Dog Ear

As the Children’s Department gears up for summer, I’m trying to get as prepared as possible. I’m hosting several exciting things, new for me, this summer as well as attending to all the regular things.

I started doing Mother Goose on the Loose about two months ago and, while at first I was rather nervous and uncomfortable (“Why should these mothers listen to me?! I don’t have any kids!”), it has grown on me. I now have several more activities, songs, rhymes to accompany the set provided by the purchased book. I’ve been reading up on baby tips, and I’ve even been around my boyfriends baby so… I’m getting there. 

I have my Read, Rap and Roll book club (grades 4-6) next week. We’re reading the One Book NJ title, The Sisters Grimm – Fairy Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley. I’m pulling some interviews with the author and coming up with some good discussion questions but I think it’s a little dry. I want to do something with the kids and I can’t think what. hum…

Toddler times are getting harder and harder. Perhaps it is the time of day (2:00 pm) because I do outreach to nursery schools during mornings and it’s never as difficult as hosting a program in the library. The kids are rowdy, squirming or flat out daydreaming. My last toddler time consisted of two books (both pop-up books – One Red Dot and We’re Going on a Bear Hunt) and lots of movement (Hokey Pokey, Marching to the Drum, etc.) before I let them all go after a short 30 minutes. I was really disappointed because I had just bought the new Dog and Bear picture book by Laura Seeger and I adore it! … I definitely prefer pre-school story times and our all-age Good Morning Stories.

Regarding the upcoming summer schedule, I’m most excited about Beads, Bracelets and Bobbins. Hoping to bring more tweens in, I’m learning how to make some really cool stuff. I will upload images of the necklaces I’ve already made. Of course, the kids will use much cheaper beads but I know they will have some great designs. More to come!