Storytime for August 5th: Stargazing

This week's storytime is all about stars and the night sky!

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Here are the books we'll be reading this week, along with some videos, links, and activities to accompany them!

Meet Marla Frazee

Learn more about Marla Frazee.

Meet Kevin Henkes

Explore Kevin Henkes' website to learn more about his books and find free downloads.

Watch this stop-motion animated version of the story:

Learn more about Oliver Jeffers' books.

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You can also download this week's Takeaway page by clicking here.

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And be sure to check out the related online astronomy and stargazing activities:

•KidsAstronomy—Learn about the constellations and phases of the moon and download a map of the night sky!

•NationalGeographic Kids—Find amazing pictures of the stars and learn some star gazing tips

•Mr.Nussbaum—Learn all about the different types of stars, plus much more!

•Enchanted Learning—Activities and printables about astronomy

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And, finally, if you liked today's stories, here are some more great books about stars and the sky!

• The Magic School Bus Sees Stars by Nancy White
• Zoo In the Sky by Jacqueline Mitton
• Mr. Putter & Tabby See the Stars by Cynthia Rylant
• Star Gazer by Ben Morgan
• Arthur and the Comet Crisis by Stephen Krensky
• Fancy Nancy Sees Stars by Jane O'Connor

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Have a great week, and thanks for coming to storytime!

Storytime for July 29th: What's That Smell?

This week's storytime is about smells (good and bad) and how we use our noses!

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Here are the books we'll be reading this week, along with some videos, links, and activities to accompany them!

Listen to the book here:

Find some fun printable activities to accompany the book here.

Listen to Smelly Socks read by the author here.

Play Arthur games and find printable activities here.

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You can also download this week's Takeaway page by clicking here.

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And be sure to check out the related online activities about our sense of smell:

Kids Health--Learn about the parts of your nose and how they work

Sid the Science Kid--Learn about the five sense in this interactive game

More for Less--Learn how to make a silly sock-matching game with your kids

Sanitation Services--Print these garbage truck coloring pages and activities

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And, finally, if you liked today's stories, here are some more great books about smells!

• Super Schnoz and the Gates of Smell by Gary Urey
• Stink and the World's Worst Super-Stinky Sneakers by Megan McDonald
• Skunkdog by Emily Jenkins
• Nasty Stinky Sneakers by Eve Bunting
• My Dog Is As Smelly As Dirty Socks by Hanoch Piven

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Have a great week, and we'll see you next Tuesday!

Storytime for July 15th: Pet Parade

This week, we'll be sharing stories about those furry members of our families--our pets!

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Here are the books we'll be reading this week, along with some videos, links, and activities to accompany them!

Read more about Eric Rohmann and his book, Bone Dog.

Meet Eric Rohmann in the video below:

Here's a preview of A Pet for Petunia

Watch this animated adaptation of Children Make Terrible Pets!

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You can also download this week's Takeaway page by clicking here.

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And be sure to check out the related online activities about pets:

NationalGeographic Kids—check out these hilarious and adorable pet photos!

DiscoveryKids—help the dog catch the Frisbee in this game!

DLTK—arts and crafts featuring cats, dogs, fish, and other pets

EnchantedLearning—Pet-related rhymes, crafts, activities, and printables

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And, finally, if you liked today's stories, here are some more great books about dads!

• City Dog, Country Frog by Mo Willems
• Just Me and My Puppy by Mercer Mayer
• The Cat Came Back by Fred Penner
• Pocket Pets by Alvin Silverstein
• The Class Pet from the Black Lagoon by Mike Thaler
• The Ferret's a Foot by Colleen A. Venable

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Have a great week, and we'll see you next Tuesday!

Storytime for July 8th: Christmas in July

This week at storytime, we're taking a break from the heat and celebrating the imaginary chill in the air for Christmas in July!

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Here are the books we'll be reading this week, along with some videos, links, and activities to accompany them!

Make your own (virtual) snowman at ABCya!

Build a snowman and listen to the "Ten Little Snowmen" rhyme at Starfall.

Help the Grinch grow his heart by delivering presents to Whoville at Seussville.

And here's the famous Grinch song from the classic animated adaptation of Dr. Seuss's book!

What was Santa like as a kid?  Here are a few ideas:

Listen to an interview with author/illustrator Jon Agee here.

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You can also download this week's Takeaway page by clicking here.

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And be sure to check out some of these fun online Christmas activities:

Activity Village—coloring pages, jokes, and games

Merry Christmas Kids Zone—stories, Santa letters, games, and more

Enchanted Learning—fun and easy Christmas crafts for kids

‘Tis the Season—Check out these fun ideas for celebrating Christmas in July with your kids!

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And, finally, if you liked today's stories, here are some more great Christmas books!

• The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore
• Who's That Knocking on Christmas Eve by Jan Brett
• The Christmas Box by Eve Merriam
• Shall I Knit You a Hat?  by Kate Klise
• Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson
• The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston

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Have a great week, and we'll see you next Tuesday!

Storytime for June 24th: Creepy Crawlies

This week, storytime is about creepy crawlies--insects, spiders, and all of the other critters that live all around us!

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Here are the books we'll be reading this week, along with some videos, links, and activities to accompany them!

Here's a great list of free printables and activities to accompany The Grouchy Ladybug.

Download and print some Eric Carle coloring pages.

Watch this book trailer for Some Bugs!

Here's a quick up-close look at a pill bug!

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You can also download this week's Takeaway page by clicking here.

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And be sure to check out the related online activities about insects and other creepy crawlies:

National Geographic Kids—check out these close-ups of all kinds of cool bugs!

Build a Bug—First choose your parts to build a bug, then try to get it through the maze.

Insect World—learn about different types of insects and play related games.

Orkin—printable coloring pages, games, and other information about bugs!

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And, finally, if you liked today's stories, here are some more great books about creepy crawlies!

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
• Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin
• Crickwing by Janell Cannon
• Two Bad Ants by Chris VanAllsburg
• Bug Faces by Darlyne Murawski

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Have a great week, and we'll see you next Tuesday!

Storytime for June 17th: It's Summertime

This week's storytime is about some of the fun activities we do during summertime!

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Here are the books we'll be reading this week, along with some videos, links, and activities to accompany them!

Read more about Elisha Cooper's inspiration for Beach

Get in the summertime mood with this beach song.

Click here to watch a book trailer for The Watermelon Seed.

Learn more about the book in this video review.

Watch the Talking Potatoes' review of A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever.

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You can also download this week's Takeaway page by clicking here.

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And be sure to check out the related online activities for summertime:

DLTK—coloring pages, printables, songs, poems, and puzzles 

PBS Kids—learn about the great out-of-doors with these nature games 

Activity Village—tons of great ideas for summer-themed crafts 

Crayola—printable coloring pages celebrating summer activities from baseball to the beach 

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And, finally, if you liked today's stories, here are some more great books about summer!

• Time of Wonder by Robert McCloskey
• The Bathing Costume by Charlotte Moundlic
• D.W, All Wet by Marc Brown
• Tom and Pippo on the Beach by Helen Oxenbury
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days by Jeff Kinney
• Summer of the Sea Serpent by Mary Pope Osborne

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Have a great week, and we'll see you next Tuesday!

Storytime for June 10th: Let's Celebrate Dad

This week's storytime is all about the dads (and uncles, and grandpas, and friends) who are special to us!

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Here are the books we'll be reading this week, along with some videos, links, and activities to accompany them!

Visit the Mo Willems homepage to play games and learn more about Mo's characters.

Download and print a Knuffle Bunny Too activity kit, including coloring pages and other activities.

Visit Leslie Patricelli's website to download coloring pages, play online games, and learn more about the author and her books.

Download and print this Interrupting Chicken story kit for some free Papa and Chicken puppets, coloring pages, and crafts.

Check out the chicken activities and games at Enchanted Learning.

Watch a video of author and illustrator David Ezra Stein talking about Interrupting Chicken.

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You can also download this week's Takeaway page by clicking here.

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And be sure to check out the related online activities for Father's Day:

DLTK—coloring pages, printables, songs, poems, and puzzles

Enchanted Learning—cards, crafts, and writing activities about dads 

Disney Family—crafts and recipes for Father’s Day 

PrimaryGames—Father’s Day themed online games

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And, finally, if you liked today's stories, here are some more great books about dads!

• Grandpa Green by Lane Smith
• Jangles: A Big Fish Story by David Shannon
• Knock Knock: My Dad's Dream for Me by Daniel Beaty
• Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
• Just Me and My Dad by Mercer Mayer

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Have a great week, and we'll see you next Tuesday!