I love autumn and even though we don't have much of a change of seasons here.... you can see subtle changes in the angle of the sun's rays, the different plants that bloom this time of year or change color a bit...I've even seen some maples with leaves changing around town ....but one sure sign of Autumn...the books we read for Storytime. It starts at the beginning of September when we start to notice apple books and stories being checked out or reserved...then it's corn,pumpkins, scarecrows, leaves, etc. Depending on the calendar...we have may have more, or less (like this year) programs. Due to the way the holidays fall this year...I only have two programs on Thursdays before Thanksgiving. The first Thursday I did
scarecrow stories. You can't go wrong with Cynthia Rylant as far as I'm concerned. Her books always seem to have cute illustrations, rhyming verse...which I always like. This Scarecrow story is very cute. My group of 2,3,4 year olds enjoyed it.
Another favorite..."The Scarecrow's Hat". I just love the illustrations in this story and the clever hen who figures out how to get the Scarecrow's hat. She negotiates a series of deals with owl, sheep, badger,duck,goat,,,etc and finally gets the Scarecrow what he wants and she gets the hat. It's cute...the kids always enjoy it.
I have a program this week and I am also hoping to get to my friend Amy's class again before the break...and here's what's waiting to be read. I like to read the traditional Thanksgiving books...but I also think it's fun to read about something that's on every one's mind this time of year...Food! One choice is "The Wolf's Chicken Stew" by Keiko Kasza. This is such a cute story...and the illustrations really make it. The wolf...who is really the "bad" guy is so adorable....you know the story will end well. Wolf spots the chicken when he gets a craving for some chicken stew. He decides to fatten her up first so he sneaks over to her house and delivers platters of pancakes, donuts and cake until her figures she should be nice and fat. When he arrives to "catch" her...he gets a big surprise and he has a change of heart. Check this one out.
"Whopper Cake" by Karma Wilson is another fun book. Grandpa decides to "traumatize" the kitchen and bake his wife a birthday cake. He starts with a recipe...but it just doesn't seem like enough...so he takes each ingredient and multiplies it. The result....a 10 ft tall whopper cake! The first time I read this to a preschool group...I had actually put it in my bag accidentally. (I would usually bring an assortment of shorter books-this was a little longer than usual. Well there was no need to worry...they loved it. The silly story, the rhyming verse (again) and the illustrations all made it...and after all...how could anyone go wrong with a 10 ft chocolate cake!
Mary Ann Hoberman has some great poems for children and this next book "The Seven Silly Eaters" is another rhyming story. Mrs. Peters loves her children and even though they are a little picky about what they will eat...she does her best to make them happy. The family grows and so does her job of keeping everyone happy. Finally one day...she is just plain worn out. The children all get together and decide to make her a birthday surprise. What they make...is a huge mess...but in the process they end up with a "secret" recipe that satisfies everyone! Now everyone...especially dear Mrs. Peters is happy! Maybe I like this book, because like Mrs. Peters, there were probably times when my own mother was worn out trying to keep her 8 children fed. Every so often she would make something that she liked...and when one by one we'd ask her what was for dinner...and she was greeted by groans or comments along the lines of "I don't like that!"...she would lose her patience and when the next person asked "What are we having for dinner? she would say...."Poison!"...hahahaha...I guess sometimes you just have to laugh!...it certainly helped keep us from complaining. haha
Fans of Charlie and Lola ...on PBS I think...will like the book "I Will Never, Not Ever Eat a Tomato". Charlie's little sister Lola is a "fussy" eater. She has a long list of food items that she will not eat...especially tomatoes. When Charlie is in charge of making her something to eat...he's a little nervous. But...he is also clever, and he finds a way to get Lola to try some new foods. Every group I've read this to has laughed at Charlie's efforts to get his sister eating. In the end...she finds a lot of new tasty treats to eat, including her new favorite "moonsquirters".
"The Perfect Thanksgiving" by Eillen Spinelli pretty much sums up how a lot of probably feel around the holidays. Some people just seem to be so organized and have it all together...and others...not so much. The little girl in the story compares her Thanksgiving to her friend Abigal Archer's "perfect" family. In the end...she decides that while they are different they are alike in the one way that counts...they come from loving families.
And lastly...I have to make time for this charming book..."Thanks for Thanksgiving" by Julie Markes.I know I've talked about this book before...but I just love the illustrations (by Doris Barrette) and the short, sweet verse about all the things to be thankful for. I bought myself a copy last year...so I would always have it when I wanted it for a program. I have a stack of other titles..."The Thanksgiving Door" (I wrote about last year), the old reliable "Over the River" and "A Plump and Perky Turkey". Now...I just need to find time to read them all to my little friends!
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