Today at Storytime

Whew! We had a fun, active preschool storytime this morning at the Corvallis Library. If you've been to storytime lately, you have probably noticed how large the group can be in our Youth Activity Room. To follow the room capacity guidelines as indicated by the Fire Marshall, we will be moving storytime to the larger Main Meeting Room, when available. Today we were in our new, bigger space and hopefully everyone had a better view of the stories and a pleasant experience!

We shared:

Cat and Mouse: The Hole Story by Christyan and Diane Fox

A fat cat is on the trail of a daring mouse in this rhyming tale, in which die-cut pages alternately reveal the hidden mouse and his observant pursuer.

Please Take Me for a Walk by Susan Gal

A dog gives many good reasons it likes to go for a walk--to chase away the neighbor's cat, to greet people on the street, to watch guys shooting hoops, and to feel the wind lifting its ears.

Where is Tippy Toes? by Betsy Lewin

Although everyone can see how Tippy Toes, a mischievous cat, spends his days, only one knows where he goes after dark.

One Pup's Up by Marshal Wilson Chall

Rhyming text counts off ten puppies as they awaken one by one, chase and bounce around the house, eat kibble and get washed, then fall back to sleep.

Mama Cat Has Three Kittens by Denise Fleming

While two kittens copy everything their mother does, their brother naps.

What are your favorite books to share at home? Did you realize that by regularly sharing stories with your child at home will benefit him or her greatly with learning to read? Pat yourself on the back for doing such a wonderful job preparing your child for the love of language and stories! Curious to know how well your home environment is promoting early literacy? Take a look at this checklist here, provided by GetReadytoRead.org, to see how well you're doing!

Favorite New Children's Books

Sky-High Guy by Nina Crews

Jack likes to play with his "friend" Guy without the interference of his little brother Gus, but when Guy gets stuck in a tree, Gus is the perfect companion to help Jack rescue him.

The 3 Little Dassies by Jan Brett

In this adaptation of the traditional folktale, three little dassies (also called rock hyraxes) build their houses in the Namib Desert of Southern Africa, hoping for protection from the eagle that lives atop a nearby mountain.

Balancing Act by Ellen Stoll Walsh

 Two mice have fun playing on a teeter-totter, but as more and larger friends join them, it becomes increasingly difficult to stay balanced.

Art & Max by David Wiesner

Max wants to be an artist like Arthur, but his first attempt at using a paintbrush sends the two friends on a whirlwind trip through various media, with unexpected consequences.

Check out the video below, as author/illustrator David Wiesner describes the creative process behind his books.

Fall Early Literacy Newsletter

Check out the Fall Early Literacy Newsletter today! This season's newsletter features book and music selections for children and parents, early literacy tips, rhymes to share with young children, ideas for encouraging movement and literacy, and more! Past issues of the newsletters can be found here. If you have topics you'd like to see featured in future newsletters, please contact Peik-Kuan Lim, Early Literacy Coordinator at 541-766-6481.

Pick of the Day: Rescue Bunnies

Rescue Bunnies by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Scott Menchin (HarperCollins, 2010)

 

Newbie is a Rescue Bunny trainee. So far, she's done a superb job passing all of the tests she needs to pass in order to become a full-fledged Rescue Bunny. But the last test is the most difficult of all...the Field Test. For the Field Test, she'll have to help rescue a giraffe stuck in a mudhole before the hungry hyenas attack! Can a bunny really rescue a giraffe in time? Read Rescue Bunnies to find out!

Pick of the Week: Sleepy, Oh So Sleepy

Sleepy, Oh So Sleepy by Denise Fleming (Henry Holt & Company, 2010)

Denise Fleming's painted, textured pulp papermaking techniques are perfect for this gentle story. The book begins, "Tiny baby panda, sleepy, oh so sleepy / Tiny baby ostrich, sleepy, oh so sleepy / Tiny baby lion, sleepy, oh so sleepy. Where's my sleepy baby?" Readers visit a variety of sleeping animal babies on double-page spreads, eventually coming to a human baby, yawning and snuggling up with an adorable toy sock monkey. Share this lovely book at bedtime!

Promoting Early Language and Literacy Development

Promoting Early Language and Literacy Development  

ZERO TO THREE’s Policy Center announces the release of a new video illustrating how early language and literacy development contributes to a child’s success throughout life. Watch it now online here: http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid4250110001?bctid=587336352001.

Today at Storytime

We had so much fun this morning in Toddler Storytime! I read these books:

Wow! Said the Owl by Tim Hopgood

Cleo's Color Book by Caroline Mockford

 

 

Lunch by Denise Fleming

Freight Train by Donald Crews

I shared flannelboard stories based on Lunch and Freight Train. I also read a big book we have in our storytime collection - Who Said Red? by Mary Serfozo. We sang songs and met a king puppet who was searching for something colored red. A great and lively group of toddlers and families visited the library this morning!

After storytime, OSU Extension Service presented nutrition tips and served a delicious, nutritious smoothie. YUM! Hope to see you at our next storytime!

Back to School Books

For many children, this past week marked the start of school in our community. Some preschool and kindergarten children may be beginning school for this first time this week. What stories have you enjoyed sharing with your child(ren) about beginning school? It can be a time of great excitement, as well as nervousness, as children (and parents) adjust to this big transition.

Here are a few staff favorites and new books to help with the transition:

Kindergarten Diary by Antoinette Portis

A Pirate's Guide to First Grade by James Preller

Adventure Annie Goes to Kindergarten by Toni Buzzeo

Amelia Bedelia's First Day of School by Herman Parish

Dinosaur Starts School by Pamela Duncan Edwards

I Don't Want to Go to School! by Stephanie Blake

It's Your First Day of School Annie Claire by Nancy White Carlstrom

Kevin Goes to School by Liesbet Slegers

Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

Parent & Child Classes at LBCC

LBCC Parenting Classes
September - December 2010

Parent Classes:

The Incredible Years

For families with children ages 6-12. Raise responsible children! Use play and praise to build a more cooperative relationship with your children. Learn how to make clear family rules. Prevent and reduce behavior problems and improve your children’s social skills.
Corvallis: Thursday: 6–8 p.m., Start Date: September 30, 2010. 10 weeks.
Location: Jefferson Elementary School, 1825 NW 27th St. In partnership with the Corvallis School District.
Instructor: Jodi Warne
Cost: $25.00 Free Child care. Scholarships available
Call 541-917-4899 for information & to register.

Kings Valley:
Monday: 6–8 p.m., Start Date: October 4, 2010 10 weeks
Location: Kings Valley Charter, 28840 Kings Valley Hwy.
Instructor: Jodi Warne In partnership with the Rural Parenting Initiative.
Cost: $25.00 in class to RPI, child care & dinner provided. Scholarships available.
Call 541-917-4899 for information & to register.

Make Parenting A Pleasure with Your Special Needs Child

For parents of children with special needs, birth to age 7. Parenting is often the most challenging journey
of our lives. Join other parents in exploring new ways to develop an even closer relationship with your child.
Develop strategies for handling difficult behaviors and ways to manage the stress of parenting.
Corvallis:
Thursday: 6—8 p.m., Start Date: September 30, 2010 10 weeks
Location: Dixie School, 33461 SE Peoria Rd.,
Instructor: Geri Aman In Partnership with Pediatric Therapy Professionals & Early Intervention / ECSE-LBLESD.
Cost: $69 Scholarships available.
Call 541-917-4899 for more information.

LBCC PARENT EDUCATION PARENTING CLASSES
PARENT/CHILD CLASSES
For information about registration and fees, see our schedule, Call 541-917-4899 or go to our website at:
http://www.linnbenton.edu/go/parenting-education. Financial assistance available, call Jerri Wolfe at 541-917-4891.

Live and Learn with your Baby

10 week class for parent(s) and babies age newborn to walking. Provides parents with opportunities to discuss parenting topics, to meet other parents and to join in activities with their baby.
Corvallis: Tuesday: 10–11:50 a.m. or 1–2:50 p.m., Benton Center, Room 107, 757 Polk Ave.
Instructor: Kara Olsen-Becerra

Sign with your Baby

8 week class for parent(s) and baby. Learn how to teach your infant (up to 16 months) to communicate with you via sign language. Come with or without your baby.
Corvallis: Friday: 10–10:50 a.m., Benton Center, Room 107, 757 Polk Ave.
For more information, please call 541-757-8944
Instructor: Alissa White

Parents and Toddlers Together

Join other parents and their toddlers for child centered activities. Discuss the challenges of parenting
toddlers, hear about the latest research and learn how to support your child’s development.
Corvallis: Thursday: 9:15–11:05 a.m., Benton Center, Room 107, 757 Polk Ave.
Instructor: Felicia Reid-Metoyer

Live and Learning with your Toddler

This 10-week class is for parents and their toddlers, and provides information, activities, songs and games
focused on supporting children's development. An active participation class for parents and their 1 to 3 year-olds.
Philomath: Tuesday: 9:10–11 a.m., Philomath Middle School, 2021 Chapel Dr.
Instructor: Felicia Reid-Metoyer This class is Offered in partnership with Strengthening Rural Families/Rural Parenting Initiative.

Live and Learn with your Toddler/Two’s
This is an active participation class for parents and their 1- to 3-year-olds. An opportunity for parents
to participate with their child in song, music, stories, art activities and more. Parents learn about parenting
resources and how to support their child's development. Call 917-4897 for more information.
Monroe: Thursday: 9:30–10:30 a.m., Alpine Community Center, 25114 Alpine Rd.
Instructor: Amanda Orton
In partnership with Strengthening Rural Families/Rural Parenting Initiative

Live and Learning with Your 2 year Old

10 week class for parent(s) and their two-year-old children. An opportunity for parents of two-year-olds
to participate with their children in song, music, stories, art activities, and more. Parents learn about
parenting resources and how to support their two-year-old’s development.

Corvallis: Thursday: 9–10:50 a.m., Benton Center, Room 109, 757 Polk Ave.
Instructor: Jodi Warne

Live and Learn with your Children

For Benton County parents through age 26, and their child(ren) up to age 3. Bring child(ren) to class. Provides opportunities for parents to discuss parenting topics, to meet other parents, and join in activities with their child(ren). Class may also be taken for credit. For more information and registration please call 541-758-8292
Corvallis: Wednesday: 10—11:50 a.m., Benton Center 107, 757 Polk Ave.
Instructor: Amanda Klein
This class is offered in partnership with the Parent Enhancement Program.

Creative Development Lab

A one day a week class with an emphasis on creative activities for 2½ to 5-year-olds and their parents. Parents focus on understanding and implementing a developmental approach to creative activities for young children. For more information, please call 917-4897.
Corvallis: Tuesday: 9–10:50 a.m., Benton Center, Room 109, 757 Polk Ave.
Instructor: Paula Jenssen

Live and Learn with your Preschooler
A preschool cooperative for parents & their 3-, 4- & 5-year-olds. Class includes children's preschool and parent seminars.Parent seminar times vary by class. Parents have the opportunity to expand knowledge of parenting practices, practice guidance and communication techniques and plan and prepare activities that foster children’s growth and development.
Corvallis: MWF: 9–11:30 a.m., Benton Center, Room 109, 757 Polk Ave.
Instructor: Joanne Hunter
Philomath: MWF: 9–11:30 a.m., Philomath Middle School, 2021 Chapel Dr.
Instructor: Ann Clark

To request a copy of this class list on a regular basis, e-mail Dee Dee Strombeck at strombd@linnbenton.edu
and type Parent Education class schedule on the subject line and include your e-mail address and name.
If you would like the class list to come by regular mail, call 541-917-4949.

Picks of the Week

Where is Tippy Toes? by Betsy Lewin (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2010)

Another cat book? Yes and the toddler/preschool set should especially should enjoy this one,especially since it is interactive. Everyone can see how the cat Tippy Toes spends his day, but where does he go to at night? Die-cut pages and flaps let the reader see just what this adorable orange cat with big eyes does during both day and night.

One Pup's Up by Marsha Wilson Chall, illustrated by Henry Cole (Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2010)

What is better than a cute puppy book? Count the puppies as they get up in the morning, eat, wash, chase, and romp around until they fall asleep at the end of the day. 

 Rockin', Rollin' and Ridin' with Rebecca Frezza & Big Truck (CD)

Fun, energetic melodies about trucks, rocket ships and more. This one will inspire the kids to get up, sing, and dance along!

 A Child's Garden of Songs: the poetry of Robert Louis Stevenson in song by Ted Jacobs (CD)

As a child, I loved my collection of Robert Louis Stevenson poetry. Set to beautiful music and sung by talented musicians, Ted Jacobs breathes magic into Robert Louis Stevenson's poetry.

Do you have any new favorites?

Parenting Pick: How to Choose the Best Preschool

How to Choose the Best Preschool for Your Child by Jenifer Wana (Source Books, 2010)

Many parents have a difficult time choosing a preschool for their children. For one thing, it can be quite an adjustment for both child and parent to adjust to that first school experience. Secondly, there are often so many choices to choose from! Does a play-based, academic, Waldorf, Montessori, co-op, or Reggio Emilia option fit your family's and child's needs best? What should you look for in a program? What are the differences between program philosophies? How do you navigate through the admissions process? What's the right age to start preschool? How can your family pay for it? This is a step-by-step guide to learning more about your options and finding the best fit for you and your child.