for the whole family! All ages are welcome. Children under age 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

Also, there will be a special Scary Stories for Halloween Family Storytime on October 25, 2007. More information to come in this blog!

Autumn is Here!

For Toddler Autumn Storytime on Thursday 9/27/07, we sang, I'm a Little Teapot:

(Stand to sing)

I'm a Little Teapot

Short and Stout

Here is my handle (put one hand on hip)

Here is my spout (put arm out forming spout)

When I get all steamed up, here me shout!

Tip me over and pour me out! (Lean over toward arm that forms "the spout")

We also read books, Fall Leaves Fall by Zoe Hall, and Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert.

We read from a big book of Seasons and Weather published by Lakeshore Learning Materials and Written and Illustrated by Christine Corona about the Fall Season:

In the Fall

(To the tune of "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean")

September, October, November --

I like these three months best of all!

The leaves on the trees all turn golden,

And that's how I know it is fall.

Apples, pumpkins,

Turkey and stuffing to eat, to eat!

School and football

And crunchy leaves under my feet!

Banned Books Week

This week is Banned Books Week. We pay tribute to and recognize works and authors whose work has been banned or challenged. We also celebrate the freedom to read.

Please see the website http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/bannedbooksweek.htm for more information on banned book week for a list of titles.

Here are a few children's books that have been placed on the list:

How To Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

The Harry Potter Series (check out the new one: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling)

In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak

and Where's Waldo by Martin Handford

Children All Over the World Storytime 9/20/07

We are all individuals, but at the same time many of us are much alike all over the world! Today we explored this idea with our toddlers.

We read, All Kinds of Children by Norma Simon, Hello World: Greetings in 42 Languages Around the Globe by Manya Stoji, and My Nose, Your Nose by Melanie Walsh

http://www.littlefolkspuzzle.com/catalog/2866CHILDRENAROUNDTHEWORLD.jpg

We sang to the tune of (Do Your Ears Hang Low?)

Can you wiggle like a worm?

Can you squiggle?

Can you squirm?

Can you flutter? Can you fly like a gentle butterfly?

Can you crawl upon the ground

Like a beetle that is round?

Can you move with me?

Can you flip?

Can you flop?

Can you give a little hop?

Can you slither like a snake?

Can you give a little shake?

Can you dance like a bee

Who is buzzing round a tree?

Can you move with me?

Bird Storytime 9/13/07

http://www.brianwhelan.co.uk/images/earth/Sing-a-Song-of-Sixpence-l.jpg

We read, Ollie, by Olivier Dunrea, Silly Little Goose by Tafuri, and Are You My Mother? by Eastman.

sang Six Little Ducks:

Six little ducks

that I once knew

(hold up two hands, palms out, six fingers extended)

Fat ducks, skinny ducks,

fair ducks too.

(wiggle fingers)

But the one little duck

with a feather on his back

(hold up one finger)

He led the others with

a Quack, Quack, Quack

(hold up two hands, six fingers extended - with one finger leading the other hand)...

We used the flannel board mother goose rhyme:

Sing a song of sixpence,

A pocket full of rye;

Four and twenty blackbirds

All baked in a pie.

When the pie was opened,

The birds began to sing;

Wasn't that a dainty dish

To set before the King?

The King was in his counting-house,

Counting out his money;

The Queen was in the parlor

Eating bread and honey.

The maid was in the garden

Hanging out the clothes;

When down came a blackbird,

And snipped off her nose!

(But there came a jenny-wren and popped it on again)

Hispanic Heritage Month

In September, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. We honor authors, poets, political figures, teachers, scientists, athletes, and other Latino's who contribute to our society.

Hey kids! Check out this site with games and of other information about Hispanic and Latino History and famous Latinos: http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/hispanic/

Also, take a look at this picture book by award winning author Gary Soto. Here is his official website which talks about other books he has written: http://www.garysoto.com/

We sang "The Farmer in the Dell" this week

Here's a photo of the flannel board pieces from "The farmer in the dell." During storytime the children help to put flannel pieces on the board.


photo of flannel pieces made from illustrations by Mary Maki Rae in The Farmer in the Dell: A Singing Game. Viking, 1988.


Check out the words and music at http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/lyrics/farmer.htm

Come out all toddlers to Main Library!

and meet Willy the Duck at storytime. He dances and sings for the toddlers at the end of storytime!

School Storytime

Last week our preschoolers and toddlers prepared for school with school songs.






We sang songs like Mary Had a Little Lamb using flannel board pieces. The flannel board looks something like the photo to the right with Mary and her lamb, the school house, the teacher and the lamb, and the children at school laughing and playing.





Find the song lyrics and tune at:




http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/lyrics/mary.htm

Ever been in need of a dictionary or thesaurus?

Come by your local library in Long Beach and ask a reference librarian for a dictionary or thesaurus which suits your grade level; or, sign up to use one of the library's internet computers with your library card and check out dictionary.com or thesaurus.com.

Great Site for Elementary Kids

Check it out:

http://www.worldbookonline.com/wb/Students



This site is fun and interactive and offers trivia quizzes and science fair project ideas. This might be helpful or fun AFTER you've finished your homework.

School is starting this week...

For Long Beach Unified School District on September 5, for most schools. Come check out our book displays of school books, Hispanic heritage books, and books similar to the Harry Potter series. Also, we have book reading lists for grades K through 8, as well as great books to read aloud with your parents or as a family for preschool through grade 8.

Enjoy!

Food for Thought Program

Food for Thought Reading Club, sponsored by In-N-Out Burger, October 13-November 24, is an at-home reading club. Just come to any Long Beach Public Library to get your reading log and start reading at home. The prize is a free hamburger from In-N-Out Burger :)

What is the FLC?

FLC stands for the Family Learning Center, which we have at all Long Beach Public Library Locations. Check out a description at http://www.lbpl.org/kids/learning_centers/default.asp The FLC, according to homework helper Jonathan Chhiv, "offers a place for students to come and do their homework. They have access to various types of resources - books, Internet, encyclopedias - and also direct one-on-one help from the homework helpers." In addition, parents are welcome to use the FLC to do job searches or get resume help. During the school year, the hours of the FLC at Main Library are:
Mondays 1pm-6pm
Tuesdays 1pm-8pm
Wednesdays 1pm-6pm
Thursdays 1pm-8pm
Fridays 1pm-5pm
Saturdays 10am-5pm
Sundays 12noon-5pm

Stop by during these times for extra help on a homework assignment. As homework helper Jackie Lopez reports, "The FLC is the doorway to knowledge and it's up to you, if you want to come in and explore the infinite possibilities."

Our Earth Storytime

Recently, we had a toddler storytime devoted to our earth. We had a fingerplay where we took seeds in our hands and grew into a plant. We read books and sang songs about our world. One of these was a book called Whole World by Christopher Corr and Fred Penner. This book comes with a CD and the song goes something like this:

We've got the whole world in our hands,
We've got the whole world in our hands,
We've got the whole world in our hands,
We've got the whole world in our hands!

She's got the sun and the moon in her hands,
She's got the sun and the moon in her hands,
She's got the sun and the moon in her hands,
She's got the whole world in her hands!

He's got the mountains and the valleys in his hands,
He's got the mountains and the valleys in his hands,
He's got the mountains and the valleys in his hands,
He's got the whole world in his hands!

The children and parents had lots of fun singing this song and dancing at the end of storytime! Come out and join the fun!

Check out one of our branches...El Dorado Branch!

Don't forget, we have great programs at the branches, as well. For example, El Dorado Neighborhood Library, located at 2900 Studebaker Rd. has the following events for kids:

Preschool storytime, Thursdays and Fridays, September 20-November 16 from 10-11 a.m.

Mother/Daughter book club - September 15 - reading The Ruins of Gorlan, October 20 - reading Stargirl, November 10 - reading Matilda Bone, 3:30 p.m.

Welcome to the Long Beach Public Library Kids Blog!

Welcome to the Long Beach Public Library Kids Blog!

Hello, and welcome to this new blog for kids and families at the Long Beach Public Library! I am a children's librarian at Main and will be happy to share with you many things about our library with this blog. We hope that children and families visit the blog often to see what is happening for kids at the library in this ongoing format. Yay!

First, to our customer parents and caregivers - we want to tell you about the storytimes and activities happening at the Main Library, located at 101 Pacific Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90822.
We have Toddler Time on Thursdays at 10:45 a.m. Please come out and have fun with our group, ages 3 months to 3 years. We have stories, songs, puppets, toys, puzzles, and games to introduce toddlers and their caregivers to the library.
On Friday, we have Pre-School Storytime at 10:45 a.m. for ages 3-5 years. The librarian gives a wonderful storytime which promotes reading readiness, reading for pleasure, and library use. She includes interactive stories, flannelboard fun, songs, and fingerplays which encourage familiarity with letters and numbers, vocabulary, word play skills, attention span skills and listening skills. A craft takes place after preschool storytime.
These storytimes are a great way for kids to interact with a librarian, with their parents, and especially with other children their own age.

Come to the Main Library on Saturdays at 11 a.m. for an hour of Movies and Storytelling with the children's librarian - for all ages. Every other Saturday in the afternoon, a bookworm buddy reads to our young patrons at 2:00 p.m.