Summer Reading Program Event Reflection #1

I was the coordinator for the Teen Summer Reading Program at my small public library. Due to circumstances, I also ended up planning and presenting programs for 2 other age groups (preschool and school age [6-11]). The only way I could do this was to have the programs on the same day. Thus, I had preschool story time at 10:15am, Ages 6-11 Activity Time at 11:00am, and Teen Time at 1:00pm

This is the first of three planned reflections on my program experience. Today, we'll be talking about my preschool story times. The links are to the program plans on my wiki.

Story Time #1 (Fish)
These kids didn't know me, so they were a bit rowdy. I need to share more protocols next time (criss cross applesauce, bubble in mouth, etc.) I also didn't have any access to music. Some dancing would have been good to get their wiggles out. The game needs to be played either at the beginning or end. Playing it in the middle made it hard to get the kids settled down again. The craft was a success, not too messy and easy enough for the littlest kids. We did have some time issues. As the next program started at 11:00, I needed to be finished with the preschoolers at 10:45.

Story Time #2 (Boats)

The attendance was very low (1 child), but that's not unexpected in the summer when families go camping or on vacation. I had a song planned (a story time version of "If you're happy and you know it" that I picked up in grad school), but as there was just one child, I skipped it. I introduced a story time blanket and it seemed to help. She liked the craft, although she can't stand the smell of play dough. The toy boat craft was okay. I used it in another program and the kids had problems with their masts falling down.

Story Time #3 (Pirates)

We had some latecomers so I feel that I needed another book and perhaps a few more opening activities. We should have played a game, but I was using Pin the Parrot on the Pirate for the Pirate Party. Maybe pin the treasure on the map or pin the ship on the globe. The pirate vocabulary was a hit. The kids loved practicing their new words. If I present this story time again, I want to add some pirate jokes and rhymes to it. The craft was simple. Some of the older kids wanted to cut their clothes out, but the library doesn't have supplies for children's program yet.


Story Time #4 (Puppet Play)

The kids loved the puppet play! My teen volunteers loved it. They want to do more puppet plays. (We'll probably do one during out winter carnival.) My teens did a great job, but they needed a little more practice with projecting their voices and speaking clearly in a moderately paced voice. We needed a little music and either scene cards or scene pauses. We also need to work on our curtain. It kept falling down in the middle.



Raffling off the puppets was a great idea especially if you're not going to use them again. The kids loved taking one of the puppets home. Interestingly, the shark was the most popular. The kids really liked making their own fish puppets. I wish I had thought to have a few shark puppets as well. I really learned how necessary a tablecloth is when kids are coloring on a wooden table. Thank goodness for Clorox wipes and hand sanitizer.


Story Time #5 (Ponds)

Despite low attendance (2 children), this story time went really well. The children liked using frog puppets to help me with the rhymes. They didn't really like the coloring sheet. If i repeat this program, I'll find a better craft. Learning about Tulip, our library dog who happens to be a Labrador retriever was great. We all learned a lot.

Happy 30th Birthday, Harry Potter!

J. K. Rowling's beloved character Harry Potter celebrates his 30th birthday today. This is seven years before we see Harry put his kids on the train for Hogwarts in the epilogue of Deathly Hallows.

I have enjoyed the Harry Potter books for a number of years. As the 1st part of the last film releases on November 19th, I thought it fitting that I re-read the books for the occasion.

Thus, I am pleased to announce my Harry Potter Reading Project. My goal is too read all seven of the Harry Potter Books plus Quidditch through the Ages, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and The Tales of Beedle the Bard.

Things you can look forward to: memorable moments, favorite quotes and illustrations, the pets, the food, scenes I wish had made the movies, and much more.

Here's my tentative schedule for the project:

...the Sorcerer's Stone- August 3
...the Chamber of Secrets- August 17
...the Prisoner of Azkaban- August 31
...the Goblet of Fire- September 14
...the Order of the Phoenix- September 28
...the Half Blood Prince-October 12
...the Deathly Hallows- October 26
Quidditch Through the Ages- November 9
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them- November 23
The Tales of Beedle the Bard- December 7

I hope all my readers enjoy the Harry Potter Reading Project!

A Spy in the House by Y. S. Lee

Rescued from the gallows, Mary Quinn is determined to make a better life for herself at Miss Scrimshaw's Academy for Girls. By the time she's seventeen, Mary is educated and teaching but dissatisfied. Her teachers offer her a unique opportunity. The Academy is a cover for the Agency--a secret group of female investigators. Mary joins the Agency and collects information for them disguised as a lady's companion. Many secrets exist in the Thorold household. Some of which affect Mary and her past. Can Mary complete her first assignment for the Agency? Will she be a good agent?

What I thought: Brilliant book! I do love a Victorian setting. Mary Quinn is an intriguing character. Loved how her past was revealed bit by bit and left you guessing. The story progresses quickly and held my interest. Mary's uneasy alliance with James Easton was perfectly done. They don't quite trust each other, but circumstances force them yo rely on one another. Their verbal sparring reminded me a bit of Laurie R. King's Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes. A thoroughly enjoyable book. I do like a good mystery. I can't wait to read book 2, The Body at the Tower, set to release next month.

(The Agency Book 1. Somerville, MA: Candlewick, March 2010. ARC provided by Publisher.)

Happy 144th Birthday, Beatrix Potter!

Beatrix Potter, author of The Tale of Peter Rabbit and 22 other tales, celebrates her 144th birthday today.

In honor of her birthday, I am pleased to announce my Beatrix Potter Reading Project that will begin next week. I plan to read all 23 "little" tales. I liked the format my posts took for my Reading Ramona project so you can expect to see a summary, what I thought, favorite quotes and illustrations, activities and much more. I hope my ideas will lead to a plan for a Beatrix Potter program and perhaps a few story times.

The journey begins with Peter Rabbit on Thursday, August 5.

Cat Dreams by Ursula Le Guin

Cat takes a nap and has many fanciful feline dreams. A catnip tree. Dogs run away from her. Kibble and cream--mmm!

What I thought: Great! Text reads like poetry. It's like you're in the cat's head. Le Guin did a great job capturing the cat's personality. The illustrations are good. They suit the text perfectly.

Story Time Themes: Cats, Dreams

(Illus. S. D. Schindler. New York: Orchard, 2009)

Brownie & Pearl Step Out by Cynthia Rylant

Brownie and her cat Pearl are going to a birthday party. Brownie's not sure about going in, but Pearl is. They play games, eat cake and ice cream, and have a wonderful time.

What I thought: A great book. The text is perfect for preschoolers. The illustrations are great--so colorful. I predict this book will be popular with my Fancy Nancy/Princess fans.

Exciting news, readers! Brownie & Pearl is a series. The second book Brownie & Pearl Get Dolled Up was published in May

Story Time Themes: Cats, Pets, Birthday Parties, Friendship

(Illus. Brian Biggs. New York: Beach Lane, 2010)

One More Hug for Madison by Caroline Jayne Church

It's time for Madison Mouse to go to bed. She gets ready, her mom tucks her in, but she just can't sleep. After giving Madison her doll, a drink, another blanket, a hat, and numerous hugs, Mommy Mouse falls asleep before Madison.

What I thought: Cute book. It will be a hit with preschoolers. The book has simple text with some slight repetition. The illustrations are good--bold lines for the mice and muted colors.

Story Time Themes: Pajama story time, Bedtime


(New York: Orchard, 2009)