Holiday Preschool/School-Age Story Time, 12/15

This is my last story time until the New Year. But fear not - I'll be posting some other things in the time in between, including a Flannel Friday tomorrow.

The average of today's audience was between 5 and 6 years old. There were roughly 15 kids in attendance.

Opening Song: Hello, how are you?
Okay, older kids hate to sing. At least at this library. And particularly when the songs are somewhat babyish like this one. I have to spend my next two weeks off from story time figuring out a new opening for my school-age story times.

Book: The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore, retold and illustrated by Rachel Isadora (2009)
I like this African take on the famous poem, and the kids did, too. Rachel Isadora is such a great illustrator.

Rhyme: Rudolph, Rudolph
Stay tuned... this will be my Flannel Friday tomorrow!

Song: Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Book: I'm Not Santa! by Jonathan Allen (2008)
This book is cute, but ruined by the super-sappy ending. My group was not impressed.

Book: Eight Winter Nights by Laura Krauss Melmed, Elisabeth Schlossberg (2010)
This is more of a poetry collection than a story, and though the kids seemed to like it, they didn't really react very strongly when it was done.

Rhyme: Spin Little Dreidels
Not the hit it was this morning, but still fun. 

Song: Let's All Do a Little Clapping
Definitely not a hit. These kids didn't want to sing.

Book: Jingle Bells by Iza Trapani (2005)
Except they did want to sing this one. Especially the threes and fours.

Song: Five Little Snowmen Riding on a Sled 
Probably the hit of the session. 

Goodbye Song: We Wave Goodbye Like This

Gettin' Crafty Holiday Post #1

Since I made my commitment to providing a walk-in craft every weekday except Friday, I have been really developing quite a backlog of crafts to post about. So today I'm pulling together a few of my favorite holiday crafts from this season so far. Next week, though it will be cutting it kind of close to Christmas, I'll share a few more.

1. Pipe Cleaner Candy Canes

Supplies: 

• Red and white pipe cleaner (other colors are also fun, if you have a lot of pipe cleaner)
• Scissors 

I set out the supplies with two sample candy canes, which I made by winding a piece of white pipe cleaner around a piece of red pipe cleaner. I didn't give any instructions and watched as kids of all ages - from three up to about twelve - made all kinds of pipe cleaner creations. It was messier than I expected, since some of them cut their pipe cleaners into little pieces. I put the scissors out because I thought some of  them might want to shorten their pipe cleaners, but wouldn't do so again, since they didn't seem to use them constructively.

2. Make Your Own Gift Wrap

Supplies: 

• Creatology Kids Art rolls of paper from Michael's (I don't see them online anywhere, but I swear I bought them at Michael's!)
• Holiday rubber stamps with red and green ink pads (Also purchased at Michael's in a kit)
• Crayons
• Scissors
• Brown Paper Lunch Bags
• Hole Punch
• Yarn
• White Glue
• Sequins 
• Assorted scrapbooking paper
• Tablecloth

This program was for grades 4 and up, so I didn't do much preparation beyond setting out the supplies and promoting it with signs around the library. The kids - even some of the middle school boys - got really creative with their gift wrap, and one girl even made a paper bag into a Christmas puppet with red and green hair and a festive dress.

3. Paper String of Holiday Lights

Supplies:

• Crayons 
• Christmas lights coloring sheets
• Hole punch
• Yarn 

I cut out each individual Christmas light ahead of time and punched a hole in each one. Then I put three on a green string to demonstrate the final product. I put the pre-cut lights out along with crayons and pre-cut string, and let the kids make their own strands of lights. Some of them opted to make a necklace with just one light, while others did a strand like mine. 

Baby/Toddler Holiday Story Time, 12/15

Opening Song: Hello, how are you?

Book: The Eight Nights of Chanukah by Leslea Newman, illustrated by Elivia Savadier (2005)
This book provides its own great interactive opportunity by starting each verse with "I clap my hands to see..." My group got really into the clapping, even if the story wasn't of great interest.

Flannel Board Rhyme: One Menorah Candle
This was a lot of fun! I'll definitely keep it for next year. 

Action Rhyme: Spin Little Dreidels
Thanks to @librarylady61 on Twitter for providing me with this very successful rhyme. This was the hit of the story time!

Song: I'm a Little Teapot

Song: Let's All Do a Little Clapping

Book: My First Kwanzaa by Karen Katz (2003)
I think I'll skip Kwanzaa next year - the entire group talked through this story and it was clear it held no appeal for them.

Book: Christmas Tree! by Florence Minor and Wendell Minor (2005)
Love this one! I brought most of the attention back by switching immediately to Christmas, which, it became clear, was what everyone was looking for.

Flannel Board Song: Five Little Presents
This was a great success which made me very happy. A little more complicated than what I'd like to do all the time, but just perfect for the holidays.

Book: Let There Be Peace on Earth by Jill Jackson, illustrated by David Diaz
This is a pretty book, and there is very little text, but somehow it didn't keep the attention of my group. But it's tough to do more than two books with them - I pushed it today!

Song: We Wish You...
We sang We Wish You a Merry Christmas, but changed the words so that Hanukkah and Kwanzaa were included.

Goodbye Song: We Wave Goodbye Like This

6 Baking Books for Kids

	Enemy Pie by Derek Munson Dad knows the secret recipe for eliminating enemies.
	In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak Mickey surreal dream brings him to a kitchen filled with bakers in this controversial picture book.
	Crepe Makers' Bond by Julie Crabtree Three best friends do their best to remain close despite major changes in their lives.
	Eggs Over Evie by Alison Jackson Evie takes cooking classes to stay close to her dad, and finds an unexpected friend.
	Cupcake by Charise Mericle Harper Hilarious story about how a cupcake and a candle learn to work together.
	The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins There are quite a lot of cookies, but will there be enough for everyone if the doorbell keeps ringing?