Storytime: Library Fun!

Last week was the start of our fall story time session.  I usually get some new kids at story time and with September being Library Card Sign-Up Month, I thought a library-themed story time would be fun to introduce kids to the public library and the joy of reading.  Here is what I did.

BOOKS:



Maisy Goes to the Library by Lucy Cousins
Dinosaur vs. the Library by Bob Shea
Book! Book! Book! by Deborah Bruss
The Midnight Library by Kazuno Kohara
Dog Loves Books by Louise Yates

RHYMES & SONGS:

Here is My Book

Here is my book.
(hold hands together and open them up like a book)
I open it wide,
To see all the pictures that are inside.
I read the pages
(pretend to flip through the book)
To friends of different ages.
I set the book in my lap,
(pretend to place book down)
And then I take a nap.

Source: King County Library System

"If You're Happy and You Know It"

If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands.
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands.
If you're happy and you know it, and you really want to show it,
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands.
If you're happy and you know it, read a book.
If you're happy and you know it, read a book.
If you're happy and you know it, and you really want to show it,
If you're happy and you know it, read a book.

CRAFT: Make Your Own Book

This craft can easily be adapted for different age groups.  All you need is construction paper (or cardstock) for the book cover, copier paper for the pages of the book, and something to attach the book together - either a stapler or hole punch with ribbon or string.  And of course, you'll need craft supplies to decorate your book.  For my preschoolers, I kept this really simple and used an Ellison die cut to make our books.  We have an open book shape, and it made the perfect little book for them.  I gave the kids crayons and stickers in which to decorate it, and then had a blast decorating each page with stickers.  Have I mentioned that kids love stickers?

Review: The Midnight Library by Kazuno Kohara

The Midnight Library

By Kazuno Kohara

Roaring Brook Press, 2014

ISBN: 978-1-59643-985-6

This is a story about a library that opens only at night.  A little librarian works there with three assistant owls, helping animals find the perfect book.  It's a quiet library, except when a band of squirrels decided to play their music.  Thankfully, the little librarian showed them the activity room, where they could play their music without disturbing everyone.  Then, the little librarian had to deal with rain in the library!  It turns out it was just wolf crying so much because her book was sad.  The little librarian took her to the story time room where they read a happy book.  When the sun came up, it was time for the library to close.  There is always a straggler, and tortoise didn't want to leave because he hadn't finished his book.  Being a good librarian, the little librarian signed tortoise up for a library card, checked out his book to him, and he left very happy.  After closing the library, the little librarian and her three owls read a bedtime story just perfect for drifting off to sleep.

This book is wonderful, and I'm not just saying that because it's about a library and librarian (although, it does give this book high bonus points, in my humble opinion).  The story is cute, and would work great in a number of story time themes (library/books, nighttime/bedtime, or animals).  What really makes this book distinctive are the illustrations.  I'm a big fan of Kazuno Kohara and read her book Ghosts in the House! every year at my library Halloween Party.  Her illustrations employ a delightful color palette, which enrich the story and represent the midnight setting perfectly.  From the goldenrod color of the animals and background, to the dark blue for the books and sky, to the bold black outlines, they blend together beautifully.  A cozy story, The Midnight Library is a great pick to share with your little ones.