What do ninjas, robots, time travel, and outer space have in common with each other? Cats, of course! You can find books on all of these topics, and more, which feature cats as the main characters. It may sound a little silly, but stories like these are a great way to get kids excited about reading. One of the reasons some kids don’t like to read is because they have learned to associate books with boredom and frustration. A fun book about cats in space could be just the thing to help them realize that reading doesn’t always have to be a serious task and that there’s nothing wrong with enjoying something more for entertainment than its educational value. Skip the “normal” adventure stories, and read one full of cute kittens!
Explore More Illinois is back! Explore More Illinois provides FDL card holders with access to free and discounted admission, parking, and gift store purchases from cultural attractions in Illinois, including museums, cultural centers, zoos, aquariums, gardens, historical societies, park districts, and more! This program is sponsored by RAILS (Reaching Across Illinois Library System) and includes attractions throughout the state.
Access Explore More Illinois by clicking on the logo above and log in with your library card barcode and password. Patrons can also go directly to exploremore.quipugroup.net and choose their home library from the drop down menu. Once logged in, view currently available offers or search by date, attraction name, or location. Adults can make short-term reservations for tickets for a specific date and can have two active reservations at a time. A photo ID must be shown at the attraction on the day of the reservation, as well as either the printed passes or a smartphone showing the digital passes.
Users should cancel the reservation(s) if they’re unable to attend; otherwise, the reservation will count as being used. Please note that once a pass is printed or downloaded, the reservation cannot be cancelled.
More attractions will be added as places reopen from COVID-19, and offers are subject to change, so check the Explore More Illinois site before planning your visits!
It’s almost Miss Alice’s birthday, and she wanted to celebrate early with you! It might be your birthday, it might be your unbirthday, but either way, have a fantastic day with some great books!
Song: Hello, Friends
(using ASL, to the tune of Goodnight, Ladies)
Hello, friends! Hello, friends!
Hello, friends! It’s time to say hello!
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Song: Open Them, Shut Them
Open them, shut them, open them, shut them.
Give a little clap, clap, clap!
Open them, shut them, open them, shut them.
Put them in your lap, lap, lap!
Creep them, creep them, slowly creep them,
Right up to your chin, chin, chin!
Open wide your little mouth,
But do not let them in!
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Song: Ten Little Fingers
I have ten little fingers, and they all belong to me. (point to self)
I can make them do things. Do you want to see? (point to eyes)
I can squeeze them up tight. I can open them up wide. (squeeze hands shut, then open them)
I can put them together. I can make them all hide. (clap, then hide hands behind back)
I can make them jump high. I can make them jump low. (wiggle fingers above head, then reach down)
I can fold them up quietly and hold them just so. (fold hands and place on lap)
Welcome to a special story time with Kylo Ren! Kylo is visiting the library for Star Wars Week to read us a story about the most infamous character in the galaxy – his grandfather Darth Vader!
What is this book about? After getting in a fight with her older sister, a young girl named Willow runs into the woods to be by herself. She finds another girl, named Pilu, crying alone and decides to help her. Pilu explains that she ran away from home because she doesn’t think her mom cares about her, but now she’s lost and doesn’t know what to do. Willow becomes determined to help Pilu get back home, and along the way, the two girls learn how to view life from another person’s perspective and make peace with their own turbulent emotions.
My Review: This is a great book for kids who are struggling with feelings of grief and/or loneliness. The subject matter is a little heavy, but it’s handled delicately. I think a lot of kids (and adults) would be able to relate to Willow and Pilu in one way or another. Everyone knows what it feels like to lose or become separated from a loved one, but for kids who are going through this for the first time, it can feel really big and impossible to deal with. Pilu of the Woods does a great job of showing how scary and upsetting the world is to a child who feels like they’re completely alone. Considering everything that’s happened in the past year, it’s nice to have stories like this to remind us that there are still lots of little acts of love we can show one another and different ways of finding the strength to move on after a difficult event.
Rating: 4/5
Three Words That Describe This Book: forgiving, therapeutic, emotional
Give This a Try if You Like…ecology, magical realism, Robot Dreams by Sara Varon
Good morning and welcome to story time. I’m Miss Sharon. Did you know that tomorrow is National Unicorn Day? We all know unicorns are magical one-horned horses. Did you know unicorns can be mischievous, too? Let’s read some stories about these magical, mischievous creatures.
Song: The More We Get Together
The more we get together, together, together,
the more we get together, the happier we’ll be.
Cause your friends are my friends,
and my friends are your friends,
the more we get together the happier we’ll be!
Written by Adam Wallace, illustrated by Andy Elkerton and read with the permission of Sourcebooks Jabberwocky.
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Flannel: Five Little Unicorns
I saw five little unicorns – creatures from folklore
I watched the blue one prance away, and then there were four.
I saw four little unicorns resting by a tree
I watched the purple one prance away, and then there were three.
I saw three little unicorns, but as near to them I drew
The green one pranced away, and then there were two.
I saw two little unicorns – I watched them run and run
the yellow one pranced away, and then there was one.
I saw a lonely pink unicorn standing in the sun.
when I blinked by eyes, it pranced away, and then there were none.
If you’re a unicorn and you know it, shake your horn.
If you’re a unicorn and you know it, shake your horn.
If you’re a unicorn and you know it, then your magic will surely show it.
If you’re a unicorn and you know it, shake your horn.
…stamp your hooves
…toss your mane
…twitch your tail
…prance around
Written by Diana Murray, illustrated by Luke Flowers, and read with the permission of Sourcebooks Jabberwocky.
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Song: Skinnamarink (with actions)
Skinnamarinky dinky-dink (Put your left elbow in right hand, wave)
Skinnamarinky Doo (Right elbow in left hand, wave)
I (Point to eye)
Love (Cross your arms over your heart)
You! (Point to audience)
Skinnamarinky dinky-dink (Left elbow in right hand)
Skinnamarinky Doo (Right elbow in left hand, wave)
I (Point to eye)
Love (Cross your arms over your heart)
You! (Point to audience)
I love you in the morning (Cross arms above your head)
And in the afternoon (Cross arms around your chest)
I love you in the evening (Cross around your tummy)
And underneath the moon! (Cross arms above head again)
Skinnamarinky dinky-dink (Left arm in right hand, wave)
Skinnamarinky doo (Right arm in left hand, wave)
I (Point to eye)
Love (Cross your arms over your heart)
You! (Point to audience)
Too (Show two fingers)
Boo boop we doo! (Wave and kiss!)
Craft kits are available to pick up in the Youth Services department or the drive-up window while supplies last.
Kit Supplies:
3D Construction Paper Unicorn craft template
Instruction sheet
Supplies needed from home:
coloring supplies (crayons, markers or colored pencils)
scissors
glue
glitter glue for some magic (optional)
Instructions:
Color and cut out the unicorn template (skip the hooves).
Add glittery accents with glitter glue if you wish your unicorn to look fancier, but you will have to wait for the glitter glue to dry before moving forward. Glitter sure does add magic to this fairy tale creature.
Fold the hooves on the unicorn body. Apply glue on the bottom of the hooves and stick the unicorn body on the cloud base. Color in the hooves (hint, hint pink).
On the unicorn head, apply glue on the area marked with the word glue. Glue together in a roll. Apply glue at the bottom of the head or on the body of the unicorn and stick the head on the body.
Glue the mane on the head. Fold bottom part (along the line) on both horns. Glue the two horns (top parts) together, so it’s colored on both sides. Apply glue on the bottom part and stick it on the unicorn head. Fold the ears and stick them on the head.
Fold the tail (along the line), apply glue on the back of the tail and glue two tail halves together. Stick the tail on the body of the unicorn.
(Tune: Oh My Darling Clementine)
Thanks for sitting, thanks for listening,
Thanks for coming here today!
Now that story time is over
Hope you have a lovely day!
Susie and Alice show you how to make a cute little origami Baby Yoda (easy) or an impressive X-Wing (intermediate)! Origami paper is available in the Star Wars activity pack for younger children or as a separate Take & Make at the library during Star Wars Week while supplies last.
Poor Kylo is STILL in quarantine, but we have lots of fun, COVID-safe activities planned for you this week! Register for our virtual programs here, stop by the library for activities, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok for more fun surprises! May the Force be with you!
Hi, everyone! My name is Miss Haley, and I’m so happy you’re joining me today for bilingual story time at Fondulac District Library. Bilingual is a word that means more than one language, so that means we’ll be singing songs and reading books in English and Spanish today. Are you ready for some Lucha libre? Let’s go! ¡Vamos!
Did you know that we have an app available on our website that can help you and your child learn a new language? It’s called Mango, and you can sign up for free using your library card number. Check it out by clicking here!
Written by Kathryn Dennis and published by A Feiwel and Friends Book, an imprint of Macmillan Publishing Group, LLC
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Flannel Board: This Little Train
(Tune: This Old Man)
This little train, painted gray, takes us places far away.
With a choo-choo, clicky-clack, hear the whistle blow.
This little train goes chugging home.
This little car, painted black, keeps us chugging down the track.
With a choo-choo, clicky-clack, hear the whistle blow.
This little train goes chugging home
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This little car, painted white, keeps things cold both day and night.
With a choo-choo, clicky-clack, hear the whistle blow.
This little train goes chugging home
This little car, painted green, it’s the fanciest car you’ve seen.
With a choo-choo, clicky-clack, hear the whistle blow.
This little train goes chugging home.
This little car, painted blue, it has seats for me and you.
With a choo-choo, clicky-clack, hear the whistle blow.
This little train goes chugging home
This caboose, it is red, it goes chugging off to bed.
With a choo-choo, clicky-clack, hear the whistle blow.