Kangaroos, Koalas, and Wiggles, Oh My!

Yesterday morning I had a great time doing our branch’s monthly Saturday storytime.  I decided to take the kids on a little trip Down Under through stories and music.  Of course, being a children’s program about Australia, it was only appropriate to use a little music from The Wiggles.

I started the program as I usually do, with a little “Shake Your Sillies Out.”  This song is good for two reasons: it truly does help the active kids shake their sillies out and get ready to hear some stories, but it also helps shy kids loosen up a bit and feel more comfortable in storytime.  Later in the program I brought the Wiggles back for “Here Comes a Bear” because it mentions a few Australian animals.

While we’re on the subject of the music in the program, I also mixed in the traditional Australian tunes “Waltzing Matilda” and “Kookaburra,” although I did use the Dora the Explorer medley version so it would be kid-friendly.

Then to provide some nostalgia for the parents in the room, I just had to bring out “Down Under” by Men at Work.  Remember that one?

It was fun to watch a couple of the parents singing along and enjoying themselves, too.

Now, on to the most important part of the program – the books, of course!  Each of the books I chose focused on a different Australian animal.

Koala:

Koala Lou by Mem Fox

Kangaroo:

Polly Hopper’s Pouch by Louise Bonnett-Rampersaud

Wombat:

Sometimes I Like to Curl up in a Ball by Vicki Churchill

Platypus:

Platypus and the Lucky Day by Chris Riddell

All great stories (with great illustrations!) that just happen to feature Australian animals.

We finished up the hour with a paper plate koala craft and authentic Australian Arnott’s biscuits.  Yum!

 I had a lot of fun, and more importantly, the kids had fun and even learned a little bit, too.  Do you have any favorite Australian picture books?

Baby Love

Well, our beloved Ms. Sue was called for jury duty today.  So I had the opportunity to fill in for her “Books and Babies” program this morning.  Those babies are so adorable, but I will readily admit that baby programs are not my forte.  I’ve very rarely done them, and I’m just not as familiar with all the rhymes and fingerplays as I should be.  So, in order to make up for that I tend to use a lot of music in my baby programs.  Today was no exception.

 I set the mood for the program by starting out with a few tunes from Elizabeth Mitchell’s You Are My Little Bird.

I just love Elizabeth Mitchell’s music.  She chooses great songs and really makes them her own with her gentle, soothing voice.  Unlike many children’s artists, she appeals to adults as well as children.  One of the mothers this morning mentioned that Mitchell is one of the only children’s musicians she can stand to listen to over and over again with her son.  We all know how grating on the ears some children’s music can be after repeated listenings.  I use the Wiggles all the time in programs, but I don’t choose to listen to them during my free time.

Following the musical intro I began the Valentine’s Day-inspired portion of the program, beginning with The Cuddle Book by Guido van Genechten.

I think the mommies especially loved the last page which proclaims that Mommy’s cuddles are the best cuddles.  We then had a Valentine flannel and sang “Tony Chestnut” (Toe Knee Chest Nut Nose Eye Love You).  After that the cuddly theme continued with John Butler’s Can You Cuddle Like a Koala?

I think Butler’s illustrations are just beautiful.  Children really seem to be drawn to his adorable animals.  Finally, we rounded out the storytime with Dan Zanes’ version of “Bushel and a Peck” from Rocket Ship Beach.

I think Zanes is awesome, and he puts on a great live show – he has kids and parents alike dancing in the aisles.  And the idea of using a board book instead of a traditional jewel case to hold some of his cds, including Rocket Ship Beach, is a really cool idea.  However, in practice, it may not be the best storage method.  The library copy of the cd I used this morning was in great condition, but the board book cover – not so much.  It was grimy and stained with goodness knows what, and I could hardly bear to touch it.  Luckily, the music is so good I was willing to look past the nastiness and play it anyway.

So, overall, I think “Books and Babies” went pretty well this morning, but I really hope Sue isn’t assigned to a case, especially not a lengthy one, because I think the babies really need her!