Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Snack and Story

The last time I participated in a Snack and Story time was quite a distant spot from now. But I remember it well. The teachers who used multiple voices to bring characters to life were always the best loved storytellers. Someone's Mom would bring cupcakes or cookies and story time was a peak in the day. And also a great tool by which to keep children in line: misbehaving meant no story time for you.

I likely would not have even recalled Snack and Story times from yesteryear had one of our son's teachers not mentioned this activity in his classroom. Each week a parent is asked to bring a great book, treats for the kids, and spend 30 minutes with the munchkins.

Having a fairly limited schedule this time of year, I wanted to fit it in. MiniMac helped me make mini muffins the night before and must have told Daddy I was coming in for story time no less than a dozen times.

Often wondering how the teachers can possibly endure 14 toddlers at one time, I found that Snack and Story day brings out the very best in them. I read a book we were given by my Mom's doctor as a baby gift called Skippyjon Jones. It is fantastic.
As I read the book, all the kids sitting around me in a circle, with MiniMac on my lap I used different voices for all the characters, just like the best story-time readers did back when I was coming up.

14 faces mesmerized and captivated reminded me there was a time when something as simple, free, and easy as someone reading you a story was the best part of your kid day. And although it is far from a Golden Globe, the teachers told me I was the best parent story-reader. I will take that award.

And to be honest, seeing them so intently listening, and knowing exactly what that felt like, Snack and Story turned out to be the best part of my day too.

38 comments:

the walking man said...

I wonder if yoou could do a snack and story time with adults using a fifth of Jack and a playboy/playgirl?

brainella said...

Now you know what it would be like to be a children's librarian. I loved doing it -- storytime is a LOT of fun. There are normally NO issues with the kids; it's the best part.

I'm doing Mystery Reader for my son's class on Monday. I think I'll take "What! Cried Granny." It's fun.

Simply Suthern said...

The wife picked up her books from the Library yesterday for her 3 yr old class. She has felt boards to go along with some of them. The kids love it.

We read to each of our kids everynight when they were young. The girls still love to read, The son not so much.

SpiritPhoenix said...

Oh my goodness I love Skippyjon Jones. Especially Skippyjon Jones and the Big Bones. Hilarious! And yes, I'm a mom that does different voices too. ;)

Slamdunk said...

Good for you and knocking them dead. I do the odd voices thing when I read to kiddos as well--they seem to respond well to it.

Like Simply Suthern said, we constructed a home felt board for interactive reading as well.

ellen abbott said...

I love listening to a good storyteller.

Matty said...

I wish had been there to see. You should have had video made for this post. You go mom. I can remember doing the same thing for my kids.

Just think, this could be the beginnings of your acting career.

Kristina P. said...

This sounds simply perfect.

Will Burke said...

Now I'm hungry...

foxy said...

So sweet!

Unknown said...

That was so sweet. And you've given mini-Mac a memory he will cherish foreever!

brokenteepee said...

I would go in with my goddaughters when I lived closer and I loved it.

MommyLisa said...

Ohhh! We need that book - we have SkippyJon Jones Shapes Up!

MommyLisa said...

p.s. you should hear my "Brown Bear Brown Bear What do you see???" ;)

shortmama said...

Awww I love that. I like to think Im a great story reader too because I always get into the characters too! Ive got to look up that book!

Unknown said...

thats so great! Glad you enjoyed it!

Miss Yvonne said...

I love this idea...sadly, I've never heard of it before now. I would have loved to do this with my kiddo.

Mandy said...

These are cute books. We love Skippy John Jones here at our house!

Vivienne @ the V Spot said...

Love it! Don't you miss the days that there was a bit of magic inserted in amongst the blah-ness.
I did that for Grant's Kindergarten class last year, but the kids don't know in advance whose parent is showing up. They call it Mystery Reader and every other Friday morning a parent shows up with a book. (I did Green Eggs & Ham with voices....) His happy little face was the best award ever.

Noe Noe Girl...A Queen of all Trades. said...

I miss those days =(
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Janet said...

I love Skippyjon Jones. Sounds like a great time!

Mrs. M said...

I will have to find that book! Now, think how entertaining you could make things around the office by reading the law briefings for everyone. I bet you would have the best voices! :)

Maria said...

Now you know what keeps those teachers coming back for more, everyday. So happy you had a great experience and that MiniMac was so excited...P.S. Skippyjon Jones rocks!

mCat said...

This sounds like something I would like instituted at my job.

Going into the suggestion box first thing tomorrow morning. If I get the green light, will you come and read to us? : )

Ed said...

I love reading the kids stories. I do the different voices too. We have several of the Skippyjon Jones stories. My favorite are the Pigeon books by Mo Willams. They are awesome to read.

Herding Cats said...

Story Time! How cute is that? What a great idea!

Vodka Logic said...

What a great idea. My kids teachers rarely let us come in to read.

Wonder if my kids would still let me read to them (16 and 21).. ha ha.

Sorry I have been such a bad blogger friend lately.. I do love your posts. xx

The Savage said...

And this, my dear Jenny Mac, is only a fraction of the reason you are made of awesome!

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

I secretly wish someone would read to me every night before I went to sleep. Shhhhhhh! It's a secret.

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

I secretly wish someone would read me to sleep at night. Shhhhhh! It's a secret.

Carma Sez said...

that is so sweet that the kids loved it and you rocked. Your son will probably remember mom reading at storytime for years to come. My son still brings up when I taught Junior Achievement in his first grade class and that was 8 years ago.

Anonymous said...

That series is AWE-SOME!!!!!!!!! LOVE it!

Fragrant Liar said...

I absolutely adore Skippyjon Jones. I've bought all the books and can't wait for the next one. Reading them out loud with the kids participating is about one of the best things we do together. And everybody is so into it! Really, what's better than a cat imagining himself to be a chihuahua? I do that myself sometimes.

Kir said...

wow, you GO Jenny!!!

I am going to bring this up for our daycare/young preschool...I'd LOVE to do this and we just got all the Llama Llama books ..that I adore.

I am sure you will get that Golden Globe...Go you!!!!

Jenn Erickson said...

My girls and I are huge fans of Skippyjon Jones! We have all the books and hope that there are more on the way from Judy Schachner!

secret agent woman said...

That's very sweet. I miss the days of reading to my kids.

Holly said...

What a wonderful, SWEET post!!! This reminds me of my student teaching, in which I took over a 4th grade reading class for a semester in the spring. My absolute FAVORITE part of that experience was reading to the kids. Since they were a little older, they were being introduced to novels and chapter books. We would read sections of a book together and pause for discussion. I just loved the questions they would ask and the points they would make. Their little minds are so fascinating!

HalfAsstic.com said...

That's? wonderful! Sounds like a great time was had by all...
Remember Show and Tell?