We're Taking A Break and Creating A Craft!

The library is buzzing with activity! Check out these photos of the crafty creations made by some of the children who came to our open craft program "Take a Break and Create a Craft" this week. The glitter, glue sticks, and stickers were certainly put to good use.

Stamp Happy!

Just stamp it!

Look what I made!

An artiste at work!

Smile for the camera!

Lounging at the library!

Let's read a book!

Check out these cool crafts!

Turtle says hi!

Fishy wishes!

The Library is Blooming With Possiblilities! Children's Gardening Program With Oak Brook Garden Club

Psst! Want to hear a secret? On Saturday, May 14th at 2 pm the Friends Meeting Room will be blooming with possibilities. The Oak Brook Garden Club will be presenting a gardening program for children in grades K-3. 

This hour long program will be filled with flowers, veggies and tons of fun! We'll read a wonderful book about gardening, look at pictures of flowers, plants and vegetables commonly found in the garden, plant a seed in our Plant a Seed workshop, and eat a yummy snack of cookies and juice. 

Registration will be required in order to attend this program. We hope to "see-d" you there!

Check this blog regularly in order to see more information about this upcoming program.

Breaking News: Book Displays That Are Ripped From the Headlines

We've decided to create a book display focusing on current world news events. The event we are currently highlighting is the tragic earthquake that recently hit Japan. This display will change frequently, so check back soon to see the next event that will be showcased.

Perky Poems that Pick You Up! (Jennifer's Poetry Picks for Young Readers)

Poetry blends the artistry of the written word with the beauty of rhythm and rhyme. Poems are a great way to introduce even the youngest child to the sounds of language in an engaging and musical way. Take a trip to the library and check out our vast variety of poetry ranging from humorous to haiku.


Here's my perky poetry picks which can be found at your library!

• City I Love by Lee Bennett Hopkins (Poems about cities)
• Come To My Party and Other Shape Poems by Heidi B. Roemer (Delightful poems in the shapes of their subjects (ex. a poem about mittens in a mitten shape)
• Busy In The Garden by George Shannon (Poems about gardening and the great outdoors)
• Lunch Money and Other Poems About School by Carol Diggory Shields
• From the Doghouse: Poems to Chew On by Amy E. Sklansky (Poems about dogs)
• Here's A Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry collected by Jane Yolen and Andrew Fusek Peters (Beautiful poems obtained through the talents of numerous authors)

Here's a sample of a poem that is something to bark home about!

Astrodog

I'm on my way to outer space 

just like I always dream. 

I'm riding in a spaceship--

what a marvelous machine!

It launched me high above the earth 

and right on past the moon. 

Inside I'm like a butterfly 

still wrapped in its cocoon. 

Up here it's black as darkest night. 

The earth looks blue and green. 

I travel through the starry sky 

toward places never seen. 

(Poem found in From the Doghouse: Poems to Chew On by Amy E. Sklansky)

Doggone good poetry!

Watch the Adorable Story of Sid the Seed by Daniel R. Pagen (Perfect for ages 3-6)

Our Color Your World Spring Coloring Contest Is Beginning to Add a Little Color to the Library! (Updated 4/5/11)

Take a look at the first few entrant's masterpieces. I will continue uploading pictures of the children's coloring pages as they are turned in. 

Spring Is In The Air! Take a Break Create a Craft Program

It's spring break next week. Why not Take a Break and Create a Craft? That's just what you will do if you come to our open craft program next week running from March 28th-April 2nd during the hours of 10 am-3pm. We will set up a craft table  loaded with a fun new crafts to make on each day of the week. On Monday, younger kids will be making a Something's Fishy Fishbowl collage. Decorative papers, pom-poms, crayons, stickers, and glitter are among the many craft materials that you will be able to decorate your fish with. Older children can choose to make a Bead-tiful Beaded Bracelet. 

Something's Fishy Fishbowl collage

Closeup of Something's Fishy Fishbowl Collage Center 

Just Bead It: Bead-tiful Beaded Bracelet Center

Closeup of our Bead-tiful Beaded Bracelet Center 

Create Your Own Story Time: March 23rd Spring Story Time

Couldn't come to story time today? No need to worry. You can create the experience at home using the story time we did today.

Books

Fletcher and the Springtime Blossoms by Julia Rawlinson

When Will It Be Spring by Catherine Walters

Song

The Little Caterpillar

(Tune: "The Itsy Bitsy Spider")

The little Caterpillar crawled up into a tree,

Spun his cocoon and slept so quietly,

All through the winter he didn't make a sound,

He dreamt of his new life when he'd be flying all around.

While he was sleeping the snow did gently fall,

Winter came and went, then he heard the robin's call,

Come on Mr. Butterfly, out of your cocoon,

Spread your wings and fly for me, while I sing my tune.

Song

Spring Is Here

(Tune: "Are You Sleeping")

I see robins,

I see bird's nest,

Butterflies too,

flowers too.

Everything is growing,

The wind is gently blowing.

Spring is her, spring is here.

Fingerplay

Beautiful Rainbow Came

One day the sun was shining bright (Hold up right hand like blocking sunlight)

but some clouds came along and it became black as night (Hold up left hand for the cloud)

Then the rain began to sprinkle on the ground (Wiggle fingers for the rain coming down)

And soon it was raining all over town

(But when the clouds had passed on by (Move both hands to one side)

A big beautiful rainbow stretched across the sky (Make a rainbow arc with your hands)

Song

Fun in the Rain

(Tune: "Deck the Halls")

Do you hear the pitter patter? Hear the little raindrops falling down.

Can you see the splashing water? All the little raindrops on the ground.

Time to get our big umbrellas, we don't want to get our hair all wet.

If you wear your boots and raincoat, We will go outside and splash a bit!

Song

Now It's Spring (Tune: "Up on the Housetop")

Winter is gone and now it's spring

flowers bloom and robins sing

sunshine is warm it's nice and bright

the butterflies are such a pretty sight

spring, spring, spring now it's here

spring, spring, spring lots of cheer

winter is gone and now it's spring

Let's shout hooray I'm glad it's spring

Great Children's Author Spotlight: Digital Life Story of Tomie DePaola

March 23rd Story Time Topic: Spring

Put a "spring" in your step! Join us on March 23rd at 4:30 pm when the Reading Robins Preschool Story time topic is spring! Our story time will be blooming with books and buzzing with fun activities. 

Here's a sneak peek at our totally tulip door hanger and a springtime welcome song that will blast those winter blues away!


Now It's Spring (Tune: "Up on the Housetop")

Winter is gone and now it's spring
flowers bloom and robins sing
the sunshine is warm
it's nice and bright
the butterflies are such a pretty sight


Spring, spring, spring
now it's here
spring, spring, spring
lots of cheer
Winter is gone and now it's spring
let's shout hooray we're glad it's spring

Welcome Spring!

*Registration is required so that all children may receive a craft. Please call the library at 630-368-7700 to register. 

Budding Bookworms Wanted! Lapsit Story time (1-2 year olds) Topic: Spring

"Spring Into Reading" with a bright and interactive song and dance-filled story time. Welcomto BuddingBookworms Lapsit Story time (Mondays at 10 am), where story time and play time are combined. We'll shake our wiggles out, sing, tell flannel board stories, read a book or two and have loads of fun. We use items such as egg shakers, streamers or bubbles to bring our story time to life. Bring your doll or teddy bear along so they can enjoy this story.

This week's story time topic is spring. We will bring the story time alive by reading one or two of these books: Cold Little Duck, Duck, Duck by Lisa Westberg Peters and When Will It Be Spring? by Catherine Walters.

This song will put a "spring" in your step.

Song

Spring Is Here (Sung To: Are You Sleeping)

I see robins,
I see bird's nests,
Butterflies too,
flowers too.
Everything is growing,
The wind is gently blowing.
Spring is here, spring is here.

How to Make Play Dough

Rain, rain go away, come back another day! Spring time showers may get you down, but this quick and easy play dough recipe will bring a smile to your toddler or preschooler's face. 


Play dough is a soft, pliable colored dough which can easily be molded into a variety of shapes and sizes. It is a great way to introduce your children to fine motor skills (such as grasping and pinching). Children can use plastic cookie cutters and their fingers to manipulate this smooth and gooey dough. 


Play dough will provide you and your child hours of enjoyment! 


Cooked Play Dough 


Warning- Please keep little ones away from the stove and if you allow them to knead the dough afterwards make sure it is cool enough not to burn their hands. 


Mix together in an aluminum core pot:


2 cups flour
1 cup salt
2 cups water
1/4 cup oil 
1 tablespoon cream of tartar
Food coloring (Add to dough after cooking)


Cook these ingredients over medium heat, stirring constantly, until they thicken. You will know it's ready to take off the stove when the play dough pulls away from the sides of the pan (it is similar to the consistency of cream puff dough). Place on a plate to cool enough to handle comfortably. Knead, and then store mixture in an airtight container. 


Helpful tip: Place a piece of parchment paper on your table.When the dough is cool, use food coloring to dye the play dough. Cut the play dough mixture into several large pieces. Place a few drops of different colors of food coloring on each piece of the dough. Knead the food coloring into the dough. Wear gloves when kneading food coloring into play dough to prevent staining your hands. Enjoy your rainbow-colored play dough!


(Source: Introduction to Early Childhood Education Sixth Edition pg. 270 by Eva L. Essa)

Yellow Play Dough

Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award

Have you ever heard of the Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award? This is an Illinois book award which is voted on by students in grades 4-8. The books that have been nominated for this award were selected by librarians and educators for their outstanding literary content.

About Rebecca Caudill 
Rebecca Caudill was born in Harlan County, Kentucky and resided for many years in Urbana, Illinois. During her lifetime, she worked as both a teacher and an author. She  published many books including Tree of Freedom and Pocketful of Cricket. Tree of Freedom was a 1950 Newberry Medal Honor book.

Vintage Cover of Pocketful of Cricket 

The following is a link to the 2012 Rebecca Caudill Master Book List.
http://www.rcyrba.org/pdf/2012MasterList.pdf

Winner of the 2011 Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award 

Check out one of these literary gems today!

Wiggle by Doreen Cronin

I am currently in the process of revamping this blog. I am placing all my book reviews by date within the "Book Reviews" section of this site.

Please see the March 17, 2011 Wiggle post under the tab "Book Reviews". 

Thank you for visiting the Oak Brook Public Library Blog!

Create Your Own Storytime: March 16th St. Patrick's Day Story time

Couldn't come to story time today? No need to worry. You can create the experience at home using the story time we did today.

Books

Lucky Tucker by Leslie McGuirk

A Rainbow of My Own by Don Freeman

 

Song

We Are the Leprechauns
(Tune: "We Are The Dinosaurs")

We are the Leprechaun, dancing, dancing.
We are the Leprechauns, what do you think of that?
We are the Leprechauns, dancing, dancing.
We wear a green hat, we wear a green hat.

And when we're feeling bold, we stoop and look for gold,
Yes, when we're feeling bold, we stop and look for gold.

We stop  and look for gold, then you hear us say... Ahye shamrocks.

We are the Leprechauns, dancing, dancing.
We are the Leprechauns, what do you think of that?
We are the Leprechauns, dancing, dancing.
We wear a green hat, we wear a green hat.

Song

Leprechaun Where Are You?
(Tune: "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star")

Leprechaun, Leprechaun,

where are you?

I tried to catch you,

but away you flew.

I'm going to get you just wait and see!
Then all your gold will belong to me!

Leprechaun, Leprechaun, where are you?

Fingerplay

Eensy Weensy Leprechaun

An eensy weensy leprechaun
Came out for St. Patrick's Day
To look for the gold
that was hidden far away
over the rainbow was where he was told
So, with a wink of his green eye
he ran for the gold.

Flannel board Rhyme

Five Little Shamrocks

1 green shamrock, in the morning dew,
Another one sprouted, and then there were two.
2 green shamrocks, growing beneath a tree;
Another one sprouted and then there were three.
3 green shamrocks, by the cottage door;
Another one sprouted, and then there were four.
4 green shamrocks, near a beehive
Another on sprouted, and then there were five.
5 little shamrocks, bright and emerald green,
Think of all the luck the shamrocks will bring.

Behold! The Great Wall of Crafts

Take a look at our story time craft creations which are displayed in Youth Services. 

The Great Wall of Crafts 

Hello, Gecko!

Mardi Gras Mask

Another view of The Great Wall of Crafts

Here's another angle of "The Wall"

Snailing along

"The Wall" continues to grow

March 16th Story Time Topic: St. Patrick's Day

Aren't you lucky!  Join us on March 16th at 4:30 pm when the Reading Robins Preschool Story time topic is St. Patrick's Day! We'll be leaping like leprechauns  and reading a rainbow of books. This story time is truly a treasure like a pot o' gold under a rainbow. 


Here's a sneak peek at our pot o' gold craft and a song that will have your little leprechauns dancing the day away!


Lucky Leprechaun (Tune: "Jingle Bells")


Leprechaun, Leprechaun, 
Oh, where can you be? 
Come a little closer now 
Don't be afraid of me. 


Leprechaun, Leprechaun, 
You bring luck my way. 
I'd really like to see you 
On this St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

*Registration is required so that all children may receive a craft. Please call the library at 630-368-7700 to register.