Happy New Year!!

It's the last  day of 2014!!  I hope everyone had a good year and  will continue to do so (and continue reading) in 2015! So, from all of us at Lake County Public Library (including your lovely blogger)....



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From all of us at the Lake County Public Library

From all of us at Lake County Public Library.....
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Storytime for 2 and 3 yr olds: Jingle Jingle!!

Happy Holidays!!!



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Today was our last storytime for 2014. We had very big crowd that wanted to celebrate the holidays. The group heard three stories ( Jingle Jingle by Nicole Smee, Ten on a Sled by Kim Norman, and I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas by John Rox). They also rang some bells and made a Jingle Hippo Ornament.

Here is a video for "Holly Jolly Christmas", sung by Burl Ives. Enjoy!!









We're taking a holiday break, but we'll start again Monday, January 19 2015 at 10 am.

Happy Holidays and see everyone next year!!

Book Reviews: Books for a Quiet Holiday

For the most of us, the holidays are a season of hustle and bustle. There are endless weeks of shopping, preparing, and partying. Yet these two books celebrate the quiet moments.

The Christmas Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood- Fans of Underwood's The Quiet Book  and The Loud Book will love the holiday companion that celebrates Christmas's quiet moments.  In digitally colored pencil artwork by Renata Liswka ( plus simple text from Underwood), bunnies, bears, and other animals quietly make snow angels,  drink cocoa, and try to stay up for Santa.  A perfect read to calm little ones to bed.

 





Noel by Tony Johnston- On Christmas Eve, the sounds of bells from "an icicle-pointed steeple" call a community to gather and sing " Noel".  Beloved children's author Johnston's lyrical and haunting words celebrates the beauty and calm of the season, matched wonderfully with watercolor artwork by Cheng-Khee Chee. Using a watercolor method called "saturated wet-paper technique" ( which is described in the back of the book), Chee's images of snow-covered carolers and twinkling street lights seem to glow from the pages.  A warm and wonderful holiday read.


The Christmas Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood
Age Range: 3-7

Noel by Tony Johntson
Age Range: 5-8
Lexile: 500

Both books: ***** ( 5 stars)

Looking to create a quiet holiday? Here are a few CD recommendations ( Please note that most of theses will be up in the regular AV department):

• Noel-Josh Groban
• December-Kenny Loggins
• Ultimate Relaxation Christmas Album-Various artists
• A Smooth Jazz Christmas-Dave Koz
• Wintersong-Sarah McLachlan
• My Christmas by Andrea Bocelli

Book Review: Roc and Roe's 12 Days of Christmas-Nick Cannon

It's the holiday season and Morroccan (Roc) and Monroe (Roe) Cannon are ready to deck the halls!!  They're going to decorate the tree with choo choo trains, festive fairies and an angel with sparkly, shiny wings! Yippee.

This is a cute, modern take on the Christmas carol "The 12 days of Christmas". I love AG Ford's Saturday morning-looking artwork of Nick Cannon and Mariah Carery's twins ( who make a cameo in the book) and all the stuff that they add to the tree (most of which is clumped at the bottom). It's also good to use for story times because the kids will know the song (and they help you count).

Roc and Roe's 12 Days of Christmas by Nick Cannon
Age Range: 3-5
**** ( 4 stars)

Looking for more Christmas books? Here are some suggestion:

• A Cookie for Santa by Shephanie Shaw "NEW"
• Christmas Parade by Sandra Boynton
• Here Comes Santa Cat by Deborah Underwood "NEW"
• Must Be Santa  by Tim Moore
• Elmo's 12 Days of Christmas by Sarah Albee

Storytime for 2 and 3 yr olds: Rocking Holiday Pizza!!

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To kick off the holiday season, today's storytime was a rocking holiday pizza party (sans pizza but it was still fun)! The children heard three stories ( Pizza at Sally's by Monica Wellington, My Very First Look at Opposites by Christiane Gunzi, and Roc and Roe's 12 Days of Christmas by Nick Cannon). We also rang some bells and made a mini pizza ornament.

Here are some of the songs we did at today's program:

Pizza Man added 1-9-00 Original Author Unknown

Pat a cake, pat a cake, Pizza Man.  
Make me a pizza as fast as you can!  
Roll it and toss it and sprinkle it with cheese.
And don't forget 5 pepperonis ,please !!


If You Want To Make Some Pizza added 3-15-04
Submitted by: Lisa Pope
Sung to: "If You're Happy and You Know It"

If you want to make some pizza, clap your hands,(clap, clap),
If you want to make t some pizza, clap your hands, (clap, clap),If you want to make some pizza, clap your hands
If you want to make t some pizza, clap your hands, (clap, clap)

(Add whatever actions you like)

Gingerbread Man Fingerplay added 12-10-01 Original Author Unknown

Stir a bowl of gingerbread (stir as in a bowl)
Smooth and spicy brown
Roll it with a rolling pin (roll as if with a rolling pin)
Up and up and down
With a cookie cutter (pretend to cut cookie)
Make some little men.
Put them in the oven (put pan in the oven)
Until half past ten.

 Today's holiday treat- We Need a Little Christmas from Glee's Xmas Album, Vol 1. Enjoy!!

 

Our last Storytime for 2 and 3 yr olds is Monday, December 15 at 10 am.  The Christmas Hippo will be stopping by.

Happy Holidays!! See You Soon!!

Happy Thanksgiving (and a gift to my readers)

So it's three days early but I want to wish everyone Happy Thanksgiving and keep reading!!


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And now a small gift for my readers...

Ten years ago, director Robert Zemeckis brought Chris Van Allsburg's classic holiday book to the big screen with Tom Hanks as five different characters and the music of Josh Groban and Steve Tyler. The result was... mixed ( while  computer animation/ performance capture is amazing  it tends come out creepy-looking. Yes, those elves are creepy-looking.) Still, it has become a Christmas classic like Rudolph and It's A Wonderful Life ( and will be airing numerous times on ABC Family next month). Here is my favorite scene from the movie, "When Christmas Comes to Town"(actually it's fan-made, because there are some additional winter/holiday pictures mixed in between the clip). Enjoy!!!

Storytime for 2 and 3 yr old: Hooray for Thanksgiving!!!

Today was our pre-Thanksgiving program. The kids  heard three stories   ( Thanksgiving is Here by Diane Goode, ABC I Like Me by Nancy L. Carlson, and Christmas Parade by Sandra Boynton.) We also rang some bells, learned about the letter "T" and  and made a turkey picture using our hand print and decorated with fall leaves.

Here are a few of the songs we did-

Over the River
Over the river and thru the woods,
to Grandmother's house we go.
The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh,
thru the white and drifting snow, oh.

Over the river and thru the woods,
o how the wind does blow.
It stings the nose and bites the toes
as over the ground we go.

We Eat Turkey ( sung to tune of " Are You Sleeping?")

We eat tur-key, we eat tur-key.
Oh, so good, Oh so good.
Al-ways on Thanks-giv-ing, al-ways on Thanks-giv-ing
Yum - yum - yum! Yum - yum - yum!

( Other food verses can be added, like pie or stuffing)

Let's Be Thankful

Sung to: "Twinkle, twinkle little star"

Let’s be thankful for this day
For our friends and for our play
Let’s be thankful; lets be glad
For the food and things we have
Let’s give thanks for you and me
And our home and family

Since the start of November, I have been getting into the holiday spirit (actually since Halloween because of the snow/rain mix and Hallmark started the Christmas movies). While the kids were making their turkeys, I played 40 yrs: A Charlie Brown Christmas. Here is the full album, enjoy!!

 

Our last two programs for 2014 are Monday, December 1 and Monday, December 15 at 10 am.

 Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Holidays. See you soon!

Happy New Year!

It's the last  day of 2013!!  I hope everyone had a good year and  will continue to do so (and continue reading) in 2014! So, from all of us at Lake County Public Library (including your lovely blogger)....


glitter-graphics.com

Keep Reading! 

From all of us at the Lake County Public Library

From all of us at Lake County Public Library.....


glitter-graphics.com

Music Review:Oh come all ye Christmas Albums!

It's the third week before Christmas. How's everyone doing? ( I got most of my shopping done, now have to wrap gifts, get the tree up, and make cookies. And hopefully my sister and the cat will make it home for the holidays.)

One of the biggest part of the holiday season, besides reading The Night before Christmas or watching the holidays specials and movies ( Hallmark Channel has the best movies for the holiday season, and this weekend is It's A Wonderful Life on NBC) is holiday music, whether by the radio stations or CD. Some of us may prefer sacred, traditional carols like " Silent Night" or golden standards by Crosby, Williams, or Como. Some of us may prefer popular artists like Mariah or Kenny G. And some of us may prefer the wacky and wonderful ( like this year's oddity, Duck the Halls from the cast of Duck Dynasty.)

For this blog entry, I decided to list a few of my  holiday CDs I have used for programs ( or owned), both from children's and the regular AV dept (and don't worry, they stay out all year around , so if you need a little Christmas in March or July, go ahead.) Most tend to repeat songs ( I think everyone seems to favor covering " The Christmas Song", " White Christmas", " Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and most recently, Joni Mitchell's " River"), so I decided to list the album by type of music to expect, some songs, and similar albums. Enjoy.
(Note- Bold means regular AV)

• Radio Disney Holiday Jams-Various Artists: Kid-friendly holiday songs from Disney's radio station ( which in the Midwest is 1300 AM, but very hard to get). Features "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" by Jackson 5, " Jingle Bells" by the Barking Dogs, and " Last Christmas" by Doctor Who star Billie Piper ( apparently was a teen pop star before TV and film). Similar albums: Radio Disney Jingle Jams Volumes 1 and 2, Disney Channel Holiday Playlist,  Disney Channel Holiday
• Phineas and Ferb Holiday Favorites-Various Artists: Holiday songs from the characters of Phineas and Ferb . Features original songs like " I Really Don't like Christmas" and "That Christmas Feeling" plus holiday classics like " Let it Snow" . Similar albums- see  the suggestions of  Radio Disney Holiday Jams
•  Now That's What I Call Christmas series-Various Artists: Holiday completion albums from the Now That's What I call Music series. Currently there are about seven ( including one that is all songs by country-western artists.) Mixture of holiday songs from the past to today, most tend to repeat tracks. Similar albums-A Very Special Christmas, Time-Life Treasury of Christmas Songs, Ultimate Christmas, Let it Snow, Hotel Cafe presents Winter Songs
• Cool December -Various Artists: Winter, non-Christmas songs from artists of the 40s-60s. Includes " Let it Snow " by Doris Day and "Warm December" by Julie London. Great use for programs involving winter and/or snowmen. Similar albums-In the Christmas Mood-Glenn Miller, Snowfall-Tony Bennett,Christmas Classics
• Polar Express Original Motion Soundtrack-Various Artists: Music from the 2004 animated movie. Includes original songs like "Believe" and " Hot Chocolate" plus classic Christmas songs and score by Alan Silvestr. Similar Albums: Love Actually soundtrack, Elf soundtrack, A Very Ally McBeal Christmas,  Nick at Night's Classic Cartoon Christmas, Glee Christmas 1-3
•  40 Years--A Charlie Brown Christmas-Various Artists: Jazzy anniversary tribute to A Charlie Brown Christmas, featuring artists like Vanessa L. Williams, Toni Braxton, and Dave Koz. Similar albums: December Makes Me this Way by Dave Koz, any Kenny G holiday album, any Harry Connick Jr. holiday album,  Christmas by Michael Buble, The Season by Jane Monhait
• Noel-Josh Groban: Pop-classical artist, features mix of original and classic Christmas songs, such as " I'll be Home for Christmas ( which features holiday messages from soldiers stationed overseas). Similar albums: My Christmas by Andrea Bocelli, These are the Special Times by Celine Dion, The Gift  by Susan Boyle
• The Ultimate Relaxation Christmas Album-Various Artists: Instrumental, relaxing mix of sacred and secular Christmas music. Similar Albums:  Ultimate Relaxation Christmas Album 2,  A Windham Hill Christmas,any Mannheim Steamroller holiday album
• December-Kenny Loggins: Very gentle Christmas album from 70s'-80s' singer/songwriter Loggins (who's first solo single in 1978 " Celebrate Me Home" has over the years become a unofficial holiday tune.) Features original and classic Christmas songs, such as " White Christmas" and " Walking in the Air". Similar Albums: Wintersong by Sarah McLachlan, James Taylor at Christmas by James Taylor, Christmas Spirit by Richard Marx
• Dr. Demento Presents the Greatest Christmas Novelty Album of All Time-Various Artists: For those looking for an offbeat Christmas, this is a good album to go with ( and clean!) Contains favorite novelty songs like " I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" " The Chipmunk Song" and "Grandma Got Ran Over by a Reindeer. Similar Albums: Grandma Got Ran Over by A Reindeer by Dr. Elmo, Twisted Christmas by Twisted Sister, Meowy Christmas by The Jingle Cats, Holidays in Dementia, and Duck The Halls by the Robertson Family.

I would list more, but then this post would never end. So instead I'm going to end with a fun tune off the the Phineas and Ferb Christmas album, " Let It Snow" . Enjoy!
 












Happy Holidays and keep the tunes going!

Story Time for 2 and 3 yr olds: Ring in the Holidays

For our last toddler story time, we celebrated Christmas and New Year's. The children heard three books ( If You Give a Pig a Party by Laura Numeroff, The Rainbow Book by Kate Orht, and I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas by John Rox). We also got a visit from the Color Birds, played some instruments, and welcomed the New Year with a magic wand. Today's craft was the annual Hippo for Christmas ornament ( this year ringing in the New Year with a lot of bling!)

Here are some of the songs we did for today's program-

Gingerbread Man  added 10-29-01 Original Author Unknown

Stir a bowl of gingerbread       (stir as in bowl)
Smooth and spicy brown

Roll  it with a rolling pin
up and up and down               (Pretend to roll)

With a cookie cutter,             ( pretend to cut out)
make some little men.

Put them in the oven             ( place in oven)
till half past ten!

A Brand New Year added 12-14-98 Original Author Unknown

Sung to: "The Muffin Man"

Now we have a brand new year,
A brand new year, a brand new year.
Now we have a brand new year,
It's (name of year).

And Look... here's the Christmas Hippo!!

Story Time for 2 and 3 yr olds will begin again on Monday, January 20 at 10 am in Meeting Room B. Thanks to all who came and have a wonderful holiday season.

Happy Holidays!See you Soon!  

Storytime for 2 and 3 yrs old: Holiday Fun!

Today was our first of two ( yes, this December, two) holiday programs. The children listened to three stories ( It's Christmas by Tina Burke, The Twelve Days of Christmas Dogs by Caroyln Conahan and new for 2013, Frosty the Snowman by Steve Nelson ( illustrations by Wade Zahares). We also rang some bells to three Christmas carols and made a Frosty the Snowman picture with fluff and a little Christmas dust.

Here are some of the songs we did today-

Ten Bells added 11-30-98 Original Author Unknown

Sung to: "Ten Little Indians"

One bell, two bells, three Christmas bells.
Four bells, five bells, six Christmas bells.
Seven bells, eight bells, nine Christmas bells.
Ten Christmas bells to ring.




Ring Those Bells added 11-10-00 Original Author Unknown
 Sung to: "She'll Be Coming Around the Mountain"

(Loudly)
We will ring those Christmas bells so loud and clear.
We will ring those Christmas bells so loud and clear.
We will hear the dingle, dingle
When they jingle, jingle, jingle.
Yes, we'll ring those Christmas bells so loud and clear.

(Softly)
We will ring those Christmas bells so quietly.
We will ring those Christmas bells so quietly.
We will hear the dingle, dingle
When they jingle, jingle, jingle.
Yes, we'll ring those Christmas bells so quietly.

(loud and deliberate)
We will ring those Christmas bells so fast and loud.
We will ring those Christmas bells so fast and loud.
We will hear the dingle, dingle
When they jingle, jingle, jingle.
Yes, we'll ring those Christmas bells so fast and loud.





Our last program for 2013 will be Monday, December 16 at 10 am. We'll be ringing in 2014 a wee bit early at 10:20 am with the Christmas Hippo and a Stuffed Animal Drop. Keep a look out for our January-February dates for 2014.

This Saturday, we will be showing a Disney Christmas movie from noon to 2 in Meeting Room A. Children under 7 must be accompanied by an adult 18 yrs or older. You can bring a lunch or snack and a drink, but no dark or red-colored drinks.

Happy Holidays! See You Soon!

Update-Until further notice all children's programs of this month and Janaury will be in Meeting Room B.
 

Let's Get a Movie: Holiday Movies for All Ages

Last month, I mentioned some family movies of the not so scary kind of Halloween . With Thanksgiving this Thursday ( which all the branches of the Lake County Public Library will be closed that day), I decided to do a list of family friendly movies(and some TV specials) for the holiday season ( some of which may be airing between now and Christmas. I even added one Thanksgiving and one for New Year's). While  all are family friendly ( and I even put in the ratings), please view them ahead of time if you feel it might be a problem for the children.

1. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving ( 1973)- Since I haven't seen Free Birds, I'm not recommending it, and most of the Thanksgiving movies that exist are not child-friendly ( I love 1995's Home for the Holidays with Holly Hunter and Robert Downey Jr, but not really good for the under 7 crowd.) You can't go wrong with Charlie's last minute attempt at Thanksgiving with toast, pretzels, and jelly beans. ( ABC will be airing it Thanksgiving night, along with a Lady Gaga/Muppet special.) Rated G

2. A Christmas Story ( 1983)- A Hoosier holiday classic, this year marks the 30th anniversary of one's boy's hope for a Red Ryder BB gun ( if only the adults would stop telling him " You'll shoot your eye out!") I look forward TBS's annual Christmas Day marathon (and those who really love the movie, the Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond presents a big exhibit each year, featuring contests and more. They even added a statue this year of Flick and the flag post. For more info, see http://www.southshorecva.com/achristmasstory/) Rated PG.

3.Elf (2003)- Christmas ten years ago gave us two great Christmas films, this one and Love Actually  (also a favorite of mine, but  unfortunately is rated R, unless you catch it on basic cable, where they edit out the foul language and adult themes. ) I'm not really a Will Ferrell fan, but this is one of his good ones. He stars as Buddy, a orphan who was raised by elves but comes to New York to seek out his real family. A few years ago, this was turned into a Broadway musical.Rated PG

4. Polar Express ( 2004)- The elves are little creepy, but I really love this computer-animated adaptation of Chris Van Allsburg's classic book about a young boy's magical train ride to the North Pole. Rated PG

5. Hallmark Holiday Movies- Nothing says Christmas like the sappy, happy TV movies of the Hallmark Channel ( or Hallmark Movie Channel, ABC Family, and Lifetime. Yes, Lifetime steps away from the ripped from the headlines movies during November-December). Most of the older movies are available on DVD. ( My favorites are 2008's Most Wonderful Time of Year with Henry Winkler and 2011 's A Princess for Christmas with Roger Moore of James Bond fame.) Not rated.

6.White Christmas (1954)- Inspired by the 1941 song by Irving Berlin ( which was introduced in the film Holiday Inn and won the Oscar for Best Song the following year), this holiday classic stars Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye as former WWII soliders/entertainers who, along with pair of singing sisters, plan a Christmas show at a Vermont inn owned by their former general.

7. Mickey's Christmas Carol ( 1983)- Over the years, there have been many takes on Charles Dicken's Christmas classic ( and many interesting takes, from the computer-animated Disney movie with Jim Carrey to Michael Caine and the Muppets.) But this version featuring the appropriately-named Scrooge McDuck in the lead role and many Disney character, is my favorite.

8.Santa Claus The Movie (1985)-This underrated gem of the 80s was a favorite as a kid (in fact, it might show up once and awhile on AMC or WGN).  The film follows how a woodcutter named Claus becomes the legendary man in the red suit with flying reindeer and how he saves Christmas from a greedy toymaker (and fuchsia pops that make people fly.) Rated PG

9. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)- I still try to catch this and Frosty every year.  Charlie Brown is depressed about the over-commercialization of Christmas till asked by Lucy to direct to the school's play. Will it put him in the Christmas spirit,or does he need the help of Linus and a little tree? I really love when Lucy asks Snoopy to be the animals ( even a penguin!)

10. New Year's Eve ( 2011)- There are a few kid specials ( like Happy New Year Charlie Brown and Rudolph's Shiny New Year) but for a full film about the last day of year, check out Garry Marshall semi-sequel to Valentine's Day. A plethora of stars from Bon Jovi to Sarah Jessica Parker celebrate love, hope and new beginnings 2012 will bring  in New York on New Year's Eve. Rated PG-13

For my runner up, I going to recommended any popular classic family movie ( like Wizard of Oz), any Disney movie, or any popular movie series ( How about instead of watching the annoying New Year Eve countdown shows with one hit acts, do a Star Wars marathon or Harry Potter marathon?) I'm also adding the Doctor Who Christmas specials ( thank you British television for giving us something new instead of repeats, movies, and last-minute holiday shows).

Happy Holidays and good viewing!

Happy Thanksgiving!( Plus a small gift to my readers).

Hi boys and girls. I know it's  one week early but just felt like wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and keep reading!

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And now a small gift to my readers....

By Halloween, everyone is getting ready for the holidays that we tend to ignore fall and Thanksgiving ( which is maybe why there are very few Thanksgiving movies. TV has seemed to do a better job of Turkey Day, such as A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, The Bob Newhart Show, and Friends.)For me, the ultimate Turkey Day episode (and the  one everyone talks about) is the 1978 WKRP episode, "Turkeys Away". On this episode, radio manager Mr. Carlson decides to a big Thanksgiving promotion... by dropping live turkeys from a helicopter. The result is not pretty. Here is a clip from this classic episode, enjoy!

Storytime for 2 and 3 yr olds: Thanksgiving with a Twist

Today we  celebrated Thanksgiving one week early ( also, we did a little bit of  Hanukkah because this year the first full day falls on Thanksgiving and this is one and only time this is happening in this lifetime.Don't ask, all has to do with the Jewish calender slowly becoming slower than ours.) Our small group of 4 kids and 4 parents got to hear three stories ( Thanksgiving is Here by Diane Goode, My Very First Look at Sizes by Christiane Gunzi, and Happy Sparkling Hanukkah by Elizabeth Spurr.) We also did a little bell  ringing and made a turkey handprint.

Here are some of the songs we did for today-

Over the River
Over the river and thru the woods,
to Grandmother's house we go.
The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh,
thru the white and drifting snow, oh.

Over the river and thru the woods,
o how the wind does blow.
It stings the nose and bites the toes
as over the ground we go.

Five Little Turkeys added 11-3-98 Original Author Unknown

Five little turkeys by the barn door,
One waddled off, then there were four.
Four little turkeys out under the tree,
One waddled off, then there were three.
Three little turkeys with nothing to do.
One waddled off, then there were two.
Two little turkeys in the noonday sun,
One waddled off, then there was one.
One little turkey - better run away!
Soon will come Thanksgiving Day.

If You're Thankful added 11-7-98 Original Author Unknown

Sung to: "If You're Happy & You Know It"

If you're thankful and you know it clap your hands
If you're thankful and you know it clap your hands
If you're thankful and you know it
Then your face will surely show it
If you're thankful and you know it clap your hands!

( add what actions you want, like stomping, hugging, gobbling, etc) 


Our next two story times for 2 and 3 yr olds are Monday, December 2 and 16 at 10 am. We're going to be getting into the holiday spirit.

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Holidays. See you soon!

Happy New Year !

It's the last  day of 2012!! It's been fun, but we're really exciting about all the new stuff coming to the library in 2013. So, from all of us at Lake County Public Library (including your lovely blogger)....



glitter-graphics.com


Keep Reading!!

From all of us at Lake County Public Library...

From all of us at Lake County Public Library.....


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Bookworm List: The Holiday Books are Here!

I'm looking across from the front desk of the Children Dept. and guess what? The holiday books are out!! ( Yes, the green, red, white, and sometimes blue books of the holiday season are now available for checking out. Before the move, they took up the most room in our workroom, five shelves and counting. I think now it's many, many boxes, so be patient as we slowly  put them out as books leave the shelves.

Here are some recommended titles:

•  Together at Christmas by Eileen Spinelli- Ten little mice, huddled together in Christmas snow, go off one by one to find warm places to sleep, but soon decide they would rather be together celebrating the special night.    NEW!!
•  Christmas at the Top of the World by Tim Coffey-: On Christmas Eve, a young reindeer travels through the woods leading a procession of animals to the top of the earth, where a special old man awaits.    
• I Want  A Hippopotamus for Christmas by John Rox- An illustrated version of the popular 1950's Christmas song about a child who wants a hippopotamus for Christmas.
•  The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg- A boy takes a magical train ride to the North Pole to get a special gift from Santa. A Christmas classic.  ( Great to read on Christmas Eve.)  
• Christmas at the Toy Museum by David Lucas-One very special Christmas Eve, Bunting the stuffed cat and the rest of the toys in the museum  gather around the tree and give themselves at presents. NEW!!
•    On Christmas Eve by Margaret Wise Brown-Unable to sleep on Christmas Eve, four children creep downstairs to see the tree, their stockings, their wrapped gifts, and to hear the singing of the carolers. 
• Christmas Lights by Ann Fearington- On Christmas night the Merriweather family drives into town to see all the displays of lights. 
• Clear Moon, Snow Soon by Tony Johnston- On Christmas Eve, a child anticipates the arrival of Santa Claus.
• Puppy's First Christmas by Steve Smallman- A warm and fuzzy look at a puppy's introduction to the magic of Christmas.NEW!!!
• Noel by Tony Johnston- The sounds of Christmas bells call people young, old, and very cold to come together and celebrate a very peaceful holiday.

Want more? Suggested keywords to use with "juvenile fiction", " juvenile literature", and " fiction" include:

• Christmas
• Christmas trees
• Santa Claus
• Kwanza
• Hanukkah
• Snowmen
• Jesus Christ--Nativity
• Christmas stories

Happy Holidays and keep reading!!

Happy Thanksgiving... and a gift to my readers

Hi boys and girls. I know it's early but just felt like wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and keep reading!


glitter-graphics.com

I also felt like posting a little treat to all my readers ( besides the dancing turkey).

So five years when I first got hired by the library, I did a holiday Mother Goose on the Loose program. But the next year, I did the holiday program for the preschoolers. One book that I did for the kids  is an illustrated version of the John Rox song, " I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas."  ( Note- When Santa came in to visit the kids that day, one little girl asked for a Christmas hippo.) I still do the book for the 2 and 3 yr-old holiday program ( like this year, coming up Monday, Dec. 3 at 10 am) and do  a Christmas hippo ornament, which uses the child's name tag as the base ( because what else can they use the name tag for after Fall/Winter 2 and 3 program is over?)


Here is a lovely video featuring the original recording, enjoy!