Story time at the public library is the first exposure to books outside the home for many preschool children. For the librarian, it is an exciting opportunity to instill in youngsters a love of reading and books. But coming up with new ideas that hold the children’s attention can be trying. Until now. Here are 55 tried-and-true story hour programs with a thematic approach. All are highly flexible and adaptable across the full preschool age range. Most of the ideas are arranged under one of eight specific themes that include four to eight one-hour programs: barnyard animals, the Caldecott Medal, colors, families, a storytelling feast, the five senses, reptiles and amphibians, and around the world. There are also 18 individual holiday and seasonal programs. All story hours provide ideas for name tags, suggested audiovisual materials, recommended story, poetry and song selections, additional titles and a full description of the activity.

This is the story of the Millen family, circa 1931 to 1945. The father is David and the mother is Eleanor. They have two daughters, hyperactive Grace, younger daughter, psychic Ann, and an infant son, Gilbert, who died when he was eight months old. After his son's death, David became increasingly abusive to Eleanor on Friday. She rationalized his abuse as a result of his grief over Gilbert's passing on Friday. As the years passed, David's abuse became extreme. When the girls were in their early teens, he struck Eleanor on the jaw and for the first time he knocked her unconscious. Grace ministered to her mother, but Ann stood toe-to-toe with her father, refusing to let him strike her mother again. Her ultimate reaction surprised, shamed and sobered him. He then realized it was time to reveal to his family the festering force that had been fueling his rage. His explanation for his ten-year reign of terror was stunning and almost unbelievable!

Nina Bennett was an acclaimed actress and singer, but after the death of her famous jazz musician father, she felt alone until her aunt Elaine opened up her heart and home to her. Ninas star was shining, but her decision to break her contracts and sever all ties to Hollywood was easy. Church wasnt new to her, but it felt new as she listened to the pastor of Christ Tabernacle Church preach the Word. She began to feel the hole in her heart start to heal. The saints, however, saw her as a wannabe Christian, looking for recognition, and they didnt trust her. Ninas nightly prayer was for their approval and acceptance. Five years after the tragic death of Pastor Darius Fairchilds wife, he is a highly anointed preacher, and his flock at Christ Tabernacle is growing, but something is still missing in his life. His nightly prayer is for someone to love. Could Sister Elaines niece be the one God sent for him?

This new teacher-friendly book offers a quick, efficient, easy-to-use tool--the Classroom Assessment of Language Levels (CALL)--to assess the language levels of English learners in grades K-12. Learn how to effectively use the tool utilizing direct interview and small-group observation to determine students’ instructional levels and needs. Get a variety of engaging, differentiated, Common Core-based strategies that can be used post-assessment to help students at each level improve their speaking and listening skills. Strategies to help all your ELLs optimize their learning include... Using interactive journals Creating chart stories Using meaningful gestures Using cognates Exploring word origins And much, much more!

Janet Lloyd's book is a moving autobiographical account of the spiritual gifts forged through the crucible of a difficult childhood. It is a must read, not only for those coming to terms with losses in life, but also a valuable resource for pastors, counselors and other helping professionals. Her honest exploration of the emotional landscape of grieving with its struggle to claim selfhood is filled with homespun wisdom, flashes of humor and grace-filled compassion. - The Rev. Steve Best, Episcopal Priest and pastoral counselor, Medina, WA The Absence of a Life is an important addition to the literature surrounding human growth and development. Writing from lived experience and profound reflection, Janet Lloyd has given us an insightful and lucid perspective on her life without a father. It will be immeasurably helpful to spiritual directors, therapists and many individuals as well. I can hardly wait to see the printed copy. - Katherine Dyckman,SNJM, Spiritual Director, Teacher and Co-author of four books including Inviting the Mystic, Supporting the Prophet (Paulist Press).

Sixty-?ve-year-old Ella Beesom is in the hospital after a mysterious fall and a mild strokeand though previously wealthy, she is now strangely broke. Concerned for her aunt and confused about her ?nancial quandary, Nina Stafford books a flight to Asheville, North Carolina. Once there, the ?nancial haze settles into a fog as Nina cant seem to understand what happened to her ailing aunt. Family friend and ?nancial advisor Gordon Wilson steps in to help, but he knows no more than Nina. Desperate for answers, they agree to hire private investigator, Travis McConnell. Travis is only too happy to help when he meets beautiful, charming Nina, and they cant help but fall into a romance. In the midst of their newly blossoming relationship, Nina and Travis stumble upon a clue that points to a local psychic named Francesca. Aunt Ella visited the tarot card reader, and Nina has a feeling Francesca is somehow involved with her aunts missing money. Will the psychic see Ninas suspicions in the cards? As the mystery mounts, Nina may have no one to depend on but herself. Surrounded by mysticism, its hard to see clearly but Nina must ?gure out what happened to Ella, in order to save her family and possibly herself.