School Library Journal Review
| This companion to Reid's excellent Family Storytime (ALA, 1999) provides an additional 24 full-session activities just right for mixed-age programming. Themes are identical to those from the earlier volume, but almost all books and songs are new. For each session, the author provides descriptions of each activity as well as additional "Mix and Match" suggestions for substitutions or additions. Highly appealing and easy-to-learn songs, poems, and movement activities work well for group participation, both by kids and adults. Many are clever adaptations of traditional rhymes: "The Grand Old Duke of York" becomes "My Grand Old Uncle York" to match a theme, for example, and "Jack and Jill" becomes a sure winner with added motions for each line, repeated three times at increasing speeds. The many Reid originals, such as "Five Little Kiddos" and "Baby Bear Roars," typically feature participation, moving around, and uncomplicated silliness. Book choices have the broad appeal necessary for the widely mixed ages of the intended audience, as do the ideas for poetry, crafts, and riddles. The author's experience with family programming and his sense of playfulness come through in the descriptions, so the book is inspiring as well as instructive. This is a valuable resource for family storytime presenters, whether using the themed structure or creating new sessions from the wealth of creative ideas.-Steven Engelfried, Multnomah County Library, OR (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. |
Booklist Review
| A sequel to the author's Family Storytimes (1999), this volume contains 24 programs, each lasting 30 minutes, that promote learning readiness and reading skills. Reid has tested the programs himself and convincingly explains his rationale for including entire families in his storytimes. Each program is clearly laid out, beginning with a Program at a Glance section that outlines the entire 30 minutes, from opening song, through story and poetry selections, musical activities, to closing song. This is followed by Preparation and Presentation, detailing each song, story, or poem, with source listings and annotations. Mix and Match sections give alternate books that work with the given theme, and each program ends with a listing of alternate, applicable musical selections. Clearly presented and easy to follow, this is an excellent resource for librarians who want to come up with winning story hours that have broad appeal.--Welton, Ann Copyright 2009 Booklist |
