FDL Book Talk (for Kids) – Planting Stories and Balloons over Broadway

Immigration, puppets, and dreams coming true in New York City… Haley shares two books that have all these things in common in today’s book talk! Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré by Anika Aldamuy Denise and Balloons over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade by Melissa Sweet are both perfect for kids in Pre-K through 3rd grade who love learning about inspiring figures from history! Place them on hold or catch them in the Famous People & Events book bundle, available first come, first served!

2021-04-27T13:41:29-05:00April 27th, 2021|

5 Adventure Books Starring Cats

What do ninjas, robots, time travel, and outer space have in common with each other? Cats, of course! You can find books on all of these topics, and more, which feature cats as the main characters. It may sound a little silly, but stories like these are a great way to get kids excited about reading. One of the reasons some kids don’t like to read is because they have learned to associate books with boredom and frustration. A fun book about cats in space could be just the thing to help them realize that reading doesn’t always have to be a serious task and that there’s nothing wrong with enjoying something more for entertainment than its educational value. Skip the “normal” adventure stories, and read one full of cute kittens!

Cat Ninja by Matthew Cody

Catstronauts series by Drew Brockington

Professor Astro Cat series by Dr. Dominic Walliman

Cats Vs. Robots by Margaret Stohl and Lewis Peterson

Hello Kitty: It’s About Time by Jacob Chabot

– Cindy, Youth Services Assistant

2021-04-20T15:45:17-05:00April 20th, 2021|

Explore More Illinois is Back!

Explore More Illinois is back! Explore More Illinois provides FDL card holders with access to free and discounted admission, parking, and gift store purchases from cultural attractions in Illinois, including museums, cultural centers, zoos, aquariums, gardens, historical societies, park districts, and more! This program is sponsored by RAILS (Reaching Across Illinois Library System) and includes attractions throughout the state.

Access Explore More Illinois by clicking on the logo above and log in with your library card barcode and password. Patrons can also go directly to exploremore.quipugroup.net and choose their home library from the drop down menu. Once logged in, view currently available offers or search by date, attraction name, or location. Adults can make short-term reservations for tickets for a specific date and can have two active reservations at a time. A photo ID must be shown at the attraction on the day of the reservation, as well as either the printed passes or a smartphone showing the digital passes.

Users should cancel the reservation(s) if they’re unable to attend; otherwise, the reservation will count as being used. Please note that once a pass is printed or downloaded, the reservation cannot be cancelled.

Current attractions include:

More attractions will be added as places reopen from COVID-19, and offers are subject to change, so check the Explore More Illinois site before planning your visits!

2021-04-15T14:27:38-05:00April 15th, 2021|

Story Time (Online) – Birthdays!

It’s almost Miss Alice’s birthday, and she wanted to celebrate early with you! It might be your birthday, it might be your unbirthday, but either way, have a fantastic day with some great books!

Song: Hello, Friends

(using ASL, to the tune of Goodnight, Ladies)

Hello, friends! Hello, friends!

Hello, friends! It’s time to say hello!

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Song: Open Them, Shut Them

Open them, shut them, open them, shut them.

Give a little clap, clap, clap!

Open them, shut them, open them, shut them.

Put them in your lap, lap, lap!

Creep them, creep them, slowly creep them,

Right up to your chin, chin, chin!

Open wide your little mouth,

But do not let them in!

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Song: Ten Little Fingers

I have ten little fingers, and they all belong to me. (point to self)

I can make them do things. Do you want to see? (point to eyes)

I can squeeze them up tight. I can open them up wide. (squeeze hands shut, then open them)

I can put them together. I can make them all hide. (clap, then hide hands behind back)

I can make them jump high. I can make them jump low. (wiggle fingers above head, then reach down)

I can fold them up quietly and hold them just so. (fold hands and place on lap)

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Book: Bulldozer’s Big Day

Written by Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmann, and published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

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Song: Five Little Ducks

Five little ducks went out one day, over the hills and far away.

Mama Duck said, quack, quack, quack, quack, but only four little ducks came back.

(Continue until there are no little ducks.)

Mama Duck went out one day, over the hills and far away.

Mama Duck said, quack, quack, quack, quack. And all of her five little ducks came back!

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Book: When’s My Birthday?

Written by Julie Fogliano and published by A Neal Porter Book, Roaring Brook Press.

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Song: One Little Red Fish

One little red fish swimming in the water, (hold up one finger, then put hands together to make fish)

Swimming in the water, swimming in the water.

One little red fish swimming in the water,

Bubble bubble bubble bubble pop! (swirl hands in the air upwards and clap above head)

Two little blue fish…

Three little yellow fish…

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Book: A Big Surprise for Little Card

Written by Charise Mericle Harper and published by Candlewick Press.

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Craft: Spring Flower

Use dyed pasta to create a pretty sunflower for Spring!

Included in kit:

  • Background
  • Various pieces of colored, non-edible pasta

Not included:

  • Glue

Instructions:

Create a spring flower with pasta! Lay out your pasta and glue all at once, or glue as you go. It’s up to you!

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Song: I am Special

(to the tune of Frere Jacques)

I am special, I am special, (point to self)

You can see, you can see. (point away from self)

Someone very special, someone very special, (hold hands out in questioning motion)

That is me, that is me. (point to self)

– Miss Alice, Youth Services Manager

2021-04-15T12:34:28-05:00April 15th, 2021|

Story Time (Online) with Kylo Ren!

Welcome to a special story time with Kylo Ren! Kylo is visiting the library for Star Wars Week to read us a story about the most infamous character in the galaxy – his grandfather Darth Vader!

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Song: Hello, Friends

(using ASL)

Hello, friends! Hello, friends!

Hello, friends! It’s time to say hello!

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Song: Open Them, Shut Them

Open them, shut them, open them, shut them.

Give a little clap, clap, clap!

Open them, shut them, open them, shut them.

Put them in your lap, lap, lap!

Creep them, creep them, slowly creep them,

Right up to your chin, chin, chin!

Open wide your little mouth,

But do not let them in!

Book: Are You Scared, Darth Vader?

Written by Adam Rex and published by Disney Lucasfilm Press.

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Song: I am Special

(to the tune of Frere Jacques)

I am special, I am special, (point to self)

You can see, you can see. (point away from self)

Someone very special, someone very special, (hold hands out in questioning motion)

That is me, that is me. (point to self)

Craft: Color Resist Death Star

Pick up a craft kit from the Youth Services Department or the drive-up window while supplies last!

Included in Kit:

  • White crayon
  • Black marker
  • Coffee filters

Directions:

  1. Flatten out the coffee filter and use the white crayon to trace the segments of the Death Star.
  2. Color all over the coffee filter with the black marker. What happens to the crayon?
  3. Try this out: color chromatography! Create your Death Star, then try dripping water on it, or dip it in water. What happens to the marker?

– Alice, Youth Services Manager

2021-04-09T17:20:46-05:00April 10th, 2021|

FDL Reads: Pilu of the Woods

Pilu of the Woods by Mai K. Nguyen

Reviewer: Cindy, Youth Services Assistant

Genre: Graphic Novel

Suggested Age: 10 & up

What is this book about? After getting in a fight with her older sister, a young girl named Willow runs into the woods to be by herself.  She finds another girl, named Pilu, crying alone and decides to help her.  Pilu explains that she ran away from home because she doesn’t think her mom cares about her, but now she’s lost and doesn’t know what to do.  Willow becomes determined to help Pilu get back home, and along the way, the two girls learn how to view life from another person’s perspective and make peace with their own turbulent emotions.

My Review: This is a great book for kids who are struggling with feelings of grief and/or loneliness.  The subject matter is a little heavy, but it’s handled delicately.  I think a lot of kids (and adults) would be able to relate to Willow and Pilu in one way or another.  Everyone knows what it feels like to lose or become separated from a loved one, but for kids who are going through this for the first time, it can feel really big and impossible to deal with.  Pilu of the Woods does a great job of showing how scary and upsetting the world is to a child who feels like they’re completely alone.  Considering everything that’s happened in the past year, it’s nice to have stories like this to remind us that there are still lots of little acts of love we can show one another and different ways of finding the strength to move on after a difficult event.

Rating: 4/5

Three Words That Describe This Book: forgiving, therapeutic, emotional

Give This a Try if You Like…ecology, magical realism, Robot Dreams by Sara Varon

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

FDL Reads is a series of weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library.

FDL Reads

 

2021-04-08T15:22:35-05:00April 8th, 2021|

Story Time (Online) – Unicorns

Good morning and welcome to story time. I’m Miss Sharon. Did you know that tomorrow is National Unicorn Day? We all know unicorns are magical one-horned horses. Did you know unicorns can be mischievous, too? Let’s read some stories about these magical, mischievous creatures.

 

Song: The More We Get Together

The more we get together, together, together,
the more we get together, the happier we’ll be.
Cause your friends are my friends,
and my friends are your friends,
the more we get together the happier we’ll be!

Source: Supersimple A Place To Learn and Grow

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Book: How to Catch a Unicorn

Written by Adam Wallace, illustrated by Andy Elkerton and read with the permission of Sourcebooks Jabberwocky.

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Flannel: Five Little Unicorns

I saw five little unicorns – creatures from folklore
I watched the blue one prance away, and then there were four.
I saw four little unicorns resting by a tree
I watched the purple one prance away, and then there were three.
I saw three little unicorns, but as near to them I drew
The green one pranced away, and then there were two.
I saw two little unicorns – I watched them run and run
the yellow one pranced away, and then there was one.
I saw a lonely pink unicorn standing in the sun.
when I blinked by eyes, it pranced away, and then there were none.

Source: jeninthelibrary.com/tag/unicorns/

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Book: You Don’t Want a Unicorn!

Written by Ame Dyckman, illustrated by Liz Climo, and read with the permission of Little Brown.

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Song: If You’re A Unicorn…

If you’re a unicorn and you know it, shake your horn.
If you’re a unicorn and you know it, shake your horn.
If you’re a unicorn and you know it, then your magic will surely show it.
If you’re a unicorn and you know it, shake your horn.

…stamp your hooves
…toss your mane
…twitch your tail
…prance around

Source: literacious.com/unicorn-storytime/

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Book: Unicorn Day

Written by Diana Murray, illustrated by Luke Flowers, and read with the permission of Sourcebooks Jabberwocky.

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Song: Skinnamarink (with actions)

Skinnamarinky dinky-dink (Put your left elbow in right hand, wave)
Skinnamarinky Doo (Right elbow in left hand, wave)
I (Point to eye)
Love (Cross your arms over your heart)
You! (Point to audience)
Skinnamarinky dinky-dink (Left elbow in right hand)
Skinnamarinky Doo (Right elbow in left hand, wave)
I (Point to eye)
Love (Cross your arms over your heart)
You! (Point to audience)
I love you in the morning (Cross arms above your head)
And in the afternoon (Cross arms around your chest)
I love you in the evening (Cross around your tummy)
And underneath the moon! (Cross arms above head again)
Skinnamarinky dinky-dink (Left arm in right hand, wave)
Skinnamarinky doo (Right arm in left hand, wave)
I (Point to eye)
Love (Cross your arms over your heart)
You! (Point to audience)
Too (Show two fingers)
Boo boop we doo! (Wave and kiss!)

Source: youtube.com/watch?v=Ix_LyeuYbcI

Craft: 3D Paper Unicorn

Craft kits are available to pick up in the Youth Services department or the drive-up window while supplies last.

Kit Supplies:

  • 3D Construction Paper Unicorn craft template
  • Instruction sheet

Supplies needed from home:

  • coloring supplies (crayons, markers or colored pencils)
  • scissors
  • glue
  • glitter glue for some magic (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Color and cut out the unicorn template (skip the hooves).
  2. Add glittery accents with glitter glue if you wish your unicorn to look fancier, but you will have to wait for the glitter glue to dry before moving forward. Glitter sure does add magic to this fairy tale creature.
  3. Fold the hooves on the unicorn body. Apply glue on the bottom of the hooves and stick the unicorn body on the cloud base. Color in the hooves (hint, hint pink).
  4. On the unicorn head, apply glue on the area marked with the word glue. Glue together in a roll. Apply glue at the bottom of the head or on the body of the unicorn and stick the head on the body.
  5. Glue the mane on the head. Fold bottom part (along the line) on both horns. Glue the two horns (top parts) together, so it’s colored on both sides. Apply glue on the bottom part and stick it on the unicorn head. Fold the ears and stick them on the head.
  6. Fold the tail (along the line), apply glue on the back of the tail and glue two tail halves together. Stick the tail on the body of the unicorn.

Source: easypeasyandfun.com/3d-construction-paper-unicorn/

Song: Thanks for Coming

(Tune: Oh My Darling Clementine)
Thanks for sitting, thanks for listening,
Thanks for coming here today!
Now that story time is over
Hope you have a lovely day!

Source: Literary Hoots

Join Miss Alice next week for story time!

– Miss Sharon, Youth Services Specialist

2021-04-08T12:29:46-05:00April 8th, 2021|

Star Wars Origami Tutorial

Susie and Alice show you how to make a cute little origami Baby Yoda (easy) or an impressive X-Wing (intermediate)! Origami paper is available in the Star Wars activity pack for younger children or as a separate Take & Make at the library during Star Wars Week while supplies last.

2021-04-02T10:43:14-05:00April 5th, 2021|

Kylo STILL in Quarantine…

Happy Star Wars Week!

Poor Kylo is STILL in quarantine, but we have lots of fun, COVID-safe activities planned for you this week! Register for our virtual programs here, stop by the library for activities, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok for more fun surprises! May the Force be with you!

2021-04-01T11:45:39-05:00April 4th, 2021|

Bilingual Story Time (Online) – Lucha libre

Hi, everyone! My name is Miss Haley, and I’m so happy you’re joining me today for bilingual story time at Fondulac District Library. Bilingual is a word that means more than one language, so that means we’ll be singing songs and reading books in English and Spanish today. Are you ready for some Lucha libre? Let’s go! ¡Vamos!

 

Song: Good Morning / Buenos dias

(Tune: “Frère Jacques” or “Are You Sleeping?”)

English Lyrics:

Good morning

Good morning

How are you?

How are you?

Very well, thank you

Very well thank you

And you?

And you?

Spanish Lyrics:

Buenos dias

Buenos dias

¿Como estas?

¿Como estas?

Muy bien, gracias

Muy bien, gracias

¿Y usted?

¿Y usted?

 

Credit: Jack Hartmann Kids Music Channel

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Song: Open, Shut Them / Abre, cierra

 English Lyrics:

Open, shut them

Open, shut them

Give a little clap, clap, clap

Open, shut them

Open, shut them

Put them in your lap, lap, lap

Creep them, crawl them,

creep them, crawl them

right up to your chin, chin, chin

Open wide your little mouth, but…

Do not put them in!

Credit: Jbrary YouTube Channel

 

Spanish Lyrics:

Abre, cierra

Abre, cierra

Da una palmadita, -ta

Abre, cierra

Abre, cierra

Mantenlas juntitas, -tas

Sube, sube, sube, sube

Hasta la barbilla, -lla

Abre la boquita pero…

¡No metas los dedos!

Credit: NCO Bilingual Storytime

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Song: My Two Hands Go Clap, Clap, Clap

My two hands go clap, clap, clap

My two feet go tap, tap, tap

My two hands go thump, thump, thump

My two feet go jump, jump, jump

My one body turns around

and it quietly sits down.

Credit: Jbrary

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Book: Niño Wrestles the World

Written by Yuyi Morales and read with the permission of Roaring Book Press.

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Song: Itsy Bitsy Spider / Itsy Bitsy araña

English Lyrics:

The itsy bitsy spider

Went up the water spout.

Down came the rain

And washed the spider out.

Out came the sun

And dried up all the rain

And the itsy bitsy spider

Went up the spout again.

 

Spanish Lyrics:

La arana pequeñita

Subió, subió, subió.

Vino la lluvia

Y se la llevó.

Salió el sol

Y todo lo secó

Y la araña pequeñita

Subió, subió, subió.

 

Credit: Spanish Playground

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Song: Slowly, Slowly

English Lyrics:

Slowly, slowly, very slowly

creeps the garden snail.

Slowly, slowly, very slowly

up the garden rail.

Quickly, quickly, very quickly

runs the little mouse.

Quickly, quickly very quickly

into his little house.

Credit: Jbrary

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Book: Friday Night Wrestlefest

Written by Jennifer Fox, illustrated by Micah Player, and read with the permission of Roaring Book Press.

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Craft: Luchador Mask and Wrist Cuffs

Pick up a craft kit at the library while supplies last from the Youth Services Department or the drive-up window.

Supplies needed at home:

  • Liquid glue or glue stick
  • Scissors
  • Tape (any kind works)

Included in supply kit:

  • Templates for mask and cuffs
  • Ribbon or string

 

Instructions:

  1. Color your mask and cuffs however you like.
  2. Cut out your mask and cuffs, including the eye holes on the mask. Make sure to have an adult present to supervise and assist in using scissors.
  3. Glue the middle panel of the mask together. Then, secure that spot using tape on the back of the mask.
  4. Stick the two side panels of the mask together using glue. Add tape to the back of the mask in those areas if needed.
  5. Attach a length of ribbon or string on both sides of your mask with a little tape.
  6. Attach the cuffs around each of the Luchador’s wrists using glue or tape
  7. Hooray! Your mask and cuffs are ready. You’re a Luchador!

Credit: HappyThought.co.uk

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More Children’s Books About Wrestling:

English Books:

Bilingual Books:

Books Available in English with Some Spanish Words:

 

Mango Languages App:

Did you know that we have an app available on our website that can help you and your child learn a new language? It’s called Mango, and you can sign up for free using your library card number. Check it out by clicking here!

 

Song: The Goodbye Song 

English Lyrics:

Goodbye

So long

To you

My friend

Stay well

And fine

Til we meet

Again

Spanish Lyrics:

Adios

Adios

A ti

Mi amigo

Cuídate

Muy bien

Nos vemos

Otra vez

Credit: Burlington Specials

– Miss Haley, Youth Services Assistant

2021-04-01T12:01:04-05:00April 1st, 2021|
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