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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=703215819-27102008>From the ALSC Blog:
<A
href="http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/">http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/</A></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
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<H2><A title="Permanent Link: A Warm and Fuzzy Storytime"
href="http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/?p=606" rel=bookmark>A Warm and Fuzzy
Storytime</A></H2>
<DIV class=entrytext>
<P><A title=flora_blanket.jpg
href="http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/flora_blanket.jpg"></A><A
title=babyduck_cozyblanket.jpg
href="http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/babyduck_cozyblanket.jpg"></A><A
title=quilt_story.jpg
href="http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/quilt_story.jpg"></A>We’re
experiencing our first major cold fronts of the season in northern
Virginia. We are ready to put away our short sleeved shirts, drag out our
heavy coats, and throw on a heavy quilt or bedspread for chilly nights.
It’s also a perfect time to do a blankets and quilts themed story
time.</P>
<P><A title=flora_blanket.jpg
href="http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/flora_blanket.jpg"><IMG
alt=flora_blanket.jpg
src="http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/flora_blanket.thumbnail.jpg"></A></P>
<P>Many children have a favorite stuffed animal or object that they cuddle
before falling asleep. When that special item is missing, sleep
becomes nearly impossible. That’s the situation
in which Flora’s parents and siblings find themselves.
They go on an extended search throughout the home and yard, with no
luck. Flora grows irritated and sleepy as time goes on; eventually,
despite the loss of her blanket, she succumbs to sleep. Her weary
parents shuffle off to bed, where the hiding location of Flora’s
blanket is discovered. With appealing pastel illustrations and a short yet
engaging storyline, <EM>Flora’s Blanket</EM> will charm both children and
parents.</P>
<P><A title=babyduck_cozyblanket.jpg
href="http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/babyduck_cozyblanket.jpg"><IMG
alt=babyduck_cozyblanket.jpg
src="http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/babyduck_cozyblanket.thumbnail.jpg"></A></P>
<P> The children in my story time really enjoyed <EM>Baby Duck in the Rain
</EM>when I read it for our rain themed story time, so including another Baby
Duck story was a no-brainer. <EM>Baby Duck and the Cozy Blanket</EM> is a
textured book (which don’t always work well for story times), but the story
involving Baby Duck and his grimy blanket is substantial enough to include in a
group setting. Not only does Baby Duck need a bath, but it’s pretty
obvious that her beloved blanket has seen better days. Although she is
initially resistant to surrendering her blanket, the blanket is eventually
placed in the washer. Baby Duck sings about her sadness over her estranged
blanket, but when Baby Duck and blanket are reunited, the world looks bright
again. Most parents will be all too familiar with the attachment a child
has to a beloved object, despite its desperate need to be washed. Children
will enjoy the bright illustrations and Baby Duck’s adorable personality.</P>
<P><A title=quilt_story.jpg
href="http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/quilt_story.jpg"><IMG
alt=quilt_story.jpg
src="http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/quilt_story.thumbnail.jpg"></A></P>
<P><EM>The Quilt Story</EM> begins in the pioneer era, but the main character’s
fear about moving will ring true with many children. Abigail’s quilt has
kept her warm on cold nights, comforted her when she was sick, and served well
as a gown during imaginative play. Abigail’s family builds a new log cabin
far from their home; the “newness” overwhelms Abigail, but the familiarity of
the quilt comforts her. Abigail grows up, and the quilt is stored
away. Animals find new uses for the quilt, but the quilt is found by a
modern day Abigail, who is also not enjoying her family’s new move. </P>
<P><EM>The Quilt Story </EM>is an excellent read aloud, complete with Tomie
dePaola’s distinctive illustrations. It is a bit too long for my current
toddler group; when I read it this morning, some children were not quite ready
for its length. A preschool storytime might be a better fit for this
tender story.</P>
<P>Do you have any favorite stories about blankets/quilts?</P>
<P>Books Mentioned:</P>
<P>Gliori, Debi. <EM>Flora’s Blanket</EM>. New York: Orchard Books,
2001.</P>
<P>Hest, Amy. <EM>Baby Duck and the Cozy Blanket. </EM>Cambridge,
MA: Candlewick Press, 2002.</P>
<P>Johnston, Tony. <EM>The Quilt Story</EM>. New York: G.P. Putnam’s
Sons, 1985.</P></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>