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!