This Week at the Library

Symphony Storytime

Thanks so much to Mark Dubac from the Oregon Symphony for bringing his wonderful clarinet to Storytime on Wednesday. I sure wish I could have every Storytime illustrated with music! He played along as I read Caps for Sale, by Esphyr Slobodkina (whew!), Top Cat, by Lois Ehlert, and Come Along Daisy, by Jane Simmons. He showed us how he makes the notes go up and down on a clarinet, and how many parts there are to the instrument. Then every child got a chance to come up and try their hand - or lips - at making music with a clarinet. The looks on their faces were priceless when they got a big squawk!

Preschool Storytime

On Tuesday we had another new theme - "Bugs." We sang "Bringing Home a Baby Bumblebee" and "Eensy Weensy Spider." We also looked at some amazing huge bugs in The Big Book of Bugs, by Theresa Greenaway. The picture books were

How Many Bugs in a Box, by David Carter. This book is always a huge hit, especially the "nine very long-necked bugs" page.

Ladybug Girl, by David Soman. I LOVE Ladybug Girl! It's always wonderful to have a strong female character, but I especially love the fact that she's so imaginative. There are now seven Ladybug Girl books!

Aaaarrgghh! Spider!, by Lydia Monks. This book brought lots of giggles over a spider trying to become a pet.

Can You Make a Scary Face?, by Jan Thomas. This was particularly fun when the bug character asked the kids to stand up, then sit down, then stand up again. Got lots of laughs.

Toddler Time

So now Tuesday at 10:15 is our least-attended Toddler Time. We used to regularly have 35 kids! Is there some event everyone's going to now, like a Mom's Club regular meeting?

We did "Hurry, Hurry, Drive the Firetruck" this week and lots of kids got into the imagination part of it. Several boys skipped the singing and just sprayed their fire hoses. Very cute!

Our books were:

Pots and Pans, by Patricia Hubbell. I know the baby makes a huge mess, but I really think getting out the pots and pans is a wonderful activity for toddlers! It's a regular science lesson!

Where's Spot?, by Eric Hill. Oh the suspense! Wish you could see their expressions.

Baby Time

I was very gratified to see two moms connect this week, exchanging names and information on their way out the door. I think they're going to be good friends. That's a goal for me for Baby Time - helping parents (dads come too) make connections and friendships to avoid the isolation that can come with having a baby.

We also said good-bye for now to a little guy whose mom is taking him to the "home country" for three months to show him off to the grandparents. He'll be so changed when he comes back!