Crash Course in Storytime Fundamentals »

PENNY PECK is Senior Librarian, Youth Services, in the San Leandro Public Library, San Leandro, CA. She also teaches in the School of Library and Information Science at San Jose State University. She holds an MLS from San Jose. She has served as a member on the Notable Children's Book Committee, the Carnegie Award Committee, and the Newbery Committee.

Based upon materials used by this experienced children's library and university instructor, this is a vital and essential how to for doing storytimes.

Crash Course in Storytime Fundamentals is a vital and essential how to. It is perfect for anyone who is asked to do storytime, but has never been trained-or for anyone who simply needs a new idea. The book is based upon materials designed for and used during an all day workshop, Storytime Fundamentals offered by this veteran children's librarian.

School Library Journal

Practical and concise, this well-organized and readable guide is for inexperienced staff members who are not necessarily children's librarians. Peck matches program sessions to the ages of the children (babies, toddlers, preschoolers) and to their educational and social development. The 75 themed storytimes include different types of books and Web sites and sources for songs, musical instruments, fingerplays, games, puppets, and crafts. The author discusses best times and settings for programs; special issues, such as children's and parents' behavior; selection and training of volunteers; the "registration" question, and more. The book is a natural partner to Kendall Haven and MaryGay Ducey's Crash Course in Storytelling (Libraries Unlimited, 2006). Peck's programs place much emphasis on prekindergarten readiness and preliteracy readiness for preschoolers. Carolyn N. Cullum's The Storytime Sourcebook II (2007); Gail Benton and Trisha Waichulaitis's Ready-to-Go Storytimes (2003); Kay Lincycomb's Storytimes...Plus! (2007, all Neal Schuman); and Marie Castellano's Simply Super Storytimes (Upstart, 2003) supply storytime programs too, but Peck gives much more step-by-step guidance.-Judy Sokoll, Florida Storytelling Association, Naples