Kangaroos!

I just can't get over how cute my story time kids are. Seriously. Best.Job.Ever. I mean, is this really work?! They PAY me to read stories, sing songs, do crafts and make kids smile. How did I get so lucky?!?!?!

Anyway, today I decided to do stories about Kangaroos, because a new book about kangaroos, perfect for story time, came in recently. I was super excited about it, so I gathered up some other great kangaroo books and went for it!

I had planned some good kangaroo songs and fingerplays, but after gathering the mood of the group, I had to change things up a bit. So, in honor of the little 3 year old who was showing me all kinds of cool break-dancing moves, we did one of my favorite dance numbers...the Tooty-Ta!!!

Opening Song: Shake My Sillies Out - Raffi

Teach: I showed the kids how to sign "kangaroo" in sign language. Like the picture (notice the pouch with the other hand!), and then make the 'kangaroo' bounce.


Book: McGillycuddy Could! by Pamela Duncan Edwards


Song/Dance: Tooty-Ta by Dr. Jean and Friends

Chorus: A tooty ta, a tooty ta, a tooty ta ta!

Thumbs up...
Elbows back...
Feet apart...
Knees together...
Bottoms up...
Tongue out...
Eyes shut...
Turn around...

Book: Boing! by Nick Bruel


Pretend: Pretend to be Kangaroos!

Book: Pouch! by David Ezra Stein (the new book that inspired this story time!)


Craft: Kangaroos with pouch for Joey!


And, as always, it's FMRNS!!! Last week, we had a Documentary Double Feature, where we watched Born Into Brothels and Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work. I told you that A had never seen the documentary about Joan Rivers, so it was an "in consideration" feature. Which means we view it, and then decide if it is "list-worthy." If it is, it gets added to the list, and if not...well, we point to the screen and say in our most judgy-est voices "NOT LIST-WORTHY!!!" Well, I am sorry to say that Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work was NOT LIST-WORTHY!!! Sad. I had thought it was going to be more about her life and how she got to where she is now. Sadly, it was more about "I'm an old comedienne who can't find work, feel sorry for me." But, after seeing the insanely lavish apartment she lives in...well, I don't feel sorry for her. I didn't even want to finish the movie.

This week, we have another "in consideration" feature. We've both heard LOTS of good things about it from numerous sources, so we're positive this movie will not have the same fate as poor Joan Rivers. This weeks feature is Burlesque, the musical drama from 2010 with Cher and Christina Aguilera. Oh, and Eric Dane. Mmmmmmmm, Eric Dane... I can't WAIT!!!

Of course, we'll also be watching American Idol. Who else's heart stopped during the elimination show last week!??!?!!?!!?

Review: Formula for Murder: A Maternal Instincts Mystery

Hoooooooray!!!!! I've been (im)patiently waiting for Diana Orgain's next installment of her Maternal Instincts Mystery series, and it's finally here!!! If you recall, I've already read and reviewed the first two books in the series: Bundle of Trouble and Motherhood is Murder, and loved them both. When I got the email from Ms. Orgain letting me know that the third novel was out, I (of course!!) asked quite politely if I might have the opportunity to read it and review it for my blog.

Actually, it was more like "OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG!!!!! I can't WAIT TO READ IT!!!! GIMME GIMME GIMME!!! WHOOOOOOOOT WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!!!" And I'm not even really exaggerating.

Yeah, I'm what we like to call a 'professional.'

Anyway, back to the important issue at hand. Formula for Murder: A Maternal Instincts Mystery was just as good - if not better!! - than the previous two!!

Kate has been known to get herself (and her now 3 month old baby, Laurie) into some...interesting situations. At the beginning of this novel, she is involved in a hit and run with Laurie in the car!!! This causes the Lioness mother that she is to track down the driver of the SUV and brings her and her husband to the French Consulate. There she is met with some stiff resistance to their questions about the accident. While at the French Consulate, Kate sees a couple local news reporters. Later, when one of the reporters ends up dead, Kate wonders if there is a connection between the French Consulate, the death of the reporter, and her accident.

All the regular players are back, including Paula, Kate's (very pregnant!) best friend and Kate's mom, both witty and interesting characters that add lots of entertainment. Inspector McNearny is also back, though his annoyance with Kate butting into his crime fighting seems to be lessening!! They all pitch in to help Kate find the murderer. As she gets closer to finding the truth, the more dangerous the situations she finds herself in.

As with the other novels, this one is peppered with To-Do lists and poor Kate worrying about what kind of mother she is. Kate is stubborn and is always managing to stir things up - but one thing you never wonder about is her love for her child and her family.

Way to go, Diana!! Thanks for giving us another fun installment to the Maternal Instincts Mystery series!! It was a fast, fun, page-turning read, and I can't wait for the next one!!!

Little Chick Monday

Happy Monday!! In keeping with the spring idea (even though the temps have dropped well below the 80 degrees we were having early last week!), I decided to read some fabulous books about chicks!!

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


Book: Five Little Chicks by Nancy Tafuri


Song: Wave your Hands (to the tune of London Bridge)
First we wave our hands up high!
Hands up high!
Hands up high!
First we wave our hands up high, then we clap them!
Then we wave our hands down low!
Hands down low!
Hands down low!
Then we wave our hands down low, then we hide them!

Book: Here a Chick, Where a Chick? by Suse MacDonald


Song: Old McDonald Had a Farm (with a chick, of course!!)

Book: The Chick and The Duckling by Mirra Ginsburg


Interactive Playtime

And the winner is...

And the winner of The Shepherd by Ethan Cross is...

SKYE!!!

I've sent you an email requesting your address!! I hope you like it - it was a great thriller!!

Thanks to everyone who entered!! Be sure to enter my new giveaway for a copy of Jessica Anya Blau's Drinking Closer to Home!!!

**winner chosen using random.org Sequence Generator.**

Librarian wisdom

Sometimes, I just get so proud of myself I can't even help it! I love it when someone comes up to me with a random question, and gives me almost no details about what they are looking for, but yet, I still manage to come up with the answer...or rather, the RIGHT answer. Take this story, for example!!

Today, I can tell a similar story...

A young dad came in with his 7 year old son, looking for Junie B. Jones and other appropriate books for 2nd graders. I helped him find a bunch of stuff, and he's very appreciative. Then he comes to me with this:

Young Dad: There was this book that I read when I was about his age. It was about a frog and some other animals and I remember it was green.

Real Librarian: Um, okay... Well, can you tell me anything else about it?

YD: No, not really. There were more than one of them, though.

RL: It wasn't Frog and Toad, was it? **pulls out a copy of Frog and Toad are Friends by Arnold Lobel**

YD: Holy crap, that's it!!

Thank you, thank you!! I'm here all week.

Happy Spring!!

***Don't forget, today is the last day to enter The Shepherd Giveaway***
***Don't forget to enter the Drinking Closer to Home Giveaway*** (Until April 7!!)

Happy Wednesday, y'all!!! It's looking like Spring!! It's been sunny and warm, and I am SO happy I no longer live in the frozen north land. I heard something about a major snow storm happening, and I gotta be honest - I don't miss it AT ALL!!

Anyway, since it's been 80 degrees here, and all warm and spring like, I decided to read books about Spring!! YAY!!

Opening Song: Shake My Sillies Out - Raffi

Book: Wake up, It's Spring! by Lisa Campbell Ernst


Pretend: We pretended to plant some flowers! (dig the hole, I handed out "seeds," plant the seed, cover the hole, water the seed, etc...)

Book: Mouse's First Spring by Lauren Thompson


Rhyme: This Little Piggy

Book: Splish, Splash, Spring by Jan Carr


Craft: Kite Craft from All Kids Network.


And, of course, it's FMRNS!!! WHOOOOT!!!!! A couple of weeks ago, A and I celebrated the viewing of our 350th movie!!!! How exciting is that?!?! This week, we're planning a Documentary Double Feature!!

First, we've decided to record tonight's American Idol (since it's 2 hours), and actually watch tonight's ANTM (Who will be eliminated tonight?!). After that, we'll watch the first of our two selections. Born into Brothels: Calcutta's Red Light Kids is a documentary made in 2004 about the children of the prostitutes who work in Calcutta's Red Light district.

The second movie isn't actually on "The List" yet. (The List has not yet been updated online - we've watched an additional 52 movies since I posted The List. Better get on updating that!!) We will watch it and decide if it is "list-worthy." If it is, then we'll add it, and if not, we will say in our judgey-est voices "NOT LIST-WORTHY!!!" all while shaking our fingers at the screen. (Though I love it when the movies ARE list-worthy, it is kinda fun to deem a movie NOT list-worthy!)

Anyway, our second feature TBD List-worthy is Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work, a documentary made in 2010. Should be fun - that woman is crazy!!! I'll let you know the verdict!!

Oh, and we will also be having a moment of silence for the late, great Elizabeth Taylor. There have been a couple of her movies on the list, including Lassie Come Home from 1943, National Velvet from 1944, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof from 1958, and Suddenly, Last Summer from 1959. Rest in Peace, Ms. Taylor.

Update on Drinking Closer to Home Giveaway

I have some super exciting news to share with those who are planning on entering my latest giveaway!!!

Jessica Anya Blau emailed me (AAAHHHH!!!), and offered a SIGNED copy of her novel, Drinking Closer to Home for the winner of my giveaway!!! How exciting!!!!!!!

So now, the winner will receive a super special signed copy of this amazing novel, and a runner-up will receive my gently read (and loved!!) copy!!

Just follow THIS LINK to the original Review and Giveaway post, and fill out the form!! The deadline is April 7, with the winner chosen using Random.org on April 8!! Good luck everyone!!!