What I Read This Week 10/29

The Yoga Game by the Sea by Kathy Beliveau

My library finally bought a copy of this book, so I thought I would re-read it. I've done a few yoga programs for kids and this book was a fun way to get kids into doing animal poses. If you don't feel like doing the movements along, it would still make a fun guessing game. If you like this one, the same author also wrote The Yoga Game and Yoga Game: In the Garden, which comes out in December. I also really liked You are a Lion! by Tae-Eun Yoo.

8: An Animal Alphabet by Elisha Cooper

I love this alphabet book! The illustrations are great and I like that the names of the animals are on the page but not right next to the animals so kids can guess who is who. The animal facts in the back are a fun bonus.

Mr Postmouse's Rounds by Marianne DuBuc

This book was a really fun peek into the lives and houses of different animals. I don't think I would read it at story tie because the print is pretty small, but it would make a wonderful read-together for a kid who likes animals and/or general silliness.

When I Grow Up by Emma Dodd

Emma Dodd's stories are always so sweet and this one is now different. I love the simple illustrations with the gold foil on every page. This would make a great bedtime story.

My Humongous Hamster Goes to School by Lorna Freytag

This is the follow-up to last year's My Humongous Hamster and it is just as silly. Maybe I'm just partial to it because I used to have a hamster, but I think kids would find these stories hilarious. Even young kids should get a kick out of seeing an animal way bigger than it should be. This would be a great read aloud or bedtime story.

Yak and Gnu by Juliette MacIver

I always love books with unusual animals ( like Roly Poly Pangolin and Lost For Words) and this one even rhymes! Kids will like the fun illustrations and the repeated song that Yak and Gnu sing. This would be a tad long for younger story times, but it would be great for older story times and bedtime.

Lap Sit Week of 10/26/2015

And just like that, October story times are over! Here's what we were up to this week:

If You're Ready For a Story (to the tune of If You're Happy and You Know It)

Clap your hands, stomp your feet, wave hello

Big Big Big

This is big big big- this is small small small

This is short short short- this is tall tall tall

This is fast fast fast- this is slow slow slow

This is yes yes yes- this is no no no

ABCs

Open/Shut Them

Open/shut them, open/shut them- give a little clap clap clap

Open/shut them, open/shut them- put them in your lap lap lap

Creep them crawl them, creep them crawl them

Right up to your chinny chin chin

Open wide your little mouth- but do not let them in!

Book #1: Where is Baby's Pumpkin? by Karen Katz

Everybody Knows I Love My Toes

Everybody knows I love my toes

Everybody knows I love my toes

I love my elbows, my ears, my knees, and my nose

But everybody knows I love my toes

Acka Backa

Acka backa soda cracker acka backa boo

Acka backa soda cracker

I love you! [big hug]

Acka backa soda cracker acka backa boo

Acka backa soda cracker

Up goes you! [lift baby or baby's arms up]

Hands are Clapping [to the tune of "Skip to the Lou My Darling"]

Hands are clapping, clap clap clap

Hands are clapping, clap clap clap

Hands are clapping, clap clap clap

Clap your hands my darling\

Toes are tapping, tap tap tap

Toes are tapping, tap tap tap

Toes are tapping, tap tap tap

Tap your toes my darling

Eyes are hiding- peekaboo!

Eyes are hiding- peekaboo!

Eyes are hiding- peekaboo!

Eyes are hiding my darling

[end with a peekaboo]

Book #2: Do Cows Meow? by Salina Yoon

Roly Poly

Roly poly, roly poly

fast fast fast, fast fast fast

roly roly poly, roly roly poly

slow slow slow, slow slow slow

Roly poly, roly poly

out out out, out out out

roly roly poly, roly roly poly

in in in, in in in

Hippopotamus on a City Bus

A hip, a hip, a hippopotamus

Got on, got on, got on a city bus

And all, and all, and all the people said you're squishing us! [big hug]\

A sheep, a sheep, a sheep got on a bus

And all, and all, and all the people said move baaaaack [tip backwards]

A cow, a cow, a cow got on a bus

And all, and all, and all the people said moooooove over [tip sideways]

Hokey Pokey

Put your hands in, put your hands out

Put your hands in and shake them all about

Do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself around

That's what it's all about!

Put your feet in, put your feet out

Put your feet in and shake them all about

Do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself around

That's what it's all about!

Put your whole self in, put your whole self out

Put your whole self in and shake it all about

Do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself around

That's what it's all about!

Bumping Up and Down in My Little Red Wagon

Bumping up and down in my little red wagon

Bumping up and down in my little red wagon

Bumping up and down in my little red wagon

Won't you be my darling? [big hug]

[leaning to the sides]

One wheel's off and the axel's broken

One wheel's off and the axel's broken

One wheel's off and the axel's broken

Won't you be my darling? [big hug]

Book #3: Are You a Cow? by Sandra Boynton

Bubbles 

Goodbye Song

Story time is over now, over now, over now

Story time is over now- see you next time!

Lap Sit Week of 10/192015

This was such a nice week for story time! We had a few absences, but I think everybody who could make it had fun. Here's what we were up to:

If You're Ready For a Story (to the tune of If You're Happy and You Know It)

Clap your hands, stomp your feet, wave hello

Big Big Big

This is big big big- this is small small small

This is short short short- this is tall tall tall

This is fast fast fast- this is slow slow slow

This is yes yes yes- this is no no no

ABCs

Open/Shut Them

Open/shut them, open/shut them- give a little clap clap clap

Open/shut them, open/shut them- put them in your lap lap lap

Creep them crawl them, creep them crawl them

Right up to your chinny chin chin

Open wide your little mouth- but do not let them in!

Book #1: I Say, You Say: Opposites by Tad Carpenter

Hippopotamus on a City Bus

Another one of my favorite Jbrary finds:

A hip, a hip, a hippopotamus 

Got on, got on, got on a city bus
And all, and all, and all the people said, 
"You're squishing us!" (hug baby)
A sheep, a sheep, a sheep got on a city bus
and all, and all, and all the people said, 
"Baaaack up!"
A cow, a cow, a cow got on a bus
And all, and all, and all the people said, 
"Mooooove over!"

Hokey Pokey

Put your hands in, put your hands out

Put your hands in- and shake them all about

Do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself around-

That's what it's all about!

Put your feet in, put your feet out

Put your feet in- and shake them all about

Do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself around-

That's what it's all about!

Put your whole self in, put your whole self out

Put your whole self in- and shake it all about

Do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself around-

That's what it's all about!

Head and Shoulders Baby

Head and shoulders baby 1 2 3

Head and shoulders baby 1 2 3

Head and shoulders, head and shoulders

Head and shoulders baby 1 2 3

Knees and toes baby 1 2 3

Knees and toes baby 1 2 3

Knees and toes, knees and toes

Knees and toes baby 1 2 3

Book #2: Noodle Loves the Farm by Marion Billet

Slowly, Slowly

Slowly slowly, very slowly creeps the garden snail

Slowly slowly, very slowly up the garden rail.

Quickly quickly, very quickly runs the little mouse

Quickly quickly, very quickly to his little house!

10 Little Hearts

(The American Sign Language sign for heart is to bend you middle finger and tap it over your heart. Do the sign when the song says heart)

1 little, 2 little, 3 little hearts

4 little, 5 little, 6 little hearts

7 little, 8 little, 9 little hearts

10 little hearts and a kiss

Put Your Hands Up High

(Follow words with motions)

Put your hands up high, put your hands down low

Put your hands in the middle and wave them just so

Put your elbows in the front

Put your elbows in the back

Put your elbows to the sides

and quack quack quack!

Roly Poly

Roly poly, roly poly

fast fast fast, fast fast fast

Roly roly poly, roly roly poly

Slow slow slow, slow slow slow

(Repeat with any opposite you'd like)

Book #3: Tickle Time! by Sandra Boynton

Bubbles

We had a bubble revelation this week! We lost our bubble wand but happened to find these bubbles which turned out to be the most amazing bubbles ever! There's a picture of the bottle below and it turns out you can buy them on Amazon.com. They're about $12 for a set of 3.

Goodbye Song

Story time is over now, over now, over now

Story time is over now- see you next time!

What I Read This Week 10/14

Duddle Puck: The Puddle Duck by Karma Wilson

Kids will love how silly this story is and will enjoy correcting all the wrong sounds the duck makes. This would be a great story time as well as bed time story.

Baa, Baa, Black Sheep by Jane Cabrera

Jane Cabrera's books are really fun for story time- the illustrations are bright and engaging, the words are familiar so kids will be interested, and I love any time kids and parents can sing along with a book. I  think Baa, Baa, Black Sheep is especially silly.

Little Elliott Big Family by Mike Curato

This book made me so happy and so sad at the same time. While his friend mouse has a large family, Elliot the elephant does not. However, by the end of the story, he's found a family that's just the right fit for him. Plus, the illustrations are amazing!

Touch the Brightest Star by Christie Matheson

This is a companion to 2013's Tap the Magic Tree and it is just as much fun. I love interactive picture books kids will enjoy making the sky turn to night and back to day. If you haven't tried it yet, Tap the Magic Tree would be a great read-alike.

Lenny & Lucy by Philip C. Stead

This is another book this week that made me sad but also had a very sweet ending. Kids will identify with being afraid of living in the woods, but I like that the end message is friends make everything less scary and lonely.

Stay! A Top Dog Story by Alex Latimer

This is a great story for kids who love their pets, as well as kids who just like animals in general. This would be a great bed time story, as there are many notes and small illustrations for kids to discover.

Lap Sit Week of 10/12

This was such a nice week at story time! It makes me so happy to families coming back every week and having new families drop in. Here's what we were up to this week:

If You're Ready For a Story (to the tune of If You're Happy and You Know It)

Clap your hands, stomp your feet, wave hello

Big Big Big

This is big big big- this is small small small

This is short short short- this is tall tall tall

This is fast fast fast- this is slow slow slow

This is yes yes yes- this is no no no

ABCs

Open/Shut Them

Open/shut them, open/shut them- give a little clap clap clap

Open/shut them, open/shut them- put them in your lap lap lap

Creep them crawl them, creep them crawl them

Right up to your chinny chin chin

Open wide your little mouth- but do not let them in!

Book #1: All of Baby Nose to Toes by Victoria Adler

Head and Shoulders Baby

Head and shoulders baby, 1-2-3

Head and shoulders baby, 1-2-3

Head and shoulders, head and shoulders

Head and shoulders baby, 1-2-3

Knees and toes baby, 1-2-3

Knees and toes baby, 1-2-3

Knees and toes, knees and toes

Knees and toes baby, 1-2-3

(Originally from Jbrary, a duo of children's librarians. Their youtube page is amazing.)

Lift One Foot

Lift one foot and then the other

Lift one foot and then the other

Lift one foot and then the other

Lift them both together.

Lift one arm and then the other

Lift one arm and then the other

Lift one arm and then the other

Lift them both together.

Wheels on the Bus

Wheels on the bus go round and round

Round and round, round and round

Wheels on the bus go round and round

All through the town.

The horn on the bus goes beep beep beep

beep beep beep, beep beep beep

The horn on the bus goes beep beep beep

All through the town.

The grown ups on the bus go shh shh shh

shh shh shh, shh shh shh

The grown ups on the bus go shh shh shh

All through the town.

Book #2: Hide and Seek Harry Around the House by Kenny Harrison

A Bouncing We Will Go

A bouncing we will go, a bouncing we will go

Hi-ho the derry-o a bouncing we will go.

A rocking we will go, a rocking we will go

Hi-ho the derry-o a rocking we will go.

A tickling we will go, a tickling we will go

hi-ho the derry-o a tickling we will go.

Love Somebody Yes I Do

(Feel free to bounce, rock, or move however you'd like)

Love somebody yes I do

Love somebody yes I do

Love somebody yes I do

But I won't tell who.

Two Little Blackbirds

(use index finger motions along with song)

Two little blackbirds sitting on a hill

One named Jack and one named Jill

Fly away Jack, fly away Jill

Come back Jack, come back Jill.

Two little blackbirds flying in the sky

One named low and one named high

Fly away low, fly away high

Come back low, come back high.

(This video from Jbrary shows a lot of different verses you can do with this song- use any opposites you'd like!)

Book #3: Peek a Love by Salina Yoon

Bubbles 

Goodbye Song

Story time is over now, over now, over now

Story time is over now- see you next time!

Lap Sit Week of 10/5/2015

And just like that, the first week of October story times are over! Here's what happened at story time this week-

If You're Ready For a Story (to the tune of If You're Happy and You Know It)

Clap your hands, stomp your feet, wave hello

Big Big Big

This is big big big- this is small small small

This is short short short- this is tall tall tall

This is fast fast fast- this is slow slow slow

This is yes yes yes- this is no no no

ABCs

Open/Shut Them

Open/shut them, open/shut them- give a little clap clap clap

Open/shut them, open/shut them- put them in your lap lap lap

Creep them crawl them, creep them crawl them

Right up to your chinny chin chin

Open wide your little mouth- but do not let them in!

Book #1: I Kissed the Baby! by Mary Murphy

Bumping Up and Down

(Bounce baby on your lap as you go)

Bumping up and down in my little red wagon

Bumping up and down in my little red wagon

Bumping up and down in my little red wagon

(big hug) Won't you be my darling?

(tilting to the sides) One wheel's off and the axle's broken

One wheel's off and the axle's broken

One wheel's off and the axle's broken

(big hug) Won't you be my darling?

Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes

(point to body parts as you go)

Head, shoulders, knees, and toes- knees and toes

Head, shoulders, knees, and toes- knees and toes

Eyes and ears and mouth and nose

Head, shoulders, knees, and toes- knees and toes

I Wake Up My Hands

I wake up my hands with a clap, clap, clap

clap, clap, clap

clap, clap, clap

I wake up my hands with a clap, clap, clap

And I wiggle my waggles away!

I wake up my toes with a tap, tap, tap

tap, tap, tap

tap, tap, tap

I wake up my toes with a tap, tap, tap

And I wiggle my waggles away!

I wake up my hips with a shake, shake, shake

shake, shake, shake

shake, shake, shake

I wake up my hips with a shake, shake, shake

And I wiggle my waggles away!

Book #2: Baby Loves Fall! by Karen Katz

Lift One Foot

Lift one foot and then the other,

Lift one foot and then the other,

Lift one foot and then the other,

Lift them both together!

Lift one arm and then the other,

Lift one arm and then the other,

Lift one arm and then the other,

Lift them both together!

Roly Poly

(roll hands as you go)

Roly poly, roly poly

Fast fast fast, fast fast fast

Roly roly poly, roly roly poly

Slow slow slow, slow slow slow

Roly poly, roly poly

up up up, up up up

Roly roly poly, roly roly poly

down down down, down down down

Popcorn Kernels

(we used scarves to act out the motions at story time, but feel free to use a shirt, small towel, or whatever else you have on hand)

Popcorn kernels, popcorn kernels

In the pot, in the pot

Shake them shake them shake them, shake them shake them shake them

Til they pop! Til they pop!

One Bright Scarf

One bright scarf waiting for the wind to blow

wiggle it high and wiggle it low

shake it fast and shake it slow

(hide it behind your back) where did it go?

Book #3: Five Little Monkeys by Eileen Christelow

Bubbles

Goodbye Song

Story time is over now, over now, over now

Story time is over now- see you next time!