Now by Antoinette Portis

Now by Antoinette Portis

The illustrations are striking in this new picture book and I look forward to voting for it during our Mock Caldecott this year.  I used this book to kick off fall storytimes in Toddler Time.  I wasn't sure how it would be received but I felt the children really enjoyed it.  I plan on bringing it to my Preschool Outreach groups because there is a lot you can discuss in the illustrations.  I love that the cover illustration is over the spine of the book, so you can show the children how you need to open the book completely to see the full illustration.  A beautiful picture book.

Happy Reading!

Autumn Kick-Off  

Wee Read Baby Story Time

Hello Story Time Village!

The story time hibernation was perfect because Adriel and I began to miss it terribly. In this context absence really does make the heart grow fonder! Adriel, Mathew, Rosalie, Carrie and I pitched ideas and used the time off to get pumped for Fall story times. 

Adriel is talented at weaving weekly themes into her preschool story times. She is focusing her Fall theme on the world and multiculturalism to promote her new International Family Book Club. I'm sure she'll share the amazing stuff she's done on here.

My Fall theme is space related since I'm promoting a three week STEAM series for first and second graders called "Stories & Space." Thus, our cumulative theme is "Read Across the Universe." I posted a picture on Sebastopol's Facebook of the passive displays we made to compliment this theme.

However, when it comes to baby story times, I prefer to go completely rogue. Sometimes I have a little anarchist spirit animal on my shoulder.

Adriel and I made these story time displays which we hope will be active (switch out the songs / books). Rosalie pitched the idea to us! We'll see how long it lasts. I really love it and want to keep up with it! If only I had Hermione Granger's time-turner....

Here is my Wee Read Display:

Semi-autumn themed display includes song of the week (or rhyme/ lap bounce/tickle, etc), book of the week with a text sample, a flannel piece squirrel sharing an early literacy tip, and bookmarks for an "early literacy scavenger hunt" at the library.

Book of the Week: 

I also LOVE Emma Garcia's new "Chugga Chugga Choo-Choo!" 

Song of the Week: 

Brown Squirrel, Brown Squirrel

Shake your bushy tail

Brown Squirrel, Brown Squirrel

Shake your bushy tail

Wrinkle up your nose, Hold a nut between your toes!

Brown Squirrel, Brown Squirrel

Shake your bushy tail

...continue with grey, green, orange, black squirrel

My obsession with Jbrary led to my discovery of my new obsession:

  Mr Keith's Felt-Tastic Flannelboard Funtime blog!! 

He makes kawaii inspired flannel pieces for story time. 

Here's my version for "Brown Squirrel, Brown Squirrel." And yes, the squirrels are wearing accessories:

During summer we had a camp visit and the facilitator put together a library scavenger hunt for her students. She hid pictures of literary characters in the children's area and had prompts for catalog searching. Mathew was inspired by this and pitched the idea of creating a passive early literacy scavenger hunt. Thus, I created this bookmark that relates to our Autumn theme of 

"Reading Across the Universe."

The idea is to get caregiver talking and bonding with baby through this simple activity. Our children's area is nicely decorated and the items should be easy to find.

"Explore the library together to find these ten items! 
Get a hand stamp at the desk when finished"
Backside includes early literacy tips and book suggestions for babies


I'm very happy to work here! I'm surrounded by incredibly creative, enthusiastic and funny people in Sebastopol. During my training I was fortunate to join Charity's Bibliobop, Sandra, Kim and Tiffany's story times. You all inspire me! I hope to engage in more library story time tourism.

My next post will not be this long, I promise :)

xoXOxo, Courtney

Where is Bear?

 Where is Bear? by Jonathan Bentley

One of my new favorite Toddler Storytime books.  A little boy is running around at bedtime, looking for bear.  The kids like to point out the huge bear that is "hiding" in the pages.

The best part was I used a bear puppet before the story for a song (on purpose) and put the puppet behind me on the table.  When I opened the book and said "Where is Bear?" a little girl pointed to the puppet and said "there, the bear is right there".  LOVE IT!  That's why I love storytime.
Happy Reading!

Chugga Chugga Choo Choo

 Chugga Chugga Choo Choo By Emma Garcia

I just read this book to at Babytime and it was great!  It is so much fun to say "Chugga Chugga Choo Choo...Clickety Clack on the track..."  It has trains, animals and counting, what more do you want in a babytime book?!?  Check it out.

I Spy with My Little Eye books By Edward Gibbs

I Spy with My Little Eye books
By Edward Gibbs

I love this series of books by Edward Gibbs! I incorporate animal puppets into this by using a piece of cardboard with a whole in it. After I read one of these books, I put the piece of cardboard between me and the storytime cart and show the kids different parts of an animal puppet and ask them to guess what they think it is as I describe the texture and colors.

Usually, as the final animal I sometimes choose a dinosaur or a dragon, sometimes I use the plush letters of the alphabet to give the kids a funny surprise. 

Ten Little Fingers, Two Small Hands

Ten Little Fingers, Two Small Hands by Kristy Dempsey

 At first I was a little nervous about sharing this book during Babytime because of the length of the book.  It turned out perfect for Babytime, the babies and parents enjoyed it.  I recommend counting your fingers before and after the book.

Enjoy!