Grab Lab – Ariel’s Periscope

Grab Lab – Ariel’s Periscope

by | Jul 13, 2020 | Craft Instructions Post, Kid STEAM, Tween STEAM | 0 comments

Pool Noodle Periscope

Grab Lab week 2
View instruction videoMore Grab Lab activities

Periscopes use mirrors to relay light and let you see around corners. Here’s how to build your own! You will need:

  • a pool noodle
  • duct tape
  • two 2 inch round mirrors
  • a protractor (optional)
  • scissors
  • a piece of paper
  • a marker

If you signed up for a Grab Lab and need some duct tape, come by the library and we can help you.

Enter the Summer STEM drawing!

Enter to win STEM-themed prizes by sending us a photo of you doing one of these activities! Place the photo in the body of your email (no attachments) and send it to madisonlib.org@gmail.com. We’ll hold drawings at the end of the month!

Summer STEM – Charm the Dragon

by | June 15, 2020 | Blog, Craft Instructions Post, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

Experiment with static electricity and charm a tissue paper dragon! Place your tissue paper over your dragon template. Trace the lines and cut out your dragon. Place your dragon on the sheet of tin foil. Bend the head slightly towards you. Rub your pen against the...
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Teen Summer Crafts – Wizard Wand Pens

by | June 18, 2020 | Blog, Craft Instructions Post, Teen Crafts, Teen Zone | 0 Comments

Create these wands and personalize them however you want! You will need: paper Glue pen (optional) paint (optional) paintbrush (optional) tissue paper
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Summer STEM for Kids and Tweens

by | June 19, 2020 | Blog, Craft Instructions Post, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

Summer STEM for Kids and Tweens This summer, we'll be doing video crafting focusing on STEM activities. Our Kids' Corner and Tween Scene web pages will have links to videos with the instructions and demonstrations for each craft activity. You can come by and pick up a...
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Summer STEM – Coded Messages

by | June 22, 2020 | Blog, Craft Instructions Post, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

Encode hidden messages with a crayon and water color paint! Use the white crayon to write out your message on a blank piece of paper. To reveal your message, paint over it with watercolors. Pro tip: Encode your message before writing it in white to add another layer....
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Teen Summer Crafts – Harry Potter Bookmarks

by | June 25, 2020 | Blog, Craft Instructions Post, Teen Crafts, Teen Zone | 0 Comments

Color these Hogwarts bookmarks. Don't forget the tassle! You will need: printed bookmark template (preferably on cardstock) yarn contact paper
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Summer STEM – Parachute Knight

by | June 29, 2020 | Blog, Craft Instructions Post, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

Experiment with air resistance by making parachutes! You will need string, a straw, a sandwich bag and/or coffee filter, and a toy figure.  Pull one of the strings through the straw. Cut off the zipper portion of the bag. Reach into the bag and pull both bottom...
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Teen Summer Crafts – Dragon Eggs

by | July 2, 2020 | Blog, Craft Instructions Post, Teen Crafts, Teen Zone | 0 Comments

Make these incredible dragon eggs! You will need: 150-200 thumb tacks styrofoam egg desired color(s) of fingernail polish
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Summer STEM – Film Canister Rocket

by | July 6, 2020 | Blog, Craft Instructions Post, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

Learn about Newton's 3rd Law with these film canister rockets! Do this activity with an accompanying adult. You will need antacid tablets and a film canister. In an OUTDOOR place, put one antacid tablet in the film canister. Do the next steps quickly: 2. Add a tsp of...
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Sign up Grab Labs

by | July 6, 2020 | Craft Instructions Post, Kid STEAM, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

  UPDATE: These kits have all been taken, but you can still watch the instructional videos to follow along with your own supplies!In place of our in-person STEM activities, we are offering these grab labs for kids ages 6-11. There are 29 kits available, so be...
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Grab Lab – Hickory Dickory Water Clock

by | July 6, 2020 | Craft Instructions Post, Kid STEAM, Tween STEAM | 2 Comments

Water clocks have been used for centuries to tell time. Build your own using cardboard and cups! This week you will need: a long piece of cardboard 3 disposable cups 2 push pins a glass of water (not provided) a marker (not provided) a timer (not provided) Once you've...
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Toddler Time and Book Babies – This Little Piggie

Toddler Time and Book Babies – This Little Piggie

by | Jul 8, 2020 | Blog, Book Babies, Kid's Corner | 0 comments

Toddler Time and Book Babies – This Little Piggie

Toddler Time and Book Babies – July 6 and 8, 2020

Toddler Time for ages 10 to 23 months – 9:45 am Mondays (July 6)

Book Babies for ages 0 to 9 months – 9:45 am Wednesdays (July 8)

 

Do you remember, “This Little Piggy Went to Market?” This week in Toddler Time and Book Babies we had fun with pigs. We also learned a new diaper changing song, and the sign for pig. If you have a chance, take your baby to a farm or fair and visit the animals where they can see a real pig.

See the Toddler and Baby Time Videos on Facebook!

Welcome Songs

Here We Are Together

Here we are together, together, together! Oh, here we are together in our library. There’s (sing names)… Here we are together in our library!

Hello Everybody

Hello everybody let’s clap our hands*, clap our hands, clap our hands. Hello everybody let’s clap our hands today! *pat our head, stretch up high, wiggle our fingers, tickle our knees, kick our feet, bounce up high!

S, T, R, W, P

(Sing while pointing to each finger on your child’s hand.) Sing, talk, read, write, play! Sing, talk, read write, play! Sing, talk, read, write, play! Sing, talk, read, write, play each day!

Books Presented

When Pigs Fly
by James Burks

Henry is ready to do what no pig has done before. “But pigs can’t fly,” says his sister, Henrietta. Nothing will stop Henry from trying, until it looks as though gravity might finally get the better of him. Fortunately, Henrietta has an idea that gives both of them a lift.

Find it in Our Catalog

The Peculiar Pig
by Joy Steuerwald

The sweet, funny story of a dachshund puppy who learns it is fine to be different from her piglet siblings.

Find it in Our Catalog

Next to You: A Book of Adorableness
by Lori Haskins Houran

  The cuteness of a beloved child exceeds that of adorable animals, from the softest puppy in the world even, perhaps, to a newborn giraffe.

Find it in Our Catalog

The Three Little Pigs
Illustrated by Emily Bolam

Retells the story of the three little pigs who leave home to find their fortune, only to meet up with the big bad wolf.

Find it in Our Catalog

This Little Piggy
illustrated by Annie Kubler

The classic rhyme.

Find it in Our Catalog

Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays

Flannel Board: Five Pigs so Squeaky Clean

(to the tune of Five Green and Speckled Frogs)

Five pigs so squeaky clean
Cleanest you’ve ever seen
Wanted to go outside and play
Oink! Oink!
One jumped into the mud
Landed with a big THUD
Then there were four clean squeaky pigs!

(Take a pig and flip it over to show it getting dirty. Repeat the rhyme with one fewer pig mentioned, until there are no more clean pigs)

– Pasadena Library

To Market to Market

To market, to market, to buy a fat pig,
Home again, home again, jiggety-jig.

To market, to market, to buy a fat hog,
Home again, home again, jiggety-jog.

To market, to market to buy a fat dog,
Home again, home again, jiggety jog.

To market, to market to buy a small chick,
Home again, home again, jiggety jig.

–Traditional

Fingerplay: Two Mother Pigs

Two mother pigs lived in a pen (show thumbs)
Each had four babies, and that made ten (show fingers & thumbs)
These four babies were black as night (thumb in palm, wiggle fingers)
These four babies were black and white (switch hands, repeat)
But all eight babies loved to play
And they rolled and rolled in the mud all day (roll hands)
At night, with their mother, they curled up in a heap (clasp hands)
And squealed and squealed till they fell fast asleep.

– Storytimekatie.com

Diaper Changing: The Diaper on the Bottom

(Tune: The Wheels on the Bus)

The diaper on the bottom
Comes off, off, off
Off, off, off
Off, off, off
The diaper on the bottom
Comes off, off, off
Nice and clean!

– Oremlibrary.org

I’m a Little Piggy

(Tune: I’m a Little Teapot)

I’m a little piggy, short and stout
Here are my ears (bring hands to top of head)
And here is my snout (use fingers to gesture a long snout)
When I see the yummy food in my pail
I oink, oink, oink (jump)
and I wiggle my tail! (shake imaginary “tail”)

– Pasadena Library

If You’re a Pig and You Know it

(To Tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)

If you’re a pig and you know it say “Oink Oink”
“Oink Oink”
If you’re a pig and you know it say “Oink Oink”
“Oink Oink”
If you’re a pig and you know it,
Then you really ought to show it.
If you’re a pig and you know it say “Oink Oink”
“Oink Oink”

If you’re a pig and you know it wiggle your tail…
trot your feet….

-Jeninthelibrary.com

Dancing With Bears

1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3
Dancing with bears
1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3
Dancing round chairs
1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3
That’s what we’ll do
1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3
Dancing with you!

1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3
Dancing with pigs
1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3
Jiggity jig
1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3
That’s what we’ll do
1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3
Dancing with you!

Fun tip: This is a fun song to sing while dancing around the room with baby! It doesn’t matter if you know any steps, just have fun! (if you know any basic waltz steps, they are fun to use with this song!)

-Oremlibrary.org

The Tail of the Pig

(sung to The Wheels on the Bus)

The tail of the pig curls round and round
Round and round, round and round
The tail of the pig curls round and round
All through the mud!

The mouth of the pig goes oink oink oink
Oink oink oink, oink oink oink
The mouth of the pig goes oink oink oink
All through the mud!

The nose of the pig goes root root root
Root root root, root root root
The nose of the pig goes root root root
All through the mud!

The hooves of the pig go run run run
Run run run, run run run
The hooves of the pig go run run run
All through the mud!

The ears of the pig go twitch twitch twitch
Twitch twitch twitch, twitch twitch twitch
The ears of the pig go twitch twitch twitch
All through the mud!

– Storytimehooligans.wordpress.com

Two Fat Pigs

Two fat pigs
Met in a glen
Bowed most politely
And bowed once again
“How do you do?”
And “How do you do?”
And “How do you do?” again

“How do you do?”
And “How do you do?”
And “How do you do?” again

Craft Activity

Muddy Pig Craft

Try this fun in the mud pig craft with your toddler. He will learn textures and patterns. Then talk with your baby about clean and dirty.

Find more information
Tummy Time Painting

If your infant is too young for the Muddy Pig craft, try putting some paint, pudding, or Nutella with the pig in a freezer Zip-lock bag. They will love squishing the paint around the bag while the pig “wallows” in the mud.

Find more information

Signing

“Pig”

Early Literacy Tip and Activity:

Tip

Even little rhymes present knowledge about our world. “Two fat Pigs” tells the story of two piglets who wallow in the mud, crawl out, and then return, just as real pigs do.

- Lambert

Activity

Recite the “Two fat Pigs,” modeling the fingerplay with your child. You can also add the sign language sign and make “pig” noises while you do it, too.

Additional Books

That’s Not My Pig
by Fiona Watt

A toddler searches for a specific pig.

Find it in Our Catalog

Little Pookie
by Sandra Boynton

Pookie’s mom lists ten things she knows about Pookie.

Find it in Our Catalog

Story Time – July 7th 2020

Story Time – July 7th 2020

by | Jul 7, 2020 | Blog, Kid's Corner, Story Time | 0 comments

Story Time – July 7th 2020

Story Time – July 7th, 2020

10:30 am ONLINE on Facebook – ages 2 to 5

We met Mr. Pig and Mr. Wolf in story time this week. They helped us act out the familiar fairy tale, “The Three Little Pigs.” See if you can remember the story, too. Print off the stick puppets from the link below, color and cut them out, and create your own puppet show!

See the latest Story Time video on Facebook!

Early Literacy Tip and Activity:

Tip

As children mature, they realize that certain behaviors cause certain responses. Having good manners means responding politely to people when they address you, and this rhyme helps children practice polite greetings.

- Lambert

Activity

Try acting out the fingerplay, “Two Fat Gentlemen.” Start by holding your fists behind your back with your thumbs extended. Then move your thumbs appropriately while reciting the rhyme. You may want to put small rounds sticker at the end of each thumb. You can also practice this rhyme with a friend saying, “How do you do?” to one another.

Books Presented

The Three Little Pigs
adapted by Mara Alperin

Three little pigs set off to build themselves new homes. But someone big and bad soon comes looking for a tasty piggy snack… Can the pigs outwit the wicked wolf?

Find it in Our Catalog

The Three Ninja Pigs
by Corey Rosen Schwartz

In this twist on “The Three Little Pigs,” Pig One and Two neglect their ninja school martial arts training and are no match for the wolf, but Pig Three’s practice and dedication saves the day. Includes glossary of Japanese martial arts terms.

Find it in Our Catalog

Si Le Haces una Fiesta a una Cerdita
por Laura Numeroff; traducido por Teresa Mlawer

Una cosa lleva a otra cuando le das a un cerdo una fiesta.

Encuéntralo en nuestro catálogo

If You Give a Pig a Party
by Laura Numeroff

One thing leads to another when you give a pig a party.

Find it in Our Catalog

Songs, Rhymes and Fingerplays

The Tail of the Pig

(sung to The Wheels on the Bus)

The tail of the pig curls round and round
Round and round, round and round
The tail of the pig curls round and round
All through the mud!

The mouth of the pig goes oink oink oink
Oink oink oink, oink oink oink
The mouth of the pig goes oink oink oink
All through the mud!

The nose of the pig goes root root root
Root root root, root root root
The nose of the pig goes root root root
All through the mud!

The hooves of the pig go run run run
Run run run, run run run
The hooves of the pig go run run run
All through the mud!

The ears of the pig go twitch twitch twitch
Twitch twitch twitch, twitch twitch twitch
The ears of the pig go twitch twitch twitch
All through the mud!

– Storytimehooligans.wordpress.com

If You’re Happy, Howl at the Moon 

If you’re happy and you know it, howl at the moon,
If you’re happy and you know it, howl at the moon,
If you’re happy and you know it, and you really want to show it,
If you’re happy and you know it, howl at the moon.
Aaaaaawwwooooooo!

– Sunflowerstorytime.com

Fingerplay: Two Fat Gentlemen

Met in a glen
Bowed most politely
And bowed once again
“How do you do?”
And “How do you do?”
And “How do you do?” again

“How do you do?”
And “How do you do?”
And “How do you do?” again

– Traditional

Fingerplay: Five Little Piggies

“It’s time for my piggies to go to bed,” the great big mother piggy said.
“So I will count them first to see if all my piggies came back to me.
One little piggy, two little piggies, three little piggies dear
Four little piggies, five little piggies, — yes, they’re all here!”

– Preschool Rainbow

Craft Activities

Print out this three little pigs coloring page or color online!

Go to the coloring page

Create your own three little pigs puppet show with the template available below!

Find instructions here!

Additional Books

Mr. Pig’s Big Wall
by Glenn Hernández

Mr. Pig only wants to tend to his garden but his neighbor, Little Tortoise, wants him to play. Mr Pig resorts to extreme measures to ensure his privacy but it doesn’t work out like he planned…

Find it in Our Catalog

Suddenly!
by Colin McNaughton

Time after time, Preston the pig unknowingly outwits a hungry wolf that is trying to catch and eat him.

Find it in Our Catalog

Summer STEM – Film Canister Rocket

Summer STEM – Film Canister Rocket

by | Jul 6, 2020 | Blog, Craft Instructions Post, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 comments

Film Canister Rocket

Week 4 of Summer STEM from Your Library
Watch the Instruction VideoWatch the Slow Motion Video

Learn about Newton’s 3rd Law with these film canister rockets! Do this activity with an accompanying adult.

You will need antacid tablets and a film canister.

  1. In an OUTDOOR place, put one antacid tablet in the film canister. Do the next steps quickly:

    2. Add a tsp of water. Put the lid on tightly and put the canister cap side down on the ground.

    3. STEP BACK AT LEAST SIX FEET.

    4. About ten seconds later, the film canister will launch! If it does not launch, wait 30+ seconds before examining. Usually the cap is not on tight enough.

    Enter the Summer STEM drawing!

    Enter to win STEM-themed prizes by sending us a photo of you doing one of these activities! Place the photo in the body of your email (no attachments) and send it to madisonlib.org@gmail.com. We’ll hold drawings at the end of the month!

    March Programs for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

    by | February 28, 2025 | Blog, Book Babies, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Story Time, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

    Story TimeGet ready for March magic with our early literacy programs! Book Babies – Wednesdays at 9:30 AM for babies not yet walking and their grown-ups. Enjoy songs, stories, baby sign language, movement, and sensory activities. Toddler Time – Mondays & Tuesdays...
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    Programs for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

    by | January 27, 2025 | Blog, Book Babies, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Story Time, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

    Old School PoetryThis February, let love take center stage! Stop by our special collections area to type out a heartfelt poem on our vintage typewriter—whether it’s for a dear friend or your favorite pizza. Drop your masterpiece into the submission box nearby if you'd...
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    January Programs for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

    by | December 30, 2024 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Story Time, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

    Story TimeJanuary Story Time is serving up something soup-er! Book Babies (infants/babies not yet walking and their caregivers) meet Wednesdays at 9:30 AM with songs, stories, and sensory fun for our "Soup’s On!" theme. (Library Closed Jan. 1) Toddler Time (walking...
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    November Programs for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

    by | October 30, 2024 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Story Time, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

    Story TimeNovember Story Time is here, and our themes are “Duck, Duck, Goose!” for Book Babies and Toddler Time and the letter “G” for Story Time! Join us in the Community Room for songs, stories, and sensory activities perfect for each age group. Book Babies...
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    October Programs for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

    by | September 30, 2024 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Story Time, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

    Story TimeGallop into Story Time fun this October! Toddler Time (ages 10-23 months) on Mondays & Tuesdays at 9:30 AM and Book Babies (ages 0-9 months) on Wednesdays at 9:30 AM will both feature “Clippity-clop, on a horse and pony we’ll hop!” Note: there will be no...
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    September 2024 Activities for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

    by | August 29, 2024 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Story Time, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

    Story TimeJoin us for Story Time fun at Madison Library District! Book Babies (0-9 months) Wednesdays at 9:30 AM in the Community Room September theme: "Feelings... Big and Small!" Toddler Time (10-23 months) Mondays and Tuesdays at 9:30 AM September theme:...
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    July 2024 Kids & Tween Activities

    by | June 27, 2024 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

    Summer Reading 2024Adventure Begins at Your Library with Summer Reading 2024! This annual program is designed for all ages to read every day, participate in special Library programs, and keep smashing our reading goals! The second prizes for every level will be...
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    June 2024 Kid & Tween Activities

    by | May 30, 2024 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

    Summer Reading 2024Adventure Begins at Your Library with Summer Reading 2024! This annual program is designed for all ages to read every day, participate in special Library programs, and stay active all summer long! Sign-ups begin on Monday, June 3rd, either online or...
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    April 2024 Kids & Tween Activities

    by | March 29, 2024 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Story Time, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

    National Library Week Book Nook ContestStep into a world of tiny wonders during National Library Week! Our Book Nook Contest invites you to explore Small Adventures to Amazing Places! From fantastical realms to cozy real-world corners, you may create a miniature...
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    Kid & Tween Activities March 2024

    by | March 1, 2024 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

    Story TimeJoin us in March for a world of imagination and learning at Story Time! This month we’re celebrating author-illustrator, Eric Carle! Preschool Story Time (ages 2-5): Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 10:30 AM and Tuesdays at 6:30 PM. Toddler Time (ages 10-23...
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    Toddler Time and Book Babies – June 29 and July 1

    Toddler Time and Book Babies – June 29 and July 1

    by | Jul 1, 2020 | Blog, Book Babies, Kid's Corner | 0 comments

    Toddler Time and Book Babies – June 29 and July 1

    Toddler Time and Book Babies – June 29 and July 1, 2020

    Toddler Time for ages 10 to 23 months – 9:45 am Mondays (June 29)

    Book Babies for ages 0 to 9 months – 9:45 am Wednesdays (July 1)

     

    This week in Toddler Time and Book Babies, we went “up” and “down” the beanstalk with Jack. We also had fun with other nursery rhymes that go up and down. Nursery rhymes are timeless, not only because they have great rhythm and rhyme, but they also teach concepts such as opposites. So, grab a shaker and sing some nursery rhymes with your child!

    See the Toddler and Baby Time Videos on Facebook!

    Welcome Songs

    Here We Are Together

    Here we are together, together, together!
    Oh, here we are together in our library.
    There’s (sing names)…
    Here we are together in our library!

    Hello Everybody

    Hello everybody let’s clap our hands*,
    clap our hands,
    clap our hands.
    Hello everybody let’s clap our hands today!

    *pat our head, stretch up high, wiggle our fingers, tickle our knees, kick our feet, bounce up high!

    S, T, R, W, P

    (Sing while pointing to each finger on your child’s hand.)

    Sing, talk, read, write, play!
    Sing, talk, read write, play!
    Sing, talk, read, write, play!
    Sing, talk, read, write, play each day!

    Books Presented

    Hickory Dickory Dock
    by Keith Baker

    Rhythmic text expands on the Mother Goose rhyme, including a variety of animals that react as the clock strikes one through twelve.

    Find it in our Catalog

    Itsy Bitsy Spider
    by Will Grace

    The classic nursery rhyme.

    Find it in Our Catalog

    Grow Up!
    by Nina Laden

    Rhymes tell what some babies grow up to be.

    In My Garden
    by Ruth A. Musgrave

    Introduces gardens and gardening, including how a seed grows into a plant, how fruits and vegetables form, and what animals and insects also live in a garden.

    Find it in Our Catalog

    Up, Down, and Around
    by Katherine Ayres

    A garden produces a variety of edible plants, such as corn that grows up, onions that grow down, and tomato vines that twine all around.

    Find it in our Catalog

    Songs and Rhymes

    Jack and the Beanstalk

    Tune “Shortnin Bread”

    Jack and the beanstalk, beanstalk, beanstalk.
    Jack and the beanstalk growing up high.

    Looking for the giant, giant, giant.
    Looking for the giant up in the sky.

    Climbing back down, climbing back down.
    Climbing back down quick, quick, quick!

    Climbing back down, climbing back down.
    Climbing back down quick, quick, quick!

    One, Two, Buckle My Shoe

    One, two,
    Buckle my shoe;
    Three, four,
    Knock at the door;
    Five, six,
    Pick up sticks;
    Seven, eight,
    Lay them straight:
    Nine, ten,
    A big fat hen

    –Traditional

    Let’s Tap Our Feet Together

    (Tune: The More We Get Together)

    Let’s tap our feet together, together, together,
    Let’s tap our feet together
    It’s so fun to do.

    (Additional verses):
    Clap our hands . . .
    Touch our nose . . .
    Blink our eyes . . .

    Diaper Changing: You’re My Little Baby, Soft and Sweet

    (Tune: I’m a Little Teapot)

    You’re my little baby
    So soft and sweet
    Here are your hands
    Here are your feet
    I’ll watch you clap your hands
    And tap your feet
    I love you baby
    So soft and sweet

     

    Itsy Bitsy Spider

    Itsy bitsy spider climbed up the water spout (climb your hands upward)

    Down came the rain and washed the spider out (spread hands out)

    Out came the sunshine and dried up all the rain (pretend to make the sun)

    And the itsy bitsy spider climbed up the spout again (have the spider climb up the spout again)

    – Traditional

    The Grand Old Duke of York

    The Grand Old Duke of York
    The Grand Old Duke of York
    He had ten thousand men.
    He marched them up to the top of the hill
    And marched them down again!

    And when they’re up, they’re up.
    And when they’re down, they’re down.
    And when they’re only half-way up,
    They’re neither up nor down!

    He marched them to the left
    He marched them to the right.
    He marched them to the top of the hill
    And marched them out of sight.

    – Traditional

    Hickory Dickory Dock

    Hickory dickory dock. The mouse went up the clock
    The clock struck one. The mouse went down
    Hickory dickory dock

    -Traditional

    Up, Up, Up in the Sky

    Up, up, up in the sky like this!
    (lift baby up)
    Down, down, down for a great big kiss!
    (lower baby and give a kiss)
    Up like this,
    (lift once more)
    Down for a kiss,
    (down once more)
    You’re my special baby!
    (give baby a big hug!)

    – Jbrary.com

    Jack and Jill Went Up the Hill

    Jack and Jill went up the hill
    To fetch a pail of water
    Jack fell down and broke his crown
    And Jill came tumbling after

    Jack got up, and home did trot
    As fast as he could caper
    To old dear Bob, who patched his nob
    With vinegar and brown paper

    Jack and Jill went up the hill
    To fetch a pail of water
    Jack fell down and broke his crown
    And Jill came tumbling after.

    -Traditional

    Craft Activity

    DIY Sensory Bottles

    Help your child experience the concepts of up and down with a DIY magnet sensory bottle. Place metal objects or toys such as paper clips in an empty bottle with a smooth surface. Used VOSS or Ice water bottles work well. Fill it with clear baby oil or mineral oil, and seal the lid with a strong glue. Show your child how the items can move up and down as you drag a kitchen or wand magnet along the outside.

    Find more information

    Signing Songs

    “Sleep”

    (tune “The Farmer in Dell)
    We ask to go to SLEEP,
    we ask to go to SLEEP.
    (Open hand at top of head, pull down and bring fingers together)
    When it’s time to go to bed,
    we ask to go to SLEEP.

    “Bed”

    (tune “The Farmer in Dell)
    We ask for BED like this,
    we ask for BED like this.
    (Lay head on back of hands and lean to side)
    When we’re tired and want a nap,
    we ask for BED like this.

    “Up”

    You can use this sign with the Grand Old Duke of York rhyme above.

    “Down“

    You can use this sign with the Grand Old Duke of York rhyme above.

    Early Literacy Tip and Activity:

    Tip

    Some Nursery Rhymes help children develop narrative skills. Those skills will later help them understand what they read. Giving children aids, like flannel board pieces, help them to remember the sequence of a story and makes it easier for them to retell the story in the correct order. Try this at home!

    Activity

    Download the PDF of “Learning Center Activities for ‘One, Two, Buckle My Shoe'” by Bobby Wilson. As you recite each line of the rhyme, “One, Two Buckle my Shoe,” put up on a board, or show the appropriate piece to your child: shoe, door, sticks, gate, big red hen.

    Download the PDF

    Additional Books

    Opposites
    by David Bedford

    Introduces young readers to the concept of opposites using simple text and illustrations of dinosaurs with opposing conditions.

    Find it in our Catalog

    Mother Goose
    illustrated by Will Moses

    Folk art paintings accompany this compilation of over sixty of the best-loved Mother Goose rhymes.

    Find it in Our Catalog

    Barney’s Mother Goose Hunt
    by Monica Mody

    Barney and Baby Bop introduce children to the Mother Goose nursery rhymes.

    Find it in Our Catalog

    Story Time – June 30, 2020

    Story Time – June 30, 2020

    by | Jun 30, 2020 | Blog, Kid's Corner, Story Time | 0 comments

    Story Time – June 30, 2020

    Story Time – June 30, 2020

    10:30 am ONLINE on Facebook – ages 2 to 5

    Has your child seen the giant beanstalk here in the library? We grew one in story time, too! Jack and the Beanstalk is a great story to talk about the things that a seed needs to grow, and it’s not just magic! There are also seeds like kindness, or anger, which will also grow if we feed them. Try some of the activities and books below with your child to see what kind of seeds you can grow.

    See the Story Time Video on Facebook!

    Early Literacy Tip and Activity:

    Tip

    Some Nursery Rhymes help children develop narrative skills. Those skills will later help them understand what they read. Giving children aids, like flannel board pieces, help them to remember the sequence of a story and makes it easier for them to retell the story in the correct order. Try this at home!

    Activity

    Print off and cut out Jack and the Beanstalk flannel pieces. Velcro or magnet tape makes it easy to place them on a board, or you can tape them to a straw. Then read Jack and the Beanstalk with your child from a book or online, and have them retell the story in their own words using the flannel pictures as a prompt.

    Go to the flannel board pictures

    Books Presented

    Jack and the Beanstalk
    adapted by Mara Alperin

    When Jack climbs up an enormous beanstalk, he discovers a giant’s castle high up in the clouds. But the giant like to eat little boys … How will Jack ever escape?

    Find it in Our Catalog

    From Seed to Plant
    by Gail Gibbons

    Explores the intricate relationship between seeds and the plants which they produce.

    Find it in Our Catalog

    Seeds
    by Carme Lemniscates

    Seeds harbor immense potential. Like seeds, we can cultivate and nurture something wonderful.

    Find it in Our Catalog

    We Are Growing!
    by Laurie Keller

    Walt is not the tallest or the curliest or the pointiest or even the crunchiest. A confounded blade of grass searches for his ‘est’ in this hilarious story about growing up.

    Find it in Our Catalog

    Songs, Rhymes and Fingerplays

    If You’re Jack and You Know it

    If you’re Jack and you know it climb the beanstalk
    If you’re Jack and you know it grab the hen (ba-kaw!)
    If you’re Jack and you know it run away
    If you’re Jack and you know it use your axe (chop chop!)
    If you’re Jack and you know it take a rest

    – Librarybonanza.com

    Two Little Blackbirds

    Two little blackbirds sitting on a hill,
    One named Jack and the other named Jill
    Fly away Jack, fly away Jill,
    Come back Jack and come back Jill!

    – Pasadena-library.net

    Here is a Giant

    Here is a giant who is tall, tall, tall.
    And here is an elf who is small, small small.
    The elf who is small will try, try, try
    To reach the giant who is high, high, high.

    – Storytimesecrets.blogspot.com

    The Grand Old Duke of York

    The Grand Old Duke of York
    The Grand Old Duke of York
    He had ten thousand men.
    He marched them up to the top of the hill
    And marched them down again!

    And when they’re up, they’re up.
    And when they’re down, they’re down.
    And when they’re only half-way up,
    They’re neither up nor down!

    He marched them to the left
    He marched them to the right.
    He marched them to the top of the hill
    And marched them out of sight.

    – Traditional

    Five Fat Peas

    Five fat peas in a pea pod pressed (hold up five fingers)
    One grew (hold up one finger)
    Two grew (hold up two fingers)
    And so did the rest (hold up the rest of your fingers)
    They grew and they grew and they did not stop (open and shut hands)
    Until one day, the pod went pop! (clap hands together on pop)

    Craft Activities

    Print out this Jack and the Beanstalk coloring page or color online!

    Go to the coloring page
    This craft is a fun combination of a fairy tale and science experiment! It’s a great opportunity to teach children about what plants need in order to grow.

    Find instructions here!
    Count magic beans in this fun math activity!

    Find full instructions here

    Additional Books

    There’s a Hole in my Garden
    by James Stewart

    A little boy shows what happens when he drops larger and larger objects, both in terms of size and imagination, down a mysterious hole that grows throughout the year in his garden.

    Find it in Our Catalog

    So You Want to Grow a Taco?
    by Bridget Heos

    A young boy learns about the many ingredients needed to make a taco, including how to grow corn and make tortillas.

    Find it in Our Catalog

    A Bean, a Stalk, and a Boy Named Jack
    by William Joyce

    A magic bean and an ordinary boy solve a royal problem for King Blah Blah Blah.

    Find it in Our Catalog

    Stinky Jack and the Beanstalk
    by Steve Smallman

    Learn the importance of being clean with this hilarious story about smelly Jack!

    Find it in Our Catalog

    Summer STEM – Parachute Knight

    Summer STEM – Parachute Knight

    by | Jun 29, 2020 | Blog, Craft Instructions Post, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 comments

    Parachute Knight

    Week 3 of Summer STEM from Your Library
    Watch the Instruction Video

    Experiment with air resistance by making parachutes!

    You will need string, a straw, a sandwich bag and/or coffee filter, and a toy figure. 

    1. Pull one of the strings through the straw. Cut off the zipper portion of the bag.
    2. Reach into the bag and pull both bottom corners in so they’re inside the bag.
    3. Tie an end of the string to each bottom corner of the bag.
    4. Pull the next string through the straw. Tie the ends to the knight.

     

     

    Enter the Summer STEM drawing!

    Enter to win STEM-themed prizes by sending us a photo of you doing one of these activities! Place the photo in the body of your email (no attachments) and send it to madisonlib.org@gmail.com. We’ll hold drawings at the end of the month!

    March Programs for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

    by | February 28, 2025 | Blog, Book Babies, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Story Time, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

    Story TimeGet ready for March magic with our early literacy programs! Book Babies – Wednesdays at 9:30 AM for babies not yet walking and their grown-ups. Enjoy songs, stories, baby sign language, movement, and sensory activities. Toddler Time – Mondays & Tuesdays...
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    Programs for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

    by | January 27, 2025 | Blog, Book Babies, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Story Time, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

    Old School PoetryThis February, let love take center stage! Stop by our special collections area to type out a heartfelt poem on our vintage typewriter—whether it’s for a dear friend or your favorite pizza. Drop your masterpiece into the submission box nearby if you'd...
    Read More

    January Programs for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

    by | December 30, 2024 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Story Time, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

    Story TimeJanuary Story Time is serving up something soup-er! Book Babies (infants/babies not yet walking and their caregivers) meet Wednesdays at 9:30 AM with songs, stories, and sensory fun for our "Soup’s On!" theme. (Library Closed Jan. 1) Toddler Time (walking...
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    November Programs for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

    by | October 30, 2024 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Story Time, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

    Story TimeNovember Story Time is here, and our themes are “Duck, Duck, Goose!” for Book Babies and Toddler Time and the letter “G” for Story Time! Join us in the Community Room for songs, stories, and sensory activities perfect for each age group. Book Babies...
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    October Programs for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

    by | September 30, 2024 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Story Time, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

    Story TimeGallop into Story Time fun this October! Toddler Time (ages 10-23 months) on Mondays & Tuesdays at 9:30 AM and Book Babies (ages 0-9 months) on Wednesdays at 9:30 AM will both feature “Clippity-clop, on a horse and pony we’ll hop!” Note: there will be no...
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    September 2024 Activities for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

    by | August 29, 2024 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Story Time, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

    Story TimeJoin us for Story Time fun at Madison Library District! Book Babies (0-9 months) Wednesdays at 9:30 AM in the Community Room September theme: "Feelings... Big and Small!" Toddler Time (10-23 months) Mondays and Tuesdays at 9:30 AM September theme:...
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    July 2024 Kids & Tween Activities

    by | June 27, 2024 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

    Summer Reading 2024Adventure Begins at Your Library with Summer Reading 2024! This annual program is designed for all ages to read every day, participate in special Library programs, and keep smashing our reading goals! The second prizes for every level will be...
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    June 2024 Kid & Tween Activities

    by | May 30, 2024 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

    Summer Reading 2024Adventure Begins at Your Library with Summer Reading 2024! This annual program is designed for all ages to read every day, participate in special Library programs, and stay active all summer long! Sign-ups begin on Monday, June 3rd, either online or...
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    April 2024 Kids & Tween Activities

    by | March 29, 2024 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Story Time, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

    National Library Week Book Nook ContestStep into a world of tiny wonders during National Library Week! Our Book Nook Contest invites you to explore Small Adventures to Amazing Places! From fantastical realms to cozy real-world corners, you may create a miniature...
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    Kid & Tween Activities March 2024

    by | March 1, 2024 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

    Story TimeJoin us in March for a world of imagination and learning at Story Time! This month we’re celebrating author-illustrator, Eric Carle! Preschool Story Time (ages 2-5): Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 10:30 AM and Tuesdays at 6:30 PM. Toddler Time (ages 10-23...
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