Play Date With a Book

Summer Reading Club PLAY

Hooray! Summer Reading Club is finally here. I love, love, love the theme for this year. PLAY!

In February, I did the famous “Blind Date With A Book” for the adults, and the kids did feel left out. So, this summer, I decided to run the program “Play Date With a Book” and it went off with a hit!

How to Play

1. Each bag has 1 book hidden inside with descriptors on the outside

2. Kids choose a bag that they’d like to read.

3. Inside, I tucked in a survey and when they returned the survey to the desk, they got an extra ballot for the weekly prize.

Materials Needed

As you know, I’m a HUGE fan of low budget programming. Even though my current library has a healthy children’s programming budget, I still try to find fun projects that we can run on a low budget.

– Paper bags (40 bags for $1.25 at Dollar Tree)

– Markers

– Stickers (optional)

– Books

– Mailing labels (240 labels for $1.25 at Dollar Tree)

Bottom line, this program is cheap to run at your library!

How did it go?

I checked the books out onto my program card so I could track the stats. The circulation staff was instructed to override the checkout. If you’re running with SirsiDynix Symphony, this is easy to do. Otherwise, you can count them when you’re done.

We had them labeled them into three categories:

1. Preschool-Grade 2

2. Grades 3-4

3. Grades 5+

We made about 80 bags, and they all flew off the shelve. Later today, we’ll be making another batch of 80.

I highly recommend this program, it’s CHEAP and it will boost your circulation.

Much thanks to my Library Assistant Lori who took the time to write some of the cutest messages on the bags!

 

Play Date With a Book

Low budget display for Summer Reading Club

Play Date With a Book

Low budget display for Summer Reading Club

Survey

I put in this survey to get some feedback.

Review: Tiny Little Fly

8036457Title:  Tiny Little Fly
Author/Illustrator:  Michael Rosen and Kevin Waldron
Publisher:  Candlewick Press
Publication Date:  November 9, 2011
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780763646813
For ages: Preschool 3-5
Type:  Picture Book

Oh my a tiny little fly is causing so much trouble around the jungle! Follow the elephant, hippo, and tiger who try to catch the buzzing, buzzing, buzzing, fly.

Kevin Waldron might be my most favourited illustrator. These pictures are big, clear, and easy to see. I read this story for my Adventure storytime and the kids adored looking at the animals in the jungle. Will be reusing this for storytimes to come.

Review: The Trouble with Chickens

8366238Title: The Trouble with Chickens (JJ Tully Mystery)
Author/Illustrator:  Doreen Cronin and Kevin Cornell
Publisher:  Balzer + Bray
Publication Date:  January 12, 2012
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 978-0606318006
For ages: 8+
Type:  Juvenile

JJ Tully is a retired search and rescue dog, but he cannot seem to enjoy his retirement. He’s pestered by crazy chickens in his yard: Millicent (he called her Moosh) and her puffy chicks Little Boo and Peep (he called Dirt and Sugar).  When the chicks go missing, JJ Tully, bribed by a cheeseburger, is hired to track them down. But, whose side are the chickens on? Something doesn’t smell right with this case.

JJ Tully is one hard-nosed detective. The book is written in short sentences, making it an easy read for advanced readers. Humour mixed with mystery, this book will make a great read reluctant boys.

Complete list of Juvenile Fiction Reviews

Review: King Pig

18042148Title: King Pig
Author/Illustrator: Nick Bland
Publisher:  Scholastic Canada
Publication Date:  June 1, 2013
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781742834955
For ages: Preschool 3-5
Type:  Picture Book

King Pig doesn’t know why the sheep do not like him, even though he tries his best. The sheep do not smile, even though he tries to make them laugh. They never listen to him. So, one night, King Pig invited the sheep into his warm castle. They were dyed different colours and shaved to make King Pig fancier clothes. But still, the sheep did not like King Pig – even when he was wearing fancier clothes! How can he make them like him?

Nick Bland has done it again with King Pig. Enclosed in these pages is a story about popularity. King Pig is oblivious that he is making the sheep unhappy. He treats them as slaves, rather than people. Illustrations are simple and beautiful. This story has to be one of the best storybooks that I’ve read all year. A must read for preschool storytime.

Complete list of Picture Book Reviews

Review: Vampire Trouble (The Bailey City Monsters)

58649Title: Vampire Trouble (The Bailey City Monsters)
Author/Illustrator:  Marcia Thornton Jones and Debbie Dadey
Publisher: Little Apple
Publication Date:  December 1998
Format:  Paperback
ISBN: 978-0590108461
For ages: 8+
Type: Juvenile

Bailey City is always filled with excitement. When the Haunty family of the Haulty Manor Inn comes into town, rumours start that Madame Hauntly is a vampire. She sleeps in dirt. Wears vampire inspired clothing, and tells interesting stories. But, is she really a vampire?

Bailey City Monsters always puts on a performance in the books. The moral of the story digs deeper – acceptance of those that are different. Great book for ages 8 and up.

Complete List of Juvenile Fiction Reviews