Lazy Jane

On Saturday I did a Shel Silverstein story time for 9-12 year olds at the library. Nine kids came and the greatest thing is...the parents actually bring the appropriately aged kids to the appropriate programs. There were kids there who I know have young siblings, but the little ones weren't there. Whew. Imagine trying to keep a 2 year old still for an hour of Shel.

The kids were so great though. They all went home being able to recite Lazy Jane.

Lazy,
Lazy,
Lazy,
Lazy,
Lazy,
Lazy,
Jane
wants a drink
of whater so she
waits,
and
waits,
and
waits,
and
waits,
and
waits
for
it
to
rain.

(Lazy Jane is lying here with her mouth open, catching all of the words, but I can't find the picture online.)

I did tell them he wrote songs for Johnny Cash. I did not tell them he drew cartoons for Playboy. I'll let them make that discovery on their own. By the way, those of you with kids...Shel Silverstein's website is great -- coloring sheets, poetry activities, etc.

Today I did the first ever story time in August at the American Library in Paris. They usually stop all programs in August because everyone's on vacation, but I thought there might be a few kids still here with nothing to do. And there were. I had fifteen kids ranging from 2 to 12. They stared at me blankly when I read Don't let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, but laughted at A Friend for Minerva Louise. Next week I'll be bringing a guitar (I found a friend with one) and doing a song time. Finally that music school is coming in handy.