2/9 Story Hour

Theme: Valentine's Day
Book: One Zillion Valentines by Frank Modell
Song: I am your heart and I go beat, beat (clap hands on beat)
I pump blood while you're asleep (pretend to sleep).
I pump blood while you jump up and down (jump).
I pump blood while you run around (run in place).
I pump blood when you move your feed (march in place).
I pump blood as you tiptoe to your seat (tiptoe and sit down).
Activity: use a stethoscope to listen to heartbeats. What happens when you run or jump and when you sit quietly?
Flannelboard: H-E-A-R-T (to the tune of "Bingo")
There is a shape and it means love and heart is its name-o. H-e-a-r-t...
Craft: Make a mailbox for your valentines and deliver cards to your friends

Another favorite about love is Love You Forever by Robert Munsch. Enjoy this non-traditional story on Valentine's Day!

2/1 Story Hour

Theme: Snowmen
Book: Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner
Flannelboard: 5 Little Snowmen (to the tune of 5 Little Monkeys)
5 little snowmen riding on a sled (5 fingers sit on other hand which is out flat, palm down)
One fell off and bumped his head (pretend 1 finger falls off, rub head)
Mama called Frosty and Frosty said (pretend hand is a phone, hold to ear)
"No more snowmen riding on that sled!" (say in a deep voice and shake head)
Repeat with 4, counting down until there are none.
Activity: Melt like a snowman
Kids dance and spin, "melting" to the floor when a flashlight shines on them
Craft: Make a snowglobe using kits from Oriental Trading

1/25 Story Hour

Theme: Snow
Book: Snow by Uri Shulevitz
Flannelboard: 5 Little Snowflakes
One little snowflakes with nothing to do. Along came another and then there were two.
Two little snowflakes laughing with me. Along came another and then there were three.
Three little snowflakes looking for some more, Along came another and then there were four.
Four little snowflakes dancing a jive. Along came another and then there were five.
Five little snowflakes having so much fun. Out came the sun, and then there were none!
Activity: "Ice skate" with waxed paper. Put waxed paper under your feet and slide around on the carpet!
Craft: Practice scissor skills by making paper snowflakes. Use a square piece of paper, fold, cut, and then unfold to see your finished design.

1/11 Story Hour

Theme: Arctic Animals
Book: The Penguin Who Wanted to Sparkle from Glitter Books
Flannelboard: Help decide where the arctic animals like seals, polar bears, and snow leopards live- in the water or on land?
Song: I'm a Little Penguin (to the tune of I'm a Little Teapot)
I'm a little penguin, black and white (hands at armpits to make wings, wobble back and forth)
Short and wobbly, an adorable sight (squat lower and wobble)
I can't fly at all (shake head like saying "no")
But I love to swim (make swimming motion through air)
So I'll waddle to the water and jump (jump high) right in!
Activity: balance a plastic egg on your feet and practice walking like a daddy penguin
Craft: make a picture of a polar bear using cotton balls

1/4, 1/5 Story Hour

This is Ms. Megan's last Story Hour before going on Maternity Leave. She will resume Monday/Tuesday programs on March 1st and hopes to bring baby Patrick by for a visit!

Theme: New Baby
Book: The Baby Shower by Eve Bunting
Song: to the tune of "Twinkle Twinkle"
Baby, baby wants a nap
Rock him gently in your lap (rock arms like holding baby)
Watch him as he falls asleep (pretend to sleep)
Quiet now, don't make a peep (finger to lips)
Baby, baby wants a nap
Rock him gently in your lap.
Activities: Guess how much Patrick will weigh and look at baby pictures
Craft: Water bottle rattles. Take an empty water plastic bottle and fill with beads, bells, or anything that makes noise. Cover top with fabric and tie on lots of ribbons to decorate.

Beginning on Monday January 11th, Story Hour will be held on Mondays only from 10:30-11:30. Come next week to hear Ms. Margaret read about arctic animals and make a furry polar bear!

12/28, 12/29 Story Hour

Theme: The New Year
Book: Twelve Hats for Lena by Karen Katz
Activity: Practice numbers by counting down from 10 to 0. Be sure to yell "Happy New Year" at the end! We made extra noise using musical instruments.
Craft: Make a 2010 calendar. Children glued a calendar to cardstock and added a loop of yarn so they can hang it up at home. Everyone had their picture taken which was then printed and glued above the calendar. Now they can remember library Story Hour every day of the new year. Have your child color in their birthday as well as other special days they look forward to.

Note the upcoming schedule change:
Story Hour will only be held on Mondays from 10:30-11:30 beginning Monday, January 11th. We will resume programs on Mondays and Tuesdays starting Monday March 1st, 2010.

Story Hour with Santa

Theme: Christmas
Book: The Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore
Song: Jingle Bells
Activity: Share what you want for Christmas
Activity: Have your picture taken with Santa Claus. Pictures were then printed at the library for children to take home.
Craft: Make a candy cane ornament to decorate your tree.