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). My colleague had chosen a Royal Tea Party as her theme for the family program, so I followed along with the storytime theme. This was a chance to talk about Kings, Queens, Princes, and Princesses, as well as tea. Since I’m stuck on the couch for virtual programming, I’ve been using a scarf for movement and dancing songs, but encouraging the kids to use the space they have around them.
You can see the virtual program that does not include the full books read aloud here.
Early Literacy Tip: When we read or sing cumulative books or songs (ones that repeat and add a growing list of items like “In the Middle of the Moat”), children start to learn how to put ideas in order. This helps them become good readers because sequencing events is one part of reading comprehension skills.
Welcome song: Clap and Sing Hello
Read: La Princesa and the Pea by Susan Middleton Elya & Juana Martinez-Neal
Fingerplay: Five Plump Peas
Five plump peas in a peapod pressed (make a fist and cover with the other hand)
One grew, two grew, and so did all the rest (raise all fingers on first hand one by one)
They grew, & they grew, & they grew, & never stopped (hands get wider and wider)
They grew SO BIG that the peapod… POPPED! (hands spread as wide as possible, then clap!)
Credit: Carole Stephens
Action Rhyme: Castle Capers
I am the king of running, I run and run and run.
My subjects all run with me, and we have so much fun!
I am the prince of turning, I turn and turn and turn.
My subjects all turn with me, it’s an easy thing to learn!
I am the princess of dancing, I dance and dance and dance
My subjects all dance with me, and dance when they get the chance!
I am the Queen of jumping, I jump and jump and jump.
My subjects all jump with me, and sit down with a bump.
Credit: Delta Township District Library Storytimes blog
Read: Prince Peter and the Teddy Bear by David McKee
Flannel Song: In the Middle of the Moat
(tune of There’s a Hole in the Middle of the Sea)
There’s a castle in the middle of the moat (clap, clap)
There’s a castle in the middle of the moat (clap, clap)
There’s a castle, there’s a castle,
There’s a castle in the middle of the moat. (clap, clap)
Additional Verses:
There’s a throne in the castle in the middle of the moat…
There’s a king on the throne in the castle…
There’s a crown on the king on the throne…
There’s a jewel in the crown on the king…
Credit: Literary Hoots
Action Rhyme: Here’s a Cup
Here’s a cup and here’s a cup
and here’s a pot of tea.
Pour a cup, and pour a cup
and drink some tea with me.
Credit: Jbrary
Read: Tea Rex by Molly Idle
I first introduced this song by saying hello to the royal family and explaining who they were. I explained that the (adult) princess married a Duke and their children were the royal twins and a royal baby. Very twee, but I didn’t want to subject the King and Queen to adult children as well as an infant! We then said they don’t look very royal without their crowns, so proceeded with the song. For each verse we talked about the colors of the crowns and gemstones in them – some verses were more awkward (three-syllable amethyst was a mouthful) but I liked the extra vocabulary. Everything could easily be simplified (even to one royal who changes crowns each day). All of the images came from Canva.
Flannel Song: Royal Crowns
(tune of Mary Wore Her Red Dress)
The king wore his purple crown, purple crown, purple crown
The king wore his purple crown every Monday!
The queen wore her red crown, red crown, red crown
The queen wore her red crown every Tuesday!
The princess wore her emerald crown, emerald crown, emerald crown
The princess wore her emerald crown every Wednesday!
The duke wore his sapphire crown, sapphire crown, sapphire crown
The duke wore his sapphire crown every Thursday!
The prince wore his silver crown, silver crown, silver crown
The prince wore his silver crown every Friday!
The princess wore her amethyst crown, amethyst crown, amethyst crown
The princess wore her amethyst crown every Saturday!
The royal baby wore their diamond crown, diamond crown, diamond crown
The royal baby wore their diamond crown every Sunday!
Credit: adapted from Miss Sarah’s Storytime blog
Song: Clapping in the Castle
There is clapping in the castle, there is clapping all around
There is clapping in the castle, mirth and merriment abound
There is jumping with the jesters, there is jumping all around
There is jumping with the jesters, mirth and merriment abound
There is twirling in the towers, there is twirling all around
There is twirling in the towers, mirth and merriment abound
There is dancing on the drawbridge, there is dancing all around
There is dancing on the drawbridge, mirth and merriment abound
Light the candles, start the music, lords and ladies one and all
With our song and dance and laughter we will fill the castle walls
Credit: Nancy Stewart
Craft: Royal Crown
From Oriental Trading.
I usually try to present crafts that can be easily recreated with common materials, but we had a bit of a budget this summer so I opted for these glittery pre-printed crowns. Adding all of those glitter stickers works those fine motor skills, right?
Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars
This storytime was presented virtually on 6/23/20.
Storytime handout:
Storytime with Ms. Emily Library 
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