Monday, June 17, 2013

Swimming Storytime




When it's hot outside and you have already been to the library what is there to do?  Go swimming! More information about the City of Stillwater's public pool and swim lessons can be found at http://stillwater.org/government/city_departments/parks_and_recreation/aquatics.php


Opening Song: The More We Get Together
*We sing and clap to our opening song.  All Stillwater Public Library story times start with this song and the children learn that song means story time is starting.

The more we get together
Together, together
The more we get together
The happier we'll be
Cause your friends are my friends
And my friends are your friends
The more we get together
The happier we'll be



Book: Sergio Makes a Splash! by Edel Rodriguez

Rhyme: Two Little Fishes
Two little fishes side by side (hold up two index fingers, side by side)
Swim through the water.
Swim through the tide. (Swimming motions)
They don't need a motor.
And they don't need a sail. (Shake head twice)
They just wiggle their fins. (Wiggle hands at side)
And wiggle their tails. (Wiggle hands behind your back).




Book: Swim, Little Wombat, Swim! by Charles Fuge

Song: Walk, Don't Run! (sung to the tune of "Row, row, row your boat")
Walk, walk, walk, don't run,
Near a swimming pool.
Walking feet will keep you safe!
Let's repeat this rule.




Book: Come On Baby Duck! by Nick Ward



Rhyme: Five Little Fishes
Five little fishes swimming in the sea
(make swimming motions with your hands)
The first one said, “I’m as blue as can be”
(make a sad face)
The second one said, “Let’s dive down deep”
(make a diving motion with hands together)
The third one said, “You don’t have to weep”
(make a crying motion with hands on face)
The fourth one said, “Be happy and free”
(make a happy face)
The fifth one said, “Be friends with me”
(point to baby and yourself)
And friends they were and friends they will stay
As the five little fishes swam away
(make swimming motions with your hands)
 


Craft: In the water picture
Using a paper plate the children colored the plate blue for water and pasted on images of kids swimming/ floating and a happy yellow sun.

Beyond Storytime: Stay cool and be safe around the water. 
For kids: http://www.dangerrangers.com/kids_safety_topic.php?id=6
For Parents: http://www.parentmap.com/blog/22018/summer-water-safety-and-drowning-prevention-tips-for-kids

Other books to check out:
Splish, Splash, Splat! by Rob Scotton
Don't Be Afraid, Little Pip! by Karma Wilson & Jane Chapman
The Boy Who Wouldn't Swim by Deb Lucke
Sink or Swim by Valerie Coulman

Monday, June 10, 2013

Father's Day Storytime






Happy Father's Day! Check out these cute photo's of Dads reading to their children http://www.readaloud.org/contest.html



Need more inspiration to read to your child? Check out The Reading Promise: My father and the books we shared, by Alice Ozma, which chronicles a father and daughter's streak for reading-out-loud sessions each night.












Opening Song: The More We Get Together
*We sing and clap to our opening song.  All Stillwater Public Library story times start with this song and the children learn that song means story time is starting.

The more we get together
Together, together
The more we get together
The happier we'll be
Cause your friends are my friends
And my friends are your friends
The more we get together
The happier we'll be



Book: A Perfect Father's Day by Eve Bunting

Song: Do you love me? (to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star)

Tell me Daddy is it true,
Do you love me like I love you?
Do you love me if I'm bad?
Do you love me if I'm mad?
Yes my darling, I sure do!
Now and always I love you.



Book: My Father Knows the Names of Things by Jane Yolen

Rhyme:  Daddy is my friend

Daddy is my special friend,
The two of us are close.
I always like the things we do
And I love him the most!



Book:  Me and My Dad! by Alison Ritchie

Craft:  Gift for Dad
We made a picture flower out of a cupcake holder, craft stick and paper leaves.  The children can add a picture at home to the center of the cupcake holder before giving it to Dad.

Beyond Storytime: Links to several activities related to Father's Day  http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/fathers-day/

 
Other books to check out:
Poems for Fathers Easy 811.5 Poe
Don't Let Go! by Jeanne Willis
The Daddy Goose Treasury by Vivian French
Piggy and Dad Go Fishing by David Martin
 

Butterflies/ Caterpillars Storytime





As spring turns into summer I am looking forward to seeing more butterflies flitting around the blooming flowers.  Have you introduced your child to the life cycle of caterpillars and butterflies yet?
Also don't forget to sign up for our Summer Reading Program!

Opening Song: The More We Get Together
*We sing and clap to our opening song.  All Stillwater Public Library story times start with this song and the children learn that song means story time is starting.

The more we get together
Together, together
The more we get together
The happier we'll be
Cause your friends are my friends
And my friends are your friends
The more we get together
The happier we'll be



 Book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

 Song: Flutter, Flutter Butterfly (to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star)

Flutter, flutter, butterfly.
Floating in the summer sky.
Floating by for all to see,
Floating by so merrily.
Flutter, flutter, butterfly.
Floating in the summer sky.

 

Book: Waiting for Wings by Lois Ehlert


Finger play: The Caterpillar

The fuzzy little caterpillar went up into a tree (act like you are climbing)
spun his cocoon and then (yawn) went to sleep (spin hands)
While he was sleeping he dreamed that he could fly (making flying motion)
When he woke up (loud, excited) he was a butterfly!









Book: Don't Worry Bear by Greg Foley


 Craft: Caterpillar buddy
We created a caterpillar using construction paper links for the body and adding a cute face and pipe cleaner antennas.
*Cut strips of paper that are about 1 inch by 6 inches
*Form one of the strips into a circle and secure it with glue or tape
*Form the next paper strip into a circle and connect it to the first loop
*Continue until you have desired length of caterpillar (each loop is a segment of your caterpillar)
*Cut a circle to form the head and use a marker/ crayon to make eyes
*Glue the head to the caterpillar






Beyond Storytime: Go on a nature walk and see how many different butterflies you see.
A great place to go is our local botanical gardens.

Other books to check out:
Butterfly Express by Jane Moncure
A Butterfly is Patient by Dianna Aston
In the Meadow by Yukiko Kato
Velma Gratch & the way cool butterfly by Alan Madison



The life cycle of a butterfly by Bobbie Kalman and other books about butterflies can be found on the non-fiction shelves in the children's section of the library, call number 595.78.