Tales for Fours and Fives, 6/23

I was so thankful for this sweet little group today - just 7 kids and 2 adults, but what a great time! We read three stories and did a few songs

Opening Song: Hello, how are you?

Book: Wink, the Ninja Who Wanted to Nap by J.C. Phillips (2011)
This is such a fun story - now I definitely want to seek out the first book, Wink, the Ninja Who Wanted to be Noticed. Everything about this book is entertaining. The colorful illustrations, made from all types of paper, are interesting to look at, and filled with creativity, and the story- about a famous ninja who just wants some time to himself - was unique and appealing to both boys and girls. There were also just enough ninja-related scenes to keep kids who love action from being disappointed. Love it!


Song: Rum Sum Sum (a cappella)

Book: Hunwick's Egg by Mem Fox, illustrated by Pamela Lofts (2005)

I repeated  the same presentation of this book that I did for the pre-K class last week, and it was another success. My favorite prediction came from the little girl who said, "Maybe whatever's in the egg can't hatch because it can't move!" I love the way kids' minds work!

Song: Taba Naba by The Wiggles
I had a request to repeat this one, so we did!

Song: Boots by the Laurie Berkner Band

Book: Princess Hyacinth: The Surprising Tale of a Girl Who Floated by Florence Parry Heide, illustrated by Lane Smith (2009)
Another favorite from my early days at this library. They all loved to hear about the princess's royal underwear.

Song: Skinnamarink

This story time took exactly 30 minutes (and I didn't even have a clock!)

6 Kids' Books About Swimming

Froggy Learns to Swim

by Jonathan London, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz

1997 | 32 pages | Picture Book

This is my favorite Froggie book, mainly because of the catchy refrain that actually helped me when I was learning to swim as an adult: "Bubble, bubble, toot, toot, chicken, airplane soldier." This little jingle lists all the motions Froggy makes to become a successful swimmer.

 Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great

by Judy Blume
1972 | 144 pages | Middle Grade

In this book from the Fudge series, the Tubmans go upstate to Tarrytown for the summer, where Sheila faces a number of her fears, including swimming.

 Alice the Brave

by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

1995 | 144 pages | Middle Grade

The covers on the new editions of this series are gorgeous! This is the 7th book, where Alice's fear of the water nearly ruins her summer by keeping her isolated from the group of kids hanging out at Mark Stedmeister's pool.

Whale Talk

by Chris Crutcher
2001 | 224 pages | Young Adult

T.J. (The Tao) Jones attends high school in Cutter, Washington, where sports mean everything, and bullying of physically weak kids is overlooked. T.J. decides to form a misfit swim team, with the promise that every member will earn a letter jacket and the respect that comes with it.

Swimsuit

by Kit Allen

2003 | 13 pages | Board Book

This simple (and adorable) board book depicts a bald little boy getting ready to take a swim. His facial expressions and simple poses really bring the entire experience to life, making this an amusing book for babies and big kids alike.

The Melting of Maggie Bean

by Tricia Rayburn

2007 | 256 pages | Middle Grade

Maggie uses swimming with her school's Water Wings team as one way to get healthy after she overcomes her candy addiction.