I was getting down to the last few “themes” that seemed to work out of the books I had in my home and a box of books my director pulled for me while the library was closed, but transportation is a classic and there are lots of extensions that go with it! This was also the first video that I re-recorded with booktalks instead of full readings in order to archive it permanently on YouTube. (The full video went live on Facebook and was deleted in a week.) With everyone staying safer at home, we weren’t providing handouts or Take and Make packets at that time. I tried to suggest either crafts made with household materials or activities caregivers could do with their child.
*EDIT: I’ve realized that the tune “Shortnin’ Bread” is rooted in racism and can be harmful. I’ll no longer be using “Every Little Cell” during storytime, as it uses this tune.
You can see the virtual program that does not include the full books read aloud here.
Early Literacy Tip: When children are young, they treat books as they would any other toy – they play with them! This means they put them in their mouths and explore them by pushing and pulling and sometimes tearing them. When you allow your young children to explore books, they are learning how to handle them. Keep some in their toy box. You are helping your children develop print awareness. They are learning how books work, with pages that turn. This is one of the skills that researchers have shown is an important part of a strong foundation for reading.
Welcome Song: Clap and Sing Hello
Read: Vroom! by Barbara McClintock
I love that this title features a female protagonist, lots to look at in the scenery, and even shows the author posing in front of her race car on the back flap!
Action Rhyme: Green Means Go
Green means “GO!” Go! Go! Go! (roll arms quickly)
Yellow means “Slow.” Slow… slow… slow. (roll arms slowly)
Red means “STOP!” (ASL sign for stop: one hand making a chopping motion onto flat opposite hand)
Go! Go! Go! (roll fast!)
Slow… slow… slow. (roll slowly)
Stop! (ASL Sign)
Credit: Jbrary
Song: I’ll Take You Ridin’ in My Car
I’ll take you ridin’ in my car, car (“drive” with a “steering wheel”)
I’ll take you ridin’ in my car, car
I’ll take you ridin’ in my car, car
I’ll take you ridin’ in my car.
Additional verses:
The doors on the car go open and shut… (hands or arms move open and shut)
The windshield wipers go swish, swish… (arms wiper back and forth)
The horn on the car goes beep, beep… (push the horn)
The engine it goes “brrrmp, brrrmp”… (make engine noises with raspberry lips)
Credit: Woody Guthrie, as adapted by Jbrary
Read: Puppy Truck by Brian Pinkney
Lap Bounce: Bumpity, Bumpity Goes the Dump Truck
(tune of Michael Finnegan)
Bumpity, bumpity goes the dump truck
Bumpity, bumpity goes the dump truck
Bumpity, bumpity goes the dump truck
Dump out the load! (lean to side or back)
Credit: Jbrary
Action Song: The Wheels on the Bus
The wheels on the bus go round and round
Round and round, Round and round
The wheels on the bus go round and round
All through the town!
Additional verses:
The money on the bus goes clink, clank, clink…
The wipers on the bus go swish, swish, swish…
The driver on the bus says “Move on back!”…
The doors on the bus go open and shut…
The babies on the bus go “Wah, wah, wah!”…
The parents on the bus go “Shush, shush, shush!”…
Credit: Traditional
Read: The Pigeon Loves Things That Go! by Mo Willems
Rhythm Rhyme: Hippopotamus on a City Bus
(slap thighs rhythmically until the last line of each verse)
A hip, a hip, a hippopotamus
Got on, got on, got on a city bus
And all, and all, and all the people said,
“You’re squishing us!” (squish face)
A cow, a cow, a cow got on a bus
Yes, a cow, a cow, a cow got on the bus
And all, and all, and all the people said,
“Mooooove over!” (lean far to one side)
A snake, a snake, a snake got on the bus
Yes, a snake, a snake, a snake got on the bus
And all, and all, and all the people said,
“Sssssssssit down!” (motion hand down)
A sheep, a sheep, a sheep got on the bus
Yes, a sheep, a sheep, a sheep got on the bus
And all, and all, and all the people said,
“Baaaack up!” (lean far back)
Credit: I’ve known this one a long time, but Jbrary has a lap bounce version.
An off-theme song to wrap up, but one to reinforce some feelings of healthfulness.
*SEE EDIT ABOVE* Ukulele Song: Every Little Cell
(tune of Shortnin’ Bread)
Every little cell in my body is happy
Every little cell is healthy and well
Every little cell in my body is happy
Every little cell is healthy and well
Cells on my left, cells on my right
All my cells are doing just fine
Cells from my top all the way down my spine
My cells work together to keep me in line
Credit: Mick Jeffries taught me the first verse, I wrote the second
(I also saw Allison Davies perform it with a different second verse)
Activity Suggestion: Play with Cars
Take some time to play with cars or trucks this week! You can make a track using tape on the floor, chalk on a sidewalk outside, or use the pattern lines already on rugs or blankets. If you don’t have toy cars, you can decorate toilet paper rolls. You may even want to have a “drive-in movie” at your house by making a car with an old cardboard box. (Image credits to A Little Pinch of Perfect and Welcome to Nana’s)
Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars
This storytime was presented virtually on 5/5/20.
Storytime with Ms. Emily Library 