More Family Storytimes

ALA Editions, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-83890-973-7

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 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, School Library Journal

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