Author Archives: Melissa

Flannel Friday: Fall Set

Posted on January 25, 2013 by Melissa

No, it’s not Fall anymore. Yes, today is the Valentine Extravaganza for Flannel Friday. Yes, I’m posting this anyway because it’s ready now and I don’t want to wait till next year to share it! A couple months ago I … Continue reading →

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Posted in Flannelboards | 4 Comments

On Customer Service (and the Southwest Skycap)

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Melissa

This past September, I had the opportunity to attend the 2012 ALSC Institute in Indianapolis. It was an amazing experience and I learned something new from every program I attended. But I also had some great “aha” moments outside of … Continue reading →

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Posted in Training and Mentoring | 4 Comments

Baby Storytime: Another Round of Mother Goose

Posted on January 21, 2013 by Melissa

You can not have too many Mother Goose storytimes. I told my storytime parents last week that Mother Goose rhymes are like kale smoothies for baby brains! OPENING SONG: Hello Song* OPENING FINGERPLAY: Open Them Shut Them* BOOK: Little Robin … Continue reading →

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Posted in My Baby Storytime | Leave a comment

Favorite Picture Books of 2012

Posted on December 31, 2012 by Melissa

I’m wrapping up 2012 with ten of my favorite picture books of the year. These aren’t picks for the Caldecott, or the Zolotow, or for storytime, or for any set of criteria except that I fell in love with each … Continue reading →

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Posted in Book Lists | 1 Comment

Favorite 2012 Non-Fiction Picture Books

Posted on December 28, 2012 by Melissa

Well, I did not read NEARLY as much non-fiction picture books as I meant to this year; I am going to have to seriously step up my game for 2013. From the books I did see, these are my favorites … Continue reading →

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Posted in Book Lists | 4 Comments

New Books for Baby Storytime

Posted on December 26, 2012 by Melissa

Everyone’s baby storytimes are different–some of us have separate groups for walkers and crawlers (jealous!); some of us use books, some of us don’t–so any “baby storytime” book list is going to be highly variable! These are eight 2012 books … Continue reading →

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Posted in Book Lists, My Baby Storytime | 8 Comments

A Few Books for Inspiration

Posted on December 20, 2012 by Melissa

At the beginning of the school year I had a teacher ask for help finding more books like, “Oh The Places You’ll Go!” There are actually quite a few, but I have to admit I have always dismissed them as … Continue reading →

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Posted in Book Lists | 2 Comments

Early Literacy Storytime: Print Props

Posted on December 18, 2012 by Melissa

A critical milestone in a child’s reading life is when they realize that print is all around them–the lit-up names on stores and the street signs and menus and in books–and that print carries meaning. When we show children that … Continue reading →

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Posted in Early Literacy Storytime, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Flannel Friday: Coconut Tree & Monkeys

Posted on December 14, 2012 by Melissa

Can’t resist a tree full of monkeys! I made these felt sets for my recent ABC Baby Storytime. First I made a Chicka Chicka Tree, with different shaped coconuts: You could make a dozen of each shape coconuts, and hand … Continue reading →

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Posted in Flannelboards | 5 Comments

Creating Literacy Activities and Messages for Storytime

Posted on December 12, 2012 by Melissa

(Sheesh. Sorry about that post title!) One of my favorite things about baby storytime is being able to give literacy tips and encouragement to the parents and caregivers. For the past five years or so, my library has been using … Continue reading →

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Posted in Early Literacy Storytime, Training and Mentoring | 2 Comments