Hanover — Toddlers are a tough crowd to please.
But during the first Movement and Music Together Story Time at the Howe Library last Friday, children’s librarian Gary Barton appeared to be doing just that.
“This is the jumping part,” Barton exclaimed during If You’re Happy and You Know It, the first song in the program. Parents and caregivers held on to their little ones’ hands as they stomped about.
Every direction Barton gave seemed to come with an exclamation mark attached to it. Throughout the half-hour long program, there were very few pauses.
And toddlers, being the independent-minded folk that they are, were engaged in their own individual ways. They might not have done all the movements to the Itsy Bitsy Spider, but they were moving about and interacting with the activities. Later they sang Mary Had a Little Lamb like a jazz standard.
The story time, in addition to using song and movement, also incorporates instruments. Shakers and sticks were used in some songs and brightly colored scarves made an appearance as well.
“This is me, this is me, this is me and my energy,” Barton sang along with the more than two dozen adults and children that attended. “Cause I’m the only me that I can be.”
The program concluded on a softer note with a parachute activity, the adults holding it up and the children sat under it as they all sang Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.
Editor’s note: Music and Movement Story Time takes place on Fridays from 10:30-11 a.m., at the Howe Library, 13 South St. The program is free and open to all Upper Valley residents. For more information, call 603-640-3268 or visit thehowe.org/. Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.
The Howe Library is far from the only library that holds story times. Check out the list below of regularly occurring children’s activities. Email additions or updates to calendar@vnews.com.
Monday
Play group in Wilder: 9-10:30 a.m. For infants up to age 5 with caregivers. The Family Place, 52 Olcott Drive. 802-649-3268.
Baby and Toddler Story Time in Woodstock: 10:30 a.m. Stories, songs and fingerplays for children up to age 3 with caregivers. Norman Williams Public Library, 10 the Green. 802-457-2295.
First Time Story Time in Hanover: 10:30-11 a.m. Stories, songs, and movement for children ages 2-3 with caregivers. Howe Library, 13 South St. 603-643-4120.
Story Time in Lebanon: 10:30 a.m.11:30 a.m. Stories, music, activities and crafts for children of all ages and their caregivers. Free. Lebanon Library, 9 E. Park St. 603-448-2459.
Tuesday
My First Story Time in Enfield: 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Children up to age 3 on a caregiver’s lap listen to books, songs and rhymes supporting early literacy, then socialize as they play with toys after story time. Free. Enfield Public Library, 23 Main St. 603-632-7145.
Stories and Art for Preschoolers in Etna: 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Stories, songs and a craft for preschoolers and their caregivers. Free. Etna Library, 130 Etna Road. 603-643-3116.
Where the Wilder Things Are in Wilder: 10-11 a.m. Story hour with tales and related craft project. Wilder Club and Library, 78 Norwich Ave. 802-295-6341.
Infant Playgroup in Hanover: 10 a.m.-noon. Activity and social time for children up to age 2 with caregivers. Howe Library, 13 South St. 603-643-4120.
Preschool Story Time in Woodstock: 10:30 a.m. Three thematically related stories and a tie-in craft or activity for children ages 3-5 with caregivers. Norman Williams Public Library, 10 the Green. 802-457-2295.
Preschool Story Time in Lebanon: 10:30 a.m. Stories, activities and crafts for children ages 3-6, with caregivers. Lebanon Library, 9 E. Park St. 603-448-2459.
Early Literacy Story Time in Hartland: 10:30-11 a.m. Stories and crafts for children up to age 5 with caregivers. Hartland Library, 153 Route 5. 802-436-2473.
Mother Goose Time in West Lebanon: 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. A playgroup for infants to age 2, parents and caregivers with toys, rhymes and music. Free. Kilton Library, 80 Main St. 603-298-8544.
Upper Valley Playgroup in White River Junction: 2 p.m. Snacks, crafts, stories and games for children up to age 5 with caregivers. Free. Valley Bible Church, 851 Fairview Terrace. 603-443-7418.
Wednesday
Playgroup in South Royalton: 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m. For children up to age 5 with caregivers. Sponsored by The Family Place and the Orange County Parent Child Center. Free. United Church, 67 S. Windsor St. 802-6493268.
Playgroup in South Pomfret: 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. For children up to age 5 with caregivers. Free. ArtisTree Community Arts Center, 2095 Pomfret Road. 803-649-3268.
Story Time in Quechee: 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Stories and a craft activity for children age 6 and under. Free. Quechee Library, 1957 Quechee Main St. 802-295-1232.
Story Time for Preschoolers in Enfield: 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Books, songs, flannel board stories, movement, and a craft. Best for ages 3-5. Free. Enfield Public Library, 23 Main St. 603-632-7145.
Lap-sitter Story Time in Grantham: 10 a.m. Stories, music and craft for children upto age3. Dunbar Free Library, 401 Route 10. 603-863-2172.
Toddler Story Time in Newport: 10:30 a.m. Songs, rhymes and books for children up to age 2 with caregivers. Richards Free Library, 58 N. Main St. 603-863-3430.
Preschool Story Time in Windsor: 10:30 a.m. Stories, songs and crafts for children up to age 5 with caregivers. Windsor Public Library, 43 State St. 802-674-2556.
Wordplay Story Time in Norwich: 10:30 a.m.-11 a.m. Weekly themed stories, songs, rhymes, and finger puppet plays for children up to age 4 with caregivers. Norwich Public Library, 368 Main St. 802-649-1184.
Preschool Story Time in Hanover: 10:30-11:15 a.m. Stories, songs and activities for children 3-5 with caregivers. Howe Library, 13 South St. 603-643-4120.
Story Time in Newbury, N.H.: 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Reading, singing, games and crafts, all corresponding to the letter of the week. For children up to age 6. Free. Newbury Public Library, 933 Route 103. 603-763-5803.
Playgroup in Plainfield: 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. For caregivers and children up to age 2. Free. Philip Read Memorial Library, 1088 Route 12A. 603-675-6866.
Preschool Story Time in Randolph: 11 a.m. Stories and a craft for children ages 2-5 with caregivers. Kimball Public Library, 67 N. Main St. 802-728-5073.
Preschool Story Time in Newport: 11 a.m. Books, songs and a craft for children ages 2-6 with caregivers. Richards Free Library, 58 N. Main St. 603-863-3430.
Spanish Story Time in Hanover: 3:30 p.m. Stories, activities and songs for children up to age 4 with caregivers. All language levels welcome. Howe Library, 13 South St. 603-643-4120.
Thursday
Preschool Story Time in Grantham: 10 a.m. Stories, music and craft for children ages 4 and up. Dunbar Free Library, 401 Route 10. 603-863-2172.
Children’s Story Hour in Hartford: 10 a.m. Stories, crafts, and activities for children of all ages with an adult caregiver. Free. Hartford Library, 1587 Maple St. 802-296-2568.
Story Time in East Corinth: 10 a.m. For children of all ages. Free. Blake Memorial Library, 676 Village Road. 802-439-5338.
Story Time in Meriden: 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Stories, songs and crafts for young children with a caregiver. Free. Meriden Library, 22 Bean Road. 603469-3252.
Preschool Story Time in West Lebanon: 10:30-11:30 a.m. Stories, activities and crafts for children ages 3-6, with caregivers. Kilton Library, 80 Main St. 603-298-8544.
Mother Goose Time in Lebanon: 10:30-11:30 a.m. Toys, rhymes and music for children up to age 2 with caregivers. Lebanon Library, 9 E. Park St. 603-448-2459.
Spanish Playgroup in Hanover: 10:30-11:30 a.m. All language levels welcome. Howe Library, 13 South St. 603-643-4120.
Preschool Story Time in Lyme: 1 p.m.-2 p.m. Stories, rhymes and a simple craft for children ages 3-6. Meets every other Thursday. Free. Converse Free Library, 38 Union St. 603-795-4622.
Friday
Playgroup in Wilder: 9-10:30 a.m. For children up to age 5 with caregivers. The Family Place, 52 Olcott Drive. 802-649-3268.
Stories and Art for Preschoolers in Etna: 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Stories, songs and a craft for preschoolers and their caregivers. Free. Etna Library, 130 Etna Road. 603-643-3116.
Toddler Story Time in Randolph: 10:30 a.m. Stories and creative play for children up to age 2 with caregivers. Kimball Public Library, 67 N. Main St. 802-728-5073.
Preschool Story Time in Thetford: 10:30 a.m. Stories and activities for children with their caregivers. Latham Library, 16 Library Lane. 802-785-4361.
Preschool Story Time in Hanover: 1 p.m.-1:45 p.m. Stories, songs and activities for children 3-5 with caregivers. Howe Library, 13 South St. 603-643-4120.
