PCEI is extremely grateful to Kim Harris-Thacker (PCEI Storytime Coordinator) and to Olivia Alexander (PCEI Storytime Intern) for volunteering their time, talents and enthusiasm to our most successful Summer Storytime ever. Average attendance was 50-75 children and adults a week, many of whom had never been to the PCEI Nature Center before.
We are truly grateful to our community readers who kept their audience engaged and entertained: Jade and Ben Stellmon, Madeleine Johnson, Sandye Crooks (Moscow Recycling Center), Lora Lee Boal, Mayor Nancy Chaney, Joan Alexander, Brooke Lowry (Safe Routes to School – Moscow, ID), Kim Harris-Thacker, and Olivia Alexander.
Many thanks also to Krissy Lindsay (PCEI Development Intern), Amy Wright (PCEI PR Intern), Meridian Wappett, Isabelle Wappett, Elias Wappett, Aaron Johnson, Corey Johnson, and Chloe Johnson for additional support. Last but not least, we would like to thank BookPeople of Moscow for offering $15 gift certificates to every child who attended 10 or more Storytimes and 20% off the featured book of the week.
Enjoy these photos from our 2013 Summer Storytime Series:
Reading List and Readers
August 20, 2013
Featured Reader: Joan Alexander
Joan moved to Idaho in 1995 from the Bay Area to find new adventures. Her background is in elementary education. She is a singer/songwriter, the mother of three children and owner of Wild@Art, a paint-your-own-pottery and mixed media art center. She loves to rock climb, swim, spend time with friends and her children, and enjoy sunshine whenever she can. Joan is dedicated to creating space and opportunity for young people to do good things for themselves, their community and the world around them.
Featured Book: “I Will Never Not Ever Eat A Tomato” by Lauren Child
Lola is a fussy eater. A very fussy eater. She won’t eat her carrots (until her brother Charlie reveals that they’re orange twiglets from Jupiter). She won’t eat her mashed potatoes (until Charlie explains that they’re cloud fluff from the pointiest peak of Mount Fuji). There are many things Lola won’t eat, including – and especially – tomatoes. Or will she? Two endearing siblings star in a witty story about the triumph of imagination over proclivity.
August 13, 2013
Featured Reader: Kim Harris-Thacker
Stories are Kim’s passion, whether she’s reading them or writing them. A former editor and teacher, Kim now finds herself in the lucky position of being a stay at home mom to two girls who never tire of having books read to them.
Featured Book: “When Dinosaurs Came With Everything” by Elise Broach
Just when a little boy thinks he’s going to die of boredom from running errands with his mom, the most remarkable, the most stupendous thing happens. He discovers that on this day, and this day only, stores everywhere are giving away a very special treat with any purchase. No, not the usual lollipop or sticker. Something bigger. Much, MUCH bigger. It’s a dream come true, except…what exactly do you do with these Jurassic treats? And how do you convince Mom to let you keep them?
August 6, 2013
Featured Reader: Joan Alexander
Joan moved to Idaho in 1995 from the Bay Area to find new adventures. Her background is in elementary education. She is a singer/songwriter, the mother of three children and owner of Wild@Art, a paint-your-own-pottery and mixed media art center. She loves to rock climb, swim, spend time with friends and her children, and enjoy sunshine whenever she can. Joan is dedicated to creating space and opportunity for young people to do good things for themselves, their community and the world around them.
Featured Book: “When Pigasso Met Mootisse” by Nina Laden
When Pigasso met Mootisse, what begins as a neighborly overture escalates into a mess. Before you can say paint-by-numbers, the two artists become fierce rivals, calling each other names and ultimately building a fence between them. But when the two painters paint opposite sides of the fence that divides them, they unknowingly create a modern art masterpiece, and learn it is their friendship that is the true work of art.
July 30, 2013
Featured Reader: Olivia Alexander
Olivia is a Moscow High School junior and very active in school activities, including the MHS Environmental Club. She loves kids and is excited to help them make new discoveries and spend time outdoors.
Featured Book: “Strega Nona” by Tomie dePaola
Strega Nona — “Grandma Witch” — is the source for potions, cures, magic, and comfort in her Calabrian town. Her magical everfull pasta pot is especially intriguing to hungry Big Anthony. He is supposed to look after her house and tend her garden but one day, when she goes over the mountain to visit Strega Amelia, Big Anthony recites the magic verse over the pasta pot, with disastrous results.BookPeople of Moscow!
July 23, 2013
Featured Reader: Nancy Chaney, Mayor of Moscow
We are delighted to have Mayor Nancy Chaney back for another Summer Storytime! This week she’ll be reading “All Through My Town” by Jean Reidy and “The Big Orange Splot” by Daniel Pinkwater. Mayor Chaney was one of our very first readers when we started our Storytime in 2008. Mayor Chaney has lived in Moscow since 1980 and attended the University of Idaho from 200-2002. She enjoys traveling, outdoor recreation, bicycling, and alpine skiing.
Featured Book: “All Through My Town” by Jean Reidy
Who are the people in your neighborhood? Perfect for the pre-K set, this adorable rhyming text takes a walking tour of your community. The fresh modern art of Leo Timmers features hidden details and a perennial theme reminiscent of Richard Scarry. Little ones will beg to re-read again as they discover the characters who repeat throughout the art in this sweet and vibrant story. Get a 20% discount on the featured Summer Storytime Series book of the week at BookPeople of Moscow!
Featured Activity:
Afterwards, we’ll be creating our own unique town by painting wooden blocks with tempera paint. (Paint is washable but participants are encouraged to wear clothing that they don’t mind getting paint on).
Tuesday, July 16
Featured Reader: Lora Lee Boal
Lora Lee is a former preschool teacher with a big imagination. She is always able to put herself into the stories she hears and reads. Lora Lee loves to swim, camp, go for walks, and tell and listen to stories while on long drives or near the campfire. She also loves animals and foreign foods. She values literacy and believes it’s never too early or late in life to pick up a good book. Lora Lee can read in English and Spanish!
Featured Book: “The Princess and The Pig” by Jonathon Emmett
There’s been a terrible mix-up in the royal nursery. Priscilla the princess has accidentally switched places with Pigmella, the farmer’s new piglet. The kindly farmer and his wife believe it’s the work of a good witch, while the ill-tempered king and queen blame the bad witch-after all, this happens in fairy tales all the time! While Priscilla grows up on the farm, poor yet very happy, things don’t turn out quite so well for Pigmella. Kissing a frog has done wonders before, but will it work for a pig?
Tuesday, July 9
Featured Reader: Kim Harris-Thacker
Stories are Kim’s passion, whether she’s reading them or writing them. A former editor and teacher, Kim now finds herself in the lucky position of being a stay at home mom to two girls who never tire of having books read to them.
Featured Book: “Sixteen Cows” by Lisa Wheeler
Cowboy Gene loves his eight cows, and Cowgirl Sue loves her eight cows, and both of them like the fence that keeps their pastures – and cows – apart. But then a tornado blows through and takes the fence with it. Will they ever be able to figure out whose cows are whose?
Activity:
After the readings, join Kim for a Wild West adventure! Kids will practice milking cows, gathering eggs and racing to a clothesline to hang up clothes!
Tuesday, July 2
There will not be a Summer Storytime event this week but don’t forget to check back for next week’s events! Next week’s theme will be the Wild West with Kim Harris-Thacker!
Tuesday, June 25
Featured Reader: Sandye Crooks
Sandye is the Education Coordinator at Moscow Recycling. She enjoys everything outdoors and especially storytelling. One of the best parts of her job is educating kids about recycling and composting. She is thrilled to be able to tell worm stories and have a fun activity for the kids at PCEI’s Summer Storytime event.
Check out photos from Storytime Fun with Sandye Crooks and Compost Stew!
Featured Book: Compost Stew by Mary McKenna Siddals
From eggshells to wiggly worms, this delightful recipe in bouncy verse features items—some familiar and some not so—that are fit for the home compost bin and will nourish Mother Earth. Vibrant collage illustrations use recycled and found materials to further a timely message. And to keep young environmental chefs fully informed about composting do’s and don’ts, there’s a note in the back about what’s not fit for the bin.
Other story included:
Activity:
After the readings, join Sandye Crooks on an exciting worm hunt!
Tuesday, June 18
Featured Readers: Kim Harris-Thacker and Madeleine Johnson
Stories are Kim’s passion, whether she’s reading them or writing them. A former editor and teacher, Kim now finds herself in the lucky position of being a stay-at-home mom to two girls who never tire of having books read to them. Kim loves unique, beautiful settings in stories, so this week’s Beach theme makes her happy, happy!
Featured Book: “If You Want To See A Whale” bu Julie Fogliano
Tuesday, June 11
Featured Reader: Jade and Ben Stellmon
Longtime friends Ben and Jade think reading and friendship go hand in hand. They love to share their favorite authors with each other, but their favorite thing to do is read books each night to their four book-loving children.
Featured Book: “I Am Invited To A Party!” by Mo Willems
Piggie is invited to her first party. She doesn’t know what to wear, though, so she asks her best friend Elephant for help. Elephant’s advice is odd to say the least, so Piggie will try on all sorts of zany outfits before finally arriving at the party for a hilarious surprise.
Tuesday, June 4
Featured Reader: Kim Harris-Thacker
This week Kim will be reading “My Garden” by Kevin Henkes. Kim loves reading and gardening and is thrilled to be able to see these two passions come together for the PCEI’s first Summer Storytime this season. When her nose isn’t buried in a book (or a flower), she can often be found penning her own tales.
Featured Book: “My Garden” by Kevin Henkes
A girl helps out in her mother’s garden, but in the garden of her imagination, there are chocolate rabbits, tomatoes as big as beach balls, flowers that change color, and seashells. How does your garden grow? Learn more about the book “My Garden” and Kevin Henkes!
Other stories will include:
Activity:
After story time, Kim will be taking the children on a scavenger hunt around the Nature Center! At each of the stops along the way, they will pick up supplies to use to plant their own, tiny gardens!