Monday, July 28, 2008

A dog of a program

A great start with Harry by the Sea by Gene Zion (I heart Harry, the white dog with black spots). Then a new one, Not Afraid of Dogs by Susanna Pitzer, a nice tail (arf!) about Daniel, a brave boy who isn't "afraid" of dogs, he just doesn't like them (and Bandit, the little dog who changes his mind). I Love Dogs, a very simple book by Barney Saltzberg that is always a surprisingly big hit, and last, the based-on-a-real- story (which makes it even more special) The Stray Dog by Marc Simont. Max, a dog puppet who barks on cue joined us. A version of Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes I found online awhile ago and altered that goes: Paws, muzzles, ears and tails...fur and fleas and barks and wails, paws muzzles...etc. Was most effective with the puppet helping and kids liked waggling their tails. Also Bingo (thank you Sharon, Lois and Bram cd) and a cute fingerplay, five little puppies (see website: http://www.geocities.com/mystorytime/dogs.htm ) good dog books list on their site as well. ) And please remember: Leave no dogs in cars even with windows down in the summer, it's hotter for them than you, they don't sweat (lots of water for your pups, too!)

Monday, July 21, 2008

a (sort of) green themed Story time for a hot day

What's for lunch? by John Schindel (okay, no green but a good kick-off story)
Hi, Harry! by Martin Waddell also a hit especially as one of the kids stood next to me with our turtle rhyme and puppet after : "Little turtle in your shell, slowly you do go.
Slowly creeping, slowly crawling
Slow is nice you know!"
Then the book Elizabeth Bird over at Fuse #8 enthuses over (couldn't believe we own it)
The Noisy Counting Book by Susan Schade. Ms. Bird is right, lots of fun (saying Ga-Dunk! is always fun).
Green as a Bean by the wonderful Karla Kuskin invited "what would you be?" responses. Hilda's Restful Chair by Iris Schweitzer - which had watermelon in it which was why I chose it to go with our watermelon craft. We sang the watermelon song : (to tune of "Are You sleeping?") that I found on the web this morning (have kids echo each sentence) "Watermelon, on the vine, sweet and red and juicy, please be mine. Watermelon, how it drips, up and down your elbow, spit the pits." A good time had by all.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Summer delays and a post for thought

Nothing like starting up a new blog midsummer and then going on vacation jaunts here and there...not condusive for posts.
However, here is an interesting bit of library biz to think about:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080719/ap_on_re_us/library_privacy;_ylt=AkuwYkOtW75Nw_xpfSpRAkZH2ocA

and clearly I need to figure out how to just link the post to a word like "here" as I have seen on other blogs...well, I'll look into it and figure it out but not while I am still on vacation :)

Sunday, July 13, 2008

In lieu of a basket...

or a file, or a drawer, or several draws, many baskets, many files. Yup, that's how all my library stuff is laid out - and not just at home but in two separate libraries as well.
So welcome to my brand new blog. Here's where I will try to pull it all together - book lists, reviews, program ideas, links to crafts, anything I find I can use in my work as a children's librarian.
A note: this is not a "kidslit" blog, although I have put links to some of the finest ones on my blogroll - I couldn't possibly match the energy and detail of those blogs! And this may be vague and on again, off again, and bursts of enthusiasm, and then stretches of not a lot...a bit like yours truly operates, especially when writing which I am supposedly doing (my other gig).
But I wander - if anything strikes your fancy, please, borrow any idea you might find of use. If you borrow from a review or something "written", please note the source (moi!). The most helpful thing I have found in library work is the generosity of other librarians. I will try to pay it forward.
Cheers.