The 13 Nights of Halloween by Guy Vasilovich

It is Halloween time yet again.   My neighbor has yet to put up his decorations but I have been told that this weekend our neighborhood will once again be Halloween Central.   I am also excited because for the first time I will get to see what he does to the inside of his house.   Apparently I will be truly amazed.   In preparation I thought I would show case a great countdown book to Halloween.

The 13 Nights of Halloween written and illustrated by Guy Vasilovich is a wonderful book to help prepare for the big night.  I love how it is basically the 12 Days of Christmas but instead for Halloween .   It reads (or should I say "sings") so well that it makes a great story time book.  It is a bit different than the Christmas song since rather than starting with the  actual holiday  it starts before the holiday and ends with the 13th day -- Halloween---which of course is perfect!   I love the how each day we are "given" all kinds of spooky and creepy sorts of things like "5 singing skulls or 4 icky eyeballs" ending with "1 Skeleton Key".   This is a great story time book that has a potential for a  myriad of craft ideas that would be fun.  I would have loved to read this at a Halloween story time or party.   The perfect way to start the season off right!

Perfect Piggies by Sandra Boynton

I can't believe I missed this new release of a Sandra Boynton board book.   Her new board book Perfect Piggies! is just too adorable for words.   I have always loved her books, they are perfect for story times and just one on one time with kids.   I have even gotten them for some adults I know.   I love the sing along aspect of the book and was thrilled that there is a downloadable song that goes with it.   This is just a "perfect" book....(Pun intended).   The cover illustration is priceless and when I first saw it I couldn't help  smiling.   This is a must have for any child especially anyone who loves Sandra Boynton.....






Oh and there is even a Perfect Piggies!Book and Plush Set that makes a
wonderful gift!

Summertime by Gershwin & Heyward illus by Mike Wimmer

Happy first day of Summer!   In honor of this fun season I thought I would recommend a book that illustrates one of my favorite songs.    I am a huge Gershwin fan and loved this book when it first came out.

Summertime from Porgy & Bess by Dubose & Dorothy Heyward based on the music from George & Ira Gershwin with paintings by Mike Wimmer is a really beautiful book that illustrates a classic song.  This is a perfect lullaby book and is a wonderful way to end a beautiful summers day.   My Mother always sang this song to me, if only we had a book that we could use as as read along.   A great book to add to a child's collection of bedtime books.

International Dance Day!

 











Today is International Dance Day.   Had I known about this when I ran the Children's Department I would have had so much fun.   There are so many books that make kids get up and dance that any story time would have been rockin & rollin.....

Here are some great books to read and dance to:

Barnyard Dance by Sandra Boynton it is a board book but such fun to read aloud. 

Song and Dance Man by Karen Ackerman  & illus by Stephen Gammell is one of my favorite books, I loved this story of a Grandfather recounting his days in Vaudeville to his grandchildren.  Mr Gammell won a Caldecott for his wonderful illustrations.  

Elephants Cannot Dance by Mo Willems is a new favorite because I love  his Elephant & Piggy characters and this book is so sweet.

Hip Hop Speaks to Children with CD: A Celebration of Poetry with a Beat edited by Nikki Giovanni is a great book to read and listen to as it is the end of Poetry Month....it is also a great book for older kids too!

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These are just a few examples of how books and music and dance can join together for a really fun time!  So everybody get up and Dance!!!

Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin illus James Dean

Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin and illus by James Dean is one of those books I would love to read at story time. I have never had such a fun time reading a book that teaches colors. It literally made me want to sing along. Kids will love this book~I can hear them singing this song all day long.

The illustrations truly match the words and are just as much fun. It even comes with a gift card with a link to download the song. I love how it makes me smile!

A Kid's Guide to African American History by Nancy I. Sanders

Today is the first day of Black History Month. I found this great book that can be used everyday of the month and beyond to help celebrate.

The Kid's Guide To African American History by Nancy I. Sanders is packed with over 70 activities, songs & games to help teach children about African American History. This would be great for teachers and librarians to use and great for parents too. It also has short biography's of famous African Americans and well as explanations of important historical events in our history.

This book is a perfect book not just for older kids but for younger ones as well. It is well written and easy to use. It is not overwhelming at all~ the perfect book to learn with.

Over the Rainbow (Book & Audio CD) Music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by E.Y. Harburg Performed by Judy Collins, Paintings by Eric Puybaret

I am sitting here listening to Somewhere Over the Rainbow as sung by the Hawaiian singer Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, it is on of my favorite interpretations of the this song.

Last fall I eluded to a new book that was going to come out that was a new illustrated version of one of my favorite songs, from one of my favorite movies. It is finally here and available!

Over the Rainbow performed by Judy Collins with paintings by Eric Puybaret is a beautiful rendition of a beautiful song. I have always felt that songs make wonderful picture books. This book is no exception. The illustrations are so warm and have an ethereal quality to them.

I think this would be a great story time book and a great bedtime book...truly soothing. The bonus is the CD which has the iconic Judy Collins giving her terrific performance of this perfect song. A must have for all!

Little Bunny Foo Foo:Told & Sung by the Good Fairy by Paul Brett Johnson

A very dear friends birthday is today. She started out as a co-worker and assistant to me when I worked in the bookstore. I thought I would recommend one of her favorite books. I always think of her when I see this title or when the song pops into my head. It is one of those tunes that can get stuck in your head for days....

Truth be told it was never one of my favorite stories~the funny part is that she knew this and would always sing the song around me.

Little Bunny Foo Foo: Told & Sung by the Good Fairy by Paul Brett Johnson is actually really cute and fun to read to kids and is one of the best versions out there. I think it would be a great book to have and to keep....So Happy Birthday Diane~this ones for you!

Happy World "Hello" Day!

November 21st is World Hello Day! If I were in the bookstore I would plan a story time around greetings. I would also make my staff wear buttons that say "Hello" on them. I do like to celebrate!

According to www.Worldhello.org this day has been celebrated for 37 years. Their tag line is "greet 10 people for peace"~this is such a nice idea. It is also an easy and simple thing to carry out.

Here are some great books to read today~

Hello World! Greetings in 42 languages around the globe by Manja Stojic

Hello Goodbye Window by Norman Juster Illus by Chris Raschka

Hello Day by Anita Lobel

Jambo Means Hello by Muriel & Tom Feelings (A Caldecott Honor book)

Hello Hello by Dan Zanes (comes with a CD)

Hello My Name is Bob by Linas Alsenas

So let's go out and help make peace by saying "hello"!

The 13 Days of Halloween by Carol Greene & Tim Raglin

I think I have mentioned before that I like parodies especially if they are done well. This new book called The 13 Days of Halloween is just that, a perfectly good parody that is fun to read. I should say sing because it takes it's theme from the 12 Days of Christmas.

This is a great book to have at story time because it is so interactive. It is great for parents to "read" too since they probably know the melody. Sometimes books do a take off of a song and it is not that well known. That is not the case with this amusing book. The illustrations are great and add to the enjoyment of the story. A spooky good time!