I debated whether to post my storytime themes chronologically from the very first I did onward, but my memory being what it is it’s probably best that I go in reverse order.
This summer our library used the CSLP theme Imagine Your Story, so each week had some kind of fairy tale/fantasy theme (except for the first week, Family History). The last week was “A Heroic Quest.”
You can see the virtual program that does not include the full books read aloud here.
Early Literacy Tip: Offer your child opportunities to scribble and draw, and ask them to tell you about what they drew or wrote. They are learning that what they write has meaning. This is the beginning of print awareness, one of the skills they need to learn to read.
Welcome song: We Clap and Sing Hello
We clap and sing hello, we clap and sing hello
With our friends at storytime we clap and sing hello!
We wave and sing hello…
We stomp and sing hello…
We clap and sing hello…
Action Rhyme: Little Knights
Little knights count: one, two, three
Little knights bend on one knee
Little knights reach and touch their toes
Little knights, now touch their nose
Little knights make a funny face
Little knights run very fast in place
Little knights lay down on the floor
Little knights sleep and start to snore
Credit: adapted from “Little Dragon” found at mphpl.org
Read: Good Night, Knight by Betsy Lewin
Lap Bounce: The Horses Are Walking
The horses are walking,
They’re walking along, walking along, walking along
The horses are walking, they’re walking along.
Whoa, whoa, WHOA!
Additional verses: trotting, galloping
Credit: Jbrary
Read: Nobody Likes a Goblin by Ben Hatke
Song: There’s a Crown on Me!
(tune of There’s a Spider On Me!)
There’s a crown on my foot, on my foot
There’s a crown on my foot, on my foot
It just won’t stay put; does it really go on my foot?
There’s a crown on my foot, on my foot
Additional verses:
Knee…Goodness, gracious me, does it belong on my knee?
Arm…It’s not doing any harm, but does it go on my arm?
Head…Did you hear what I said? I think it goes up here instead!
Credit: Adventures in Storytime (and Beyond)
Draw & Tell Story: The Emperor’s Dragon
from the book Handmade Tales: Stories to Make and Take by Dianne de Las Casas
Flannel Story Rhythm Chant: Going on a Dragon Hunt
We’re going on a Dragon Hunt, We’re gonna catch a big one!
What a beautiful day! We’re not scared!
(repeat after each section)
Lower down the drawbridge – SQUEAK!
Trot down the road. CLIP CLOP, CLIP CLOP.
Uh, oh – grass – tall, wavy grass.
Can’t go under it, Can’t go over it,
Have to ride through it! SWISH SWISH, SWISH SWISH.
Uh, oh – a river – a deep, cold river.
Can’t go under it, Can’t go over it,
Have to find a bridge! CLIP CLOP, CLIP CLOP.
Uh, oh – a mountain – a high, wide mountain.
Can’t go under it, Can’t go around it,
Guess we’ll have to climb it!
Climb to the top. HUFF PUFF, HUFF PUFF.
Do you see a dragon? No! That’s a bird!
Climb down the other side. HUFF PUFF, HUFF PUFF.
Uh, oh – a cave, a narrow, gloomy cave.
Can’t go under it, can’t go over it,
We have to go through it! TIPTOE, TIPTOE, TIPTOE
… It’s dark in here! Is anyone around?
GASP! I see two shining eyes! And a green, scaly body!
Is that a puff of smoke? RUN! IT’S A DRAGON!
Through the cave! Climb back up the mountain! Climb down!
Find the bridge! Trot across it! Ride through the tall grass!
Into the castle! Raise the drawbridge! Phew! We made it.
Were you scared?
Credit: adapted from Storytime in the Stacks and Michael Rosen
(My Dragon Hunt felt story came from Storytime in the Stacks, but I deliver the chant à la Michael Rosen, so I adapted her lyrics to better fit. I also used the castle from another felt set – There’s a Castle in the Middle of the Moat modeled from Literary Hoots)
Read: I Will Be Fierce by Bea Birdsong & Nidhi Chanani
Craft: Cardboard Tube Dragon Puppet
From One Little Craft
Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars
Tickle the stars
Tickle your toes
Turn around
And tickle your nose! (tickle, tickle, tickle!)
Reach down low
And reach way up high
Storytime is over
So wave goodbye. Goodbye!
This storytime was presented virtually on 7/14/20.
Storytime handout:
Storytime with Ms. Emily Library 