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.

Toddler Storytime: Pets

This is a versatile theme for storytime, because there are so many picture books about animals.  The obvious choices are cats or dogs, but you could include books about fish, snakes, hamsters, and the list goes on!  Here is what I did:

BOOK:  What Pet to Get? by Emma Dodd
Jack would like a pet and his mother said yes, but what should they get?  Jack has several suggestions, from an elephant to a Tyranasaurus Rex, but mom explains why each of these animals would be impractical.  This is a funny book, and I love the illustrations.


RHYME:  I Went to the Pet Store
I used puppets and had the kids "guess" the animal based on the rhyme.  You could also make the animals out of felt and use on a flannelboard.

I went to the pet store and made a special wish.
The pet that I wanted was a very special (fish)!

I went to the pet store, I went there at a jog,
To get a pet with a wagging tail, it was a little (dog)!

I went to the pet store, it had become a habit.
The pet I wanted now was a soft, white, fluffy (rabbit)!

I went to the pet store, I'm sure this sounds absurd,
But the pet I wanted was a colorful flying (bird)!

I went to the pet store, it was no mistake.
What I really wanted now was a hissing green (snake)!

(Source: Storytime Magic by Kathy MacMillan.  Chicago: American Library Association, 2009)

SONG:  "The Goldfish" by Laurie Berkner (from The Best of the Laurie Berkner Band)
This interactive song is so much fun!  Kids get to act out swimming like fish and other activities like riding a bike and taking a nap.  My toddler group loves to play with the musical instruments, so I usually put a bunch out when we dance to songs.


BOOK:  A Kitten Tale by Eric Rohmann
Four kittens have never seen winter or snow, and three of them are worried they won't like it, but their sibling can't wait to experience it.  The kittens watch out the window as the seasons change and snow finally arrives.  The three kittens watch as the fourth kitten has so much fun in the snow that they all decide to go out and enjoy it.  This is a really cute story.


FLANNEL STORY:  Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
A child writes to the zoo asking for a pet.  The zoo sends a different animal, but there is something wrong with each one, so it gets sent back, until the perfect one arrives.  The template for this story is available at Kizclub.  I didn't have time to make it out of felt, so I printed out the images, laminated them, cut them out, and attached a magnet to each piece.  Voila!  Instant story on a board.


FLANNEL STORY:  Dog's Colorful Day by Emma Dodd
This is a great story to share because it incorporates colors, counting and a dog!  I did make this out of felt and it was very easy because there aren't a lot of pieces.  The template is from Storytime Magic by Kathy MacMillan and is available online.


CRAFT:  Tabby Cat
I found this craft idea from The Mailbox, a magazine for teachers our library subscribes to.  They have some easy and fun ideas for things to do in the classroom.  This was a great craft for toddlers because it didn't involve a lot of steps, just folding paper, tearing paper, gluing and coloring.

Toddler Storytime: Zany Zoo Animals!

In my experience, nothing grabs the attention of toddlers like animals!  With that in mind, I thought it would be fun to focus on zoo animals.  Plus, I have a lot of animal puppets that I haven't used in a while, so it was a perfect theme!

OPENING SONG:  "We're All Here for Storytime"
(sung to the tune of "London Bridges")

We're all here for storytime,
Storytime, storytime.  (Children slap thighs to the beat.)
We're all here for storytime,
Let's get ready.
Can you turn your ears up high,  (Turn earlobe upward.)
Ears up high, ears up high?
Can you turn your ears up high
So you can hear?  (Point to children, then ears.)
Can you turn your mouth down low,  (Pretend to button lips.)
Mouth down low, mouth down low?
Can you turn your mouth down low?
Now let's read!  (Fold hands in lap.)

Source:  Simply Super Storytimes: Programming Ideas for Ages 3-6 by Marie Castellano. UpstartBooks, 2003.


FINGERPLAY:  Open Them, Shut Them
(begin by holding up ten fingers)

Open them, shut them,  (Open and close fists.)
Open them, shut them,  (Open and close again.)
Give them a little clap.  (Clap hands.)
Open them, shut them,
Open them, shut them,
Put them in your lap.  (Fold hands together and place in lap.)
Creep them, creep them,  (Creep fingers up to your mouth.)
Creep them, creep them,
Right up to your chin,
Open up your mouth,
But don't put them in!  (Shake head.)
Open them, shut them,
Open them, shut them,
Give them a little clap.
Open them, shut them,
Open them, shut them,
And put them in your lap.  (Place hands in lap.)

FINGERPLAY:  The Brown Kangaroo
I used a kangaroo puppet to demonstrate this rhyme, but fingers work well, too!

The brown kangaroo is very funny,
She leaps and runs and hops like a bunny.  (Hold two fingers up; hop like bunny.)
And on her stomach is a pocket so wide,  (Place other hand on stomach.)
Her baby can jump in and go for a ride.  (First hand jumps into pocket.)

Source:  I'm a Little Teapot!  Presenting Preschool Storytime by Jane Cobb.  Black Sheep Press, 1996.

BOOK:  The Seals on the Bus by Lenny Hort; illustrated by G. Brian Karas.
This book is a hoot to read - er, sing - aloud!  A take on the song "The Wheels on the Bus," I encouraged all the adults to sing along.  I asked the kids if they knew what each animal was and what kind of noise it made.  The toddlers loved it!

SONG:  "Shake My Sillies Out"  (From the album More Singable Songs by Raffi.)
At this point, the toddlers are wiggly and I get them up on their feet to move around.  This song is one of my favorites and I handed out shaker eggs to everyone to make even more noise!  This is a storytime staple of mine.

FELT BOARD RHYME:  Five Elephants in the Bathtub
Artfelt makes a beautiful finger puppet set for this rhyme, and I purchased it for my library.  Again, fingers work great for this one!

One elephant in a bathtub going for a swim.  (Hold up one finger.)
Knock, knock - splash, splash - come on in!
(Clap twice with "knock, knock;" slap thighs twice with "splash, splash;" motion with both hands to "come on in.")
Two elephants....etc.
Three elephants...etc.
Four elephants...etc.
Five elephants in a bathtub going for a swim.
Knock, knock - splash, splash - it all fell in!  (Knock elephants and tub off the board.)

BOOK:  From Head to Toe by Eric Carle
This book encourages toddlers to move their bodies just like the zoo animals!  Eric Carle is always a winner at storytime and the simple text and bright illustrations make this a great choice for toddlers.

FINGERPLAY:  Mr. Crocodile and the Five Little Monkeys
I have a glove puppet set for this rhyme that I purchased from Lakeshore Learning (see, I told you I have a lot of animal puppets).

Five little monkeys swinging in a tree.
(Hold up five fingers and swing hand back and forth.)
Teasing Mr. Crocodile, "You can't catch me!  You can't catch me!"
(Hold up an index finger and point left several times.)
Along comes Mr. Crocodile, as quiet as can be and he...
(Use two hands with palms together to clap shut like a crocodile's mouth.)
SNAPPED that monkey right out of the tree!
Four, three, two, one, etc.
No more monkeys swinging in the tree,
Only Mr. Crocodile  (Rub your "full" tummy.)
Happy as can be!

BOOK:  Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? by Bill Martin Jr.; illustrated by Eric Carle
This is another winner for toddlers!  Rhyming, repetitive text makes this a perfect read aloud.  And, the bright, big illustrations make pointing out animals and making their noise easy and fun.  I have storytelling kit that goes with this book and I gave out an animal to each toddler to put on the board when I called out its name.  Um, it didn't go so well.  Listening and taking turns is still a new concept for toddlers.  But, the mass chaos that ensued was fun-"ish"!

FINGERPLAY:  An Elephant

An elephant goes like this and that.  (Pat knees.)
He's terrible big,  (Hands up high.)
And he's terrible fat.  (Hands out wide.)
He has no fingers  (Wiggle fingers.)
And he has no toes,  (Touch toes.)
But goodness gracious, what a nose!  (Make curling movement away from nose.)

Source:  I'm a Little Teapot!  Presenting Preschool Storytimes by Jane Cobb.  Black Sheep Press, 1996.

CLOSING SONG:  "Where is Thumbkin?"

Where is thumbkin?
Where is thumbkin?
(Have both hands behind your back; bring one hand out at a time showing only your thumb.)
Here I am!
Here I am!
Did you like our stories?  (Have one thumb talk to the other.)
Yes, I liked our stories!
Time to go,  (Place one hand behind your back.)
Hide away.  (Place the other hand behind your back.)
Where are all of you?
Where are all of you?
Here we are!  (Show one hand.)
Here we are!  (Show other hand.)
Can you wave goodbye now?  (Wave hand.)
Yes, we'll wave goodbye now.  (Wave hand.)
Bye, bye, bye.
Bye, bye, bye.

That's Not Funny!

Written by Jeanne Willis. Illustrated by Adrian Reynolds. Minneapolis: Andersen Press USA, 2010.

It all started with a banana peel. I'm sure you've heard (or seen) that practical joke. Some poor, unsuspecting soul steps on the peel and - whoops!- down he or she goes! That's how this story begins. Hyena, an animal known in books for being a prankster, decides "just for a joke" to put a banana peel in Giraffe's path. Giraffe, of course, has no idea, and slips on it, skids into a tree - "KER-RANG!" - and says "That's not funny!" And so begins an unfortunate series of events involving many animals. Giraffe's collision into the tree causes a coconut to fall which lands "BINK!" on top of Hippo's head. Hippo stepped on Snake, who bit Ostrich, who kicked Rhino, etc. Each time, the animal exclaims "That's not funny!" But Hyena just "laughed and laughed." Eventually, Hyena gets his just desserts; when waiting to see what misfortune will befall Elephant, he steps into a big, hot pile of Elephant's poo! Of course, the joke is now on him, and he doesn't think it's that funny, but of course, the other animals laugh and laugh.

This is a terrific book demonstrating the consequences of practical jokes and laughing at someone's expense. Kids will really enjoy acting out the animal sounds, as well as the repetition of "that's not funny!" The illustrations are fun and full of color, and they represent the action going on in the story. The expressions on the animal's faces articulate what is happening to them, and children will easily be able to follow along with the chain of events. A very cute book that will make you laugh, and perhaps think twice about what's funny.

Boo Hoo Bird

By Jeremy Tankard

PICTURE BOOK

Poor Bird was playing catch with Raccoon and got bonked on the head with the ball. OUCH! Poor Raccoon tried kissing his head, but that didn't help. It still hurt! Rabbit tried a hug, Beaver tried a cookie, Sheep tried a game of hide and seek, and Fox tried a Band-Aid, but nothing made Bird's Boo Boo feel better, and he still cried. Pretty soon, all of Bird's friends began crying because nothing was making their friend better. After that, Bird realized his bonked head didn't really hurt anymore and he was all better now. His friends decide to play catch again...I bet you can guess what happens...BONK! The animals are illustrated with a bold outline and in very bright, primary colors, which make them jump off the page. This is an adorable book and perfect for reassuring a little someone who has a boo-boo that it will feel better soon.

Chicken Cheeks

By Michael Ian Black; illustrated by Kevin Hawkes

PICTURE BOOK

Let's face it - nothing makes you chuckle more than jokes about rear ends! Adults, kids, everyone giggles when it comes to this part of the anatomy. Sometimes, books about bums can be off-color, but in the case of this giggle-inducing picture book, it is quite harmless yet hilarious. As the book description so aptly tells, "This is a story with a beginning, a middle, and a whole lot of ends." It starts off with a bear on a ladder looking up into a tree. What is out of his reach? That's a surprise, but what I will tell you is this industrious bear gathers the help of his animal friends to create a very tall "stack" in the hopes of reaching the top of the tree. It's during the stacking of animals we encounter a moose caboose, chicken cheeks, penguin patootie, and turkey tushy, to name a few. The simple rhyming phrases matching animals with their respective posterior ends makes for a giggle-inducing read. The illustrations are also wonderful, showcasing each animal as he precariously balances on top of another animal. My favorite illustration is of the turkey on top of the polar bear, and he is holding his nose as the poor turkey's tushy is on top of his head! You'll have to read this book to find out if the animals ever reach the top of the tree. This book is very funny, and doesn't depict butts in a toilet-humor way, so it's completely appropriate for young children. Parents, be prepared for repeat readings of this one!

Me Hungry!

By Jeremy Tankard

PICTURE BOOK


Poor Edwin! He is hungry and his parents are too busy to get him a snack. What's a boy to do? Hunt! Did I mention this book takes place in prehistoric times? Sorry, I forgot! Since his parents are too busy, Edwin goes on a journey to find himself some food. He encounters several animals who are ready to show him how the animal kingdom really works! Edwin also learns about friendship on his journey. Does he finally get something to eat? You'll have to read the book to find out! This book is really funny and the illustrations are bold and bright. One page is Edwin saying "me hungry" and the following page is the animal's response. There is a lot of repetition, which makes this a wonderful story to share during a storytime with toddlers or pre-schoolers. Now, I must run because "Me Hungry!"