Preschool Storytime: Mistaken Identity

What a mouthful for a storytime theme – Mistaken Identity! Yet, I easily found three books that tied to this concept and I’m sure there are many more. We spent a moment at the beginning of the session breaking down the phrase and talking about what it means, and I got feedback later that the kids really enjoyed these stories. This was an early-lockdown storytime I did exclusively on Facebook Live, and do not have a YouTube version available. 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.

Welcome Song: Clap and Sing Hello

Read: Mother Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins

Fingerplay: Hickory Dickory Dock
Hickory, dickory dock
the mouse ran up the clock (fingers run up arm)
the clock struck one (clap once)
the mouse ran down (fingers run down arm)
hickory dickory dock.

Additional verses:
…the clock struck two (clap twice) the mouse said, boo! …
…the clock struck three (clap three times) the mouse said, whee! …
…the clock struck four (clap four times) the mouse said, no more! …
Credit: Jbrary

Song: Grr, Grr Went the Big Brown Bear
Grrr, grrr went the big brown bear one day (make claws and scary face)
Grrr , grrr went the big brown bear
Grrr, grrr went the big brown bear one day
And they all went grrr, grrr, grrr
But… We know bears go (clap) huggy, huggy, hug! (hug yourself)
(Clap) Huggy, huggy, hug, (clap) huggy, huggy, hug!
We know bears go (clap) huggy, huggy, hug!
They don’t go grrr, grrr, grrr

Jump, jump went the little red squirrel one day (jump!)
Jump, jump went the little red squirrel
Jump, jump went the little red squirrel one day
And they all went jump, jump, jump.
But… We know squirrels go (clap) rub a dub a dub! (arms “run” in front of you)
(Clap) Rub a dub a dub, (clap) rub a dub a dub!
We know squirrels go (clap) rub a dub a dub!
They don’t go jump, jump, jump

Mmm-ahh went the little green frog one day (stick out tongue)
Mmm-ahh went the little green frog
Mmm-ahh went the little green frog one day
And they all went mm-mm-ahh!
But… We know frogs go (clap) sha-na-na-na-na (jazz hands)
(Clap) sha-na-na-na-na, (clap) sha-na-na-na-na
We know frogs go (clap) sha-na-na-na-na
They don’t go mm-mm-ahh!
Credit: Jbrary

Read: The Wide-Mouthed Frog by Keith Faulkner & Jonathan Lambert

For this song, I use three differently sized frog rasps that I purchased on Amazon. They’re a lot of fun and the kids love them. Thanks so much to Ada Moreau Demlow for posting a video of her original creation on Facebook!
Song: Three Frogs in a Bog
There was a big frog (rasp, rasp)
Lived in a big bog (rasp, rasp)
He swam in the water (rasp, rasp)
Played on a big log (rasp, rasp)
Big log (rasp, rasp)
Big bog (rasp, rasp)
Big frog (rasp, rasp)

There was a middle-sized frog…
There was a little frog…

And then one day (rasp big, rasp middle, rasp little)
The frogs got together (rasp, rasp, rasp)
They swam in the water (rasp, rasp, rasp)
In the bright sunny weather (rasp, rasp, rasp)
Three frogs (rasp, rasp, rasp)
Three friends (rasp, rasp, rasp)
The end! (rasp, rasp, rasp)
Credit: Ada Moreau Demlow

Fingerplay: Mr. Bullfrog
Here is Mr. Bullfrog (make fist)
sitting on a rock (place fist on other palm)
He jumps into the water… (lift fist, building anticipation)
Kerplop! (clap hands together)
Credit: Storytime with Miss Tara and Friends

Read: Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal & Tom Lichtenheld

Ukulele Song: Duck On Her Head
Ms. Emily’s got a duck on her head
Ms. Emily’s got a duck on her head
Ms. Emily’s got a duck on her head
And she keeps it there all day! (Quack, quack!)

Repeat with children’s names and other animals. I used animals that were in our stories and rhymes today: Rabbit, Frog, Bear, Goose, Mouse.
Credit: Laurie Berkner (Original song is “Pig on Her Head”)
Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet here!

Craft Idea: Animal Headband
Use construction paper and any other craft materials you wish to create a headband featuring an animal you like best! Add ears, eyes, noses or snouts to evoke different animals. I made a duck, and traced my hands to make the wings. Pro tip – always staple with the smooth side toward the inside so it doesn’t get tangled in a child’s hair!

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented virtually on 4/14/20.