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Why is September so awesome? September means the start of a new year: new teachers, new friends, and new and exciting things to learn and do. September also brings cooler weather (hopefully!), fall fruits (APPLES!), and also…..National Library Card Sign Up Month!
While libraries celebrate National Library Card Sign Up Month in different ways, a quick and ideal way is to read aloud and/or display terrific books about libraries. Although I’ve blogged about National Library Card Sign Up Month in the past, I thought it would be fun to update the list to include those fun and informative library-themed books published since September 2011:
(image courtesy of Sierra catalog)
As a fan of Bob Shea’s Dinosaur vs. — series (and of Bob Shea’s books in general), I was delighted to find this fiesty little dinosaur discovering the library. As can be expected, typical dinosaur behavior is not encouraged in the library, especially during….STORY TIME, where dinosaur meets his match (in a very dramatic fashion, as he does in his other stories). Be ready to put on your best dinosaur roar (and to have your audience break into spontaneous roars).
(image courtesy of Sierra catalog).
Published in 2012, this nonfiction account of how Library of Alexandria staff members, patrons, students, and street protestors joined hands and encircled the library in order to protect the library’s treasures is a moving tribute to this spontaneous demonstration.
(image courtesy of Sierra catalog)
It’s not necessary to be familiar with Lottie Paris before reading this second entry in the series (although you’ll want to read Lottie Paris Lives Here immediately after making her acquaintance in this story). Lottie Paris is on her way to the library with her beloved Papa Pete to read about dinosaurs. Not only does she find some awesome books about dinosaurs, but she also makes a new friend (who loves to read about space). This is a great reminder about the fun entailed in library visits, as well as a few simple and child-friendly rules about the library.
(image courtesy of Sierra catalog)
Bookmobiles are fun and necessary treasures for many communities, whether they are four wheeled or four legged. Ana’s joy when the biblioburro arrives in her Colombian community is infectious; she loves books so much that she’s determined to write her own until the biblioburro returns for another visit. Inspired by real-life biblioburro librarian Luis Soriano, this is an eye-opening and heartwarming look at a unique library service.
What are your favorite books about libraries and librarians? Tell us about them in the comments!
Our library has story times for all ages, beginning with our Baby Steps (up to 18 months or so–parents “age” them out into the next story time when they are ready) all the way to our Preschool program. When I am approached by parents of toddlers about our Half Pints (18-30 months) or Toddler story times (2-3 year olds), I occasionally encounter a parent who thinks that his/her child must sit still for the entire 30-45 minute program. I am quick to reassure them that our story times for our very young patrons incorporate a good amount of movement (this depends on the “mood” and age of the overall crowd). If you have a very young group, or are looking for a story time with audience participation, try out these books for your next story time session:
As Quiet as a Mouse is a very simple story with audience participation moments on every page. Featuring a toddler boy who meets a variety of animals, the book encourages listeners to tiptoe, sneeze, clap, and roar like dinosaurs.
Here Are My Hands is perfect for young patrons who are learning the names of their body parts. Each page showcases a part and describes an activity that the narrator can do with his/her hands, feet, ears, etc.
Will You Carry Me? is the longest story in this bunch, and doesn’t offer much in the way of audience participation. I include it in this story time for several reasons: in order to get the children ready for the next appropriate age level story time, I increase the length of the stories as the semester goes on (we don’t register, but we do get a regular group with each program), and it’s such a fun and creative story about a tired boy and a mama who needs to get him home.
Finally–I know I don’t have to tell any of you about Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, but I included it in yesterday’s story time (on this theme) after not having used it in some time. It was an experience that reminded me (yet again) that familiarity is fun at this age. Oh, the squeals and ooohs that erupted when I showed the cover! I had several parents “reading” the book with me, which pleased me to no end. While I love introducing new and “new to you” books to my story time groups, reading a book together that we all love and know is just as joyous.
Do you have any favorites that offer opportunities for clapping, singing, chanting, etc? Let us know in the comments!
June–and this post–crept up on me. Like many youth services librarians in public libraries, we are just about to launch our crazy-busy summer reading program. Finding that it was already Wednesday, and that I had not even started on my ALSC post, I began to panic. What should I blog about? Father’s Day picture books? Okay. Summertime-theme books? Well, sure. But then I began to think–I’ve been blogging (off and on) for this blog for a while now. I certainly don’t want to accidentally repeat a theme!
Then it occurred to me that perhaps ALSC members would find it interesting to read about and discuss our favorite books from the 2012 publishing year, since we are halfway through the year. I’m not asking for your picks for the Caldecott/Newbery/etc, although if you want to promote your favorites for those awards, please do. But feel free to mention books that aren’t eligible for those awards (because of author’s geography or any other reason). Are there some books that you feel have flown under the radar this year? I’d love to know about them.
For those in a summer frame of mind, Beach Feet by Kiyomi Konagaya should not be missed. From the burning hot sand to the cool waves of the water, the sensations felt while running barefoot on the beach are charmingly and lovingly created and captivated by author Konagaya and Saito. Translated from the Japanese, this is a delightful and welcome addition to any beach or summer related story time.
Backseat A-B-See
Like many of you, I’ve seen so many alphabet books that new ones really have to have something special about them to catch my attention. Happily, Backseat A-B-See is one of my new favorite ABC books. Road signs, viewed from the perspective of a child in the back seat, take us through the alphabet. It’s a fun and inventive look at the alphabet, sure to attract young learners and their caregivers (and librarians–guess what sign is used for “L?”).
Hannah’s Way
Hannah’s Way is one of my “flew under the radar” titles for 2012. It hasn’t been starred-as far as I know–and only two publications have reviewed it so far. Hannah already feels different from the other children in her class, as she is the only Jewish child in her Depression-era Minnesota school. When her teacher announces a special school picnic on Saturday, Hannah feels even more left out, as the only way her parents will allow her to attend the picnic is if she finds someone to walk with her (being Orthodox, riding in a car is forbidden on the Sabbath). Hannah’s Way is a striking and heartfelt story about friendship, overcoming shyness, and staying true to your convictions. The ending is beautiful; knowing that this is based on a true story makes it even more satisfying.
I could go on and on (and on and on) with my favorites from 2012, but I want to hear from you. Picture books, easy readers, novels, nonfiction, poetry, graphic novels….if it was published in 2012 and it’s already one of your favorites for the year, let us know in the comments.
Tra la! It’s May! (Forgive my inner musical theater nerd coming out). While wracking my brain for this month’s theme, I remembered that May 1st is Mother Goose Day. That’s as good as any excuse to trot out my favorite collections of Mother Goose rhymes, and to possibly hear about other great collections that I’ve missed.
It’s hard to beat this Iona Opie/Rosemary Wells collaboration in terms of attractiveness, design, and overall perfection in its simplicity. With an abundance of Mother Goose collections that are crowded with multiple poems per page and small illustrations, Here Comes Mother Goose is perfect for large group or one-on-one sharing. It’s also a perfect choice if you’re invited to a “book shower” for an expectant/new parent.
Not only is Leo & Diane Dillon’s Mother Goose Numbers on the Loose an excellent nursery rhyme collection, but it’s also a fine counting book, as all rhymes deal with numbers and counting, thus making it appropriate for a mixed-age group. Many rhymes will probably be new to most readers.
If I had to choose my #1 favorite from the list, I would have to choose The Neighborhood Mother Goose by Nina Crews. Those familiar with Crews’s work know that engaging photographs of children are a hallmark of her books, and The Neighborhood Mother Goose is no exception. With its delightful array of photographs featuring children of many ethnicities illustrating the scene(s) described in the nursery rhymes, The Neighborhood Mother Goose is a collection that makes the tried-and-true rhymes fresh and less-familiar ones immediately accessible to all readers.
Want to add an international flair to your nursery rhyme collection?
There are a number of Spanish/English nursery rhymes on the market, but Grandmother’s Nursery Rhymes remains a personal favorite. When appropriate, Nelly Palacio Jaramillo includes helpful notes or commentary to the poems, such as noting that one rhyme is used to help children make the rolling “r” sound often found in Spanish words.
Selections from 23 countries make up this vibrant and intriguing volume of nursery rhymes. Divided into chapters such as “Action Rhymes,” “Lullabies,” and the like, Floella Benjamin includes the rhyme in its original language and its English translation (a small number are not translated) and instructions for performing the action rhymes.
0 Comments on Mother Goose Mania as of 5/2/2012 9:36:00 PM
Colors and young children go together like peanut butter and jelly. Children often get attached to a specific color, are drawn to crayons like moths to light, and love to show off their knowledge of colors. A color-themed story time offers a great variety of stories, flannel board possibilities, and ties in nicely with parachute and scarf activities.
Truth be told, I can’t get enough of bear stories. Sure, I may have an irrational fear of encountering one while hiking, but they’re completely harmless and cuddly in picture books. Baby Bear Sees Blue is a stunner and a charmer. The storyline is very simple–baby bear and mama bear explore the outside world–but the illustrations are sophisticated and ideal for story time sharing. I appreciated the illustrations of the bears’ rough coats–very realistic.
A little girl plays with a butterfly in her garden; she looks for it the following day, but it’s nowhere to be found. On the other hand, she does enjoy finding insects and animals of many (bright) colors. The pop up illustration of the butterfly at Butterfly, Butterfly‘s conclusion is always a crowd pleaser.
As reviews of Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes have pointed out, there’s not much that happens to move along Pete’s story other than his song. However, if you’re looking to include some audience participation, you can’t go wrong with this one. I’ve read it to two different groups in the past two weeks, and each group spontaneously started singing along with me (and Pete) after the second or third time the tune popped up. It’s a fun, cute, and crowd-pleasing quick read.
Planting a Rainbow is one of Lois Ehlert’s many classic and inventive concept picture books. The unnamed child narrator and his/her mother plant a colorful garden in the fall, order new seeds in the winter, observe the flowers bud in the spring, and select seedlings in the summer. Obviously, there’s a lot going on in this simple story–colors, names of flowers, and the cycle of the seasons, so you can incorporate this short read aloud into many different themes.
What are your favorite color-themed books that I didn’t mention? Tell ALSC blog readers all about them in the comments!
You’re likely to have an increase in patrons looking for books pertaining to African-American history in the upcoming days and weeks due to Black History Month. Since there are many superb titles that feature the history of African-Americans, let’s chat specifically about picture books for the purposes of this discussion.
The Bat Boy and His Violin
Reginald would rather practice his violin than be a bat boy for his father’s Negro Leagues baseball team. Baseball has been offically integrated, and the team’s best players have joined the formerly all-white teams. Reluctantly, Reginald joins his father in the dugout, bringing them closer together (with each other gaining a greater appreciation of the other’s talents and interests). This is a sweet (yet not saccharine) father-son story set against a pivotal moment in American sports.
I See the Rhythm
The history of African-American music is vividly, movingly, and triumphantly portrayed in an explosion of paintings and poetry (with an extensive timeline to boot). A companion book, I See the Rhythm of Gospel, was published in 2010.
Ruth and the Green Book
In 1952, Ruth and her family eagerly set out for a road trip from their Chicago home to visit her grandmother in Alabama. Their excitement quickly dissolves once they cross into the South and find themselves barred from using a gas station bathroom and sleeping at a hotel. Fortunately, they discover “The Green Book,” which lists businesses and homes welcoming African-American travelers. This is an eye-opening book for children and adults alike; readers will be struck by the enormous limitations and difficulties faced by African-American motorists in the pre-Civil Rights Era, and by the tight and welcoming community that offered rest and refreshment to strangers. A brief summary offers more information about the Green Book.
Wilma Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolph Became the World’s Fastest Woman
Wilma Unlimited is the incredible story of Wilma Rudolph, who overcame complications from polio and poverty in order to become the first American woman to win three gold medals at one Olympics Game. Brilliantly told and illustrated, this inspiring picture book biography is a fine read aloud for elementary school students.
It’s your turn! Tell everyone (in the comments section) about your favorite picture books that feature African-American history.
Weather story time themes offer a multitude of delicious read alouds, perfect for any season. Planning a weather story time is a tricky thing; your winter story time will inevitably fall on a day boasting above average temperatures. If it’s at all possible, keeping a stash of titles and fingerplays handy will help you dash off a (seemingly) perfectly timed story time for your brave and loyal story time patrons who weathered the elements in order to attend your awesome story time.
I’m a fan of Amy Hest’s Baby Duck books; In the Rain With Baby Duck is my favorite of the bunch. Baby Duck does not take to water like most ducks do, so her parents have to encourage her on their walk to her grandparents’ house. Baby Duck is in a toddler-sized funk until she discovers a splendid surprise in the attic. Baby Duck makes up a song about the rain, so you might want to think of a tune before reading it to your group.
There isn’t an abundance of text in Rain, so this works well for a very young group. If you do a “five senses” story time, this would be a great inclusion, for the animals use their senses to track the rain.
Snowballs is a standard in my winter-themed story time. No matter how many terrific new snow-related read alouds are published, Snowballs will always be one of my read aloud selections. The collage artwork is inventive and irresistible; children and parents are mesmerized by the creations. They may be inspired to make their own snow people family the next time a heavy snowfall occurs! Facts about snow, a two-page spread of the items Ehlert used to make her snow people, and a popcorn ball recipe are included.
What are your favorite weather-themed read alouds? Any new favorites from 2011?
Seasonal story times are part and parcel for story times. Halloween story times have come and gone, along with many fall story times, and it’s too soon for winter story times. How about a hibernation/migration story time in between your fall-themed story times and your winter-themed story times?
Time to Sleep (author: Denise Fleming)
Bear smells winter in the air. When she informs snail that it’s time to sleep (hibernate), she sets off a chain reaction of animals informing each other that it will soon be time to hibernate. Unfortunately, no one told Ladybug that there was no need to inform Bear, who was already happily hibernating when Ladybug “broke” the news. Told through Denise Fleming’s brilliantly hued illustrations and text that perfectly lends itself to a read aloud, this is an ideal selection for a toddler story time.
Sleepy Bears (author: Mem Fox)
If you need an enchanting read aloud for your listeners able to listen to a longer picture book, Mem Fox’s Sleepy Bears should be on your list. Mother Bear’s six children are not at all interested in getting ready for hibernation. This very patient mama bear soothes them with personalized (rhymed) stories; mysteriously, each child falls sleep sporting something pertaining to his/her individual rhyme. No forced rhymes here; this is a sweet and calming story, perfect for an evening story time.
Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit (author: Il Sung Na)
Il Sung Na’s picture books are story time treasures; this one is no exception. While bears naturally are the focus of many hibernation-themed picture books, Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit includes a variety of animals preparing for the winter. Rabbit observes the animals gearing up for the long winter; a squirrel gathering acorns, birds flying south, and even alligators staying very still in the swamp. With a springtime ending, this story works well year-round.
Do you have any favorites that you would include in a hibernation-themed story time? Please share in the comments!
September is Library Card Sign-Up Month! I know many libraries plan special campaigns and programs to celebrate. Consider these titles for displays, story times, bibliographies, or booktalks:
Oh, what to do if you’re a farm animal and the human children on the farm are off to school? Go into town to see what’s shakin’, of course. Naturally, if you see a bunch of happy people exiting a building, you figure that you’ve found the most happening place in town. Turns out to be the town library; unfortunately, the librarian doesn’t speak animal-ese, despite the animals’ best efforts. Luckily, the hen saves the day; “Book! Book! Book!” Aha! That’s definitely something that the librarian understands! Animal antics are always crowd-pleasers; this silly story will elicit plenty of giggles.
Although this is a children’s book, your adult patrons may also be fascinated by the unique ways library books and services come to people in 13 different countries.
This 2009 Pura Belpre Honor Book recipient is a lovely and moving depiction of Pura Belpre, the first Puerto Rican librarian in New York. Through the eyes of two young children from Puerto Rico, we witness Belpre’s dedication to making the library a welcoming place for the Puerto Rican community, highlighted in the library’s Three Kings’ Day festival.
What library-related books will you share during Library Card Sign-Up Month?
Hello, August! You know what that means….the ringing of school bells will soon be in the air. I usually order a handful of new/new to our patrons books about school. School-related books tend to fly off the shelves around this time, so if you’re in the need for some circulation boosters, give these books a try:
Eddie Gets Ready For School
Eddie has a morning routine checklist: wake up, wash up, get dressed…pretty normal, right? Well, Eddie’s idea of waking up is waking everyone up with a megaphone, washing up requires a scuba mask, and getting dressed involves a superhero costume. Mom, as you can imagine, has other ideas. Minimal text and vibrant illustrations make this a crowd-pleaser for preschoolers and kindergartners. Guaranteed to provoke many laughs.
First Day of School
The children in Anne Rockwell’s First Day of School are enjoying a playground romp before heading back to school. They discuss last year’s first day of school, talk about their back to school preparations (haircuts, shopping for school supplies), and hope that old friends will be in their new classes. This is quite the charmer and great for children who are old pros at the back to school deal, since many “first day of school” books are about preschool or kindergarten students. The illustrations are bright, appealing, and multicultural.
Follow the Line to School
If you’re familiar with Lara Ljungkvist’s Follow the Line books, you know that they are fun interactive books perfect for one-on-one sharing. Her latest Follow the Line book takes the reader on a tour of an inviting elementary school, complete with questions that ask the child reader/listener to explore the illustrations. This is a clever and appealing addition to your school-related picture books.
Your turn! What are your favorite first day of school/back to school books?
A local preschool teacher calls. She/He would like to bring the class to the library for a visit. No problem! You gather your favorite titles from story time, decide on music and fingerplays to use between stories, and away you go. No big deal.
It gets a little trickier when you have an elementary class visit or when you’re asked to be a guest reader for a school’s literacy night. Not to mention the times when a parent is looking for read alouds because she/he is scheduled to be a surprise guest reader at his/her child’s school. You can always decide to read a chapter from a terrific children’s novel, but why not use this time to highlight the great picture books available for older children? I’ll tell you a bit about my tried and trues, and you can tell us about your favorites in the comments section.
I must confess that I include this for nostalgic reasons. This is one of the few picture books I remember reading by myself. I’ve been delighted to find that the lower elementary school students that I’ve read this to are enchanted by Ira’s teddy bear dilemma.
As this is a popular read aloud in many elementary school classrooms, the children in your group may shout out with recognition when they see the title. It’s such a clever story, however, that most don’t mind hearing it again.
Margaret Read MacDonald has yet to create a picture book that I dislike. Mabela the Clever is probably my favorite story; this folktale from Sierra Leone features a little mouse who learns the importance of using her senses in order to escape the pouncing cats.
What are your favorite read alouds for elementary school classes?
In honor of Asian American & Pacific Islander Month, let’s discuss our favorite picture books, novels, poetry, etc that feature Asian-American or Pacific Islander characters, whether they are recently published or familiar classics. If you’re looking for some recently published titles to add to your collection, you can’t go wrong with these excellent selections:
Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream (2011)
This is one of the most delightful and charming books I’ve read this year; I simply adore it. Clara Lee, a young Korean-American, has a typically eventful year for a third grader, the highlight of which is her town’s annual Little Miss Apple Pie Princess competition. Determined to win, Clara works hard on the speech she must give in front of her entire school, but meets a formidable opponent, who declares that she is more deserving of the title due to her family’s deep roots in the community. There are definitely lessons learned in this story, but they’re all conveyed so skillfully and winningly that the story never teeters dangerously into didacticism. Short chapters, black-and-white illustrations, and honest portrayals of family and school life will win over beginning chapter book readers.
Duck for Turkey Day (2009)
Keep this one in mind if you’re looking for multicultural stories centered on Thanksgiving. Vietnamese-American Tuyet learns that turkeys are eaten on Thanksgiving; when she learns that duck, not turkey, will be the guest of honor at their Thanksgiving table, she is worried. It’s not that she doesn’t enjoy duck; it’s just that it’s different from her classmates. When she returns to her classroom after Thanksgiving, she wonders about her classmates’ reactions when they find out that she had duck for Thanksgiving. Tuyet is surprised and delighted to find out that she wasn’t the only to enjoy a non-traditional Thanksgiving meal; indeed, some classmates had lamb, tofu, roast beef, and enchiladas at their celebration. It’s a welcome alternative to Thanksgiving picture books.
The Great Wall of Lucy Wu (2011)
Lucy Wu thought that her sixth grade year was going to be awesome; sister Regina was off to college and she finally had her own room! That is, until Yi Po, her grandmother’s sister, arrives from China for an extended stay. Lucy’s parents are also making her attend Chinese school, and she has to endure mean girl antics from another student. This is a fantastic book that deals realistically with sibling issues, cultural identity and bullying; the fact that it does so while remaining a winning and positive read makes this a terrific choice for tween readers. The changing and deepening relationship between Lucy and Yi Po is also a lovely intergenerational story.
Now, it’s your turn! I didn’t discuss novels in verse like All the Broken Pieces or the even more recent Inside Out and Back Again, or mention any folktales. Do you have any favorites that honor Asian American and Pacific Islander Month? Do you have any special story times or book-related programs for the month? Let’s discuss in the comments.
April brings many things. April showers bring May flowers. April brings seasonal farmers’ markets, Passover and Easter, National Library Week, and young students clutching National Poetry Month assignments. National Poetry Month is an opportunity for youth services librarians to highlight our poetry collections and to break down the stereotype that poetry is boring. With that in mind, I’d like to share some of my recent favorites, and I hope that you’ll chime in with your favorites (old and new) in the comments section.
Dark Emperor & Other Poems of the Night by Joyce Sidman (published September 2010 by Houghton Miffflin Books For Children)
You can’t go wrong with any of Joyce Sidman’s poetry collection (another favorite is This Is Just To Say: Poems of Apology and Forgiveness), but her recent 2011 Newbery Honor Book is not to be missed. This salute to animals (and the oak tree that rests and recovers during the night) of the night is not only a collection of stunning poetry but is also an informative book about the habits of unusual animals. “I Am a Baby Porcupette” is a perfect example of adorability that never threatens to turn saccharine.
Emma Dilemma: Big Sister Poems by Kristine O’Connell George (published February 2011 by Clarion Books)
Jessica narrates the trials and tribulations (as well as the triumphs) of being big sister to Emma, an inquisitive, rambunctious, and adoring four year old. Jessica gets frustrated when Emma embarrasses her at soccer games, almost makes her late for her school bus, and messes up her room. Many times, however, Jessica patiently reads to Emma, buys her a souvenir while on a field trip, and is the only one who remembers the names of her pet rocks. A minor drama and a heartwarming ending enhance this loving and honest portrayal of sisterhood.
I Didn’t Do It (published October 2010 by Katherine Tegen Books)
The mother-daughter team of Patricia MacLachlan and Emily MacLachlan Charest has created a companion to their inimitable Once I Ate a Pie. The poems are told from a puppy’s perspective and are just as hilarious, tender, and irresistible as the poems in Once I Ate a Pie.
It’s your turn now! Have any 2011 poetry releases caught your eye? What are some of your tried-and-true recommendations?
I’m hoping that these books will be good enough for you…
Home-baked goods are always a welcome treat, but cookie exchanges and cake/cookie gifts are particularly popular in the winter. Although the sun hasn’t yet risen, Mrs. Bear and her son, Sam, are busily baking cakes. Sam is eager to deliver them to their friends, but he must wait until they are ready. Finally, it’s time to deliver the 12 cakes. To his delight, Mrs. Bear lets him sneak cakes to their friends’ front door…all by himself. When there are only two cakes left, it is time to return and enjoy their delicious work, along with warm cocoa and terrific stories. You Can Do It, Sam is a gentle and adorable story of a newly independent preschooler-like bear tasked with a very important job.
Toddlers are usually quite eager to “help,” particularly when someone is in the kitchen stirring up something very delicious. Benny is very proud to make his very own birthday cake. Benny’s primary responsibilities are sifting, pouring, stirring, and making sure Ralph (the dog) behaves. Unfortunately, as dog owners know, even dogs who “know better” can’t always resist stealing forbidden foods. Dad saves the day with a new birthday cake, all is forgiven, and Benny enjoys a very happy birthday. Although Benny Bakes a Cake is a short read aloud, toddlers will identify with Benny’s excitement over his birthday and his (short lived) disappointment when his cake is ruined.
Cumulative rhymes aren’t always great read aloud choices for toddlers, but The Cake That Mack Ate is one of my favorites. We see the cake that Mack ate, then the egg that went into the cake, the hen that laid the egg, the corn that fed the hen, and so on until we meet the farmer and his wife, who lights the candles on the cake. But who is Mack?
“This is Mack…
He ate the cake.”
Mack is the farm dog. We see a very satisfied (and messy) dog, followed by a picture of a kitchen in disarray and the upset couple. Guaranteed to elicit laughs!
Do you have any favorite picture books about cake?
Books Mentioned:
Hest, Amy. You Can Do It, Sam! Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press, 2003.
Rice, Eve. Benny Bakes a Cake. New York: Greenwillow Books, 1981.
Robart, Rose. The Cake That Mack Ate. Boston: Little, Brown and Co., 1986.
I can still remember a few songs that I learned in my weekly music class as an elementary school students. “The Cat Came Back” is one. “I Can’t Spell Hippopotamus” is another.
I can spell mat
M-A-T
But I can’t spell hippopotamus!
Hippos lend themselves easily to comical children’s books, particularly if they involve dancing. If animal storytimes are popular with your group, but you want to go beyond the usual dog/cat/farm animals storytime, consider tying these books into a hippopotamus theme:
All the jungle animals are gathering for the Hippo Hop. Elephants play the slide trombone, and an all-girl band of blue baboons plays along. Everybody dances their heads off until it’s time to go home. If you like books like The Big Bear Ball, you’ll enjoy The Hippo Hop.
If The Hippo Hop isn’t too much of a tongue twister, reading The Happy Hippopotamiwill definitely keep the words tripping over your tongue. Our hippo friends are enjoying the beach, from hippopotapoppas buying popsicles for the kids to hippopotapilots gliding about when hippos explode into sneezes. Lots of silly action and rhyme will entertain the parents/caregivers as much as the children.
There’s a Hippo in My Bathis a wild story about the adventures of a young child’s bath. A turtle and various other animals seemingly pop out of nowhere to join the fun. A sudden bubble burst startles a gun-shy hippo. Everyone has a splendid time until the door handle begins to rattle–the boy’s mother is about to open the door! Crazy hijinks will make this one of the hits of your hippo storytime.
Books Mentioned:
Loomis, Christine. The Hippo Hop. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1995.
Martin, Bill. The Happy Hippopotami. San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1970.
Matsuoka, Kyoko. There’s a Hippo in My Bath! New York: Doubleday, 1989.
We do a LOT of hibernation storytimes…some favorites include Jim Arnosky’s Every autumn comes the bear, Alice Schertle’s Very Hairy Bear, Elisha Cooper’s Bear dreams, Kevin Henkes’ Old Bear, Jackie Urbanovic’s Duck at the door, Scamell’s Ouch (makes a great flannelboard), Horowitz’ Duck Duck Moose, Raye’s The Very best bed and there’s always more…just search for “bear” in your picture book section!
I do storytime with 3-year-olds, and I like to read Too Tight, Benito!, by Janeen Brian and Judith Rossell, Bear Dreams, by Elisha Cooper, and Bear Snores On, by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman. All bears, which is a bit of a snooze (no pun intended), but they hit the mark. A good nonfiction choice for slightly older children is Animals in Winter, by Henrietta Bancroft and Richard G. Van Gelder.
Good suggestions! I’d add Winter Lullaby by Barbara Seuling and A Little Bit of Winter by Paul Stewart.
Every Autumn Comes the Bear by Jim Arnosky – one of my favorites.
Sleepy Bear by Lydia Dabcovich is a great classic title that really works in story time. That ursine has personality!