Confessions of a Real Librarian

Dealing with the Dealers

2012-01-28T15:30:00.003-06:00

It's that time of year again. The time of year when the Perky Little Crack Dealers run around all willy nilly trying to get unsuspecting innocent bystanders sucked into their evil world.

Again, you might remember this post...or this post...about the Perky Little Crack Dealers (aka Girl Scouts). Now that I've been at this library for over a year (!!!), I've actually gotten to know these particular PLCD's quite well...and they have also come to find out that Ms. Real...? Is a SUCKER for some Thin Mints and Samoas. It didn't take them much time to convince me to buy their delicious treats.

See, all they had to do was walk in the door. I was actually standing at the information desk, and saw them walk in - with their Girl Scout Cookie forms waving in the air. They didn't even have to say anything this time - not a word.

Now I'm just waiting on delivery... ***trying to ward off the withdrawal shakes***

How do I choose?

2011-12-20T08:01:00.001-06:00

Story time is a completely different animal for everyone who does it. Some people like to stay within a theme and read books about one topic, and center their songs and crafts around the theme. Other people are more random in their book selection - choosing new books that come in that week, or choosing their favorites as they come across their desks.

I do a random story time every once in a while (in fact, I have a random story time post coming up soon!), but, as you may know, I usually center my story times around a certain theme, and all the books, songs and crafts usually follow.

I do a lot of animal themes, because animal books are easily found and available. I could probably do a cat theme for months and never repeat a book. I also do themes based on things that every kid has or does, for instance my Hair story time (which was FABULOUS, and the kids loved it!), and maybe Bath stories, or more Bath stories (and even more Bath stories) and even one about Manners. I also had a Tooth story time (post coming soon)!!

I do get some outside help finding books, however, and I need to give props to a couple of FABULOUS websites and blogs.

Storytime Source Page
Awesome Storytime
storytime katie
SurLaLune Storytime

I also get a lot of craft and song ideas online, too!! Here are some of my favorite sites!!

DLTK-Kids
All Kids Network
Kaboose
Kids Soup
Preschool Education
Perpetual Preschool

Anyway, I hope this helps to get you started!! I've been so fortunate to have found some good resources - there are some amazing children's librarians out there who are really up on their kid lit!!! If you know of any other good sites - feel free to share them in the comments section!!

Random Favorites

2011-12-19T16:56:00.001-06:00

It was a weird week in story time! I had a performer call out sick just two hours before a very special Fairy Tales program, and then I had a group from a ballet school in town come to perform a program for my regular preschool story time - but I didn't even know they were coming!!! They only stayed for the first story time, though, and I didn't want to use my already planned story time (because it was super exciting, and wanted to use it for BOTH groups). So, I scrambled again and picked out a couple of my favorite story time books.

Opening Song: Shake My Sillies Out - Raffi

Book: Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems

Rhyme: Hey Diddle, Diddle

Book: Dinosaur vs. The Library by Bob Shea (LOVE this series!!!)

Dance: The Freeze - Greg and Steve (from Greg and Steve We All Live Together Vol.2)

Book: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr.

Craft: Since I still had lots of supplies, I decided to make the crowns again!! I LOVE paper plates!!!

It's another edition of FMRNS!!! The feature this week was The Crow, a drama from 1994 starring Brandon Lee and Rochelle Davis. I remember thinking this movie looked really weird when it came out, and didn't really have a desire to see it. But, I trust my friend A wholeheartedly when it comes to what is on The List, so we watched it. I was NOT disappointed!!

Impromptu Fairy Tales

2011-12-19T16:53:00.000-06:00

We had a performer all set to come in and do an amazing interactive Fairy Tale program for us, and everyone was SUPER EXCITED...until... My fabulous performer called me a short two hours before the program and informed me that she was sick and couldn't make it. Now, I could have thrown in the towel and told the disappointed kiddos that there would be no Fairy Tales, but I just couldn't do that!!! So, I scrambled a little and whipped something together!

Opening Song: Shake My Sillies Out - Raffi

Book: Ten Big Toes and a Prince's Nose by Nancy Gow

Song: Old McDonald

Book: Jack and the Beanstalk by Rosemary Wells

Dance: The Freeze by Greg and Steve (from Greg and Steve: We All Live Together Vol. 2)

Book: Who Wants a Dragon by James Mayhew

Craft: A variation of the Birthday Crown!!

Brush your Teeth!!

2011-12-19T16:44:00.002-06:00

When I saw that Karma Wilson had put out a new Bear book, I jumped on the chance to use it at story time. So, my preschoolers had a little lesson about teeth!!

Opening Song - Shake My Sillies Out by Raffi

Book: Bear's Loose Tooth by Karma Wilson

Song: Brush, brush, brush your teeth (To the tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat) (taken from Preschool Education Music and Songs: Dental Health )
Brush, brush, brush your teeth!
Brush them every day!
Then you'll have a pretty smile
And healthy teeth all day!

Book: Tabitha's Terrifically Tough Tooth by Charlotte Middleton

Song: The Dentist Says (to the tune of Wheels on the Bus)
The dentist says please brush your teeth, brush your teeth, brush your teeth,
The dentist says please brush your teeth, every day!

(extra verses: Floss your teeth, eat healthy food)

Book: Clarabella's Teeth by An Vrombaut

Craft: Tooth Men Puppets

And of course, we had FMRNS!! The feature for this week was Two for the Road, a love story from 1967 starring Audrey Hepburn and Albert Finney. It, of course, was a fabulous movie - full of love and drama and all that good stuff!!

Thanks for Monday

2011-12-19T16:41:00.000-06:00

Today was all about Thanksgiving in Toddler Time!! We had a couple great Thanksgiving books, and one not so Thanksgiving book!!

Opening Song: If You're Happy and You Know It from Favorite Children's Songs CD.

Book: Five Silly Turkeys by Salina Yoon

Rhyme: Hey Diddle, Diddle

Book: Thank You, Thanksgiving by David Milgrim

Practice: Count to 5

Book: From Head to Toe by Eric Carle

Interactive Playtime

All the colors

2011-12-19T16:39:00.001-06:00

I found some great books about colors, so I wanted to see how well the toddlers knew their colors!! They did really well, of course!!

Opening Song: If You're Happy and You Know It from Favorite Children's Songs CD.

Book: Driving in my Tractor by Jan Dobbins

Game: Colored circles on popsicle sticks and have kids guess the colors.

Book: Meeow and the Little Chairs by Sebastien Braun

Song: Twinkle, Twinkle

Book: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr.
Interactive Playtime

Mondays Kittens

2011-12-19T16:27:00.000-06:00

I think I accidentally forgot to plan story time, oops!!! Luckily, there are always a couple themes that have plenty of books to choose from if you are a last minute planner as I seem to sometimes be! But, it turned out great - LOVE those toddlers!!

Opening Song: If You're Happy and You Know It from Favorite Children's Songs CD.

Book: I Love Cats by Barney Saltzberg

Rhyme: Hey Diddle, Diddle

Book: Kitten for a Day by Ezra Jack Keats

Song: I'm a Little Teapot

Book: Cat the Cat Who Is That? by Mo Willems

Interactive Playtime

Review: Downward Dog, Upward Fog by Meryl Davids Landau

2011-11-27T07:35:00.000-06:00

After reading the summary and some other reviews of this novel, Downward Dog, Upward Fog by Meryl Davids Landau, I was super excited to get this one to review!!

The Summary:

Lorna Crawford has a great boyfriend, longtime friends, and a well-paying job as a special-events coordinator at a premium ice-cream manufacturer. But, out of sorts and filled with self-doubt, the 33 year old realizes that what she really wants is to stay on the spiritual path she keeps diving off of. Lorna jump starts her efforts at a silent yoga retreat. But after returning from the mountain, she quickly loses her connection in the face of scheming coworkers, judgemental girlfriends, and especially, her overly critical mother. Lorna also wrestles over her future with her boyfriends, a hot guy who takes her to the hottest places, but who can't discern a meditation cushion from a toad stool. Reading spiritual books and visiting a channeler and energy healer move Lorna forward, but her confusion remains.

Lorna's seeking is put to the ultimate test when personal tragedy strikes. Will she come to truly understand that living spiritually has little to do with how you pretzel yourself on the yoga mat (although she gets plenty good at that), and everything to do with embracing the twists in every day life?

Review:

Downward Dog, Upward Fog by Meryl Davids Landau really dives into Lorna's spiritual journey. It really isn't all about just the poses on the yoga mat and learning how to breathe. Lorna, who supposedly has it all, is so stressed out and is really searching for some calm and perspective in her life. As she reads several spiritual books, we also get to learn some interesting spiritual concepts and quotes from new-age spiritual leaders that make total sense for daily life. Will she be able to apply these teachings in the face of all the distractions - especially her mother?!

I really enjoyed this novel. I thought it was interesting and out of the box. I also think it will give you a perspective on spirituality. Though this book may not be for everyone, if you are open to just reading a really good novel, then it just might open your eyes to something different. I'm definitely trying to look at things differently - even if I am not going full tilt and creating a meditation altar.

I want to thank Meryl Davids Landau for sending me a copy of her novel. I highly enjoyed it, and thanks for helping me put some things in perspective.

To read more about the novel, check out DownwardDogUpwardFog.com!!

Sharing the love, and some hugs

2011-11-27T07:30:00.002-06:00

I came up with Hug story time because of a super cute and totally perfect for story time book came across my desk. I also found out that Hug a Bear day was coming up, so I thought we'd combine the two and have a fabulous story time.

Hug a Bear day also brought out the song writer in me (I say 'song writer' very loosely). This new song is to the tune of "Rock the Boat" by Hues Corporation.

Hug the bear, don't hug the bear, baby!
Hug the bear, don't hug him, he'll eat you!!

A couple of the moms appreciated it! Hahaha!! Anyway, back to story time...

Book: One More Hug for Madison by Caroline Church

Song: A Hug from You (To the tune of Mary had a Little Lamb. Taken from Preschool Education Music and Songs: Valentines Day)
It's nice to get a hug from you, hug from you, hug from you,
It's nice to get a hug from you,
So, let's give one right now!

Book: How to Hug by Maryann Macdonald

Rhyme: Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear (traditional, with my own interpretation)
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
Turn Around
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
Touch the Ground
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
Touch your Nose
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
Touch your Toes
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
Dance on the Rug
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
Give a Big Hug!

Book: How Do You Hug a Porcupine by Laurie Isop

Craft: Since this theme was based on Hug a Bear day, we made Bear CD magnets!

And, as usual, it's FMRNS!!! Two for the Road, a romance from 1967 with Albert Finney and Audrey Hepburn was the feature for this week. This movie follows a married couple through the ups and downs in the journey of their marriage. They go through so much and they really need to decide what is important. It was very sentimental, and of course, listworthy!!

Wheelin' around!

2011-11-10T17:29:00.004-06:00

Found some fun books that each had something to do with wheels or round things. Well, almost all of them... =)

I'm also changing up my Opening song. The Favorite Children's Songs CD that I had always been using was starting to get a little choppy, so I decided to see if I could find another fun version of If You're Happy and You Know It. I'll let you know what version I decide on!! But for now:

Opening Song: If You're Happy and You Know It from Favorite Children's Songs CD.

Book: Wheels Go Round by W. Nikola-Lisa

Song: Wheels on the Bus

Book: Little Duck's Bicycle Ride by Dorothy Stott (Sorry - no picture!!)

Rhyme: Hickory Dickory Dock

Book: You Are My Sunshine by Caroline Jayne Church

Interactive Playtime

It's been a while!!

2011-11-05T14:53:00.002-05:00

I was just thinking today how it has been a LOOOOOOOOOONG time since I had a patron story. It's about time, right??

The scene: Preschool Story Time, at the end of the program while the kids are all working on their craft... I'm walking around, complimenting everyone on their fabulous art.

Real Librarian: Oh, wow - I love those ears!! Did you know that purple is my most favorite color?

Pre-school Artist: Purple is my most favorite color too!!! And my most favorite boy is Justin Bieber!!!

Looks like we have some Bieber Fever up in here!!! LOL

And the winner is...

2011-11-01T20:58:00.000-05:00

Ugh, I am such a slacker. Please forgive my tardiness in announcing the winner of this FABULOUS giveaway!!!! I promise to not keep y'all in suspense for a minute longer... The winner of a copy of The Journey of the Noble Gnarble is...

ELLIE!!!

I've sent you an email requesting your snail mail address. I'll then forward your info on to the publisher, who will mail you your book! Congratulations!!!!

Thanks to everyone who entered!! And thanks to everyone for reading my blog!!!

A mixed-up storytime

2011-11-01T19:03:00.000-05:00

This story time was a mix of body parts and animals - yeah, a little weird. And we even threw in some colors, too!!!

Opening Song: If You're Happy and You Know It from Favorite Children's Songs CD.

Book: Mommy, Carry Me Please by Jane Cabrera

Rhyme: This Little Piggy

Book: Look at the Baby by Kelly Johnson

Song: Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

Book: The Artist who Painted a Blue House by Eric Carle

Interactive Playtime

Fall into Monday

2011-11-01T17:19:00.000-05:00

This week, we did Fall stories for the little ones!!! Can I just tell you how cute these little ones are?!?! I am loving my Toddlers!!!!!

Opening Song: If You're Happy and You Know It from Favorite Children's Songs CD.

Book: Mouse's First Fall by Lauren Thompson

Song: The Leaves on the Trees (to the tune of Wheels on the Bus - adapted from Jean Warren's Preschool Express Fall leaves & rhymes page)

The leaves on the trees are falling down, falling down, falling down.
The leaves on the trees are falling down, all through the town!

Let's rake the leaves into a mound, into a mound, into a mound.
Let's rake the leaves into a mound, all through the town!

The children in the town jump up and down, up and down, up and down.
The children in the town jump up and down, on the leaves on the ground!

Book: The Busy Little Squirrel by Nancy Tafuri

Rhyme: Humpty Dumpty (because he had a great FALL! Haha, sorry, I couldn't resist)

Book: Big Fat Hen by Keith Baker

Interactive Playtime

Oooohhhhhh, spooky!!

2011-11-01T17:08:00.000-05:00

This year for Hallopween I decided to focus on Spooky stories instead of Halloween. It was great getting all the kids to make spooky sounds!!!!

Opening Song: Shake My Sillies Out - Raffi

Book: Little Goblins Ten by Pamela Jane (there is a line about Halloween at the very end of this book, but that page can be avoided if you don't want to bring up the Halloween side of the spooky).

Song: If you're a ghost and you know it (to the tune of If You're Happy and you Know It) (Taken from Brooklyn Public Library's First Five Years Halloween Songs page)

If you're a ghost and you know it, just say BOO!!!
If you're a ghost and you know it, just say BOO!!!
If you're a ghost and you know it, and you really wanna show it!
If you're a ghost and you know it, just say BOO!!!

Book: The Teeny-Tiny Woman by Paul Galdone

Rhyme: 5 Little Jack-o-Lanterns (taken from Jean Warren's Preschool Express Pumpkin Songs page) I also made it into a flannel board.

Five little jack-o-lanterns glowing by the door
Father took one and that left four.

Four little jack-o-lantersn, a sight to see
Mother took one and that left three.

Three little jack-o-lanterns lit through and through
Brother took one and that left two.

Two little jack-o-lanterns greeting everyone
Sister took one and that left one.

One little jack-o-lantern, with a great big grin
I picked him up and took him in.

Book: The Woods by Paul Hoppe

Craft: Night Scene (I just google imaged a picture of a scared cat and a flying bird, cut the other shapes, and there you have it!)

This week for FMRNS we watched something that neither of us had seen yet. Remember, this is where we watch a movie, and then decide if it is 'Listworthy' or not. If it is, we cheer and immediately add it to the list. If it is NOT, then we point at the screen, and say in our judgy-est voices "NOT LISTWORTHY!!!" It's actually a really fun tradition!! Anyway, this feature definitely belongs on the list!!! The Lincoln Lawyer from 2011 with Matthew McConaughey, Marisa Tomei, and Ryan Phillippe was phenominal!!! Lots of twists and turns!!!

A new season

2011-11-01T16:57:00.000-05:00

It's Fall!!! YAY!! I have to admit, I used to really not like fall. Fall meant that winter was coming. Of course, it still does, but winter is different in the south!!! Anyway, enough about all that, and on to the story time!!!!

Opening Song: Shake My Sillies Out - Raffi

Book: Fall Leaves Fall! by Zoe Hall

Song: The Leaves on the Trees (to the tune of Wheels on the Bus - adapted from Jean Warren's Preschool Express Fall leaves & rhymes page)

The leaves on the trees are falling down, falling down, falling down.
The leaves on the trees are falling down, all through the town!

Let's rake the leaves into a mound, into a mound, into a mound.
Let's rake the leaves into a mound, all through the town!

The children in the town jump up and down, up and down, up and down.
The children in the town jump up and down, on the leaves on the ground!

Book: Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert

Rhyme: Count the Falling Leaves (also taken from Jean Warren's Preschool Express Fall Leaves songs & rhymes page)

One, two leaves fell down.
Three, four, they hit the ground.
Five, six, they fell so quick.
Seven, eight, they lay so straight.
Nine, ten, let's start again!

Book: Fall is Not Easy by Marty Kelley (this is my ultimate favorite Fall book. I read it EVERY year!!!)

Craft: Leaf Men (I just found a maple leaf pattern and some arms and legs, and hoooooray - our very own Leaf Men!!!)

This week's FMRNS is a very serious drama with some intense themes. American History X is from 1998 starring Edward Norton and Edward Furlong. If you haven't seen this one - you really should. It is quite intense, so be prepared!!!

Moving right along

2011-11-01T16:09:00.000-05:00

Another theme that often makes the rounds is Cars and Trucks and Things that Go. There is an abundance of books that revolve around this theme, so you can make it new and different every time. Plus, I love things that go!! =)

Opening Song: If You're Happy and You Know It from Favorite Children's Songs CD.

Book: The Bridge is Up by Babs Bell

Song: Wheels on the Bus

Book: Sputter, Sputter, Sput by Babs Bell

Song: Pete the Pilot (to the tune of Old McDonald) (taken from Perpetual Preschool - Transportation Songs)

Pete the Pilot has a plane, zoom, zoom, zoom, zoom, zoom
And on that plane there are some wings, zoom, zoom, zoom, zoom, zoom
With a zoom, zoom here, and a zoom, zoom there
Here a zoom, there a zoom, everywhere a zoom, zoom!
Pete the Pilot has a plane, zoom, zoom, zoom, zoom, zoom!

Additional Verses:
Dan the driver has a car, beep beep beep beep beep (car has a horn)
The Engineer has a train, choo choo choo choo choo (train has a whistle)

Book: The Bus for Us by Suzanne Bloom

Interactive Playtime

Losing my Monday

2011-11-01T15:54:00.000-05:00

I think this story time was inspired by the fact that I lost my TV remote control. So that is the most annoying thing EVER. I mean, I looked EVERYWHERE, including all the folds of the couch. It took WEEKS, but the remote has finally been recovered. Thank you, thank you. Anyway, back to the business at hand - lost things!!

Opening Song: If You're Happy and You Know It from Favorite Children's Songs CD.

Book: Where is the Green Sheep? by Mem Fox

Rhyme: Little Ladybug Lost Her Dots (found at Little Fingers that Play blog - Little Ladybug Song) I turned it into a flannel board rhyme.

Little Ladybug on the ground
Doesn't make a sound.
Looking for her ten black dots
She lost them on the ground.

One black dot
Two black dots
Three black dots
And four.

Five black dots
Six black dots
She's looking for some more.

Seven black dots
Eight black dots
Nine black dots
And ten.

The Ladybug who lost her dots has found them all again!!

Book: Where's Spot? by Eric Hill

Rhyme: Little Bo Peep

Book: Duck's Key, Where Can it Be? by Jez Alborough

Interactive Playtime

Messy Monday

2011-11-01T15:47:00.000-05:00

I wanted to do a little something for the Toddlers today that they could relate to - so I figured getting MESSY was the perfect topic. I mean, who knows better than some toddlers how to make a mess?!?!

Opening Song: If You're Happy and You Know It from Favorite Children's Songs CD.

Book: Warthogs Paint: A Messy Color Book by Pamela Duncan Edwards

Game: Little Miss Muffet - I brought the kids up one by one to Ms. Real's rocking chair, and we all repeated the rhyme, and when we got to 'frightened Miss Muffet away" the kids got up and ran away screaming. It was HILARIOUS.

Book: Mouse Mess by Linnea Riley

Song: I'm a Little Teapot

Interactive Playtime

Alternative Book: Monster Mess! by Margery Cuyler (I was going to read this one, too, but those little ones were getting a little restless. Gotta be flexible, right?!)

Dinosaur Day!

2011-11-01T15:31:00.000-05:00

I always love some good Dinosaur books!!! I sometimes have a problem with dino books, though, because I just can't say half of those dinosaur names!!! So, I tend to lean towards books that don't have a bunch of names of dinosaurs, and it works out best for everyone!

Opening Song - Shake My Sillies Out by Raffi

Book: Dino-Pets by Lynn Plourde

Song: Stomp, Stomp, Stomp Around (to the tune of Row, row, row your boat) (taken from Preschool Express by Jean Warren - Dinosaur Songs)

Stomp, stomp, stomp around
On your great big feet!!

Swish your tail,
Then turn around,
Now go take your seat!

Book: Dinosaur Train by John Gurney

Rhyme: 5 Crazy Dinosaurs (taken from Everything Preschool - Dinosaur Songs)
I also decided to make this in to a flannel board game - at the last minute... I'm sure I can find some better dino pictures for next time!)

5 crazy dinosaurs sweeping the floor
1 got swept away, and then there were four!

4 crazy dinosaurs chased by a bee,
1 got stung, and then there were three!

3 crazy dinosaurs playing with glue,
1 got stuck, and then there were two!

2 crazy dinosaurs out for a run,
1 fell down, and then there was 1!

1 crazy dinosaur acting like a hero,
He went out to save the others, and then there were zero!

Book: Dinosaurs, Dinosaurs by Byron Barton

Book: Dinosaur vs. Bedtime by Bob Shea (I LOVE LOVE LOVE this series by Bob Shea!!! If you haven't seen them yet, they rock!!!)

Craft: Pipe Cleaner Dinosaurs (from Busy Bee Kids Crafts)

This week's FMRNS was a fabulous suspense movie. Wild Things is a drama from 1998 with Kevin Bacon, Matt Dillon, Neve Campbell and Denise Richards. I remember this one coming out, and I remember wanting to see it, but I guess I just never did!!! This one had some twists and turns in it that I definitely wasn't expecting!!!

Just Ducky

2011-11-01T15:05:00.001-05:00

There are always a good number of Duck stories to go around, so you can usually come up with a good story time! Plus, getting all the kids to quack is pretty fun. I also found one of the cutest crafts (I LOVE paper plates!!), so a duck story time was a must.

Opening Song - Shake My Sillies Out by Raffi

Book: Ducks Don't Wear Socks by John Nedwidek

Song: 5 Little Ducks

Book: Fluffy and Baron by Laura Rankin

Song: I'm a Duck (To the tune of Frere Jacques) (taken from Preschool Education - bird songs)
I'm a duck, I'm a duck,
Watch me waddle, watch me waddle.
Hear me when I talk, hear me when I talk.
Quack, quack, quack! Quack, quack, quack!

Book: Duck on a Bike by David Shannon

Book: Ducks Like to Swim by Agnes Verboven

Craft: Paper Plate Ducks (Taken from Enchanted Learning)

Of course, we had FMRNS!!! The feature for this week was a comedy - Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid from 1982 with Steve Martin and Rachel Ward. This one was interesting because it pulled scenes from old movies, so you get to see some characters you probably weren't expecting! All in all a FABULOUS movie - and I do love me some Steve Martin!!!

Don't forget my latest giveaway!!

2011-10-27T16:42:00.002-05:00

Hey y'all!!! Just wanted to remind you that there is still time to enter to win my latest giveaway!! Check out my review of The Journey of the Noble Gnarble by Daniel Errico and enter to win your very own copy!!!!

More storytime posts and some patron stories are coming up!!

Review: The Hazards of Hunting While Heartbroken

2011-10-15T13:39:00.004-05:00

I am really excited to review The Hazards of Hunting While Heartbroken by Mari Passananti. This book completely held my attention, and I didn't want to put it down!!

From the Book Jacket:

Zoe Clark thinks her world will implode when her fiance dumps her on the eve of their splashy wedding. After nearly a decade with her college sweetheart, Zoe feels like a teenager about to be eaten alive by the New York dating scene. And her problems don't end there. Zoe works a less-than-ideal jobs, managing other people's careers while her own ambitions wither.

Enter Oscar Thornton. He's handsome, charming, attentive and rich - the perfect boyfriend. But does he harbor a dark secret? Or will Zoe torpedo her newfound happiness by indulging a far fetched suspicion?

My thoughts:

Zoe has been with her fiance for ten years. He breaks off the wedding the night before, with a pretty huge confession. Now, Zoe is questioning her instincts and judgement. Add in her job as a headhunter for a very well known, yet mostly crazy boss, and some interesting things start to happen!!

Enter Oscar Thornton, a gorgeous, successful and incredibly romantic man who is crazy about her. Since she has started to doubt her instincts, she suspects bad things of Oscar. Is she just paranoid, or is Oscar hiding something?!

The characters in this book were fabulous. The relationships that Zoe has with her best friends, Angela and Kevin are totally believable and it really seemed that they had been friends for a decade. Also, Zoe's coworkers were great additions to the story. Carol, the crazy boss who you can tell her mood by the state of her make-up, is appalling, yet incredibly intriguing.

The dialogue is witty and clever, and everything adds something special to the story. It is filled with twists that I just didn't expect. Mari Passananti crafted something that included romance, suspense and even a little thrill.

I especially loved the ending - Zoe figures it all out for herself. She finds what is going to be best for herself, and follows her heart. I wasn't expecting this ending, and it really works for the novel.

The Hazards of Hunting While Heartbroken was a great read, and I definitely think you should check this one out!!!

Thanks to Jocelyn at Kelley and Hall Book Publicity and Promotion for sending me a copy of this book to review!!

Review and Giveaway: The Journey of the Noble Gnarble

2011-10-14T16:22:00.002-05:00

I don't often review children's books, but I am really glad that I decided to take a look at The Journey of the Noble Gnarble by Daniel Errico.

Description from the book:

A gnarble left his cozy bed along the ocean floor.
He dreamt about a place that he had never seen before!

He headed to the surface for a glimpse of sun and sky.
The trip was so impossible, he'd be the first to try.

Gnarbles can't swim far with little fins and floppy tails.
What makes the gnarble noble isn't written on his scales.

You won't believe the new fantastic creatures that he found.
But did he reach the top or did he quit and turn around?

The thrilling tale of the noble gnarble, accompanied by vibrant, four color illustrations, will delight ages 3-6 - and their parents, too!!

My thoughts:

Well, I just have to say that this was just a great story!! The rhyming text flows perfectly throughout the book, and it kept the pace moving along nicely! It is the perfect length - not too long for wiggly youngens. I wanted to keep reading faster to find out what happened, and if the noble gnarble succeeded in his quest!!

I was very involved in the story, but I can't not talk about the illustrations. The full page illustrations in this story are amazing!!! The colors really pop and are so vibrant!! These visually stimulating pictures will seriously captivate the kids, and they really add something wonderful to the story.

All in all, this is a very sweet book with a nice message and beautiful pictures. An all around winner!!! Be sure to check out the website to learn more about the author and illustrator, see more examples of the illustrations, and even print out some coloring pages for the kids!!

I am also holding a giveaway for this awesome book!!! All you have to do is fill out the form below by Friday, October 28, and I'll choose a winner on Saturday, October 29!!! US entries only, please!!

Thanks to Marissa from JKS Communications for sending me a copy of this book!!! It was highly enjoyable, and - hey, I might just have to work it into my story time collection!!!

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A Hairy Wednesday

2011-10-12T16:39:00.001-05:00

I found some AMAZING books about hair, and I just HAD to share them. It was great, too, because a dad came up to me after and told me that they were just dealing with hair brushing, getting your hair cut, and all that stuff, so he was excited that I was bringing things that are familiar to the kids to the story time. YAY!!!

Opening Song: Shake My Sillies Out - Raffi

Book: Ella Kazoo Will Not Brush Her Hair by Lee Fox

Song: This Little Piggy

Book: Baghead by Jarret Krosoczka (p.s. Make sure to stress that it is a BAD IDEA and you will get in to VERY BIG TROUBLE to cut your own hair - the grown-ups will appreciate that).

Song: Freeze Dance by Greg and Steve

Book: This is My Hair by Todd Parr (this one was a HUGE hit. I LOVE Todd Parr!)

Book: What's Wrong With my Hair? by Satoshi Kitamura

Craft: Mustache Masks (I just couldn't resist seeing these little kids walking around with these Monopoly Man mustaches...or the Pringles guy... Either way - too adorable!!!

YAY for FMRNS!!! This week's feature was a little lighter than last weeks!!! We watched the original X-Men not too terribly long ago, and decided it was time for X2 from 2003 with Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman (drool) and Ian McKellen. Fabulous, of course!!!

Big and Little Monday

2011-10-12T16:38:00.000-05:00

This Monday, I decided to read about things BIG and little. The toddlers are so cute when they showed me how big they could be, and how small they could be!!

Opening Song: If You're Happy and You Know It from Favorite Children's Songs CD.

Book: Little Gorilla by Ruth Bornstein

Song: Itsy Bitsy Spider

Book: Blue Sea by Robert Kalan

Game: Ms. Real's Box of Mystery
This is a fun game where I bring in a box filled with stuffed animals and puppets, and the kids guess what's in the box. I start with this song:

There's something in my box today, my box today, my box today!
There's something in my box today...it must be...
Something that lives on a farm, eats grass and makes this sound...MOOOO!!!

Book: Big and Little by Margaret Miller

Interactive Playtime

The Moon over Wednesday

2011-10-12T10:59:00.002-05:00

For story time, I thought I'd break out some fun books about the moon and night time. These were perfect, and the kids had lots of fun with them!!

Opening Song - Shake My Sillies Out by Raffi

Book: Bringing Down the Moon by Jonathan Emmett

Song: Flying Around the Moon (to the tune of She'll be Coming 'Round the Mountain) (taken from Preschool Express - moon songs and rhymes by Jean Warren) I changed a few of the words for my version:

We'll be flying around the moon, yes we will!
We'll be flying around the moon, yes we will!
We'll be flying around the moon
We'll be flying around the moon
We'll be flying around the moon, yes we will!!

Additional verses:
We'll be landing on the moon
We'll be blasting off again
We'll be landing back on Earth

Book: See You Soon, Moon by Donna Conrad

Song: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Book: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom, I'm off to the Moon by Dan Yaccarino

Craft: Moon and Star

Of course, it was also FMRNS!!! The feature for this time was a pretty intense drama. Soldier's Girl is a made for TV movie from 2003, starring Troy Garity and Lee Pace. This movie is based on true events and real people, and like I said, is pretty intense. It is pretty disturbing, and it just makes me sad to know that people can be so narrow minded and hateful. It has a very powerful message, and I am glad that it was on The List.

Know your body Monday

2011-10-12T10:57:00.000-05:00

I thought we'd do some stories about knowing your body! The kids are too cute when I ask them where there hands, feet, noses are. I also like to point to my ears and ask if that's my nose - which causes all kinds of 'Nooooo!!' Seriously, too cute.

Opening Song: If You're Happy and You Know It from Favorite Children's Songs CD.

Book: All of Baby Noes to Toes by Victoria Adler

Rhyme: 10 Little Fingers (Taken from Everything Preschool - Body Parts Songs and Music)
I have 10 fingers and they all belong to me (hold hands up)
I can make them do things, would you like to see?
I can shut them up tight (form fist)
Or open them wide (hold fingers out)
I can put them together, or make them all hide (close both fists)
I can make them jump high (put hands over head)
I can make them go low (put hands down)
I can fold them quietly and hold them just so (put hands in lap)

Book: Ten Tiny Tickles by Karen Katz

Song: Two Feet (to the tune of Mary Had a Little Lamb) (Taken from Everything Preschool - Body Parts Songs and Music)

Book: Piggies by Don and Audrey Wood

Interactive Playtime

Review: Until Again by Lou Aronica

2011-09-20T18:59:00.003-05:00

At the beginning of the year, I reviewed Lou Aronica's novel Blue (read my review here). I was very impressed by the story and I still feel it is one of the best books I have read all year.

Mr. Aronica put a lot of heart and soul into that novel, and now he has come out with a prequel novella, Until Again. This novella is just as heartfelt. It tells of two major events that change the lives of everyone involved - not only Chris Astor and his 10 year old daughter, Becky, but also Meia, the princess in the made up land of Tamarisk.

If you have read Blue, then reading Until Again is a necessity. This short novella gives you more insight on how these endearing people lived and loved in Blue. If you haven't read Blue yet, then both of these books should be in your TBR pile!!

Thanks to Lou Aronica for sending me Until Again. It was a pleasure to revisit these very beautiful characters, even for a short and emotional time. Also, I just wanted to say, it grabbed at my heart that Chris calls his daughter 'Babe' - because that's what my dad calls me!

Veggies!! My favorite!!

2011-09-17T17:48:00.000-05:00

Just because I've been on a huge veggie kick this summer because we have the BEST Farmers Market ever!!! So, I decided to spread the veggie love a little with my preschoolers!!

Opening Song: Shake My Sillies Out - Raffi

Book: Night of the Veggie Monster by George McClements

Song: Good Food Song (taken from the Vegetable Activity Theme page from Child Fun)
To the tune of Old McDonald

Vegetables are good for me EE I EE I O
And so I eat them happily EE I EE I O
with a carrot here and a carrot there,
here a carrot, there a carrot, everywhere a carrot, carrot
Vegetables are good for me EE I EE I O!!

Book: Little Pea by Amy Krouse Rosenthal (this is one of my most favorite story time books!)

Rhyme: 5 Big Tomatoes (adapted from a song found on the Vegetable Songs and Music page from Everything Preschool). I also made my own flannel board pieces for this song!

5 big tomatoes in a bowl
One fell out and it started to roll
It bumped the table, and it hit my toe,
Now how many tomatoes in the bowl?

and so on...and so forth...

Book: Monsters Don't Eat Broccoli by Barbara Jean Hicks

Craft: Vegetable Baskets taken from First School.

For this weeks FMRNS. we decided to go with a drama with some feel good vibes!! Resurrection, a 1980 drama, stars Ellen Burstyn, Sam Shepard, and Richard Farnsworth. This was definitely a fabulous movie!!!

Feelin' like dancin!'

2011-09-17T17:47:00.000-05:00

Dancing is one of my most favorite themes for story time. In fact, I am known around my library as The Dancing Librarian - hahaha!! Believe me, it's very appropriate!!!

So, I found some awesome books about dancing, and we had a great time!!!

Opening Song: Shake My Sillies Out - Raffi

Book: Harriet Dancing by Ryth Symes

Song: If You're Happy and You Know It

Book: Baby Danced the Polka by Karen Beaumont

Song and Dance: Tooty Ta

Book: Dancing Feet by Lindsey Craig

Craft: Dancing Fans (inspired by the Native American Dance Fan Craft from Free Kids Crafts)

For FMRNS this week, we decided to go Old School and watch the original Frankenstein from 1931 with Colin Clive, Mae Clarke, and Boris Karloff.

Review: Kiss Her, Kill Her by Lisa Dewar

2011-09-08T11:47:00.001-05:00

If you are looking for a thriller with some interesting twists, then Kiss Her, Kill Her by Lisa Dewar is one that you should check out!!

Tarryn Cooper Love was raised by a single mother. But Tarryn was not raised on traditional fairy tales. His mother had an obsession with Ted Bundy, and told Tarryn stories about his life and his kills. Tarryn, knowing how much his mother idolized Ted Bundy, became a serial killer in order to earn her respect. He drives a taxi, which is how he finds his victims. He is one kill away from passing Ted Bundy's admitted record of 36 kills.

Carmen is a troubled young girl turned trophy wife who is desperate to get out of her marriage. She is suicidal and getting her final things in order when Tarryn picks her up. Tarryn finds out Carmen's plans, and decides that bringing her back from the darkness of depression and giving her back the will to live will provide the ultimate challenge before he kills her.

You get in to the heads of both these characters, and you come to appreciate them both. There are psychological twists throughout the whole novel. The shift as Carmen's resolve to live comes back is touching, and you can see Tarryn's back and forth fight - should he kiss her or kill her?

If you like true crime, you would dig this. A lot of it reads like a time line - how each character got to where they are in their lives. But then, all of a sudden, you get caught up in a thrilling and tense scene.

I definitely recommend this one - it is worth checking out!!

Thanks to Kelley and Hall Book Publicity for sending me a copy of this book!!

Things that bounce!

2011-09-08T11:44:00.000-05:00

I was inspired by last week's boxes and balls story time to do one on Things that Bounce! So, here are some great books that my toddlers just loved!

Opening Song: If You're Happy and You Know It from Favorite Children's Songs CD.

Book: Bounce by Doreen Cronin

Song: Five Green and Speckled Frogs

Book: Boing by Nick Bruel

Rhyme: Hey Diddle, Diddle

Book: Does a Kangaroo have a Mother, Too? by Eric Carle

Interactive Playtime

Drivin' in my car!

2011-09-08T07:15:00.001-05:00

I feel the NEED, the NEED for SPEED!!! WHOOOOOT!!!!!

Or wait...maybe not so much. Either way, I found some pretty fun Cars and Trucks and Things That Go books for my preschoolers this week!!!

Opening Song: Shake My Sillies Out - Raffi

Book: Five Little Monkeys Wash the Car by Eileen Christelow

Song: Drive, Drive, Drive your car (to the tune of Row, Row, Row your Boat)
Taken from nPreschool Education Transportation Sogs

Drive, drive, drive your car
all around the town!
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily
up the hills and down!

Game: Guessing Game
I asked things like:
What color is this car?
Who drives this car?
Where are you going when you ride in this car?
How many people are in this car?

Book: Smash Crash by Jon Scieszka

Song: Driving in My Car by Peter and Ellen Allard on the Good Kid CD.

Book: Freight Train by Donald Crews

Craft: Paper Plate Steering Wheels

This week on FMRNS, we watched a really cute foreign film called Potiche. This French film was made in 2010, starring Catherine Deneuve and Gerard Depardieu. This was quirky and fun - and, of course, FABULOUS!!!

Son of a...!!!

2011-09-05T17:10:00.002-05:00

So, the other day, I had a coffee date with a friend. I hadn't seen her in a while, and I was super excited. I left pretty early because I hadn't been there before, so I wanted to make sure I had plenty of time.

Turns out, I had plenty of time.

I got to the Starbucks, sat down at one of the outdoor tables (it was a beautiful day!!!), reached inside my purse for my book. Wait...where...noooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!! I found myself without my book.

Is this not the most horrible thing ever? I mean, I like to play with my phone, but I can only stare at that screen for so long. And the sad thing was that I was in the middle of two really good books, and would have been happy to be sitting with either of them.

This doesn't happen often. In fact, I don't know if there has been more than one or two other occasions where I had forgotten my book.

Of course I know why - it SUCKS!!!!

Boxes and Balls

2011-08-30T08:34:00.000-05:00

I was thinking that this one was fun and clever. I even brought in a new game, which the toddlers LOVED!!! It's called Ms. Real's BOX OF MYSTERY!!!!! Good fun stuff!!!

Opening Song: If You're Happy and You Know It from Favorite Children's Songs CD.

Book: Meeow and the Big Box by Sebastien Braun

Game: Ms. Real's BOX OF MYSTERY!!! (To the tune of This is the way we wash our hands)
There's something in my box today, box today, box today
There's something in my box today, it must be...

An animal who lives on a farm and says moo...
(I put 3-4 stuffed animals in my box - including an ALIEN!! They LOVED the alien!!)

Book: My Book Box by will Hillenbrand

Pretend: Pretended to have different size balls. Pretended to bounce them - small bounce, big bounce).

Book: Bear Play by Miela Ford

Interactive Playtime

Growing a garden

2011-08-30T06:51:00.000-05:00

Outside the window of my story room, they are about to start building a garden. I thought it would be the perfect time to read a couple stories about flowers and veggie gardens!!

Opening Song: Shake My Sillies Out by Raffi

Book: My Garden by Kevin Henkes

Song: There's Something in My Garden (from SurLaLune Garden story time page)

There's something in my garden, now what can it be?

There's something in my garden that I can't really see.

Hear it's funny sound...ribbit ribbit

It must be a ....... FROG!!!

thump,thump

squeak, squeak

Book: What Does Bunny See? by Linda Sue Park

Pretend: Farmer plants a seed. (pretend to dig a hole, plant the seed, cover the seed, etc.)

Book: Lenny in the Garden by Ken Wilson-Max

Craft: Flower gardens

I passed out a white sheet of paper, crayons, and 4-5 flowers each. Then they got to be creative with their gardens!!

I'm excited to say that FMRNS is back!!!! We had taken a couple weeks off for various reasons, but we are back on track!! Now that Shoobie is over, we will have to figure out what else we can watch in addition to our movie!!

This week, we watched Coma, a mystery/thriller from 1978 with Michael Douglas, Genevieve Bujold, and Rip Torn. Fabulous, as always!!

And we are back to using Netflix!! I had cancelled my subscription for a while during the move, and just hadn't started back up again. But, the number of movies that the library has left is starting to dwindle. So, we had to look at getting Netflix again. Coma was the first in what is sure to be many movies!! We have a couple library movies lined up after this one, though... Guess we'll just have to catch up on our Project Runway!!!

Review: Dear Bully: 70 Authors Tell their Stories

2011-08-22T11:30:00.003-05:00

It didn't take much for me to say yes to reading and reviewing the very timely compilation, Dear Bully: 70 Authors Tell their Stories. This book compiles the stories of 70 successful and brave authors as they tell young adults of their own struggles with being bullied, being the bully, or watching as others were bullied. Authors like R.L. Stine, Rachel Vail, Carolyn Mackler, Daniel Waters and Eric Luper all participate in sharing their stories.

I feel like I can't review this book without sharing some of my own story. I, too, was the subject of bullying when I was in elementary school. I had 3 strikes against me - I was fat, I had glasses, and I had braces. Not only was I four-eyed metal mouth, but the kids also yelled BOOM, BABA, BOOOM, BABA, and pretended they were in an earthquake as I ran during forced games of kickball on the playground.

I remember the day in the 4th grade that I, all of a sudden with no explanation, wasn't even good enough to sit at the same lunch table with. In my class of 20, in my tiny little school - if I sat down first, then they all sat at the other end of the table. It was horrible and I went home from school every day in tears.

I remember the girl who used to be my best friend calling me up after school one day and telling me that she can't be my friend at school because of the other kids, but she would throw me a bone and talk to me on the phone after school. I remember crying with relief and being willing to let that be enough.

High school was better. I stopped caring as much what all my classmates thought of me. We traveled to other towns a lot for sports (I was a cheerleader for basketball and football and volleyball player), and I started making friends in other towns. I wasn't terribly athletic, but going to those games and being able to make (REAL) friends really got me through those years.

Wow - all these memories. Funny, I'm Facebook friends with most of these people. I doubt they even remember the torment they put me through...

After reading this book, and also seeing all the news media about bullying, I just want to shake all the kids who are tormenting others, and cry for the kids who have to deal with it. I personally think that this book should be required reading for all kids in the 7th grade. I'd even be so bold as to say a compilation for younger kids should be written as well.

One of the main themes running through the stories is "it will get better." In my experience, that's true. You find new circles of friends (REAL friends) to hang out with. You stop caring as much what those bullys think of you. You become a stronger you.

There are also lots of resources listed at the end of this book so one has access to the help they need. For more information, please visit the Dear Bully website. And while the book doesn't actually come out until September 6th, please know that a portion of the book’s proceeds will go to STOMP Out Bullying, a national anti-bullying and cyber bullying program for kids and teens.

Back to School

2011-08-13T15:44:00.005-05:00

The latest installment of the story time saga dove deep into the world of Back to School. Some of my kiddo's were just about to start school, others have brothers and/or sisters who are going to school. I found some books that were perfect for this theme!!

Opening Song: Shake My Sillies Out by Raffi

Book: Llama, Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney

Song: Wheels on the Bus

Book: How do Dinosaurs Go to School? by Jane Yolen

Song: Alphabet Song and Count to 10

Book: Cornelius P. Mud, Are you Ready for School? by Barney Saltzberg

Craft: School Bus craft from Family Crafts at About.com

Unfortunately, FMRNS was put on hold for another week. It's been a busy summer, but we're going to be back on track soon!!!

Puppy filled Monday

2011-08-13T12:06:00.000-05:00

My toddlers are just too cute. My numbers have grown so much - it's great to see the community coming out and participating in story time!!! This week, I found some great books for the little ones about dogs!!

Opening Song: If You're Happy and You Know It from Favorite Children's Songs CD.

Book: My Dog Rosie by Isabelle Harper and Barry Moser

Song: 5 Little Puppies

Book: Maggie's Ball by Lindsay Barrett George

Song: I'm a Little Teapot

Book: My Friend Lucky by David Milgrim

Interactive Playtime

Monky-licious Wednesday

2011-08-13T11:47:00.000-05:00

I just can't resist some good monkey stories. A good friend recently did a monkey story time, and one of the books he read was AH-MA-ZING, so I just had to read it to my kids.

Opening Song: Shake My Sillies Out - Raffi

Book: Mo's Stinky Sweater by David Bedford

Song: 5 Little Monkeys (Jumping on the Bed)

Book: Altoona Baboona by Janie Bynum (AWESOME - LOVE the rhyming in this one)

Song: 1 Little, 2 Little, 3 Little Monkeys

Book: Kiki's Blankie by Janie Bynum

Craft: Pipe Cleaner Monkey from Busy Bee Kids Crafts

Unfortunately, this week we didn't have FMRNS, but never fear - I promise this will return!!!

Bear-ific Monday

2011-08-13T08:46:00.000-05:00

Happy story time day!!! This toddler time was great!!! I am so excited that my numbers are growing!!! I used to average 6-8 for my toddler story time, and my average since we opened the new building is 27!!! WHOOOOT!!!! This time, we read some fun stories about bears!!

Opening Song: If You're Happy and You Know It from Favorite Children's Songs CD.

Book: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin, Jr

Song: Twinkle, Twinkle

Book: I Love My Daddy by Sebastien Braun

Dance: Hokey Pokey (in hindsight, this probably wasn't the best choice for the little ones. I just needed to get them up and moving around, and this was the first thing that popped into my head)

Book: You Are My Sunshine by Caroline Jayne Church

Interactive Playtime

Cow day!!

2011-08-13T07:41:00.000-05:00

This story time was super fun!! I found some fantastic cow books, and the kids just loved them!!!

Opening Song: Shake My Sillies Out - Raffi

Book: Millie Waits for the Mail by Alexander Steffensmeier

Song: Old McDonald Had a Farm

Book: Too Many Pears by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley

Song: Cows on the Farm (to the tune of Wheels on the Bus)

Book: The Cow Loves Cookies - Karma Wilson

Craft: Paper Plate Cows from All Kids Network

And, of course, we have FMRNS!!!! The feature film was a very intense 2007 drama called Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, starring Anna Paquin, Aidan Quinn, and August Schellenberg.

It's a new day!

2011-08-03T07:56:00.000-05:00

Well, I'm a little behind in my blogging, but I promise to get all caught up soon!!! I had a NEW! story time - my very first preschool story time in my brand new fabulous library!! WHOOOT!!!! It was super fun, and my numbers skyrocketed!! YAY!!!

Opening song: Shake My Sillies Out by Raffi

Book: Little Quack's New Friend by Lauren Thompson

Song: 5 Little Ducks

Book: Ned's New Home by Kevin Tseng

Song: Hokey Pokey

Book: Pete the Cat - I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin

Craft: Library Lion from DLTK-Kids. (Sorry - I totally forgot to take pictures!!! But, instead of the brush, I gave him a book to hold!!

Then, of course, it was FMRNS!!!! I've been slacking on keeping up with the list, so here are the movies we've been watching...

Stepmom from 1998 with Julia Roberts, Susan Sarandon and Ed Harris (Mmm, Ed Harris - he has delicious eyes!!)

The Garden, a documentary from 2008 about the Community Garden in South Central LA.

X-Men from 2000 with Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellan.

In the Valley of Elah from 2007 with Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron.

Innocent Blood from 1992 with Anne Parillaud and David Proval.

And the winner is...

2011-08-02T19:10:00.004-05:00

Again, I have to apologize for my lateness in announcing the winner of my Jane Was Here giveaway!!! To make up for it, I decided to randomly choose TWO winners!!! And now...

CONGRATULATIONS to...

Susan Audrey
Linda Limbach

I've sent y'all an email asking for your snail mail address. I'll get the books out to you as soon as I can!!!

Thanks to everyone who entered my giveaway, and thank you to all who have been reading my blog!!! I have a bunch of story time posts I need to catch up on, and a few more patron stories!!

Until then, enjoy AUGUST!!!!

Update on the broken doors

2011-07-26T15:43:00.003-05:00

You might remember this post from the other day, explaining what in the library IS and IS NOT a toy.

I also mentioned that our new automatic sliding doors were broken.

I got a couple of comments - one of which said that breaking the doors would be impossible for a 6 year old.

Turns out, we're both right. It seems that our brand new automatic sliding doors are also 'breakaway' doors, so in case of a power outage, we would still be able to open the doors. Well, the 6 year old had managed to put the door off it's track, therefore causing it to not open and shut automatically as it is supposed to. Broken, yet NOT broken.

You'd think that the powers that be would have informed us of the 'breakaway' feature.

Anyway, the doors are now fixed and all is well in my brand new fabulous library.

Not a toy

2011-07-18T14:17:00.006-05:00

At my new library, there happen to be a TON of new things for the kids to play with. For instance, we have a doll house and globe...

some manipulatives...

an AWESOME felt vegetable and flower garden...

and a 'book drop.'

One thing that we have in our library that is NOT A TOY...

THE FRONT DOOR.

That's right, kids, the doors are NOT TOYS. I don't know what kind of place you live in, but your grown-up should have taught you this very important lesson.

The other day, I look up from the information desk to see a youngen of about 6 years old, tugging on the automatic sliding doors, pulling them shut. His grown-ups (THREE of them!!!) were all standing in front of him, just watching him.

I ran (*read: walked with a quickness, because one should not run in the library) over to the family and told the boy that the doors were not toys, and we needed to be careful in the library. None of the grown-ups said ANYTHING. They continued out the door and didn't even look back at me.

That's when I turned around and realized that the automatic sliding doors to my brand new library were now...broken. Nice.

Going for a ride

2011-07-18T14:09:00.003-05:00

Time for another Monday Toddler Story time post!! My numbers for Toddler Time have skyrocketed, and I am SO excited about that!! This one was a good one - lots of room for interaction and audience participation!! I dubbed this story time 'going for a ride!'

Opening Song: If You're Happy and You Know It from Favorite Children's Songs CD.

Book: Clip-Clop by Nicola Smee

Rhyme: This Little Piggy

Book: Meeow and the Little Chairs by Sebastien Braun

Song: I'm a Little Teapot

Book: Who is Driving? by Leo Timmers

Interactive Playtime

First Monday

2011-07-18T13:56:00.004-05:00

Happy Monday, y'all!!! I have to apologize - it's been a crazy couple of weeks here in library-land. But, I think we're back on track!!! This is a Toddler Story time that I did last week - as you can see I'm a little behind in my blogging!! Anyway - this was our first story time in our brand new space - and it was AWESOME!!!

Opening Song: If You're Happy and You Know It from Favorite Children's Songs CD.

Book: Book! by Kristine O'Connell George

Rhyme: Humpty Dumpty

Book: Whose Baby Am I? by John Butler

Song: Itsy Bitsy Spider

Book: Baby, Baby, Baby by Marilyn Janovitz

Interactive Playtime

Jane Was Here by Sarah Kernochan - Review and Giveaway!!

2011-07-17T12:42:00.004-05:00

I have been meaning to write this review for weeks. In fact, I read the book in one sitting on a random day off weeks ago, but have since been (excuse, excuse, excuse, excuse), and have not had a chance to write the review.

Seriously, though - this summer has been insane. I have had a crazy number of visitors, my library moved in to a spankin' new building (did I mention that? Yeah - it's been an intense couple of weeks!), and since the move, our numbers at work have more than tripled. I've been running around like a crazy librarian, and have totally slacked off on my blogging and reviewing duties. Please forgive.

Back to the task at hand, though. As I said, I read Jane Was Here by Sarah Kernochan in one sitting.

From the Book Jacket:

A mysterious young woman calling herself Jane turns up in a small New England town. She claims a fragmentary memory of growing up in this place, yet she has never been here before in her life. Upon her arrival, strange and alarming things begin happening to some of the town's inhabitants. As Jane's memories awaken piece by piece, they carry her back to a long-buried secret, while the townspeople hurtle forward to a horrific event when past and present finally collide.

Now isn't that an intriguing synopsis? That is what initially grabbed me when I decided to review this novel. Ms. Kernochan, a screen writer known for such films as What Lies Beneath, knows how to paint an amazing, and sometimes creepy, picture.

While I don't know if I really felt a lot for the characters, they all played a significant part in the story. It felt to me like everything was intertwined and all the characters intersected not only in the present, but in the past as well. The whole idea of reincarnation and past lives is really intriguing to me, and this book really dives in to one woman's search for answers about her past life.

And, since Ms. Kernochan is a film writer, I can totally see how it would translate into an awesome movie. There were some great twists, and it really kept me guessing to the end. Who knows, we just might see it one day!

But, if that happens, then I want you to be prepared!! I'm going to give away a copy of Jane Was Here to one lucky reader!!! All you have to do is fill out the form below by Thursday, July 28, and I'll pick a winner using Random.org on Friday, July 29!!! And, what the heck, let's include International readers as well!!! Good luck, everyone!!!

Also, a big thank you to Kelley and Hall Book Publicity for sending me a copy of this book!!!

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And the winner is...

2011-07-07T14:25:00.004-05:00

First of all, I have to apologize for not announcing the winner to my War and Watermelon giveaway sooner!! I can't believe I'm a week late with this!! In my defense, work has been terribly crazy, and I haven't even had a chance to breathe. Not to mention I had some amazing friends in town this past weekend and didn't do much more than sit by the pool, enjoy some adult beverages and ROCK OUT to Poison and Motley Crue (insert 'rock out' face here!).

Did I mention we were 3rd row...from the back?!?! Yeah - STILL AWESOME!!!!!

Anyway, excuses, excuses. But we now have a winner - HOOOORAY!!!

Congratulations to Ann!!!!

I've sent you an email requesting your snail mail address, and I'll forward it on to the publisher. Thanks again to everyone who entered - I hope to have another giveaway soon!!!

Winner was chosen using Random.org Sequence Generator.

Teaching a lesson...patron style

2011-06-23T19:06:00.004-05:00

Not that I was eavesdropping or anything (well, maybe a little. But seriously, in this building, it's almost impossible not to hear every conversation that is happening, let alone a loud phone conversation being had 4 feet from the desk), but damnation, if this is what we're teaching our children...

A woman comes into the library, and she can only be described as...well, trashy. Her shorts don't quite cover her cheeks, and her muffin top is *mostly* covered by the baby doll T she's wearing. She does have a very nice shiny silver purse... But, I digress...

Anyway, she's sitting in the chairs about 4 feet from the desk, talking on the phone to her daughter. This is the part of the conversation that *I* hear...

Trashy Woman: You need to work on being nicer, young lady. **pause** You acknowledge me when I'm talking to you, or I'm gonna SMACK YOU!!!

Um, yeah. This coming from the same woman who got all hostile when we asked her to take a previous call outside because she was talking loudly and vulgarly. And she also complained about having to move her uncovered drink from the table by the computer to the floor.

Nice.

One World, Many Stories - Australian Animals

2011-06-23T02:11:00.000-05:00

Today, I took my preschoolers to Australia to show them a couple of animals. Granted, what I really wanted to do was a Wombat storytime, and this Summer Reading theme made that easy!! I couldn't find a good Wombat craft, though, so I added a Koala into the mix, and we ended up with a fabulous storytime!

Opening Song: Shake My Sillies Out - Raffi

Book: Wombat Walkabout by Carol Shields

Rhyme: Humpty Dumpty

Book: Sometimes I Like to Curl Up in a Ball by Vicki Churchill (this was the reason for the Wombat storytime - I LOVE this book!!!

Dance: The Freeze by Greg and Steve - We All Live Together Vol. 2

Book: Can you Cuddle Like a Koala? by John Butler

Craft: Toilet Paper Koalas from DLTK-Kids.

As you know, it's also WEDNESDAY!! WHOOT!! Usually, it would be FMRNS, complete with Shoobie(!!!), but we've had to reschedule. We'll be taping Shoobie (yes, I'm still using my VCR. As long as it works, right??), and probably watching it along with Thursday's results show (with NO COMMERCIAL BREAK!!). We've also decided on a movie that neither of us has seen yet, and we're going to decide if it is listworthy. I have a feeling it will be, we've both heard fabulous things about it.

We will be watching the 2010 drama, The King's Speech, with Colin Firth and Helena Bonham Carter. I've actually been dying to see this, so I'm really looking forward to it!

TLC Book Tour and Giveaway!! War and Watermelon by Rich Wallace

2011-06-22T06:12:00.000-05:00

War and Watermelon by Rich Wallace is a fantastic novel about Brody, a young teenager in 1969.

The setting is an amazing time. Brody is at an age now where he's starting to notice girls. He and his best friend have just made the football team. The Vietnam War was in everyone's thoughts, and Brody's brother Ryan was in danger of being drafted when he turned 18 soon.

Brody is lucky enough to be taken by his brother and friends to the first night of Woodstock. The description of the crowds and the setting was amazing. Brody also chronicled the top music of the summer, so it was fun to be reminded of the songs of the age. It would be great to encourage the readers to listen to some of that music!!!!

Ryan is in danger of being drafted into the war if he doesn't enroll in college before he's 18. Ryan and their father disagree on the war. But even though the disagreements are frustrating and difficult for the family, you can tell that they all love each other. The family interactions between the brothers and the parents were believable and well written.

It turns out that this novel parallels the authors life. In 1969, Rich Wallace was 12, living in New Jersey. He had a brother who was eligible for the draft. He was also starting to notice music and becoming aware of things that were going on in the world. Maybe that's why it's so well written - he's writing what he knows.

I really loved War and Watermelon, and definitely think it should be on the summer 'Must Read' list!! I really think readers will like reading about the time when their parents or grandparents grew up. And they will probably relate to Brody more than you'd think!

I want to thank TLC Book Tours for sending me a copy of this book!! And, they're letting me have a giveaway!!! So, all you gotta do is fill out the form below, and we'll get you entered!! Sorry, US/Canada only. You have until Thursday, June 30th, and I'll announce the winner on Friday, July 1st!! Good luck, everyone!!!!

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One World, Many Stories - Havin' some fun!

2011-06-21T18:44:00.003-05:00

Ok, so this week's Toddler Storytime doesn't really fit in with the whole Summer Reading theme of One World, Many Stories. But, I gotta be honest - I found these books fun, so I decided to read them to my little ones!!

Opening Song: If You're Happy and You Know It from Favorite Children's Songs CD.

Book: How Do You Make a Baby Smile? by Philemon Sturges

Song: Itsy Bitsy Spider

Book: Let's Say Hi to Friends Who Fly by Mo Willems

Rhyme: Hickory Dickory Dock

Interactive Playtime

I also have to say, one of my regular little boys (2.5 years old) had a major breakthrough at Toddler Time. He's always very good and very attentive, and you always know he is involved, but he never talks. This time, he actually participated, made faces and did actions with the books, and sang Itsy Bitsy Spider (just one of the reasons why I repeat some of the more popular rhymes and songs, to help them learn them!). It was AMAZING!!!

The other super cool thing that happened at Toddler Time was another one of my regular little boys (about 20 months old), grabbed me by the finger and led me into story time. It was the cutest thing, EVAH, and I seriously teared up a little.

Just gotta tell ya... BEST.JOB.EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One World, Many Stories - Traveling Adventure

2011-06-16T18:48:00.007-05:00

In keeping up with the Summer Reading theme of "One World, Many Stories," I decided to take the kids traveling! It was a great story time with a bunch of fun books!!

Opening Song: Shake My Sillies Out - Raffi

Book: Dinos on the Go by Karma Wilson

Song: The Animals in the Jungle (to the tune of Wheels on the Bus) (Taken from The Perpetual Preschool - Jungle Songs)
The monkey in the jungle goes ooh, ooh, ahh, ooh, ooh, ahh, ooh, ooh, ahh!
The monkey in the jungle goes ooh, ooh, ahh, all day long!
continue with tiger (grr, grr, grr), snake (sss, sss, sss), etc.

Book: Way For Away on a Wild Safari by Valeria Petrone

Song: I'm a Little Teapot (just to get them up and moving!)

Book: Greetings from Kiwi and Pear by Joyce Wan

Craft: Jungle Safari

And can I get a WHOOT WHOOOT for FMRNS?!?!?! We were super excited because it was the first performance show of Shoobie (aka So You Think You Can Dance or SYTYCD). The performances were SO AWESOME!!! This is going to be a great season, for sure!!!

Then, we watched In the Valley of Elah, a mystery from 2007 with Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron (who is A.MA.ZING!). It was a fabulous mystery!!!

You know, I should really update the list with everything we've watched since I got back. Maybe that'll be my next blog project (blog-ject?).

Virtual Blog Tour - Revelations by Laurel Dewey

2011-06-14T06:21:00.000-05:00

I am always excited to get a new book to review. It is always a mystery, just like any book - who knows if it will be something I like? Revelations by Laurel Dewey was a fabulous mystery novel that had me wanting to keep reading...and reading...and reading!!

Here is a synopsis...

The small, upscale Colorado town of Midas had barely registered on Sergeant Detective Jane Perry’s radar before her former boss and current colleague told her she needed to join him there for a case. All she knew was that it was a long way from Denver -- both in terms of physical distance and sensibility. Jacob Van Gorden, the fifteen-year-old son of a prominent area businessman, has disappeared, and all signs point to his abductor being Jordan Copeland, a man who committed a similar crime decades ago. There are indications that Jacob is still alive, so the clock is ticking, but as Jane investigates Copeland, she begins to have doubts about his guilt. And at the same time, she begins to uncover trails of devastating – and even deadly – secrets all around Midas.

Meanwhile, Jane must deal with two considerable secrets of her own. One hits her like a left cross before she leaves Denver, and the other creeps up on her from the most unlikely of places. On top of this, Hank Ross, owner of a bar in Midas, has somehow managed to find a way beneath Jane's armor-plated defenses, forcing her to contend with feelings she hasn't allowed to surface for a very long time.

Revelations is the most powerful and personal Jane Perry novel yet. Teeming with the passions and ambiguities that make Laurel Dewey so compelling to read, it is a breathtaking story of mysteries revealed and withheld.

~*~*~*~*~

This book is actually the third novel with Jane Perry as the main character. I must say that I have not read the other two books in the series (Protector and Redemption), and while there were a few things in the novel that came up where it would have been helpful to have read the previous two, it wasn't necessary to the story. The mystery was still gripping, the characters were still well rounded and the storyline was fabulous!!!

The characters were, like I said, very well rounded. I felt like they were very real, though a couple of them I just wanted to shake and ask WTF!! Everyone had their place in the story, and everything flowed very naturally together. It seems like everyone in town has a major secret, and no one is willing to let themselves be found out - even if it means saving Jacob. How will Jane ever find he way through all the secrets - and maybe her own??

Fabulous mystery, I highly recommend this novel!! And, if you are planning on reading this one - you should definitely check out the other two. I know I will be reading them for sure!!!

Thanks to Pump Up Your Book promotional virtual book tours for sending me a copy of this book to review!!!

One World, Many Stories - Fishy Monday

2011-06-13T15:32:00.000-05:00

For the second Toddler Story Time of Summer Reading (One World, Many Stories), I decided to take the little ones to the ocean!!! We found some great stories about fish, and I even got the kids to show me how to count to 5 on their fingers!!!

Opening Song: If You're Happy and You Know It from Favorite Children's Songs CD.

Book: Ten Little Fish by Audrey Wood

Finger Play: Count to 5 with your fingers

Book: Hooray for Fish by Lucy Cousins

Song: ABC's

Interactive Playtime

One World, Many Stories - Whoever You Are

2011-06-09T12:15:00.006-05:00

Hello, everybody!!!! Summer Reading just started on Monday, and it is already crazy!!! I can't say I'm sad about that, though - it's seriously way too much fun!!! I am SO HAPPY to be back in the Summer Reading saddle after being away from it for two years. I promise you, story time and summer reading crazyness is WAY MORE FUN than folding panties for 8 hours. Jus' sayin.'

Anyway, this year the Summer Reading Theme is One World, Many Stories. I thought I would bring a little multiculturalism to my preschoolers, and it was AWESOME!!!

Opening Song: Shake My Sillies Out - Raffi

Book: Hello! Good-bye! by Aliki

Song: Twinkle, Twinkle. We first sang it in English, and then I had asked a nanny of one of the regular story time kids (before story time - I didn't TOTALLY spring it on her...well, kinda!) if she would be willing to say it in Spanish!!!

Book: Everybody Bonjours by Leslie Kimmelman (can I just tell you how cute it is to have a bunch of preschoolers say "Bonjour!")

Song: Frere Jaques

Book: Whoever You Are by Mem Fox (FABULOUS book about being different yet the same. LOVED it!!!)

Song: The Freeze by Greg and Steve

Book: Hello World: Greetings in 42 Languages Around the Globe by Manya Stojic (I selected a bunch for the kids to practice with me - this book was awesome because it also showed the words phonetically spelled out so I could say it the right way!! Again, how cute is it hearing little preschoolers say "Konnichiwa!!" and "Namaste!!")

Craft: We made "Multicultural Handprint Wreaths" with a little Earth in the center. I thought they looked a little dull with just "skin toned" colors, so I decided we would do all the colors I had. I told the parents we included Avatars and Aliens, hahaha!

WHOOT WHOOOT FMRNS!!!!! First, we watch Shoobie (LOVE IT!!!) Vegas week is upon us!!! After that, we watched an amazing documentary!!! Stonewall Uprising, a documentary from 2010 that tells about the massive 1969 police raid of Stonewall in New York City. I was just shocked to hear some of the things that were discussed in this film. The treatment of homosexual people in the 60's was appalling, and this film documents one of the events that helped forge the gay liberation movement. Very interesting!!!

Tuck me in!

2011-06-06T13:27:00.003-05:00

Happy Summer Reading!!!!! Today is the first day of our Summer Reading program, and we've got some exciting programs coming up this summer. Of course, we are still having our regular story times!! Today, we read a couple of cute Bedtime Stories that were a hold over from our Pre-School Bedtime Stories program.

Opening Song: If You're Happy and You Know It from Favorite Children's Songs CD.

Book: Dinosaur Vs. Bedtime by Bob Shea

Song: Twinkle Twinkle

Book: Tuck Me In by Dean Hacohen

Interactive Playtime

Barkin' through Wednesday

2011-06-01T15:59:00.005-05:00

Happy Wednesday y'all!! Hope everyone had an awesome Memorial Day weekend. The weather here was perfect, and I spent a good amount of time at the pool. Ahhhhh!!!

This week, I decided to do stories about dogs. I actually had a crazy week last week, then with Monday off, I seemed to have accidentally forgotten to plan a story time. There is no shortage of good story time books about dogs, so it was easy to whip up a story time!!

Opening Song: Shake My Sillies Out - Raffi

Book: Pick a Pup by Marsha Wilson Chall

Song: Old McDonald had a Farm

Book: Puppies, Puppies, Puppies by Susan Meyers

Rhyme: Hey Diddle, Diddle

Book: I Love Dogs by Barney Saltzberg

Book: Bark, George by Jules Feiffer (This was a bonus - it's one of my favorites, and the kids were being really good!)

Craft: Envelope Dog puppets from Kids Soup

Welcome to FMRNS!!!! I'm really excited about tonight's feature. It seems like it's been a long time since our last movie night. Last week, we had movie night on Monday, so it has been a while. We are EXTRA excited that it's time for Shoobie - aka So You Think You Can Dance. I almost hate to admit it, but I think I might be more excited about Shoobie than I was about American Idol... Either way, I can't WAIT for tonight's episode!!!

Anyway, tonight's feature is Traitor, a drama from 2008 with Don Cheadle and Guy Pearce. I remember wanting to see this movie when it came out, but never got around to it. It should be fabulous, I'm sure!!!

Pigish Wednesday!

2011-05-26T14:53:00.004-05:00

I, unfortunately, wasn't able to perform story time this week. I got to go on a special school visit, instead, to help promote our library Summer Reading Program. My fabulous coworker, Ms. J (which is what she'll be called until I can think of a good nickname for her!), so graciously filled in and performed a FANTASTIC story time!!! I'm not exactly sure how everything went down, but here are the books that were read, and a couple of Ms. J's favorite story time songs!!

Opening Song: Shake My Sillies Out - Raffi

Books: If You Give a Pig a Party by Laura Numeroff

Pig in the Pond by Martin Waddell

Pigs to the Rescue by John Himmelman

I'm a Pig by Sarah Weeks

Songs: I'm a Little Teapot
Itsy Bitsy Spider

Craft: Pigs! Taken from DLTK-Kids - Easy Pig Craft

It's weird not writing an FMRNS post here, since A and I switched the day!! I'm not sure what we'll be watching next week, but stay tuned - I'm sure it'll be FABULOUS!!!

Bedtime stories!!

2011-05-26T14:40:00.003-05:00

I was really excited to plan a special Bedtime Stories program. I encouraged the kids to wear their pajamas and bring a special stuffed animal or a blankie they like to sleep with. I got me some spiffy PJs, and some extra special fuzzy socks, and brought my own stuffed animal to play along!!

Opening Song: Shake My Sillies Out - Raffi

Book: The Napping House by Audrey Wood

Song: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Book: The Goodnight Train by June Sobel

Rhyme: 5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed

Book: Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late by Mo Willems

Craft: Tuck me in!

I can't wait to do another Bedtime Stories!! There are so many great books out there for this, it was really hard to pick!!

Buggin' out

2011-05-26T14:17:00.005-05:00

I don't know if y'all know about Cicadas, but they are out in full force here!! They are almost deafening with their song, and they are EVERYWHERE!!! It is because of this reason that I chose books about bugs for my Toddlers!!

Opening Song: If You're Happy and You Know It from Favorite Children's Songs CD.

Book: I Love Bugs by Emma Dodd

Song: Itsy Bitsy Spider

Book: I Love Bugs by Philemon Sturges

Rhyme: Bees in the Hive
This is the beehive, but where are the bees? They're hidden inside where nobody sees! One, two, three, four, five...BUZZZZZZZ!!!! (bring out fingers while counting to 5)
Taken from Perpetual Preschool - Bug Songs

Song: I'm a Big Cicada (to the tune of I'm a Little Teapot) I have to admit, this one was more for the parents - they appreciated it!!
I'm a Big Cicada with eyes of red,
I fly around and hit you on the head.
I crawl up from the ground and climb a tree,
I make a funny noise that's just for me!
Taken from Perpetual Preschool - Bug Songs

A special treat for the Monday post - A and I decided to reschedule FMRNS and had it on Monday night instead! It was an amazing movie - a deep foreign drama from 2004 called The Sea Inside, starring Javier Bardem.
This week is full of excitement on TV!!! First, the season finale of Glee (which was awesome - I mean, come on...you can't get any better than Brittany's original song "My Cup!!"), then the season finale of AI (**spoiler alert!! I'm kinda surprised Scotty won, but Lauren is gonna do great things anyway!!).
But, the thing I am MOST excited about... The Season Premier of SHOOBIE!!! (Also known as So You Think You Can Dance). Shoobie is what A and I have called it for seasons. This is actually a little more exciting that American Idol - gotta be honest!!! That's tonight, and I can't EVEN WAIT!!!!!!!

Librarian or Songwriter?

2011-05-21T12:16:00.002-05:00

Have I ever told you that I'm a songwriter? Ok, so not really, but I do tend to make up random songs on a very regular basis.

I do have one song that has quickly become a staff favorite here at the Fabulous Public Library. In fact, we sing it almost every night at closing. It is, after all, The Library Closing Song. Please, feel free to incorporate this song into your nightly ritual - it adds a nice sense of solidarity for the staff to have a sing-a-long. Also, it's awesome, if I do say so myself.

So, this song is to the tune of "Lock the door, keep out the devil." And now...the lyrics...

Lock the door, keep out the patrons!!
Lock the door, keep the patrons in the night!!
Lock the door, keep out the patrons!!
When they're gone, everything is alright!!
When they're gone, everything is alright!!

Now, if I were a braver librarian, I would record the staff singing it and post it here - but then again, maybe not...

Mind your Manners!

2011-05-18T11:57:00.005-05:00

Happy Wednesday, y'all!!! It's been an interesting week so far - did y'all read about Gabby? Also, we've got a little bit of a patron personal hygiene problem happening around these parts. Man, it's great to be the person in charge!!

Anyway, back to the fact that it's FABULOUS WEDNESDAY!!! WHOOOOT!!!! I decided to do some books about manners, and they were a hit!! I got lots and lots of "please" and "thank you" and man those kids are cute!!!

Opening Song: Shake My Sillies Out - Raffi

Book: Say Please by Virginia Austin

Song: If You Have Manners and You Know It
If you have manners and you know it, just say please
If you have manners and you know it, just say please
If you have manners and you know it, then don't be afraid to show it,
If you have manners and you know it, just say please
Say thank you
Say You're welcome
Say excuse me (etc)
(Taken from The Perpetual Preschool - Manners theme)

Book: Yes, Please! No, Thank You! by Valerie Wheeler

Rhyme: Hickory Dickory Dock

Counting and Alphabet: Count to 5, Sing alphabet song

Book: Excuse Me! A Little Book of Manners by Karen Katz

Craft: Cover Your Cough!

And, of course, it's FMRNS!!! I look forward to this every week!!! Last week, we watched The Name of the Rose, and while it was kinda looooooong in parts, the content was (of course) fabulous. Go Sean Connery (mmmmm, Sean Connery), and Christian Slater!!

This week is gonna be good too!! We're watching the season finale of ANTM!!! And then next week, it'll be the season finale of AI!!! I'm kinda surprised that James left last week. I think out of the three that are left, the winner will probably be Lauren... but who knows - I never expected Hailey to get this far!

Anyway, tonight's FMRNS feature is a documentary from 2003 called The Corporation. This documentary "looks at the concept of the corporation throughout recent history up to its present-day dominance." It'll be interesting, I'm sure!!!

Zoomin' through Monday

2011-05-16T11:41:00.004-05:00

I don't know what's wrong with me, but once again I almost forgot about my Toddler Story Time!!! It's a good thing I'm awesome, so I could just pull it out again! Ha, I'm kidding...well, mostly kidding.

Anyway, I found some good books about Cars and Trucks and Things that Go, so it all worked out perfectly!!

Opening Song: If You're Happy and You Know It from Favorite Children's Songs CD.

Book: I Love Trucks! by Philemon Sturges

Song: The Wheels on the Bus

Book: Who is Driving? by Leo Timmers

Song: This is to the tune of Old McDonald:
Pete the Pilot had a plane, zoom zoom zoom zoom zoom!
And on his plane he had some wings, zoom zoom zoom zoom zoom!
With a Zoom, zoom here, and a zoom zoom there,
Here a zoom, there a zoom, everywhere a zoom zoom!
Pete the Pilot had a plane, zoom zoom zoom zoom zoom!
(Continue with Dave the Driver had a Car, beep beep beep beep beep!)
Taken from Perpetual Preschool - Transportation Songs.

Interactive Playtime

Some people never learn

2011-05-14T13:36:00.005-05:00

We have a patron who comes in frequently to use the computer. I've blogged about her before - I like to call her Gabby. Well, Gabby is in desperate search for a job (I guess Cracker Barrel didn't work out), and has been coming in to the library to use the computer to submit job applications. This exchange happened the other day:

Gabby: Real Librarian, can you help me with something?
Real Librarian: Sure, what's up?
Gabby: Well, I am stuck on this question. How should I answer?
RL: Um, is this a job application?
Gabby: Yes.
RL: Well, I'm sorry, I can't help you answer the questions on your job application.
Gabby: Why not?
RL: Because they don't want to know how *I* would handle the situation, they want to know how *YOU* would handle the situation.
Gabby: Oh, well, I didn't know.

And this one:

Gabby: I'm trying to log into this site, and it won't accept my password.
RL: Well, are you a returning user to this site, or are you a new user? (Keep in mind that I had already asked her this question 10 minutes before when she first got to the site, and said she had a password)
Gabby: I set up my email address the other day.
RL: On this specific site or a different site?
Gabby: My email.
RL: Did you already start to fill out an application on THIS SPECIFIC WEBSITE, or is this the first time you've been to this specific site?
Gabby: Oh, I haven't been here before.
RL: **smacks head on desk** Well, then you are not a returning user, you are a new user.
Gabby: Oh, well, I didn't know.

Other questions from Gabby:

Gabby: What do I choose here?
RL: Well, it's asking you what state you live in.

Gabby: What does this mean?
RL: Well, it's asking you how many years of job related experience you have.
Gabby: In school?
RL: No, job related experience.

Seriously, these are the SAME questions you have answered 100 times on 100 different job applications. How can you STILL be having the SAME problems?!?!

It's time like this you wonder how some people make it through the day.

I also got an earful about how she hasn't been sleeping well the past three nights, and she's tried taking some pills for it, and she has a headache. I suppose I shouldn't complain, I would rather hear about her being tired than her sisters menstrual cycle like last time, right??

Yum! Yum!

2011-05-11T11:50:00.000-05:00

Happy Wednesday, y'all!! Seriously, best day of the week!!!

This week, I decided to do a food theme, because my friend A came up with a perfectly awesome craft that I just HAD to do!!!

Opening Song: Shake My Sillies Out - Raffi

Book: Yum! Yum! What fun! by Mara Bergman

Rhyme: 5 Sticky Lollipops
5 sticky lollipops fixed on sticks,
Take a sticky lollipop, and you lick, lick, lick! (continue countdown)
(Taken from The Perpetual Preschool)

Book: Peanut Butter and Jelly: A Play Rhyme illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott

Song: I wish I were a (type) pizza. (We sang pepperoni first, then marshmallow by request!)
I wish I were a pepperoni pizza.
That is what I truly want to be!
'Cuz if I were a pepperoni pizza,
Then everyone would be in love with me!
(Taken from Everything Preschool)

Book: "Hi, Pizza Man!" by Virginia Walter

Craft: Spaghetti and Meatballs

And, of course, how could anyone forget!!! Tonight is FMRNS!!! WHOOOT!!!! After we watch the season finale of ANTM, we'll be watching a period drama from 1986 called The Name of the Rose. This film stars the GREAT Sean Connery and Christian Slater.

Meeow Monday!

2011-05-09T13:01:00.004-05:00

Oops, I kinda forgot to plan story time... But, I pulled something together pretty quick, and it turned out great!!! And I even managed to pull together a theme!! Thank you, thank you!

Opening Song: If You're Happy and You Know It from Favorite Children's Songs CD.

Book: Meeow and the Big Box by Sebastian Braun

Song: The Cat Says Meow (To the tune of Farmer in the Dell)
The cat says meow,
The cat says meow,
It likes to purr and run and play,
The cat says meow!

Book: What Will Fat Cat Sit On? by Jan Thomas

Activity: Wiggle toes, wiggle fingers, wiggle nose, wiggle ears.

Song: Twinkle, Twinkle

Interactive Playtime

Review: Everyone Loves You When You're Dead by Neil Strauss

2011-05-05T13:38:00.000-05:00

I have to be honest, I don’t really follow music journalism. However, reading Everyone Loves You When You’re Dead by Neil Strauss was more entertaining that I had imagined!

Neil Strauss has interviewed countless celebrities for the likes of The New York Times and Rolling Stone Magazine. This book is a collection of some of the more gritty scenes from some of his interviews. Most of this material has never before been published.

This is a compilation of interviews from Snoop Dogg, who had to run to the store to buy Pampers, to Curtis Mayfield, who talks about his perspectives on life after he was paralyzed in a freak accident.

One of my favorite lines was from an interview with Lady Gaga:

Neil Strauss: Your fans seem to really like what you stand for, because some people need to be reminded that it’s okay to be different.

Lady Gaga: I love what they stand for. I love who they are. They inspire me to be more confident every day. When I wake up in the morning, I feel just like any other insecure twenty-four-year-old girl. But I say, “Bitch, you’re Lady Gaga, you better f*cking get up and walk the walk today,” because they need that from me. And they inspire me to keep going.

The subjects of these interviews share some amazing things. From stories of inspiration to tales of drug use and crazy sex adventures. They talk about time spent in jail and their constant worrying about what people will think about their music. Neil uncovers some intimately personal details from the lives of these celebrities, and of course, I devoured every word.

If you are even remotely interested in music journalism, or like following the lives of celebrities, then I highly recommend this book. It is almost hard to believe that one person has interviewed the likes of Brian Wilson, Dolly Parton, the Wu-Tang Clan, Otha Turner, Rick James, Ben Stiller, Marilyn Manson, Cher, Chuck Berry, Merle Haggard, Sacha Baron Cohen, Tom Petty and countless others!!

Mother's Day Wednesday

2011-05-04T15:03:00.004-05:00

Like Monday, I decided to do Mother's Day stories for the pre-schoolers today!! Of course they loved it, and got to make their mommies a very special craft!!!

Opening Song: Shake My Sillies Out - Raffi

Book: My Monster Mama Loves Me So - Laura Leuck

Song: Happy Mother's Day (to the tune of Happy Birthday)

Book: Is Your Mama a Llama - Deborah Guarino

Song: I'm a Little Teapot/Itsy Bitsy Spider/ Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (they kept requesting songs!!)

Book: Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother, Too? - Eric Carle

Craft: Mother's Day collage

WHOOT WHOOT for FMRNS!!! I am super pumped, as always. Tonight, after we watch ANTM, we will be watching an Action Adventure film from 1994 called The Professional, starring Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, and Natalie Portman.

Review: Don't Breathe a Word by Jennifer McMahon

2011-05-03T13:08:00.004-05:00

From the Book Jacket:

One soft, summer night in a small Vermont town, twelve-year-old Lisa went into the woods behind her house and never came out again. Before she disappeared, she told her little brother, Sam, about a door - hidden among the ruins of an old town long forgotten - that led to a magical place. A place where she would meet Teilo, the King of the Fairies, and become his queen.

Sam didn't believe in fairies, ghosts, or anything supernatural back then, and now, fifteen years later, he still doesn't. It's one of the many things that his girlfriend, Phoebe, loves about this practical, sensible man. But a series of eerie occurrences challenges Sam's hard-headed realism. As events spin out of control, the couple finds themselves questioning their reality and Sam is reminded of a terrible promise he made years ago...a promise that could destroy them all.

After reading the description of Jennifer NcMahon’s novel Don’t Breathe a Word, I knew I couldn’t turn down this review. From the minute I picked it up, I didn’t want to put it down. It has a mystery that won’t let you rest until you know what happens next. This novel was unpredictable, and actually had me second guessing the existence of fairies.

Written in two points of view, this novel follows Pheobe, modern day Sam’s girlfriend, and Lisa just before the fateful time when she went missing. Strange things start happening to Pheobe and Sam as they are reminded of Lisa’s disappearance in the form of a mysterious phone call. Having these different perspectives allow us to be let in to Lisa’s family and the events that lead up to her disappearance, as well as see how events unfold to reveal the dark secrets of this mystery.

Each of the characters added depth to the story. They were all well written and carried with them interesting and easy to relate to characteristics. I felt like each one brought something different to the story and they were all having to deal with turbulent pasts.

I really enjoyed this book! It was creepy in a way that kept you guessing. It was a great mystery, and I promise it will keep you hooked!!

Thank you to Harper Collins for sending me Don't Breathe a Word by Jennifer McMahon for review!!

Mommy Monday!

2011-05-02T13:26:00.000-05:00

Since Mother's Day is coming up next Sunday, I decided this week would be devoted to mothers!! I found some great books to read to the toddlers!!

Opening Song: If You're Happy and You Know It from Favorite Children's Songs CD.

Book: Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother, Too? by Eric Carle

Song: Shake your Hands (to the tune of London Bridge - do actions along with words)
First we shake our hands up high, hands up high, hands up high!
First we shake our hands up high, then we clap them!
Next we wave our hands down low, hands down low, hands down low!
Next we wave our hands down low, then we hide them!

Book: I Love My Mommy by Sebastien Braun

Song: Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

Interactive Playtime

Sheepish Wednesday

2011-04-27T12:06:00.006-05:00

Maybe I should call it Wet Wednesday... We've been getting some crazy weather out there - rain, high winds, tornado warnings/watches - and it doesn't sound like it's going to be stopping any time soon! I am actually kinda surprised I had as big of a group as I did - lots of kids braved the weather to come to story time!!!

I delivered with a fun story time about Sheep!!

Opening Song: Shake My Sillies Out - Raffi

Book: No Sleep for the Sheep! by Karen Beaumont

Rhyme: Little Bo Peep

Song: It's Raining, It's Pouring (a special request, for obvious reasons!)

Book: Wee Little Lamb by John Butler

Activity: Make rain
Rub hands together
Snap fingers
Clap hands
Slap knees
Slap knees and stomp feet
Slap knees
Clap hands
Snap fingers
Rub hands together

Book: Where is the Green Sheep? by Mem Fox

Activity: Make rain (we had to do this at least 4 times, they LOVED it!)

Craft: Cotton Ball Sheep from DLTK-Kids.

I am super excited for tonight's edition of FMRNS!!! We didn't have movie night last Wednesday, because it was a travel day for me, so it's been a while!! We had a Bonus Night the weekend before I left, and watched Predator, a sci-fi movie from 1987 with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jesse Ventura. I wasn't terribly impressed, and after watching it again, A and I decided it was, in fact, NOT LISTWORTHY!!! It has now been removed from "The List." (p.s. The List hasn't been updated on the blog yet - I need to do that!!)

Anyway, tonight's feature will be The Big Chill, a drama from 1983 with Tom Berenger, Glenn Close, and Jeff Goldblum.

We're going to be recording American Idol so we can watch the performance show and then the results show all together - with NO BREAK!! We'll be watching ANTM in real time, which is awesome!!

I'm also really excited, because A got a copy of Whose Line is it Anyway? which is Drew Carey's improv show from the late 90's with Wayne Brady, Colin Mochrie, and Ryan Stiles. HI-LARIOUS!!! Should be a great evening!!!!

Hoppy Wednesday!!

2011-04-20T17:38:00.001-05:00

Hoppy Wednesday, y'all!!! We had a marvelous time in story time today! I was a little nervous - by the time we were supposed to start, I only had 1 kid - but I ended up with a bunch! YAY!! A new book came through not too long ago, so I had to pull bunny books to round out the theme - FUN!!!

Opening Song: Shake My Sillies Out - Raffi

Book: What Does Bunny See? A book about colors and flowers by Linda Sue Park

Song: Little Bunny Foo Foo (FUN!!! The kids LOVED this song!!!)

Book: Little White Rabbit by Kevin Henkes

Song/Dance: The Freeze by Greg and Steve

Book: If You're Hoppy by April Pulley Sayre

Craft: CD Bunnies from DLTK Kids (I pre-painted the CD's before story time)

Since I am heading out of town for the Easter holiday, FMRNS is postponed until I get back. I am super excited to go home for the holiday, and to celebrate my dad's 60th birthday!! Here's a conversation I had recently with my dad...

Real Librarian: Dad!! You're gonna be celebrating the 32nd anniversary of your 28th birthday!!

Real Librarian's Dad: Hmm... I liked 29 better.

RL: Oooookay... You're gonna be celebrating the 31st anniversary of your 29th birthday!!!

RLD: Niiiiiice!

Dad has been telling people this ever since!! HAHAHA!!

Anyway, heading home after work today!! Oh, and if you happen to see my dad today, don't tell him I'm coming home, it's a surprise!!!

Another Random Monday

2011-04-18T17:56:00.000-05:00

It's all about flexibility, isn't it? Today, I had a couple of toddlers who were quite a bit younger than what I am used to, so I thought the first book I had originally picked out might be a bit long. Luckily, I had brought an extra book!!

Opening Song: If You're Happy and You Know It from Favorite Children's Songs CD.

Book: Ducks Like to Swim by Agnes Verboven

Song: Itsy Bitsy Spider

Book: Where's Spot by Eric Hill

Song: I'm a Little Teapot

Interactive Playtime

The original plan was to do a 'rain' theme, with the first book being Raindrop Plop! by Wendy Lewison, and then sing It's Raining, It's Pouring.

Bath Time Wednesday!

2011-04-13T17:44:00.000-05:00

Happy Wednesday, y'all!! It's a sunshiny day and all is marvelous!!! This morning, we read stories about Bath Time, which was super fun. I told the kids that we were going to read stories about something I was sure they had all had before - and they might have even had one TODAY!!

Opening Song: Shake My Sillies Out - Raffi

Book: Little Bunny's Bathtime! by Jane Johnson

Song: 1 Little, 2 Little, 3 Little Bubbles

1 little, 2 little, 3 little bubbles
4 little, 5 little, 6 little bubbles
7 little, 8 little, 9 little bubbles
10 little bubbles go POP! POP! POP!

Book: Big Red Tub by Julie Jarman

Pretend: Blow bubbles (ok, so this isn't really bath time, but it is bubbles!)

Pretend to chew gum (I asked what flavor the gum was!)
Hold hands up to your mouth, then keep blowing the bubble bigger and bigger until POP!! - clap hands together.

Book: Bubbles Bubbles by Kathi Appelt

Craft: Soap Men from DLTK-Kids.

It's also FMRNS!!! Have I mentioned how much I love Wednesdays?? Last week, we watched the epic Elizabeth Taylor movie, Cleopatra. Seriously, that movie was written primarily to show off how beautiful she was. It was loooong, but definitely list worthy!

This week, we have a documentary from 2006 called Manufactured Landscapes. This documentary follows Edward Burtynsky as he travels through China taking pictures of the effects of their massive industrial revolution. It is always interesting to find out what is going on in other countries, and finding out what the plans are for dealing with their issues. I'm looking forward to it!!

A and I have decided to forgo watching American Idol (who else was SHOCKED that Pia was booted?!?!) on Wednesday nights in favor of watching ANTM. Since American Idol has so many commercials, and we have to record the results show on Thursday evenings anyway, we decided to record both the performance show and the results show, and watch it all at once with NO BREAK!!

And yes, I said "record" as in VCR. I am behind the times, I know, but hey, it works, and I still get to watch what I wanted to see!!

Anyway, tonight we'll be watching ANTM, then our movie. But since our feature is less than an hour and a half, I decided to bring something else to watch.

I just got into the first season of True Blood (yes, I am behind the times on this one, too!) I am about 4 episodes into it, and have the next disk of the season in my possession right now! So, we'll probably watch an episode or two of that as well!!

YAY Wednesday!!!!!

Bear of a Monday

2011-04-11T17:35:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday!! The weather is looking like it might get a little crazy, but we still had some youngens here for our Toddler Story Time! YAY!!

Opening Song: If You're Happy and You Know It from Favorite Children's Songs CD.

Book: Thank you Bear by Greg Foley

Rhyme: 1 Little, 2 Little, 3 Little (colorful bears)

Book: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See by Bill Martin Jr

Song: The Bear Went Over the Mountain

Book: 1 Teddy Bear: a Counting Book by Bernadette Ford

Interactive Playtime

And the winners are...

2011-04-09T16:28:00.003-05:00

First, I just wanted to thank everyone again for entering my Drinking Closer to Home giveaway!! There will be two winners - the top winner will receive a signed copy from the author, Jessica Anya Blau, while the runner-up will receive my gently read and loved copy!

Also, a special thank you to Jessica Anya Blau for offering a signed copy of her novel for the top winner of this giveaway!!

Now, on with the winners!!!

Linda Kish
and
Melissa A!!!

I've sent you both an email requesting your snail mail addresses. I'll pass Linda's info on to Ms. Blau, and Melissa will be getting my copy!!

Thanks again, everyone!

Winners chosen using random.org Sequence Generator.