I Don't Wanna Story Time

We have done bedtime and bath time and sharing story times, and the attraction to those stories always seems to be the universal theme of kids not wanting to do what parents want them to. We decided to put them all together and title our story time, "I Don't Wanna!"

Our pre-reading focus of the week was Narrative Skills, so I started off talking about how we always start off talking about things! I tell he kids about my weekend, and they tell me things. Yes, it gets us focused while people are trickling in, but there is another purpose to it - getting that beginning/middle/end order straight. I told them about our family picture attempts this weekend, when my 2yo absolutely REFUSED to be anywhere but in my arms, with his head buried in my shoulder. I can't wait to see all the fabulous pictures of...the back of his head. None of my story time listeners are ever stubborn like that, are they? Refusing to do what Mommy needs them to do? Of COURSE not!

Well then, who better than our old friend Pigeon to illustrate stubbornness?

9780786837465

$12.99

Monday I had a set of siblings sitting down front, and big sister was adamant that Pigeon was NOT getting any extra time - she's tough!

Next up - a favorite in my house:

9780060591328

$16.99

Finally, one off the New Books shelf:

9780374300494

$16.99

This dragon is AWFUL! He belches in church, he steals candy from baby unicorns...several groups, promised a wonderful gift from the king as a reward, try to conquer him, with humorous results. Finally a clever boy (because there is always a clever boy or girl) lures dragon in and calms him with a story - of course! His reward? A dragon friend, naturally (the king is very thrifty, but he is a man of his word.)

Everybody needs their own dragon friend, right? For our craft, we made one to take home:

I used this paper bag puppet template from Create in the Chaos. Some kids (and moms) cut out scraps to make lower jaws, fangs, etc., all on their own. I LOVE when they think outside the box!

Some alternate titles I had on hand, but did not end up reading this time:

9781423199571

$9.99

9780399175985

$16.99

9780399246425

currently out of print

What We're Reading

We really have been reading for the Summer Reading Program...well, the kids have, anyway...Mom just hasn't had time to post anything about it, let alone read much for herself! These are the picture books I have had to read a million times this week:

E Nedw

Emily is serious. Duck is not. S. is fascinated. A very cute read-aloud, though, so I'm not tired of it. Yet. Lee White's illustrations are adorable, I love the way duck's facial features don't always stay on his face. I imagine it must be hard to give a duck expressions at all, but this is one joyful waterfowl.

E Shan

This is C.'s current favorite - and it's probably no small coincidence that this is the David Shannon of the "No, David!" books. We had fun tonight with a just-Mommy-and-C story time, comparing the toys Spencer has with the ones C. has. Not to mention all the places they can be found...

(not at the library yet)

Joey can't resist exploring the world, but it's good to have the safety of mama's pouch to go back to. Very simple and cute, for some reason the kids all think this one is hysterical!

E Reis

You just can't beat David Catrow for facial expressions. Another easy read-aloud that we will be using for story time later this year. The lesson is obvious from the start, but delivered in a humorous, non-heavy-handed way. And there's fudge involved. I feel the need for an extension activity.

These are all 'old' books from the library's collection or ours, but we should have some new titles to share soon - the new fiscal year has begun, and I just finished cataloging the first children's order! If you're local, come check out the new books shelf - but be quick, about half of them checked out this morning!