Preschool Storytime: Bugs

Bugs are so fun, and I feel like kids have more of a fascination than the fear and disgust that many adults have. Maybe because they are closer to the ground? I used the unscientific term “bugs” for this storytime, since I wanted to be able to include non-insects like spiders, roly-polys, and worms. Maybe “creepy crawlies” is another synonym to use!

You can see the virtual program that does not include the full books read aloud here.

Early Literacy Tip: Go ahead and use words that are unfamiliar to your children. Don’t replace words in books that they may not understand. Explain them. When you talk with them try to use the word for a specific thing. For example, if you see a bug, call it a bug, but also the kind if you know it, like a cicada or praying mantis.

Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello

I used one of my small felt ladybugs for this – pictured below.
Rhyme: 1, 2, 3, There’s a Bug on Me
1, 2, 3, there’s a bug on me! (pretend to brush it off)
Where did it go? (look around)
I don’t know! (shrug shoulders)
Credit: Perry County (OH) Library Storytime via Library Village

Read: Some Bugs by by Angela DiTerlizzi & Brendan Wenzel

This flannel was a lot of fun to make. I have really been enjoying finding clipart and then transforming it into multilayered flannel pieces. (My favorite is little roly-poly, who curls up when you tap him (flip him over))
Flannel/Rhythm Chant: Going on a Bug Hunt
Repeat between each bug:
We’re going on a bug hunt!
We’re going to see some big ones.
What a sunny day! Are you ready? OK!

Oh, my! A bee! A black & yellow bee, Flying over the flowers. BUZZ
Oh, my! An ant! A tiny, black ant, Crawling through the grass. SHH
Oh, my! A grasshopper! A big, green grasshopper, Hopping around the tree. BOING
Oh, my! A butterfly! A pretty, orange butterfly, Floating in the sky. WHOOSH
Oh, my! A spider! A big black spider, Creeping on the tree. CREEP
Oh, my! A ladybug! A bright red ladybug, climbing up a flower. CLIMB
Oh, my! A roly-poly! A gray, armored roly-poly, hiding under a rock. ROLL
Credit: adapted from Small Town Story Time Lady Blog

I didn’t end up doing this one, but it’s a fun one for babies and toddlers.
Bounce: I’m a Little Beetle
I’m a little beetle and I wiggle all day (bounce)
If you get too close to me, I’ll FLY away! (lift or jump at end)
Repeat with other bugs that fly or jump:
bumblebee, ladybug, grasshopper, dragonfly…
Credit: Mel’s Desk

Song: The Itsy Bitsy Spider
The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the water spout
Down came the rain and washed the spider out
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain
And the itsy bitsy spider climbed up the spout again
Repeat with a “great big” spider and a “eensy weensy” spider, making your hands and voice match.
Credit: traditional

What a gorgeous book. I loved looking for Poppy when she was trying to blend in to the background at social functions.
Read: A Way with Wild Things by Larissa Theule & Sara Palacios

I used five of the small ladybugs from a set made by a predecessor for this song, one for the 1,2,3 rhyme above, and nine (plus three paper ones) for Ladybugs’ Picnic.
Flannel/Counting Song: Five Little Ladybugs
adapted tune of “Five Little Ducks”
Five little ladybugs climbing up my door
One flew away and then there were four

Oh, ladybug, ladybug I’m happy to play,
Ladybug ladybug don’t go away

Four… climbing up a tree… then there were three…
Three… climbing up my shoe… then there were two…
Two… playing in the sun… then there was one…
One… on my honey bun… then there were none…
Credit: adapted from Betsy Diamant-Cohen

Movement: Bug Cube
Many librarians use a song cube during storytime, to add some interest and randomization to the familiar songs and rhymes they repeat. I saw a very cute version of this with bug movements, and decided to create my own. It fits a standard “cube” shaped tissue box. Yes, the sides are a bit larger than the top and bottom, but we’re not going to Vegas here.

Download a copy of my template here!

This goes beyond the standard counting book by counting to 10 on each page, split between bugs and plants, and using all the various ways to get to ten: 1+9. 2+8, 3+7, etc.
Read: 100 Bugs! A Counting Book by Kate Narita & Suzanne Kaufman

A simple but seriously fun song that brings back the nostalgia from my own childhood, watching Sesame Street reruns. The verses go a little fast, so practice a bit so you don’t get tongue-tied. The arrows in the songsheet reminded me whether the melody goes up or down, as it changes at various parts. Listen to the original and you’ll get it. I put up 12 ladybugs on the flannel board to reinforce the number concept, using some paper ones since I only had 9 small bugs from the set I inherited from my predecessor.
Ukulele Song: Ladybugs’ Picnic
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 ,8 ,9, 10, 11, 12
Ladybugs came to the ladybugs’ picnic

They had twelve sacks so they ran sack races
And they fell on their backs and they fell on their faces
The ladybugs 12 At the ladybugs’ picnic

They played jump rope but the rope it broke
So they just sat around telling knock-knock jokes
The ladybugs 12 At the ladybugs’ picnic

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 ,8 ,9, 10, 11, 12
And they chatted away At the ladybugs’ picnic

They talked about the high price of furniture and rugs
And fire insurance for ladybugs
The ladybugs 12 At the ladybugs’ picnic. 12!
Credit: Sesame Street

Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet for “Ladybugs’ Picnic” here!

Craft: Clothespin Dragonflies
A simple but fun 3D craft. I knew we had some sparkly pipe cleaners in our supply closet, which sealed the deal. Thanks to Crafty Morning for the inspiration!

I also suggested these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video.
Backyard Bugs by Jill McDonald
Stories from Bug Garden by Lisa Moser & Gwen Millward (seriously charming!)
There’s a Bug on My Book! by John Himmelman

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented virtually on 4/20/21.

Storytime Handout: