Storytime magic

**From School Library Journal** Both new and veteran storytellers will appreciate this book. Sixteen chapters are arranged by themes such as "All About Me," "Animals," and "Holidays." Whenever a flannelboard idea is listed, a thumbnail pen-and-ink sketch of the necessary pieces is included next to a Web icon. Readers can then proceed to an ALA Web page to view the actual-sized pattern. An appendix gives further instruction on how to use other props or costumes along with a story. Unfortunately, the index of titles and first lines uses the articles "A," "An," and "The" in the alphabetical sort. The authors provide helpful group-management advice for all age ranges, as well as for incorporating American Sign Language into stories. This book is similar in scope to Elizabeth Low's Big Book of Animals Rhymes, Fingerplays, and Songs (Libraries Unlimited, 2009). However, Low includes some Spanish rhymes and musical notation for 94 songs. Storytime Magic is equally fine for professional collections.—Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. **Product Description** Enriching and supplementing storytelling programs with fingerplays, flannelboards, and other props will be a cinch thanks to this generous sampling of art and craft ideas, songs, and action rhymes. This time-saving resource includes * Thematic organization to make program planning easy * Recommended books for each theme * Easy-to-follow craft and flannelboard patterns * Quick Tips boxes that enhance the early literacy component A unique addition to the programming shelf, this treasure trove of storytime tools is designed to help veteran librarians refresh and enliven ongoing programs, while providing novice storytime planners what they need to get started!