Virtual Program: Dig Deeper Storytime and Craft

 For one of my first virtual programs, I did a storytime around our library's Summer Reading Club theme: Dig Deeper. I was happy to start off my first virtual program as a storytime because truth be told it was a little scary to do any program virtually. Thankfully, everything worked out and it was a lot of fun. I do miss having a live audience though because it really adds to the atmosphere of storytelling.

I started off this virtual program talking about the summer reading club and provided step-by-step instructions on how to register online via Beanstack.

After that brief explanation, I read Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal. This was the perfect story to go with our digging deeper theme that fit well with the gardening theme. It also was available to use from the publisher. (This really narrowed down choice of books quite a bit.)

Once I was done reading our fitting story, I explained how to do an easy gardening carrot craft using a paper plate, construction paper, and tracing your own hand.

This was a good start to getting the feel of doing things virtually.

Book of the Month: Miriam at the River

Miriam at the River by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Khoa Le was chosen as June's Book of the Month because Jane Yolen books are popular with both me and the little patrons at my library and because this is a beautifully written and illustrated book on a biblical story. Even those that are not religious will appreciate the poetic notions in this picture book. 

Summary: With a sister's kiss, brave Miriam places a basket holding her baby brother into the river. With one quick push, she sends the basket into the water, hoping that her wish comes true and her brother will be rescued. The biblical story of baby Moses as told by his big sister. 

Ages: Kindergarten to age 3

"Sometimes courage comes from what you do, sometimes from what you do not do."

This is a great story to read to your little one to grasp a little bit of history, learn a spiritual lesson, and enjoy the poetic text and beautiful pictures that are so soothing. 

Reading this book to your child is also a unique and modern way to tell them the story of Moses thanks to Jane Yolen's signature writing style and Khoa Le's colorful pages.