Early Literacy Calendars Available

St. Louis County Library is all about early literacy for our youngsters! We provide lots of tips during our lap times and story times but there is a lot that you can do at home. To help with that, we have created a monthly calendar with ideas of what you can do at home to encourage learning. 

You can pick up a copy at a branch story time or you can download it at your home. Check back each month for new fun!

--Desiree S., Headquarters

November is Picture Book Month

Did you know that November is Picture Book Month?  

Picture Book Month is a literacy initiative created by a group of picture book authors and illustrators. In this digital age, it's important to remember that print books need love, too.  And the world needs picture books.  There is nothing like the feel of turning the page in a book.  The Picture Book Month website has activities for many popular books.   So why not take time this month to read a physical book? If you're not sure what to read, ask a library staff member for a recommendation.  We would love to help!
--Angie R., Headquarters

Songs about trains

Songs and fingerplays are an important part of early literacy. They help promote your child's phonological awareness.  And don't all preschoolers love trains? Of course!

The Wheels on the Train (adapted from Addison Public Library)

(tune of Wheels on the Bus)
The wheels on the train go clackety clack
Clackety clack, clackety clack
The wheels on the train, go clackety clack
All along the track.

More verses:

The whistle... goes whoo, whoo, whoo
The conductor... says, "All Aboard"
The people ... go bumpety, bump

The caboose...is way in back
The brakes... go chh, chh, chh.

Engine On The Track

Here is the engine on the track (hold up thumb)
Here is the coal car, just in back (pointer)
Here is the box car to carry freight (middle)
Here is the mail car. Don't be late. (ring)
Way back here at the end of the train. (little)
Rides the caboose through the sun and rain.

This Little Train (from SurLaLune Storytime)

The little train ran up the track (run fingers up arm)
Toot, toot, toot (make train noises)
And then it came toot-tooting back (run fingers down arm)
Toot, toot, toot (make train noises)

Also, request some of the great books about trains we have in the library!

--Angie R., Headquarters

Trains, Trains, Trains

Kids love trains, and my son is no exception. Trains are his favorite toys, so it is no surprise that some of his favorite stories feature them. When it is time to read books, my son will often put on his engineer’s cap and we’ll chug along with “Chugga-Chugga Choo-Choo” by Kevin Lewis. This rhyming fantasy is about a toy train’s day, from the morning when toys load freight onto its cars until the evening when it rests next to a sleeping boy. We find it to be a fun, fast bedtime story.

We also like “Down by the Station” by Jennifer Riggs Vetter. This is an expanded version of the classic rhyme, with new verses about school buses, big rigs, construction equipment, and airplanes, among other things. The colorful illustrations showing trains, race cars and fire trucks made this book a fast favorite of my little boy.

 Finally, “Hey Mr. Choo-Choo, Where Are You Going?” by Susan Wickberg is a rhythmic romp. I find myself chanting the text as the train describes what it is pulling, seeing, and hearing along its trip to the beach. It is another fun book for a train obsessed toddler.

--Stacy B., Bridgeton Trails

Jelly in the Bowl Lap Rhyme

This is a great lap rhyme for young ones and older children can act out the actions while standing up.


Jelly in the Bowl


Jelly in the bowl
Jelly in the bowl
Wibble wobble, wibble wobble
Jelly in the bowl.
(Rock baby back and forth on your knee)


Candles on the cake
Candles on the cake
Blow 'em out, blow 'em out
Candles on the cake.
(Hold fingers (candles) up. As your blow them out, curl them into your fist)


Biscuits in the tin
Biscuits in the tin
Shake 'em up, shake 'em up
Biscuits in the tin.
(Gently bounce baby on your knee)

Books for Brand New Big Brothers and Sisters

We are getting ready to have our second child. That means that we have spent the last few months trying to prepare our son for the new baby. We bought him a baby doll (which he mostly just wants to put hats onto), we talk about the baby in mommy’s belly (he now thinks that everybody has a baby in his or her belly), and we’ve read lots of books. Because of the books we have read so far he understands that babies drink milk and like to sleep a lot, so I think they are doing their job.

Our favorite is “I’m a Big Brother” by Joanna Cole (“I’m a Big Sister” is also available). The simple text is perfect for the smallest of big brothers and sisters, and the concepts in the book aren’t over the heads of toddlers: what babies do, some simple things that big brothers or sisters can do to help, and the all-important reminder that they are still loved. As a bonus, there is a “What a Big Brother Needs” note to parents at the end.

Another book I like is “Cornelius P. Mud, Are You Ready for Baby?” by Barney Saltzberg. Cornelius asks a series of questions about the new baby, wonders about his place in the family, and finally welcomes the new addition. With its child-like illustrations, this story should be a hit with my son. Finally, “When I Was King” by Linda Ashman is a book all about the difficult adjustment from only child to big brother for one little boy. With its gentle, rhyming text and illustrations by David McPhail, I find this book to be delightful. I hope my son does too.

--Stacy B., Bridgeton Trails Branch

My Favorite Hanukkah Picture Books

I love reading holiday books to my son. They are really fun, they help us both get into the spirit of the celebration, and since he’s a toddler, it helps him orient himself to what happens during a particular festival. We read books about all kinds of holidays: the Fourth of July, Halloween, and Thanksgiving are just a few. Since it’s almost Hanukkah time (it starts on December 20 this year), I’ve begun looking at Hanukkah picture books and I’d like to share my favorites with you.

Based on an old Yiddish folk song, “Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah” by Olga and Aleksey Ivanov features bright illustrations of a family celebration. The simple, rhyming text makes this an introduction to Hanukkah traditions for the youngest of children. For slightly older children, I like “I Have a Little Dreidel” by Maxie Baum. The book embellishes on the classic Hanukkah song, adding verses about making latkes, lighting the menorah, and having family members over for a holiday meal. Finally, for early elementary school-age children there is “Maccabee!: The Story of Hanukkah” by Tilda Balsley. It tells the famous story upon which Hanukkah is based with cartoon-like illustrations and a fast-paced, melodic text. I wish a lovely holiday season to you and yours. --Stacy B., Bridgeton Trails Branch

Saying I love you around the world

Young children pick up languages quickly and no matter what language they use it is important to build their vocabulary. Try this sweet little song at bedtime. You can use all the languages or you can just pick one.

(I love you in Spanish)

Yo te amo,

Yo te amo,

All day long I sing this little song for you,

Yo te amo,

Yo te amo,

Darling, I love you.

(I love you in German)

Ich liebe dich,

Ich liebe dich,

All day long I sing this little song for you,

Ich liebe dich,

Darling, I love you.

Wo I Nee (I love you in Mandarin)

Je t’aime (I love you in French)

Ti amo (I love you in Italian)

Volim te (I love you in Bosnian)

--Desiree S., Headquarters

Fuzzy Wuzzy Caterpillar

Here is a nice bedtime action rhyme to help get your child settled down for sleep.

Fuzzy, wuzzy caterpillar

Crawling on the ground (crawl up child’s arm with your finger)

Fuzzy, wuzzy, caterpillar

Never makes a sound. (Shhh)

Soon you will be sleeping

Softly lullaby (lay your head on your hands)

Then when you wake up you’ll be a butterfly. (hook thumbs together to make a butterfly)

--Desiree S., Headquarters

The Moon is Round (bath time rhyme)

It is never too early to start building your child’s vocabulary. Why not change this rhyme to cover other body parts like knees and toes? Remember, there is no wrong way to do these rhymes with your baby.

The moon is round

As round as can be. (Trace a circle around baby’s face with a wash cloth)

Two eyes,

A nose,

And a mouth, (point to each part in turn)

Like me! (give a little kiss or hug)

--Desiree S., Headquarters

Leg over Leg (a diaper changing rhyme)

Want to make diaper changing time a little more fun? Take baby’s feet in your hands and gently cross legs back and forth until you lift up on the “whoops,” to slip the diaper under. (By the way, a stile is a little step up over a fence or wall.)

Leg over leg,

The dog went to Dover,

When he came to a stile,

Whoops!

He went over.

--Desiree S., Headquarters

Hickory Dickory Dock

Try this action rhyme with your baby during lap time or bath time. You can even use a wash cloth to simulate the mouse.

Hickory dickory dock,

The mouse ran up the clock (walk two fingers up baby’s arm)

The clock struck one, (give baby a kiss on the nose)

The mouse ran down,

Hickory dickory dock (run fingers back down the same arm)

--Desiree S., Headquarters

Skidamarink

What a fun way to say I love you to your child. You can wave your hands for the “skidamarink…” part, use sign language for “I love you” and clasp your hands over your head to simulate the moon moving across the horizon. Or you can come up with your own hand gestures to go along with this song.

Skidamarink a dink a dink,
Skidamarink a doo,
I - love - you!
Skidamarink a dink a dink,
Skidamarink a doo,
I - love - you!

I love you in the morning
and in the afternoon,
I love you in the evening
and underneath the moon;

Oh, Skidamarink a dink a dink,
Skidamarink a doo,
I - LOVE - YOU!!

--Desiree S., Headquarters

Five Green and Speckled Frogs

Try this finger play with your toddler. When you get to the “Yummm Yumm” and “Glubb, Glubb” parts, deepen your voice or go higher. There is no wrong way to play with your child.  Playing with sounds is a great pre-reading skill.

Five green and speckled frogs
Sitting on a speckled log (hold up five fingers) 
Eating some most delicious bugs
YYYYUUUUMMMM YYYYUUUUMMMM (pat tummy)

One jumped into the pool
Where it was nice and cool
Then there were
Four green and speckled frogs
GGGGLLLLUUUUBBBB GGGGLLLLUUUUBBBB

(Repeat in descending order)






--Desiree S., Headquarters

Round and Round the Garden

This is a great action rhyme for little ones. You can do this one while baby is in your lap or on the changing table. Draw a circle on baby’s palm (or tummy), then walk fingers to a tickle spot.

Round and round the garden

Like a teddy bear.

One step, two step,

Tickle you under there!

--Desiree S., Headquarters

I’m a Choo-Choo Train

Here is a movement song for any age. Just adjust the movements to your little ones abilities.

I’m a choo-choo train (bend arms at side)

Chugging down the track. (rhythmically move arms)

First I go forward, (move forward)

Then I go back. (move backward)

Now my bell is ringing. (pretend to pull bell)

Hear my whistle blow.

What a lot of noise I make (cover ears)

Everywhere I go!

--Desiree S., Headquarters

Row Your Boat

Here is just one version of a classic. Rock your infant back and forth. Infants love the “aaah” part as it is one of the first sounds they can make. You can do this one with toddlers too. Just take hands with toddlers and pretend to row.

Row, row, row your boat,

Gently down the stream.

Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,

Life is but a dream.

Row, row, row your boat

Gently down the stream.

If you see a crocodile,

Don’t forget to scream, aaaah!

--Desiree S., Headquarters

Acka Backa Soda Cracker

This rhyme always brings a smile. Gently bounce baby side to side on your knees. Lift up on “up goes you” and hug on “I love you.” Speed it up and slow it down to suit you and your baby’s needs.

Acka backa soda cracker
Acka backa boo!
Acka backa soda cracker
Up goes you!
Acka backa soda cracker
Acka backa boo!
Acka backa soda cracker
I love you!


--Desiree S., Headquarters