Storytime for July 1st: America the Beautiful

In preparation for the Fourth of July, this week's storytime celebrates America the Beautiful!

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Here are the books we'll be reading this week, along with some videos, links, and activities to accompany them!

Watch this video about Of Thee I Sing:

At storytime, we read the book together; watch the video below to hear the song and to view some of the actual scenes illustrated in our story!

Read more about the author of Happy Birthday America, Mary Pope Osborne.

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You can also download this week's Takeaway page by clicking here.

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And be sure to check out the related online activities for the Fourth of July:

DLTK—coloring pages, printables, songs, poems, and puzzles

Time for Kids—learn the story behind the holiday

Surfnetkids—get moving on the fourth with these fun party games

Lil’Luna—Use glue and tissue paper to create these patriotic flags

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And, finally, if you liked today's stories, here are some more great books about the U.S.A!

• America Votes by Linda Granfield
• Here's to You, America! by Charles M. Schultz
• The Scrambled States of America by Laurie Keller
• John, Paul, George, and Ben by Lane Smith
• My Teacher for President by Kay Winters
• Liberty's Journey by Kelly DiPucchio

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Have a great week, and we'll see you next Tuesday!

Storytime for June 24th: Creepy Crawlies

This week, storytime is about creepy crawlies--insects, spiders, and all of the other critters that live all around us!

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Here are the books we'll be reading this week, along with some videos, links, and activities to accompany them!

Here's a great list of free printables and activities to accompany The Grouchy Ladybug.

Download and print some Eric Carle coloring pages.

Watch this book trailer for Some Bugs!

Here's a quick up-close look at a pill bug!

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You can also download this week's Takeaway page by clicking here.

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And be sure to check out the related online activities about insects and other creepy crawlies:

National Geographic Kids—check out these close-ups of all kinds of cool bugs!

Build a Bug—First choose your parts to build a bug, then try to get it through the maze.

Insect World—learn about different types of insects and play related games.

Orkin—printable coloring pages, games, and other information about bugs!

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And, finally, if you liked today's stories, here are some more great books about creepy crawlies!

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
• Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin
• Crickwing by Janell Cannon
• Two Bad Ants by Chris VanAllsburg
• Bug Faces by Darlyne Murawski

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Have a great week, and we'll see you next Tuesday!

Storytime for June 17th: It's Summertime

This week's storytime is about some of the fun activities we do during summertime!

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Here are the books we'll be reading this week, along with some videos, links, and activities to accompany them!

Read more about Elisha Cooper's inspiration for Beach

Get in the summertime mood with this beach song.

Click here to watch a book trailer for The Watermelon Seed.

Learn more about the book in this video review.

Watch the Talking Potatoes' review of A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever.

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You can also download this week's Takeaway page by clicking here.

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And be sure to check out the related online activities for summertime:

DLTK—coloring pages, printables, songs, poems, and puzzles 

PBS Kids—learn about the great out-of-doors with these nature games 

Activity Village—tons of great ideas for summer-themed crafts 

Crayola—printable coloring pages celebrating summer activities from baseball to the beach 

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And, finally, if you liked today's stories, here are some more great books about summer!

• Time of Wonder by Robert McCloskey
• The Bathing Costume by Charlotte Moundlic
• D.W, All Wet by Marc Brown
• Tom and Pippo on the Beach by Helen Oxenbury
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days by Jeff Kinney
• Summer of the Sea Serpent by Mary Pope Osborne

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Have a great week, and we'll see you next Tuesday!

Storytime for June 10th: Let's Celebrate Dad

This week's storytime is all about the dads (and uncles, and grandpas, and friends) who are special to us!

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Here are the books we'll be reading this week, along with some videos, links, and activities to accompany them!

Visit the Mo Willems homepage to play games and learn more about Mo's characters.

Download and print a Knuffle Bunny Too activity kit, including coloring pages and other activities.

Visit Leslie Patricelli's website to download coloring pages, play online games, and learn more about the author and her books.

Download and print this Interrupting Chicken story kit for some free Papa and Chicken puppets, coloring pages, and crafts.

Check out the chicken activities and games at Enchanted Learning.

Watch a video of author and illustrator David Ezra Stein talking about Interrupting Chicken.

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You can also download this week's Takeaway page by clicking here.

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And be sure to check out the related online activities for Father's Day:

DLTK—coloring pages, printables, songs, poems, and puzzles

Enchanted Learning—cards, crafts, and writing activities about dads 

Disney Family—crafts and recipes for Father’s Day 

PrimaryGames—Father’s Day themed online games

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And, finally, if you liked today's stories, here are some more great books about dads!

• Grandpa Green by Lane Smith
• Jangles: A Big Fish Story by David Shannon
• Knock Knock: My Dad's Dream for Me by Daniel Beaty
• Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
• Just Me and My Dad by Mercer Mayer

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Have a great week, and we'll see you next Tuesday!