Hi everyone! Gear up and join Miss Alice for some fun books that will get you excited to create! We’ll explore engineering, art, and perseverance in this STEAM-filled story time. Make sure to check out the Peoria Riverfront Museum’s fun activities for Engineering Week!

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)

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Book: Boxitects

Written by Kim Smith and published by Clarion Books.

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Song: Tiny Tim

I have a little turtle, his name is Tiny Tim. (hold hands like a turtle)

I put him in the bathtub, to see if he could swim. (make swimming motion with hands)

He drank up all the water. Glug, glug, glug! (act like you’re drinking from a cup)

He ate up all the soap. Mmm, mmm, mmm! (act like you’re shoving food in your mouth)

And now he’s home, sick in bed, with bubbles in his throat. (lay head down on hands)

Bubble, bubble, bubble,

Bubble, bubble, pop!

Bubble, bubble, bubble,

Bubble, bubble, pop!

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Book: Jabari Tries

Written by Gaia Cornwall and published by Candlewick Press.

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Song: One Little Red Fish

One little red fish swimming in the water, (hold up one finger, then put hands together to make fish)

Swimming in the water, swimming in the water.

One little red fish swimming in the water,

Bubble bubble bubble bubble pop! (swirl hands in the air upwards and clap above head)

Two little blue fish…

Three little yellow fish…

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Book: Ned the Knitting Pirate

Written by Diana Murray and published by Roaring Brook Press (Macmillan Publishers).

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Craft: Paper Plate Maze

Pick up a craft kit from the Youth Services Department or the drive-up window while supplies last.

Included:

• Paper plate
• Pipe cleaner pieces
• Pompom
• Bead

Not included:

• Thumbtack, pen, or pencil to poke holes

Instructions:

1. Poke holes throughout the paper plate using a thumbtack, pen, or pencil. You might want to ask your grown-up for help with this.
2. Poke the ends of your pipe cleaner pieces through different holes so that it lies flat on the paper plate. Try to create a path through the pipe cleaners like a maze. Make it as easy or as hard as you want!
3. Put something on the plate and tilt the plate to guide it through the maze. We’ve included a pompom and a bead, but you can try anything you have lying around! Maybe a marble, bottle cap, or eraser.
4. Take out the pipe cleaners and rearrange your maze as many times as you’d like! For an extra challenge, put in a pipe cleaner and don’t pull it flat, leaving it in an arch. Try and get your bead or pompom through the arch!

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Song: I am Special

(to the tune of Frere Jacques)

I am special, I am special, (point to self)

You can see, you can see. (point away from self)

Someone very special, someone very special, (hold hands out in questioning motion)

That is me, that is me. (point to self)

– Miss Alice, Youth Services Manager

Cassie shares why she thinks you’ll love Little Tree by Loren Long in our latest Book Talk! Check it out and try Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson, too!

Welcome to story time! My name is Miss Kris, and today is all about socks!

Song: Clap and Sing Hello!

We clap and sing hello.
We clap and sing hello.
With our friends at story time.
We clap and sing hello!
(Wave and sing hello; stomp and sing hello.)

Fingerplay: The Itsy Bitsy Spider

The itsy bitsy spider,

Went up the water spout.

Down came the rain,

And washed the spider out.

Out came the sun,

And dried up all the rain.

And the itsy bitsy spider,

Went up the spout again.

Book: Duck Sock Hop

Written by Jane Kohuth, illustrated by Jane Porter, and published by Dial Books For Young Readers.

Flannel Board: Five Pairs of Dirty Socks

Five pairs of dirty socks on my bedroom floor,

Mom washed the blue pair and then there were four!

Four pairs of dirty socks, they belong to me

Dad washed the yellow pair and then there were three!

Three pairs of dirty socks, what’s a kid to do?

Brother washed the red pair and then there were two!

Two pairs of dirty socks, I wear them when I run,

Sister washed the green pair and then there was one!

One pair of dirty socks, one and only one,

I guess I’ll wash the orange pair and then there will be none!

No more pairs of dirty socks!

We washed them all today, but wait until tomorrow

More are on the way!!!

Source: Pasadena Library

Book: A Pair of Socks

Written by Stuart J. Murphy, illustrated by Lois Ehlert, and published by Harper Collins Publishing.

Flannel Board: A-Hunting We Will Go (Sock Version)

A-hunting we will go (pat rhythm on legs)

A-hunting we will go (pat rhythm on legs)

We’ll catch a fox

and put him in ______ socks (kids, call out the color when I hold the socks up)

and then we’ll let him go! (shoo the fox away so he can have fun in his new socks!)

Source: Storytime with Miss Tara

Book: New Socks

Written by Bob Shea and published by Little Brown and Company.

Craft: DIY Sock Puppet

Kit Supplies:

• Sock
• Googly eyes
• Glue Dots
• PomPom
• Yarn
• Poster Board

Home Supplies (as needed):

• Glue
• Scissors
• Markers
• Decorations: felt, feathers, buttons

Directions:

1. Turn your sock inside out.
2. Glue the piece of poster board onto the sock.
3. Let the glue dry, then carefully turn the sock right side out.
4. Put the sock on your hand and fold the poster board to make the mouth.
5. Put the glue dots on the eyes and glue them to the sock.
6. Use Liquid glue to glue on the nose and the hair.

For more fun, you can use a fuzzy sock and add more decorations, maybe use markers to color on stripes or spots. You can use buttons, felt, feathers, pipe cleaners or whatever craft supplies you have at home.

Now you know how to make this easy DIY Sock Puppet! It is so simple. You can use your imagination to put on a puppet shows. It’s also fun to choose a book and use a hand puppet to “read it.” This is fun and a great way to encourage reading.

Source: One Crazy Mom

Song: We Wave Goodbye like This

We wave goodbye like this.
We wave goodbye like this.
We clap our hands for all our friends.
We wave goodbye like this.

(Repeat)

– Kris, Youth Services Specialist

Fairy tales are fun to read, but a lot of them are basically telling the same story: a princess is put in danger by an evil villain, and a prince comes to her rescue and marries her.

Don’t you wish those stories were a little different?

Lots of people have felt that way over the years, and there are tons of new versions of classic tales available these days.  Now you can explore worlds where princesses aren’t helpless, and so-called “villains” tell their side of the story. You can also read a version of Cinderella where everyone’s a chicken! Books like these encourage readers to look at familiar stories from another perspective and teach them that all types of people (or animals) are capable of being the hero. Check one out and imagine a different kind of happily ever after!

The Princess Doesn’t Need Saving:

Princeless series by Jeremy Whitley

Princess Princess Ever After by Katie O’Neill (also available on hoopla)

Ninja-rella by Joey Comeau

Sleeping Bobby by Mary Pope Osborne and Will Osborne

Don’t Kiss the Frog!: Princess Stories with Attitude by Fiona Waters

The Villain is the Hero:

Seriously, Cinderella Is SO Annoying! by Tricia Speed Shaskan (also available as audiobook on hoopla)

Honestly, Red Riding Hood Was Rotten! by Tricia Speed Shaskan (also available as audiobook on hoopla)

Trust Me, Jack’s Beanstalk Stinks! by Eric Braun (also available as audiobook on hoopla)

Red Riding Hood and the Sweet Little Wolf by Rachel Mortimer

Everyone’s an Animal:

Cinders: A Chicken Cinderella by Jan Brett

Princess Pigtoria and the Pea by Pamela Duncan Edwards

Hamster Princess series by Ursula Vernon (also available as audiobook on hoopla)

– Cindy, Youth Services Assistant

Welcome to story time, I’m Miss Sharon! Does everybody know what holiday is coming? Valentine’s Day of course!

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!

Source: Supersimple A Place To Learn and Grow

Book: Porcupine Cupid

Written by Jason June, illustrated by Lori Richmond, and read with the permission of Simon & Schuster.

Flannel Board: Five Little Hearts

Five little hearts, all in a row.
The first one said, “I love you so.”
The second one said, “Will you be my valentine?”
The third one said, “I will if you’ll be mine.”
The fourth one said, “I will always be your friend.” The fifth one said, “We’ll be friends until the end!”

Source: youtube.com/watch?v=n5noNWgcAAE

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Book: Little Miss Valentine

Written and illustrated by Roger Hargreaves, and read with the permission of Penguin Random House.

Flannel Board: 6 Little Valentines

Six little Valentines were sent to my house,
The first one said, “I love you, From Mouse.”
Five little Valentines in my mailbox,
The second one said, “Be mine, Love Fox.”
Four little Valentines full of love,
The third one said, “You are sweet, From Dove.”
Three little Valentines just for me,
The fourth one said, “Be my honey, Love Bee.”
Two little Valentine’s mailed with care,
The fifth one said, “Here’s a hug, From Bear.”
The last little Valentine, from my friend Jay,
This one said, “Happy Valentine’s Day!”

Source: storytimekatie.com/2012/03/02/flannel-friday-six-little-valentines/

Book: Click, Clack, Moo I Love You!

Written by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Betsy Lewin, and read with the permission of Simon and Schuster.

Song: Skinnamarink

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 your eye)
Love (Cross arms in front of 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 your eye)
Love (Cross arms in front of heart)
You (Point to audience)
Too (Show two fingers)
Boo boop we doo! (Wave and kiss!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ix_LyeuYbcI

Craft: Valentine Button Frame

Craft kits are available to pick up in the Youth Services Department or the drive-up window while supplies last.

Kit Supplies:

• Fun foam sheet
• Popsicle sticks (4)
• Fun foam heart
• Assorted buttons
• Glue dots
• Twine

Directions:

• Tie twine through holes on fun foam sheet
• Add wood sticks with glue dots
• Stick large buttons on corners with glue dots
• Peel the covering of heart off one side and stick on center of foam sheet
• Peel covering off front side of heart and stick on remaining buttons

Closing song: Thanks for Coming

(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!

Source: Literary Hoots

Join Miss Kris next week for a story time about SOCKS!

– Miss Sharon, Youth Services Specialist

There are so many ways to learn about history and so many books to read that it’s hard to know where to begin, but since Black History Month is about learning and celebrating the history of Black Americans, it’s important to focus on resources created by Black Americans. The recommendations listed below will help you get started in teaching your kids/students/self the names of some great authors and major historical figures, and they’re broken down into sections to make it easier for you to find suitable material for different age groups. All of these books are written by Black authors and a lot of them can also be found in eBook and/or audiobook format. Of course, this is by no means a comprehensive list of everything available, so after you’ve read a few books, keep looking for more Black authors and stories.

Pre-K

For babies and toddlers, keep things simple with picture books that celebrate Black lives and culture:

Superheroes are Everywhere by Kamala Harris

Bedtime Bonnet by Nancy Redd

The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes

Grandma’s Purse by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

Baby Says by John Steptoe

Whose Knees Are These? by Jabari Asim

Who Will You Be? by Andrea Pippins

The Night is Yours by Abdul-Razak Zachariah

Grades 1-3

Start by reading The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander, then seek out these authors:

– Carole Boston Weatherford to learn about Aretha Franklin, Fannie Lou Hamer, Arturo Schomburg, John Coltrane, and Jesse Owens

– Andrea Davis Pinkney to learn about Alvin Ailey, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and the Woolworth’s lunch counter sit-ins

– Lesa Cline-Ransom to learn about Harriet Tubman, Langston Hughes, Louis Armstrong, and Major Taylor.

Continue the fun with MLK Jr. and Rosa Parks coloring pages, and read some Own Voices fiction:

MLK Jr coloring page

Rosa Parks coloring page

Mommy’s Khimar by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow

Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry

Black is a Rainbow Color by Angela Joy

Tallulah the Tooth Fairy CEO by Tamara Pizzoli

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes

Grades 4-8

Start off with these books:

– The African American Century: How Black Americans Have Shaped Our Country by Henry Louis Gates Jr.

– Brave, Black, First: 50+ African American Women Who Changed the World by Cheryl Willis Hudson

– The Fierce 44: Black Americans Who Shook Up the World by The Undefeated.

Then look for books by Duchess Harris to learn more in-depth information about the 13^th Amendment, The Harlem Renaissance, Black Lives Matter, and the history of hip-hop.

If you need homeschooling resources, Scholastic has an online history lesson about African American inventors, and the National Archives and Library of Congress have tons of useful material, including primary sources.

Continue celebrating the month by reading these works of fiction:

Isaiah Dunn is My Hero by Kelly J. Baptist

The Last Mirror on the Left by Lamar Giles

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

Hurricane Child by Kacen Callender

King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callender

Keep learning and celebrating Black history all year!

– Cindy, Youth Services Assistant

Hi, everyone! My name is Miss Haley, and I’m so happy you’re joining me today for bilingual story time! Bilingual is a word that means more than one language, so this story time is bilingual since we’ll be singing songs and reading books in English and Spanish.

Today’s story time is going to be all about making art. You might think of art as just painting or drawing, but art can be so many other things, too. Like dancing, singing, taking pictures with a camera, and so many other things. Basically, anything you do or make can be art if you use your imagination and creativity to make it.

Song: Good Morning / Buenos dias

(Tune: “Frère Jacques” or “Are You Sleeping?”)

English Lyrics:

Good morning, Good morning

How are you? How are you?

Very well, thank you

Very well, thank you

And you? And you?

Spanish Lyrics:

Buenos dias, Buenos dias

¿Como estas? ¿Como estas?

Muy bien, gracias

Muy bien, gracias

¿Y usted? ¿Y usted?

Credit: Jack Hartmann Kids Music Channel

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Song: Open, Shut Them / Abre, cierra

English Lyrics:

Open, shut them

Open, shut them

Give a little clap, clap, clap

Open, shut them

Open, shut them

Put them in your lap, lap, lap

Creep them, crawl them,

creep them, crawl them

right up to your chin, chin, chin

Open wide your little mouth, but…

Do not put them in!

Credit: Jbrary YouTube Channel

Spanish Lyrics:

Abre, cierra

Abre, cierra

Da una palmadita, -ta

Abre, cierra

Abre, cierra

Mantenlas juntitas, -tas

Sube, sube, sube, sube

Hasta la barbilla, -lla

Abre la boquita pero…

¡No metas los dedos!

Credit: NCO Bilingual Storytime

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Book: Singing – Cantando de colores: A Bilingual Book of Harmony

Written by Patty Rodriguez, Ariana Stein, and Citlali Reyes (illustrator) and read with the permission of Little Libros Books.

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Song: Itsy Bitsy Spider / Itsy bitsy araña

English Lyrics:

The itsy bitsy spider

Went up the water spout.

Down came the rain

And washed the spider out.

Out came the sun

And dried up all the rain

And the itsy bitsy spider

Went up the spout again.

Spanish Lyrics:

La arana pequeñita

Subió, subió, subió.

Vino la lluvia

Y se la llevó.

Salió el sol

Y todo lo secó

Y la araña pequeñita

Subió, subió, subió.

Credit: Spanish Playground

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Book: Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos / Frida Kahlo y sus animalitos

Written by Monica Brown, illustrated by John Parra, and read with the permission of NorthSouth Books.

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Craft: Self-Portraits / Autorretratos

Craft kits are available at the library or from the drive-up window while supplies last.

Supplies needed at home:

• A pencil
• Any other drawing and coloring utensils you have
• Liquid glue

Included in supply kit:

• A self-portrait template
• Popsicle sticks
• String

Instructions:

1. To create your self-portrait, you can sit in front of a mirror and look at yourself or use a reference photo of yourself.
2. Draw your outline first by making light marks with your pencil in case you need to erase.
3. When you’re happy with the outline, you can go back over it with darker pencil marks or a pen, marker, or other writing utensil.
4. After that, you can color in your drawing or leave it the way it is. You get to decide it’s done whenever you’re happy with it!
5. Glue two big popsicle sticks on each of the long sides of the paper end to end. Repeat this step with three of the small popsicle sticks on each of the short sides of the paper. This will be your picture frame.
6. Once the picture frame is dry, flip the self-portrait over to the blank side.
7. Make a loop out of your piece of string big enough to hang the picture by and make a knot to close the loop.
8. Glue the knotted part of the piece of string to the top-center of the blank side of your self-portrait. Let dry.
9. Hang your self-portrait wherever you’ll get to see it and admire your hard work!

Tips:

• For the drawing of yourself, start wherever you want! I like to start by drawing big, easy shapes before adding my face, hair, and clothes.
• You can draw yourself from just the neck up or your whole body.
• If you have a pet, you can add them to your self-portrait like the great Mexican painter Frida Kahlo often did. I added my dog Murphy!

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More Spanish-English Books About Arte:

Bilingual Books:

Draw! by Raúl Colón (wordless picture book)

My Name is Celia: The Life of Celia Cruz = Me llamo Celia: la vida de Celia Cruz by Monica Brown

Viva Frida! by Yuyi Morales

Books Available in English and Spanish:

Hey, Wall: A Story of Art and Community / Oye muro: un cuento de arte y comunidad by Susan Verde

Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood / Quizás algo hermoso: cómo el arte transformó un barrio by F. Isabel Campoy

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Mango Languages App:

Did you know that we have an app available on the Fondulac Library 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!

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Song: The Goodbye Song

English Lyrics

Goodbye

So long

To you

My friend

Stay well

And fine

Til we meet

Again

Spanish Lyrics

Adios

Adios

A ti

Mi amigo

Cuídate

Muy bien

Nos vemos

Otra vez

Credit: Burlington Specials

– Miss Haley, Youth Services Assistant