Welcome to story time! My name is Miss Kris, and I am so happy you are watching at home today. Did you know that the fall or autumn season goes from September 22 to December 21? We’re going to be reading stories about fall for story time today, but let’s get started with a song!

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.)

Movement: Open Shut Them

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 up your little mouth,
But do not put them in.

Source: (jbrary.com)

Book: The Busy Little Squirrel

Written by Nancy Tafuri

Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Movement: Apple Tree

(Tune: “This Old Man”)

Way up high in the apple tree, (Point up.)

1 red apple smiled down at me. (Hold up 1 finger and then smile.)

So, I shook that tree as hard as I could. (Pretend to shake a tree.)

Down came an apple, (Bring down one hand.)

Mmm! Mmm! Good! (Pat tummy.)

2 yellow pears… (Hold up 2 fingers.)

3 purple plums… (Hold up 3 fingers.)

4 orange peaches… (Hold up 4 fingers.)

5 green limes… (Hold up 5 fingers.)

Source: Dr. Jean and Friends

Book: Fall Ball

Written by Peter McCarty

Published by Henry Holt and Company

Literacy Tip:

Fall is a great time to review colors and numbers.  While you are walking through your neighborhood, you can look for 3 yellow leaves or one brown squirrel or 6 gray rocks.

Flannel Board: Five Little Squirrels

Five little squirrels, with acorns to store,

One went to sleep and then there were four.

Four little squirrels hunting acorns in a tree,

One fell down, and now there are three.

Three little squirrels wondering what to do,

One got lost, and then there are two.

Two little squirrels tossing acorns for fun,

One got tired, and now there is one

One little squirrel playing in the sun,

He ran away, and now there are none.

Source: King County Library System

Craft: Fall Hedgehog

The kit comes with all of the self-stick foam pieces, a magnet, and instructions. You just peal and stick to make your own hedgehog friend! Available from the Youth Services department or the drive-up window while supplies last.

Book: Full of Fall

Written by April Pulley Sayre

Published by Beach Lane Books

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

Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat

Written and illustrated Javaka Steptoe

This is a wonderful story about a real-life artist named Jean-Michel Basquiat and how his love of art grew from childhood. I enjoyed this book so much, especially the illustrations! Javaka Steptoe won a Caldecott award for his beautiful paintings on every page. Listen to him read his book here!

Steptoe imitated Basquiat’s art style throughout this story. You too can make art in the style of Basquiat! Basquiat liked to draw and paint crowns that symbolized power, strength, and respect. You can pick up a kit to make a crown of your own from the Youth Services department at the library!

The most touching part of Radiant Child for me is when Basquiat finds comfort after a scary car crash. He was probably very afraid to go to the doctor, like many of us are, and didn’t know what would happen. His grandma comforted him by giving him a medical book to study. He calmed himself down and grew braver by drawing bones, hearts, and brains over and over. We all get scared sometimes. Maybe, like Basquiat, reading and drawing can help calm you down when you are afraid. Check out our Story Time in a Box called “Going to the Doctor” for books and  activities that will help you learn about going to the doctor so you can be brave too next time.

Another book you might like is Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes and Gordon C. James. Which artist do you think influenced the art in this book?

Check out Radiant Child, “Going to the Doctor,” and pick up a crown craft kit from the library today!

– Mikaela, Youth Services Assistant

With election day coming up, a lot of kids might be eager to understand the concept of voting and why adults think it’s important. If you’re not sure where to start when explaining how election day works or what it means, try using a book that turns the voting process into both a story and a call to action. There are lots of books that make elections easy for children to understand and will inspire them to take part as they grow older, and we’ve put together a list of some of the best.

Picture Books:

Vote for Me! by Ben Clanton

I Voted: Making a Choice Makes a Difference by Mark Shulman

Vote for Our Future! by Margaret McNamara

Equality’s Call: The Story of Voting Rights in America by Deborah Diesen

Vote! by Eileen Christelow

Nonfiction:

Why Voting Matters by Kip Almasy (also available on hoopla)

Understanding U.S. Elections and the Electoral College by Grace Houser (also available on hoopla)

Other Resources:

School House Rock!: Election Collection on DVD

The PBS website also has a collection of materials that can help teach your child about the election process and issues related to it.

– Cindy, Youth Services Assistant

Welcome to story time! I’m Miss Sharon, and today we’re celebrating Halloween season! We usually do trick or treating throughout the library after story time, but this year you can pick up your goodie bag when you stop by the Youth Services department or the drive-up window. Let’s start with our opening song!

Song: It’s Time to Hear a Story

(Sing to the tune of The More We Get Together)

It’s time to hear a story, a story, a story.

It’s time to hear a story. I’ll read it to you.

So sit on the carpet, get ready to listen.

It’s time to hear a story. I’ll read it to you.

Book: Christopher Pumpkin

Written by Sue Hendra & Paul Linnet, illustrated by Nick East, and read with the permission of Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

Song: The Haunted House

(Sing to the tune of Wheels on the Bus)

The ghost in the house goes “Boo! Boo! Boo!”

“Boo! Boo! Boo! Boo! Boo! Boo!”

The ghost in the house goes “Boo! Boo! Boo!”

On Halloween

The steps in the house goes “creek, creek, and creek”

The cats in the house go “meow, meow, and meow”

The mice in the house go “squeak, squeak, and squeak”

The people in the house go “eek, eek, eek”

Book: When The Clock Strikes On Halloween

Written by Lisa Ferland, illustrated by Pei Jen, and read with the permission of Lisa Ferland.

Rhyme: Five Little Pumpkins

Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate. (hold up 5 fingers)
The first one said, “Oh my it’s getting late” (hands on cheeks)
The second one said, “There a chill in the air.” (arms around self)
The third one said, “But we don’t care.” (swing pointer finger)
The fourth one said, “We are ready for some fun!” (hands in air)
The fifth one said, “Let’s run and run and run!”
Then Woooooo went the wind, (make a “wooo” sound)
And OUT went the lights. (clap hands once loudly)
And five little pumpkins rolled out of sight! (roll hands)

Craft: DIY Halloween Mask  

Pick up a craft kit in the children’s department or at the drive-up window and decorate your own festive mask for Halloween! (Foam pieces are self-adhesive.)

Closing 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!

Join Miss Kris next week for a Fall-themed story time!

– Sharon, Youth Services Specialist

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

Today, we’ll be reading books that have to do with Halloween and a similar Mexican holiday called Día de los Muertos, or The Day of the Dead, that is all about celebrating the lives of loved ones who are no longer with us. Our first book today is filled with musical skeletons who will help us learn how to celebrate Dia de los Muertos, and our second book is about Batty Betty, a witch who can’t seem to get her magic spells right.

Now before we get started, let’s get ready for story time by singing our welcome song, called “Buenos dias (Good Morning).” This song has some hand movements that go along with it, and I would love if you would do them along with me. Are you ready? Let’s sing it in English first and then in Spanish.

Song: “Buenos dias (Good Morning)” 

English Lyrics:

(To the tune of Frère Jacques or Are You Sleeping)

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

Book: Clatter Bash! A Day of the Dead Celebration

Written and illustrated by Richard Keep and read with the permission of Peachtree Publishers.                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Flannel Board: Five Little Ghosts (Cinco pequeños fantasmas)

Spanish vocabulary used in this activity:

Colors (colores)

• White = blanco
• Red = rojo
• Blue = azul
• Green = verde
• Orange = naranja
• Brown = marrón

Food (comida)

• Strawberry = fresa
• Blueberry = arándano
• Broccoli = brócoli
• Orange juice = zumo de naranja
• Chocolate chip ice cream = helado de chocolate
• Milk = leche

Book: Batty Betty’s Spells (Los hechizos de Chela la Lela)

Written by Hilary Robinson, illustrated by Belinda Worsley, and read with the permission of the author and School Specialty Publishing.

Take & Make Craft: Climbing Spider Craft (Artesanía araña trepadora)

Pick up a craft kit at the library, available in the Youth Services Department or from the drive-up window while supplies last.

Supplies needed at home:

• Glue stick
• Silver or black marker

Included in library kit:

• One oval spider body (black construction paper)
• Eight spider legs (black construction paper)
• Two googly eyes
• Cardboard tube with pre-punched holes
• White yarn
• Two beads

Instructions:

1. Glue the spider legs to one side of the oval body.
2. Turn the body over and glue on the googly eyes.
3. Draw a mouth using a silver or black marker (silver will show up better).
4. Take the cardboard tube and thread the yarn through both holes on one side of the tube and then back through both holes on the other side.
5. Thread one end of the yarn through a bead and tie it around the bead with a double knot. You can wet the end of the yarn to help thread it through the bead. Repeat this step with the other end of yarn and the second bead.
6. Glue your spider onto the cardboard tube.
7. Hang the spider from the top of the string.
8. Take one bead in each hand and pull out to the sides (not down) to make the spider climb.

Credit: Twitchetts

Bilingual Literacy Tip:

Encourage play that involves naming, describing, and communicating.

• Set up a zoo with all the stuffed animals. Stage a race with the toy cars. Put your toddler in charge and ask lots of questions.

Proponga juegos que incluyan nombrar cosas, describir y comunicar.

• Arme un zoológico con todos los animales de peluche. Proponga una carrera con los autos de juguete. Deje que su hijo dirija el juego y haga muchas preguntas.

Credit: Colorín Colorado

More Spanish-English Halloween / Day of the Dead Books:

The Day of the Dead / El Día de los Muertos: A Bilingual Celebration, written and illustrated by Bob Barner and translated by Teresa Mlawer.

Hallo-what? / Marcelina y la noche de Halloween, written and illustrated by Christel Desmoinaux and translated by Elena del Amo.

I Remember Abuelito: A Day of the Dead Story / Yo Recuerdo a Abuelito: Un Cuento del Día de los Muertos, written by Janice Levy, illustrate4d by Loretta Lopez, and translated by Miguel Arisa.

Calavera abecedario: A Day of the Dead Alphabet Book, written and illustrated by Jeanette Winter.

La viejecita que no le tenia miedo a nada / The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything, written by Linda Williams and illustrated by Megan Lloyd.

Announcements:

Our next Spanish and English bilingual story time will take place on Thursday, November 5th. After that, bilingual story times will be held on the first Thursday of each month going forward.

We’re just about done with story time, so thank you all for joining me today. Let’s sing one more song together to say goodbye for now. This one is a call and response song, so when I point to you, repeat after me, okay? Here we go.

Song: Goodbye Song in English and Spanish

English Lyrics:

Goodbye

So long

To you

My friend

Stay well

And fine

Till we meet

Again

Spanish Lyrics:

Adios

Adios

A ti

Mi amigo

Cuídate

Muy bien

Nos vemos

Otra vez

Credit: Burlington Specials

– Haley, Youth Services Specialist

Are you looking for a way to mix up your story time? Try swapping out a traditional picture book for a lift-the-flap book. What makes this type of book so much fun is the element of surprise. Even when reading the same story for the twentieth time, kids still enjoy guessing (or pretending to guess) what’s hiding on each page. They blur the line between a book and a toy, so even some of the pickiest readers like them. See what fun surprises await you in these 5 lift-the-flap books, and discover more from our collection!

Farm Fleet by Finn Coyle

Whose Nest? by Victoria Cochrane

We’re Going to a Party! by Jeanne Willis

How to Raise a Dinosaur by Natasha Wing

Machines Go to Work by William Low

– Cindy, Youth Services Assistant

Welcome to story time! I’m Miss Sharon. This is Fire Safety Week, so we’re very excited to have Firefighter Dan Turner from the East Peoria Fire Department here to help us learn what to do if there’s a fire! But first let’s start with an opening song.

Song: It’s Time To Hear A Story

(to the tune of: The More We Get Together)

It’s time to hear a story, a story, a story.

It’s time to hear a story. I’ll read it to you.

So sit on the carpet, get ready to listen.

It’s time to hear a story. I’ll read it to you.

Book: Spark the Firefighter

Written by Stephen Krensky and illustrated by Amanda Haley

Read with the permission of Dutton Children’s Books

Fire Safety Lesson:

Thank you, Firefighter Dan, for coming to talk to us about fire safety! Remember to talk to your family about a safe place to go outside if there’s a fire in your house. If there’s a fire, get to that safe spot outside and then make sure someone calls 911 for help.

Craft: Firefighter Toilet Paper Roll Craft  

This craft kit is available from the Youth Services Department or the drive up window while supplies last.

Included in your Kit:

• Firefighter template
• Toilet paper tube
• Activity book provided by the East Peoria Fire Department

Materials Needed:

• scissors
• glue

Instructions:

1. Cut out the template pieces.
2. Glue the large rectangular piece on first to cover the tube.
3. Glue on the head, arms, and boots.
4. “Decorate” as a firefighter with hat, belt and fire hose.

https://www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/miscellaneous/mfireman.html 

– Sharon, Youth Services Specialist