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Starting a new Story Time? Looking to perk up your Story Time? Seeking some new material?
Check out these books about Story Time!
Storytimes for Everyone
by Saroj Nadkarni Ghoting and Pamela Martin-Diaz
This book, published in 2013 by The American Library Association contains a great deal of information regarding early literacy, best practices for Storytime programming, and full Storytime plans. Ranging from babies through preschoolers, each complete plan offers book suggestions as well as songs, rhymes, chants and activities. As an added bonus there are dozens of “Storytime Extras” ideas for games and extension activies as well as a whole chapter devoted to incorporating “Early Literacy Asides” into a plan. The early literacy information presented here is excellent and the Storytime plans are well thought out, fun and easily modified.
I was slightly disappointed to see some of the plans repeat rhymes or songs in each of the presented plans, only because I would have preferred the opportunity to learn a wider variety of new chants/songs. While repetition is fabulous for young kids, I did not need to see “Acka Backa Soda Cracker” printed out in its entirety a half a dozen times! Regardless of this minor complaint, I think this book is a great resource for anyone starting a new Storytime program or looking to sharpen their early literacy knowledge and skills.
Cool Story Programs for the School-Age Crowd
by Rob Reid
You absolutely can’t go wrong with Rob Reid when choosing material for a Storytime program! Off beat and out of the ordinary, his suggestions are amazingly creative and just plain FUN! I suggest checking out ANY of his books!
This book in particular is helpful because it has 18 different Storytime plans aimed at Kindergarten through 4th graders with suggested alterations to each plan for both Preschoolers and 5th-6th graders. Additionally each outline lists multiple books, songs, poems, and activities to choose from for a particular program. Every time I use an idea from this book it is a hit. Rob Reid knows what kids like!
Cooking Up a Storytime
by Susan Anderson-Newham
True confession, I grabbed this book at my library thinking it was going to be about adding food to Storytime! Rather, this terrific resource compares planning a good Storytime program to preparing a healthy, well-balanced meal. Dozens of suggestions for books, language play, poetry, flannelboards can be selected “a-la-carte” and there are also many fresh ideas for adding math and science elements to a program. A few sample “menus” are included that have a full themed Storytime session, which is helpful for anyone starting out or needing a quick ready-made plan. Many of the songs/chants and games in this book are new to me – so it is a very useful resource for anyone looking to freshen up their repertoire.
Artsy Toddler Storytimes: A Year’s Worth of Ready-to-Go Programming
by Carol Garnett Hopkins
FIFTY-TWO ready to go programs, including a CRAFT in one book! This would be a great resource for starting up a Storytime! Each plan is based a common toddler theme (frogs, community workers, colors, etc) and includes books, rhymes songs and movement activities in addition to an art project. I find many of the art projects here to be product oriented but each plan includes extension suggestions for process oriented projects as well. The introductory chapters about toddler fine motor development and art are highly valuable and every suggested project is age-appropriate.
Tender Topics
by Doroty Stoltz, Elaine Czarnecki and Buff Kahn
This book contains book lists of picture books about childhood challenges. Many of these lists are very helpful for planning a Storytime program about feelings or friendship, a new baby, school, etc.. Other lists cover topics that might not make for an appropriate Storytime theme, but are an excellent resource for patrons asking for materials to help young children understand and cope with divorce, death, hospitalization, etc. Definitely worth a look!
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