success with 2 new books, 1 old one

For an outreach ST for 4s and 5s this afternoon at Anderson Center, I grabbed 2 brand-new titles off the cart, and both worked really well. The first one, Are You a Horse? is kind of long, but the kids were really into it - the story features a rather clueless cowboy (Roy, of course) who receives a saddle for his birthday, but needs to find an equine partner to fully partake of his gift's possibilities. Unfortunately, he has no idea what a horse is. So, narrowing it down, step by animal step, he finally finds a trusty steed...but there's a great twist at the end that the kids really liked.

The other new book I tried, with similar success, was Harry Hungry. The titular baby develops one serious appetite; he starts with a small snack and quickly moves his way on up to the top of the food chain. After eating his father's car, the neighbors' house, and other delicacies, Harry is stopped only by an overwhelming need to nap. The illustration style is rather retro and idiosyncratic (Heather's not a big fan), but it is very colorful and the pictures show up well at a distance. The kids had no problem suspending belief for this monster baby book, and also didn't seem to have any issue with Harry instantly shrinking in size after burping.

Finally, I tried a book that's been around for a few years, but I had never done in a ST before - Little Pea. I had always liked the story, but had been concerned about the art being too small and plain to work in a ST setting. Well, the group was on the smaller side - 12 kids - and I could scoot up close to them to pan, and thus ensure a decent view for all. And it worked! The kids seemed downright stunned by a world in which a youngster has to finish his candy before he can dive into his dessert of....spinach! They were sort of quiet after I finished, until I asked, "Do you eat candy for dinner?" and they all kind of exploded with "NO!"s...

Game Stretchers

I really want this blog to survive and even thrive, but I've done very little lately to contribute to it--apologies! Maybe if we all try to post at least once or twice more before this session and re-evaluate whether we wanna keep it for the spring schedule?

Anyway, I thought I could share a couple of things that always work for me, especially in a mixed-age grou. First is "The Rhyming Game" (fancy name, huh?). I usually read the kids a rhyming book (this time it was the excellent and relatively new "Rhyming Dust Bunnies") and ask them if they know how to rhyme. When they inevitably insist that YES THEY DO! I ask them to stand up and repeat after me...

Me: Say 'red'...
Them: RED!
Me: And touch your...head! Now, say 'jelly'...
Them: BELLY!
Me: And touch your...belly! Wow, you really are good rhymers!

Of course, I'm always pointing to the body party I'm asking them to guess while I say the first word. Even then, it takes a few rounds for kids to use the hints. But it's the sort of stretcher you can make as long as you want (they don't seem to lose interest) and just make up as you go along. I always end by asking them to say "belbow," which gets a laugh, because even 3-year-olds know that's not a real word.

Another game I like to use as a stretcher is "Librarian [instead of Simon] Says"--the Pajama Storytime kids dig this. I try to make it library-relevant by asking them to "read a book" or "point to your grown-up" or "wave at the librarian" or whatever. Younger children don't really get the elimination aspect of the game, nor do older kids like the elimination aspect, so I...yeah, generally ignore it. Right at the end I'll shake my head NO emphatically and tell the kids to do something without first saying "Librarian says..." and cheerfully ask them all to sit down. Because they're all out at that point.

oral telling

I was inspired by Lori's most recent post (and the fact that I'm running out of ST books) to do a bit of oral telling yesterday for my in-house STs for 1 year olds. Obviously, the "plot" was really simple for 1s - I used a stuffed monkey and just said, "monkey is hungry - what do you think he wants to eat?" and a couple of older siblings said "a banana!" So then I walked monkey around looking for a banana. He meets his friends: rooster, cow, and horse. "Hello" says monkey, and they cock-a-doodle, moo, and neigh, respectively. Monkey then asks "do you have a banana for me?" and they all answer "no." Monkey finally runs into his ol' pal gorilla, and whaddyaknow, gorilla's got the goods. I used a real banana, and wrapped the monkey's long arms all around the fruit, hugging the banana because he was so happy. I then put on the monkey-eating-a-banana hat and said something like "ooh, bananas taste so good"...yeah, not exactly Nat'l Book Award material, but the kids liked it, and it offered plenty of opportunities to make animal sounds...so, success.

Enchanted part deux

I had a particularly fab Terrific Twos today...
It was packed-- 30 kids/ 22 adults! I got a little weak-kneed looking out at the massive audience right before I began, but I must have picked up some of Rory's recent mojo, because I can honestly say that it was one of my best. storytimes. ever.
The kids were riveted during the stories-- I read "What A Treasure" by Jane and Will Hillenbrand, which is darling and the perfect length for Twos. I shared the pop-up "Says Who?" we growled, hissed, and roared along with all the animals. I also read a terrific new book by Jeff Mack called "Hush Little Polar Bear." This was a real hit-- it is sweet without being cloying, has wonderful illustrations, a great rhythm and a cozy ending. Perfect for this cold day.
Thanks to Rory for her suggestion to use the "This Old Man" felt. Kids loved it, and nearly all the parents sang along.

Feeling aglow from all the toddler hugs I got today (and still humming the mitten song)....