Meet Hannah Olivia Monkey

Storytime will be starting soon! Just wanted to take this opportunity to introduce you to our new friend who will be helping with storytime!

Name: Hannah Olivia MonkeyAge: 3 and a half years old
Favorite Colors: Red, Blue, and Yellow
Favorite Foods: Bananas, Banana Muffins, Banana Soup, Banana's Foster, Banana Ice Cream. Chocolate Covered Bananas, and Tootsie Rolls
Hometown: Bronx, New York
Favorite Books:

Curious George Makes Pancakes

by Margret & H.A Rey's
Curious George Goes to the Hospital

by Margret & H.A Rey's

Curious George Goes to the Chocolate Factory

by Margret and H.A Rey

Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina


Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed

by Eileen Christelow

Favorite Things to do outside: Roller Skate, Play on the Monkey Bars, Help Wash the Car, and Jump Rope

Favorite Things to do inside: Read, Dance, Sing, Go to the Library, and Monkey Around

Favorite Bands: The Monkeys and BananaRama (I'm into old-school stuff)

Wow! A New Update!

Wow! I have not updated in a very long time! The new school year is fast approaching and plans are well underway here at Kids-R-Kids. We have just received the new curriculum that the classrooms will be using this year. I've had the opportunity to take a sneak peek and it is outstanding!

I've have already been preparing for Storytime! I've had the opportunity to attend several storytime events at local libraries and have learned a few new finger plays, songs,crafts, and games to add to the program!

If you are new to Kids 'R' Kids, I would like to welcome you! Thank you for sharing your child with us! You may not be familar with Creative Storytime. At each of the five Kids "R" Kids centers I visit all of the Toddler, Pre-School, and Pre-Kindergarten classrooms. I bring stories, games, puppets, crafts, and other special surprises to bring books and stories alive. For example last year during the week of St. Patrick's Day the Pre-Schoolers, PreKindergarteners, and Kindergarteners went on a Scavenger Hunt to find the book that the Leprechauns had hidden. The children followed clues to lead us to our "treasure of books and a craft project."

Studies has shown that the introduction of quality books and stories makes a significant difference in creating life long readers.

Here is a list of some Favorite Books Read Last Year!

The is a great foot stomper of a book! Excellent for Toddlers and Young Pre-Schoolers. A great book to get 'um up and movin'. Don't forget to read it with a country accent!

My two-year old nephew introduced me to this book! He is all about trains! This is a great book to help the little ones learn colors and words such as fast and slow!

This is one of those rare books that is equally enjoyable to children ages 2 through 6. A great book for animal noises and repetition. Pre-Schoolers and Kindergarteners love repetition and love to repeat phrases that are said over and over again in books! I adore this book!

This book is a favorite. This is an interactive book where children are asked to make sure the pigeon doesn't drive the bus. Not a good choice before bedtime as this book usually hypes kids up! It's hillarious!

This is was one of my favorites as a child. A good choice for older Pre-K through 4 grade students. This is a blast to read-aloud. I love to do the voices! Especially the voice of "Viola Swamp".

I would love to hear from you! If you have questions, comments, and concerns about the Creative Storytime program please feel free to e-mail me at eevt@hotmail.com

See you soon!

It's Almost Thanksgiving!!!

I can't believe that it is almost Thanksgiving!!!! Where did November go?

What are you plans?

Are you going to go "Over the River and Through the Wood"?

Are you going to get your Turkey at a Turkey Farm

Are you going to tell the story about the First Thanksgiving?

Round up a flock of these paper-bag gobblers

CRAFT MATERIALS:
Scissors
Medium-sized brown bag
Newspaper
Glue
Googly eyes
Red balloon
Two large grocery bags
Large rubber band
Time needed: Under 1 Hour
1. To make the head, stuff the bottom of the medium-sized bag with balled-up newspaper. Twist the top of the bag to form a long, skinny neck. 2. Glue the googly eyes and the balloon wattle onto the face. 3. For the turkey's body, use one large bag. Snip a hole through the front of the bag an inch from the bottom and fit the neck into it. Then, stuff the body two thirds full with newspaper. Close the top of the bag with the rubber band. 4. To make tail feathers, cut four large half-circles from the remaining bag and then glue them in layers to the back of the body.

FRUIT GOBBLER
RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
Bosc pear (head)
Melon (body)
Cheese (beak and tail feathers)
Red pepper (snood, feet and side feathers)
Raisins (eyes)
Grapes (tail feathers)
Bamboo skewers
Toothpicks
1. Stabilize the melon body by cutting a shallow slice off the rind to form a flat base. Using a section of bamboo skewer, attach a Bosc pear head to the melon, as shown. 2. Cut a cheese triangle beak and red pepper snood. Attach both, along with raisin eyes, to the head with sections of toothpick. 3. Cut red pepper feet and set them in place. For tail feathers, skewer cheese cubes and red grapes, then insert the skewers as shown. Pin pepper side feathers in place with toothpicks.

HAVE A GREAT THANKSGIVING!!!