I learned on Monday, through a Series of Random Events, that Minnesota is adding a Picture Book award to our current Maud Hart Lovelace awards, which are all student choice awards. The new award is the Star of the North award, which features both fiction and nonfiction picture books that have not won a Caldecott medal, have been published in the 2 years prior to the award year, with special consideration for Minnesota authors (among other criteria). I decided to feature some of the books at my last storytime as a way of introducing the award.

Books we read:


We did a very informal poll at the end. Many kids liked The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man, and several moms commented that they liked the message of Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons. Personally, I love John Rocco's art in Blackout, so that was my favorite.

• Put letters on the Chicka Chicka tree; sing ABCs (Playing & Singing)

Songs:

1. "Can't Wait to Celebrate" by Jim Gill from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem
2. "I'm a Rock Star" by Joanie Leeds from I'm a Rock Star [with ribbons]
3. "Reach for the Sky" by Wee Sing from Wee Sing Children's Songs and Fingerplays

Craft: Shiny Craft Stick Stars

I did it. We used GLITTER. Lots and Lots and Lots of GLITTER. This was my inspiration. The kids glued wooden craft sticks together in a star shape, and then spread glue down the star "points" and covered them in glitter, sequins, confetti, and some tiny beads? balls? that were in the craft supplies when I started here. I recently purchased a bunch of educational DVDs from a company that came individually packaged in clear bags, which of course I saved, so I put them out for caregivers to package the shiny, glittery star mess to take home. Regular sandwich bags would work too.

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