That's Disgusting!

Are these really good---and exactly where did they come from??????

Several years ago, I had an after school program called That's Disgusting! We had a huge turnout and it was fun to plan,too. Why haven't I ever repeated this? Boogers on a stick are yummy and fun to make. Kitty Litter cake is wonderful and looks so awful. Squashed bug on a fly swatter is a really fun craft to make.Well, in honor of Kathleen Baxter and her inspiring booktalks, I am going to have a disgusting revival, since all things gross are so appealing to school age kids.

Books to try for my new "Really Gross Book Club" will include:

Lauber, Patricia,What You Never Knew About Tubs, Toilets, and Showers (Around the House History)S&S,2001
Harper, Charise Mericle, Flush: The Scoop on Poop Throughout the Ages. Little Brown,2007.
Prishmann, Deidre A. Poop-Eaters:Dung Beetles in the Food Chain. Capstone Press,2008.
Neuman, Pearl. Bloodsucking Leeches. Bearport Publishing,2008.
Thomas, Lyn. 100% Pure Fake. Kids Can Press,2009.
Bredeson,Carmen. Hair Shooting Tarantulas and Other Weird Spiders, Enslow elementary,2009

Now get out there and drink some Bathwater Punch!

Just Keeping It Real

Snot Bubble
Originally uploaded by Michael.M

Who knew non-fiction could be so hilarious! Kathleen Baxter presented 145 non-fiction books at a workshop I attended yesterday. I laughed so hard my stomach hurt. That woman could convert even the most reluctant reader with her passion, joy, and downright hilariousness. I was ready to booktalk non-fiction to anyone who walked through the library doors this morning and had to be restrained from loading my car trunk with books and heading for the elementary schools.

I am absolutely going to start a Gross and Disgusting Book Club in the fall featuring all of those books that delight elementary school kids and probably some middle school kids,too!

Celebrate the Earth!

Spring is my favorite season and a perfect time to celebrate Earth Day, in my opinion. Everything is fresh and new, so let's take a look......

plum trees,

the first sprays of new green leaves,

beautiful,brave volunteers,

and tiny greens peeking out from mysterious places.

Happy Earth Day!

Is This REALLY in My Job Description?

Today was just like any other day at the library working in the Children's Department. The day began with baby storytime, lovely babies, cute mom's and dad's, giggles and songs.

Then it was on to the store to purchase what we need for tomorrow nights event. We are hosting a Poetry Cafe and want to create a cafe ambiance. We decided to purchase small tables to cover with checked tablecloths and thought we could purchase the tables at store number one...nooooooooo.We thought we could purchase the tables at store number two....nuh uh. Store number three,four, five...no luck. Okay, we can drive to Stillwater while checking iPhone apps and calling stores to see who might carry said tables. Bingo! We found a store, asked them to hold all the small tables, (they had 5) and told them we would be right there. Cynthia, my assistant, pulls her truck up to the store. I leap out of the car, which was still running btw, dive and roll into the store, purchase tables, and we are back on the road to New Richmond, just in time for.......

THE REPTILE PROGRAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmm...is this REALLY in my job description?

Ta Da!

Now..........................................we have to get the tables out of the boxes, set them up (do we have a screwdriver?), and carry them over to the room we are using for the cafe.

Add some pretend candles, that Cynthia (famous for her spectacular parties) brought, and voila----cafe.

Back across the street to the library in time to pay the reptile guy, pause for a picture of a flowering crab on the way,put the tables and chairs back in the Children's Room, write an article, edit the SLP brochure, and there you have it-----------just another day.Whew! After reading this, I think I really am tired. I'm going home now, so I can rest up for whatever tomorrow brings........never a dull moment.

Jellyfish Dreams

Last night, when I could not sleep, I decided to make some jellyfish. Is it just me, or do they actually seem to be floating through the water? Maybe I am just dreaming.

Jellyfish

Politely Stepping Back

In this world of iPads, iPods, cell phones, and Wii, Kindles and Playaways, schnitzel and noodles, brown paper packages tied up with string.....well...it was fascinating to simplify things for an hour.

We held an American Girl party to celebrate Addy, who was depicted as living during the Civil War era.

                          The children who attended were absolutely amazed by shadow puppetry.

              Lemonade came with some effort put forth squeezing real lemons, using some juicers that were not powered by electricity.

The concept of cloth napkins was introduced, and we talked about why they are necessary now, for different reasons, than in Addy's time.

Games as simple as keeping a feather afloat were as exciting as Mario Cart.

What a delight it was to turn back time...............just for an hour.

Now, please excuse me,I have to Tweet.