Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Join Us for Children Just Like Me at the Library!

 

Saturday, June 2   1 – 4 pm
Enjoy a cultural extravaganza with music, dance, crafts and food tastings. Stop and visit the free Children Just Like Me Exhibit and learn about the lives of 11 children from around the world through hands-on activities.
  • 1:30 – 3 pm — Battle of Mole —Taste and vote for the best mole in Elgin.
  • 1:45 pm — Cross-Cultural Fashion Show
  • 2:30 pm — Troupe Namaste dance performance using swords, veils nad finger cymbals
The Children Just Like Me EVERYWHERE! Event is free. Simply enter through the entry rotunda to receive information, then move on to the Youth Gateway to register for the summer reading program to attend this cultural event.

Get details and more information on the Gail Borden Library website. 

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Get Ready for Summer Reading!

The library "Reading is so Delicious" summer reading program opens for business on May 15th.  We have categories for children of all ages, middle school children and young adults!  Children from birth through 35 months are encouraged to sign up to become a "Little Listener."  This is a great program for parents and caregivers to incorporate the 5 essential early literacy skills into your everyday routine! 

Come on and experience that Reading is So Delicious!

Click here for complete program details.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Story Mix for Three to Six: ZANY ZOO ANIMALS: Humongous Hippos

We are finishing our spring Story Mix classes and our theme of ZANY ZOO ANIMALS with humongous hippos!  We've also added the final animal onto our "All Through the Zoo" song!

Children will learn important concepts through repetition and singing, and making animal motions and movements. Encourage your child to use their arms and legs to make the motions of the animals while voicing the sounds. 

Reading together is also an essential early literacy skill in order for children to acquire reading success when they start school.  Shared reading helps children learn the concepts of a book, and also develop a young appreciation for learning and reading. Take a look through our selection of zoo themed books!

All Through the Zoo Song (Sung to the tune of Wheels on the Bus)
The tiger in the grass says roar, roar, roar
Roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar
The tiger in the grass says roar, roar, roar
All through the zoo.

The Parrot in the leaves goes squawk, squawk, squawk
Squawk, squawk, squawk, squawk, squawk, squawk
The Parrot in the leaves goes squawk, squawk, squawk
All through the zoo.

The bear in the grass says growl, growl, growl
growl, growl, growl, growl, growl, growl
The bear in the grass says growl, growl, growl
All through the zoo.

The giraffe by the tree, munches the leaves,
munches the leaves, munches the leaves
The giraffe by the tree, munches the leaves,
All through the zoo.

The elephant by the rock goes stomp, stomp, stomp
stomp, stomp, stomp, stomp, stomp, stomp
The elephant by the rock goes stomp, stomp, stomp
All through the zoo.

The monkey in the tree goes eek, eek, eek
eek, eek, eek, eek, eek, eek,
The monkey in the tree goes eek, eek, eek
All through the zoo.

The hippo by the pond, rolls in the mud
rolls in the mud, rolls in the mud
The hippo by the pond, rolls in the mud
All through the zoo.

Animals, Animals, Turn Around Song
Animals, animals, turn around
Animals, animals, touch the ground
Animals, animals, dance on your toes
Animals, animals, touch your nose
Animals, animals, give a little clap
Animals, animals, take a nap

For more zoo animal fun, check out these books we read at Story Mix:

Two At the Zoo by Danna Smith
A grandfather and grandchild go to the zoo, where they count animals from one to ten. 
Check catalog availability

Dear Daisy, Get Well Soon by Maggie Smith
When his friend Daisy gets sick, Peter sends her more gifts each day of the week until she feels better.
Check catalog availability

Tiny Little Fly by Michael Rosen
With a tramp and a roll and a swat, Great Big Elephant, Great Big Hippo, and Great Big Tiger try to capture Tiny Little Fly as he teases each one in turn.
Check catalog availability