Get Trucking

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Hilary

Turn an egg carton into a dump truck, add some traffic signs and get trucking! We’ve tested the following activities on the bookmobile and received enthusiastic thumbs up.

To make the trucks:

We used DLTK’s pattern for the dump truck. We suggest you skip the paint and use markers instead. Markers allow your kiddos to custom detail their trucks. You can geek out adding specialty headlights and chrome wheels, but honestly, we got excited about drawing passengers and drivers. (One’s a hedgehog.) If you aren’t ready to hand your child markers, try stickers.

We also attached the truck bed with masking tape so that it can be raised and lowered. We think you will be impressed with this upgrade. Continue reading →

Show Me a Story

Posted on January 2, 2013 by Lauren

My kid is a ~~hoarder~~ collector. Wherever we go, she is always gathering rocks and stones. She forbids the recycling or throwing away of any scrap, bit or bob, so we are awash in small pieces of fabric, empty egg cartons and paper. I often agonize over the piles and messes, but I feel much better if I can see this stuff as useful. And this is reason number one that I love “Show Me a Story” by Emily K. Neuburger.

As a librarian and parent, I know the importance of early literacy skills to a child’s reading and school success. One of these is narrative skills, or the ability to describe and sequence events, tell stories and predict what will happen next. “Show Me a Story” is a beautifully presented collection of craft projects that create props or kits for storytelling games and activities. In our house we started with story stones, using Modge Podge, construction paper, paint and fabric to create characters and objects affixed to smooth rocks. (We have plenty of smooth rocks.) We made a dragon, sword, castle Continue reading →

Missouri Building Blocks: “Press Here”

Posted on November 15, 2012 by Hilary

The best way to describe Hervé Tullet’s “Press Here” is as an “old school” app. The book starts with a single yellow dot and instructions to “press here and turn the page.” Magically, the one dot turns into two. By following the instructions to shake, turn and rub gently, the dots shift, multiply and even change colors. Kids will hop on the opportunity to interact with this book. As an adult, I found myself magnetically drawn to the experience (and glancing over my shoulder to make sure no one was watching).

For more fun with “Press Here”:

Explore the French artist’s other books. They all encourage you and your child to interact with art. My favorite is “The Book With a Hole.” Appropriately named, this book has a huge hole in its center that transforms from a peek inside a pot full of whatever treats you describe to a basketball goal through which you are encouraged to throw papers. The possibilities are endless, which is exactly why I love this book. Continue reading →

Missouri Building Blocks: Rrralph

Posted on October 8, 2012 by Hilary

Our next Missouri Building Block nominee is Lois Ehlert’s “Rrralph.” To be honest, I am a bit creeped out by the main character’s pop-top nose and zipper mouth (he is a collage of recycled materials). On the other hand, the book is a hit with its intended audience—preschoolers. Kids love pointing out all of the found objects in the illustrations. They also relish the quirky wordplay. Ralph is a talking dog, and young ones enjoy guessing how Ralph will answer questions with a dog’s limited vocabulary (e.g. “roof,” “bark” and “rough.”)

For more fun with this book:

Make your own collage animals. First go on a treasure hunt gathering scraps in your neighborhood or around the house. Then put the pieces together to make your own critters. For more inspiration, look at other books by Lois Ehlert. “Boo to You!” and “Leaf Man” are perfect inspiration for craft time during this fall season. Continue reading →

Websites We Love: Twisty Noodle

Posted on March 13, 2012 by Lauren

First, who can resist a website with a name like Twisty Noodle? It just sounds fun, which this resource for free coloring pages indeed is. Your household crayons and colored pencils will get a workout after you’ve explored this site. A few reasons why I love these printable pages:

Twisty Noodle provides access to thousands of coloring sheets in more than 15 appealing categories, from animals to sports.
The sheets are customizable, so you can change the font and add text to transform a clown coloring sheet into a birthday card for daddy (not that daddy is a clown…).
Many of the customizable worksheets function as great tools for teaching a young child his address or a grade-schooler her cursive letters.
The site features seasonal coloring pages and worksheets. As I’m writing this, the home page displays plenty of spring, St. Patrick’s Day and Easter sheets.

Continue reading →