Maine Humanities Council

Here’s a funny book by British author Simon James, read aloud by Rachel Davis, children’s librarian at the Thomas Memorial Library in Cape Elizabeth. After she reads the book, Rachel teaches a fingerplay called “The Baby Grows” and a poem called “Bend and Stretch.”

Text and illustrations copyright 2004 by Simon James. Reproduced by permission of Candlewick Press, Inc., Somerville, MA. We welcome your feedback on any of Rachel Davis’s readings.

Baby Brains [ 4:55 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (2717)

This is the first book that author Amy Hest wrote about the bear named Sam, a character inspired by her own son, Sam. Here, the book is read aloud by Rachel Davis, children’s librarian at the Thomas Memorial Library in Cape Elizabeth. Rachel then teaches two fingerplays about kisses.

Text and illustrations copyright 2004 by Simon James. Reproduced by permission of Candlewick Press, Inc., Somerville, MA. We welcome your feedback on any of Rachel Davis’s readings.

Kiss Goodnight [ 3:56 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (3169)

Here is one of Amy Hest’s popular books about a bear named Sam, read aloud by Amy Hand, children’s librarian at the Camden Public Library.

Text copyright 2002 by Amy Hest. Illustrations copyright 2002 by Anita Jeram. Reproduced by permission of Candlewick Press, Inc., Somerville, MA. We welcome your feedback on any of Amy Hand’s readings.

Don’t You Feel Well, Sam? [ 4:27 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (7045)

Amy Hest is the author of this book about a duck who learns to love the rain. Here is Amy Hand, children’s librarian at the Camden Public Library, reading the book aloud and sharing a rhyme and two songs. For more children’s books about rain, see this Born to Read booklist.

Text copyright 1995 by Amy Hest. Illustrations copyright 1995 by Jill Barton. Reproduced by permission of Candlewick Press, Inc., Somerville, MA. We welcome your feedback on any of Amy Hand’s readings.

In the Rain With Baby Duck [ 5:20 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (2902)

This bedtime story by Sue Heap is set in the Wild West. As Rachel Davis, children’s librarian at the Thomas Memorial Library in Cape Elizabeth, reads the book aloud, you can follow along in your own copy or a copy borrowed from the library. Then, listen to some fingerplays about cowboys.

Copyright 1998 by Sue Heap. Reproduced by permission of Candlewick Press, Inc., Somerville, MA, on behalf of Walker Books Ltd., London. We welcome your feedback on any of Rachel Davis’s readings.

Cowboy Baby [ 4:23 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (3515)

While walking through the woods in autumn, Oliver chases a leaf and gets separated from his parents. This is the story of how he finds them again. It is read aloud by Rachel Davis, children’s librarian at the Thomas Memorial Library in Cape Elizabeth, who then shares two fingerplays about leaves.

Text copyright 2002 by Phyllis Root. Illustrations copyright 2002 by Christopher Denise. Reproduced by permission of Candlewick Press, Inc., Somerville, MA. We welcome your feedback on any of Rachel Davis’s readings.

Oliver Finds His Way [ 3:17 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (2566)