Go Away, Big Green Monster! by Ed Emberley was the perfect length of book for the toddlers and I was pleased with the craft ideas that were paired along with this book. The kids enjoyed hearing this book read out loud and had the variety of two different types of crafts to choose from or to do both. Both crafts were to make the Big Green Monster.
One craft involved paint and the other involved tissue paper. All of their crafts turned out really cute and they had fun with the paint. I also liked how this craft allowed them to work with paint differently by smooching their paint around their folded cardstock. It was a different way of working with paint for them.
Mostly everyone chose to do both crafts, but some parents just wanted to stick with the paper plate and tissue paper monster.
I also had an opportunity to read the story again to those who arrived late.
Go Away, Big Green Monster!
Who wouldn't love a library day that involves meeting Santa and doing a craft? This past Saturday was our day! The kids were able to tell Santa what they want for Christmas and get a picture and then move on to make a Santa finger puppet.
I wanted to make sure the kids could play with their craft since always appreciate that. Even though this was a lot to prepare for, it really worked out well.
We had a pretty big turnout and it was another fun drop-in!
Happy Holidays!
This was such a fun, sweet group and I was surprised on how many of the kids knew the story. I wanted to use a story character the kids knew, so I was happy to hear this.
We read The Gruffalo, which was so fun to read out loud, and then I explained our two crafts. First, the group made Gruffalo using brown paint on a paper plate and adding his features after the paint was dry.
The second craft was making Mouse using different sized circle shapes.
Both these crafts worked out great because they went along with the story, incorporated paint, and weren't too hard. The group took their time with their crafts and I promoted some holiday programs that were coming up.
For our last storytime, we sort of did a mix-match of best sellers and favorites. A lot of the best seller books were checked out, which is a good thing, but I ended up using some of the new picture books we had that became my favorites.
Since this would be our last storytime until after the holidays, it worked out that I could use some holiday flannel boards for some of our activities.
For our craft, we each decorated our own award to give to our favorite book.
The books I've read were Sterling, Best Dog Ever by Aidan Cassie, The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin, and Mad, Mad Bear! by Kimberly Gee. The kids loved listening to Sterling and Mad, Mad Bear! and the parents enjoyed Martin's book.
The stories were all a hit and the flannel activities of decorating the tree and counting presents were enjoyed as well.
This theme worked out well, but it is good to do this theme during a time where you could grab holiday or seasonal flannel boards.
With a catchy title and good message, I chose Rock What Ya Got by Samantha Berger to be December's Book of the Month. I liked how Viva didn't want to change despite her artist's thoughts at the beginning of the book. The rhyming text also made this book extra cute.
Summary: A child reminds everyone to embrace their own special something in this joyful expression of self-love. When a drawing of a little girl comes to life, she boldly declares that she doesn't want to be erased, or put into a picture that doesn't feel like her true self. Instead, she decides to speak up in a powerful way.
Ages: 4-7 years
"Rock what ya got and rock it a lot. Look at what is, not what is not! Find what is yours, and carve out your spot. Take it and own it and rock it-a lot!"
Messages of acceptance are always great for picture books and I thought this was creatively throughout using the perspective of a drawing and her artist. I could see using this book for a one-on-one discussion with a child about their self-esteem and it would also be beneficial for those little artists who tend to overly judge their work.
