Press enter after choosing selection

Landing page for Jump

Graphic for events post

Crafts

Preschool ArtStart

Monday January 15, 2018: 10:30am to 11:00am
Traverwood Branch: Program Room
Ages 2–5, Siblings Welcome

Graphic for events post

Crafts

Preschool ArtStart

Monday December 18, 2017: 10:30am to 11:00am
Pittsfield Branch: Program Room
Ages 2–5, Siblings Welcome

Graphic for events post

Blog Post

PreK Bits - "G" is for Grandparents !

by ryanikoglu

Ms. Rachel did stories about grandparents @ Malletts Creek Branch this week.

BUNNY MONEY ... Ruby and Max go to buy a birthday gift for grandmother.
“Peel The Banana” was our activity rhyme. We prepared "Fruit Salad" for the party. We peeled ... apples, oranges, bananas .... mmmm ... and then avacados for the guacamole dip!

"The Lonely Little Candle" is an original story the Librarians pass around. The grandpa knows what's missing ... the "Little Candle" for the party!
There is not a book to tell this story. You need to remember it (and make up the parts you can't remember). =-)

For more stories with GrandParents in them ... try these favorites:
The HELLO GOODBYE WINDOW … the window is at Grandpa and Grandma’s house.
TWO IS ENOUGH … to have family fun together.
GRANDPA’S GIRLS … love to visit his farm … and share memories.
HOW To TAKE YOUR GRANDMOTHER To The MUSEUM ... a guide book that can also relate to Grandfathers!
MR FRANK ... grandfather moves in with the family and he has a special talent!
The LINES ON NANA’S FACE … each set of wrinkles reminds a child of favorite things they have done together.
OUR GRANDPARENTS: A Global Album … a beautiful multi-cultural photo essay of grandparents with grandchildren around the world.
HOW To BABYSIT A GRANDPA ... lots of great suggestions here!
HOW To BABYSIT A GRANDMA ... and more suggestions here!
HERE COMES GRANDMA is a story of all the transportation Grandma uses to get to her Grandson
OR … choose stories from GrandMothers and GrandFathers In Picture Books.

If you are a SKYPE grandparent, you can pick a story from Ms Rachel's Favorite Books to Read to Babies and read it to your grandbaby ... near or far.

Graphic for events post

Blog Post

Graphic for events post

Public Event

Summer Game 2017 GAME OVER Gala!

Thursday August 31, 2017: 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Downtown Library: 1st Floor Lobby
All Summer Game Players

Graphic for events post

Blog Post

PreK Bits - "S" is for SLEEPYHEADS

by ryanikoglu

This week Ms. Rachel presented stories that needed quiet so the sleepyheads can go to sleep.
The HINKY PINK ... A Hinky Pink came to live in the Tailor's house. She would not go to sleep until she had a perfect bed.
Ms. Betsy played guitar and Ms. Rachel led the action song "Wake Up You Sleepyheads”. Here is a youtube.com clip for demonstration.
OWL At HOME has several stories in the book. We heard about "Strange Bumps" in the night. They were "most unpleasant !".

For more books for and about SLEEPYHEADS try the following favorites:
The SQUEAKY DOOR had a Grandma putting her Grand-daughter to bed ... she needed quiet.
SLEEPYHEADS ... where every quiet creature lays their sleepy head.
QUIET BUNNY'S MANY COLORS ... find them in the garden.
The QUIET BOOK ... very thoughtful, lovely prose, and beautiful gentle illustrations.
SHH! WE HAVE A PLAN ... who needs to be quiet?
TIPTOE JOE ... tiptoe to be quiet.
HANK FINDS AN EGG ... on a quiet walk in the woods. What shall he do?
The FAMILY BEDTIME TREASURY: Tales For Sleepy Times and Sweet Dreams ... a treasure trove in one book!
BEDTIME FOR BEAR ... with a "small but effervescent" overnight guest. Delightful storytelling and illustrations!
Find a cozy space. Read a cozy book.
Good Night!
Sleep Tight.

Graphic for events post

Blog Post

PreK Bits - "E" is for elegant ELEPHANTS

by ryanikoglu

Ms. Rachel celebrated ELEPHANTS in Storytime @ Malletts Creek.
ELMER is a favorite classic tale of individual differences.
For action and song we played "Paddling Down the River" ... a fast and slow song. You can here an authentic version of this early American folksong on the CD UP IN The BATTEN HOUSE with Mark Tamsula. The CD includes many more authentic American folksongs too!
SITTING IN MY BOX ... a tale of peace and chaos ... including one elephant.

If you love Elephants try these favorites:
ELLA ... a story of Ella the circus elephant by Bill Peet.
ELEPHANT'S STORY ... an elephant memoir.
17 KINGS And 42 ELEPHANTS ... a rhyming tale with superb batik illustrations of a southeast Asian Royal procession.
HOW The ELEPHANT GOT HIS TRUNK ... a re-telling of the how-it-came-to-be story by Rudyard Kipling.
ELLA TAKES The CAKE ... and more stories of Ella by Carmela D'Amico.

And don't forget the non-fiction real information books for young kids on this fun animal !

Graphic for events post

Blog Post

PreK Bits - "P" is for PRINCESS and PRINCE

by ryanikoglu

Ms. Rachel told Prince and Princess Stories this week.
The PRINCESS And The PEA by Rachel Isadora is a classic folktale re-set in Africa.
"Cinderella Dressed In Yellow" is a traditional jump rope rhyme. We had plenty verses with more colors to clap with the rhythm.
KLIPPITY KLOP is an action and participation story by Ed Emberley. It is out-of-print and AADL copies are gone. You can borrow a copy through MelCat. It is a story about Prince Krispin and his horse Dumpling going on an adventure.

For more stories of Princes and Princesses try these titles:
DARING PRINCE DASHING ... a twisted fairy tale.
The PRINCE WHO WAS JUST HIMSELF
The PAPER BAG PRINCESS
The PRINCESS And The FROGS
The PRINCE'S BEDTIME
The PRINCE And The PORKER
PRINCESS LILA BUILDS A TOWER
The SEVEN PRINCESSES
WOULD YOU RATHER BE A PRINCESS Or A DRAGON ?
The FROG PRINCE

Graphic for events post

Blog Post

Baby Bits - Books and Music for fun with Babies

by ryanikoglu

People ask where we find our songs that we use in programs. Here you can View All Public Lists on the AADL website.

Here are some lists created especially for enjoyment between Babies and Caregivers.
Ms Rachel's Favorite CDs for Preschool Songs and Music
The CD artists and titles on this list have been personal favorites for many years.
Choose something to calm you ... something to rev you up ... something with a different beat ... and something great for background sound during play.

Ms Rachel's Favorite Books to Read to Babies
The artists and authors on this list have also been special favorites.
Choose something to talk about ... choose something to laugh about ... choose something of interest ... choose something to make you feel good.

Graphic for events post

Blog Post

PreK Bits - "C" is for CAMPING and CANOES

by ryanikoglu

Ms. Rachel and Banjo Betsy brought camping stories to Storytime.
ONE DOG CANOE … a girl paddles her canoe down the river and more animals want to join for the ride.
“We’re Floating Down The River” is a historic American folk song we use as an action song. You even learn that you can’t stand up in the middle of the boat! You can hear the song on the CD UP IN The BATTEN HOUSE: Old Time Music Of Southwestern Pennsylvania.
“Skunk’s Picnic” is an original story about making friends in the woods.
We chased "Fireflies In The Night". You can hear this song and sing-along with the CD HAPPY As CLAMS by Lena.

For more favorites that go with the CAMPING theme try these:
GLOW: Animals With Their Own Nightlights ... real information for curious kids.
QUIET NIGHT ... counting night-time sounds ....
CAMPING SPREE WITH MR MAGEE ... a silly adventure with fun illustrations.
SCAREDY SQUIRREL GOES CAMPING ... and he's VERY prepared! If you like Scaredy Squirrel there are many more titles here by Melanie Watt.
The CAMPING TRIP by Sven Nordqvist ... and the chickens and the cat want to come along!
HANK FINDS An EGG ... while camping in the woods. What do we do with it?
WHISTLING ... a boy learns to "whistle up the sun" with his father on a camping trip.

If You like gathering CAMPING INFORMATION then try these titles for your next outdoor adventure:
SLEEPING In A SACK: Camping Activities For Kids.
CAMP OUT! The Ultimate Kids Guide, From The Backyard To The Backwoods.
COOKING IN A CAN: More Campfire Recipes For Kids.