Spring has sprung!!!

It is officially Spring!!! For our sixth week of Story Hour we made our very own pots out of plastic cups that we decorated and planted beans and peas. We also read a few gardening stories which taught us about growing and eating healthy veggies. We read "Up, Down, and All-Around", "Oliver's Garden", and "The Gulps".
I'm so excited because this year we are attempting to make a library garden and grow our own vegetables right here. On April 25th, we hope to have United Way's Youth Day of Caring break the ground for our small garden patch. We would like to try and grow tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, broccoli, chard, and onions. We are also going to try to grow sunflowers, peas, and squash down along the bottom side of the building. Once the weather is warm enough, I would like to have a planting day and invite the children from Story Hour to come and help me plant some of the seeds we have started this spring.

If there is anyone who would like to help with our garden, please let me know! Or if you have any plants, tools, topsoil, etc. that you would like to donate. We will not be using any pesticides or herbicides--everything will be as sustainable as possible. This would be a great opportunity for someone who is not able to have their own garden but would like to. I can't wait!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss Week!

I'm a little behind on my blaug-o-rama, so I'll have to play catch-up. For our fifth week of story hour, we celebrated Dr. Seuss's birthday. In honor of the late children's author, we read the story of "The Sneetches" (some with stars, some without stars on thars) and another short story called "What Was I Scared Of?"
If you've never read either of these stories, I highly recommend them. "The Sneetches" teaches a great lesson about acceptance and "What Was I Scared Of?" tells a story about fearing the unknown...(see comment). Plus, they're both just plain silly. Any story that features a character known as "the pale green pants with nobody inside 'em" has to be great.
We celebrated with a balloon hunt and then made our very own creative balloon creatures. Dr. Seuss, you were one crazy dude. Thank you!

Finger...puddin'?

Cello!
Juniata County Library, what have you been up to? I couldn't have a worse case of spring fever. Please be warm soon, pllleaaassee!!
Last week was our finger-painting week and I decided to take a swing at homemade finger-paints...which turned out to be kind of interesting. Interesting in that they looked and felt like strange bright-colored pudding. I imagined the children diving in and smearing the paint on everyone and everything, but I was surprised at how cautious some of the kids were. Some children went to town, while others preferred to touch the paint only with a paintbrush. Either way, we created some masterpieces. The story we read was called "The Pencil" which was about a penicl that creates a whole world that comes to life only to realize that the world it created has it's own problems that need to be fixed. Soooo true. Better watch out for the eraser! Later gators.

Sweet, Sweet Thursdays

This blog is about nothing in particular except to say that I love Thursdays. There are many reasons for my love of Thursdays, but I would like to focus on one in particular. Every Thursday, Jeff, one of our faithful volunteers, comes in and helps to shelve books. He also brings with him a special treat for everyone working that evening.
I am not an advocate for fast food, and I never purchase it on my own. But I have become addicted to my Thursday french fries and soda-pop. It is the one time of the week that I eat junky food or drink soda. I'm sure if he brought in salads and tomato juice, I would feel exactly the same. It's the thought that counts--the knowing that you will be sharing something with others and that someone cares about the work you do.
So thanks to Jeff for his generosity, help, and kindness. It does not go unappreciated. Although I don't know how I will overcome my new found french fry addiction. mmmm...
And while I'm at it, thanks to Winslow for the farm fresh eggs, and to everyone else who contributes to the library and shares special treats. I am eternally grateful. We all are!

My Friend is...

Last week for Story Hour, we read the book "My Friend is Sad" (an Elephant and Piggie book) by Mo Willems. I have to admit, this is one of my favorite stories. Nothing cheers me up more than a friend, not even cowboys, clowns, or robots (although they are pretty cool). This book is a great reminder to any child of the importance of friendship and how our friends make us feel. There are some other really great Elephant and Piggie books that I suggest checking out. Speaking of elephants and their friends, watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBtFTF2ii7U

After our story, we made "Piggie Banks" out of recycled cardboard canisters. We also colored pretend money and had a lesson in coins. Start saving for your futures, kids! One week chocolate, the next week money? What am I teaching these kids?

In dedication of my friends, whom I love and miss.

Gimmee Chocolate! Seriously.

I can't deny that I love my job sometimes. In honor of the unmentionable romantic holiday, our theme was "Chocolate". We read the story "Chocolatina" about a girl who loves chocolate so much that she turns into a chocolate girl. I may have scared some of the children into thinking that they might turn into chocolate as well. Chocolatina's health class teacher even tries to take a bite out of Chocolatina's right ear!

After we made heart-shaped valentines and finished our story, we got down to the good stuff...snack time. Thanks to all of the parents who donated fruits, pretzels, drinks, etc. We dipped our snacks in melted chocolate--some of the chocolate ended up all over our hands and face. I think this may have been on of the craziest and most delicious Story Hours yet. And we were fairly healthy, considering our subject was chocolate, because we ate mostly delicious fresh fruits.

See you next week! Remember, "You are what you eat!".

Spring Story Hour has Sprung

We have begun our journey to spring! It's so good to see everyone after our winter break...
speaking of winter, our first week of story hour was all about SNOW! It's good to be around children who are so excited for snow...because I can't say I've felt the same way during the past few weeks. After our introductions and name tags, we read the book This Place in the Snow and acted out all the fun things the characters do-put on snow suits, eat pancakes, build forts, shovel snow, you name it!
When we were all finished, everyone made their very own snow globe (oh ye magical baby food jar, water, and glitter). The results, as you can see, amaze and astound.
Next week-in honor of the upcoming holiday, our theme will be chocolate. Thanks to all of the parents that volunteered to bring fruit and snacks...we'll try to make chocolate as healthy as we can...if that's possible.
Can't wait--see you then!