Summer Storytimes, Here We Come!
Coming up: Not one but TWO great Little Hands Signing webinars to help you prepare for summer and summer reading storytimes! Register now!
Little Hands Signing Professional Development: Summer Reading Special (1 hour webinar)
Tuesday, May 23, 2023 from 12 PM -1 PM Eastern/11 AM-12 PM Central/10 AM-11 AM Mountain/9 AM-10 AM Pacific.
Online session via Zoom (1 hour webinar). Includes recording access for though June 24, 2023.
In this interactive session, we’ll focus on basic ASL vocabulary for friends and togetherness, to go with the Collaborative Summer Library program theme, All Together Now: Todos Juntos Ahora.
Individual: $40. Get 20% off individual registration when you enter promo code SUMMER at the top of the ticket form! Group rates and direct invoicing available; contact info@storiesbyhand.com for more info.
Little Hands Signing Professional Development: Summer Signs (1 hour webinar)
Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at 2 PM Eastern/1 PM Central/12 PM Mountain/11 AM Pacific Online session via Zoom (1 hour webinar). Includes recording access for 30 days.
Learn basic American Sign Language for summer storytimes in this interactive online session!
Individual: $40. Get 20% off individual registration when you enter promo code SUMMER at the top of the ticket form! Group rates and direct invoicing available; contact info@storiesbyhand.com for more info.
Add some signs to your Spring storytimes!
Little Hands Signing Professional Development: Spring Signs (1 hour webinar)
Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at 11 AM Eastern/10 AM Central/9 AM Mountain/8 AM Pacific
Online session via Zoom (1 hour webinar). Includes recording access for though April 30, 2023.
Learn basic American Sign Language for spring storytimes in this interactive online session!
Individual: $40. Get 20% off individual registration when you enter promo code READANDSIGN at the top of the ticket form! Discounted group rates and direct invoicing available for groups of 10 or more. Contact info@storiesbyhand.com for details.
50% off storytime resource books from ALA Editions!
ALA Editions has lots of great storytime resources on sale at 50% off, including 2 of our titles:
Multicultural Storytime Magic by Kathy MacMillan and Christine Kirker (ALA Editions)
Regular price: $48 – Now on sale for $24!
Weave diversity into any and every storytime, no matter what the topic! Arranged thematically around dozens of popular storytime themes, this resource book presents original and traditional resources from all over the world that will enrich storytimes for ages 2 through 5. Includes download links for flannelboard and stick puppet patterns and illustrations of American Sign Language signs. Buy now.
A Box Full of Tales by Kathy MacMillan (ALA Editions)
Regular price: $52 – Now on sale for $26!
Children’s programming made easy. Really easy. What librarian doesn’t dream of offering more and better children’s programs with less effort? Story boxes offer a simple method for capturing ideas, talent, creativity, and resources available in your library. This handy resources also includes detailed plans for fifty great story boxes including suggested books, fingerplays, songs, props, crafts, and sign language activities. Buy now.
Projects for Eco, Global, and Art Explorers Bundle
Save up to $15 and get 75 ready-to-use projects!
Includes handy PDFs of 25 Projects for Eco Explorers, 25 Projects for Global Explorers, and 25 Projects for Art Explorers. These projects from best-selling author Christine M. Kirker can be integrated into K-5 educational lesson plans and library programming for children aged 4-10. Engaging activities for teaching children what makes each topic special, materials lists, programming tips, and additional resources are all included.
Live Storytimes, Giveaway, and a Rhyme to Sign
Happy book birthday to Nita’s Day: More Signs for Babies and Parents by Kathy MacMillan! The second book in the Little Hands Signing series features Nita and her family using American Sign Language all day long! With adorable, bold illustrations by Sara Brezzi and a unique slide-open format, this board book makes a great baby shower or new baby gift!
Order Nita’s Day now! Autographed copies from the Deaf Camps, Inc. Online Bookstore | Indiebound.org | Bookshop.org | Workman.com (use code BOOKS for 20% off!) | Amazon.com | BarnesAndNoble.com
Nita’s Day Teacher/Librarian Guide | Nita’s Day Signs Demonstration Video
Join Kathy MacMillan for the Nita’s Day Online Launch Celebration!
Facebook Live Nita’s Day Launch Day Celebration Storytimes:
- Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at 11 AM Eastern: Storytime in American Sign Language
- Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at 2 PM: Storytime in Spoken English
Enter the Giveaway!
Enter to win a signed copy of the set! This makes a great gift and may be personalized. Must by 18 or older to enter. US Only. Giveaway closes May 22, 2020. Find 3 ways to enter here!
Sign with Nita All Day Long!
Here’s a rhyme to practice the signs in the book:
This is the latest entry in the Little Hands Signing video series. See the whole series here and look for more videos to come!
25 Projects for Global Explorers
Now available from ALA Editions:
25 Projects for Global Explorers
by Christine M. Kirker ~ $24.99 ~ Order now!
With the increased emphasis on incorporating STEM activities in children’s curriculum at ever earlier ages, often neglected are opportunities to explore subjects outside the sciences, or simply to give children the time and space to use their imagination. 25 Projects for Global Explorers will spark their interest in history, geography, events, and landmarks around the world, and nourish their creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking skills. Designed for kids aged 5-10, and flexible enough to use in either storytimes or classroom settings, the projects here
- use representative picture books as tools for learning about different places and people;
- take kids’ imaginations on journeys to a variety of U.S. landmarks, such as Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska, Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and Lei Day Festival in Hawaii;
- introduce more than a dozen fascinating places, traditions, and cultures from across the world, including the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil, the Day of the Dead in Mexico, the Ziggurat of Ancient Mesopotamia in Iraq, and the San People, formerly known as the Bushmen of South Africa; and
- include hands-on activities for teaching children what makes each topic special, materials lists, programming tips, and additional resources.
The projects inside this book will reinforce learning, encourage experimentation, and bolster children’s appreciation for the world.
Christine M. Kirker is a library associate with the Carroll County (Maryland) Public Library. Since joining the library staff in 2005, Christine has developed and presented many programs for children of all ages, including monthly preschool science programs. She is the author of 25 Projects for Art Explorers and the coauthor of the Storytime Magic series from ALA Editions. Previously, Christine spent ten years at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) as a research analyst for the Office of Institutional Research. She graduated from UMBC in 1992. Christine presents trainings and programs introducing ways to enhance storytimes through Storytime Stuff.
25 PROJECTS FOR GLOBAL EXPLORERS now available for preorder!
Coming Summer 2019 from ALA Editions:
25 Projects for Global Explorers
by Christine M. Kirker ~ $19.99 ~ Preorder now!
With the increased emphasis on incorporating STEM activities in children’s curriculum at ever earlier ages, often neglected are opportunities to explore subjects outside the sciences, or simply to give children the time and space to use their imagination. 25 Projects for Global Explorers will spark their interest in history, geography, events, and landmarks around the world, and nourish their creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking skills. Designed for kids aged 5-10, and flexible enough to use in either storytimes or classroom settings, the projects here
- use representative picture books as tools for learning about different places and people;
- take kids’ imaginations on journeys to a variety of U.S. landmarks, such as Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska, Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and Lei Day Festival in Hawaii;
- introduce more than a dozen fascinating places, traditions, and cultures from across the world, including the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil, the Day of the Dead in Mexico, the Ziggurat of Ancient Mesopotamia in Iraq, and the San People, formerly known as the Bushmen of South Africa; and
- include hand-on activities for teaching children what makes each topic special, materials lists, programming tips, and additional resources.
The projects inside this book will reinforce learning, encourage experimentation, and bolster children’s appreciation for the world.
Christine M. Kirker is a library associate with the Carroll County (Maryland) Public Library. Since joining the library staff in 2005, Christine has developed and presented many programs for children of all ages, including monthly preschool science programs. She is the coauthor of the Storytime Magic series (ALA Editions). Previously, Christine spent ten years at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) as a research analyst for the Office of Institutional Research. She graduated from UMBC in 1992. Christine presents trainings and programs introducing ways to enhance storytimes through Storytime Stuff.
Woodpecker, Woodpecker: A Signing Rhyme
Another sneak preview of our newest book, More Storytime Magic (ALA Editions, January 2016):
Woodpecker, Woodpecker: A Signing Rhyme
Direct Link: https://youtu.be/YCT3FEC-ZY4
Begin by teaching the ASL signs TREE and BIRD. Explain that in this rhyme, you will be learning about a specific kind of bird called a woodpecker, and will be using the signs to show how the woodpecker uses the tree.
Woodpecker, woodpecker, time to eat! (sign BIRD)
Woodpecker, woodpecker, fly to the tree. (sign TREE with your other hand and move the BIRD to your forearm)
Tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap! (make the bird’s beak tap quickly on your forearm, which represents the tree trunk)
Now eat up the bugs you found, just like that. (move fingers to show beak eating bugs)
Woodpecker, woodpecker, time to sleep! (sign BIRD)
Woodpecker, woodpecker, fly to the tree. (sign TREE with your other hand and move the BIRD to your forearm)
Tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap! (make the bird’s beak tap quickly on your forearm, which represents the tree trunk)
Now nestle in the hole you made, cozy as can be! (nestle bird in palm of hand)
Find lots more great storytime activities in More Storytime Magic, the latest volume in the Storytime Magic series!
Celebrating Earth Day in Storytime
Earth Day was first celebrated on April 22, 1970, in San Francisco, California. Since then, over one hundred countries have joined together for this annual environmental event. This Earth Day, help the little ones in your life appreciate nature and learn about protecting the environment with this roundup of our favorite Earth day resources from Storytime Stuff and beyond!
Here at StorytimeStuff.net:
Bringing Nature Inside for Storytime – bring the best of the outdoors to your classroom or storytime room!
Nature Around the World Storytime – bring a multicultural touch to your Earth Day celebration!
Springtime Fun Storytime – celebrate the sounds, smells, and sights of spring!
Around the Web:
The Environmental Protection Agency’s Earth Day for Kids Website – lots of storytime suggestions and printable resources.
Preschool Earth Day Storytime from Library Village – rhymes, songs, book suggestions, and a supercool recycling craft that easy to make.
Reading for the Earth: Ultimate Earth Day Resource Roundup – a comprehensive roundup of lesson plans, books suggestions, activities, video links and more at the Lee & Low Books blog.
Share This Book: Take Me Out to Yakyu
Baseball season is here! Celebrate by sharing Take Me Out to the Yakyu by Aaron Meshon (New York: Atheneum, 2013).
In this winsome picture book, a little boy describes going to the stadium to watch baseball with his American pop pop, and to the dome to watch yakyu with his Japanese ji ji. Clever split-page illustrations compare and contrast the American and Japanese experiences of getting to the game, buying souvenirs and snacks, and cheering for the team (tellingly, American fans shout “Win! Win! Win!”, while the Japanese fans chant, “Do your best!”). A glossary of story-related words in Japanese appears at the end of the book, and an author’s note gives more details about how baseball works in American and Japan. With brief text and vibrant illustrations, this is a great read-aloud for storytimes about sports, exercise, summertime, or families around the world.
Storytime Stuff 