7-12s Magic Week at the Summer Reading Club

This week the 7-12s will be learning some magic tricks. Here are some activities to do at home to go along with our magic theme.

1. Make a magic potion.

2. Tell some magician jokes.

Why did the bald magician put a rabbit on his head? Because he needed the hare.

How Do You Catch A Unique Rabbit? Unique Up On It.

How Do You Catch A Tame Rabbit? Tame Way, Unique Up On It.

What did the fisherman say to the magician? "Pick a cod, any cod."

"What's your father's occupation?" asked the teacher on the first day of the new academic year.
      "He's a magician, Ma'am," said the new boy.
      "How interesting. What's his favorite trick?"
      "He saws people in half."
      "Gosh! Now, next question. Any brothers or sisters?"
      "One half brother and two half sisters."

3. Eat magic wands, stars, and rabbits.

Licorice Magic Wands -  Make edible wands for each child by painting white icing at both ends of a black liquorice log. Stand all the wands in a drinking glass to serve.

Chocolate Magic Wands - Melt the chocolate in the microwave for about 30 seconds and stir. Then, dip the pretzel sticks in the chocolate. Place the finished treats on a baking sheet for the chocolate to harden. Once it is on the sheet, throw a few brightly colored sprinkles on them for some added fun.

Stars - Nothing says ‘magic’ like stars do, so use a star shaped cookie cutter to cut all your party food. You could have star shaped fairy bread, biscuits, pizza, cheese on toast, club sandwiches.

Bunnies - Turn ordinary cup cakes into little bunnies by icing them and decorating with marshmallows and liquorice.

  

4. Make a magic wand.

5. Make a costume.

6. Learn some magic tricks online or from books at the library!

Amazing Magic Tricks by Ben Denne

Magic by Colin Francome

Magic Up You Sleeve: Amazing Illusions, Tricks, and Science Facts You'll Never Believe by Helaine Becker

Nick Huckleberry Beak's Magnificent Magic Tricks by Nick Huckleberry Beak

1000 Books Week Nine

How did it get to be the end of July already? Where did the summer go?

We're wrapping up our second month of the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program, getting closer and closer to our end-of-summer party. Keep Saturday, August 18th clear in your calendar! Lots of fun to be had at the library for our 1000 Books participants!

Last week's book of the week was a cute little story called "Farmyard Beat", by Lindsey Craig. ("Sheep can't sleep, 'cause they got that beat!")

This week's Book of the Week is another charming board book for our younger readers: "Baby Loves Summer: a Karen Katz lift-the-flap book"

Little ones will love lifting the flaps in this new Karen Katz book to reveal a big yellow sun, flip-flops, an ice cream cone, and everything else that Baby loves about summer! The sturdy format and easy-to-lift flaps make this a perfect summertime treat for parents and children to share.

Featuring new Karen Katz branding that reflects her vibrant colors and patterns, this holiday favorite is sure to delight little ones!

Come down to the library and check out this cute book!

Imagine! Summer Reading Club: 2-6s Week 3

During week 3, we all pretended to be superheros. These are the activities we did this week at the Summer Reading Club.

Song: Head & Shoulders (superhero warm-up)

Head and shoulders, knees and toes.

Knees and toes, knees and toes,

          Head and shoulders, knees and toes,

          Eyes, ears, mouth, and nose.

Song: The Hokey Pokey Superhero Style

You put your right glove in.

You put your right glove out.

You put your right glove in and you shake it all about.

You do the super hokey and you turn yourself around.

That’s what it’s all about.

You put your right boot in…

You put your utility belt in…

You put your mask in…

You put your cape in…

Your put your whole costume in…

Stories: Timothy and the Strong Pajamas: ASuperhero Adventure by Viviane Schwarz

Mighty Max by Harriet Ziefert

Ladybug Girl & Bumblebee Boy by Jacky Davis

Another Perfect Day by Ross MacDonald

Bad Baby by Ross MacDonald

Game: Four Corners –Pick someone to be "it." This person stands at the front with her back to the group. Designate 4 corners with a different superhero name and picture. Start the kids at the center and have them find a corner to stand in, while “it” counts to 10. The "it" person, without looking, calls a superhero. Eliminate the players in the corner that was called out. These players sit down in the middle, where they started. Call out for them to pick a new corner. Repeat until only one player is left. This person is "it" next.

Game: Pass - All the superheroes need to work together to roll the ball back and forth.

Activity: Follow the Superhero Obstacle Course

a.      Throw beanbags at the robot

b.      Jump through hula hoops

c.       Bunny hop (hop forward with feet together).

d.      Crawl through a tunnel of chairs/blankets.

e.       “Walk the tightrope” (Place tape on the floor and walk across it, heel to toe.)

f.        Pop 10 bubbles.

Try these at home: 1 2 3

Craft: Superhero mask and belt – Cut a square belt and a mask out of foam. Attach string on each side of the mask, and ribbon on the belt, so they can be tied on. Decorate them with foam pieces, markers, and feathers.

 Try to think of a fun superhero name for yourself!

Imagine! Summer Reading Club: 7-12s Week 3

During week 3, we pretended to be superheros. These are the activities we did this week at the Summer Reading Club for the 7-8 and 9-12 groups.

Activity: X-ray Vision Game – A bag/pillowcase is filled with different objects. Each person reaches in the bag and guesses an object without looking.

Activity: Obstacle Course

a.      Walk the “tightrope” with one foot.

b.      Crawl under a few chairs.

c.       Go up a small ladder and jump.

d.      Jump through hula hoops.

e.      Bunny hop or frog jump.

f.        Pop 10 bubbles while hopping on one foot.

g.      Throw discs at the robot villain.

Try these at home: 1 2 3 4

Activity: The Best Game - Form 2 teams. A category (ex. Tallest) is named and the group picks their best candidate to send forward. Then they hear the full category (Tallest thumb) and a winner is named and given a certificate.

Game: Ready, aim, throw! – Form groups of 2 - one is blindfolded and the other is the leader. The blindfolded person is given verbal instructions by the leader. The goal is to hit another player with a beanbag (underhand throws only). Once hit, the person sits down. Only the blindfolded person can touch the beanbag.

Game: Save the world – A villain has dropped a bomb (beach ball or balloon) above our town. All the superheroes need to work together to keep it from touching the ground.

Craft: Superhero mask and belt – Cut a square belt and a mask out of foam. Attach string on each side of the mask, and ribbon on the belt, so they can be tied on. Decorate them with foam pieces, markers, and feathers.

 Try to think of a fun superhero name for yourself!

Superhero Week at the Summer Reading Club

This week's theme at the Summer Reading Club is Superheroes! Get ready for superhero training and adventures at the library. There will be fun superhero games and time to construct part of your very own superhero costume.
Here are some activities to try this week at home.
1. Make some superhero cuffs.

2. Make a superhero cape.

3. Pretend to be a superhero.

4. Color a superhero.

5. Eat some superfoods.

6. Tie up a villain. Find a grown-up or a stuffed animal to pretend to be the villain. Catch the villain, sit him down, and tie him up with toilet paper!

Have fun pretending to be superheroes this week and don't forget to enter the weekly draw at the library! See you this week at the reading clubs!

1000 Books Week Eight

We're getting close to the end of summer - has everyone been enjoying their holiday?
We've had a few more people register for the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program, and more and more kids are winning prizes for reading. Congratulations to Penelope, who was the first child to make it to 150 books! Good job! Keep up the good reading!
Last week's book of the week was "Zoom!", by Robert Munsch, a humorous tale about the little hero in all of us.

This week's book of the week (can you believe we're already at eight weeks?) is "Farmyard Beat", by Lindsey Craig.

"As soon as the sun goes down, the animals are up! ("Sheep can't sleep. Sheep can't sleep. Sheep can't sleep 'cause they got that beat!") Before long, there's a giant farmyard dance party, complete with funny animal sounds. But what happens when all the racket wakes up Farmer Sue? Here's a colorful bedtime story that begs to be read aloud."

 With the end of summer approaching, we're getting closer to our 1000 Books Party. Everyone registered in this program is invited to attend. Come listen to fun, interesting stories read by our Director Shannan, library staff, and a few locals you may have met before. There will be snacks, and a fun craft the kids can take home!

  Be sure to mark Saturday, August 18th, from 1:00 - 2:00 pm on your calendars!



Imagine! Summer Reading Club: 2-6s Week 2

For week 2, our theme was Monsters and Crazy Creatures. These are the activities that were played in the 2-3 and 4-6 groups.

 

Song: If You Ever Meet a Monster (Sung to: Did you Ever See A Lassie)

If you ever meet a monster, a monster, a monster,

If you ever meet a monster go this way or that (make two different scary faces; running motions)

Song: Horns and Fangs (Sung to: "Head and Shoulders")

Horns and fangs,
knees and toes,
knees and toes.
Horns and fangs,
knees and toes.
Eyes and ears and tail and claws.

Stories: The Monster atthe End of this Book by Jon Stone

Monster Cake by Rebecca Dickinson

Whena Monster is Born by Sean Taylor & Nick Sharratt

Frank was a Monster Who Wanted ToDance by Keith Graves

Laura Numeroff’s Ten-Steph Guide To Living With Your Monster by Laura Numeroff

Activity: Sleeping Monsters - Walk around like monsters. The monster keeper calls “sleeping monsters” and the children drop to the floor and pretend to sleep. When the monster keeper is looking away, the “monsters” make funny faces without being caught.

Song: If You’re a Monster and You Know It (Sung to "If You're Happy and You Know It")

If you’re a monster and you know it wave your claws.

If you're a monster and you know it wave your claws.

If you're a monster and you know it and you really want to show it.

If you're a monster and you know it wave your claws.

If you’re a monster and you know it stomp your feet...

If you’re a monster and you know it wave your tail...

If you’re a monster and you know it give a roar...

Game: Musical Monsters – When the music plays, the children walk in a circle. When the music stops each child stands under a monster picture or picks up a stuffed animal.

Activity: Follow the Monster - Pick someone to be the monster and follow what they do.

Craft: Mouthy Monster - Create and decorate a colorful paper monster with paper shapes, googly eyes, pipe cleaners, feathers, and pompoms.

Imagine! Summer Reading Club: 7-12s Week 2

For week 2, our theme was Monsters and Crazy Creatures. These are the activities that were played in the 7-8 and 9-12 groups.

Activity: Pass the Portrait – Each person gets a paper folded in three. Draw the head & pass it on. Draw the body and pass it on. Draw the legs. Show everyone the monster.

Game: Monster Catch - One person will throw an underhand pass to someone else. If the person catches it, he/she will throw it to another person. If you drop it, you go down on one knee, then two knees, one elbow, two elbows, chin, and then he/she is out. The winner is the person who is on the least body parts.

Game: Monster Eyeball Battle - Players stand and hold a blanket on opposite ends. A ping pong ball is placed onto the sheet. The sheet is then raised or lowered. The object of the game is to get the ping pong ball to fall off the other team's side of the sheet.

Activity: Balancing Brains - Need a bean bag, pencil, eraser -- or similar object to place on head. Play music as each child walks around balancing the object on their head. If the object falls off the child is frozen until another comes and places the object back on the head. Everyone stops and pauses when the music stops. Game starts over when the music again starts.

Craft: Mouthy Monster – Create and decorate a colorful paper monster with paper shapes, googly eyes, pipe cleaners, feathers, and pompoms.

Imagine! Summer Reading Club: 2-6s Week 1

The summer reading club started last week on July 10! During Week 1, our theme was Robots and Inventions. Here are the activities we tried in the 2-3 and 4-6 reading clubs.

Song: I'm A Little Robot (Sung to: "I'm A Little Teapot")

I'm a little robot, short and strong.
Here are my handles, just turn me on.
When I get all warmed up, watch me go,
Sometimes fast and sometimes slow.

Song: If You’re a Robot and You Know It (Sung to: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)

If you’re a robot and you know it swing your arms.

If you’re a robot and you know it swing your arms.

If you’re a robot and you know it and you really want to show it,

If you’re a robot and you know it swing your arms.

If you’re a robot and you know it stomp your feet…

If you’re a robot and you know it beep your nose…

Stories: Mechanimals by Chris Tougas

IfI Had a Robot by Dan Yaccarino

          Cookiebot!A Harry and Horsie Adventure by Katie Van Camp

WodneyWat’s Wobot by Helen Lester

Activity: Robot Dance Freeze - Dance like a robot when the music plays. When the music stops, freeze.

Activity: Follow the Robot - Pick someone to be the robot and follow what they do.

Fingerplay: I Am A Robot

I am a robot big and strong (show arm muscles)

Watch me as I walk along (walk with stiff arms and legs)

My head turns left (turn left)

My head turns right (turn right)

Both my eyes shine big and bright! (point to eyes)

Push this button, I will say (push belly)

“How are all my friends today?” (Bend over at waist)

Push this button, I will say (push nose)

“I am doing very well!” (stand up again)

Activity: What time is it, Mr. Robot?

Game: Sleeping Robots – Walk around like robots. The robot keeper calls “sleeping robots” and the children drop to the floor and pretend to sleep. When the robot keeper is looking away, the “robots” make funny faces without being caught.

Crafts: Make Your Own Shapes Robot – Cut out different shapes and glue them on construction paper as a collage to form a robot.

Film Canister Robot – Decorate a film canister with paper, googly eyes, pipe cleaners and feathers to create a robot.