Valentine's Day After School Story Time, 2/14/12

This program was really advertised for all ages, but attracted an age group very similar to the group I had last Thursday for Hugs and Kisses story time. I set up the tables again, this time with craft supplies for making Valentines.

While the kids colored, cut, and glued, I read the following:

3 Poems from It's Valentine's Day! by Jack Prelutsky (1983)

• I Made My Dog a Valentine
• Mother's Chocolate Valentine
• My Father's Valentine

This was one of my favorite books when I was a kid, and I couldn't resist sharing some of it! The kids are not used to me  reading poetry at story time, but a lot of them dropped everything to stop and listen. 

Book 1: Valentine's Day by Anne Rockwell, illustrated by Lizzie Rockwell (2000)
I love this picture book series about a diverse early elementary school class and its various holiday celebrations. This book focuses on the different Valentines the kids make for their friend Michiko, who has moved to Japan. I'm not sure the group really understood that each illustration depicts not just a Valentine, but a fond memory the Valentine's creator has of Michiko, but even so, they seemed to enjoy listening to the story. If nothing else, it related well to our craft!

Book 2: If You'll Be My Valentine by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Fumi Kosaka (2005)
A little boy gives Valentines to everyone in his family, including his teddy bear! The best thing about reading this book was that one little girl, who is usually very quiet during our crowded toddler story times on Tuesdays shouted right out loud, "I have that book!"

Book 3: Yours Til the Ice Cracks: A Book of Valentines by Laura Geringer, illustrated by Andrea Baruffi (1992)
The cover image for this book doesn't seem to be online anywhere, so what's pictured is the title page. I chose to share it at story time not for the text, which went over the kids' heads, but for the neat illustrations. Each page shows a heart made of something different - everything from ice to cows! It didn't resonate with everyone, but at least two little boys were totally engrossed.

I still need to work on feeling less awkward using this format, but it really works well for the time of day, and for the wide age range. I'll be trying it again tomorrow (Thursday) with books about U.S. presidents.