• Reviews

    Book Review: Dory Fantasmagory

    “Fantasmagory: a dream-like state where real life and imagination are blurred together” – a perfect start to a book that does exactly that – blur the line between reality and imagination and it’s exactly what kids need! Everyone calls Dory “Rascal” – she’s the youngest in her family and her…

  • Activities

    3rd & 4th Grade Book Club

    We don’t have any programs this week which allows me to focus on my program planning for the next month or so. One of my programs, a third and fourth grade book discussion group will meet in the middle of February. I’ll admit, I find it difficult to find books…

  • Lists

    NYPL's 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing 2014

    I’m currently working my way through the New York Public Library’s Children’s Books 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing 2014.  I’ve read a number of the books already, but I figured it would be a great start to the new year to work towards these 100 books.  I’m almost finished…

  • Activities

    Preschoool Storytime

    For the winter session, I’m getting the chance to offer a parachute preschool storytime for children ages 3.5 – 5 years old.  I’m really excited to be given the opportunity to work with a little bit of an older group of kids – I normally am in charge of toddler…

  • Reviews

    The Iron Trial

    I’m still battling a wicked cold/flu thing that forced me to spend time relaxing this weekend, which allowed me to get a lot of reading done!  And boy, did it feel great!  I finished The Iron Trial by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare and read all of I am Malala:…

  • Reviews

    The Nowhere Box

    This book grabbed my attention right away – the cut-out, painted, and pencil sketched drawings fit perfectly with the story about a little boy frustrated by his even littler brothers always getting in the way of his fun.  So, he decides to go Nowhere in a washing machine box and…

  • Lifestyle

    Resolve to Rock

    Storytime Underground is encouraging us, as professionals, to make goals for the upcoming year.  I love the start of the new year – fresh and ready to work toward some new goals.  So, without further ado, some of my goals for the new year. 1.) Focus on my blog.  Last…

  • Activities

    Countdown to Noon Party

    Well, that was a success!  We ended up with about 75 people for our first ever Countdown to Noon Party.  It was a little chaotic, but I think the families really appreciated it.  It probably could have been even busier, but we capped the kid count at 55 to ensure…

  • Lifestyle

    Early Literacy on NPR

    NPR is in the midst of a three-part series about literacy in America – yesterday, focusing on access to books and today, focusing on simple ways parents and caregivers can help their children be ready to enter school ready to learn and succeed.  As for tomorrow, I’m interested to see where…