Cool Story Programs for the School-Age Crowd

What kid wouldn't love literary explorations of the stinky, creepy, and dirty? Throw in rats, witches, aliens, and underwear, and it's irresistible. Yet few story times are designed for elementary school children, who are intent on separating themselves from younger siblings. Why aren't there more events for these kids? It's not a lack of great material insists librarian-humorist Reid, who builds upon his earlier ALA bestseller. Something Funny Happened at the Library (ALA Editions, 2003) to offer 18 new wacky and offbeat programs, including the winning topics of the giggly and gross. Each plan opens with a thumbnail overview, then draws on unusual combinations of poetry, picture books, chapter book excerpts and short stories. The mix varies by theme, but all the programs touch the concerns (interests and humor (Think: Captain Underpants), for this age group. Audience involvement includes wordplay, reader's theater, dramatics, writing, music, sports, or crafts. Reid also illustrates how to tweak programs to appeal to younger (or older) audiences. Plans for fun story programs encompass: Catching some Zzzz's; A1 Stories; Big and Bad in four separate flavors; Cool school, alien school and don't wanna go to school! Designed to inspire public children's librarians, school media staff, classroom teachers, and anyone who wants to help literature come alive for kids in grades K-4, Cool Story Programs is a proven, adaptable resource, and a must-have for libraries serving kids.