Storytime: Pancakes

Tuesday, February 5th was National Pancake Day ... for IHOP. Free storytime at the library and free* pancakes at IHOP. It might be cold and snowy, but the price of free cannot be beat!

Welcome
Hello SONG from Dragon Tales: Dragon Tunes
American Sign Language signs for pancake and waffle
How to Make a Pancake by Dave Max (with mouse finger puppet)
Pancake Shapes flannel board

Pancakes are usually made in a circle, but not all the time. It is a silly refresher on basic shapes. These pancakes were made from pancake texture images, cropped to different shapes. The pictures were glued to yellow card stock and cut out with a wobbly edge to reflect the unevenness of actual pancakes.






The Shapes That Surround You SONG from Hap Palmer: Can a Jumbo Jet Sing the Alphabet?
Round is a Pancake by Joan Sullivan Baranski, illustrated by Yu-Mei Han
Poem: Pancakes? by Shel Silverstein from Where the Sidewalk Ends (with mouse finger puppet)



The mouse finger puppet was used twice at storytime. The first time, author Dave Max used mice as kitchen assistants, so it naturally fit to bring in the puppet. The mouse returned to recited a short poem for the audience. Bringing the puppet back is always enjoyable for the listeners. 

If you're nervous about using puppets or poetry in storytime, the combination of poetry with a puppet cannot be beat!


If You Give a Pig a Pancake by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond
Announcements
Good-bye, So Long, Farewell, Toodle-oo SONG from Hap Palmer: Two Little Sounds Fun with Phonics and Numbers
Craft Project from Banta friends: P is for Pancakes book

*from the IHOP website: "Since beginning its National Pancake Day celebration in 2006, IHOP has raised more than $10 million to support charities in the communities in which it operates. On February 5, 2013, guests from around the country will once again celebrate National Pancake Day at IHOP and enjoy a free short stack of Buttermilk pancakes*. In return for the free pancakes, guests will be asked to consider leaving a donation for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals© ** or other designated local charities." http://www.ihoppancakeday.com/

Storytime: Challenge

2013 is a new year for storytime sessions, songs, books, and activities. Last year, I added my storytime books to GoodReads. This year I hope to add my storytime themes to the MissPippiReads blog. I hope you will find these reviews, agendas, and activities helpful. Happy reading, friends!

Review: Courting Cate

Courting Cate by Leslie Gould


Leslie Gould gives a Shakespearean theme a new twist! Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew comes to Paradise Township in Pennsylvania. Elder sister Cate must marry before her sister Betsy. Cate baulks at the idea, but newcomer Peter Treger begins to turns her head.

I cannot recall the last Amish/Mennonite book I read. I picked up Courting Cate because the Shakespearean storyline peaked my interest. Gould shared a fantastic tale that interwove culture, Shakespeare, and faith. If you enjoy Shakespeare retellings or Amish stories, you will enjoy Gould's newest book. I look forward to see her next piece in the Courtships of Lancaster County series.

Time Period: Modern
Location: Paradise Township, Pennsylvania and New York, USA

Reviewed from a NetGalley copy. Thank you, Bethany House!

Review: Unrivaled

Unrivaled by Siri Mitchell

Lucy Kendall returns home to St. Louis from her grand European tour with her aunt and uncle. Her mother wanted her to become a lady and step into soceity. Lucy wanted to return to the candy business with her father. She even brought European treats to share and possibly generate new candies to help grow the business. Yet, when Lucy arrives home she is told her father is ill and the business needs to sold.

Charlie Clarke arrives in St. Louis at the bidding of his absent father. Clarke senior holds many regrets but he grew his candy business to one day pass on to his son. Charlie becomes Charles and a society introduction with a beautiful girl crumbles when he discovers the mystery girl is her father's candy rival - a Kendall.

Both young people want nothing more than to help their families. Lucy wants City Confections to and her father to live. Charlie seeks a father he never had growing up in Chicago. They are filled with dreams and schemes, but eventually someone needs to fold.

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Ms. Mitchell is a familiar author and I grabbed up her latest novel with abandon. I was so thrilled I never bothered to read the description. I jumped in with certain expectations and nearly stopped reading at page one. Mitchell's piece takes place at the turn of the century in St. Louise and the chapters switch between Lucy's and Charlie's first person perspectives. (My favorite century is the 1800's and I prefer the third person perspective.) Mitchell's theme of candy manufacturing really sold me on reading this book. Her characters are strong, likeable, and realistic. The historical tidbits are fascinating as well as the descriptions of creating treats. The faith aspect is pretty light, but it's a great read with many themes to reflect and savor - love, family, rivalry, business, society, expectations, truth, friendship, and sweets!

Reviewed from a NetGalley copy. Thank you, Baker Publishing Group: Bethany House Publishers!

Christmas Review: Holiday Movies

It's past the reading/viewing period for the 2012 Christmas Challenge, but I still wanted to share with you the results. I enjoyed more screen time over novel time last year. I hope next Christmas season will bring more holiday reads vs. scenes. Happy Christmas Past!

Live Action Movies:
The Santa Clause
The Santa Clause 2
The Santa Clause 3
Love Actually
Elf
Meet Me in St. Louis
A Muppet Christmas: Letters to Santa
Holiday Inn
White Christmas
While You Were Sleeping
 Muppet Christmas

Animated Movies:
Jetson's Christmas Carol

Charlie Brown Christmas
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Frosty's Winter Wonderland
'Twas the Night Before Christmas
The Small One
Pluto's Christmas Tree
Mickey's Christmas Carol

Rankin/Bass Animagic Movies:
Little Drummer Boy Book 1
Little Drummer Boy Book 2
Pinocchio's Christmas

Rudolph's Shiny New Year
The Year without a Santa Clause
Jack Frost
Life and Adventures of Santa
Leprechaun's Christmas Gold
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Santa Clause is Coming to Town

Review: Total Devotion

Total Devotion: 365 Days to Hang Tight with Jesus by Kevin Johnson


Total Devotion is geared toward young adults and their faith struggles and growth. I may not be in high school, but the passages chosen and the lessons shared are applicable to Christians whatever their age. The book was originally published in 2004, so there are a couple technical advances, but some life lessons never change throughout history. Replace the VCR with a DVD or Blu-ray player as you read and focus on connecting the passage to your daily life.

Daily devotions include a title, opening paragraph describing a situation, passage, and closing remarks that include Bible references to link the situation(s) to the text read. The year is broken down into several topics including faith basics, obedience, prayer, trust, popularity, family, guy-girl stuff, stamina and more for a total of 26 different themes.

Reviewed from a personal copy.

Christmas Review: A Regency Holidy & Wyoming Bride

A Regency Holiday by Allison Lane

Four novellas focusing on the Christmas season set during the Regency period in England.

Coventry's Christmas by Rebecca Hagan Lee
Suffolk, Buckinghamshire, and London in England, December 1813

Star of Wonder by Lynn Kerstan
North Yorkshire Dales, December 1819

A Christmas Homecoming by Susan Pace
December 1814

Home for Christmas by Alicia Rasley
Near Plymouth, December 1818

This Regency Christmas collection is a swift read to enjoy during the month of December. The author capture various Regency themes, such as, step-parents, soldiers, wards, turns of fortune, etc. Each novella is distinct and differ from each other so the reader cannot be bored reading the same themes over and over again in one book.

Reviewed from a NetGalley copy. Thank you, Bell Bridge Books!

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Wyoming Bride: A Bitter Creek Novel by Joan Johnston

Wyoming Bride is the second novel in Johnston's newest series Mail-Order Brides. Wyoming Bride is also a continuation of her Bitter Creek series.

Wyoming Bride follows the lives of the Wentworth siblings, specifically Hannah. (Miranda Wentworth was featured in Texas Bride, Mail-Order Brides Book 1.) Hannah desires to save the rest of her siblings, Hetty and Josie, from the orphanage. She jumps in and becomes a mail-order bride. Hannah believes marriage to McMurtry will keep her family together. Unfortunately, the Oregon Trail is not an easy road to travel.

Johnston writes a fun and adventurous western. If you're unfamiliar with her stories, this book can be enjoyed by itself. Johnston throws in enough detail that the reader isn't floundering in unknown information. The author's note at the end of the book is well put together. Joan invites the reader to anticipate her next Mail-Order Bride book and encourages readers to enjoy her previous books before the next one arrives.

Reviewed from a NetGalley copy. Thank you, Random House Publishing Group!

Why is this in my Christmas reviews? They mention Christmas, of course! The Creeds traveled to Cheyenne to purchase Christmas gifts. 

Review: Lily's Plight

Lily's Plight by Sally Laity

Sally Laity and Dianna Crawford's final book of the Daughters of Harwood House series is Lily's Plight. The previous novels were Rose's Pledge (Book 1) and Mariah's Quest (Book 2).

As indentured servants Rose went to the wildness, Mariah went to a plantation, and Lily went to a farming community on the edge of the wilderness. Lily's roll was to care for the family's children and watch over John's ailing and beloved wife, Susan. After Mariah's wedding, Lily's freedom could have been bought, but Lily wanted to stay with the Waldons. She wanted to fulfill her contract and she wanted to remain close to those she loved. Life becomes complicated as the French and Indian War draws closer to the settlement and John worries for his family's safety. Lily remains firm to watch over her young charges in the face of grave danger.

Out of the three Daughters of Harwood House books, Lily's Plight is my favorite. The timeline isn't as rushed or drawn out to cover a long range of time. Laity and Crawford address the dangers of battle and how families in the early settlements needed to work together to succeed. The struggle with faith, love, and family are woven throughout the novel. It was a beautiful conclusion to the Harwood family.

Reviewed from a NetGalley copy. Thank you, Barbour Publishing, Inc.!

Christmas Review: Kisses, Ciphers, & Dinosaurs

The Five Kisses by Karla Darcy

Christmas traditions vary with each family. Gillian's family always put up a kissing bough during their holiday celebrations.

Darcy's novella highlights Gillian's life with five kisses from the neighbor boy. It's not five kisses in a row, but five kisses every few years. Life changes, but something remain the same, included friends and neighbors. It's a sweet, short holiday read.

Reviewed from a Kindle copy.

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The Secret Christmas Ciphers by Carolynn Carey

Abigail waited to wed Derek, but he never returned home. When he finally came back for her, she agreed to wed him, but with a bitter heart. Derek came back with a bad reputation and secrets. He wants to return to a time where Abigail loved him, but too many secrets need to be kept for King and country.

Carey's Regency romance is also a mystery that brings the couple closer together and farther apart as they discover each other's secrets. The novel concludes at Christmas with a happy ending. The epilogue jumps to the future (2075) and the discovery of old ciphers from the book. That was strange and bit out of place. I prefer historical fiction novels that remain in their respective time period (unless the preface is the future or modern times and the future/modern times returns at the end).

Reviewed from a Kindle copy.


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Dinosaur vs. Santa by Bob Shea


ROAR! Dinosaur returns to see if he can tackle the holiday season and Santa Claus. Roar! Roar! ROAR!

If you are familiar with Bob Shea's Dinosaur, you know the delightful silliness and joy of shouting ROAR between every dinosaur action. If this is your first Dinosaur book, jump in and give a big shout!

Shea's books are short, but to the point and packed with fun for all ages of readers. This holiday read will be great for rambunctious readers who don't want to cuddle and read by firelight or tree-light. I would recommend reading it at the beginning or middle of the day vs. at the end of the day. Save Dinosaur vs. Bedtime for the end of the day.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge 2012

Today is the first day of The True Book Addict's Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge 2012! The reading challenge goes 'til January 6, 2013 (Twelfth Night or Epiphany). That's over a month of holiday reading to read and review. I hope to surpass the number of reads (and movies) that I enjoyed last year. (My round-up list is available here.) If you would like to join the challenge, sign up at The True Book Addict's blog. Happy holiday reading, friends!


Reviews: Christmas Wombat and Who Built the Stable?


The Christmas Wombat by Jackie French


Jackie French brings back the Australian wombat for a Christmas caper! Our wombat friends likes to eat, sleep, and scratch. He smells his favorite food - carrots and follows strange new creatures to carrots all over the world!

A simple and sweet story that doesn't hold a heavy holiday theme. The light touch highlights Santa, reindeer, and traveling in one night, but the main theme is a day with a wombat.

Reviewed from a library copy.

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Who Built the Stable?: A Nativity Poem by Ashley Bryan


The art of poetry and the art of painting explode in this new Christmas story about the birth of Jesus. The paintings were rendered in tempera and acrylic to create a vibrant story that describes a little boy's journey to see the newborn King. This young sheepherder and carpenter helped to build a stable then invited Mary and Joseph a place to stay the night of the Census.

Poetry is a great way to tell a story. It's beauty blends well with the bright colors. Children and adults will be charmed by this story.

Reviewed from a library copy.