Byron G Bear Story Club

Story Time - Saturday, Oct 10th

2009-09-15T14:27:00.000-07:00

Our next story time will take place on Saturday, October 10th, at 10 am. Miss Rachel Funk will be here to lead the children in stories, songs, and perhaps a craft. Why don't you join us?

Summer Reading Program

2009-06-11T12:55:00.000-07:00

Dear Rumney Readers,

We've been having a great time at story times every week! We've made duck crafts, waddled like ducks, put on a play about animals in a garden, read books about dinosaurs and a lot more!

I was happy to see a lot of you from Russell School today when your classes visited the library. We got to listen to stories, sing songs, and learn about our Summer Reading Program, which starts next month! Summer is a great time for reading. I'm planning on reading lots of books this summer, and I hope you are, too! This year's theme is "Summertime and the Reading is Easy." We will read books, sing songs, make crafts and play games that celebrate summer activities such as hiking, swimming, camping, vacationing, and more. Get ready for the fun!

Look at all the great story times we'll be having this summer!

Thursday, July 9 and Saturday, July 11: A Summer Picnic
Bring a blanket and join us on the front lawn for some fun activities and cool summer snacks!

Thursday, July 16 and Saturday, July 18: Row, Row, Row your boat
New Hampshire has many wonderful lakes and rivers for boating, canoeing, and kayaking. Paddle on down to the library for a boat-themed story time!

Thursday, July 23 and Saturday, July 25: Camp Byron G. Merrill
Do you like to go camping in the summer? Then join us for a “campfire” sing-a-long and take part in some fun camp activities!

Thursday, July 30 and Saturday, August 1: Beach Vacation
Grab your sunglasses and towel and get ready for a library beach vacation!

Thursday, August 6: Preparation for Old Home Day events
Any child who participates in Summer Reading Program events is welcome to march in the Old Home Day Parade and later perform songs learned over the summer in the Town Common. All children are welcome at summer story times without being required to participate in Old Home Day events.

Saturday, August 8: Old Home Day ~ Parade and Musical Performance
More details about specific times will be provided.

I'll see you again soon. Enjoy the end of the school year and Happy Reading!

Love,
Byron G. Bear

It's Story time Time again!!

2009-03-31T15:33:00.000-07:00

Dear Rumney Readers,

Happy Spring! I hope you're enjoying the nice weather and getting ready for more story times at the library!

Check out what's coming up:

Thursday, April 2 at 3:30 and Saturday, April 4 at 10:30: Teddy Bear Picnic
Bring your teddy bear to a picnic at the library! Listen to stories, sing songs, and enjoy a snack.

Thursday, April 9 at 3:30 and Saturday, April 11 at 10:30: Poetry Celebratiom
In honor of National Poetry Month in April, we'll celebrate poems written by favorites like Shel Silverstein and Jack Prelutsky. Poetry games will also take place.

Thursday, April 16 at 3:30 and Saturday, April 18 at 10:30: Love Your Library
Watch a puppet show during National Library week about why libraries are so great!

Thursday, April 23 at 3:30 and Saturday, April 25 at 10:30: Growing Gardens
We'll read, sing, and plant seeds in honor of Earth Day and the growth of gardens in springtime.

Thursday, April 30 at 3:30 and Saturday, May 2 at 10:30: Dinosaurs!
If you love dinosaurs you won't want to miss this story time filled with dinosaur books and crafts!

Thursday, May 7 at 3:30 and Saturday, May 9 at 10:30: Mother's Day
Show your mother how much she means to you at a special Mother's Day Celebration

Thursday, May 14 at 3:30 and Saturday, May 16 at 10:30: Fairy House Celebration
We made fairy houses outside the library in the fall, and we'll make them again this spring. Decorate the library lawn with houses for fairies made of all-natural materials!

Tuesday, May 19 at 6:30: Sailing Away
Let stories and songs about boats, rivers, and oceans carry you off into dreamtime.

We're going to have lots of fun at story time. I can't wait to see you at the library!

Happy Reading!

Love,
Byron G. Bear

Penguins Galore!

2009-02-19T13:22:00.000-08:00

Dear Rumney Readers,

Do you like reading about penguins? Check out these books!
(These symbols next to the books mean you can find them at the following libraries:
B=Byron G. Merrill
R=Russell Elementary School Library
P=Pease Public Library in Plymouth, NH)
If you can't find them at these libraries, check local bookstores or online!

Picture Books:
Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester (P)
Tacky in Trouble by Helen Lester (R)
The Little Penguin by Chris McEwan (R)
Penguin Pete by Marcus Pfister
Penguin Pete Ahoy by Marcus Pfister
Penguin Pete and Little Tim by Marcus Pfister (B)
The Little Penguin by Audrey Wood (R)

Early Chapter Books:
The Mysterious Case of Mr. Pin by Mary Elise Monsell (R)
Gertie and Gus and the Missing Pearl by Joan Lowery Nixon (R)
Eve of the Emperor Penguin by Mary Pope Osborne (B,R,P)
Penguins and Antarctica: A Nonfiction Companion to the Eve of the Emperor Penguin by Mary Pope Osborne (R)

Chapter Books:
Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater (R,P)

Nonfiction:
Penguins by Neil Fletcher
Penguins! by Gail Gibbons

Do you want to learn more about penguins? Go to these websites (just copy and paste the URL(http)and it will take you right there):

http://www.kidzone.ws/animals/penguins/index.htm
Lots of information about penguins and other animals

http://research.calacademy.org/research/library/biodiv/biblio/penguin.htm
Links to lots of sites about penguins and books about penguins,too!

http://www.google.com/Top/Kids_and_Teens/School_Time/Science/Living_Things/Animals/Birds/Penguins
Links to sites about different kinds of penguins

We had some nice visitors at the library today for our "Penguins with Pizzazz" story time. We read a book about a funny penguin named Tacky called Tacky in Trouble, sang a song where we waddled like penguins, and made a craft. I can't wait to see the rest of you for our second round of penguin story times on Saturday!

Happy Reading!

Love,
Byron G. Bear

A Sweet Valentine Story time

2009-02-14T09:02:00.000-08:00

Dear Rumney Readers,

We had a sweet time today at our Valentine's Day story time! We read a silly book about a pig who's looking for his true love called Will you be my Valenswine?, sang a Valentine song about friendship, and made animal cards entirely out of construction paper hearts! Some of the cards were given to friends and family, others you can see on the Byron G. Bear Story Club bulletin board at the library.

Next week we'll be reading and learning about some fun penguins at our "Penguins with Pizazz" story time. Join us for the fun!

Love,
Byron G. Bear

Everything Eric Carle!

2009-02-10T12:16:00.000-08:00

Dear Rumney Readers,

We learned all about author/illustrator Eric Carle at our story times last week! We read two of Eric's great books, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Little Cloud, sang songs, and made a craft. In Little Cloud, we followed a small, independent cloud as he turned into a sheep, airplane, hat and more. We then created crafts of what we saw in the clouds--some of the things we saw were sharks, flutes, whales, and dragons! To see what we created, visit the library and take a look at the "Byron G. Bear Story Club" bulletin board.

Many of you also got to take home a bookmark with information about Eric Carle, and a sheet of websites about the author/illustrator and his work. If you didn't get the sheet, and want to find out more about Eric Carle, go to these websites:(you can copy and paste the http and it will bring you right to the site).

http://www.eric-carle.com/home.html
The official Eric Carle website

This is a great site offering information about Eric Carle, a list of his books, a guestbook and contact page, and more!

http://www.eric-carle.com/40anniversary.html
The Very Hungry Caterpillar's 40th Anniversary Celebration!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar turns 40 this year!

http://www.picturebookart.org
The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art located in Amherst, MA.

http://www.fanmail.biz/103422.html
Eric Carle's address!

http://www.carolhurst.com/newsletters/24newsletters.html
Carol Hurst's Children's Literature Newsletter
Featured Author: Eric Carle

I had a great time at the story time, and I hope you did too! We'll celebrate Valentine's Day at our next story time on Thursday, February 12 at 3:30 or Saturday, February 14. See you then!

Happy Reading!

Love,
Byron G. Bear

Monkey Websites!

2009-01-27T16:31:00.000-08:00

Dear Rumney Readers,

These websites have lots of information about monkeys, apes, and similar primates, including games, trivia, and more...one site even shows you how to make a monkey mask!

Enjoy!

Love,
Byron G. Bear

Animaltime.net: http://www.animaltime.net/monkeyfile/index.html

Monkeys and other Primates: http:// www.surfnetkids.com/monkeys.htm

Ziggity Zoom: Monkey Mask for Monkey Play: http://www.ziggityzoom.com/activities.php?a=163

Kids'Turn Central: www.kidsturncentral.com/links/monkeylinks.htm

Cyber Sleuth Kids: http://cybersleuth-kids.com/sleuth/Science/Animals/Mammals/Primates/Monkeys/index.htm

A Popcorn Party!

2009-01-17T09:09:00.000-08:00

We had some guests "pop" into our Popcorn Party this week! We had fun reading Frank Asch's book Popcorn, about a bear and his friends who have a Halloween party and everyone brings popcorn. Bear and his guests make so much popcorn, it fills the whole house! They have to find a way to get rid of all that popcorn before Bear's parents return home. We also sang songs, make a craft, and jumped up and down while reciting a poem about popping popcorn!

A Jan Brett party!

2009-01-08T13:41:00.000-08:00

We had fun at our Jan Brett Celebration today! Adam, Ben, Elizabeth pose with their dad, wearing their "Hedgie the Hedgehog" hats. We made the hats after we read Jan Brett's book The Hat, about a hedgehog who wears a slipper on his head, thinking its a hat! We'll be continuing our celebration on Saturday at 10:30, so join us at the next story time.

Storytimes Galore!

2009-01-06T16:18:00.000-08:00

Dear Rumney Readers,

I'm getting excited for eight weeks of storytimes right here at the library! We will be meeting each week on Thursdays at 3:30 and Saturdays at 10:30, except on February 24, when we will meet at 6:30 for a pajama storytime. We have lots of books to read, songs to sing, crafts to make, and puppets to visit with!

Take a look below to find out what we will be doing at storytime:

Thursday, Jan. 8 and Saturday, Jan. 10: A Jan Brett Winter Celebration
We will read some of Jan Brett's winter-themed books, sing songs, create a simple craft, and participate in a feltboard activity.

Thursday, Jan. 15 and Saturday, Jan. 17: A Popcorn Party
We will read books and poems about popcorn, followed by songs, activities, and a popcorn snack!

Thursday, Jan. 22 and Saturday, Jan. 24: Let's Monkey Around!
Curious George and other funny monkeys will join us for a monkey-themed storytime.

Thursday, Jan. 29 and Saturday, Jan. 31: An Island Beach Party
If you'd like to take a break from the cold, come to an Island Beach Party at the library. Listen to stories about sunny places, sing songs, and make an island craft!

Thursday, Feb. 5 and Saturday, Feb. 7: The Very Busy Storytime: An Eric Carle Celebration
If you love Eric Carle, you'll want to join us in a celebration of his books and artwork!

Thursday, Feb. 12 and Saturday, Feb. 14: Valentine's Day
Show someone you love them at our Valentine's Day storytime.

Thursday, Feb. 19 and Saturday, Feb. 21: Penguins with Pizzazz!
We'll read books about spunky penguins and learn a little about these fun animals!

Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 6:30pm: Goodnight Moon Pajama Storytime
Listen to a reading of the classic story, Goodnight Moon, in your PJs! A nightime snack will be served.

I can't wait to see you at the library!

Happy Reading!

Love,
Byron G. Bear

Holiday Fun!

2008-12-13T07:35:00.000-08:00

Dear Rumney Readers,

It's your friend from the library, Byron G. Bear! I hope everyone is enjoying the fun, snowy winter. I've had a good time ice skating and sledding with my friends when the library is closed; but I make sure I'm back by the the time the library opens so I can visit with you!

Are you excited about the holidays? All of us at the library are too! The librarians, some of our young friends, and I filled the library with lights, trees, wreaths, and other holiday decorations, and now it's even more cozy than usual in here! We also have plenty of materials for you to make a card, ornament, or simple gift for a friend or family member. Stop by anytime we're open and make something special for someone you love.

There is something wonderful happening at the library soon. The entire week before Christmas we will be donating free books to any child who comes to the library--that means YOU! We have some great books to give away, so come in and take home this special gift.

Right now, I'm reading one of my favorite books, The Night Before Christmas. I'm at a really good part, so I'm going to get say goodbye for now and get back to the story.

Happy Reading!

Love,
Byron G. Bear

Enter a world of enchantment at a Fairy House celebration!

2008-09-30T14:04:00.000-07:00

Dear Rumney Readers,

It has been a little while since I've written to you. I had a great time with you this summer, and hope you are enjoying the beginning of the new school year. Even though I love summer, I am happy that it is now fall. From where I sit in the library, I can see the leaves changing color-- aren't they pretty? I like to gather them into a big pile and jump into them when no one's looking!

I'm very excited because on Saturday, October 18 at 10:30 a.m. we will be having a Fairy House celebration at the library. What is a Fairy House celebration you ask? A great author named Tracy Kane (who lives on the New Hampshire seacoast!) wrote a book called Fairy Houses, which talks all about these special homes. People build Fairy Houses outdoors to give the fairies a special place to visit. Fairies love the houses people make for them, which are often built out of sticks, leaves, shells, pebbles, flowers, and other trinkets. We will be reading Tracy Kane's book, and them building our OWN Fairy Houses outside the library. You can even come dressed as a fairy, an elf, a prince, or a princess--the fairies like that, too! We will have many supplies here that you can use, but if you'd like, you can bring your own sticks, pebbles, and other special things to add to your house. Bring something you think the fairies would especially like!

If you'd like to find out more about Fairy Houses before the celebration, go to
http://www.fairyhouses.com/home.html

Get ready to enter a world of enchantment magic!

Until next time... Happy Reading!

Love,
Byron G. Bear

Old Home Day events and more!

2008-07-29T11:45:00.000-07:00

Dear Rumney Readers,

The summer is flying by! We've learned a lot about Australia this summer at our story times. This past Saturday, we learned about the kinds of wildlife that live in the Great Barrier Reef such as Manta Rays, coral polyps, and Blue Sharks. We're having a great time singing songs like "G'Day for Reading," "Waltzing Matilda," and "Home Among the Gum Trees."

Old Home Day is coming soon! I'm excited to march in the parade with you, and sing our songs on stage. We will be singing at 12:00, right after the parade ends. We will keep you posted on when and where we will be meeting before the parade. Come dressed in your best "Australian adventurer" costume! We will also be making our own didgeridoos and clap sticks, instruments used by the native people at Australia, at Story time this week. We will be carrying our instruments with us at the parade, and using them during our musical performance! I can't wait to entertain the crowd, can you?

When you come to the library, you will see many Australian animal cut-outs decorating the wall. The cut-outs tell the names of books children have been reading this summer. If you haven't filled one out yet, take time to do so the next time you're at the library. Or if you've already made one, fill out another! We also have Australian animal coloring pages, an Australia word search, and a list of great websites about Australia available in the children's room. Take some home with you!

It's been a great summer so far, and I'm looking forward to the rest of it!

Happy Reading!

Love,
Byron G. Bear

It's a "G'Day for Reading" this summer at the library!

2008-07-10T12:12:00.000-07:00

Dear Rumney Readers,

We had a wonderful event here at the library on July 8! I saw many of you at the fun and silly puppet show, "The Three Little Pigs Downunder," put on by Vermont Puppeteers, "Just 2(me and you) Passing Thru." Boy, did they do a great job making us laugh! That sheep puppet, Sophie, was especially funny! Everyone had a good time, and it was a great way to get us excited for the Summer Reading Program, "G'Day for Reading."

I'm very excited, because every Saturday, from July 12-August 2, there will be a story time at the library about Australia! That means I'll get to see you even more, and you'll have a chance to learn about this great country through stories, songs, craft projects, and fun games. Are you ready for the fun to begin?? I know I am!

Here are the times and dates of story times and events for the rest of the summer. Make sure you let your parents know!

July 12- Welcome to Australia

July 19- Wallabies, Joeys, and Dingoes, oh my!

July 26-Music and Art of the Aborigines

August 2-A Tour of the Great Barrier Reef

August 9- Old Home Day; Parade and Musical Performance

When you come to the library, you'll see me sitting at a table reading. Today I'm reading, Magic in the Mist, a book about a boy named Thomas who wants to become a wizard. Sometimes when I'm reading, I don't notice anything else, so make sure you stop and say hello!

I hope you're all having a wonderful summer so far. I'll see you at our next story time, this Saturday, July 12!

G'Day Mate, and Happy Reading!

Love,
Byron G. Bear

Visits from the Russell Elementary School

2008-05-29T12:35:00.000-07:00

Dear Rumney Readers,

I had a wonderful time today when students from the Russell Elementary School came and visited the library! Many of you I have met before, but I also got to see some brand new faces. It was great to see all of you at the library!

Mrs. Turbyne talked to us about the history of the library, and the man who it was named after over 100 years ago, Byron G. Merrill. She introduced some of our wonderful new books including Babymouse Books #2, 3, 4, Dolphins, and Airy Fairy. Afterwards, everyone got a chance to explore the library and see all the books we have here!

Rumney author/illustrator Lois Kerr stopped by and read us her beautiful new book, Harry Wesley Spencer's Boots, written about her own family member, Harry Wesley Spencer. This story takes place "before there was television or airplanes and before very many people had cars," and Harry Wesley Spencer works hard to help his family take care of their farm and gardens. The one thing Harry wants is a pair of boots, and because there were no shoe stores nearby, Harry has to wait for his boots to be delivered from Massachusetts. Once Harry gets his boots, he wears them proudly, only taking them off to sleep or take a bath. This is a very special book which takes place right here in Rumney!

Our Summer Reading Program will be starting soon! Ms. Funk taught us a song called "G'Day for Reading," in honor of this year's Summer Reading Program theme, Australia. Puppets Manny the Monkey and Paulina the Pig told us about some Australian animals, read us a poem, and told some "Aussie" jokes. They sure know how to crack you up! Manny, Paulina, and I can't wait to go on Australian adventures with you this summer!

G'Day Mates, and Happy Reading!

Love,
Byron G. Bear

Our Mother's Day Story time

2008-05-13T12:28:00.001-07:00

Dear Rumney Readers,

We had a great time on Saturday, May 10 at our Mother's Day Story time! We were welcomed into the Story Space with the "Story Space Song", and then sang "What's Inside the Story Box?" before opening the box to see what was inside. I was so happy to find out what was inside the Story Box; The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown. This is one of my favorite books about how great moms are. I really liked listening to that story!

We saw something new at the library-- a puppet show!Puppets Manny the Monkey and Paulina the Pig showed us how they celebrate Mother's Day. Manny told us some Mother's Day jokes, and Paulina read us a poem dedicated to her mother, Priscilla the Pig. Manny and Paulina told me they will be visiting the library again, so be sure to see them at the next story time!

We ended our story time with an outdoor flower ceremony. We put colorful carnations in a cup filled with soil, and gave them to our moms. I gave my mom, Byroness G. Bear, a beautiful red carnation. She was so happy!

Thanks to everyone who came to the story time. I had a great time and I hope you did too!

I'll see you at the library really soon. Happy Reading!

Love,
Byron G. Bear

Welcome to the Byron G Bear Story Time Club

2008-05-01T12:31:00.000-07:00

Dear Rumney Readers,

I'm so excited to be writing to you on my new blog! I love living at the Byron G. Merrill Library where I am surrounded by so many great books. I'm proud to have the name Byron G. Bear!

Spring is here, which means it's baseball season! If you're a fan of baseball and books like I am, you probably like to read about baseball . Did you know we have books about baseball here at the library? I just read two fun books called Out of the Ballpark by Alex Rodriguez and The Babe and I by David A. Adler. In Out of the Ballpark, famous baseball player Alex Rodriguez tells the story of his childhood on a Caribbean Island, and how he learned to love baseball. In The Babe and I, a young boy and his father are helped out of a hard time by the home runs of legendary baseball player Babe Ruth! All this reading about baseball makes me want to go outside and swing a bat....it also makes me want to read more books!

Now I'd like to hear about what YOU are reading. What books are you reading, or have you just read, that you really liked? Why did you like them?

Thanks for reading my message. I'll write to you again really soon!

Happy Reading!

Love,
Byron G. Bear