In the Early Learning Center - There's more to picture books than you may know!

ABC's and 123's

We often have customers asking for alphabet or number books for their preschooler.  Did you know that we have a selection of them to the right of the Help Desk in the Early Learning Center?  Just ask us if you'd like to see more. 

Fun Facts

We've added a display of nonfiction books on the other side of the desk.  This display is called
Fun Facts and features three categories which will be changed from time to time.  We've started out with animals, art, and science.

Of course, this is just a small selection of what we have on our bookshelves.  Please let us know if we can help you find additional titles!

Story Mix for Three to Six: ZANY ZOO ANIMALS: Mischievous Monkeys

We are continuing our theme of ZANY ZOO ANIMALS and this week is all about those silly and mischievous monkeys who swing from the trees!  We've also added a new animal onto our "All Through the Zoo" song!

Children will learn important concepts through repetition and singing, and making animal motions and movements. Using arms and legs to make the motions of a swinging monkey or one eating a banana will keep children active and help them learn about animal movements and 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.


Five Little Bananas Counting Song
Five little bananas
Swinging in a tree
If a monkey picks one
And carries it away
How many bananas
Will be left to sway?
 
Four little bananas
Swinging in a tree
If a monkey picks one
And carries it away
How many bananas
Will be left to sway?

Three little bananas
Swinging in a tree
If a monkey picks one
And carries it away
How many bananas
Will be left to sway?

Two little bananas
Swinging in a tree
If a monkey picks one
And carries it away
How many bananas
Will be left to sway?

One little banana
Swinging in a tree
If a monkey picks one
And carries it away
How many bananas
Will be left to sway?

I'm a Little Monkey Song (Sung to the tune of I'm a Little Teapot)
I’m a little monkey in the tree
Swinging by my tail so merrily
I can leap and fly from tree to tree
I have lots of fun you see
I’m a little monkey, watch me play
Munching on bananas every day
Lots of monkey friends to play with me
We have fun up in the tree.

Enjoy these monkey and animal themed books we read at Story Mix this week:

Watch Out! Big Bro's Coming! by Jez Alborough
Terror spreads through the jungle as animals hear the news that rough, tough Big Bro is coming. 
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Little Gorilla by Ruth Bornstein
Little Gorilla's family and friends try to help him overcome his special growing pains. 
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Where's My Mom? by Julia Donaldson
A butterfly tries to help a lost young monkey find its mother in the jungle, meeting many different animals along the way. 
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Wonderful Ones: It's Playtime!

Playtime is a great way to introduce early literacy skills to your child!   Using these rhymes, songs and stories, you are encouraging playing while teaching babies about hands, feet, and actions of each body part.  Through such playtime and rhythmic language, children learn to think symbolically.  They also learn and practice essential oral language skills by putting thoughts into words and making connections between sounds, letters and objects.   

Put Your Finger On... (sung to the tune of 'If You’re Happy And You Know It')
Put your finger on your toes, on your toes,
Put your finger on your toes, on your toes.
Put your finger on your toes,
Put your finger on your toes,
Put your finger on your toes, on your toes.
 
Put your finger on your tummy, on your tummy,
Put your finger on your tummy, on your tummy.
Put your finger on your tummy,
Put your finger on your tummy,
Put your finger on your tummy, on your tummy.

Put your finger on your head, on your head,
Put your finger on your head, on your head.
Put your finger on your head,
Put your finger on your head,
Put your finger on your head, on your head.

One, Two, Three Rhyme
One, two, three,
Count with me.
It’s as easy as can be –
Four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.
Now let’s start it once again.

Teddy Bear Can Rhyme (sung to the tune of 'Muffin Man')
Teddy bear can turn around,
Turn around, turn around.
Teddy bear can turn around,
You can do it too!

Teddy bear can clap his hands,
Clap his hands.  Clap his hands. 
Teddy bear can clap his hands,
You can do it too!

Teddy bear can jump up and down,
Jump up and down, jump up and down. 
Teddy bear can jump up and down,
You can do it too!

For more playtime fun, check out these books we read at Wonderful Ones:

Playtime by Baby’s World
Photographs of babies playing with balls, bubbles, and bells. 
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Playing by Liesbet Slegers 
Pushing a toy car, kicking a ball, stacking blocks, playing a drum, and reading a book are just some of the ways a baby plays.
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Story Mix for Three to Six: ZANY ZOO ANIMALS: Graceful Giraffes

We are continuing our theme of ZANY ZOO ANIMALS and this week is all about tall giraffes with long necks!  We've also added a new animal onto our "All Through the Zoo" song!

Children will learn important concepts through repetition and singing, and making animal motions and movements. Using arms and legs to make the motions of a tall-necked giraffe will keep children active and help them learn about animal movements and sounds. The counting rhyme game is great for helping children learn numbers and sequence. 

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.


Five Tall Giraffes Rhyme
Five tall giraffes walk and sway
In the jungle not far away.
The 1st one said, “Come on, let’s run!”
The 2nd one said, “Oh, that’s no fun.”
The 3rd one said, “I’ll find a tree.”
The 4th one said, “Some leaves for me.”
The 5th one said, “We can’t stay.”
So the 5 tall giraffes ran away.

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

Zoo-looking by Mem Fox
While Flora visits the zoo with her father, not only does she look at the animals but some of them turn to look at her. 
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No Spots for Gilda the Giraffe by Lucie Papineau
To keep warm while searching for her spots blown away by the North Wind, Gilda the giraffe tries on the coats of several of her animal friends but still longs for her pretty, funny spots. 
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Birthday Zoo by Deborah Lee Rose
Rhyming text describes the preparations made for a boy's birthday party by his hosts, the animals at the zoo. 
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Story Mix for Three to Six: ZANY ZOO ANIMALS: Big, Brown Bears!

We are continuing our theme of ZANY ZOO ANIMALS and this week is all about those big, brown bears!  We've also added a new animal onto our "All Through the Zoo" song!

Children will learn important concepts through repetition and singing, and making animal motions and movements. Making "growling" sounds like a bear will help children hear different syllables and learn new words and letters.  The two counting rhyme games are great for helping children learn numbers and sequence. 

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.


5 Little Baby Bears
1 little baby bear  (hold up 1 finger)
Almost brand new       
Runs to get another one  (hand behind back)
Now there are 2  (hold up 2 fingers)

2 little baby bears
Climb up a tree  (pretend to climb)
Run to get another one  (hand behind back)
Now there are 3  (hold up 3 fingers)

3 little baby bears
Rolling on the floor  (roll one hand over the other)
Run to get another one  (hand behind back)
Now there are 4  (hold up 4 fingers)

4 little baby bears       
Eat honey from a hive  (rub stomach)
Run to get another one  (hand behind back)
Now there are 5  (hold up 5 fingers)

5 little baby bears
Think they might roam  (wiggle fingers to side)
“Come!” says Mama Bear  (clap hands)
And they all run home  (hand behind back)

5 Little Easter Eggs
Five little Easter eggs
Lovely colors galore
Mommy ate the blue one
Then there were 4

Four little Easter eggs
Two and two, you see
Daddy ate the red one
Then there were 3

Three little Easter eggs
Before I knew
Sister ate the yellow one
Then there were 2

Two little Easter eggs
Oh, what fun!
Brother ate the purple one
Then there was 1

One little Easter egg
See me run
I ate the very last one!

Check out these books we shared at this week's Story Mix!

My Favorite Bear by Andrea Gabriel
As Mama bear puts her child to bed, she shares a lullaby about bears of the world. 
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Milton the Early Riser by Robert Kraus
The first one to awake, Milton the Panda tries hard to wake all the other animals, but to no avail. 
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Panda’s Easter Basket by Tara Jaye Morrow
Panda has a delicious-looking Easter basket, with chocolate eggs, jelly beans, and a big chocolate bunny! But when he gobbles it all up at once, he gets a terrible tummy ache. 
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Wonderful Ones: Little Peter Rabbit

This week at Wonderful Ones we are continuing our celebration of the spring season with rhymes and books about bunnies, ducks, and also several Easter-themed selections!  Singing and rhyming not only allows baby to hear and learn new words, it also assists in developing listening skills. By listening to the different sounds animals make, babies will be able to decipher syllables in spoken language.  Repetition helps reinforce important early literacy concepts such as counting and colors. Happy Easter!

Ten Little Bunnies Rhyme
One little, two little, three little bunnies,
Four little, five little, six little bunnies,
Seven little, eight little, nine little bunnies,
Ten little bunnies hop around.

The Big Round Sun Rhyme
The big round sun in a springtime sky,
Winked at a cloud that was passing by.
The little cloud laughed as it scattered rain,
Then out came the big round sun again.

Little Peter Rabbit Rhyme
Little Peter Rabbit has a bright, shiny nose.
Little Peter Rabbit has a bright, shiny nose.
Little Peter Rabbit has a bright, shiny nose,
And a big, fluffy, white tail.

Little Peter Rabbit has a bright, shiny nose.
Little Peter Rabbit has a bright, shiny nose.
Little Peter Rabbit has a bright, shiny nose,
And a big, fluffy, white tail.

For more spring-time animal fun, try these easy-to-share books:

Hurry! Hurry! by Eve Bunting
All the animals of the barnyard community hurry to greet their newest member, who is just pecking his way out of an egg. 
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5 Busy Ducklings by Children's Press
Five busy ducklings are on the go in this first counting book
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Where are Baby's Easter Eggs? by Karen Katz
Readers can help Baby as she searches for Easter eggs and finds some other nice surprises along the way. 
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The Happy Egg by Ruth Krauss
A bird hatches from its egg and learns to fly. 
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I Need an Easter Egg! by Harriet Ziefert
Little Rabbit wants to give his grandmother an Easter egg and so he asks various birds if they can lay one. The reader lifts flaps to see each bird's eggs. 
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Wonderful Ones: Spring Showers and Flowers

This week at Wonderful Ones we are exploring more about springtime with showers and flowers!  You'll use active movements to help babies learn about the space around them, such as, clapping hands to the rhythm, bouncing baby on your lap like a bunny, and using your fingers to show falling raindrops.  Through simple counting rhymes, you are also helping your baby learn numbers.  Gentle upward motions using your arms mimics the size of a flower and encourages hand and eye coordination.   

Raindrops Rhyme
Raindrops, raindrops!
Falling all around.
Pitter-patter on the rooftops,
Pitter-patter on the ground.
Here is my umbrella;
It will keep me dry.
When I go walking in the rain,
I hold it up so high.

Flowers Tall and Small Rhyme
Flowers tall,
Flowers small,
Count them one by one,
Blowing with the breezes,
In the springtime sun!
1, 2, 3, 4, 5!

Flowers tall,
Flowers small,
Count them one by one,
Blowing with the breezes,
In the springtime sun!
1, 2, 3, 4, 5!

Baby Bunny Rhyme
Baby bunny bounces high,
Baby bunny bounces low.
Baby bunny blinks his eyes,
Baby bunny waves goodbye.

Baby bunny bounces high,
Baby bunny bounces low.
Baby bunny blinks his eyes,
Baby bunny waves goodbye.

We read these springtime books at Wonderful Ones: 

What Can You Do in the Rain? By Anna Grossnickle Hines
The rain provides opportunities to feel it fall, hear it patter, and mix a mud pie. 
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Beautiful Babies by Karma Wilson
Kids can touch and feel photos of beautiful animal babies. 
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1, 2, 3 Go! Counting, Colors, Clothing

This week's 1, 2, 3 Go! class incorporates many different learning themes including counting, rhyming, repetition, colors and clothing.  Counting aloud not only introduces new sounds and words to help build vocabulary, but also creates a stimulating learning environment.  Rhyming helps young children remember these important concepts and reinforces what they are learning in a positive manner.  Playing dress up and learning about clothing items helps elevate children's imaginations and allows them to embrace their creativity.  Taking these games and including color elements enriches the concept even more.  

For example, when you count evergreens talk about trees and what colors they are throughout the seasons.  When you sing the colorful noses rhyme, children are already using colors in addition to learning new words such as shoe and jumping.  Rhyming is included in almost every rhyme, and it reinforces the ideas in the songs. 

Six Little Evergreens Rhyme
Six little trees standing in a row,
Their prickly needles all covered with snow.
The first tree is short.
The second tree is tall.
The third tree looks like it just might fall.
The fourth tree is skinny.
The fifth tree is stumpy.
The sixth tree’s bark is rough and bumpy!
Six little trees standing in a row,
Their prickly needles all covered with snow.

Colorful Noses Rhyme
Brown bear, brown bear, nose so black, rub your tummy and touch your back.
Brown bear, brown bear, nose so red, pat your legs and nod your head.
Brown bear, brown bear, nose so blue, touch your knee and then your shoe.
Brown bear, brown bear, nose so green, jump up like a jumping bean.
Brown bear, brown bear, nose so pink, close your eyes and make them blink. 
Brown bear, brown bear, nose so white, hide your hands out of sight.   

Bears Are Sleeping Rhyme
Bears are sleeping, bears are sleeping,
In their lairs, in their lairs.  (Pretend to sleep)
Soon it will be springtime, soon it will be springtime,
Wake up, bears!  Wake up bears!  (Pretend to wake up)

Bears are sleeping, bears are sleeping,
In their lairs, in their lairs.  (Pretend to sleep)
Soon it will be springtime, soon it will be springtime,
Wake up, bears!  Wake up bears!  (Pretend to wake up)

It’s Not That Cold Outside Song 
I don’t want to wear my coat, wear my coat, wear my coat.
I don’t want to wear my coat.
It’s not that cold outside.

I don’t want to wear my hat, wear my hat, wear my hat.
I don’t want to wear my hat.
It’s not that cold outside.   

(Repeat verse with other items such as scarf, boots or gloves)

We read these books at 1, 2, 3 Go! this week: 

Kate's Surprise by Ann Burg
Pete wants to play out in the snow, but he doesn't feel well until his sister cheers him up.
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Kitten's Winter by Eugenie Fernandez
A young kitten explores the woods on a cold winter day as other animals shelter from the weather or engage in their usual seasonal activities.
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Story Mix for Three to Six: Clothing and Counting Books

We read several books this week at Story Mix all around the theme of clothing and counting. One of the first learning concepts children are exposed to are numbers and counting.  Counting aloud not only introduces new sounds and words, but also creates a stimulating learning environment.  Learning about clothing items also prepares children to dress themselves as they go to school, in addition to hearing new sounds and words, which increases vocabulary.

Send us your suggestions for clothing and counting books and we might include it in a future posting!


That Pup by Lindsay Barrett George
After having fun digging up acorns, a little dog decides to bury them all again. 
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Dog in Boots by Greg Gormley
After reading "Puss in Boots," an adventurous dog sets out to find the perfect pair of shoes to suit his every need. 
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How Many Feet in the Bed? by Diane Johnston Hamm
Count the feet as a family of five tumble in and out of bed on a Sunday morning. 
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Whose Shoes? by Anna Grossnickle Hines
A mouse tries on the shoes of various family members, from Daddy's great big clompy shoes and Mommy's clappy high-heeled shoes to those of Brother and Baby, but only one pair is just right.
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Together by Hazel Hutchins
Explores what keeps clothing and other things together in everyday life. 
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Pete the Cat:  I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin
Pete the Cat gets into colorful adventures while out walking in his new white shoes. 
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Froggy Gets Dressed by Jonathan London
Rambunctious Froggy hops out into the snow for a winter frolic but is called back by his mother to put on some necessary articles of clothing. 
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Chicka, Chicka, 1, 2, 3 by Bill Martin, Jr.
Numbers from one to one hundred climb to the top of an apple tree in this rhyming chant. 
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New Socks by Bob Shea
A chicken is filled with excitement and self-confidence when he dons a new pair of orange socks. 
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Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed by Mo Willems
Wilbur, a naked mole rat who likes to wear clothes, is forced to go before the wise community elder, who surprises the other naked mole rats with his announcement.. 
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Story Mix for Three to Six: Playing Dress Up

Boys and Girls both love to play dress up, whether it be in a fancy princess costume or pretending to be a crime fighting superhero.  This week's Story Mix offers stories for children to incorporate dressing up at playtime! Such active play helps elevate children's imaginations and allows them to embrace their creativity.

Children also love to count and compare, as displayed in the Fancy Valentine rhyme below,  which help them continue to learn. Incorporate such counting and color games into dress up playtime by asking questions such as how many shoes we wear or what color is our hat?  Such games help children get ready to read!


Fancy Valentines Fingerplay Rhyme
5 fancy valentines waiting in the store,
Fancy Nancy bought one,
And then there were 4
4 pretty valentines for you and me,
Fancy Nancy bought one,
And then there were 3
3 pretty valentines wondering what to do,
Fancy Nancy bought one,
And then there were 2
2 pretty valentines thinking up some fun,
Fancy Nancy bought one,
And then there was 1
1 pretty valentine said “buy me and run!”
Fancy Nancy did that,
And then there were none

The Kettles Get New Clothes by Dayle Ann Dodds
When the small town store where they usually buy their clothes changes hands, the Kettles are in for a surprise on their annual shopping trip. 
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Fancy Nancy by Jane O’Connor
A young girl who loves fancy things helps her family to be fancy for one special night. 
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Ooh La La Polka-Dot Boots by Ellen Olson-Brown
Illustrations and brief rhyming text sing the praises of polka dot boots, which add panache to any outfit. 
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Too Purpley! by Jean Reidy
A young girl rejects many outfits before finding the perfect clothes to wear. 
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Story Mix for Three to Six: Little Llamas

The popular children's picture book series around a sweet and lovable Llama character is a favorite amongst children here at the Gail Borden Public Library.  Our selection of rhymes and stories this week at Story Mix bring even more Llama fun to your child.  Children will learn through repetition and rhyming sounds, syllables and words.   Repetition and rhyming help children understand word construction and meaning based on sound. The actions you can perform in each song help children count, help them learn what to do when they go outside, and how to express emotions when feeling sick.

Ten Little Llamas
One little, two little,
Three little llamas
Four little, five little,
Six little llamas
Seven little, eight little,
Nine little llamas
Ten little llamas wear pajamas!

Let's Put on our Mittens Rhyme
Let’s put on our mittens and button up our coats
Wrap a scarf snugly around our throats
Pull on our boots and fasten the straps
And tie on tightly our warm winter caps
Then open the door and out we go
Into the soft and feathery snow

Where is Mama? (Sung to the tune of where Is thumbkin?)
Where is Mama?
Here I am!
Here I am!
How are you today, sir?
Very well, I thank you.
Run away! Run away!
Repeat with other members of the family such as Papa, Sister, Brother


We read these books at Story Mix: 

Llama Llama Home With Mama by Anna Dewdney
Llama Llama's mother takes good care of him when he has to stay home from school because he is sick, but when Mama Llama begins to feel sick, too, Llama Llama knows how to take care of her.
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Is Your Mama a Llama? by Deborah Guarino
A young llama asks his friends if their mamas are llamas and finds out, in rhyme, that their mothers are other types of animals.
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Don’t You Feel Well, Sam? by Amy Hest
When Sam has a cough, Mrs. Bear tends to him all through the cold night. 
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1, 2 3, Go! Spectaular Snow

Snowmen, snowballs, snowforts!  Does your little one like to create things in the snow?  Incorporating snow themed playtime into singing rhymes and songs makes for a fun time learning to get ready to read!  Action rhymes such as those below encourage interaction with your child through movements and activity.  Through such playtime, children ask questions and search for answers, which also helps them learn new information.  Children also love to count and compare, as displayed in the counting and color rhymes below,  which help them continue to learn.


Here is a Hill Rhyme
Here is a hill all covered with snow (Put one hand on hip and make it “snow” with the other hand)
We’ll take our sleds up.  (Walk fingers up the arm on the hip)
And zoom down we’ll go! (Fly fingers quickly down arm)

A Funny Little Snowman
A funny little snowman had a carrot nose.
Along came a bunny and what do you suppose?
That hungry little bunny looking for his lunch,
Ate the snowman’s carrot with a nibble, nibble, crunch!

The Itsy Bitsy Snowman  (To the tune of Itsy Bitsy Spider)
The Itsy-Bitsy snowman was standing in the snow.  (Hold arms in circle)
Down came some snowflakes...they made the snowman grow.  (Wiggle fingers downward)
Out came the sun to shine its golden rays, (Hold arms to make sun)
Which warmed the little snowman and melted him away.  (Hug self and slump to floor)

Five Friendly Snowmen 
Adapted from Five Little Snowmen on Karen for Kids CD by Karen Banks Lubicz

5 friendly snowmen white and round,
Made with snow that fell on the ground.
Out came the sun and melted one,
Now the one with the yellow scarf is all done.

4 friendly snowmen white and round,
Made with snow that fell on the ground.
Out came the sun and melted one,
Now the one with the orange scarf is all done.

3 friendly snowmen white and round,
Made with snow that fell on the ground.
Out came the sun and melted one,
Now the one with the green scarf is all done.

2 friendly snowmen white and round,
Made with snow that fell on the ground.
Out came the sun and melted one,
Now the one with the blue scarf is all done.

One friendly snowman white and round,
Made with snow that fell on the ground.
Out came the sun,
So the one with the red scarf decided to run!

Let's Make a Snowman
Adapted from I Can Make a Snowman on Highly Usable Music (HUM) CD by Carole Peterson

I can make a snowman,
A snowman, a snowman.
I can make a snowman,
My snowman will be white!

Anyone can make a white one! Let’s make ours different colors.
Close your eyes and think of the color of grass.

I can make a snowman,
A snowman, a snowman.
I can make a snowman,
My snowman will be: GREEN!

Now let’s do it again.
Repeat the song with additional colors such as:
Close your eyes and think of the color of the Sun. My snowman will be YELLOW!
Close your eyes and think of the color of the Sky. My snowman will be BLUE!
Close your eyes and think of the color of a Strawberry:. My snowman will be RED!


We also read these books about snow:

The Snowy Day be Ezra Jack Keats
Winner of the 1963 Caldecott medal.  The adventures of a little boy in the city on a very snowy day. 
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Millions of Snowflakes by Mary McKenna Siddals
As snow begins to fall, a child counts the flakes, enjoying every one. 
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Terrific Twos: Cars Go VROOM!

It's Terrific Two Year Old time!  Our theme over the next several weeks will be 'Things That Go!' beginning with everyone's favorite, CARS!   Our selection of rhymes, songs and stories encourages active play and thoughtful fun for kids who like motion and movement.  In this week's rhymes and stories, children will also learn concepts such as numbers and counting through repetition and singing.  They also learn about how a car works which helps them put together words and ideas in order to make connections and understand words in print.   


Five Little Cars 
One little car,
It happened to be blue,
Met another car,
Then there were two.

Two little cars
Driving by the sea.
One drove up from the beach,
Then there were three.

Three little cars
Driving by the store,
Another pulled out,
Then there were four.

Four little cars
Out for a drive.
Another car joined them,
Then there were five.

Open the Door Rhyme
Open the car door, climb inside.
I wish I could help my Mommy drive.
Fasten our seatbelts, shut the door.
Start the motor, hear it roar…vroom…vroom…
Turn the corner, step on the gas.
Sometimes we go slow and sometimes we go fast.

We read these books at this week's Terrific Twos:

My Car by Byron Barton
Sam describes in loving detail his car and how he drives it.
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Mr. Gumpy's Motor Car by John Burningham
Mr. Gumpy's human and animal friends squash into his old car and go for a drive -- until it starts to rain.
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The Life of a Car by Susan Steggall
Follow the life of a car as it is built, sold, delivered, and in the end recycled to build a new car! 
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Wonderful Ones: Time for Baby's Bath!

Singing and playing are two wonderful ways to incorporate early literacy skills into your baby's everyday life.  What better way to incorporate both but a bathtub full of bubbles and laughter!  Singing and rhyming together helps your baby enjoy bathtime more, and also helps with reinforcing sounds, counting, identifying body parts such as arms and legs, and actions babies do in the bathtub such as washing.  The combined movements and language helps babies hear and learn individual words and sounds for learning speech.  A fun environment will help baby wind down their day in a positive manner as well as create learning patterns in a comfortable space.

Splish Splash Water Rhyme (to the tune of Frère Jacques)
Splish, splash water, splish, splash water,
On your toes, on your toes,
On your fingers, on your tummy,
On your nose, on your nose.
Splish, splash water, splish, splash water,
On your hair, on your hair,
On your face, on your arms,
Everywhere, everywhere!

Slippery Soap Rhyme
Slippery, slippery, slippery soap,
Now you see it and now you don’t.
Slide it on the arms,
One, two, three.
Now your arms are slippery.
Slide it on the legs,
One, two, three.
Now your legs are slippery.

Slippery, slippery, slippery soap,
Now you see it and now you don’t.
Slide it on the arms,
One, two, three.
Now your arms are slippery.
Slide it on the legs,
One, two, three.
Now your legs are slippery.

This Is The Way We Wash Our Face Song
This is the way we wash our face,
Scrub our cheeks,
Scrub our ears,
This is the way we wash our face,
Until we’re squeaky clean.

This is the way we wash our face,
Scrub our cheeks,
Scrub our ears,
This is the way we wash our face,
Until we’re squeaky clean. 


Enjoy these bathtime books we read at this week's Wonderful Ones: 

Bathtime Peekaboo! by Dawn Sirett
Babies enjoy playing at bathtime. 
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Baby’s Bathtime by Fiona Watt
It's bathtime! Baby and his dog Fido enjoy a wonderful bath before being tucked into bed. 
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Story Mix for Three to Six: Blocks and Bunnies

Everyone at Story Mix loves toys!  This week's toys are those imaginative blocks and cuddly bunnies. Using motions and actual toys when singing the song and playing the game below, you'll be helping your child learn important concepts. Different kinds of playtime help children learn about language.   Playing also helps children understand that written words stand for real objects and experiences.  The more language experiences children have, the more words they learn.  So bring out those blocks and bunnies for a fun learning extravaganza!

The Goodnight Song
At night I see the twinkling stars
And a great big smiling moon.
My mommy tucks me into bed
And sings a good-night tune.   
     
The Block Rhyme Game (Using wooden blocks or another toy, you can make this an interactive song!)
1 block, 2 blocks, 3 blocks in a row
4 blocks, 5 blocks, 6 blocks – up they go
7 blocks, 8 blocks, 9 blocks going high
10 blocks, 11 blocks, 12 blocks – oh my!
Tumble! Rumble! Blocks in a jumble!    

Take a look at these books we read this week in Story Mix:

A Boy and His Bunny by Sean Bryan
One morning, a boy wakes up with a rabbit on his head and, although his mother is skeptical, he soon discovers that he can be fed, ride a bobsled, and even look cool with a rabbit on his head.
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Jack the Builder by Stuart J. Murphy
A story about blocks and building introduces the math skill of counting on, an important step toward mastering addition. 
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How Will I Ever Sleep In This Bed? By Della Ross Ferreri
A child's new bed feels big and lonely until it gets filled up with stuffed animals. 
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Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems
After Trixie and daddy leave the laundromat, something very important turns up missing.
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Terrific Twos: The Color ORANGE

We are exploring the color ORANGE in this week's Terrific Twos program.  Orange is often a color associated with Thanksgiving, so we've provided themed rhymes and stories to help you celebrate.  Colors can be both useful and expressive ways for children to not only learn new words, but also identify objects and feelings.  Using such skills, children can begin to learn about colors in books and get ready to read!

These are two great resources to use for learning more about how colors help children learn and grow:
Purdue University College of Consumer and Family Sciences
Kennesaw State University Educational Technology Center

Two Little Turkeys Rhyme
Two little turkeys are we.
We sat all night in a tree.
When the Indians came around,
We were nowhere to be found,
And that’s why we are still here, you see.

Two little turkeys are we.
We sat all night in a tree.
When the Indians came around,
We were nowhere to be found,
And that’s why we are still here, you see.

Five Little Turkeys Song
Five little turkeys standing at the door,
One waddled off, and then there were four.
Four little turkeys sitting near a tree,
One waddled off, and then there were three.
Three little turkeys with nothing to do,
One waddled off, and then there were two.
Two little turkeys in the morning sun,
One waddled off, and then there was one.
One little turkey better run away,
For soon it will be Thanksgiving Day.

Visit the DLTK Kid's site for a fun craft to make with this song!

Colors of the Rainbow Song
Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple
Colors of the rainbow, colors so bright.
Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple
Colors of the rainbow, a colorful sight.

Orange is a pumpkin
Orange is a carrot
Orange is a salmon
Orange is a traffic cone
Orange is an orange
Orange is a sunrise.

Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple
Colors of the rainbow, colors so bright.
Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple
Colors of the rainbow, a colorful sight.

Sing verses for all the colors of the rainbow by visiting BusSongs.com

Enjoy these stories we read at Terrific Twos this week:

Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes
At Thanksgiving time, children express their gratitude for the people and things in their lives.
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Pumpkin, Pumpkin by Jeanne Titherington
Jamie plants a pumpkin seed and, after watching it grow, carves it and saves some seeds to plant in the spring. 
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Click here for more fun color songs and books in Ready...Set...Read!

1, 2, 3 Go! This Little Piggy

One of the first learning concepts children are exposed to are numbers and counting.  Counting aloud not only introduces new sounds and words, but also creates a stimulating learning environment.  The rhymes below bring together interaction between you and your child in an engaging and positive atmosphere, with counting actions and concepts.  We thought counting pigs was extra fun. 

This Little Piggy
This little piggy went to market
This little piggy stayed home
This little piggy had roast beef
This little piggy had none
And this little piggy went wee, wee, wee, wee, all the way home.

Five Squeaky Clean Pigs
Five pigs so squeaky clean
Cleanest you’ve ever seen
Wanted to go outside and play
Oink! Oink!
One jumped into the mud
Landed with a big THUD
Then there were four clean squeaky pigs…

Four pigs so squeaky clean
Cleanest you’ve ever seen
Wanted to go outside and play
Oink! Oink!
One jumped into the mud
Landed with a big THUD
Then there were three clean squeaky pigs…

Three pigs so squeaky clean
Cleanest you’ve ever seen
Wanted to go outside and play
Oink! Oink!
One jumped into the mud
Landed with a big THUD
Then there were two clean squeaky pigs…

Two pigs so squeaky clean
Cleanest you’ve ever seen
Wanted to go outside and play
Oink! Oink!
One jumped into the mud
Landed with a big THUD
Then there was one clean and squeaky pig…

One pig so squeaky clean
Cleanest you’ve ever seen
Wanted to go outside and play
Oink! Oink!
He jumped into the mud
Landed with a big THUD
Then there were no clean and squeaky pigs…

For more little piggy fun, check out these stories:

Pig Takes a Bath by Michael Dahl
A muddy little pig takes a bath and gets clean before escaping back to his messy fun. 
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Z-Z-Zoink! By Bernard Most
A pig has trouble finding a place to sleep because she snores so loudly and wakes up the entire barnyard. 
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Story Mix for Three to Six: Bathtime!

Singing and playing are two wonderful ways to incorporate early literacy skills into your child's everyday life.  What better way to incorporate both but a bathtub full of bubbles and laughter!  Engage your little one with numbers and counting through this week's songs, rhymes, and stories.  Counting aloud not only introduces new sounds and words to help build vocabulary, but also creates a stimulating learning environment.  Rhyming helps young children remember these important concepts and reinforces what they are learning in a positive manner.  Playing in the bath makes winding down the day even easier and makes learning fun.

Five in the Tub
There are 5 on the tub and the blue one says, 
“Move over, move over!”
So they all move over and one flops in!
There were 4 on the tub and the blue one says,
“Move over, move over!”
So they all move over and one hops in!
There are 3 on the tub and the blue one says,
“Move over, move over!”
So they all move over and one falls in!
There were 2 on the tub and the blue one says,
“Move over, move over!”
So they all move over and one slides in!
There’s one on the tub and the blue one says,
“Let’s swim!”

Bathtime Rhyme
After my bath
I try, try, try
To wipe myself
Till I’m dry, dry, dry

Neck to wipe
And fingers & toes
And 2 wet legs
And a shiny nose

Just think how much
Less time I'd take
If I were a dog
And could shake, shake, shake!

At Story Mix, we read these books full of bathtime fun!

Elwood's Bath by Larry Dane Brimmer
Young Elwood prepares for bathtime as he adds his favorite playmates, including eight large elephants, to the water.
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Love-a-Duck by Alan James Brown
After falling out of the window and spending an unforgettable day outdoors, a plastic duck is returned home safely, just in time for little Jane's bath. 
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Kid Tea by Elizabeth Ficocelli
On every night of the week, a new color of "kid tea" is created in the bath, depending on the activities of that day. 
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Wonderful Ones: Counting Babies

In this week's Wonderful Ones we read the book Ten Tiny Babies by Karen Katz, available to check out at the Gail Borden library.  Karen Katz has written many books for parents and babies to read together, many of them with simple themes such as colors and numbers and colorful artwork to grab baby's attention.  To find more Karen Katz books, search the library catalog by the author's name.

One of the first learning concepts babies are exposed to are numbers and counting.  Counting aloud not only introduces new sounds and words, but also creates a stimulating learning environment.  The rhymes below bring together interaction between you and your baby in an engaging and positive atmosphere, with counting actions and concepts.

Five Babies Rhyme
One little baby rocking in a tree,
Two little babies splashing in the sea,
Three little babies crawling on the floor,
Four little babies banging on the door,
Five little babies playing hide-and-seek,
Keep your eyes closed tight now,
Until I say peek!

Clap, Two, Three, Four Rhyme
Clap, two, three, four.
Shake, two, three, four.
Pat, two, three, four.
Roll, two, three, four.
Push, two, three, four.
Shake your hands and clap, clap, clap
Shake your hands and fold them in your lap.