One of type of book that is always asked about are the rhyming books. One person that we librarians recommend is Dr. Seuss but some people may not like Dr. Seuss ( or might consider his books a bit too long for wee ones.) One place that has a lot of books that rhyme ( or might be based off songs) is the Song and Rhyme Neighborhood.
Marked with a yellow sticker on the spine, here are a few titles featured in this Neighborhood:
Where do the Diggers Sleep at Night? by Brianna C. Sayres
Rhyming Dust Bunnies by Jan Thomas
A Wish For You by Matt Novak
It's Raining, It's Pouring as told by Kin Eagle
So the next time you are in the mood for a song or too, check out the Song and Rhyme Neighborhood.
Most of the time, kids will come to the library and ask " Do you have any Bob the Builder books? or " Do you have any books with Max and Ruby?" While some are very easy to locate ( all the Max and Ruby books are Rosemary Wells), other require a bit of a scavenger hunt ( Bob the Builder has about four or five different authors). So that's where the Popular Neighborhood comes in.
Technically, we have two Popular shelves. One features the likes of Barbie/Disney Princesses, Dora, superheros/Stars Wars, Spongebob, Thomas the Tank Engine, Winne the Pooh, Sesame Street and fairies. The Neighborhood one features a mix of Bob the Builder, Backyardigans, princesses ( Disney and non-Disney), and some lesser known characters ( and have a purple sticker).
Here are some of the titles you find in this area-
Johnny Tracker and the Big Surprise by Judy Katschke
Ruby's Party by Rosemary Wells ( Note- We have cataloged as P RUBY)
The Backyardigans and the Secret of Snow by Alison Inches
Bob the Builder and Run-Away Roley by Alison Inches
For other characters, like My Little Pony or Care Bears, it's best to look it up in the catalog (or ask us) first to see if we have any on the shelf or at other branches.
So the next time you're looking for a popular cartoon character, check out the Popular Neighborhood!
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)....
Back in November, yours truly took part in the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon in Orlando, Florida ( I made three miles! My sister is trying to talk me into a 5K, we'll see.) Before the race, there was a dance party, and one of the songs that was played was " What Does the Fox Say?". Possibly weirder and crazier than last year's "Gangnum Style" by PSI , everyone from Glee to Dancing with the Stars has been going " Hatee-hatee-hatee-ho" to this Youtube sensation from Norway.
Would you believe someone decided to turn this tune into a book? Yes, children, now brothers Bard and Vegard Ylvisaker's song is available in book form, with crazy, surreal, and whimsical illustrations from Norwegian illustrator Svein Nyhus. This is .. actually kind of cool. It's a little strange and awkward to figure out ( I'm still trying to figure out how the refrain goes) but since kids are consisting singing this song and doing the dance (Yes, there is a dance), they might like this (plus it's very Seuss-ish.) Heck, I might even use it for my winter school visits to promote Readathon.
Will Ylvis have another hit? Do have a future in making wacky children's books? Will we ever learn what the fox says? Who know? Let's howl, Aooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
What does the Fox Say?-Ylvis
Age Range: 6 and up
**** (4 stars)
Here is the video of the song " What Does the Fox Say?" If you Google it, you might also find the other takes of the song, like Glee's take with puppets (speaking of puppets, I'm surprise we have yet to see a Muppet take on the song. They spoof everything, including Catching Fire.) Enjoy!
Here are some programs that will happening next month in the
Children's Dept at the Central Library. Please visit Library Events for
information and register.
Note- All programs will be held in Meeting Room B.
Board Game Fun-Wednesday, January 15 at 6:30 pm-Audience: 1st-5th grade
Story Time for 2 and 3 yr olds- Monday, January 20 at 10 am- Audience: 2 and 3 year olds and caregivers.
Mother Goose on the Loose-Tuesday, January 21 at 10 am-Audience: Infants Birth to
23 months and caregiver (s).
Story Time for 4 and 5 yr olds- Tuesday, January 14 and 28 at 10 am- Audience: 4 and 5 year olds.
Lego Club- Monday, January 20 at 4pm- Audience: 2nd to 6th grade.
Gaming Night- Wednesday, January 22 at 6 pm- Audience:K-5th grade
Kids Art Club-Thursday, January 23 at 4 pm-Audience: 2nd to 6th grade
The Strange Case of Origami Yoda-Thursday, January 30 at 4pm-Audience: 2nd to 6th grade
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!
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 Yearadded 12-14-98Original Author Unknown
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.
Don't you just love the snow? Or the sounds of the birds in the air? Or the flowers when they bloom in the spring? Would you like to read a story featuring nature's wonder and beauty? Check out theNature Neighborhood!
Labeled with a brown sticker on the spine, the Nature Neighborhood features books on the seasons, weather, and animals of all shapes and sizes. Here are some of the titles featured in this collection:
Old Bear by Kevin Henkes
Babies on the Go by Linda Ashman
In a Nutshell by Joseph Anthony
It's Winter by Linda Glaser
Summer is Summer by Phillis and David Gershator
For nonfiction books, most are located in the 500's ( most of the animal books are 590s, although for farm animals, check the 630s'.)
To end our visit, here's a pretty winter video. Enjoy! And come check out a book from the Nature Neighborhood.
In preschool programs and daycare visits, one thing we try to always include in our story time is a concept idea, be it by way of a finger play, felt items, or a book. A concept is an idea or word (or ideas and words) a child will need to understand in order to perform in everyday life. So we may count by using Five Little Pumpkins, or sing the Alphabet song to learn letters, or do a book where we ask the kids to name a shape or a color.
We also hope that the parents will continue to teach their children the basics in counting, shapes, numbers, opposites, and ABC's at home. And the best way to do that is through a book. And the best place to start their search is... visiting the ConceptsNeighborhood.
Labeled with a green sticker on the spine, the Concepts Neighborhoods features books of basics concepts, from counting to learning time. Here are some of the titles you will find in this collection:
Pigs will be Pigs by Amy Axelrod
Monsters Love Color by Mike Austin
Eye Spy Shapes by Debbie MacKinnon
Chicka Chicka 123 by Bill Martin Jr.
Counting Kisses by Karen Katz
From experience, I've figured out that shapes, counting, and colors are the easiest to do ( especially at 10 am.) The alphabet is a bit tricky, so unless it is a story, it's easier to just focus on a few letters. I also like the DK My Very First Look at... books are also good to use because it gets the kids to interact (and you don't have to do all the items featured, unless some kid asks " Hey, you skip a page) and Marianne Berkes Over in the... series because it takes the familiar tune of " Over in the Meadow" and places like the forest or the ocean and features animals one would find in those places ( plus information in the back about each animal.)
So the next time you're look for a book with numbers, colors, or ABC's, visit the Concepts Neighborhood!
