Libraries are more than books. Some kids need a little direction to get the creative juices flowing. I gleaned the following from PUBYAC contributors. If you're a member, check out the archives for 12-21-2006. Please add YOUR comments. Your colleagues would appreciate hearing what works, and what didn't!

INVITATIONS:

• 3-6 years of age suggested.

DRESS:

• Have the kids dress up in their fanciest clothes, or come as a Mother Goose character.

REFRESHMENTS: (Be mindful of food allergies)

• Lemonade in fancy pitchers
• Star, heart, cat or spider shaped cookies
• Pumpkin spice cookies
• Mini-muffins
• Tarts

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DECORATIONS:

• Decorate with flowers and pastel tablecloths and streamers.
• Have a special table set aside with a display of Mother Goose and other nursery rhyme books.
• When the guests first arrive, play music with nursery rhymes in the background . Once everyone is assembled you can turn it off.

FAVORS/CRAFTS:

• Nursery Rhyme crafts
• Glue googly eyes to metal spoon and paper plate.
• Glue cotton balls on outline sheep figure.
• Decorate star shapes.
• Queen of Hearts Heart-Art--stickers, markers, fun-foam, hearts, hearts, everywhere!

GAMES/ACTIVITIES:

• Walk around and say the first line of a rhyme, let the kids try to finish it.
• Either have craft stations, with precut, and preglued items, where the guests only have to color or add the enhancements, or do a very simple craft as a group.

          (If the kids are in goodclothes you don't really want them getting soiled with glue and paint.)

• Have the children act out a few nursery rhymes.
• Have a list of 10 nursery rhymes, and have the children vote for their favorite.
• Nursery Rhymes Game (You may have to hum the answers if the kids don't get the clues, although the parents may prompt the children.)
• Copy and cut out sheep--hide them around the party room. Little Bo-Peep asks for help rounding up her sheep.
• Matching mittens for the Three Little Kittens. (Make as many sets as you need, vary pairs by colors, patterns.)
• Make a large egg shape and cut it into pieces. Have the children try to put Humpty Dumpty together again.
• Mother Goose BINGO--make various game boards using Mother Goose or barnyard animal stickers.
• Mother Goose, May I? A variation of Mother, May I?  (This is suggested for older children, for obvious reasons.)

VOLUNTEERS:

• Encourage the parents/caregivers to stay--many hands make light work. (With this age groups, too, the kids need to have help with the crafts.)

TIME:

• An hour-and-a-half should be MORE than enough.