We had a snow day back in February on my usual storytime Tuesday. I debated just cancelling, but since I have the ability and the setup for virtual storytimes at home from when we were in lockdown, I decided to do a short improvised version. I looked through my personal book collection for something that would be seasonally appropriate and decided to go with the first chapter of Owl at Home by Arnold Lobel, all about a snowstorm! A couple more songs and a rhyme about sledding, and I was set. I had about an hour and a half between when I decided to do it and air time, but that turned out to be just perfect. I think it was one of my highest viewed (during the live), too!
Fingerplay: Here’s a Hill Here’s a hill (tilt one arm like a hill) And here’s a hill (tilt other arm like a hill) All covered with snow (fingers wiggle down) I’ll put on my coat (mime) And jump on my sled (jump in seat) And ZOOM, down the hill I will go! (clap hands, slide past each other) Credit: The Holiday Zone via Storytime Katie
Read: Owl at Home by Arnold Lobel excerpt: Chapter 1 – The Guest
Song: Hoot, Hoot Went the Little Brown Owl Hoot, hoot went the little brown owl one day (cup hands around mouth) Hoot, hoot went the little brown owl Hoot, hoot went the little brown owl one day And they all went hoot, hoot, hoot!
But… We know owls go (clap) lah-di-dah-di-dah! (wiggle arms up and down) (Clap) lah-di-dah-di-dah, (clap) lah-di-dah-di-dah! We know owls go (clap) lah-di-dah-di-dah! They don’t go hoot, hoot, hoot!
Additional verse: Jump, jump went the little red squirrel one day (jump!) … We know squirrels go (clap) rub-a-dub-a-dub (running arms)… Credit: Jbrary
You know what sounds good on a cold day like today? A hot bowl of soup! What kind of soup do you like? Ukulele Song: Noodles in My Soup (tune: If You’re Happy and You Know It) There are noodles, noodles, noodles in my soup There are noodles, noodles, noodles in my soup There are oodles, oodles, oodles Of the most delicious noodles There are noodles, noodles, noodles in my soup repeat and sub other foods like peas, carrots, chicken, etc. (keep lines 3 & 4 the same) Credit: The Librarian Is on The Loose
Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars
That’s it! No craft, no handout. Short and sweet.
This storytime was presented virtually on 2/16/21.
In the week before Valentine’s Day, I wanted to do something with the concept of love, but not tie it to the holiday itself. Hugs seemed like a good option. We talked about the different ways to show love and affection, but I also thought it was important to spend a little time talking about consent and the understanding that not everyone will welcome a hug. Thankfully, there have been a few children’s books that hit on this concept recently, so I was happy to feature two of these.
Social/Emotional Learning Tip: Help your child understand that their bodies are their own and that they have the right to make decisions about their body. This includes letting your child decide if they would like to offer or receive a hug or kiss family members or friends rather than making them. Learn more about discussing consent with young children here: https://bit.ly/3cH6IIk
Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello
Discussion: What does it mean to love someone? Do you have people in your life that you love? What do you do to show them you love them? I like hugs. How many of you like hugs?
With any rhyme that specifies left and right, I try to remember to let everyone know they can mirror me (so I do the opposite) and that it’s a hard thing to learn so parents can help their kiddos until they get the hang of their left and right. Action Rhyme: Up and Down Put your arms up, Put your arms down Put them in the middle, Move them all around One arm to the left, One arm to the right Give yourself a hug, And hold on tight! Credit: Mansfield/Richland County (OH) Public Library
Read: Kitty’s Cuddles by Jane Cabrera
The version I saw was “Give Mom a Hug” but I prefer to generalize for those kids who have different primary caregivers. Action Rhyme: Give a Hug Roar like a lion, growl like a bear Give a hug, show you care Hop like a bunny, flap like a bird Quiet as a mouse now, don’t say a word Credit: SurLaLune Storytime via Storytime Katie
Again with consent – for any bounce I offer options that kids can be bounced in laps, bounce themselves on a couch, jump, or just watch, and that tickling should only be if the child likes it. Bounce: Bounce, Tickle, Hug I bounce you here, I bounce you there I bounce you, bounce you everywhere I tickle you here, I tickle you there I tickle you, tickle you everywhere I hug you here, I hug you there I hug you, hug you everywhere Credit: Mansfield/Richland County (OH) Public Library
Bounce: Up, Up, Up Up, up, up, in the sky like this (lift child) Down, down, down, for a great big kiss (lower and kiss) Up like this (lift), Down for a kiss (lower) You’re my special baby! (hug) (substitute your own nickname for your baby: “little pumpkin,” etc) Credit: Mel’s Desk
Read: Hug Machine by Scott Campbell
Once again, emphasize that families can substitute any loved one for this. The “flannel” is a printout made from a Canva image I was able to customize in different colors. Counting Rhyme with Flannel: Five Hugs I have five little hugs that I want to give away Who should I hug today? I’ll hug…Mommy! (count down using family or friends; for the last, parent hugs child) Credit: adapted from Storytime Secrets
Song with Stuffed Animal: Bear Song (tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat) Hug, hug, hug your bear, Squeeze him very tight Hold him high, Help him fly, Then hug with all your might! Credit: Mansfield/Richland County (OH) Public Library
Action Rhyme: I Can Hug I can hug, hug, hug, I can hop, hop, hop, I can kiss, kiss kiss, I can stop, stop, stop. I can nod my head yes, And I can shake my head no, I can bend my knees a little bit, And I can sit down very slow! Credit: Sunflower Storytime
Hugging can be great, but sometimes you don’t feel like it, or don’t feel comfortable with a hug. That’s okay. It’s always okay to say, “I don’t feel like a hug right now.” And your friends might feel that way, too, so it’s good to ask before giving hugs. Read: Can I Give You a Squish? by Emily Neilson
Song: Skinnamarink Skinnamarinky-dinky-dink, Skinnamarinky-doo I love you! Skinnamarinky-dinky-dink, Skinnamarinky-doo I love you!
I love you in the morning, and in the afternoon I love you in the evening, underneath the moon
Skinnamarinky-dinky-dink, Skinnamarinky-doo I love you! Credit: traditional, motions from Jbrary
Craft: Mail-A-Hug This seemed like a perfect craft for our pandemic reality, so props to Sunflower Storytime for the idea and printable! In my take-home bags, I included a long length of curling ribbon and squares of construction paper that parents could use to personalize the hand prints and the arm spans of their kiddos, as well as a few random stickers. (This craft has been stuck in between a bunch of papers for several weeks so the ribbon is squished!)
I also booktalked these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video. One More Hug by Megan Alexander & Hiroe Nakata Nobody Hugs a Cactus by Carter Goodrich Will Ladybug Hug? by Hilary Leung
As I was planning for a “Warm and Cozy” theme in December, I noticed that there were quite a few books about knitting that came up in my searches. I love to knit and crochet and these books were pretty darn cute. So I set them aside and planned to do a theme just on knitting and yarn.
NOTE: I’ve realized that the rhyme “Baa Baa Black Sheep” has problematic associations with racism and can be harmful. I’ll no longer be using it during storytime.
Early Literacy Tip: Lacing activities help children develop fine motor skills, hand/eye coordination, motor planning, visual perception, improved attention, patience, and perseverance. In addition, lacing helps children practice the precursor skills for shoe tying and writing.
Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello
Discussion: What is this I have? It’s some yarn, and I’m using these needles to knit. Knitting is a way to make yarn into clothes like sweaters, mittens, hats, scarves. Do you know where yarn comes from? Our first book is about how a knitted item is made, all the way back from the wool sheared from the sheep. Did you know that the oldest piece of knitting found was a sock from Egypt in the 11th century CE!
Read: Farmer Brown Shears His Sheep by Teri Sloat & Nadine Bernard Westcott
NOTE: Since this storytime I’ve learned that this rhyme has problematic associations with racism. I will no longer be using it. I think in the future I would use this felt set to discuss different colors of wool without using the rhyme. Nursery Rhyme: Baa, Baa, Black Sheep Baa, baa black sheep have you any wool? Yes, sir, yes, sir, three bags full One for the mister, One for the dame And one for the little boy who lives down the lane
Baa baa ___ sheep have you any wool? Yes, ma’am, yes ma’am, three needles full One to mend a jumper, One to mend a frock And one for the little girl, With holes in her socks
Baa baa ___ sheep have you any wool? Yes, child, yes, child, three bags full One for the kitten, One for the cats And one for the guinea pigs to knit some woolly hats
Baa, baa naked sheep have you any wool? No, friend, no friend, I’m cold right through Baa, baa naked sheep, what can we do? Knit a sweater for me and you! Credit: traditional, final rhyme and flannel via Piper Loves the Library
I was pretty proud of myself for writing a new knitting verse! Action Song: These Are My Glasses These are my glasses, And this is my book I put on my glasses, And open up the book Now I read, read, read, And I look, look, look I put down my glasses and… WHOOP! Close up the book
These are my glasses, And this is my yarn I put on my glasses And start to knit my yarn Now I look, look, look, And I knit, knit, knit I put down my glasses and… WHOOP! It’s time to quit Credit: Laurie Berkner, from the album Whaddaya Think of That? (second verse by Ms. Emily)
Read: Cat Knit by Jacob Grant
This flannel was a labor of love. I am so pleased with how it turned out, even though it was a lot of work!Click the link for more on how I made it, plus a downloadable template. Counting Rhyme: Ten Balls of Yarn Ten balls of yarn, sitting in a bowl One fell out and started to…. ROLL It bounced on my foot and there it sits How many balls are left to knit? (Count down to one) Credit: Canton Public Library (MI)
Song: Click ClackWent the Knitting Needles (tune of Mmm Ahh Went the Little Green Frog) Click, clack went the knitting needles one day (pretend to knit) Click, clack went the knitting needles Click, clack went the knitting needles one day, and they both went click clack click!
But… We know needles go (clap) la de la de la (wave arms) (clap) la de la de la, (clap) la de la de la! We know needles go (clap) la de la de la, they don’t go click clack click!
Roll, roll went the big ball of yarn one day (roll arms)… We know yarn goes (clap) rub a dub a dub (running arms)… Credit: Canton Public Library (MI)
This was a song that my predecessor played every week in storytime, and it’s a favorite with many of our regulars. I stopped doing it every week, but sprinkled it in every so often. This is the first time I did it for a virtual program – it seemed so appropriate for a knitting theme! Recorded Song: Tap Your Sticks Credit: Hap Palmer, from the album Rhythms on Parade
I like to knit, but it took me some time to learn how. And I wasn’t very good at it at first! Just like the girl in our next book. Read: A Hat for Mrs. Goldman by Michelle Edwards & G. Brian Karas
Action Rhyme: Mittens Up Put your mittens UP, put your mittens DOWN Hold your mittens together, and turn around! Put your mittens UP, put your mittens DOWN Put your mittens flat down on the ground. Credit: One Little Librarian
With “movie magic” I added a knitted item to my ensemble for each verse. One benefit of pre-recorded storytimes! I didn’t do this song for my Facebook Live version since I ran out of time. Ukulele Song: I Wish I Were a Fuzzy Wuzzy Blanket (tune of the Oscar Mayer Jingle) Oh I wish I were a fuzzy wuzzy blanket That is what I’d truly like to be ‘Cause if I were a fuzzy wuzzy blanket Everyone would snuggle up with me!
Additional verses: …fuzzy wuzzy beanie … …fuzzy wuzzy scarf … …pair of fuzzy mittens … Credit: Book Besotted Librarian Blog
Craft: Y is for Yarn Lacing Card Not exactly a craft this week, but a lacing activity. I asked a volunteer to pre-cut the Ys from craft foam, punched holes, and provided a length of yarn that had tape on both ends (imitating a shoelace). This correlated with our Early Literacy Tip for the week. Craft idea from The Lion is a Bookworm.
I also booktalked these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video. Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett & Jon Klassen Leave Me Alone! by Vera Brosgol Knit Together by Angela Dominguez
So… someone on Storytime Underground mentioned they did an Animals Eating Animals theme and my mind started whirring! I loved it and tucked it away for a future idea. When I did a callout on the site a couple of months later in preparation for this session, I got lots of great ideas, but a few people who said “That’s a weird theme.” Which, sure, it is. BUT – if you look at the number of available books and songs and rhymes that tie in, it’s really not that weird. There’s definitely a basis in the natural world, though I went “silly” instead of “scientific.” And lots of kids seem to love stuff that is just a little taboo – underwear, snot, slime, bugs. So I went in full throttle and had a lot of fun goofing with Animals Eating Animals. I even got to wear my dinosaur dress, and used a TON of props, which I love.
Early Literacy Tip: Preschool children have wonderful imaginations. Encourage pretend play and find ways to expand it so that children explore different situations and characters. You can enrich their play by following their lead, adding new words, offering “what if” situations, and incorporating writing and print into their play. This kind of play adds to their “sense of story”.
Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello
Discussion: Out in the wild, a lot of animals eat other animals to stay alive. This makes them carnivores, or meat-eaters, or omnivores, which means they eat both plants and animals. What about you? Are you a carnivore, omnivore, or even a herbivore (only eat plants – another word is vegetarian)? One thing I love is that there are a lot of really funny stories and songs about animals eating animals! How about turtles? They eat bugs and fish – here’s a rhyme about that:
Fingerplay: There Was a Little Turtle There was a little turtle (make fist) who lived in a box (cover fist with arm) he swam in the puddles (fist wiggles like swimming) he climbed on the rocks (fist climbs up opposite arm) He snapped at a mosquito, he snapped at a flea (pinch with thumb and fingers) He snapped at a minnow, he snapped at me He caught that mosquito, He caught that flea (clap each time) He caught that minnow But he didn’t catch me! (waggle finger) Credit: Jbrary
Read: Swallow the Leader by Danna Smith & Kevin Sherry
Flannel & Song: Slippery Fish Slippery fish, slippery fish, sliding through the water, Slippery fish, slippery fish, Gulp, Gulp, Gulp! Oh, no! It’s been eaten by an …
Jellyfish … floating in the water Octopus … squiggling in the water Tuna fish … flashing in the water Great white shark … lurking in the water
Humongous whale, humongous whale, spouting in the water, Humongous whale, humongous whale, Gulp! … Gulp! … Gulp! … BURP! (Cover mouth) Excuse me! Credit: Jbrary (see motions there)
This is one of the first flannels I made – about 2 years ago now. I think I saw it on a video, took a screenshot, and based the design on that. But I went back to see if I could find either my printout or the original video and couldn’t find it. I do wish the whale was facing the other direction (I guess I could just put another eyeball on the back) and the sizes were increasingly big, but I make it work!
I’m not sure if I do Baby Shark the same way the viral video does, but it’s the way I’ve always done it! Action Song: Baby Shark (motion shark jaws opening and closing throughout, motions getting bigger with larger relatives) Baby shark, doo-doo, doo-doo-doo-doo (x3) Baby shark!
Based on this post on Literary Commentary, I asked one of our volunteers to make me a George box to retell this classic story. She did an amazing job and this is the second time I’ve gotten to use this prop. It’s a lot of fun, and a good opportunity to show that books can be acted out! Puppet Retelling: Bark, George by Jules Feiffer
I love the jazzy tune of this song, and chose it over Five Green and Speckled Frogs, which is another option for this theme and my prop, which I fashioned after the instructions on the Kenton County Public Library’s page.I have an alligator puppet I considered using, but the logistics seemed just too much – holding the log in one hand and flipping the frogs with the alligator puppet on the other hand while singing is a little beyond my coordination. Counting Song: Five Frogs, Sittin’ on a Log Five frogs were hoppin’ on a log One hopped off into the pond Then a big alligator came a-swimmin’ along He went, “Chomp! Mm-mm.” Now he’s gone. (Count down) Credit: Anna Moo
With a snake prop: the head sticks out from under your arm, and as you say “moa,” pull so the body is exposed. Poem: Boa Just when you think you know the boa There’s moa, and moa, and moa, and moa! Credit: King County Library System
I’ve seen a lot of videos doing this with a prop – some kind of play tunnel that you leave collapsed at the floor then slowly bring up around your body. If I had one, I’d have used it!As it is, I found a snake plush in our basement so just held and moved that. Song/Poem: Boa Constrictor (your arm or your grownup can be the snake) I’m being eaten by a boa constrictor, a boa constrictor, a boa constrictor. I’m being eaten by a boa constrictor, And I don’t like it– one bit. Well, what do you know? It’s nibblin’ my toe! Oh Gee! It’s up to my knee! Oh My! It’s up to my thigh! Oh Fiddle! It’s up to my middle! Oh Heck! It’s up to my neck! Oh Dread! It’s upmmmmmmmmmmffffffffff… Credit: Shel Silverstein, from the book Where the Sidewalk Ends
I think this is the book that I first thought of when contemplating this theme! Here’s how I introduced it: “This next book has a lot of great rhythm! I love that the author talks about being visually impaired in his bio, so the way the book SOUNDS was very important to him.” Read: One Day in the Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus Tree by Daniel Bernstrom & Brendan Wenzel
Silly Story: Herman the Worm I was sittin’ on my fencepost, chewing my bubblegum (chew, chew, chew, chew) Playin’ with my yo-yo – wee-oo! wee-oo! When along came Herman the worm And he was this big (measure a small worm with fingers) And I said: “Herman? What happened?” “I ate my mother!”
(Herman gets bigger and bigger, eating more family members, then goes back to being tiny) …And I said: “Herman? What happened?” “I burped!” Credit: traditional, via Jbrary
Craft: Bark, George Story Retelling Activity This was a printable that came straight from Making Learning Fun. I didn’t have time to pick up snack-sized bags, so I used sandwich size and just made sure the bottom was where George’s belly was. I had a volunteer precut the holes and I taped the plastic bag on the back so the kids just had to color and cut out their animals.
I also suggested these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video. Poor Little Guy by Elanna Allen The Wolf, the Duck, & the Mouse by Mac Barnett & Jon Klassen I Saw Anaconda by Jane Clarke & Emma Dodd
Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars
This storytime was presented virtually on 1/26/21.
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!
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.comvia 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.
Early Literacy Tip: Bath time is a wonderful opportunity to encourage play and imagination! You can be pirates or sea turtles, or you can use bubbles to practice fine motor skills and finger dexterity. Learn more ways bubbles can be beneficial here: http://mamaot.com/11-benefits-of-playing-with-bubbles/
Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello
Fingerplay: Bubbles A small bubble (make a circle with your fingers) A medium sized bubble (make a large circle with your hands) A great big bubble I see (make a large circle with your arms) Now let’s count them, are you ready? 1 –2 – 3 (make 3 circles again) POP! (clap hands loudly once) Credit: Sunflower Storytime
Read: Time for a Bath by Phillis Gershator & David Walker
Scarf Warmup: Wave your scarves high, then low Wave them fast, then slow Count to three and throw them in the air, then CATCH!
Scarf Song: This Is the Way We Wash Our Head (tune of Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush) This is the way we wash our head Wash our head, wash our head This is the way we wash our head So early in the morning (repeat and “wash” different body parts with scarf – as Abby says in her original post, this is a great opportunity to introduce or reinforce less common body part language – “thigh,” “ankle,” “elbow,” “shoulder,” “jaw,” etc.) Credit: Abby the Librarian
Scarf Song: Washing (tune of Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes) Wash your head, shoulders, knees and toes (knees and toes) Wash your head, shoulders, knees and toes (knees and toes) Wash your eyes and ears and mouth and nose – Wash your head, shoulders, knees and toes (knees and toes) (repeat and speed up) Credit: adapted from the traditional
Read: How Do You Take a Bath? by Kate McMullan & Sydney Hanson
Flannel Song: Five Elephants in the Bathtub One elephant in the bathtub, going for a swim Knock, Knock (clap, clap) Splash, Splash (pat knees twice) Come on in! (motion with both hands to come in) (repeat up to five)
Five elephants in the bathtub, going for a swim Knock, Knock (clap, clap) Splash, Splash (pat knees twice) They all fell in! (wave arms wildly) Credit: traditional, flannel pattern from Sunflower Storytime
Do you have any toys you like to play with in the tub? Read with Flannel: Who’s In the Tub? by Sylvie Jones & Pascale Constantin
Flannel Game: Memory – What’s Missing? Once again, I was inspired by the awesome Sunflower Storytime. I used her template but made a couple of adjustments to make the pieces look a little more like the ones in the book. The biggest change was the seal and the octopus. I HAVE to have an eight-armed octopus. 🙂 For the game after reading the book, I ask the kids to look closely at the pieces, then everyone closes their eyes and one piece is removed for them to guess/remember.
Bubble Song: Bubble, Bubble, Pop! (if you have bubbles, this is a great song to use them with) One little red fish swimming in the water, (motion one finger, then weave hand back and forth as if swimming) Swimming in the water, swimming in the water, One little red fish swimming in the water Bubble, bubble, bubble, bubble, (corkscrew index fingers upwards on both sides) POP! (clap) (repeat; you can change to different bath toys like “one little blue boat floating on the water” or change the number and/or color of fish) Credit: Jbrary
Ukulele or Recorded Song: Rubber Ducky Credit: Sesame Street As a ukulele song, Rubber Ducky is certainly not easy. It’s a jazzy tune with lots of interesting chords: the dreaded E natural, 7ths, augmented, diminished, etc. I took an “easy” version (15 chords!) and stripped it down even further. There are still 10 chords, and very few of them are common, though most are not hard shapes to make with gCEA tuning. And thankfully, they mostly flow from one to another fairly naturally with some practice. (I had most trouble with G#7 to C#m). Give it a try, it’s fun!
Craft: Bubble Wrap Painting Borrowing once again from Sunflower Storytime! For the take and make packets, I included a small amount of blue paint in a little 2 oz cup, a paper plate to spread the paint on, a strip of bubble wrap taped end to end to make a “cuff” that kids could put over their hand, the bathtub print out from Sunflower Storytime, and a yellow duck cut out. I encouraged kids to also draw other details like themselves or their other favorite bath toys in the scene. I didn’t make a sample for this, just borrowed the photo from Sunflower Storytime’s page.
I also suggested these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video. Bath! Bath! Bath! by Douglas Florian & Christiane Engel Get Out of My Bath! by Britta Teckentrup Ten Pigs: An Epic Bath Adventure by Derek Anderson
Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars
This storytime was presented virtually on 1/12/21.
I’m slowly catching up on recording storytimes – I’m now into 2021! Inspired by the book William’s Winter Nap used in the last session (Warm & Cozy), it made sense to theme an upcoming storytime on hibernation. Although I’ve been a librarian for over 16 years, I’m only creeping into my second year as a children’s programmer (I started as a teen librarian, then went into management). So I’ve been presenting a lot of “classic” themes that I’m sure a lot of veteran librarians have been doing forever – but they’re new to me!
This theme gave me the opportunity to learn some more facts, as well as be frustrated with inaccurate picture books! I wanted to present a variety of animals that hibernate, not just bears, but several books show squirrels as hibernators, when they are not. I think they are less active in the winter, but they definitely don’t hibernate – the ones in my yard play in the snow! So there were a few titles that were good except for these inaccuracies that I just couldn’t present. Grr.
Early Literacy Tip: Making predictions about a book really helps children understand what they read. Comprehension is important because without it, kids don’t stay motivated to keep reading for very long. So ask your children a question or two about the book before you start reading. Talking with your child will help them get ready to read!
Discuss: When it’s cold outside, we bundle up and like to spend more time indoors. But some animals will sleep all winter long – this is called hibernation! Let’s learn more about what it means.
Read: Hibernation by Margaret Hall
I had photographs of a bear, frog, snake, and bat being active, then hibernating on the back of cards. We talked about them before starting the song. Song: Hibernation (tune of “Alouette”) Chorus: Hibernation, time for hibernation Hibernation, time to go to sleep Verse: In the winter, where’s the bear? Sleeping in his log or lair Where’s the bear? (Log or lair) Where’s the bear? (Log or lair) OOOOOOH!
Additional verses: …frog? Sleeping by a pond or log …snake? In the mud beside the lake …bat? In a cave is where she’s at Credit: Charles County Public Library (MD)
Fingerplay: Here Is a Cave Here is a cave. Inside is a bear (bend fingers on one hand; put thumb inside) Now he comes out to get some fresh air (pop out thumb) He stays out all summer in sunshine and heat He hunts in the forest for berries to eat (move thumb in a circle) When snow starts to fall, he hurries inside His warm little cave and there he will hide (put thumb inside fingers) Snow covers the cave like a fluffy white rug Inside the bear sleeps all cozy and snug (place one hand over the other) Credit: King County Library System (WA)
Bear is ready to sleep, but first, he wants to remind his friends that it’s time to hibernate. Who will he meet? Read: Time to Sleep by Denise Fleming
Action Rhyme: Brown Bear, Brown Bear Brown bear, brown bear, turn around Brown bear, brown bear, touch the ground Brown bear, brown bear, reach up high Brown bear, brown bear, touch the sky Brown bear, brown bear, bend down low Brown bear, brown bear, touch your toes Brown bear, brown bear, go to bed Brown bear, brown bear, rest your head Brown bear, brown bear, turn out the lights Brown bear, brown bear, say “good night” Credit: King County Library System (WA)
I rooted around for any hibernator puppets or stuffed animals we had and came up with quite a few. I think I only did about four during storytime, though. Fingerplay with Puppets: Sleepy Bear (tune of “Thumbkin”) Where is Bear? Where is Bear? Here I am. Here I am. How are you this winter? Very tired, thank you. Go to sleep. Go to sleep. (repeat with other hibernators: hedgehog, chipmunk, turtle, bat, frog, mouse) Credit: preschooleducation.com
A few of my hibernators – not pictured: baby bear and frog who are at home!
You know I love a funny book. This one is told entirely in jokes! Read: Knock Knock by Tammi Sauer & Guy Francis
Flannel/Action Rhyme: Sleepy Bear Roll Five sleepy bears moving really slow One yawns and stumbles and starts to… ROLL! (roll arms) He rolls to a stop and begins to snore (exaggerated snoring) How many bears are left to explore? (count down) Credit: Canton Public Library (MI)
Counting/Ukulele Song: The Bears Go Marching The bears go marching one by one, Hurrah! Hurrah! The bears go marching one by one, Hurrah! Hurrah! The bears go marching one by one, The little one knew that autumn was done And they all go marching down to their den Because winter had set in, boom, boom, boom Additional verses: …two by two… little one stopped to sneeze : “ahh-choo!” …three by three… little one stopped to scratch a tree …four by four… little one stopped to eat just a bit more …five by five… little one stopped to whisper : “nighty-night!” Credit: Ram Sam Storytime
Craft: Sleeping Bear Den I ordered some foam leaf stickers to go with this craft, but they didn’t come in time. Either way, I think it’s simple and cute. Inspired by the project at Glued To My Crafts blog. Bear image from Play Create Explore.
I also suggested these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video. Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner & Christopher Silas Neal Old Bear by Kevin Henkes I Don’t Want to Go to Sleep by Dev Petty & Mike Boldt
In another attempt to avoid holiday programming while still celebrating a universal happy winter feeling, my last storytime of December was focused on the feeling of “coziness.” I invite the kids to think about what makes them feel cozy, and remind them that different people may have different things that make them feel that way. In general, though, we feel cozy when we are warm, secure, fed, and loved – something every child (and adult!) needs and deserves.
Early Literacy Tip: One of the best things you can give your children is the enjoyment of books and reading. By allowing your children to participate as you share books with them, you can keep them engaged around the book. Feel free to have them turn the pages, to stop and talk about a picture, or ask an open-ended question to keep their interest. Of course, if they are not enjoying it, don’t force them to sit still. Try again at another time – it’s fine to have several abbreviated reading times throughout the day if they’re enjoyable rather than forcing a longer session. Your child’s attention span and tolerance for longer stories will increase in time.
Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello
I hadn’t really used any fingerplays that specify right and left hands before, so I asked on the Storytime Underground Facebook page what best practices were. Many people do the opposite so that children can mirror them and use the correct hand, while specifying for parents that’s what they’re doing. I think it’s good to emphasize that it’s a hard concept and parents can gently help until kids get it. There was also discussion about ableism and excluding kids that may not have two hands/fingers which is great food for thought. Fingerplay: Warm Mittens I wiggle my left mitten (wave hand) I wiggle my right (wave hand) Inside of my mittens (make “mitten” hands) So warm and so tight I wiggle my pinkie (wiggle pinkie) I wiggle my thumbs (wiggle thumbs) So when I make snowballs (cup hands together) My hands don’t get numb (shake out hands) Credit: Adventures of a Bookworm
Read: Winter is the Warmest Season by Lauren Stringer
Rhyme: Cozy Night One fluffy quilt on my bed (mime shaking out a blanket) Two little pillows for my head (fold hands under head) Three teddy bears to hold so tight (hug self) Now I’m ready for a cozy night! (rub arms) Credit: Literary Hoots
Action Rhyme: Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear Teddy bear, teddy bear, turn around Teddy bear, teddy bear, touch the ground Teddy bear, teddy bear, reach up high Teddy bear, teddy bear, touch the sky Teddy bear, teddy bear, touch your knees Teddy bear, teddy bear, sit down please! Credit: traditional
Sometimes it feels like winter is gray and colorless. What do you think? Read: A Day So Gray by Marie Lamba & Alea Marley
This flannel, which Mel’s Desk does with an autumn theme, always feels cozy to me, so I wrote an alternative ending for winter. Flannel Rhyme: Blue is the Sky (Winter Edition) Blue is the sky Yellow is the sun Silver are the stars when the day is done Orange is the fire Green is the tree Brown is the cocoa for you and me Credit: adapted by Ms. Emily from Mel’s Desk
Pull laminated pieces out of a hat or basket. Do as many or as few as your group has patience for! End with a hug for kiddos and caregivers. Flannel: Looking for a Hug I’m looking for something warm and snug You open your arms and give a great big… …rug? NO! …bug? NO! …mug? NO! …plug? NO! …pug? NO! …slug? EW, NO! …hug? YES! Credit: Pasadena Public Library
William is ready to get nice and cozy for a nap, but something happens! Let’s find out. Read: William’s Winter Nap by Linda Ashman & Chuck Groenink
Rhyme: Chilly Day When the day is chilly (shiver) And I don’t know what to do Mama gives me my sweater (mime putting on sweater) I put it on and say, “Thank you!”
But when I am still chilly (shiver) From the snowy winter storm Papa puts a blanket over me (mime pulling up a blanket) But still I’m not quite warm
So when I am still chilly (shiver) I know just what I should do I say, “Mom & Pop, I’d like some warm cuddles from you!” (give yourself a hug, or hug a loved one) Credit: Storytime Stuff
Action Song: Cocoa Pokey (tune of the Hokey Pokey) You put your mug in, you take your mug out You put your mug in, and you shake it all about You do the cocoa pokey and you turn yourself around That’s what it’s all about!
Additional verses: You put your spoon in… stir it all about… You put your cocoa in… sip it all up… You put your marshmallow in… slurp it all up… Credit: So Tomorrow blog
Craft: Mug of Cocoa This was a kit from Oriental Trading that we’d had extras of. I don’t see it on their site any longer, though. Photo credit to them.
I also suggested these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video. Lucky Pennies and Hot Chocolate by Carol Diggory Shields & Hiroe Nakata In My Anaana’s Amautik by Nadia Sammurtok & Lenny Lishchenko Sleep, Black Bear, Sleep by Jane Yolen & Heidi EY Stemple & Brooke Dyer
Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars
This storytime was presented virtually on 12/15/20.
Here’s a flannel for an upcoming storytime on knitting. I first saw the rhyme on the Canton Public Library (MI)’s blog. I quickly realized that I need ALL the colors (!) so there are ten balls instead of five.
Ten Balls of Yarn Ten balls of yarn, sitting in a bowl (10 fingers up) One fell out and started to…. ROLL (roll arms) It bounced on my foot and there it sits (point to foot) How many balls are left to knit? (9 fingers up) (Count down until all the balls of yarn are on the floor) Credit: Canton Public Library (MI)
(TEMPLATE at the end of the post!)
Process
I found a simple ball of yarn graphic on Canva, and first just cut out the outline. I decided it looked way too boring so contemplated how to make it look more like yarn than just a blob. I felt a little overwhelmed thinking of cutting out all of the whitespace on the graphic – there are 11 skinny pieces for each ball, so that makes 110 total! Looking for another answer, I thought about using actual yarn glued down. It just didn’t look the way I wanted, used a lot of glue, and was difficult to do neatly.
So, I experimented cutting out the little pieces, and decided it was worth the effort (for me.) I really liked the way it looked and the option to put different shades of a color together for some visual interest. After a couple of tries, I found a method of taping and cutting the pieces that worked well and didn’t take too long. Tweezers and toothpicks are very handy tools for small pieces, especially during the gluing process!
It was kind of a fun puzzle to figure out how to best lay out the pieces for the various felt scraps I had.
In the week or so before this storytime, I asked my viewers (we’re still virtual) what their favorite songs and rhymes are. I didn’t get a huge response, so I made a list of common and well-known songs as well as a few of my own favorites. I made magnetized picture pieces representing all of these, and grouped them in threes or fours for kiddos to choose from in our comments during storytime. It was really great to see those comments come through! For the recorded session (link below), I gave the options, appeared to consider, and chose the songs/rhymes that I liked and made most sense with our stories. I reminded kids and grownups that if the one they were hoping to hear didn’t get chosen, to pause or do those favorites on their own! Hopefully this reminds grownups that they don’t have to be in storytime to rhyme and sing with their kids. The books were my own favorites. I had a good time with this one!
EDIT: I’ve realized that the tune “Shortnin’ Bread” is rooted in racism and can be harmful. I’ll no longer be using “Mama’s Little Baby” during storytime, as it uses this tune.
Early Literacy Tip: Talking with your children, especially as you share books, is one of the best ways to develop your children’s vocabulary. In books they see things they might not otherwise see, like different kinds of animals. Take advantage of expanding their vocabulary by talking with them about the pictures in books.
Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello
The board at the beginning of storytime: I removed the images of songs we didn’t use and at the end of storytime the board showed a road map of what we did. Unfortunately, I didn’t take another picture at the end… *These were the items that I chose.
Fingerplay One – Choose from: Two Little Blackbirds Itsy Bitsy Spider * I’m a Little Teapot
Fingerplay Two – Choose from: Slowly, Slowly* (from Jbrary) Hickory Dickory Dock (from Jbrary) Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Read: Red House, Tree House, Little Bitty Brown Mouse by Jane Godwin & Blanca Gómez
Scarf Songs – Choose Two: One Bright Scarf* (from Jbrary) Mama’s Little Baby Loves Dancin’ (from KCLS) See EDIT above Popcorn Kernels*(from Jbrary) Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Read: Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings
Song – Choose from: My Dog Rags* (from Jbrary) ABC Song Where is Thumbkin?
This book is not only a beautiful poem about all the things the ones who care for us want to give us, but it’s illustrated by one of my absolute favorite artists, Christian Robinson. Read: Just In Case You Want to Fly by Julie Fogliano & Christian Robinson
Action Song – Choose from: Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes Zoom, Zoom, Zoom* (from Jbrary) Tick, Tock, Tick Tock(from Jbrary)
Ukulele Song – Choose from: Mr. Sun Apples and Bananas Down By the Bay Shake My Sillies Out* (these four from Raffi) If You’re Happy and You Know it
Craft: My Favorite Things Coloring Sheet I looked at a lot of other people’s “Favorite Things” sheets and couldn’t find one that I loved. So I used Canva to make my own. You can download a copy here.
I also suggested these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video. Pokko and the Drum by Matthew Forsythe The Bad Seed by Jory John & Pete Oswald Hello, Hello by Brendan Wenzel
Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars
This storytime was presented virtually on 12/8/20.
![Craft showing red hand cutouts decorated with marker and stickers on one side "I [heart] you & miss you this much!" and a printout of Sunflower Storytime's poem on the other, connected by red curling ribbon.](https://msemilylibrary.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/hug-craft-branded.png?w=800)
Storytime with Ms. Emily Library 