No storytime today? Why visit the library?

Weekly storytimes are done until after the holiday season, so why bother heading to the library with your little ones in tow?  Here are five great reasons:

Playaway View

1. Regular visits lead to more reading.  Whether you sit and read together in a comfy corner of the library or check out a stack of books to read at home, you will be starting your child on a lifetime of learning.   
2. Exposure to more books, toys, puzzles, puppets, CD's, and other materials than you have in your home.  There's no pressure to be ultra-selective when the items are free to check out.   Remember too, that our children's librarians can recommend books that may broaden your child's tastes and expose him to something completely new, such as wordless picture books,  Playaway Views, or kits featuring books with accompanying CD's.  
3. Library time is quality time spent with your child.  There is such a variety of activities for your child to choose to do with you as his playmate in the Early Learning Center - do the weekly craft, the literacy or STEAM activity,  complete a puzzle together, talk about the fish in the tank, pretend to make dinner in the play kitchen, and many, many more!  
4. Learning how to take care of things is a valuable lesson for your child. Encourage him to treat materials with care in the library and on loan in your home so that they last and can be enjoyed by everyone in the community.
5. Practice social skills.  The library is a busy place for your child to practice his developing skills of sharing, taking turns, communicating with others, problem solving, empathy, and so on.    

Of course, there are many special programs taking place at the library over the storytime break.  Click on the following link to access our calendar for complete information.  Events at Gail Borden Public Library    

Learn to Love Reading: Books About Books!

Helping your child learn to love reading will be fun when choosing a book from this list!   When sharing stories together, talk with your child about what your favorite book or character was when you were their age, and why.  If you don't remember, visit the library together and discover a new favorite book you both enjoy!  Reading aloud and sharing stories helps your child learn new words and build vocabulary, understand story structure and the format of a book, along with having fun.

Read Anything Good Lately? by Susan Allen and Jane Lindaman
An alphabetical look at some different places and things to read, from an atlas at the airport to a zodiac at the zoo.
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What Are You Doing? by Elisa Amado
Before he leaves on his first day of school, Chepito plays outside and encounters many different people in his neighborhood who are all reading, and each person has a different response when Chepito asks them "Why?"
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The Best Place to Read by Debbie Bertram and Susan Bloom

A young child with a new book hunts inside and outside the house before finding the right chair for reading.
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I Like Books by Anthony Browne
A young chimp declares his love for all kinds of books, from funny books and scary books to song books and strange books.
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Maybe a Bear Ate It! by Robie H. Harris
At bedtime, a young boy who cannot find his favorite book imagines the various creatures that might have taken it from him.
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Lola Loves Stories by Anna McQuinn
Lola loves to hear Daddy read a new library book each night, an activity that spurs her imagination and results in inventive play the next day.
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Library Lilly by Gillian Shields
From the day her mother introduces her to the library, Lily wants to spend all of her time reading until she meets Milly, who hates reading but loves adventure.
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Carlo Likes Reading by Jessica Spanyol
Labeled scenes from a young giraffe's life--at home, at the market, in the park, and at the library--offer opportunities to learn new words.
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How Do You Read to a Rabbit? by Andrea Wayne von Königslöw
Youngsters will laugh out loud at the antics of the 13 animals -- and the child who tries to read to them -- in this delightful picture book.
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Baby Bear's Books by Jane Yolen
Throughout the day, Baby Bear finds a book to fit every special moment.
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Terrific Twos: The Color YELLOW

This week at Terrific Twos, we continue with our color theme.  The bright and vibrant color of YELLOW will be presented to those terrific two year olds!  Colors are a great way to introduce the many facets of a storybook and its pictures.  Through visualization of colors in books, combined with the new word of the color, enables your child to connect the two ideas.  By saying the word aloud, it enhances the concept of learning new words through new sounds and syllables.    Together, all these skills will help you get your child, Ready to Read!

Little Baby Rhyme
This little baby is ready for his nap,
Lay him down on his mother’s lap.
Cover him up so he won’t peep,
And rock him, rock him till he’s fast asleep.

This little baby is ready for his nap,
Lay him down on his father’s lap.
Cover him up so he won’t peep,
And rock him, rock him till he’s fast asleep.

Star Light, Star Bright Rhyme
Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight,
Wish I may, wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight.

Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight,
Wish I may, wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight.

More books about Colors!  We read these at Terrific Twos:

Goodnight Goodnight Sleepyhead by Ruth Krauss
In simple rhyming text, a child says goodnight to the things around her.
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Carlo Likes Colors by Jessica Spanyol   
Carlo the giraffe sees many different colors in various places--red in the street, brown in the woods, white at a wedding, and orange at a cafe.
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In My New Yellow Shirt by Eileen Spinelli
A boy wears his new yellow shirt and is transformed in his imagination into a duck, a lion, a daffodil, a trumpet, and other things.
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Tips for Reading to Babies

It’s never too soon to read to your baby.  The moments you share together can make a reader for life.  Start now!

Tips for Reading to Babies

• Share a book with your baby every day.  Even a few minutes makes a difference.
• Talk with your baby while you read, and show your baby that reading is fun.
• When you read, point to pictures, ask questions, and talk about what they’re seeing.  When they babble to you, listen, smile, and talk.
• Read the same books over and over again.  One to two year olds love to hear the same words again and again.
• Read when your baby is rested and in a good mood.  If your child gets restless, it’s okay to stop for now.
• Cuddle up and sing your favorite children’s songs.
• Use every moment you have.  At bath time, bedtime, bounce time, say nursery rhymes, sing lullabies, play pat-a-cake, count toes – and let your baby listen.

Terrific Twos: The Color BLUE

Colors are a great way to introduce the many facets of a storybook and its pictures.  Picture books allow children to both hear and visualize the words as you read them together.  Through the use of colors, children will learn how to identify the aspect of the color to an object, such as 'the sky is blue.'   This then provides new opportunities for your child to learn new words, enhance vocabulary, and make connections between sounds and syllables.   Together, all these skills will help you get your child, Ready to Read!

Wiggle Rhyme
A wiggle, wiggle here,
A wiggle, wiggle there,
Wiggle your hands up in the air.

Wiggle your shoulders,
Wiggle your hips,
Wiggle your knees,
And move your lips.

Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle
And wiggle some more,
And now please sit down on the floor.

Color Rhyme
Red, green, blue
Orange, purple, yellow
I like all the colors, yes I do!

Red, green, blue
Orange, purple, yellow
I like all the colors, yes I do!

We also read these books at Terrific Twos:

One Little Blueberry by Tammi Salzano
An introduction to the numbers one to ten. Various insects see a blueberry fall to the ground and want to eat it. Which one will get the blueberry?
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Kitten's Autumn by Eugenie Fernandes
Autumn has settled on the farm, but fallen leaves aren't the only signs of the season. Find out what animals kitten sees preparing themselves for winter.
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More Fun Rhymes and Books About the Color BLUE:

Blue Chameleon by Emily Gravett
A lonely chameleon tries to change his color and shape to fit in with other animals, including the swirly snail, the pink cockatoo, and the green grasshopper, but he cannot find anyone that is just like him.
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Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea by Jan Peck
A child explores the treasures of the deep blue sea from the safety of a bathtub.
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The Old Blue Pickup Truck by Candice F. Ransom
As a girl and her father run errands in their old blue pickup, she discovers how many different ways they can use their truck.
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Little Boy Blue Rhyme
Little Boy Blue, come blow your horn.
The sheep's in the meadow, the cow's in the corn.
Where is the boy that looks after the sheep?
He's under the haystack, fast asleep. 

Five Little Blue Birds (Use fingers to represent the birds.)
Five little blue birds, hopping by my door
One went to build a nest, and then there were four

Four little blue birds singing lustily
One got out of tune, and then there were three

Three little blue birds, and what should one do,
But go in search of dinner, leaving only two.

Two little blue birds singing for fun
One flew away, and then there was one.

One little blue bird sitting in the sun
He took a little nap, and then there was none.

Wonderful Ones: Autumn for Babies

At the library, you may have brought your youngest children to the Wonderful Ones program.  This very popular program is specifically designed for babies 9 - 23 months and offers 15 minutes of stories, singing, and fingerplays along with an additional 15 minutes of playtime.  From the time they are infants, children learn language and other important skills that will help them learn to read.

Starting off our second Fall session, we'll be sharing rhymes, songs and stories for babies to enjoy the autumn weather and explore the different characteristics of the season. You'll use gentle movements to learn about the space around them, such as, clapping hands to the rhythm, making leaf flying motions, and using your fingers to tap the raindrops.  Using songs, rhymes and books, you are helping to introduce new words and sounds to your child, which helps him or her develop a bigger vocabulary. 


Autumn in the Air Rhyme
Autumn leaf in the air,
Autumn leaf in my hair,
Autumn leaf on my knee,
Autumn leaf floating free,
Autumn leaf on my nose.
Whoops!  There it goes!

If You’re Happy That it’s Cold Rhyme
If you’re happy that it’s cold, clap your hands.
If you’re happy that it’s cold, clap your hands.
It’s the time for mittens and hats,
Let’s not forget about that,
If you’re happy that it’s cold, clap your hands.
(Touch your toes, nod your head)

Drip-Drop Rhyme
The rain goes drip-drop, (Tap in rhythm)
The rain goes drip-drop.
Drip-drop,
How it does plop.
Drip-drop.

This week at Wonderful Ones, we'll be reading these books.

Bedtime Peekaboo by Dawn Sirett
Babies can lift the big flaps and play peekaboo in this board book title with a bedtime theme.
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Under My Hood I Have a Hat by Karla Kuskin
A child describes the many layers of clothing needed to stay warm in the winter. 
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What Can You Do in the Wind? By Anna Grossnickle Hines
The wind provides the opportunity to feel it blow, hear it sing, and sail a kite.
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Terrific Twos: Sleepytime

With this week's activities, your terrific two-year old will no longer dread bedtime!  Make sleepytime fun with these calming, yet entertaining rhymes and stories.  Share reading together during bathtime or while cuddling with a favorite toy to help your child enjoy quiet time. For children to become skilled readers, acquiring general knowledge, such as the elements of bedtime, is essential.  Word knowledge then becomes easier for them to grasp and makes it easier for the child to understand and remember what they learn.  

Three Birds Rhyme
We are three birds who sing a song,
And we sing and sing the whole day long.
But when night comes and it’s time to rest,
We go to sleep in our cozy, little nest.

We are three birds who sing a song,
And we sing and sing the whole day long.
But when night comes and it’s time to rest,
We go to sleep in our cozy, little nest.

  

Goodnight, Owl Story
Whoo! Whoo!
Who will sleep behind the tree?
Goodnight, Moose.

Whoo! Whoo!
Who will sleep in the pond?
Goodnight, Frogs.

Whoo! Whoo!
Who will sleep near the pond?
Goodnight Ducks, Goodnight Geese.

Whoo! Whoo!
Who will sleep in the forest?
Goodnight, Bear. Goodnight, Deer.

Good morning Sun!
Goodnight, Owl


 For more fun, take a look at these books we read in class today:

Animals are Sleeping by Suzanne Slade
The rhyming text provides information on the sleeping habits of animals that live on land, in water, and fly through the air. "For Creative Minds" section includes animals sorting cards and activities.
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Where to Sleep by Kandy Radzinski

Rhyming text explores different places a kitten might sleep, finally settling on a best friend's feet.
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Story Mix for Three to Six: Time to Say Goodnight

During our time in Story Mix, we have been exploring different times of the day.  This week, we will make bedtime fun for children with stories and rhymes! Through talking and reading, children learn different sounds and words.  Reading enables children to understand that printed words stand for spoken words, as well as, learn how a book works.  Conversation between you and your child is one of the best ways to help him or her learn new information and words.  Skills such as phonological awareness and letter knowledge are enhanced through reading and talking.  When integrated with activities such as the rhymes and stories below, sharing reading and talking plays an important role in vocabulary development and early reading success.

Little Baby Fingerplay Game
This little baby is ready for bed
Down on the pillow she lays her head
Cover her up so she won’t peep
And rock her rock her till she’s fast asleep   
       
My Kitten is Hiding Rhyme
My kitten is hiding under my chair
I looked and I looked for her everywhere
Under the table and under the bed
I looked in the corner
But when I said, “Come kitty, come kitty, here’s milk for you.”
My kitten came running, crying, “Mew, mew, mew.”
       
Two Little Hands Rhyme
Two little hands go clap, clap, clap
Two little arms lie in my lap
Two little feet go bump, bump, bump
Two little legs give one big jump
Two little eyes are shut so tight
One little voice whispers, “Good Night!”

Tick-Tock, Drip-Drop! by Nicola Moon
When Rabbit has trouble falling asleep because of various noises, Mole tries to help.
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Kitty Cat, Kitty Cat, Are You Going to Sleep? by Bill Martin Jr. and Michael Sampson
A young cat is distracted by many things while getting ready for bed at night.
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Bear Child’s Book Of Hours by Anne Rockwell
For each hour of the day Bear Child participates in a new activity, and as he does the reader sees the time on the clock.
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Story Mix for Three to Six: Lunchtime Laughter

This week in Story Mix, our theme was lunchtime! Below are rhymes and stories we shared at this week's class.  Talking and sharing lunch with your child is a great way to start a conversation.  What does your child like to eat?  Has your family ever been on a picnic?  Is there anything you remember about lunchtime you can share with your child, like your favorite lunch box or snack?   Talking about food and the different mealtimes of the day, such as lunchtime, can help introduce new words to your child. 

To become skilled readers, children need rich language and broad vocabulary to understand messages conveyed in print.  Word knowledge can be developed through exposure to new words, such as 'lunchbox' or 'munch', and also new experiences, such as having a picnic.

Try these rhymes for lunchtime laughter that your 3-6 year old is sure to enjoy.  For even more fun, share them over a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Picnic Basket Rhyme
A-tisket A-tasket
Let’s pack a picnic basket
We’ll fill it up with food to munch
What should be in our lunch?

Little Mouse Rhyme  
(Sung to the tune of "Where is Thumbkin?")
Are you hungry?  Are you hungry?
Little Mouse, Little Mouse
It is time for lunch, It is time for lunch
Eat right now, Eat right now

Counting Baby Mice Rhyme
Where are the baby mice?
Squeak squeak squeak
I cannot see them
Peek peek peek
Here they come out of their hole in the wall
1,2,3,4,5, That’s all!


If you're hungry for more lunchtime laughter, check out these books we read at Story Mix.

Gladys Goes Out to Lunch by Derek Anderson
Gladys the gorilla is tired of eating nothing but bananas, until the day she smells something wonderful that lures her from the zoo in search of a new treat. 
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I Need a Lunch Box by Jeannette Caines
A little boy yearns for a lunch box, even though he hasn't started school yet. 
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Worms for Lunch by Leonid Gore
Easy-to-read text and die-cut illustrations allow various creatures to reveal what they like to eat. 
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Story Mix for Three to Six: School is Cool!

September is upon us at the Gail Borden Public Library!  The temperature outside is cooling down and children are going back to school.  Perhaps your child attending this week's Story Mix just started preschool or kindergarten this year!  In the second week of the fall program, we are going to read the book, The Little School Bus by Carol Roth, a story about an assortment of animals who ride the bus to and from school.  We will also read the book, We Love School by Marilyn Janovitz, which uses simple rhymes and illustrations to describe to a young kitten what it's like going to school.    

Reading together incorporates all those great new ideas your child is learning in preschool or kindergarten by using rhyming, repetition, story structure and critical thinking.  Stories and songs in rhyme encourage new vocabulary, listening and oral language skills.

Sharing songs and stories together also encourages talking and conversation between you and your child.  For example, talk about what he or she learned in school that day asking questions about favorite songs and playtime activities. You can even have your child re-tell the story or song to you, using his or her own creative flair to help make learning fun!

Another idea would be to have your child draw a picture of their favorite schooltime snack or toy.  Helping your child write captions for the picture connects the spoken words to the ideas, and creates a visual representation of your child's imagination to share.

Below is a "school" themed song and rhyme we performed at the Story Mix program this week:

The Wheels on the Bus Song
The wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round, round and round
The wheels on the bus go round and round all through the town.

Repeat the song using different parts of and people on the bus: 
The children on the bus go up and down, up and down, up and down...
The horn on the bus goes beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep beep...
The wipers on the bus go swish, swish, swish, swish, swish, swish, swish, swish, swish...


Ready for School Rhyme
This little girl is going to bed
Down on the pillow she lays her head
She covers herself with the blankets so tight
And this is the way she sleeps all night
Morning comes and she opens her eyes
Throws back the covers and up she flies
Soon she is up and dressed for the day
Ready for school and ready for play

Check catalog availability of The Little School Bus by Carol Roth

Check catalog availability of We Love School by Marilyn Janovitz