Magic shows and magic tricks are fun for all ages. I think I was inspired to do this storytime by seeing the book Hat Tricks and Jbrary’s “Little Bunny in a Hat” rhyme in the same week. I bought myself the Folkmanis Rabbit in a Hat puppet and away we went! I made a “magic wand” using a roll of black construction paper with white paper tips on each end, which worked just fine for what I needed in the Abra-cadabra and Hat Trick rhymes. I considered doing an actual magic trick but didn’t leave myself enough time – plus I wasn’t sure how well it would go on video. If I did this theme in person, I’d definitely want to do some magic!
You can see the virtual program that does not include the full books read aloud here.
Early Education Tip: Counting songs are great ways to introduce children to consecutive numbers and counting. To mix it up, count up AND down, use your non-dominant hand for counting, and occasionally count from or to a number outside of 5 or 10, as we did today in “Six Magic Rabbits.”
Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello
I wanted this to be just a tad bit longer, so I added the two lines in the middle.
Fingerplay: Magic Finger
Magic finger in the air, Magic finger in my hair
Magic finger on my fist, Magic finger on my wrist
Magic finger on my shin, Magic finger on my chin
Magic finger on my hip, Magic finger on my lips (shhhh!)
Credit: adapted from YouthLiterature.com via Storytime Katie
Before reading, I encouraged the kids to watch the pictures carefully, then at the end asked if they thought Anton REALLY did do magic…
Read: Anton Can Do Magic by Ole Könnecke
Rhyme Game: Abra-cadabra
(children act as the “spell” indicates)
Abra-cadabra, Alaka-zitty
When I say KAZAM you’ll all be kitties! KAZAM!
Abra-cadabra, Alaka-zoo
When I say KAZAM you’ll all be kangaroos! KAZAM!
Abra-cadabra, Alaka-zion
When I say KAZAM you’ll all be lions! KAZAM!
Abra-cadabra, Alaka-zow
When I say KAZAM you’ll all be cows! KAZAM!
Abra-cadabra, Alaka-zap
When I say KAZAM you’ll all take a nap! KAZAM!
Abra-cadabra, Alaka-zids
When I say KAPOW you’ll turn back to kids! KAPOW!
Credit: libraryfun.home.blog
This one was a little tricky to stuff the items into the hat puppet and keep them all plus the rabbit hidden – it might work better with an actual hat than with the Folkmanis puppet.
Rhyme with Puppet: Hat Trick
Magic, magic, in my hat!
I’ll pull out a rabbit – (pull anything other than a rabbit)
Ahhhh! What is that?!
(repeat until ready for the rabbit)
Magic, magic, in my hat!
I’ll pull out a rabbit –
See! Look at that!
Credit: SLC Book Boy
I love Hattie the Rabbit so, so much.
Read: Hat Tricks by Satoshi Kitamura
Flannel Rhyme: Six Magic Rabbits
Six magic rabbits, each in a tall black hat
Along comes a magician who gives each one a pat
Then she waves her magic wand high above their ears
Abracadabra, poof! One rabbit disappears!
(Count down to one)
One magic rabbit, in a tall black hat
Along comes a magician who gives him a pat
Then she waves her magic wand high above his ears
Abracadabra, poof! The last rabbit disappears!
Credit: Libraryfun.home.blog
Before this rhyme, I mentioned that knowing our left and right is a learned skill (and not an easy one!) so grownups can help, or they can mirror me.
Puppet Rhyme: Little Bunny in a Hat
Little bunny in a hat, Sitting so still (begin with bunny hidden)
Will she come out? Yes she will! (bunny pops out of hat)
She looks to the left (turn puppet left)
She looks to the right (turn puppet right)
She looks straight ahead (turn puppet to front)
And pops out of sight (hides in hat again)
Credit: Jbrary
Fingerplay: Bunnies Up!
(index and middle finger make bunny ears if you don’t have a puppet)
Bunnies up! Bunnies down!
Hold your bunny & turn around
Bunnies up! Bunnies down!
Put your bunny on the ground
Credit: One Little Librarian
I love the super-dramatic tone of this title. Be sure to read it in your best circus announcer voice!
Read: Max and the Won’t Go to Bed Show by Mark Sperring & Sarah Warburton
In this song, the bunny isn’t doing magic – but someone else is!
Fingerplay Song: Little Bunny Foo Foo
Little bunny Foo Foo, hopping through the forest
Scooping up the field mice, and bopping ’em on the head
Then down came the Good Fairy, and she said:
“Little bunny Foo Foo, I don’t want to see you
Scooping up the field mice, and bopping ’em on the head”
I’ll give you two more chances, Then I’ll turn you into a goon!
The next day…
(Repeat, one more chance)
“I gave you three chances. Now I’ll turn you into a goon!”
(POOF!)
And the moral of the story is: “Hare today, goon tomorrow!”
Credit: traditional
Craft: Magic Rabbit in a Hat Puppet
Since I had so much fun with my puppet, I wanted the kids to have something they could use to recreate our rhymes and games. I used the images shared on Libraryfun.home.blog, printed them on white cardstock, and included a jumbo craft stick and some sparkly star stickers for this easy craft.
I also suggested these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video.
The Magic Box by Katie Cleminson
Milo’s Hat Trick by Jon Agee
A Small Surprise by Louise Yates
Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars
This storytime was presented virtually on 1/19/21.
Storytime Handout:
Storytime with Ms. Emily Library 
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