Story time idea

Robot, Zombie, Frankenstein Story Time

I really need to update this more, we do so many fun things at the library and I should document them! I have been so busy though! We lost one of our part-time employees and have been training a second, very time consuming.

In the midst of training, however, we had a wonderful story time featuring Robot Zombie Frankenstein by Annette Simon. I paired the book with The Three Little Aliens and the Big Bad Robot by Margaret McNamara and If You’re A Monster and You Know It… by Ed Emberley. All three books were really great and the kids loved them, of course. I always know that any book about pirates, ninjas, robots, monsters (especially zombies) and aliens will do well at story time!

We started off story time by reading Robot Zombie Frankenstein. The kids really listened to this book. I think the combination of bright, vivid illustrations and easy to follow dialogue helped. We talked about what kinds of robots they would build if they had a chance and then I handed out an amazing activity pack from Annette Simon’s website.

Robot Zombie Fridge
“Mine can fly AND jump really high!” – Creator

The kids enjoyed doing the packets while I set up for the robot building craft. I had them sit at the table and read them The Three Little Aliens and the Big Bad Robot. They were a little wound up, but eventually calmed down enough to where they were listening well. I then gave them scrap paper (from past projects) and let them create a their own robot/monster/whatevers.

Robot Zombie Florist

When they had finished their craft, we rounded out the story time by dancing to If You’re a Monster and You Know It… and singing along. Fabulous story time, with fabulous books, by fabulous authors!

Robot Zombie War Machine
The book his robot is holding is titled “The Ancient War”

Attack of the Robots!

May the 4th Be With You

It’s been a long time since I have been able to post! Been busy, busy, busy at the library.

The library has been busy gearing up for our Summer Reading Program and I have been planning all our events. We have some really great programs planned for all our patrons for the months of May-August and I am very pleased with the themes we have chosen.

One of the most exciting programs I have had was my May 4th Story Time! Since May 4th was “Star Wars Day,” I decided to show the younger generations some intergalactic fun. Our wonderful bookstore-next-door, The River Reader, donated an event kit for Darth Vader and Son by Jeffrey Brown and I pulled some of our juvenile Star Wars books for them to check out.

How cute is little Luke?

We started by talking a little bit about space. I asked them, “How many of you like to learn about space?” Every hand was in the air, so I continued with, “Would you want to live in space?”

A few of them said they would and described the kind of spaceship they would want to live in. Then I showed them the book we were going to be reading and a few of them knew Darth Vader already. The book isn’t a typical “story time” book and I had to interact with the kids quite a bit to keep them focused. The illustrations are adorable though, so I had the kids sit really close so that the cute details didn’t go unnoticed.

“He’s playing with Legos like I do!” – Story Time Attendee

The kids seemed to really enjoy the book, even though it wasn’t as much fun for me to read as say, Those Darn Squirrels and the Cat Next Door, and they had a lot of Star Wars related questions after we were done. When I had answered all their questions, we headed to make our crafts. I had pre-cut out Stormtrooper masks for the kids and I let them color them however they wanted.

“I want to be a Stormtrooper when I grow up!”

I also sent the kids home with copies of activities from the event kit.  The full PDF kit can be downloaded at Activity Kit for Darth Vader and Son. If you feel so inclined you can print off Yoda coloring pages for them to take home too.

All in all, the kids really enjoyed the story time. I would suggest trying to find another book to read a long with Darth Vader and Son if you want the kids to be a little more attentive. Some of the jokes are more for adults, but you don’t have to be a fan of Star Wars to enjoy this book.

“That wasn’t very nice of Greedo.” – Story Time Attendee

Follow @ChronicleBooks for more great reads!
Read more about the author at: Jeffrey Brown Comics