Storytime Book: "Press Here"

Press Here

by Herve Tullet

Goodreads Summary: Press the yellow dot on the cover of this book, follow the instructions within, and embark upon a magical journey! Each page of this surprising book instructs the reader to press the dots, shake the pages, tilt the book, and who knows what will happen next! Children and adults alike will giggle with delight as the dots multiply, change direction, and grow in size! Especially remarkable because the adventure occurs on the flat surface of the simple, printed page, this unique picture book about the power of imagination and interactivity will provide read-aloud fun for all ages!

Thoughts: This is an absolutely delightful book to read during small group settings.  It works best with a smaller group, so reading it during everyday storytime might not work well if large numbers are expected.  I would also say that it's definitely geared for the preschoolers and it might work for 3 year olds, but not any younger.  I've read this book twice during my library's Story Stop (which is an informal, 15 minute storytime we offer), and the kids loved it both times.  It also draws the kids who are a little bit shy because they really want to see what happens on the next page.  There's not a whole lot of vocabulary or narrative building skills, but it's a very fun book that I think kids would love to read again and again.

Storytime Book: "LMNO Peas"

LMNO Peas

by Keith Baker

Goodreads Summary: Featuring a range of zippy characters from Acrobat Peas to Zoologist Peas, this delightful picture book highlights a variety of interests, hobbies, and careers--each one themed to a letter of the alphabet.

Thoughts: I tried this book out at my 2's & 3's storytime yesterday, and it wasn't a huge hit, but it wasn't a flop either.  I enjoyed the book because it uses a lot of words that kids aren't necessarily exposed to, plus the pictures are adorable.  However, it's probably a book that's best used in a one-on-one setting or very small group.  The kids had fun telling me which letter was on the page though, so I was happy with the way it turned out.

Storytime Book: "Purple Little Bird"

Purple Little Bird

by Greg Foley

Goodreads Summary: Purple Little Bird lives in a very purple world: He has a purple little house and a purple little garden. But somehow, it's just not quite perfect. So Purple Little Bird sets off to find the perfect place for him—and discovers it in a most unexpected way. 

Thoughts: This is a perfect book for family or toddler storytimes!  The pictures are great, and it's full of vocabulary about colors, habitats, and animals.  It's also a fun book to let your child tell the story or just to have them talk about what's happening in the story.

Storytime Book: "Llama Llama Holiday Drama"

Llama Llama Holiday Drama

by Anna Dewdney

Goodreads Summary: If there's one thing Llama Llama doesn't like, it's waiting. He and Mama Llama rush around, shopping for presents, baking cookies, decorating the tree . . . but how long is it until Christmas? Will it ever come? Finally, Llama Llama just can't wait any more! It takes a cuddle from Mama Llama to remind him that "Gifts are nice, but there's another: The true gift is, we have each other."

Thoughts:  Another adorable book in the Llama Llama series!  A great book for kids (and adults!) who can sometimes forget the true meaning of the holidays amidst all the hustle and bustle.  One of my favorite parts about this book is that it doesn't name "Christmas" specifically, and instead uses the word "holiday" so that it could be appropriate for anyone.  This book probably wouldn't work for baby storytime (a little bit too wordy), and but the rhyme and repetition makes it great for a toddler or preschool storytime.

Thanksgiving Day Songs

I found these too late to use for my storytime this year, but hopefully I'll remember them in time to use them next year!  Here are some fun songs for Thanksgiving that you can use in storytime or to just sing to your child:

Albuquerque Turkey

(to the tune of Clementine)

Albuquerque, he's my turkey

And he's feathered and he's fine

And he wobbles and he gobbles

And I'm awfully glad he's mine.

He's the best pet you could ever get

Better than a cat or dog

Albuquerque, he's my turkey

And I'm awfully glad of that.

Albuquerque, he's my turkey

He's so cozy in his bed

'Cuz for our Thanksgiving dinner

We had scrambled eggs instead!

I'm a Little Turkey

(to the tune of I'm a Little Teapot)

 

I'm a little turkey,

My name is Ted.

Here are my feathers,

Here is my head.

Gobble, gobble, gobble

Is what I say,

Quick! Run!  It's Thanksgiving Day!

Thanksgiving Dinner

(to the tune of Frere Jacques)

Turkey dinner, turkey dinner

Gather 'round, gather 'round

Who will get the drumstick?

Yummy yummy drumstick,

All sit down, all sit down.

Cornbread muffins, chestnut stuffing,

Puddin' pie, one foot high,

All of us were thinner,

Until we came to dinner,

Me oh my! Me oh my!

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!

Storytime Book: "Thanksgiving Cats"

Thanksgiving Cats

by Jean Marzollo

Summary: A family of cats celebrate Thanksgiving by growing lots of vegetables, raising turkeys, making pies, preparing a feast, giving thanks and enjoying the holiday meal.

Thoughts: I used this for my baby storytime yesterday because the book I had planned to use (Thank You, Thanksgiving) was checked out.  It was simple enough to use for the babies, but it was rather uninspiring.  The rhyming pattern didn't seem to flow very well, and it was hard to make the book exciting.  It worked well enough to use as a backup book, but I probably wouldn't use it again unless I had to.  

Storytime Book: "Dogs"

Dogs

by Emily Gravett

Summary: Canines of every shape, size, and color are bounding through this irresistible book from renowned author and illustrator Emily Gravett! Can you choose one dog to love best of all? With delightfully playful pencil and watercolor illustrations, readers will long to bark along with the Chihuahua and tickle the Dalmatian’s tummy. The juxtaposition of large and small dogs will teach children about opposites, and the twist at the tail end will leave everyone laughing!

Thoughts: I might be a bit biased because I already loved Emily Gravett, but "Dogs" is a wonderfully, delightful book.  Not only are the pictures beautiful, but there is some great vocabulary in the book for babies and toddlers.  I tried this very simple story during my baby storytime last week, and it was a hit in both sessions (in fact, a mom asked to check it out because her daughter absolutely loves dogs!).  The book is probably too simple for older kids but it's perfect for the younger ones.

Storytime Book: "Thank You, Thanksgiving"

Thank You, Thanksgiving

by David Milgrim

Summary: In this exuberant Thanksgiving story, a little girl goes on a last-minute errand for her mother. Along the way, she thanks all the familiar things she loves: her warm boots, the song of the birds, the pretty clouds in the November sky. And when she gets home from her errand, her family thanks her for what she has brought.

Thoughts: This is a great book for baby/toddler storytime!  The text and pictures are both simple and cute, and convey the great message of giving thanks to everything and everyone during this time of year.  Very sweet and charming!