This started out as a “cowboy/cowgirl” storytime, but I liked the idea of focusing more on the animals than the more narrow subject of cow wrangling. The whole thing was kicked off by the Jan Thomas book, Let’s Sing a Lullaby with the Brave Cowboy that my friend and colleague Christy suggested as being a great ukulele song to play while reading. I’m not sure who to credit for writing out the original song, but I did find the tune on Jan Thomas’ site, which was very helpful to get it into my head. I also tried hard not to gender the profession, so substituted “cowpoke” instead of cowboy/cowgirl in songs and rhymes. This was another theme I could go all out on for dressing up with stuff I had in my closet – jeans, flannel shirt, bandanna, and hat (that I’d saved from my post-prom event 20 years ago!)
You can see the virtual program that does not include the full books read aloud here.
Early Literacy Tip: Your child may not have much experience with cowpokes and ranches and horses, but talk to them about new ideas and experiences anyway. The more we talk to our children, the bigger their vocabularies grow. Sometimes we get bored talking about the same old daily routine with our kids. New topics can keep us motivated to keep talking!
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”)
Source: Glenside Public Library District
Warm-Up Rhyme: We Wiggle and Stop
(Use the ASL sign for the word “stop” – one hand “chops” across the opposite hand)
We wiggle and we wiggle and we STOP
We wiggle and we wiggle and we STOP
We wiggle and we wiggle and we wiggle and we wiggle
And we wiggle and we wiggle and we STOP
(Try other motions such as jump, twirl, stretch)
Source: Jbrary
Fingerplay: Ten Galloping Horses
Ten little horses galloped into town,
Five were black and five were brown
They galloped up
They galloped down
Then they galloped out of town!
(repeat & whisper, then end silently doing motions)
Source: King County Library System (WA)
Read: Clip-Clop! by Nicola Smee
Bounce: Giddy-Up!
(tune of William Tell Overture)
Giddy-up, giddy-up, giddy-up, up, up! (bounce)
Giddy-up, giddy-up, giddy-up, up, up!
Giddy-up, giddy-up, giddy-up, up, up!
Whoa, horsie! (lean back with child)
Source: Handley Regional Library (VA)
Action Song: The Horses Are Walking
The horses are walking,
They’re walking along, walking along, walking along
The horses are walking, they’re walking along.
Whoa, whoa, WHOA!
Additional verses: Trotting, galloping
Source: Jbrary
Breathing Break: Five Finger Breathing
Our breathwork visualization. We inhale while tracing up a finger, pause at the top, then exhale while tracing down, and pause at the bottom. Repeat for all five fingers. At the end, I let them know this is a great way to get calm, get centered or focused, and get ready for the next thing. I also remind them they can take a ten finger break if they need to, and it’s always available for them whenever they need it.
One more repeated activity. This has always been a favorite song!
Action Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom!
Zoom, zoom, zoom, we’re going to the moon!
(hands scrape past each other rhythmically)
Zoom, zoom, zoom, we’re going to the moon!
If you want to take a trip (fingers walk up arm)
Climb aboard my rocket ship!
Zoom, zoom, zoom, we’re going to the moon!
In 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, BLASTOFF! (crouch, then jump!)
Source: Jbrary
Fingerplay: This Little Cow
(count on fingers)
This little cow eats grass (pinkie)
This little cow eats hay
This little cow looks over the hedge
This little cow runs away
And this BIG cow does nothing at all (thumb)
But lie down in the fields all day! (lay thumb down)
Source: North Mankato Taylor Library (MN)
I felt the need to explain what chaps were before this song.
Action Song: I’m a Little Cowpoke
(tune of I’m a Little Teapot)
I’m a little cowpoke (point to self)
Here is my hat (put on hat)
Here are my boots, (stomp feet)
And here are my chaps (slap sides of legs)
When I get up, I work all day (pretend to lasso)
Get on my horse, (swing leg up)
And ride away! (pretend to ride)
Source: Adventures in Storytime
I used a wire book holder to prop up the book while I sang and played the lullaby parts (and did some editing for the video version), but it would be much easier to have a colleague help you by holding and possibly reading the “cow” parts.
Read/Sing: Let’s Sing a Lullaby with the Brave Cowboy by Jan Thomas
Get a copy of the sheet music here!
Listen to the song on the Jan Thomas website!
Action Song: The Cowpoke Pokey
(tune of the Hokey Pokey)
You put your left spur in,
You take your left spur out,
You put your left spur in and you shake it all about
You do the cowpoke pokey and you turn yourself around
That’s what it’s all about – Yee-haw!
Additional verses:
Right spur, lasso (“throw” a rope in and out), hat (head), ride your horse in (whole self)
Source: Loudest Librarian
Craft: “Footprint” Horse
This craft was modeled after one from the Busy Bee Kids Crafts site. But since these are for take and makes, I didn’t actually do “footprints” – the parts and pieces were pre-cut, and although my head was still vaguely footprint shaped, I’m not sure anyone would recognize that. Yarn and googly eyes give them some texture and interest, making a cute and simple craft.
I also booktalked these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video.
Noni the Pony by Alison Lester
Moo! by David LaRochelle & Mike Wohnoutka
A Wild Cowboy by Dana Kessimakis Smith & Laura Freeman
I Wanna Be a Cowgirl by Angela DiTerlizzi & Elizabet Vukovic
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!)
Source: King County Library System
Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars
This storytime was presented in-person and virtually on 9/28/21.
Storytime Handout:
Storytime with Ms. Emily Library 