Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Some of my fondest memories from working in elementary school libraries were from Read Across America Day aka Dr. Seuss' Birthday on March 2. I had a lot of fun planning readings and activities that went along with all of the beloved Dr. Seuss books. My planning always began by visiting the NEA's Read Across America website or visiting Seussville. 

This year, I planned a Cat in the Hat storytime that has become an annual event in my library. First, I read aloud a Marvin K. Mooney and Dr. Seuss's ABC. We played "The Cat in the Hat Says..." and then we created our own edible cat in the hat hats!  The hats are gummy life savers, vanilla wafer, and vanilla frosting.  This photo is my daughter enjoying her hat!

Here is a photo of the finished product...

Dr. Seuss is still as popular today as ever and a wonderful author for beginning readers in Kindergarten and First Grade anytime of year.

The Picture Books of Kevin Henkes

Kevin Henkes is a wonderful picture book author/illustrator for pre-K and up. His mouse characters - Lilly and all her friends are always great read alouds for Kindergarten and 1st graders. There isn't a Kindergarten teacher that I know who doesn't read Chrysanthemum.  Mr. Henkes has now moved into new picture book territory with a collection of simple, wonderfully illustrated and award-winning stories. His newest picture book is Little White Rabbit.  My children loved this book from the first reading. They love how the rabbit explores his world and using his imagination literally changes on each page. I would definitley use this picture book for a kindergarten author/illustrator study.

I also recommend looking at the KevinHenkes website for great a biography, information about all of his books, and fun activities and teaching guides.

Ooh La La...it's the Fancy Nancy Tea Party

This past Saturday our library hosted the first ever Fancy Nancy Tea Party. We had over 17 girls (between the ages of 4 and 7). The girls were dressed in their fabulous dresses with fancy boas, and shoes, and hats. I read aloud two Fancy Nancy books to the girls. We also practiced saying some "fancy words."

  We also made corsages out of tissue paper and decorated butterfly placemats. Most of the ideas for the party came from Fancy Nancy Tea Parties by Jane O'Connor.  After making our projects - we started our tea party (no tea actually) - just cupcakes and grapes and juice. The girls enjoyed decorating their cupcakes and eating grapes... with toothpicks!!! Everyone had a  wonderful time and the parents loved it as well. There was not a Fancy Nancy book left in the library.  A perfect activity for the preschool/early elementary grades.

 Jane O'Connor is now writing easy to read  Fancy Nancy books as well as the numerous picture book in this fabulous series.

After a Long Hiatus....

I'm back....

We have a new title and a new direction - Kindergarten. I will be focusing this blog on great read alouds, authors, websites, and early literacy tools. I am preparing for this Saturday's Fancy Nancy Tea Party...
stay tuned. Fancy Nancy is TRES FAB for girls 5 and up. Check out the Fancy Nancy's World website.

If You Give A Mouse a Party

For my next children's program I would like to do a party for the mouse, pig, moose, and cat from the If You Give.. Series by Laura J. Numeroff. She has a great website that is chock full of ideas, printables, and online games from the series.

Mouse Cookie Books

I am still in the planning stage - but I hope to do this program in March 2010.

Colorlicious - saluting those popular books by Elizabeth and Victoria Kann

This past Saturday, I hosted a "Colorlicious Party" at my library. I began by reading aloud Pinkalicious and Purplicious by Elizabeth and Victoria Kann. After, all of the children decorated their our own pinkalicious cupcakes. We also served "pink juice" (cranberry juice and ginger ale). The kids also had activities at various tables including word jumbles, pinkalicious coloring pages, and make your own pink, purple and gold bracelets. I was able to get some great ideas for the party from http://www.elizabethkann.com/. It was a great event for a children's library program or even a birthday party - especially for those girly girls who love pink.

What party should I host next?? I'm thinking of a Fancy Nancy Party!

Storytime Ideas

I like storytime when I work at my local public library on Saturdays. I also really like having a theme - which can be difficult when the age range is 0-5 years old. I sometimes walk in to the library with a good theme in my head and then the books I need are not available. This is why I need to prepare in advance! Here is a list of some good websites for Storytime - whether in a school or library setting or at home.

Books to Grow On

The Best Kids Booksite

The Itty-Bitty Bookworm

Any other websites I have missed?