I was really happy to find a Big Book copy of Hooray for Hat in our library consortium that I could borrow – it was the newest large-format title I could find. It seems like all of the others are quite a bit older, and I like to present newer material when I can. I paired this one with Hooray for Birds, which has a lot of movement, interaction, and bright, bold pictures – perfect for a socially distanced outdoor storytime.
I was fortunate that the weather held every Tuesday for outdoor storytime this summer. On this particular day, it had rained early in the morning, and chances were good for rain at around 11:30 AM, so I chanced it with my 10:30 program and it worked out perfectly. Since the grass was very wet, we moved to a large brick courtyard my library is fortunate to have. I asked if families liked this better than the grass throughout the summer, but they liked the softness of the yard for future programs – as long as it was dry!
You can see the virtual program that does not include the full books read aloud here.
Early Literacy Tip: Although it might get old for grownups, repetition is the bread and butter of early learning! When kids ask for the same book/song/rhyme/activity over and over again, their brain is creating neural pathways to learn the words, narrative structure, actions and more. You might offer suggestions to add a new twist to the activity, but it’s okay to repeat exactly, too.
Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello
Welcome Song: Hello, Friends
(tune of Goodnight, Ladies)
Hello, friends! Hello, friends!
Hello, friends, it’s time to say hello!
Hello, [name 1], hello, [name 2]!
Hello, [name 3], it’s time to say hello!
(ASL motions: salute for “hello,” then take the index fingers on each hand and you link them together as though they are hugging each other back and forth for “friends”)
Credit: Glenside Public Library District
We did a repeated warm up each week to get everyone loosened up.
Warm-Up Rhyme: Roly Poly
(Roll arms and change voice to coordinate with the lyrics)
Roly poly, roly, poly, up, up, up
Roly poly, roly, poly, down, down, down
Roly poly, roly, poly, out, out, out
Roly poly, roly, poly, in, in, in
Roly poly, roly, poly, BIG, BIG, BIG
Roly poly, roly, poly, very, very small
Roly poly, roly, poly, fast, fast, fast, fast, fast!
Rol…ly… po…ly… in… your… lap
Credit: Rebecca Jane Flanagan
Read: Hooray for Hat! by Brian Won
I asked the group to repeat the phrases “Go away, I’m grumpy!” in their best grumpy voices, and “Hooray for hat!” in their best happy voices.
I put a simple cone party hat in each kid’s packet, and asked them to use it for this song.
Song: Silly Hat Song
(tune of This Old Man)
On my head, I wear my hat
It is such a silly hat!
That my head will wiggle waggle to and fro
Where else can my silly hat go?
Repeat with other body parts: foot, elbow, etc
Credit: Johnson County Library (KS)
For my virtual program, I used the emotions faces from Sunflower Storytime to demonstrate the feelings, but that was too much to deal with for the in-person program.
Ukulele Song: If You’re Happy
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap, clap!)
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap, clap!)
If you’re happy and you know it, and you really want to show it
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap, clap!)
Additional verses:
Grumpy – stomp your feet
Silly – do a dance
Sad – say boo-hoo
Credit: traditional
Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet here!
Read: from the book Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets by Kwame Alexander & Ekua Holmes, et al.
I read the poem “Majestic” by Kwame Alexander, and explained it was about an inspiring poet named Maya Angelou, but it could apply to all of us.
Breathing Break: Soup Breathing
This was part of our repeated activities in June. I asked the kids to imagine they were holding a bowl of their very favorite soup, and asked what kind they liked. Then with their hands cupped in front of them, we slowly breathed in the delicious aroma of their very favorite soup through their noses, then slowly and gently breathed out through their mouths to cool off this hot soup. We repeated about 5 times, and after the 1st time with explanation, I used my Hoberman sphere to help them visualize the in and out breaths. Afterward, I let them know that this exercise always makes me feel good and more grounded, and they could always get out their bowl of soup if they need help calming down or feeling more connected to their bodies.
Credit: Lucky Little Learners
Another repeated activity during June.
Song: Look at All the Bunnies
Look at all the bunnies sleeping til it’s nearly noon
Shall we wake them with a merry tune?
Oh so still! Are they ill?
Wake up, wake up, wake up little bunnies
Wake up, wake up, wake up little bunnies
Hop little bunnies, hop, hop, hop
Hop little bunnies, hop, hop, hop
Stop little bunnies, stop, stop, stop
And…. 1, 2, 3, SILLY FREEZE!
Credit: King County Library System
Being in person allowed me to do some recorded music in a way I really didn’t let myself do virtually. This song was omitted in the virtual version.
Recorded Song: Silly Dance Contest by Jim Gill
Fingerplay: Two Little Blackbirds
(use two fingers or thumbs to follow motions)
Two little blackbirds sitting on a hill
One named Jack, one named Jill
Fly away, Jack, fly away, Jill
Come back, Jack, come back Jill
Additional verses:
Two little blackbirds sitting on a cloud
One named Quiet, one named Loud…
Two little blackbirds flying in the sky
One named Low and one named High…
Two little blackbirds sitting on a pole.
One named Fast and one named Slow…
Credit: traditional
Read: Hooray for Birds! by Lucy Cousins
Recorded Song: Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear by Jazzy Ash
In the virtual version, I played a ukulele song instead of the recording, and used animals from the books we read:
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.
Credit: Laurie Berkner (Original song is “Pig on Her Head”)
Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet here!
Craft: Hooray for Birds Craft
Inspired by these birds at the Happy Hooligans blog, I provided a paper plate, construction paper beak and strips for tailfeathers, and embellishments like feathers and sequins.
I also booktalked these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video.
Grumpy Pants by Claire Messer
Hooray for Kids! by Suzanne Lang & Max Lang
Birds of a Color by élo
Goodbye Song: See You Later, Alligator
(tune of Clementine)
See you later, alligator (wave with one hand, then the other)
In a while, crocodile (open and shut arms like a croc’s mouth)
Give a hug, ladybug (hug yourself or a loved one)
Blow a kiss, jellyfish! MWAH! (move hand like a jellyfish then blow a kiss!)
Credit: King County Library System
Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars
This storytime was presented in-person and virtually on 6/8/21.
Storytime Handout:
Storytime with Ms. Emily Library 