Book Review: Yoda: The Story of a Cat and His Kittens-Beth Stern

Once upon a time there was a Persian cat named Yoda, who dreamed about being a supercat. But then his owners do not want him, so he is taken to a animal shelter, where his fur becomes dirty and becomes skinny as a string bean. But then a lady named Beth adopts him, and while it is heaven, something is missing. Perhaps some kittens will help.

This is such an adorable, funny illustrated  book from Howard Stern's wife(and yes, this really is a true story). I especially love  all the little, sarcastic cartoon bubbles from big, blue-eyed Yoda ( especially when he is trying to keep the kittens out of trouble). A must have for animal ( and cat) lovers.

Yoda: The Story of a Cat and His Kittens by Beth Stern
Age Range: 6-8
Lexile: 530
**** ( 4 Stars)

Want more books featuring cats? Here are some recommendations:

• My Name is Bob by James Bowen
• Little Lola by Julie Saab
• Cheetah Can't Lose by Bob Shea
• I Love Cats  by Sue Stainton

Storytime for 2 and 3 yr old: Love Your Mama

For our final 2 and 3 program for Spring 2015, we celebrated moms ( since this Sunday is Mother's Day). The kids heard three books ( A Little Bit of Love by Cynthia Platt, Over in the Meadow by Olive Wadsworth, and When Mama Comes Home Tonight by Eileen Spinelli), rang some bells, and made a handprint card for their mom.

Here are one of the songs we did for today-

Daffodils fingerplay added 3-23-00 Original Author Unknown
(Show fingers or make daffodil puppets from cupcake liners and craft sticks!)

One little daffodil had nothing much to do,
Out popped another one, then there were two.
Two little daffodils were smiling at a bee,
Out popped another one, then there were three.
Three little daffodils were growing by the door,
Out popped another one, then there were four.
Four little daffodils were glad to be alive,
Out popped another one, then there were five.
Five little daffodils were wearing golden crowns,
They danced in the breeze in green satin gowns.

For background music, I played a classic compilation CD called For Sunday Brunch ( part of the For Your Life CD series). Here is Concerto in A major for two violins in Scordatura and Continuo by  Georg Philipp Telemann. Enjoy.

 This summer, Storytime for 2 and 3 will be  every Tuesday starting June 9 at 10 am, followed by 4 and 5's Storytime at 11: 15 am.  Starting Monday, June 8 at 6 pm, we will be having a Family Storyhour.
Stay tuned for more details.

Upcoming Programs in May

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.



Story Time for 2 and 3 yr olds- Monday, May 4 at 10 am- Audience: 2 and 3 year olds and caregivers.

Mother Goose on the Loose-Tuesday,May 5at 10 am-Audience: Infants Birth to
23 months and caregiver (s).


Story Time for 4 and 5 yr olds- Tuesday,May 12 and  at 10 am - Audience: 4 and 5 year olds.


Lego Club-Monday, May 11 at 4 pm-Audience: Grades K-5


Board Game Fun-Wednesday, May 6 at 6:30 pm- Audience: Grades K-5




Mother's Day Craft Class-Thursday, May 7 at 4 pm-Audience: K-5

Gaming Night- Wednesday, May 20  at 6 pm- Audience: Grades K-5


Coming This Summer- Every Hero has a Story ( June-August 2015)

See You Soon!!

Storytime for 2 and 3 yr olds: A Day at the Pond

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 Well, the weather almost a damper to our pond visit, but it happened ( rambunctious toddlers and all). The kids heard three stories ( Do Like a Duck Does  by Judy Hindley , Kipper's Book of Opposites  by Mick Inkpen, and Trout Trout Trout by April Pulley Sayre), tap some sticks, and made a rainbow fish.

Usually with the crafts, I like to play some background music ( and normally something that is tied to the program theme besides the activity CD). So with pond, I figure bluegrass ( even though I am not a bluegrass fan) and found Sarah Jarosz  Song Up in her Head  ( because of the cute cover). Here is one of the tracks, enjoy.

 

Our last  Storytime for 2 and 3 yr olds for Spring 2015  is Monday, May 4 at 10 am.  We'll be celebrating Moms. 

See You Soon

Book Review: Edible Colors-Jennifer Vogel Bass

Carrots are orange but did you know they could also be purple, white, or yellow? Or how about corn being red, white, and blue besides yellow? And did you know about red bananas, blue pumpkins and Buddha's Hand? How amazing can fruit and vegetables be!!

I love this vibrant colorful book ( and am a fruit and veggie lover.) Besides being a color primer, this book encourages children to think beyond the color box and fruit and vegetables are really cool ( besides being good to eat.) I do use there was some background information on each item featured, but maybe that would be a great activity for the classroom.

Edible Colors by Jennifer Vogel Bass
Age Range: 2 and up
*** 1/2 ( 3 and half stars)

Note-For those wondering what a Buddha's Hand is, it's a Japanese citrus that looks like creepy hand, here is a picture.)



Looking for more books on fruits and vegetables? Here are some suggestions:

• Little Sweet Potato by Amy Bloom
• Fruit and Vegetables  by Carrie Branigan
• Veggies with Wedgies by Todd Doodler
• Fruit  by Honor Head

Storytime for 2 and 3 yr olds: E is for Easter!!

Hello, hope everyone had a good Easter weekend.

Since everyone was still in an Easter mood, that's what today's story time was all about. The children heard three stories ( The World in a Candy Egg by Alvin Tresselt, My E Sound Box by Jane B. Moncure, and Easter Parade by Irving Berlin ( illustrated by Lisa McCue). We had some fun with shaking eggs and made colorful Easter egg collages.

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

  Spring Time added 3-12-98 Original Author Unknown
Sung to: "Did you Ever see a Lassie?"
My- eyes can see it's spring-time, it's spring-time, it's spring-time.
my- eyes can see it's spring-time, the grass is so green! 
The green grass, the flowers, the sunshine and showers.
My- eyes can see it's spring-time and I am so glad.

My-ears can hear it's spring time, it's spring time, it's spring time.
My- ears can hear it's spring-time, the birds sweetly sing.
The birds sing, the lambs bleat, the frogs croak, the bees buzz.
My- ears can hear it's spring time, and I am so glad.

My-body can feel's it's spring time, it's spring time, it's spring time.
my-body can feel its spring time, the air is so warm.
The warm air, the breez-es, no frost and no freez-es.
My- body can feel it's spring time, and I am so glad!



Daffodils Fingerplay added 3-23-00 Original Author Unknown
(Show fingers or make daffodil puppets from cupcake liners and craft sticks!)

One little daffodil had nothing much to do,
Out popped another one, then there were two.
Two little daffodils growing by a tree,
Out popped another one, then there were three.
Three little daffodils were growing by the door,
Out popped another one, then there were four.
Four little daffodils were glad to be alive,
Out popped another one, then there were five.
Five little daffodils were wearing golden crowns,
They danced in the breeze in green satin gowns.


Our next Storytime for 2 and 3 yr olds are: (all at 10)

Monday, April 20
Monday, May 4

Happy Easter! See You soon! 

Happy Easter

Hello.

Wishing everyone a wonderful Easter.

 
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Upcoming Programs in April

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.

Story Time for 2 and 3 yr olds- Monday, April 6 and 20 at 10 am- Audience: 2 and 3 year olds and caregivers.

Mother Goose on the Loose-Tuesday,April 7 and 21 at 10 am-Audience: Infants Birth to
23 months and caregiver (s).

Story Time for 4 and 5 yr olds- Tuesday,April 14 and 28 at 10 am - Audience: 4 and 5 year olds.



Lego Club-Monday, April 6 at 4 pm-Audience: Grades: K-5


Board Game Fun-Wednesday, April 1 at 6:30 pm- Audience: Grades K-5

Gaming Night- Wednesday, April 15  at 6 pm- Audience: Grades K-6

Spring Break Movie Marathon- Wednesday, April 8 at Noon-4 pm-Audience: All Ages

We Love Our Library-Thursday, April 16 at 4 pm- Audience: K-5

Earth Day Fun- Thursday, April 23 at 4 pm-Audience: K-5


See You Soon!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

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Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Storytime for 2 and 3 yr old: Happy St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day is tomorrow, so we had an early celebration. The children heard three stories ( Green Shamrocks  by Eve Bunting,My Very First Look at Shapes by Christine Gunzi  and The Luckiest St. Patrick's Day Ever by Teddy Slater). The kids also learned about shapes, waves scarves, and made a Shamrock Buddy.

Here are some of the songs we did today:

This Little Leprechaun added 8-7-97 Original Author Unknown

This little leprechaun slid down the rainbow, (Point to thumb.)
This little leprechaun stayed home. (Point to index finger.)
This little leprechaun picked a shamrock, (Point to middle finger.)
This little leprechaun found some gold. (Point to ring finger.)
This little leprechaun cried, "See if you can catch me," (Point to little finger.)
As he ran home. (Wiggle little finger.)

 

Go On A Leprechaun Hunt added 3-9-98 Original Author Unknown

(an adaptation of the Bear Hunt)
Ask the children to listen closely and follow the directions. Instruct
them to clap the rhythm or slap their knees as you tell the story.
Going on a leprechaun hunt. I'm not afraid.
Let's go! Oh. look! I see a grassy field.
Can't go around it. Can't go under it. Can't go over it. Let's go through it.
Let's go! Swish, swish, swish, swish.
Oh, look! I see a giant tree.
Can't go over it. Can't go under it. Can't go through it. Let's climb it.
Let's go! Climb, climb, climb.
Oh, look! I see a river.
Can't go over it. Can't go around it. Can't go under it. Let's Swim it.
Let's go. Swim, swim, swim.
Oh, look! I see a dark cave.
Can't go around it. Can't go under it. Can't go over it. Let's tiptoe into it.
Let's go. Tippy, tippy, toe.
It's really dark in here. Better turn on my flashlight.
Oh, no. I see something!
It's mean! It's green! It's a leprechaun! Let's go!
Run! Run! Swim! Swim! Climb! Climb! Swish! Swish!
Whew...safe at home again.





Our next storytimes are (all at 10am) :
 Monday, April 6
Monday, April 20 
Monday, May 4 

Happy St. Patrick's Day. See You Soon.