In a Land Far, Far Away: Fables and Folklore of England

English fairy tales and folklore offer a splash of whimsy, a dash of  magic, and an impressive array of characters ranging from dashing knights, fearsome giants to beautiful princesses. These stories have woven themselves into the American culture as English immigrants came to America in search of work, fame, fortune, or a new life. These energetic men's and women's oral traditions continue to fascinate, amaze and fulfill our need for fantasy and escape into a land of make-believe.

As we count our way down to the beginning of the London Olympic Games let us peruse some of the many volumes of exceptional folklore, fables, and yarns England has to offer.

Jack and the Beanstalk Retold by Ann Keay Beneduce (J 398.2 England Ben)
English Folktale: Edited by Dan Keding and Amy Douglas (J 398.2 England English)
The Old Woman and Her Pig: An Old English Tale by Rosanne Litzinger (J 398.2 England Lit)
Robin of Sherwood by Micheal Morpurgo (J 398.2 England Mor)
Lancelot by Hudson Talbott (J 398.2 England Tal)
The Little People's Pageant of Cornish Legends by Eric Quayle (J 398.2 England Qua)
The Maiden on the Moor by Marilyn Singer (J 398.2 England Sin)
King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table by Marcia Williams (J 398.2 England Wil)

July 16th Snickerdoodles and July 17th and 18th Cutie Pies Preschool Storyime Topic: Bakery

We'll be a bunch of smart cookies during our July 16th Snickerdoodles and July 17th and 18th Cutie Pies Storytimes because our theme is all about the yummy and sweet treats that can be bought at a bakery!

During this storytime we'll learn why some very crumbly cookies run away from the cookie jar in our The Runaway Cookie Flannelboard, buy some cookies at the bakery shop when we play the game Cookie Jar and 10 Cookies, read bakery-themed tales, and make a perfectly frosted cupcake. Sweet!

Getting Ready for the London 2012 Olympics Window Display

We're getting ready for the Olympics which will be in merry ole England this year with a very British window display. I used clipart from Microsoft Publisher for my "postcard" images, coloring pages from http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/london_bus_colouring_page.htm,
http://www.coloring.ws/england.htm (bobby and English map), and various other sources. The book covers featuring Olympic sporting events were reduced to 53 percent their size and the gold, silver, and bronze medals were created using shimmery card stock. I attached a white and yellow striped ribbon to each medal to complete the award-winning look. May the countdown continue!

Olympic Flag 

This is the flag of England (the red cross in the middle is called St. George's Cross). The red, white and blue Union Jack (found in my previous book display) is the flag of Great Britian (England, Scotland, and Wales). 

Double Decker Bus 

July 10th and 11th Cutie Pies Preschool Storytime Topic: Lunch

Who doesn't like to munch on lunch? With so many choices to choose from including sandwiches, soups, salads and pizza, the possibilities are endless! That's why the storytime theme for the July 10th and 11th Cutie Pies Preschool Storytimes is everything lunch.

We'll gather items for our picnic lunch in our We're Going on a Picnic Picnic Basket Game, find out from some very hungry ants the difference between sweet and salty foods in our Ant you hungry? Sweet and Salty Foods Challenge, read tales good enough to eat, and make a quick, munch-worthy lunch box craft.

Let's Eat!

Countdown to the London Olympic Games!

Our friends across the pond are holding quite an illustrious celebration this year: The Olympics! In order to commemorate this age-old special event, I created a London/England display which shows the world the marvel that is England! Pip pip cheerio!

Happy Birthday America: Celebrating America's Birthday with Books

Fireworks, parades, and the singing of our National Anthem are symbolic reminders of the Fourth of July. The day when we all come together to celebrate the birthday of our nation: The United States.

The United States is such a varied and culturally diverse nation that owes its history to the many peoples who came to its shores and brought their traditions and folklore with them. The fanciful tales that they told have been incorporated into the essence and hallmarks of our nation: freedom, pride, and American ingenuity.

Below you will find a sampling of these tales and biographies of famous people that will liven up any Fourth of July family get-together or relaxed day spent celebrating our nation's birth.

American Folklore
Saving the Liberty Bell story by Megan McDonald (JE McDonald)
Petite Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood by Mike Artell (J 398.2 USA Art)
Kumak's House: A Tale of the Far North by Michael Bania (J 398.2 USA Ban)
Jack The Giant Chaser: An Appalachian Tale by Kenn and Joanne Compton (J 398.2 USA Com)
LaPin Plays Possum: Trickster Tales from the Louisiana Bayou Adapted by Sharon Arms Doucet (J 398.2 USA Dou)
Pecos Bill: A Tall Tale retold and illustrated by Steven Kellogg (J 398.2 USA Kel)
Cindy Ellen: A Wild Western Cinderella by Susan Lowell (J 398.2 USA Low)
Dusty Locks and the Three Bears by Susan Lowell (J 398.2 USA Low)
American Tall Tales by Mary Pope Osborne (J 398.2 USA Osb)

Biographies
Abe Lincoln: The Boy Who Loved Books by Kay Winters and Nancy
Carpenter (J 921 Lincoln Win)
Dolley Madison by Jean L.S. Patrick (J 921 Madison, D Pat)
Haym Salomon: American Patriot by Susan Goldman Rubin (J 921 Salomon Rub)
George Washington's Teeth by Deborah Chandra and Madeline Comora (J 921 Washington Cha)

Americana
Fireworks, Picnics and Flags: The Story of the Fourth of July Symbols by James Cross Giblin (J 394.2634)
The Flag Maker by Susan Cambell Bartoletti (J 929.92 Bar)
State Flags (Including the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico) by Sue R. Brandt (J 929.9 Bra)
Our National Symbols by Linda Carlson Johnson (J 929.9 Joh)
American Flag Q & A by The Smithsonian (J 929 Tho)

Check out some of these books beautiful and inviting covers below.

Miss Jennifer's Picture Book Parade Review for July: Duck Sock Hop by Jane Kohuth

Miss Jennifer's Picture Book Parade 
Duck Sock Hop by Jane Kohuth
JE Kohuth (New Picture Books Shelf)

Grab your socks, grab any pair, and be dazzled by the music as you dance on air!  In this darling tale, you will meet some very vivacious and groovy feathered friends who grab their snazzy socks and dash off to a weekly sock hop.

Watch as these fowl boogie, jam, and dance in their knitted attire as much as they desire. Suddenly, an eccentric din breaks loose. Pastries scatter, juice splatters, chic socks rip, and the music comes to a screeching halt as the ducks show off their cool moves.

What's a jazzy duck to do when total dance chaos ensues? Read Duck Sock Hop by Jane Kohuth to find out.

This story can be used to help young children learn colors, recognize patterns such as shapes, and  understand texture discrimination (lacy, ruffled socks etc.). I promise that it will totally "quack" you up with its hip color scheme and imaginative text.

Miss Jennifer's German Foods/Food Trip: Germany Template

We trekked through Germany to find out about the many epicurean wonders this country had to offer during our German Foods/Food Trip: Germany Storytime.

Introduction
Showed children a map of Germany and traditional German clothing before giving them a traditional construction paper Edelweiss hat worn in the Bavaria region of Germany.

Edelweiss Hat
Unfortunately, I didn't have any large green paper so I had to use red paper to construct this hat.
(Source: http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/germany-edelweiss-hat-709361/)

Dance/Flannelboard
I created a flannelboard from the popular rhyme Brown Bun (with the addition of lettuce). I turned it into a movement activity by saying the hungry child needed us to make him a yummy hamburger. Each time a new item was placed on the board, I would have the children bounce for the brown bun, tickle their toes for the pickle etc. (Source: http://www.everythingpreschool.com/themes/health/songs.htm)

Books Read
The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog! by Mo Willems (Toddlers)
Burger Boy by Alan Durant (Preschoolers)

Music We Listened to During Craft

Flannelboard
I created a "food colors" of the German flag flannelboard. I had the children place colors of the flag in the proper order. Examples for black foods are olives, black beans and a mushroom, red foods include a  strawberry, cherry and apple and yellow foods could be a lemon, banana or cheese.

Optional Flannelboard
Five Little Hot dogs (with printable template)
(Source: http://www.makinglearningfun.com/themepages/FoodFiveHotdogsFeltBoard.htm)

Craft
Hamburger Collage

No Storytimes the week of July 4th and No Snickerdoodles Storytime on July 9th

We have been having so much fun in storytime lately, but due to the July 4th holiday week we will not be holding any storytimes during July 2nd - 7th.

Please note that we will also not be holding a Snickerdoodles Toddler Storytime on July 9th, but will be continuing our programs the next week (Monday, July 16th).

Library of Congress Exhibit: Books That Shaped America

Books are more then just prose, plot, and an author's perspective. They speak to us in many ways by sparking controversy, introspection, and creativity within ourselves.

In order to increase our knowledge of the value of the book on the American conscience, the Library of Congress in Washington D.C., has developed an exhibit titled Books That Shaped America which will open on June 25th.

By viewing the link below you will learn more about this exhibit and view the titles which were chosen by the Library of Congress for their impact on the American psyche.

http://www.loc.gov/today/pr/2012/12-123.html

This link will lead you to a web page where you can watch a video produced by the Library of Congress showcasing individual authors, librarians, and library employees picks for Books That Shaped America.

http://www.loc.gov/bookfest/