Practical and concise, this well-organized and readable guide is for inexperienced staff members who are not necessarily children's librarians. . . . The book is a natural partner to Kendall Haven and MaryGay Ducey's Crash Course in Storytelling (Libraries Unlimited, 2006). - School Library Journal
Peck (San Leandro Public Library; library and information science, San Jose State U., California) presents a practical guide for both novice experienced storytime presenters looking for new ideas. Coverage includes an overview of storytime fundamentals; storytime for babies, for toddlers, and for preschool children and families; incorporating music, songs, and fingerplays; bilingual storytime; crafts at preschool storytime; storytelling, puppets, and props; and using volunteers. Each chapter includes book and website resources. The text also contains an extensive list of storytime book suggestions, organized into 75 thematic categories, each accompanied by suggested craft activities and songs. - Reference & Research Book News
Written to serve as a starting place for novice storytime presenters, this work is a valuable resource for librarians, teachers, or others working with children at preschool age or younger. . . . The volume provides numerous resources and ideas to use as a starting point for any storytime program, and it encourages the user to find out more and to branch out through experimentation. - Booklist
A highly useful resource for the novice children's librarian. Peck's knowledge and experience is evident by the practical nature of the book's content and its matter-of-fact, no-frills presentation. Peck not only explains the mechanics of storytime, she also demonstrates why it remains such a vital program for a public library. - Public Libraries
I recommend Crash Course in Storytime Fundamentals for those new to storytime and old hands who might find a few tips and variations not tried in 'one of the most enjoyable parts of your work week.' - Australian Library Journal
