A Little Story Time!!

Happy Wednesday after Christmas!! I hope everyone had a marvelous holiday!!!

Today, I decided to have a "Little Story Time," where I found books with "little" in the title. I got to read my favorite "little" book, which is always a big hit!!

Opening Song: Shake My Sillies Out - Raffi

Book: Little Pea by Amy Krouse Rosenthal


Song: 5 Little Ducks

Book: The Sleepy Little Alphabet by Judy Sierra


Song: The Alphabet Song

Book: Little Owl Lost by Chris Haughton


Dance: The Freeze by Greg and Steve

Craft: Little Owls found at DLTK-Kids.


I am so excited to say that I have my parents in town!!! I love that they are here to visit, and they even came to story time this morning!!

Since the parents are in town, FMRNS is postponed to a later date - sometime this weekend! Stay tuned for out latest feature!!!

Merry Christmas!

I suppose you won't be surprised when I tell you that I did stories about Christmas and Winter today!!!

Opening Song: Shake My Sillies Out - Raffi

Book: Llama Llama Holiday Drama by Anna Dewdney


Song: Jingle Bells

Book: Mouse's First Snow by Lauren Thompson


Song: We wish you a Merry Christmas

Book: Jingle Jingle by Nicola Smee


Craft: Snowflake Ornaments


I am super excited to say that my parents will be here for Christmas!!!! HOOOORAY!!!! They arrive today, so that means there will be no FMRNS tonight. That's okay, though, because in preparation for the 'off' week, A and I watched Towelhead, a 2007 drama with Summer Bishil.

Not so snowy Monday

I had originally planned a fabulous Snow themed story time for last Monday. It would have been perfect, since it snowed last Sunday, and there was still snow on the ground on Monday morning! Unfortunately, no one likes to drive in the snow, and I had no little ones for Toddler Story Time last week! BOO!! But that's okay, I did the Snow theme today...even though the snow melted days ago!!

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

Book: Hello, Snow! by Hope Vestergaard


Rhyme: 5 Little Snowflakes (Flannel Board)


One little snowflake with nothing to do.
Along came another and
Then there were two.

Two little snowflakes laughing with me.
Along came another, and
Then there were three.

Three little snowflakes looking for some more.
Along came another, and
Then there were four.

Four little snowflakes dancing a jive.
Along came another, and
Then there were five.

Five little snowflakes having so much fun.
Out came the sun, and
Then there were none!

Book: Snowballs byLois Ehlert


Song: Jingle Bells

Interactive Playtime

Snowy Wednesday!

Ahh, Wednesday!! I had decided last week that I was going to do Snow stories this week for story time. Little did I know that we were going to have a snow storm over the weekend, so my theme was terribly appropriate!!!

Opening Song: Shake My Sillies Out - Raffi

Book: Hello, Snow! by Hope Vestergaard


Rhyme: 5 Little Snowflakes (Flannel Board)


One little snowflake with nothing to do.
Along came another and
Then there were two.

Two little snowflakes laughing with me.
Along came another, and
Then there were three.

Three little snowflakes looking for some more.
Along came another, and
Then there were four.

Four little snowflakes dancing a jive.
Along came another, and
Then there were five.

Five little snowflakes having so much fun.
Out came the sun, and
Then there were none!

Book: Snow Day! by Pat Lakin


Song: I'm a Little Teapot

Book: Snow! Snow! Snow! by Lee Harper


Craft: Mittens


Unfortunately, A and I decided to not have FMRNS this Wednesday. It was calling for freezing rain, and while I am not opposed to driving in 'weather,' I didn't really want to deal with all of that. In anticipation of that, however, A and I had watched a Fabulous Movie on Monday night instead! Our fabulous movie of the week was Meatballs, a comedy from 1979 with Bill Murray and Kate Lynch.

Review: Blood of my Brother by James LePore

I love a good suspense novel, and that's exactly what I got with James LePore's Blood of my Brother.

Summary:

When Jay Cassio's best friend is murdered in a job clearly done by professionals, the walls that he has built to protect himself from the world of others begin to shatter. Dan Del Colliano had been his confidante and protector since the men were children on the savage streets of Newark, New Jersey. When Dan supports and revives Jay after Jay's parents die in a plane crash, their bond deepens to something beyond brotherhood, beyond blood. Now Jay, a successful lawyer, must find out why Dan died and find a way to seek justice for his murder. Isabel Perez has lived a life both tainted and charmed since she was a teenager in Mexico. She holds powerful sway over men and has even more powerful alliances with people no one should ever try to cross. She desperately wants her freedom from the chains these people have placed on her. When Jay catapults into her world, their connection is electric, their alliance is lethal, and their future is anything but certain.

My Review:

I have to admit, I was totally grabbed instantly...by the cover. What an intense picture!! I know better than to judge a book by it's cover, but I couldn't help but think this one was going to be awesome.

Luckily, I was right! This book takes you inside a friendship that began back in a turbulent time in the lives of two young boys, during the riots in Newark, New Jersey. This friendship between Jay Cassio and Daniel Del Colliano bordered on brotherhood, and lasted through adulthood until Daniel's murder. Jay, determined to find his best friend's killer, launches into an investigation that will either lead to Daniel's killer, or get himself killed for looking.

This is a fast paced novel that will catch you right from the beginning. LePore seamlessly moves back and forth from the past (how the young boys met, as well as other important times in the boys' lives), to the present. The plot grows deeper and deeper throughout the novel, involving a host of characters and some scary bad guys in high places. All of the characters bring something different and intriguing to the table, and you'll follow some twists and turns as you are introduced to each of them.

James LePore has delivered a great novel for those who love thrillers and suspense!! Definitely check this one out!!!

Roaring Wednesday

Happy Wednesday!!! It's Story Time day!!! WOOOOHOOOOOO!!!!!!!

I was excited to read books about dinosaurs today, because one of my little ones requested dinosaur books! He's going to turn 4 and is having a dinosaur birthday, so I just had to find some good ones!!!

Opening Song: Shake My Sillies Out - Raffi

Book: Dad's Dinosaur Day by Diane Hearn


Song: The Freeze by Greg and Steve (yes, I did it again!! It's just so much fun, and the kids love it. Plus, one little boy just HAD to hear it, so, of course, I gave in!)

Book: Dear Tyrannosaurus Rex by Lisa McClatchy


Rhyme: Humpty Dumpty

Book: Dinosaur vs. Bedtime by Bob Shea (LOVE LOVE LOVE this one!!!)


Craft: Paper Plate Dinosaurs from this template.



All in all, a FABULOUS story time!!!

Speaking of FABULOUS, it's FMRNS!!! WHOOOOT WHOOOOOOOOOOT!!!! Last week, we watched TransAmerica, which, of course, was fabulous!! This week, we're watching a drama from 1979, Norma Rae, starring Sally Field and Beau Bridges. I LOVE Sally Field, so I'm really looking forward to this one!!!

Elephan-tastic Story Time!!

HAHAHAHA, sometimes I crack myself up. Elephan-tastic!!! HAHAHAHA

Sorry...

Anyway, I am guessing you know what we did for Toddler Story Time!!!! Elephants!!!!

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

Book: Splash! by Flora McDonnell


Song: Where is Thumbkin?

Book: When the Elephant Walks by Keiko Kasza


Song: Little Miss Muffet

Book: Little Elephant by Miela Ford


I was able to do three books this time, the little ones were sitting so good!!! We also played a little pretend, where we were all Elephants walking along in the forest swing out trunks and squirting water and splashing in the pond. It was SO FUN!!!

And the winner is...

The winner of my latest giveaway, Heart With Joy by Steve Cushman is...

CAROL M!!!

I've sent you an email asking for your snail mail address!

Thanks so much to everyone for entering, and reading my blog!

**winner was chosen using Random.org Sequence Generator**

TMI Thursday

Once upon a time, I wondered if being a librarian was like being a bartender. You know, like when a patron comes up to you and talks your ear off about their medication, their horrible job, the weather, or whatever else strikes their fancy.

Well, it's been one of those days. Not that I'm complaining. I'm really not, because the public is one of the things I love most about my job. I love that they find that we librarians are easy to talk to, and it always makes for interesting stories. But, usually you get a small dose here, a little more a different day, and so on... Well, I got an EARFUL today!!!

Things I learned:
**names have been changed to protect the crazy... I mean innocent.**

Gabby (who comes in often to use the computer) taught me how to make croutons at the Cracker Barrel where she works as a food prep.

Gabby also showed me a picture of her sister's 9 week old fetus, and told me all about how she was on fertility meds that made her depressed, but then bam! she was pregnant. She started to tell me about her sister's cycle when I was (luckily!!) saved by the ringing phone. After I answered the question on the phone, I escaped to the work room to avoid hearing more about sissy's cycle...

Unfortunately, Gabby asked my co-worker to get me. Then she proceeded to tell me all about sissy's cycle - AND her own. Yeah.

Then, a woman who was checking out told me that she hadn't had a cigarette since Thanksgiving. We'll call her Smokey. I told her Congratulations!! in my most supportive "I've been there and I know how hard it is, and a week is AWESOME!!!" voice.

That's when she practically yelled at me that her daughter usually pays her a little stipend for watching her daughter's kids, and that's what Smokey used to buy her cigarettes. Her daughter told her that she doesn't have the money to give right now, and Smokey found out she was lying (presumably to get Smokey to stop smoking)!!! So, Smokey gets all mad and starts going off saying she was going to show her daughter, and she'll NEVER stop smoking now!!!

To be perfectly honest, I really do love it. It might drive me a little crazy at times, but it's all good. Working with the public is always an adventure!!!

p.s. Don't forget to enter my latest GIVEAWAY!!!

Swingin' Wednesday!

***don't forget to enter my latest GIVEAWAY!!!***

Happy Wednesday, y'all!!!! I am excited to share my story time for today - we had a lot of fun with monkeys!! I found some great books for this story time. And, after looking through my blog, I realized that I have NEVER done a whole story time devoted to monkeys! I had a couple new book story times that had books with monkeys, but never have I had a Monkey story time. Well, now is the perfect time!!!

Opening Song: Shake My Sillies Out - Raffi

Book: One Monkey Too Many - Lynn Munsinger


Finger Play: Five Little Monkeys (we did 5 Little Monkeys jumping on the bed, but there are different ones! My 4 year old niece LOVES the 5 Little Monkeys swinging from the tree!!)

Book: Just Mommy and Me - Tara Jaye Morrow


Song: Little Baby Monkey (to the tune of Itsy Bitsy Spider)
Little baby monkey climbed up the coconut tree
Down fell a coconut and bonked him on the knee
Out came his mommy and wiped away his tears
And the little baby monkey climbed up the tree again

Book: Monkey and Me - Emily Gravett


Craft: Paper Bag Monkey Puppets (using this template from StoryPlace)

It was a great story time!!!

And since it's Wednesday, it's FMRNS!! Tonight is extra exciting, because it's the season finale of ANTM!!! Who's it gonna be, Anne or Chelsea?!?!?! Tune in tonight to find out!!!

I'm actually really excited about tonight's feature!! I wanted to see the 2005 drama TransAmerica with Felicity Huffman when it came out, but never did get to it. I am really looking forward to it!!!

We were fortunate enough to have a Bonus Night this week (quite by accident, I must say!). On Monday, A and I got together to watch Castle, but it wasn't on for some silly reason. We just happened to have another movie that is on the list, Network, a drama from 1976 with Faye Dunaway and William Holden available, so we watched that one!! And, of course, it was FABULOUS!!!! Can't wait for tonight!!!!

Meow Monday

Happy Monday, everyone!! I hope y'all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!! Mine was spectacular, I got to travel home to visit my family!! It was great to see everyone, but I was not sad to leave all that snow behind!

I was also excited to get back for story time!!! Today's Toddler Story Time was all about cats!

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

Book: There Are Cats in This Book by Viviane Schwarz


Song: Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

Book: I Love Cats by Barney Saltzberg


Rhyme: Hey Diddle Diddle

Interactive Play Time: I bring out the toys and other books at this time.

It was a great little story time!!

Thankful Wednesday

Happy Wednesday, y'all!!! Since tomorrow is Thanksgiving, we read stories about Thanksgiving and Turkeys in story time today!!!

As always, we begin story time with Shake My Sillies Out by Raffi.

Book: Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano


Song: The Freeze on the We All Live Together 2 CD by Greg and Steve.

Book: Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes


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

Book: Thank You, Thanksgiving by David Milgrim


Craft: I found this craft from the DLTK-Kids website! I modified it a little, and I added a pilgrim hat because one of my coworkers told me the turkey looked bald. HAHAHA


I am sad to say that my friend A went to visit his family for Thanksgiving, so there will be no FMRNS. Sad!! But, I promise it'll return next week with something FABULOUS!!!

And I'm super excited to say that I will be leaving in the morning to go visit my family for Thanksgiving!!! YAY!!!! I am SUPER pumped, I can't even wait!!!

I hope everyone has the most amazing holiday!!! Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Library Question of the Day

A man from out of town wants to make a reservation on the computer, and asks for a computer guest pass. I give him his guest pass, and this is the conversation that follows...

Man from Out of Town: Are you going to freestyle?

Real Librarian: I'm sorry?

MOT: Freestyle! Are you going to freestyle?

RL: Um, I'm not sure exactly what you mean...?

MOT: Aren't you a rapper? You need to bust out with some freestyle!!!

RL: BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!

MOT: **pumps fist to his chest and gives me the peace sign** You get me?!?!

RL: Oh, yeah, I got you!

Ok, so there is no way anyone would confuse ME for a RAPPER. Seriously. Now, I can bust out some Vanilla Ice and Young MC with the best of them. Oh, and Salt & Pepa, some Will Smith, if you please... (Yes, I'm breaking out my 90's rap knowledge. Skool, yo.)

I digress...

Anyway, the point is, I totally don't look like a rapper... I wonder where this dude comes from!!

Colorful Toddler Story Time

***don't forget to enter my latest GIVEAWAY!!!***

Today we had a great little story time! I ran across some great books about colors, and I was really able to draw the kids in and have them "help" me name the colors!!

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

Book: I Dream of an Elephant by Ami Rubinger


Action Song: The Hokey Pokey
I like to get the kids up and moving around at this time, so they get some of their wiggles out before the second story.

Book: Meeow and the Little Chairs by Sebastien Braun


Pretend: We pretended we were a Choo-choo train, since the animal friends in Meeow and the Little Chairs pretended to make a train in the story.

Interactive Play Time: I bring out the toys and other books at this time.

It was a smallish story time again this week. I'm trying to spread the word a little. I wonder if the low attendance this week has something to do with the upcoming holiday? Hopefully it'll start to pick up soon!!!

And the winners are...

And the winners of The 30-Second Commute by Stephanie Dickison are...

Kat Bryan
leeswammes

Congratulations to you both!!! I've sent you an email asking for your snail mail address!

Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway!!! I've got another one going on right now, so please, stop by my review and enter!!

It's finally here!!!

I got my tickets weeks ago!!! I SO can't wait for this!!!!!!

Are you going??

Review and Giveaway!! Heart with Joy by Steve Cushman

Synopsis:

In Heart With Joy, fifteen-year-old Julian Hale’s life is turned upside down when his mother suddenly moves from North Carolina to Venice, Florida under the pretense of running her parents’ motel and finishing the novel she has been working on for years. While Julian has always been closer to his mother and wants to go with her, she tells him he has to stay with his father until the end of the school year.

Six weeks after his mother leaves, Julian’s father decides to run a marathon. This surprises Julian because he has never seen his father exercise, but once he agrees to help him train the two develop the sort of close relationship they’ve never had before. Also, with the help of an elderly neighbor, Julian learns that the most important thing in life is to follow your heart. And Julian’s heart leads him to a passion for cooking and a young cashier at the local grocery store. By the end of the novel, Julian is forced to choose between staying with his father and going to live with his mother.

My Review:

This book begs the question, "What fills your heart with joy?" This is what Julian Hale needs to figure out while he deals with his mother leaving, and living with a father he barely knows.

This novel seems to have a natural flow to it, and it read easily and quickly. It was interesting to read how Julian finds his joy, but also to look back at my own life and think about what fills my own heart with joy, and what fills my life with passion. I wasn't expecting the inward reflective outcome from this novel, but I welcomed it!!

Julian is hit with some major life changes in this coming of age novel. Not only is he dealing with his mother leaving, possibly for good, but also other sensitive issues, like death, teenage friendship, new love and parental relationships. The evolution of these issues, especially the evolution of the relationship between Julian and his father, make for a smooth and heart felt story.

I am excited to host a giveaway for Heart with Joy by Steve Cushman!! Just leave a comment on this post, with a valid email address, by Friday, December 2nd. I'll choose a winner using Random.org Sequence Generator, and announce on Saturday, December 3rd! Good luck to everyone and happy reading!!

A special thank you to Steve Cushman for sending me a copy of his touching novel!!