Storytime with Ms. Emily Library

book covers for kitty's cuddles and a day so gray

Storytime: Warm & Cozy

Posted on January 24, 2025January 23, 2025 by msemilylibrary

When it’s been as polar vortex-y cold as it has been in the midwest this winter, all you want to talk about is how to stay warm and cozy inside. Ironically, the first scheduled session for this theme was cancelled (the one I mark as TT) with a big storm that gave us about 6 inches of snow!
I’ve done this theme before, and this time I added some extension activities about soup and cuddly kitties to this version of warm and cozy.

You can find another version of this theme from 2020.

Early Literacy Tip: One of the best and most impactful things you can give your children is the enjoyment of books and reading. By allowing even the youngest children to participate as you share books with them, you can keep them engaged. 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 their attention wanders, don’t force them to sit still. Try again later – it’s better to have several abbreviated reading times throughout the day rather than forcing a longer session. Your child’s attention span and tolerance for longer stories will increase in time.

Welcome Song: Hello, Friends* (TB) (FT)** †

Hello Friends rhyme sheet. Includes a smiling rainbow and two yellow ducks at the bottom. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Warm Up Song: Wake Up, Feet* (TB) (FT)
This is a repeated song that everyone seems to enjoy. I always begin and end with feet and tummies, but find two other body parts to wiggle in the middle. I rotate between elbows, cheeks, hips, noses, arms, chins, thighs, heads, shoulders, ears, knees, and fingers.

Wake Up Feet thumbnail, with a graphic of three pairs of baby-sized shoes. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Lifting Rhyme: Toast in the Toaster* (TB) (FT)

Toast in the Toaster thumbnail, with a graphic of a toaster with a piece of bread hovering above it. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Intro: Brr – it sure is cold outside! When it’s cold outside, I do my best to get warm and cozy inside. What does it mean to feel cozy? It can mean different things to different people. For me, when I’m feeling warm, safe, and loved.

Let’s try a counting rhyme about being cozy.
Rhyme: Cozy Night (TB) (FT)
(hold up the correct number of fingers at the beginning of each line)
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)
Source: Literary Hoots

Cozy night thumbnail, with a graphic of an unmade bed with a yellow blanket, two pillows, and three various teddy bears. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Transition: If You’re Ready for a Story* (TB) (FT)

This one really has nothing to do with being warm, but it sure is cozy.
Read: Kitty’s Cuddles by Jane Cabrera (TB)

A lovely book about seeing beyond the blah, and appreciating the little joys.
Read: A Day So Gray by Marie Lamba & Alea Marley (FT)

There are lots of things that can help you feel warm and cozy.
Rhyme: Chilly Day (TB) (FT)
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!” (hug self or a loved one)
Source: Storytime Stuff

Chilly day thumbnail, with a graphic of pink hearts. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

As a quick print and laminate flannel, this was easy and pretty fun. We went over time though, so I skipped it for the second storytime.
Flannel Rhyme Game: Looking for a Hug (TB)
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!
Source: Pasadena (CA) Public Library

printed and laminated flannelboard pieces including a Persian style rug, a ladybug, a blue mug with a smiley face, a pug dog, a yellow slug, an orange extension cord, and a stylized "hug" - a pink heart with arms crossed around it.

looking for a hug thumbnail, with a graphic of a stylized "hug" - a pink heart with arms crossed around it. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

This one always gets a lot of laughs and smiles and awwws.
Bounce Rhyme: Bounce, Tickle, Hug (TB) (FT)
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!
Source: Mansfield/Richland County (OH) Public Library

bounce, tickle, hug thumbnail, with lyrics only. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

One thing that always warms me up is a nice bowl of soup. My favorite kind is split pea soup! Here’s a fun fingerplay.
Fingerplay: Pea Soup (TB) (FT)
(begin with five fingers up)
One little pea jumped into the pot,
And waited for the soup to get hot (fold one finger down)
(count down)

Finally, the soup got so very, very hot,
That all the little peas jumped out of the pot! (open hand jumps)
Source: Librarian is on the Loose blog

pea soup thumbnail, with a graphic of three peas in a pod, the middle of which has arms raised. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Breathing Break: Soup Breathing (TB) (FT)
Time for a mindful breathing break. 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 through their noses, then slowly and gently breathed out through their mouths to cool off this hot soup. 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.
Source: Lucky Little Learners

We got out our scarves at this point. Oh, my scarf has turned into a kitty cat. A kitty cat that is very excited! We waved our scarves around and our kitties zoomed up, down, and all around. Then I said we would need to calm our kitties down. We gathered them in our arms and started petting them. Isn’t it cozy to snuggle with a pet or a stuffed animal? Let’s sing them a lullaby!
I saw lots of big smiles from the grownups who probably knew this song from The Big Bang Theory sitcom (which I haven’t watched!) I actually found it on the King County Tell Me a Story site, and it’s a sweet one.
Scarf Song: Soft Kitty (TB) (FT)
Soft kitty, Warm kitty,
Little ball of fur
Happy kitty, Sleepy kitty,
Purr, purr, purr
Source: King County (WA) Library System

soft kitty thumbnail, with a graphic of a sleeping calico cat. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

I’ve done this one as a flannel rhyme before, but I added a scarf element to it. I tried to think of scarf movements that were different for each line.
Scarf/Flannel Rhyme: Blue is the Sky (Winter Edition) (TB) (FT)
Blue is the sky (wave scarf high)
Yellow is the sun (twirl scarf to make a circle)
Silver are the stars when the day is done (throw and catch your “falling stars”)
Orange is the fire (wiggle scarf with hand underneath)
Green is the tree (stretch scarf up long)
Brown is the cocoa for you and me (gather scarf in fist and “sip”)
Source: adapted by Ms. Emily from Mel’s Desk

Flannel for "blue is the sky" with blue blob, yellow sun, two aluminum foil stars, a fireplace with an orange flame, a dark green conifer tree, and a red mug with light brown cocoa and white marshmallows.

Download the template for winter pieces here! (Original at Mel’s Desk for sky, sun, and stars)

Thumbnail of flannel template for blue is the sky.

blue is the sky thumbnail, with a graphic of a fireplace next to an evergreen tree, with two red cups of hot chocolate on the mantel. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Speaking of hot cocoa, or hot chocolate, I’ve got a song about it! Will you wave your scarves around while I play my ukulele?
I found the first verse as a photo pin on Pinterest, but when I went back to it later I couldn’t find any indication as to the source. I added a couple of verses to round it out.
Scarf/Ukulele Song: Hot Chocolate (TB) (FT)
(tune of On Top of Old Smokey)
Do you like hot chocolate?
Marshmallows on top!
It’s warm and delicious
I can hardly stop

Whenever it’s cold out
I like it a lot
And you know the best part:
Marshmallows on top!

We pour in the chocolate
Stir it well but don’t slop
And right before sipping:
Marshmallows on top! – Sluuurp… YUM!
Source: unknown verse 1, original vs 2-3

Download a ukulele songsheet for Hot Chocolate

thumbnail for hot chocolate ukulele songsheet

hot chocolate thumbnail, with a graphic of a pink mug of hot chocolate with marshmallows. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Action Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom!* (TT) (TB) (FT)

zoom zoom zoom thumbnail, with a graphic of a rocket ship. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Craft: Hot Chocolate Mug (TB) (FT)
We decorated our mugs of hot chocolate and added some white pompoms to the top for marshmallows in our simple craft. Hot chocolate always tastes best from your own special mug, right? We used dot markers and stickers. Inspired by Made to Be a Momma blog, where you can find a template.

blue hot chocolate mug with an oval of brown construction paper on top, decorated with colorful dot stickers. Three white pompoms make the marshmallows on top.

Play Time
The toddlers have two laundry baskets of baby toys – rattles and cars, sorters and stackers, toy phones and spinners. For the older kids, I have foam blocks, soft food toys, puzzles, and a few other items that are a little more sophisticated than the baby toys. For Family Time, I gauge the overall age of the group and put out what seems right for them. We play for 5-10 minutes at the most, then I ring the bell and ask the kids to help me clean up. I think the clean up bit is good practice for them!

Goodbye Song: See You Later Alligator* (TT) (TB) (FT)

See you later thumbnail, with a graphic of a green alligator, brown crocodile, ladybug, and jellyfish. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme)
In My Anaana’s Amautik – Nadia Sammurtok & Lenny Lishchenko
Winter is the Warmest Season – Lauren Stringer
The All-Together Quilt – Lizzy Rockwell
Blanket: Journey to Extreme Coziness – Loryn Brantz
Dreamland – Noah Klocek
I’m Going to Give You a Polar Bear Hug! – Caroline B. Cooney & Tim Warnes
Snoozapalooza – Kimberlee Gard & Vivian Mineker
Twinkle, Twinkle, Winter Night – Megan Litwin & Nneka Myers
Chaiwala! – Priti Birla Maheshwari

This storytime was presented in-person on 1/7 & 1/8/25.

Storytime Handout:

handout with book suggestions, rhyme and song lyrics.

*Lyrics to these songs can be found on the Repeated Songs & Rhymes page.

**These symbols indicate the program sessions I used the activities for:
(TT) Toddler Time, ages 1-2
(TB) Teddy Bears, ages 2-3.5
(FT) Family Time, ages 0-3.5

† Click the image of rhyme/song sheets to download a non-branded PDF

Book Babies Storytime Update

Posted on January 17, 2025January 15, 2025 by msemilylibrary

Hello, readers, and welcome to 2025! Do you ever have those weeks where it feels like everything is happening at once? It’s been like that for me lately. I have a couple of storytimes in the backlog to share with you soon, but today I figured I’d give a quick update on my Book Babies programs and the new songs and rhymes I’ve been using for the last few months.

You can see all my previous posts about Book Babies, which would include lots of rhymes and songs to do. I’ve gotten to the point that I’m recycling old plans, but I do still switch out activities here and there to keep it fresh for me, and to replace songs or rhymes that didn’t quite jive (or I’m just not in the mood for!) It’s fun to see what works with a particular group.

The books featured in the photos below are just some of the board books made available for individual reading.

See all the Book Babies plans here.

The general plan goes like this:

Hello/Welcome song
- I use a puppet as well as singing each child’s name in the song
Animal Hello
- Use several animal puppets, with animal noises incorporated in the song
Body Song
Fingerplay
- If too complex for babies (i.e., anything more involved than Pat-A-Cake), encourage grownups to do the motions as a kind of “puppet show” for babies.
Bounce
Lift
- Occasionally there’s a song that incorporates bounces and lifts, of course. Any combination will do, or one longer song with multiple verses may be substituted for both
Lullaby
- I always play this on ukulele
Reading time
- Currently doing individual reading for 2-3 minutes, but have read board books to the group before
Tickle/On Your Back
- Often good for post-diaper change, usually uses leg motions
Props or Dancing
- Include 3-4 songs and rhymes that go with the month’s prop
Lifting Song – Zoom, Zoom, Zoom
- Consistent at each program
Goodbye Rhyme

Here is an updated room setup, with the parachute out for babies to lay on/sit on. I started to put out round floor mats at each wedge/seat, with the caveat that anyone can pull up a chair to sit at if they don’t want to get down on the floor. My pink short chair is perfect for this – I can move easily from it to the floor if I want to demo one way or another. There’s a random board book at each place for them to use during our individual reading time.

parachute set up showing a white parachute on a purple rug, with rainbow colored circular mats arranged around the edge and board books in front of every mat. At the head of the room is a small pink upholstered chair and an easel with rhyme sheets taped to it.

I am happy to report that after a couple of years of having a “color the parachute” station during our outdoor summer storytime, it’s much more colorful and fun!

closer photo of white parachute, showing colorful signatures, drawings, scribbles, hand prints, etc. board books are arranged at the end of each wedge and circular mats are on the floor around the edge.

New since April 2024

Fingerplay

Fingerplay Rhyme/Tickle: This Little Train
This little train ran up the track (walk fingers up baby’s arm or leg)
It went Choo! Choo! (tap baby’s nose or belly button)
And then it ran back (walk fingers back down)
The other little train (other arm or leg) ran up the track
It went Choo! Choo! And then it ran back
Source: King County (WA) Library System

this little train thumbnail, with a graphic of a toddler with arms out - the left arm has an adult's fingers walking toward the shoulder, and the right arm has a tiny train engine and coal car heading toward the shoulder. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

I have used this one for Hispanic Heritage Month themed toddler storytimes before, but this is the first time I’ve used this song for babies. I do have several Spanish-speaking families, so I was glad to include it!
Song: La linda manita
(flip hand back and forth)
La linda manita (What a pretty, tiny hand)
que tiene el bebé (the baby has!)
qué linda, qué bella (How pretty, how beautiful)
qué preciosa es (How precious it is!)
Source: traditional, watch: https://youtu.be/OWAunlWlMUI

la linda manita thumbnail, with a graphic of a line drawing of a child's hand gripping an adult's thumb. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Bounce/Lift

Bounce: Two Little Boats
(rock forward and back)
Two little boats went out to sea
All is calm as calm can be
(rock side to side)
Gently the wind begins to blow
Two little boats rock to and fro
(Bounce up and down)
Loudly the wind begins to shout
Two little boats they bounce about
STOP! (freeze) goes the storm, the wind, and rain
And two little boats sail on again (rock forward and backward)
Source: Intellidance

two little boats thumbnail, with a graphic of two sailboats with colorful sails. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Bounce/Lift: Jelly on the Plate
Jelly on the plate, jelly on the plate (bounce)
Wibble wobble, wibble wobble (turn baby side to side)
Jelly on the plate (bounce)
Additional verses:
Sausage in the pan…Turn them out (lean baby outward)
Biscuits in the tin…Shake them up (wiggle and lift baby)
Sweeties in the jar…Pick them out (gently pinch belly)
Candles on the cake…Blow them out… (blow on neck or belly)
Source: Jbrary

jelly on the plate thumbnail, with a graphic of an orange jello mold on a plate, a skillet with a sausage, a traditional danish cookie tin, a mason jar of wrapped candies, and a pink birthday cake with three smoking candles. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

I looked, and Lynn and Dover are indeed towns nearby Boston!
Bounce: Trot to Boston
Trot, trot to Boston,
Trot, trot to Lynn
You’d better be careful
Or you might fall in! (tilt or lean)

Trot, trot to Boston,
Trot, trot to Dover
Look out everyone
You might fall over! (tilt or lean)
Source: The Early Literacy Kit: A Handbook and Tip Cards by Betsy Diamant-Cohen & Saroj Ghoting

trot to boston thumbnail, with a graphic of a brown horse. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Lullaby

So many variations of this song, but Raffi’s is a sweet one. I remind caregivers that you can sing any name instead of “Irene,” and in fact I did try to go around the room and sing each child’s name in the chorus. Irene is repeated four times each chorus, so you can potentially get 12 names in as written, and of course you can repeat the chorus as many times as you need.
Ukulele Lullaby: Goodnight Irene
(Raffi’s version)
Foxes sleep in the forest
Lions sleep in their dens
Goats sleep on the mountainside
And piggies sleep in pens

Chorus: Irene goodnight, Irene goodnight
Goodnight Irene, Goodnight Irene
I’ll see you in my dreams

Whales sleep in the ocean
Zebras sleep on land
Hippos sleep by the riverside
And camels sleep on sand (Chorus)

Coyote sleeps in the canyon
And birdie sleeps in a tree
And when it’s time for me to rest
My bed’s the place for me (Chorus)
Source: Raffi, from the album The Corner Grocery Store and Other Singable Songs

Download a ukulele songsheet for Goodnight, Irene

thumbnail for goodnight irene ukulele songsheet, with a graphic of a fox curled up in a brown den. click the image to download a full PDF

goodnight irene thumbnail, with lyrics only (chorus is in dark blue). click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Tickle/On Your Back

I converted this from one to do with arms to a leg rhyme and it works pretty well. I emphasized that they didn’t need any precision doing the different motions, but in, out, in, out, cha-cha works!
Leg Song: Knife, Fork, Spoon, Spatula
(tune of If You’re Happy and You Know It)
I’m a knife, fork, spoon, spatula – cha, cha, cha!
I’m a knife, fork, spoon, spatula – cha, cha, cha!
I’m a knife, fork, spoon, I’m a knife, fork, spoon,
I’m a knife, fork, spoon, spatula – cha, cha, cha!
Source: Jbrary

knife fork spoon thumbnail, with a graphic of a small knife, fork (with spaghetti twirled around it) and spoon to the left, and a large spatula with a smiley face to the right. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Another one I’ve converted to doing with legs! We also talked about whether to push and pull from baby’s perspective or caregiver’s – it could go either way!
Leg Action Rhyme: Roll, Roll, Sugar Babies
Roll, roll sugar babies, Roll, roll sugar babies (bicycle legs)
Push! Pull! Tap, tap, tap! (push, pull, tap feet together)
Roll, roll sugar babies, Roll, roll sugar babies
Push! Pull! Tap, tap, tap!
Roll up high, Roll down low
Roll real fast, Roll real slow
Roll, roll sugar babies, Roll, roll sugar babies
Push! Pull! Tap, tap, tap!
Can repeat and replace “push” and “pull” with “up and down” or “left and right”
Source: Jbrary

roll roll sugar babies thumbnail, with a graphic of two babies with pacifiers lying on their backs with arms out. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Props

Although I know I originally got this from Jbrary, I realize listening to the recording that I have morphed it and my version sounds a bit different! Perhaps sometime I’ll record a quick video of my version.
Shaker Song: We Shake and STOP!
We shake and we shake and we STOP
We shake and we shake and we STOP
We shake and we shake and we shake and we shake
And we shake and we shake and we STOP!
…tap, …wave, …clap, …tickle
Source: Jbrary

we shake and stop thumbnail, with a graphic of a blue and a purple egg with motion lines around them. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

I think I was looking for a new peek-a-boo song. This one wasn’t really a fantastic improvement on the other ones I’ve done, so it may be left on the scrap pile.
Scarf Song: Where Is Baby?
(tune of Frère Jacques)
Where is baby? Where is baby?
Oh, so cute, Oh, so cute
Who’s behind this scarf?
Who’s behind this scarf?
Peek-a-boo! Peek-a-boo!
Source: adapted from Madison (ID) Library District

where is baby thumbnail, with a graphic of a dark skinned infant halfway hiding behind a transparent green plaid scarf. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Scarf Rhyme: Mix the Batter
Mix the batter, stir the batter, (stir motion)
Shake the flour in (pour motion)
Mix the batter, stir the batter,
pour it in a tin (pat lap)
Sprinkle little raisins on, (wiggle fingers down)
Pop it in to bake (move scarf forward)
Open wide the oven door… (spread arms wide (w/out scarf)
and out comes a cake! (throw scarf in the air)
Nom, nom, nom (pretend to eat)
Source: Plano (TX) Library

Mix the batter thumbnail, with a graphic of a birthday cake with three lit candles on top. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

This one could certainly be done with scarves, too.
Parachute Song: Leaves Are Falling
(tune of Farmer in the Dell)
The leaves are falling down,
The leaves are falling down
Red, yellow, green, and brown,
The leaves are falling down

The snow is falling down… (whispering)
Quiet, soft, float to the ground…
The snow is falling down
Source: Handley (VA) Regional Library System (verse 2 original)

leaves are falling thumbnail, with a graphic of an orange/red maple leaf. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Dancing (instead of props)

Dancing Song: Here We Go
(tune of Here We Go Looby Loo)
Here we go in, in, in
Here we go out, out, out
Here we go in, in, in
Then we turn ourselves about

Here we go uppity-up,
Here we go down-ditty down
Here we go uppity-up
Then we turn ourselves about
Source: The Early Literacy Kit: A Handbook and Tip Cards by Betsy Diamant-Cohen & Saroj Ghoting

here we go thumbnail, with a graphic of a dark skinned mother holding up her baby, and a light skinned man with a goatee holding up his. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Dancing Play: Washing Machine
Okay, babies, let’s do some laundry! (start low to the ground)
Can we put in the clothes? Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! (arm motions in, or bounce slowly with sounds)
Shake in the soap! Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch! (shake hands or bounce baby quickly)
Fill up with water! Blub-ub-ub-ub-ub! (like water gurgling up) (wiggle baby while lifting up to standing)
Here we go! (hold baby securely)
Twist, twist, twist in the washing machine (twist torso back and forth with baby in arms)
Twist, twist, twist until we’re clean!
Spiiiiiiin and STOP! (spin in a circle, then stop)
Annd the water goes down! Blub-ub-ub! (gurgle water down) (wiggle baby while lowering)
Source: Intellidance

washing machine thumbnail, with a graphic of a front loading washer showing a round window half filled with water. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

What are your favorite baby activities? Share in the comments!

Storytime: Boxes

Posted on December 20, 2024December 19, 2024 by msemilylibrary

What can you do with a box? What CAN’T you do with it!? December seems to be a time when the cardboard boxes start to pile up, so what a great time to celebrate both the imaginative things you can do with boxes as well as the fun and mystery of an unopened box. We talked a little about presents and gifts, as well.

You can find another version of this theme from 2021.

Early Literacy Tip: Research shows that constructive play (creating and building with different types of materials) supports children’s physical, cognitive and emotional development. When we pretend and act out stories, we’re using problem-solving skills and it prepares us to write stories of our own someday. –Storytime in the Stacks

Welcome Song: Hello, Friends* (TT) (TB) (FT)** †

Warm Up Song: Wake Up, Feet* (TT) (TB) (FT)
This is a repeated song that everyone seems to enjoy. I always begin and end with feet and tummies, but find two other body parts to wiggle in the middle. I rotate between elbows, cheeks, hips, noses, arms, chins, thighs, heads, shoulders, ears, knees, and fingers.

Lifting Rhyme: Toast in the Toaster* (TT) (TB) (FT)

Intro: Today we’re celebrating something like this… point to brown felt box on flannelboard. What is it? A box! Boxes can be fun to play with, to build with, and sometimes, when we’re lucky, they have something wonderful inside of them!

I have a box here, and I think there’s something inside. It’s heavy! And I think I hear something.
This was a box left from my predecessor that I don’t use very often (I think she put her book in it and other special props). I had four puppets in the box: cat, duck, frog, and turtle. Turtle came last to transition to the next rhyme. Turtle didn’t make any noises, so there was some mystery and anticipation in the last repetition. After taking turtle out, I showed everyone that the box was now empty.
Puppet Game: Here Is a Box (TT) (TB) (FT)
Here is a box where something is hid
I wonder whatever is under the lid?
Let’s listen for a shout and see who comes out!
(make animal noises and guess who is in the box)
Source: Storytime in the Stacks

Remember to put your puppets in “butts up” so it’s easy to slip them on while holding the box!

here is a box thumbnail, with a graphic of a red lidded box. the lid is suspended above the box, and gold confetti is coming from it. in the air between the lid and box is a black question mark. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Don’t be shy, turtle, come on out! Have you ever heard of a box turtle? This turtle LIVES in a box. He’s a little feisty today – he’s hungry!
It was a little awkward because I can’t clap like I normally would for the “caught” lines, but I slapped my thigh with my free hand and the adults clapped, so it worked just fine. After one time through, we repeated, after I asked the turtle if he was still hungry and he nodded. My (adorable!) turtleneck turtle has a mouth that moves so it works a little differently than the ones in the Jbrary video.
Fingerplay: There Was a Little Turtle (TT) (TB) (FT)
There was a little turtle (make fist)
who lived in a box (cover fist)
he swam in the puddles (fist wiggles like swimming)
he climbed on the rocks (fist climbs up opposite arm)
He snapped at a mosquito (pinch with thumb and fingers at each “snap”)
He snapped at a flea
He snapped at a minnow
And he snapped at me!
He caught that mosquito (clap each “caught”)
He caught that flea
He caught that minnow
But he didn’t catch me! (waggle finger)
Source: Jbrary

there was a little turtle thumbnail, with a graphic of a cartoon turtle with a green body and brown shell. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Transition: If You’re Ready for a Story* (TT) (TB) (FT)

The classic storytime book about boxes. It works so well it’s hard not to feature it!
Read: Not a Box by Antoinette Portis (TT) (FT)

A newer title, and one from an Indiana author! The illustrations on this one are pretty great. I’m not in love with the rhyme scheme, but I think that’s a personal preference.
Read: Grace & Box by Kim Howard & Megan Lötter (TB)

I felt like I needed another action activity, and one especially featuring pretending with boxes. Sometimes you have to just make up your own!
I love to pretend in a box – what could it be? Let’s all get out a big box to play in.
Rhyme Song: In My Box (TT) (TB) (FT)
In my box, I have found (hold arms out like a box)
I can really get around
My box is a bus: Beep, beep, beep! (wide steering wheel then horn)
Turns into a submarine and dives down deep (tip “wheel” down and crouch)
In my boat I row, row, row (row arms)
Now it’s a race car: go, go, go! (narrow steering wheel and run in place)
Let’s hop into an airplane to glide and fly (arms out to sides)
Then 3, 2, 1 – my rocket zooms to the stars in the sky (count down then clap and jump)
Source: original

in my box thumbnail, with a graphic of a rabbit driving a race car illustration from Not a Box book. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Boxes can also hold anything – there are surprises under every lid.
We talked about how many boxes there were (I only used four: blue, brown, green, and pink) and what colors they were, then we did the rhyme for each one.
Flannel Rhyme: Mystery Boxes (TT) (TB) (FT)
Little BLUE box
Let’s look and see
What’s inside there?
1… 2… 3!
Source: adapted from One For the Books blog

mystery boxes thumbnail, with a graphic of four lidded boxes: blue, brown, green, and pink. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Do you ever have the issue where you can’t sing a storytime tune when the time comes? This happened to me twice for this song! So frustrating. I originally had the Elevator song before this one. That tune messed me up and I could not get the Buffalo Gals tune going and just belted out some weird melody I knew was totally off. Oh, well, it happens, and the adults are very gracious. After that, I was running through the tune in my head over and over and felt pretty confident the second session, but again when it was time for it, I blanked. By my third time doing this program, I switched the order to do this one first, which worked! I was able to do this tune without any problem. So if you’re ever struggling, try switching the order of activities or songs.

I didn’t use my ukulele for this one, but I do have a chord sheet for it! I only did three verses for this age group and it seemed just right.
Sometimes when I have too many wiggles, I have to get out my wiggle box.
Shaker Song: Wiggle Box (TT) (TB) (FT)
(tune of Buffalo Gals)
Let’s open up the wiggle box, the wiggle box, the wiggle box,
Let’s open up the wiggle box, And wiggle our cares away!

additional verses:
There’s a lot of wiggles in the wiggle box… So wiggle and dance today!
There’s a lot of giggles in the wiggle box… So wiggle and laugh today!
Now throw all your wiggles in the wiggle box… And lock that box up tight!
(slowly, relaxed)
Now that wiggle box is closed up tight… We’re ready for a story today!
Source: Verse 4 from Anne’s Library Life, remainder original

Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet for “Wiggle Box” here!

wiggle box thumbnail, with a graphic of a brown box with a lid askew, with many-colored wiggly lines coming from it. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Here’s a big box! What could it be? Maybe an elevator?
Okay, a bit of a stretch, but the kids don’t care. I changed from my original plan of scarves to shakers since we used scarves last week, but the prop songs work perfectly well with either.
Shaker Song: Let’s Go Riding on an Elevator (TT) (TB) (FT)
Let’s go riding on an elevator, elevator, elevator
Let’s go riding on an elevator – Ride along with me!
First floor, Second floor, Third floor, Fourth floor, Fifth floor…
And down-down-down-down-down!
Source: Jbrary

let's go riding on an elevator thumbnail, with a graphic of a line drawing of an elevator with buttons on the right and a potted plant on the left. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

This was the stand-out hit of this session. We did it three times and I think they wanted to do it again. Sue is a genius.
Remember the Jack-in-the-Box? Let’s play.
Ukulele/Action/Shaker Song: Turn Around (TT) (TB) (FT)
Can you turn around with me?
It’s as easy as can be
Round and round and round just so
Then ker-PLOP! Down we go! (fall/crouch to floor)
Jack is quiet–shhh! (finger to lips)
In his box… (arm covers head)
Open the lid… (open arm up)
And up he… POPS! (jump up)
Source: Sue Schnitzer, from the album “Wiggle and Whirl”

Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet for “Turn Around” here!

turn around thumbnail, with a graphic of a jack in the box. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Two uke songs in a row! This is such a fun tune. Since I was playing ukulele, I couldn’t lead any special movements (which you can see with the source link below), but encouraged everyone to just dance and shake their shakers.
Sometimes a box comes with a very special present inside!
Ukulele/Shaker Song: Mail Myself to You (TT) (TB) (FT)
I’m gonna wrap myself in paper, I’m gonna dot myself with glue
Stick some stamps on top of my head, I’m gonna mail myself to you!

I’m gonna tie me up in a red string, I’m gonna tie a blue ribbon too
Climb on up inside my mailbox, I’m gonna mail myself to you!

When you see me in your mailbox Cut the string and let me out!
Wash the glue off my fingers Stick some bubble gum in my mouth

Take me out of my wrapping paper Wash the stamps off my head
Pour me out an ice cream soda…slurp! Put me in a nice warm bed!
Source: Woody Guthrie See motions at: https://youtu.be/no034U7ivfA

Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet for “Mail Myself to You” here!

Mail Myself to you Ukulele songsheet thumbnail

Mail myself to you thumbnail, with a graphic of a blue box wrapped in a red ribbon, with a "Fragile" sticker. click the image to download a non-branded PDF — 2 pg sheet, PDF includes both

Action Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom!* (TT) (TB) (FT)

Craft: Box Coloring Page (TB) (FT)
I wanted to keep it very simple this week, to give plenty of time to play with boxes. This is a simple sheet with a square in the middle and lots of white space around it, giving the opportunity to draw something imaginary à la Not a Box.

You can download the sheet here!

Play Time
Something special this week! Instead of our usual toys, we played with boxes. I asked my coworkers to save and bring in some boxes and got a great selection, both large and small. I made two “cars” – larger rectangular boxes that I cut the top flaps off and added a cardboard steering wheel using a large brass brad (it turned!). I also made a tunnel by taping two similar-sized boxes together with their flaps taped up. Other than that, the boxes went out as they came to me and families could play however they wanted. I did have some scissors, extra brads, and large clips set out that could be used for “building” but for the most part the kids just stacked the boxes and crawled in them. The cars and tunnel were all popular, but everyone was great about sharing and taking turns.

My two “cars” and the (somewhat flimsy) tunnel on the left, and the aftermath of box play on the right. I offered boxes to anyone who wanted to take them home after the last session, and both cars went, but nothing else!

Goodbye Song: See You Later Alligator* (TT) (TB) (FT)

Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme)
A Box Can Be Many Things – Dana Meachen Rau & Paige Billin-Frye
Boxitects – Kim Smith
Big Box, Little Box – Caryl Hart & Edward Underwood
The Box Turtle – Vanessa Roeder
Inside, Outside, Upside Down – Stan & Jan Berenstain
Fraidyzoo – Thyra Heder
Big Box of Shapes – Wiley Blevins & Elliot Kreloff
My Book Box – Will Hillenbrand
Scaredy Cats – Jeff Mack
The Big Sibling Getaway – Korrie Leer
A Gift for Goose – Tad Hills
Thank You Bear – Greg Foley

This storytime was presented in-person on 12/16, 12/17, 12/18, & 12/19/24.

Storytime Handout:

handout with suggested books, rhyme and song lyrics.

*Lyrics to these songs can be found on the Repeated Songs & Rhymes page.

**These symbols indicate the program sessions I used the activities for:
(TT) Toddler Time, ages 1-2
(TB) Teddy Bears, ages 2-3.5
(FT) Family Time, ages 0-3.5

† Click the image of rhyme/song sheets to download a non-branded PDF

Storytime: Mice

Posted on December 13, 2024December 12, 2024 by msemilylibrary

Mice are so ubiquitous in children’s literature, I had no trouble finding lots of cute books for this theme. I also had an abundance of rhymes to choose from, making this a fairly easy theme to plan.

Early Literacy Tip: It takes longer for children who are just learning to talk to respond to our questions. This happens because four different parts of the brain have to work together to form a response. We need to be patient and wait anywhere from 5-12 seconds for children to respond. That feels like a long time because adults usually respond in about 2 seconds. The extra time we give children allows them the practice they need to respond more quickly over time. -The Early Literacy Kit: A Handbook and Tip Cards by Betsy Diamant-Cohen & Saroj Ghoting

Welcome Song: Hello, Friends* (TT) (TB) (FT)** †

Lifting Rhyme: Toast in the Toaster* (TT) (TB) (FT)

Intro: I have a little friend who lives in this basket! Can you guess who she is? She has little pink ears, soft brown fur, a long pink tail, whiskers, and a twitchy little nose. Who is she? Little Mousie Brown! She has her own rhyme. Would you like to do it with us, Mousie?

Fingerplay: Little Mousie Brown (TT) (TB) (FT)
Up the tall white candlestick went little Mousie Brown
But when she got up to the top she could not get back down
She called for Mama, “Mama, Mama!”
But Mama was in town
So she called for Papa, “Papa, Papa!”
But Papa wasn’t around
So little Mousie curled right up and rolled right down!
Source: Jbrary

Little mousie brown thumbnail, with a graphic of a gray mouse perched atop a white candle in an orange candlestick. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Let’s do one more rhyme with Mousie Brown before she goes back to her house.
I switched Mousie Brown from my index finger to my thumb for this one.
Fingerplay: Quiet Mouse (TT) (TB) (FT)
Here’s a quiet little mouse (show thumb)
Living in a quiet little house (hide thumb in fist)
When all was quiet as could be
OUT popped she! (pop out thumb) Squeak!
Source: King County (WA) Library System

quiet mouse thumbnail, with a graphic of a mouse peeking out from a hole in a stump. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Transition: If You’re Ready for a Story* (TT) (TB) (FT)

Very short, and I wish some of the rhymes weren’t split over page turns, but quite effective.
Read: Mice by Rose Fyleman & Lois Ehlert (TT)

A storytime classic.
Read: The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear by Don & Audrey Wood (TB) (FT)

Little mice need to look out for bigger animals, like bears or… cats!
I really liked how the librarian in this video did the scampering at the end, but like the tune and progression (especially the transitions between verses of this video better, so my version is a bit of an amalgamation of the two.
Action Song: The Old Gray Cat (TT) (TB) (FT)
The old gray cat is sleeping,
Sleeping, sleeping (lay head in hands)
The old gray cat is sleeping
In the house (peak hands up to make a roof above head)

additional verses:
The little mice are creeping… (creep fingers)
The little mice are nibbling… (pretend to eat)
The old gray cat is creeping… (creep/stalk fingers)
The little mice go scampering… (quickly, and pat lap)
Source: King County (WA) Library System, Version 1 Version 2

the old gray cat thumbnail, with a graphic of a dark gray sleeping cat with two small mice. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

I know a story about another mouse who has a special trick to keep the cat at bay. Little Clapping Mouse!
Story Rhyme: Little Clapping Mouse (TT) (TB) (FT)
(give two claps after each line * *)
Behind the tree * *
And under the house * *
There lived a teeny * *
Tiny mouse * *
She loved to sing * *
She loved to tap * *
But most of all * *
She loved to clap * *
She clapped all night * *
She clapped all day * *
She clapped to frighten * *
The cat away! * * * * * (lots of claps)
Source: Jbrary

little clapping mouse thumbnail, with a graphic of a gray mouse with their hands together. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Do you hear that? (squeak) it’s a squeak, but it’s so soft! It must be some BABY mice
I had one little one who really loved the counting and the “That’s all” at the end. She said it several times after we finished this rhyme – precious.
Fingerplay Rhyme: Baby Mice (TT) (TB) (FT)
Where are the baby mice? Squeak, squeak, squeak (cover eyes)
I cannot see them. Peek, peek, peek (peek-a-boo)
Here they come from a hole in the wall (make hole with fingers)
1-2-3-4-5… That’s all! (lift fingers as you count)
Source: Mel’s Desk

baby mice thumbnail, with a graphic of an open round door with five white mice near it. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

We passed out scarves and wiggled them around like little mice.
Tickle/Scarf Rhyme: Hurry Scurry Little Mouse (TT) (TB) (FT)
Hurry scurry little mouse Starts down at your toes
Hurry scurry little mouse Past your knees he goes
Hurry scurry little mouse Past where your tummy is
Hurry scurry little mouse Gives a mousy kiss!
Source: Mel’s Desk

hurry scurry little mouse thumbnail, with a graphic of a small gray mouse. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

I needed another scarf song, so was looking at my generic ones. I use “Shake it to the East” often with both scarves and shaker eggs, and thought, why not scurry your mouse in scarf form?
Scarf Song: Scurry to the East (TT) (TB) (FT)
Scurry to the east, Scurry to the west
Scurry all around and Then you take a rest
Scurry mousies up Scurry mousies down
Scurry, scurry, scurry, and Then you settle down!
Source: adapted from Jbrary

scurry to the east thumbnail, with a graphic of three inquisitive mice, white, grey, and tan. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Let’s be mice. Where would your ears be if you were a mouse? Your whiskers? Tail!? Feet?
Action/Scarf Song: Ears and Whiskers, Tail and Feet (TT) (TB) (FT)
(tune of Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes)
Ears and whiskers
Tail and feet, tail and feet
Ears and whiskers
Tail and feet, tail and feet
Pet my fur and
Give a little squeak!
Ears and whiskers
Tail and feet, tail and feet
Source: King County (WA) Library System

ears and whiskers tail and feet thumbnail, with a graphic of a mouse sitting upright, with tail showing behind its body. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Action Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom!* (TT) (TB) (FT)

Craft: Mouse Finger Puppet (TB) (FT)
This craft turned out so cute! I was inspired by a photo at Storytime Katie, but the link she provided was no longer in service. I played around and figured out the shape I would need to get a little pocket for your finger. The rest is just circles for the ears, yarn for the tail, and a tiny pompom for the nose. Eyes are just drawn on. I made a template for the mouse bodies and ears, and printed on brown and pink 9×12″ construction paper.

Download the mouse finger puppet template here!

Goodbye Song: See You Later Alligator* (TT) (TB) (FT)

Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme)
Where Is Jumper? – Ellen Stoll Walsh
Mina – Matthew Forsythe
Hide-and-Squeak – Heather Vogel Frederick & C.F. Payne
Mousie, I Will Read to You – Rachael Cole & Melissa Crowton
Red House, Tree House, Little Bitty Brown Mouse – Jane Godwin & Blanca Gómez
The Completed Hickory Dickory Dock – Jim Aylesworth & Eileen Christelow
It’s So Quiet – Sherri Duskey Rinker & Tony Fucile
Mice Skating – Annie Silvestro & Teagan White
By Mouse & Frog – Deborah Freedman
Big Bear, Small Mouse – Karma Wilson & Jane Chapman
The Voice in the Hollow – Will Hillenbrand
House mouse – Michael Hall

This storytime was presented in-person on 12/9, 12/10, & 12/11/24.

Storytime Handout:

handout with suggested books and rhyme/song lyrics.

*Lyrics to these songs can be found on the Repeated Songs & Rhymes page.

**These symbols indicate the program sessions I used the activities for:
(TT) Toddler Time, ages 1-2
(TB) Teddy Bears, ages 2-3.5
(FT) Family Time, ages 0-3.5

† Click the image of rhyme/song sheets to download a non-branded PDF

Storytime: Fairy Tales

Posted on December 6, 2024December 6, 2024 by msemilylibrary

Fairy tales are such a broad theme, you could really go into lots of different directions for this one. I looked through my library’s “Tales” section and tried to choose books that were short and sweet for my young group. I found that a LOT of fairy tale books are quite long, with a significant amount of text on each page. I don’t think these are completely inaccessible to the toddler age group, but I think longer books work better one-on-one rather than in a big group. I did find a few that would work well read aloud and settled on a couple versions of the Three Little Pigs.

I also wanted to break out the parachute and realized it can readily be adapted to the motions for “Going on a Bear Hunt,” which I’ve never put together before! Inspired by Storytime in the Stacks’ Going on a Dragon Hunt flannel, I planned to throw in a dragon plushie at the very end that could bounce around. I asked if any of my coworkers had one to lend me, and ended up receiving TEN plush dragons, including one giant sized one! Oh, librarians.

This ended up being a rather long program, too. I never did the Billy Goats Trip Trap rhyme, and we still went 5+ minutes over every time. Thankfully, no one seemed to mind.

Early Literacy Tip: Telling different versions of the same story, or using different ways to tell a story (such as on a flannelboard, with puppets, or by acting it out) gives children lots of practice with narrative pre-reading skills. It reinforces story structure and sequencing, language development and comprehension, as well as developing empathy and thinking about different perspectives. Different mediums like puppets support different learning styles. Lastly, sharing fairy tales with children helps give them background knowledge of well-known stories and characters. -inspired by Read Write NYC & Children’s Museum of Sonoma County but also some of my own thoughts (probably why it’s so long…)

Welcome Song: Hello, Friends* (TT) (TB) (FT)** †

Lifting Rhyme: Toast in the Toaster* (TT) (TB) (FT)

Intro: Fairy tales are old stories that have been told and retold over and over again. They may start with “Once upon a time…”, and end with “…and they lived happily ever after.” They frequently have talking animals, dragons, princesses, princes, fairies, kings, queens, and other fantastical beings. The same story might be told in slightly different ways. Some fairy tales include Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, or The Three Little Pigs.

In the story of Jack and the Beanstalk, the giant says something funny!
This was the perfect little fingerplay to kick us off.
Fingerplay: Fee Fi Fo Fum (BB) (TB) (FT)
Fee fi fo fum (touch fingers, one at a time)
See my fingers (hold up four fingers)
See my thumb (hold up thumb)
Fee fi fo fum (touch fingers, one at a time)
Good-bye fingers (fold fingers to palm)
Good-bye thumb! (fold thumb)
Source: Collaborative Summer Library Program 2020 Manual

fee fi fo fum thumbnail, with a graphic of a beanstalk and a hand with thumbs up. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Transition: If You’re Ready for a Story* (TT) (TB) (FT)

This is a super simple version of the Three Pigs, where the reader/audience plays the part of the wolf. I could see a little concern in the eyes of some of the kids and adults that the wolf (we) were being so mean, but it all turns around at the end, where we reveal that the wolf is just blowing out his birthday candles!
Read: Huff & Puff by Claudia Rueda (TT) (FT)

This author has a series of “first” fairy tales that are short and to the point. This version was quite true to the original that I remember, including the wolf coming down the chimney and ending up in the soup pot, although he jumps out comically and runs out the window at the end instead of getting cooked. The whole room was pretty entranced at this one.
Read: The Three Little Pigs by Saviour Pirotta & Olivia Beckman (TB)

I have a rhyme that tells this story in a slightly different way. Let’s put 3 piggies on our fingers!
Story Rhyme: The Three Little Pigs (TT) (TB) (FT)
There were three little piggies sitting in a house
When along came a wolf as quiet as a mouse
He said, “Little pigs, little pigs, let me come in”
“Not by the hair of our chinny, chin, chins!”
So that old wolf huffed and that old wolf blew
And away a little piggy flew! (count down to no piggies)

There were no little piggies sitting in a house
When along came a wolf as quiet as a mouse
He said, “Little pigs, little pigs, let me come in”
But there was no one there to answer him
So that old wolf turned and walked away
He said, “I’ll be back another day”
And those three little piggies, back into their beds did creep
And soon they fell fast asleep (snore!) The End.
Source: Jbrary

the three little pigs thumbnail, with a graphic of three pigs, each holding their building materials (hay, sticks, bricks) with a wolf looking at them from the other side of a hedge. click the image to download a non-branded PDF — 1st page of 2 shown, PDF contains both

They do love this game, no matter what is hiding under what. And I get to reuse these houses a lot, so if you’re not big into making flannels, this will give you a lot of use for your time! The pig is from a farm set from Oriental Trading. This activity took longer than I anticipated, but it was fun.
Flannel Game: Little Pig in a House (TT) (TB) (FT)
Little pig, little pig
By the hair of your
chinny-chin-chin
Is it the BLUE house
You’re hiding inny-in-in?
Source: rhyme original, idea inspired by Early Literacy Librarian

Little pig in a house flannel, showing six multi-toned houses and a pink pig. Houses are single story pink and yellow, two story orange and green, and three story blue and red.

little pig in a house thumbnail, with a graphic of a simple blue house and cartoon pig. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Another favorite story is the Three Billy Goats Gruff. Here’s a short rhyme version.
I decided to skip this one for time.
Story Rhyme: Billy Goats Trip Trap
Trip, trap, trip, trap, Across the bridge they come
Trip, trap, trip, trap, Crossing one by one
Trip, trap, trip, trap, Baby takes a stroll
Trip, trap, trip, trap, Over the sleeping troll
Trip, trap, trip, trap, Louder taps I hear
Trip, trap, trip, trap, Middle goat is near
Trip, trap, trip, trap, Stomps the biggest goat
Trip, trap, trip, trap, Troll goes in the moat!
Source: Jbrary

billy goats trip trap thumbnail, with a graphic of three goats (small, medium, and large) and a green troll. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

This one may not strictly be a fairy tale, but it kind of reminds me of one? Maybe nursery rhymes and fairy tales are cousins.
Parachute Song: The Grand Old Duke of York (TT) (TB) (FT)
The grand old duke of York
He had ten thousand men
He marched them to the top of the hill
And he marched them down again
And when you’re UP, you’re UP
And when you’re DOWN, you’re DOWN
And when you’re only halfway up
You’re neither UP nor DOWN!
Source: traditional

grand old duke of york thumbnail, with a graphic of a large hill of green behind the text, with a British soldier marching up one side and another marching down the other. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Some of my favorite fairy tale creatures are dragons! Let’s go looking for one.
To keep things moving, I did highly modify this traditional chant, and removed one piece of terrain in both the second and third sessions. You can download my “cheat sheet” here. Before we started, I put the terrain pieces on the flannelboard – mostly to remind myself where we were going next!
Parachute/Scarf Chant: Going on a Dragon Hunt (TT) (TB) (FT)
refrain:
We’re going on a dragon hunt (We’re going on a dragon hunt)
We’re gonna catch a big one! (We’re gonna catch a big one!)

Okay, let’s hop on our trusty steed, Lightning, and clip, clop down the lane (clip clop, clip, clop) [did this line only once, not every refrain]
Oh, no! GRASS – Long, wavy grass
[We can’t go OVER it,
We can’t go UNDER it
We have to go THROUGH it] removed for time and attention
Swish, swish! (move parachute side to side)

repeat, replacing terrain:
A RIVER – Splish splash (wave gently)
A FOREST – Jump, Lightning, jump! (wave big on the jump) [I ended up doing a “1, 2, 3, Jump!” a few times]
A STORM – Whoosh, whoosh (wave quickly)
A CAVE – Tip-toe (wiggle in a small motion)
What’s that?! It’s so dark in here.
I feel a long, sharp talon. Smooth, hard scales. A warm breeze – a whiff of smoke…
IT’S A DRAGON!!!! RUN!!!!
(backwards through the terrain), get to our castle and bring up the drawbridge. Let’s take a look out the window… Wait, it’s a FRIENDLY dragon! He just wants to play. Whew!
Source: adapted from Storytime in the Stacks

going on a dragon hunt flannel, showing grass, a wavy blue river, a tall pine tree, a blue cloud with yellow lightning, and a gray cave with a green and yellow dragon.

going on a dragon hunt thumbnail, with a graphic of a green dragon breathing fire. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

That dragon just wanted to play! And here are some baby dragons!
At this point I asked grownups to hold the parachute and invited the kids to go under after throwing 3-4 little dragon plushies on top. I switched who was chasing who from the original version of this rhyme to make more sense with our setup.
Parachute Song: All Around the Castle
(tune of Pop Goes the Weasel)
All around the castle
The dragon chased the children
The dragon thought it was all in fun
ROAR went the dragon!
(repeat, can substitute children for knight, princess, king, queen, prince, ogre, etc)
Source: Collaborative Summer Library Program 2020 Manual

all around the castle thumbnail, with a graphic of a pink castle with a green dragon flying around it. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Picture of 10 plush dragons ranging in size and color. — So. Many. Dragons.

This is a great way to put the parachute away. I left the dragons in and just asked the kids to put them back in their nest (a bag) when we were done.
Parachute Song: Parachute Fly (TT) (TB) (FT)
(tune of Skip to my Lou)
(kids go under the parachute and adults raise and lower)
Up, up, up it goes,
Down, down, down so low
Raise our parachute to the sky
Count to 3 and watch it fly
Spoken:
Up on one…
Down on two…
Up on three…
and FLY! (adults let go and leader pulls ‘chute in to themselves)
Source: Gymboree

Parachute fly thumbnail, with a graphic of an overhead view of children holding on to a colorful parachute with balls bouncing on top. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Action Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom!* (TT) (TB) (FT)

Craft: Dragon (TB) (FT)
This was a bit of work on my part (lots of parts and pieces) but fairly easy on their end. I used a template from HeidiSongs Teaching Resource and instead of bubble wrap painting, we added detail with dot markers. Most of her parts are mirrored rather than identical, so there’s a right ear and a right eyebrow and a right flame. I had volunteers cut mine out!

I made my own template based on hers, trying to get as many pieces as possible on each sheet of paper, and including ovals for the eyes and nostrils (her kids freehanded theirs.) It’s sized for 9×12″ construction paper and I used a dark green for the main head, a lighter green for the ears and eyebrows, orange for flames, and black for the nostrils and eyes. You can download mine, but all credit goes to her.

Download the dragon template here!

ALTERNATE CRAFT! (Virtual)
I try to avoid templates when I present a craft idea for my virtual program, so instead I suggested some three little pigs puppets, encouraging adults to draw some simple pig and wolf shapes and let their kids cut them out. Mine turned out pretty cute, so I wanted to share them with you!

Download the puppet template here!

Goodbye Song: See You Later Alligator* (TT) (TB) (FT)

Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme)
There’s a Dragon in Your Book – Tom Fletcher & Greg Abbott
Dragon Was Terrible – Kelly DiPucchio & Greg Pizzoli
The Three Billy Goats Gruff – Mara Alperin & Kate Pankhurst
Clever Jack Takes the Cake – Candace Fleming & G. Brian Karas
Falling for Rapunzel – Leah Wilcox & Lydia Monks
Interstellar Cinderella – Deborah Underwood & Meg Hunt
King Jack and the Dragon – Peter Bently & Helen Oxenbury
La Princesa and the Pea – Susan Middleton Elya & Juana Martinez-Neal
The Paper Bag Princess – Robert N. Munsch & Michael Martchenko
Little Red Riding Hood & Other Stories – Lucy Cousins

This storytime was presented in-person on 12/2, 12/3, & 12/4/24.

Storytime Handout:

*Lyrics to these songs can be found on the Repeated Songs & Rhymes page.

**These symbols indicate the program sessions I used the activities for:
(TT) Toddler Time, ages 1-2
(TB) Teddy Bears, ages 2-3.5
(FT) Family Time, ages 0-3.5

† Click the image of rhyme/song sheets to download a non-branded PDF

Storytime: Feeling Thankful (2024)

Posted on November 22, 2024November 21, 2024 by msemilylibrary

If you’ve been following me for a bit, you may have noticed this theme before. I’ve done a “Feeling Thankful” theme every year since 2019. (I wasn’t blogging that year, so I don’t have a post for that one!) It’s a favorite not only because I enjoy the flow and activities we do, but also because it gives me a moment to step back and really think about the gratitude I feel for doing the work I do. I have the privilege of then sharing that gratitude with my families in a way that’s heartfelt and meaningful, while giving them a jumping off point for talking about kindness, empathy, and gratitude with their kids.

Not a ton changes from year to year, but I do switch a few things out to keep it fresh for myself as well as for any of my regulars who have been with me for a year or more. This year I went with some different scarf songs and found a new book to share.

Thanks once again for being a reader. I hope these posts are helpful to you whether you are a fellow librarian, a teacher, caregiver, or anyone else who is interested in early literacy. I love being part of a profession that is generous with our ideas, and I am thankful for all the librarians and teachers who have helped me by sharing their materials online.

If you’re looking for more ideas, take a look at the Feeling Thankful themes from every year I’ve done this theme here.

Early Literacy Tip: When we are warm, fed, safe, and snuggled with someone we love, our brains release a chemical called serotonin. This makes us feel good, but it also has the effect of helping us learn. When you snuggle with your child and sing and read together, their brains soak up the language they hear and the serotonin helps make that learning permanent. Snuggling, talking, and singing with your child helps get them ready to read. Source: Mel’s Desk

Welcome Song: Hello, Friends* (TT) (TB) (FT)** †

Lifting Rhyme: Toast in the Toaster* (TT) (TB) (FT)

Intro: What does it mean to feel thankful? When someone does something nice for you, saying “thank you” lets them know we appreciate them and are happy they did what they did! We can also think for a moment about all the good things in our lives and feel happy about them, too. Let’s practice saying “thank you” with this rhyme.

Figuring out how to do this rhyme without the middle finger AND using it to do the ASL sign for I love you is one of my proudest moments. 🙂
Fingerplay: Where is Thumbkin? (BB) (TB) (FT)
Where is Thumbkin, Where is Thumbkin?
Here I am, Here I am,
How are you today, Friend?
Very well, I thank you.
Run away, run away.

(repeat with pointer, pinky, then all three)
Where are three friends, Where are three friends?
Here we are, Here we are,
How are you today, Friends?
Very well, we thank you.
I love you, I love you.
Source: adapted from the traditional rhyme by Ms. Emily

where is thumbkin thumbnail, with a graphic of silhouettes of two hands with thumbs up and two hands showing the ASL "I Love You" sign. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Transition: If You’re Ready for a Story* (TT) (TB) (FT)

I liked all my book choices so much I had trouble deciding. So I did a different one for each of my three sessions.

I think I shared this one my first year or so of doing this theme, and it’s a perfect one for the littlest kids. Very simple, and we all repeat the “Thank you” every other page. It also is the easiest to transition from this book to “Here Is the Beehive,” for obvious reasons.
Read: Thank You, Bees by Toni Yuly (TT)

One from last year. This is a board book, so it’s not very big, but it does work for my group. It focuses mostly on HOW to say thank you, both in words and in actions.
Read: The Thank You Book by Danna Smith & Juliana Perdomo (TB)

The newest one (or at least newest to me). Also a board book, but large enough that I can share it easily. This one is more of the litany of things TO be thankful for.
Read: I Am Thankful by Kathryn Jewitt & Lizzy Doyle (FT)

I had some honey on my toast this morning. Does anyone here like honey, too? Where does honey come from? Bees! I’m thankful for the bees that pollinate our plants and make us honey!
Tickle Rhyme: Here Is the Beehive (TT) (TB) (FT)
Here is the beehive, but where are all the bees? (make fist)
Hidden away where nobody sees
Watch and you’ll see them come out of the hive:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (open fingers)
They’re alive! Buzz, buzz, buzz! (tickle)
Source: Jbrary

here is the beehive thumbnail, with a graphic of a yellow beehive with several bees flying around it, centered on a red circle. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

I’m sure it comes as no surprise to you – something I love and something I’m always thankful for are books and reading! Here’s a fun song about someone who wears glasses when she reads a book.
We practice making glasses with our hands, and then a book. We open and close the book several times before we get started with the song!
Song: These Are My Glasses (TT) (TB) (FT)
These are my glasses, 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!
Source: “Whaddaya Think of That?” by the Laurie Berkner Band

these are my glasses thumbnail, with a graphic of a pair of glasses folded next to a small pile of books. A red mug is alongside. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Scarf distribution: I am thankful for songs we can sing with our scarves! Will you practice with me – wave high, low, in a circle, throw and catch!

I’m thankful for all of the beautiful plants, especially the trees. Can we pretend to be a little acorn?
We start by scrunching up our scarves in our fists and crouching low to make our bodies small like a seed.
Scarf Rhyme: Be a Seed (TT) (TB) (FT)
Be a seed, small and round (crouch, with scarf scrunched)
Sprout, sprout, sprout up from the ground (stand up)
Shake your leaves for all to see (shake arms and scarf)
Stretch your arms up, you’re a tree! (stretch tall)
Source: Jbrary

be a seed thumbnail, with a graphic of an acorn and a tree. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

I’m thankful for delicious food that we can make and eat with our loved ones. (And breakfast – I LOVE breakfast!)
Scarf Rhyme: Mixin’ Pancakes (TT) (TB) (FT)
(mime actions)
Mixin’ pancakes, stirrin’ pancakes
Pour ’em in the pan
Fryin’ pancakes, flippin’ pancakes
Catch ’em if you can! (throw scarf up and catch)
Source: adapted from poet Christina Rossetti

mixin' pancakes thumbnail, with a graphic of a girl in an apron and chef's toque flipping a pancake in a frying pan. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

I’m thankful for toys and games to play.
We did this one three times each session. They loved throwing the scarves up!
Scarf Rhyme: Jack in the Box (TT) (TB) (FT)
Jack in the box (scrunch scarf up in fist)
Sits so still
Will he come out?
Yes, he will! (throw scarf in the air)
Source: Jbrary

jack in the box thumbnail, with a graphic of a colorful jester's head coming out of a box with a crank. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

This flannel was made from the template created by Mel at Mel’s Desk! I add the flannel pieces as the recorded song mentions them (if you’re playing ukulele for this one, you could go over the pieces first and then sing the song). Before or afterwards is a good time to mention today’s early literacy tip, whichever flows more naturally for you.
We’re going to do a quiet song now. This one is nice to snuggle to. If you’d like to snuggle with your grownup, that’s great. If not, no need to force it, but let’s listen to the words and all the things we can be thankful for.
Flannel/Ukulele Song: Thanks a Lot
Thanks a lot, Thanks for sun in the sky
Thanks a lot, Thanks for clouds so high
Thanks a lot, Thanks for whispering wind
Thanks a lot, Thanks for the birds in the spring
Thanks a lot, Thanks for the moonlit night
Thanks a lot, Thanks for the stars so bright
Thanks a lot, Thanks for the wondering me
Thanks a lot, Thanks for the way I feel
Thanks for the animals, Thanks for the land,
Thanks for the people everywhere
Thanks a lot
Thanks for all I’ve got
Thanks for all I’ve got
Source: From the Album “Baby Beluga” by Raffi

Thanks a lot flannel set with a yellow sun, white cloud, red bird, blue swirl for wind, yellow crescent moon, purple star, single person figure with arms raised, pink heart, elephant, evergreen tree, and group of three people of various skin tones with arms to the side.

Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet for “Thanks a Lot” here!

thumbnail of Thanks A Lot ukulele songsheet

thanks a lot thumbnail, showing lyrics only. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

This was a new addition to this year’s Feeling Thankful, and it fit very well. A lot of my grownups know and love this song.
I’m thankful for friends and family, and I am especially thankful for each and every one of you. A good way to say thank you to someone we’re close to is to tell them we love them!
Song: Skinnamarink (TT) (TB) (FT)
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!
Source: traditional, see hand motions from Jbrary

skinnamarink thumbnail, with a graphic of small red hearts. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Action Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom!* (TT) (TB) (FT)

Craft: Thankful Tree (TB) (FT)
There aren’t a ton of “thankful” crafts (I try to stay away from overtly Thanksgiving imagery like turkeys), so I have just been alternating between a tree and a wreath each year, with the same idea behind both. Leaves are used to decorate, and on them to write things they are thankful for (with or without grownup help). I try to remind my group that they don’t need to fill every leaf with a word, and they can even leave them blank and fill them out over time as they think of things. I asked volunteers to cut out the leaf shapes in various fall colors (red, yellow, orange). Each child gets a piece of sky blue construction paper with a brown bare tree shape printed on it, with the heading “I am thankful for…” at the top. If you have an idea for a new “thankful” craft, please share in the comments!

Download a PDF of the tree and leaves here!

Thankful tree craft - a dark brown bare tree figure on light blue paper with a heading, "I am thankful for..." and fall colored leaves listing gratitudes: books, love, storytime friends, feeling safe, family, and music.

Goodbye Song: See You Later Alligator* (TT) (TB) (FT)

Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme)
Thank You, Omu – Oge Mora
The Thankful Book – Todd Parr
We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga – Traci Sorell & Frané Lessac
The Thank You Book – Mo Willems
Thank You, Earth – April Pulley Sayre
The Thank You Letter – Jane Cabrera
When We Are Kind – Monique Gray Smith & Nicole Neidhardt
The Blue Table – Chris Raschka
Thank You, Neighbor! – Ruth Chan
Gracias/Thanks – Pat Mora & John Parra
Bear Says Thanks – Karma Wilson & Jane Chapman
To Dogs, With Love – Maria Gianferrari & Ishaa Lobo
Grandma’s Tiny House – JaNay Brown-Woods & Priscilla Burris

This storytime was presented in-person on 11/18, 11/19, & 11/20/24.

Storytime Handout:

*Lyrics to these songs can be found on the Repeated Songs & Rhymes page.

**These symbols indicate the program sessions I used the activities for:
(TT) Toddler Time, ages 1-2
(TB) Teddy Bears, ages 2-3.5
(FT) Family Time, ages 0-3.5

† Click the image of rhyme/song sheets to download a non-branded PDF

Storytime: DINOvember 2024

Posted on November 15, 2024November 14, 2024 by msemilylibrary

Dinosaurs are a tried and true storytime theme, and I celebrate DINOvember every couple of years. This year, we did more shaker egg activities, and I found a fantastic new book that’s perfect for my age group. It is short and simple, has facts about dinosaurs, and a great surprise fold-out page at the very end. Plus – it’s written by an actual dinosaur scientist (who is also a woman of color) and I love pointing out actual jobs that people have in storytime.

You can find other versions of this theme from 2021 and 2022.

Early Literacy Tip: Everybody knows at least one child who can rattle off the names of dozens of dinosaurs. There’s a reason for that! Children’s brains are wired to learn as much vocabulary as possible. So, don’t underestimate them: give them all the words you can! Use the most specific terms possible and they will soak them up like a sponge. –Mel’s Desk

Welcome Song: Hello, Friends* (TT) (TB) (FT)** †

Warm Up Song: Wake Up, Feet* (TT) (TB) (FT)
This is a repeated song that everyone seems to enjoy. I always begin and end with feet and tummies, but find two other body parts to wiggle in the middle. I rotate between elbows, cheeks, hips, noses, arms, chins, thighs, heads, shoulders, ears, knees, and fingers.

Lifting Rhyme: Toast in the Toaster* (TT) (TB) (FT)

Intro: Today we’re talking all about dinosaurs! Even though they’re not around any longer, I love to imagine what these gigantic and amazing creatures might have been like. Some dinos were big, and some were little. Let’s do a rhyme.

I changed the claws/jaws rhyme to claws/pause and roar – roaring seemed more fun that clacking our teeth together. It added that anticipatory element as well.
Action Rhyme: Dinosaur, Dinosaur (TT) (TB) (FT)
Dinosaur, dinosaur, turn around
Dinosaur, dinosaur, stomp the ground
Dinosaur, dinosaur, show your claws
Dinosaur, dinosaur, now let’s pause… and ROAR!
Dinosaur, dinosaur, big and tall (reach up high)
Dinosaur, dinosaur, quick and small (crouch low)
Dinosaur, dinosaur, shake the ground (stomp again)
Dinosaur, dinosaur, sit back down!
Source: adapted from Verona Storytime and Plainfield-Guilford Township (IN) Library

dinosaur, dinosaur thumbnail, with a graphic of a large green brachiosaurus, and a small magenta dino similar to Compsognathus. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Transition: If You’re Ready for a Story* (TT) (TB) (FT)

As mentioned in the intro above, this book has all the elements to make it work perfectly in a toddler storytime. Everyone loved it. During the “dig, dig, dig” refrain, we had our tools out and did the digging motion, which made it even more interactive.
Read: Dig, Dig, Dinosaur by Anjali Goswami & Maggie Li (TT) (TB) (FT)

This was on my cart as a backup, but I didn’t end up using it.
Read: We Love Dinosaurs by Lucy Volpin

This dinosaur flannel comes from Mel’s Desk – inspiration for a lot of the program. I did it on paper, but I’ve seen a lot of cute felt versions, too.
There are so many kinds of dinosaurs! Who is this again? Stegosaurus! Let’s see who comes to play with Stegosaurus when she calls for some friends.
Song: One Dinosaur Went Out to Play (TT) (TB) (FT)
(tune of Five Little Ducks)
One dinosaur went out to play,
By a giant fern one day
She had such enormous fun
That she called for another dinosaur to come:
Oh, Diiiiiiiiiinosaur!
(Slap hands on thighs to make “running” sounds and repeat, counting up to five dinosaurs)

Last verse: Five dinosaurs went out to play
By a giant fern one day
They had such enormous fun
That they played until the day was done!
Source: Mel’s Desk

Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet here!

Thumbnail of ukulele songsheet for One Dinosaur Went Out to Play

printed and laminated dinosaurs with a large green fern, including a purple pteranodon, yellow stegosaurus, blue triceratops, orange t-rex, and red brachiosaurus.

one dinosaur went out to play thumbnail, with a graphic of the Mel's desk flannel dinos - a purple pteranodon, yellow stegosaurus, blue triceratops, orange t-rex, and red brachiosaurus. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

We talked very briefly about each dino before doing their verse. This actually felt a little long, I maybe would shorten it or replace it next time.
Now that the dinos are all together, what do they do?
Song: All Through the Swamp (TT) (TB) (FT)
The Tyrannosaurus Rex goes grr grr grr,
Grr grr grr, Grr grr grr
The Tyrannosaurus Rex goes grr grr grr
All through the swamp

additional verses:
The Triceratops’ horns go poke poke poke…
The Stegosaurus’ tail goes swish, swish, swish…
The Brachiosaurus’ mouth goes munch, munch, munch…
The Pteranodon’s wings go flap flap flap…
Source: Mel’s Desk

all through the swamp thumbnail, with lyrics only. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

This storytime went a little long, so I dropped this rhyme and “Inside Her Eggshell” for my two sessions that did a craft as well.
Let’s stretch our bodies.
Action Rhyme: Dinosaur Stretch (TT)
Spread your arms, way out wide
Fly like Pteranodon, soar and glide
Bend to the floor, head down low
Move like Stegosaurus, long ago
Reach up tall, try to be
As tall as Brachiosaurus eating on a tree
Using your claws, grumble and growl
Just like Tyrannosaurus Rex on the prowl
Source: Storytime Katie

dinosaur stretch thumbnail, with a graphic of five children dressed in dinosaur costumes. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Oh, my! I found a dinosaur nest! Did you know that dinosaurs hatch from eggs? Come on up and get yourself a dinosaur egg.
Shaker Rhyme: Dino Eggs (TT) (TB) (FT)
Dino eggs are up, Dino eggs are down
Dino eggs are dancing, All around the town
Dance them on your shoulders, Dance them on your head
Dance them on your knees, And tuck them into bed
Source: adapted from the traditional “Tommy Thumbs”

dino eggs up thumbnail, with a graphic of three spotted dino eggs, the middle of which has a smiling baby dinosaur peeking out. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

I wonder what kind of dinosaur is inside my egg? I guess I’ll just have to wait until it hatches.
Shaker Rhyme: Inside Her Eggshell (TT)
Inside her egg shell, white and round
Baby dinosaur is safe and sound
But she wants to come out into the light
So she pushes and shoves with all her might
Her shell soon cracks and creaks and pops
One big jump and out she pops!
Source: Yogibrarian

inside her eggshell thumbnail, with a graphic of a green cartoon dinosaur sitting in a cracked egg, with the top half of the egg on its head. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Shaker Rhyme: Egg So Quiet (TT) (TB) (FT)
Egg so quiet , Egg so still (keep shaker still)
Will it hatch?
Yes, it will! (shake hard!)
Source: Storytime in the Stacks

egg so quiet thumbnail, with a graphic of a white egg with cracks around its middle. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Shaker/Recorded Song: We Are the Dinosaurs (TT) (TB) (FT)
Source: The Laurie Berkner Band, from the album: “Whaddya Think of That?”

we are the dinosaurs thumbnail, with a graphic of the Ben Clanton dinosaur illustration from the We Are The Dinosaurs book. The lyrics of only the chorus are pictured. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Action Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom!* (TT) (TB) (FT)

Craft: Dinosaur Parade Headband (TB) (FT)
Our library has these four dinosaur dies for our die cutter, which makes this an easy craft for me. The bands are made by cutting a piece of 9 x 12″ construction paper in quarters, and each band is made from two strips stapled together. The kids glued dinos on and grownups stapled the bands together to fit. Whenever we do a headband, I remind grownups to keep the smooth side of the staples on the inside so hair doesn’t get caught.

I made sure to put out my dinosaur manipulative: Clothespin Stegasauruses. I talk more about making these at this post from 2022.

Download a template for the Clothespin Stegosaurus here!

Play manipulative with four spikeless stegosaurus shapes, each a different color and with numbers written on their backs. The yellow one has six clothespins attached, while green, blue, and red show only the numbers, with a bowl of color-coded clothespins sitting next to them. Green has 3, blue has 4, red has 5, and yellow has 6.

Goodbye Song: See You Later Alligator* (TT) (TB) (FT)

Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme)
Hello Dinosaurs! – Joan Holub & Chris Dickason
Bones, Bones, Dinosaur Bones – Byron Barton
Iamasaurus – Anne Ylvisaker & Mark Hoffmann
Have You Seen My Invisible Dinosaur? – Helen Yoon
We Are the Dinosaurs – Laurie Berkner & Ben Clanton
What the Dinosaurs Did Last Night – Refe & Susan Tuma
One-osaurus, Two-osaurus – Kim Norman & Pierre Collet-Derby
Crunch, the Shy Dinosaur – Cirocco Dunlap & Greg Pizzoli
Old MacDino Had a Farm – Becky Davies & Ben Whitehouse
Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs – Mo Willems

This storytime was presented in-person on 11/11, 11/12, 11/13, & 11/14/24.

Storytime Handout:

*Lyrics to these songs can be found on the Repeated Songs & Rhymes page.

**These symbols indicate the program sessions I used the activities for:
(TT) Toddler Time, ages 1-2
(TB) Teddy Bears, ages 2-3.5
(FT) Family Time, ages 0-3.5

† Click the image of rhyme/song sheets to download a non-branded PDF

Storytime: Pockets

Posted on November 9, 2024November 9, 2024 by msemilylibrary

I find pockets in clothing are kind of exciting. You can store treasures that you find on your adventures. And if you’ve walked around without any or adequate pockets (ahem, women’s clothing, I’m looking at you), you know how much you miss them when they’re gone.

I was actually surprised at how few books about children and their pockets there were to be found in my library – I wonder if the waning popularity of letting children roam and explore outdoors makes pockets a little less important to today’s children. Or perhaps it hasn’t been a publishing trend. In any event, I was inspired by the new book The Pocket Book by Hinrichs & Breckenreid, and bought a couple others for the collection to support this theme. In addition, we talked about kangaroos and their incredible biological pockets, as well as their adorable joeys.

I was extra crafty for this session, too. In addition to creating some pockets for the flannel board, I knit a little worm finger puppet and used my sewing machine to add some pockets to an apron. I enjoy crafting a lot so this was fun!

Early Literacy Tip: Crafts and activities like our lacing pocket develop fine motor skills, which means strengthening and developing accuracy in our finger muscles. These are the same muscles they will need for writing. And writing a P for Pocket or your child’s name help develop their letter knowledge. The activities you do with your children all work together to help build a strong foundation for reading later on. -adapted The Early Literacy Kit: A Handbook and Tip Cards by Betsy Diamant-Cohen & Saroj Ghoting

Welcome Song: Hello, Friends* (TT) (TB) (FT)** †

Warm Up Song: Wake Up, Feet* (TT) (TB) (FT)
This is a repeated song that everyone seems to enjoy. I always begin and end with feet and tummies, but find two other body parts to wiggle in the middle. I rotate between elbows, cheeks, hips, noses, arms, chins, thighs, heads, shoulders, ears, knees, and fingers.

Lifting Rhyme: Toast in the Toaster* (TT) (TB) (FT)

Intro: Do your clothes have any pockets today? Mine do, and that’s always exciting! You can put all kinds of things in your pocket to save for later.

First, let’s find a pocket! Maybe your pocket is pretend, maybe it’s real.
At the end of the song, we talked about what they would want to put in their pockets. I got some good answers, such as a rock, their pet, or a hand!
Action Song: Where’s Your Pocket? (TT) (TB) (FT)
(tune of Frère Jacques)
Where’s your pocket? Where’s your pocket?
Find it now, find it now
What will you put in it? What will you put in it?
Tell me now! Tell me now!
Source: Rachel Anne Mencke Blog

where's your pocket thumbnail, with a graphic of a pair of overalls with pink arrows pointing to three visible pockets. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Transition: If You’re Ready for a Story* (TT) (TB) (FT)

This book is a bit abstract, so we spent some time looking at the items on the page and what they could represent.
Read: The Pocket Book by Alexandra S. D. Hinrichs & Julia Breckenreid (TT) (FT)

I also tried this sweet book about a joey who’s afraid of everything. The kids enjoyed making the noises of the animals that joey encounters. In the session I read this book, I moved the kangaroo rhyme up to directly follow the book, then kept the order of the other activities the same.
Read: Pouch! by David Ezra Stein (TB)

This rhyme works with anything – just think of a one-line hint to put in the middle to describe your object. I kept two of the hints from the Wielded Pen’s original post, but replaced the clock and the flashlight with small toys – a bouncing ball and a matchbox car.
When creating the felt, I cut two pieces of felt for each pocket and hand-sewed them together with embroidery floss and glued die-cut numbers on the fronts. Because they needed to hold a bit of weight and stay up on the board, I added some extra Velcro to the backs to keep them stuck on. It worked, and they held the weight of the toy car without an issue. Of course, you could always print pictures of the items instead of using real items.
Let’s try a guessing game. I have four pockets up on the board. Can you guess what’s inside each of them? I’ll give you a hint.
Rhyming Game: What’s In My Pocket? (TT) (TB) (FT)
I have a little pocket where something can hide
[Hint!]
Do you know what’s inside?

Hints from storytime:
…It opens doors and starts the car (key)
…It’s used to draw in a coloring book (crayon)
…It’s fun to bounce and catch outdoors (ball)
…When we play it rolls and I say “vroom!” (toy car)
Source: The Wielded Pen

what's in my pocket thumbnail, with a graphic of a plain pocket with a question mark above it. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

A fun song that was new to me. The recording is nice, with the instrumentation dropping out each time a finger is lost, but I wanted a bit more space in between the verses for us to count the remaining fingers, so I just sang the tune myself. Mar’s recording (linked below) is helpful as she gives some tips and tricks for adults.
When I put my hand in my pocket, I can keep all my fingers warm. But have you ever lost something in your pocket?
Action Song: Five Fingers in My Pocket (TT) (TB) (FT)
I’ve got five fingers in my pocket (show hand & put in pocket)
Five fingers hidden away
Five fingers in my pocket
Look! Aww, one went away! (show hand with 4 fingers)

Count down to no fingers, then bring 5 out again
Last line: Five fingers here to stay!
Source: Music with Mar via Story Tree

Five fingers in my pocket thumbnail, with a graphic of a the outline of a hand holding up four fingers with the thumb hidden. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

I didn’t happen to have a finger puppet for a worm, so I looked to see if there were any free knitting patterns out there. Of course there were! This was a quick and relatively easy (if you know how to knit in the round on dpns) pattern from Chem Knits for a cute stripey worm made from a small amount of fingering weight yarn.
Oh! I felt something in my pocket. Something that wiggles!
Fingerplay: Wiggly Worm (TT) (TB) (FT)
Wiggly is a wee worm who wiggles everywhere
Can you keep your eyes on it as it wiggles here and there?
Wiggly starts down at my toes
And wiggles all the way up to my nose!
It wiggles back down without a peep
Creeps into my pocket and goes to sleep
Source: King County (WA) Library System

photograph of knitted worm finger puppet that is blue and beige stripes with large black eyes.

wiggly worm thumbnail, with a graphic of an orange and green striped worm. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

I remembered that my predecessor had a couple of “storytime aprons,” and as I was planning this session I thought one had a bunch of pockets on it. But when I looked, one was a “flannel” apron with a fuzzy surface and standard pockets at the bottom, and the other was just a regular apron. So I cut out some pocket shapes from felt and sewed the extras on the regular apron for this pocket zoo.
I have a special apron that has LOTS of pockets! Wow! What do you think is in these pockets? Would you believe that I have a zoo in my pockets?
Puppet Song: Pocket Zoo (TT) (TB) (FT)
(tune of Old MacDonald)
In my pocket is a zoo, E I E I O!
There’s a froggy in there, too E I E I O!
With a ribbit-ribbit here and a ribbit-ribbit, there
Here a ribbit, there a ribbit
Everywhere a ribbit-ribbit!
In my pocket is a zoo, E I E I O!
Source: Rachel Anne Mencke Blog

photograph of a burgandy apron with five extra pockets on the bib - purple, green, orange, and blue. a finger puppet is peeking out of each of these - frog, snake, tiger, and dog.

pocket zoo thumbnail, with a graphic of four white pockets with animals peeking out from them: frog, monkey, snake, and pig. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

There’s an animal at the zoo who is very special, and has a pocket that they use to carry their babies around. Do you know what animal that is? A kangaroo! What would you call a baby kangaroo? A joey
Action Rhyme: Brown Kangaroo (TT) (TB) (FT)
The brown kangaroo Is very funny
She leaps and she runs and she hops like a bunny
And on her tummy is a pocket so wide
Her baby jumps in and goes for a ride
Source: Rachel Anne Mencke Blog

brown kangaroo thumbnail, with a graphic of a kangaroo with a joey in her pouch. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

I had this one in my back pocket (ha, ha) but didn’t need it as we had plenty to do in the time available.
Have you ever picked flowers and put them in your pocket? Let’s play a game.
Action Song: Ring Around the Rosie
Ring around the rosie,
A pocket full of posies
Ashes, ashes,
We all fall down!

Cows are in the meadow,
eating buttercups
Thunder, lightning,
We all stand up!
Source: traditional

ring around the rosie thumbnail, with a graphic of a pocket full of pink and yellow flowers. The pocket has a heart patch sewn on. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

My groups really enjoy when we do songs with my ukulele, so I kind of shoehorned this one in. But it made me think about that song that mentions “sunshine in my pocket,” and everyone likes this one.
I have one more thing in my pocket – a song!
Ukulele Song: You Are My Sunshine (TT) (TB) (FT)
You are my sunshine, My only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are gray
You’ll never know, dear,
How much I love you
Please don’t take my sunshine away
Source: traditional

Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet for You Are My Sunshine here!

thumbnail of You Are My Sunshine ukulele songsheet.

You Are My Sunshine thumbnail, with a graphic of a smiling sun. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Action Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom!* (TT) (TB) (FT)

Craft: Joey in a Pocket Lacing Craft (TB) (FT)
This craft was originally inspired by this post by Saroj Ghoting on her blog (which has a lot of great resources for early literacy asides in storytime). I modified it a bit, adding a little paper joey to add in the pocket. Doing the lacing was a bit of a stretch for my littlest crafters, but with their grownups’ help they were all able to do it. Some of my crafts are extremely simple (just decorating with paint or stickers, for example), and some are a little more involved. I think it’s good to have a mix of easy and challenging in addition to offering many craft mediums.
I didn’t find any scrapbook paper in my library’s craft stash, so I just printed pockets with some fun patterns using Canva. (I started with a plain one and colored it as my example, but decided to go with the patterns for the group.) To get the crafts ready, I printed and cut out the pockets from cardstock and paired them with a half sheet of plain cardstock. I then punched holes – the trick here is to make sure all your edges are close enough for the hole puncher to reach. I put a little bit of painter’s tape on to keep the pocket from shifting around, then removed it when all the holes were punched. You also need an even number of holes if you want your yarn to start and end from the back. I taped the end of the yarn to the back and threaded the first hole to get them started. I also wrapped the end of the yarn with tape to make a shoelace-like aglet to make it easier to do the lacing (the only step I forgot to photograph.)

Click here to download the joey and pocket pattern!

Goodbye Song: See You Later Alligator* (TT) (TB) (FT)

Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme)
A Pocket Full of Kisses – Audrey Penn & Barbara Leonard Gibson
What’s in Your Pocket? – Heather L. Montgomery & Maribel Lechuga
A Dress with Pockets – Lily Murray & Jenny Løvlie
Sharko and Hippo – Elliott Kalan & Andrea Tsurumi
The Whole Hole Story – Vivian McInerny & Ken Lamug
A Sock is a Pocket for Your Toes – Elizabeth Garton Scanlon & Robin Preiss Glasser
Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother, Too? – Eric Carle
Marsupial Sue – John Lithgow & Jack E. Davis
Wombat – Philip Bunting
A Pocket for Corduroy – Don Freeman

This storytime was presented in-person on 11/4, 11/5, & 11/6/24.

Storytime Handout:

*Lyrics to these songs can be found on the Repeated Songs & Rhymes page.

**These symbols indicate the program sessions I used the activities for:
(TT) Toddler Time, ages 1-2
(TB) Teddy Bears, ages 2-3.5
(FT) Family Time, ages 0-3.5

† Click the image of rhyme/song sheets to download a non-branded PDF

Storytime: Dress Up Party

Posted on October 26, 2024October 24, 2024 by msemilylibrary

Who doesn’t like to dress up – either in a specific role or in fun clothes that make you feel good? I love it – I’m always trying to subtly or unsubtly match my clothes to storytime themes or with the feeling of the day.

Of course, now is the season that celebrates dress-up and costuming, and lots of littles and their caregivers are excited for their costumes. As usual, I don’t directly celebrate holidays like Halloween or Christmas in my storytime themes, but try to choose something about the holiday that is tangential but universal. You don’t have to celebrate Halloween to enjoy a dress up party. (Some other “Halloween” themes from my past include Cats & Bats, Monsters, Owls, and Pumpkins.)

Early Literacy Tip: Dramatic play, or playing a role while pretending, has enormous benefits for young minds. It develops creative thinking and storytelling narrative skills, which support early literacy. It can also teach self-regulation, be an emotional outlet, and give practice in conflict resolution. Read more: https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/education/blog/why-dramatic-play-matters/

Welcome Song: Hello, Friends* (TT) (TB) (FT)** †

Warm Up Song: Wake Up, Feet* (TT) (TB) (FT)
This is a repeated song that everyone seems to enjoy. I always begin and end with feet and tummies, but find two other body parts to wiggle in the middle. I rotate between elbows, cheeks, hips, noses, arms, chins, thighs, heads, shoulders, ears, knees, and fingers.

Lifting Rhyme: Toast in the Toaster* (TT) (TB) (FT)

Intro: Wow, I love all of your costumes! A lot of people are dressing up around this time of year, but we can play dress up anytime! I love to play pretend.

Everyone’s dress-up is so colorful!
I went through the whole thing twice, substituting different colors the second time around – usually orange, pink, purple, and black.
Action Song: What Are You Wearing? (TT) (TB) (FT)
What are you wearing? What are you wearing?
What are you wearing today?
What are you wearing? What are you wearing?
What are you wearing today?

If you’re wearing RED, stand up.
If you’re wearing BLUE, spin around.
If you’re wearing GREEN, pat your head
If you’re wearing BROWN, touch the ground
Source: King County (WA) Library System

what are you wearing thumbnail, with a graphic of a line of five children holding hands and all dressed as fruits or vegetables - watermelon, pear, strawberry, lemon, and peapod. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Transition: If You’re Ready for a Story* (TT) (TB) (FT)

As last time, my rhymes were tied closely to the book I read, so I used the same title for each session. Amazing Me: Dressing Up was a good backup that I had requested from my personal library, but it isn’t in our collection, so I hesitate to use it for storytime. Do you limit yourself to books in your library’s collection to read? In what cases would you use a book that your patrons don’t have access to?
To keep this one interactive, we identified what animal each of Maisy’s friends was and made their noise.
Read: Maisy Dresses Up by Lucy Cousins (TT) (TB) (FT)

I saw lots of great costumes in that book! Let’s pretend to be pirates first.
Action Song: If You’re a Pirate (TT) (TB) (FT)
(tune of If You’re Happy and You Know It)
If you’re a pirate and you know it, swab the deck (swish, swish!) (mopping motion)
If you’re a pirate and you know it, swab the deck
If you’re a pirate and you know it
and you really want to show it
If you’re a pirate and you know it, swab the deck

Additional verses:
…walk the plank (stomp feet)…
…say “ahoy!” (AHOY!)…
Source: One Little Librarian

if you're a pirate thumbnail, with a graphic of a cartoon pirate cat with a sword, bandanna, and spyglass. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

I do this one more like the Old Town School of Folk Music recording and less like “One Little, Two Little,” which is a problematic tune.
I also remember someone in our story was dressed up like a firefighter.
Action Song: Hurry, Hurry (TT) (TB) (FT)
Hurry, hurry, drive the fire truck (mime steering wheel)
Hurry, hurry, drive the fire truck
Hurry, hurry, drive the fire truck
Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding!

Additional verses:
…turn the corner (lean dramatically to one side then the other)
…climb the ladder (climbing motion)
…spray the water (mime holding fire hose)
Slowly, slowly, to the station… (steer slowly)
Source: Old Town School of Folk Music

hurry hurry thumbnail, with a graphic of a red fire engine. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

What about royalty? Let’s pretend to be kings, queens, princes, and princesses
Action Rhyme: Castle Capers (TT) (TB) (FT)
I am the King of Running, I run and run and run
My subjects all run with me, and we have so much fun!

I am the Prince of Turning, I turn and turn and turn.
My subjects all turn with me, it’s an easy thing to learn!

I am the Princess of Dancing, I dance and dance and dance
My subjects all dance with me, and dance when they get the chance!

I am the Queen of Jumping, I jump and jump and jump
My subjects all jump with me, and sit down with a bump!
Source: Delta Township District Library Storytimes blog

castle capers thumbnail, with lyrics only. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

We can pretend to be something else whether we are dressing up or not
Action Song: I’m a Little Teapot (TT) (TB)
I’m a little teapot, Short and stout
Here is my handle, Here is my spout
When I get all steamed up Then I shout:
“Tip me over and Pour me out!”
Source: traditional

I'm a little teapot thumbnail, with a graphic of a blue and green teapot with a smiling face and steam coming out of the spout. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

One thing I love to do when I dress up is have a tea party! This is a partner rhyme – so find a partner. One person makes fists, and the other person will move them around.
I demoed with a parent before we started.
Action Rhyme: Here’s a Cup (FT)
Here’s a cup and here’s a cup
and here’s a pot of tea.
Pour a cup, and pour a cup
and drink some tea with me
Source: Jbrary

here's a cup thumbnail, with a graphic of a teapot and two pink teacups that are matching patterns. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Then we passed out maracas and had a mini-dance party with three recorded songs.
Time for our party! Let’s shake along to this song
Recorded Song: Can’t Wait to Celebrate (TT) (TB) (FT)
Source: Jim Gill, from the album “Irrational Anthem & More Salutes to Nonsense”

can't wait to celebrate thumbnail, with a graphic of multicolored fireworks. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Let’s have a little snack!
Shaker Song: Milkshake Song (TT) (TB) (FT)
You take a little milk – pour some milk!
And you take a little cream – pour some cream!
You stir it all up, You shake it and you’ll sing…
Milkshake, milkshake shake it up, shake it up!
Milkshake, milkshake shake it all up!
Milkshake, milkshake shake it up, shake it up!
Milkshake, milkshake shake it all up!
Source: Old Town School of Folk Music, from the album “Songs for Wiggleworms”

the milkshake song thumbnail, with a graphic of a smiling pink milkshake with whipped cream, a cherry, and a straw in a tall glass. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

And finally – are you ready to shake the sillies out?
I always use the live version of this song – there’s so much energy in the crowd!
Recorded Song: Shake My Sillies Out (TT) (TB) (FT)
Source: Raffi, from the album “In Concert with the Rise and Shine Band”

shake my sillies out thumbnail, with a graphic of two children dancing. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

It’s time to pretend to be astronauts so we can zoom, zoom, zoom!
Action Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom!* (TT) (TB) (FT)

Craft: Cat Masks (TB) (FT)
My predecessor had about 40 of these cat masks already cut out (we have it as a die cut) so this seemed like a good time to use them. We used dot markers, big adhesive jewels, and feathers, and tied our masks on with yarn (which I attached pre-program.)

Goodbye Song: See You Later Alligator* (TT) (TB) (FT)

Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme)
Dress-Up Day – Blanca Gómez
Julián Is a Mermaid – Jessica Love
Lily’s Cat Mask – Julie Fortenberry
Mary Had a Little Glam – Tammi Sauer & Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Vegetables in Halloween Costumes – Jared Chapman
Brownie & Pearl Get Dolled Up – Cynthia Rylant & Brian Biggs
Dollop and Mrs Fabulous – Jennifer Sattler
Harriet Gets Carried Away – Jessie Sima
Téo’s Tutu – Maryann Jacob Macias & Alea Marley
Tea Rex – Molly Idle
Frankie’s Favorite Food – Kelsey Garrity-Riley
Wolfie the Bunny – Ame Dyckman & Zachariah OHora
Amazing Me: Dressing Up! – Carol Thompson

This storytime was presented in-person on 10/21, 10/22, 10/23 & 10/24/24.

Storytime Handout:

*Lyrics to these songs can be found on the Repeated Songs & Rhymes page.

**These symbols indicate the program sessions I used the activities for:
(TT) Toddler Time, ages 1-2
(TB) Teddy Bears, ages 2-3.5
(FT) Family Time, ages 0-3.5

† Click the image of rhyme/song sheets to download a non-branded PDF

Storytime: Hats

Posted on October 19, 2024October 19, 2024 by msemilylibrary

Another fun theme that’s relatable for my toddlers who wear their hats in sun and snow all the time. The hat hide-and-seek flannelboard game with Walrus was a big hit, and my Folkmanis Bunny in a Hat puppet is also a big attention draw. I was pleased to see several families (grownups as well as kids) wear their hats, even if they didn’t stay on long during the program!

Early Literacy Tip: Parents, when you share wordless books with your children, there’s no limit to the conversations you can have together! Taking part in lots of conversations helps your child learn new words, gives them a big vocabulary, and helps them become good readers. Talking with your child will help them get ready to read. –Mel’s Desk

Welcome Song: Hello, Friends* (TT) (TB) (FT)** †

Warm Up Song: Wake Up, Feet* (TT) (TB) (FT)
This is a repeated song that everyone seems to enjoy. I always begin and end with feet and tummies, but find two other body parts to wiggle in the middle. I rotate between elbows, cheeks, hips, noses, arms, chins, thighs, heads, shoulders, ears, knees, and fingers.

Lifting Rhyme: Toast in the Toaster* (TT) (TB) (FT)

Intro: Last week we talked about what we wear on our feet – shoes and socks. What do we wear on our heads? Hats! Just like shoes, there are so many kinds of hats – some are good for a specific activity or job, and some we wear just because we like how they look.

Hats come in all shapes and sizes!
Action Rhyme: Tall Hat, Small Hat (TT) (TB) (FT)
Tall hat, (tall hands above head)
Small hat (small rounded hands on head)
Big hat, (hands wide to either side of head)
Cap (one hand flat on head)
Let me take them off again (hands move down and to lap)
And put them in my lap
Source: Librionyian

tall hat small hat thumbnail, with a graphic of a tall black top hat, a tiny purple top hat attached to a headband, a red hat with a wide floppy brim, and a brown newsboy style cap. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Transition: If You’re Ready for a Story* (TT) (TB) (FT)

I actually only “read” one book this week because my following activities were so tied to it, though I kept Hooray For Hats as a backup. I took a lot of inspiration from Jessica at Storytime in the Stacks on how to present Where’s Walrus as a wordless picture book, and how to present wordless books as an early literacy tool from Mel’s Desk.
Walrus is going to be wearing a lot of hats in this book to hide from the zookeeper. Let’s see if you can find Walrus.
Read: Where’s Walrus? by Stephen Savage (TT) (TB) (FT)

Walrus is hiding here at the library! Let’s see if we can find him.
This flannel was again inspired by Storytime in the Stacks. You can find a template for the hats (plus more varieties) at her post. We both used a very affordable download from Etsy seller Creative Cat and Co for the animal faces. To present, I just went hat by hat, talking a little about each one and what it was for, leaving the last one for Walrus.
Flannel Rhyme: Where’s Walrus? (TT) (TB) (FT)
Walrus, walrus, where could you be?
Are you under the baseball cap? Let’s look and see!
[That’s not Walrus? Who is it? Panda! Well, maybe Walrus is under the next hat – a chef’s hat!]
Source: Storytime in the Stacks

where's walrus thumbnail, with a graphic of a walrus wearing a blue baseball cap that is obscuring his eyes and nose. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

I intended to do this guessing game after finding Walrus, but it just didn’t seem right for my first group, so I skipped it. And looking at the clock when we were done, it was a good thing – I ended right on time. With the craft for the next two sessions, I knew it wouldn’t fit, so it didn’t get used at all. But it’s a possible activity for you, so I’m including it here! The original I saw didn’t include a space helmet, so I wrote a verse for it.
Flannel Game: Whose Hat Am I?
I’m hard and yellow, sturdy as can be
To protect your head – who wears me? [Construction worker – Hard Hat]
One, two, three strikes you’re out
I am worn in the field and in the dugout [Baseball player – Baseball cap]
I’m tall and white, take a look
Someone wears me when they cook [Chef – Chef’s hat or toque]
Hocus pocus, look about
A magician taps me and a rabbit jumps out! [Magician – Top hat]
On your birthday, I’ll be there
Sitting up atop your hair [Party goer – Party hat]
I am special, you can see
Worn by those of royalty [King or queen – Crown]
Tall with stars and a pointy peak
Look for my owner if magic you seek [Witch or Wizard – Magic hat]
If there’s a fire, I’ll be there
Protecting my brave owner’s hair [Firefighter – Fire helmet]
I’m made of straw with a brim so wide
Can you tell whose head will be inside? [Cowpoke – Western hat/Stetson]
A knitted hat for young and old
To keep a head warm in the cold [Anyone! – Winter hat]
When my owner walks in outer space
I keep them safe in that airless place [Astronaut – Space helmet]
Source: Stratford (CT) Library

That cowpoke hat is quite something! Let’s do a bounce
Bounce: I Hop on My Horse (TT) (TB) (FT)
I hop on my horse and go to town (bounce)
I ride up high (arms up, or lift child)
and I don’t fall down (arms low, or lower child)
I wear a hat so my hair won’t blow (hand on head)
And when I want to stop I just say “Ho!” (tilt back)
Source: Madison (WI) Public Library

i hop on my horse thumbnail, with a graphic of a rocking horse wearing a red western style hat and bandanna. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

This rhyme is about a grandma and a grandpa who wear a hat.
Rhyme: Grandma’s Glasses (TT) (TB) (FT)
These are grandma’s glasses
This is grandma’s hat
And this is the way she folds her hands
And lays them on her lap

These are grandpa’s glasses
This is grandpa’s hat
And this is the way he folds his arms
And takes a little nap (snore)
Source: Adventures of a Bookworm

grandma's glasses thumbnail, with a graphic of a sunhat with a flower and a newsboy style cap, plus a pair of blue-rimmed and black-rimmed glasses. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Did you know that sometimes when you go to see a magic show, the magician will have a very special hat?
This is a draw and tell rhyme that I thought about using for a magic storytime but didn’t have time in that session. This time I made sure to fit it in, and they did enjoy it – by the time I got to the ears, I heard excited voices saying – “rabbit!” The numbers refer to the photos below, showing what to add at each line.
Drawing Rhyme: The Magician’s Hat (TT) (TB) (FT)
The magician has an empty hat (1)
Turned upside down with a brim like that (2)
Then suddenly a head appears (3)
With two bright eyes… (4)
…and two long ears (5)
And a small round nose… (6)
…and whiskers, too. (7)
And magic stories just for you (I just added some stars here)
Source: Chalk in Hand: The Draw and Tell Book by Phyllis Noe Pflomm (c)1986 via Once Upon a (Story) Time blog

And I’m pretty sloppy, so honestly you don’t need to draw perfectly to get this one!

a photo of my drawing for the Magician's hat - a fairly slapdash affair with crooked stars and a bunny with lopsided eyes and ears.

the magician's hat thumbnail, with a graphic of yellow and gold stars and exclamations. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Little bunny would like to say hello! But bunny is a little shy.
Everyone loves the Bunny in a hat puppet – she gets lots of pets after storytime. After showing the rhyme with the puppet, I tell them, you can do this one with your fingers! And we do it together with just our hands, and then I did it a third time with the puppet and them following along.
Fingerplay: Little Bunny in a Hat (TT) (TB) (FT)
Make a bunny with your index and middle fingers, hide in other hand
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 left)
She looks to the right (turn right)
She looks straight ahead (turn to front)
And pops out of sight (hides in hat/fist again)
Source: Jbrary

bunny in a hat puppet - white rabbit in a black hat. Also pictured is a magician's wand.

Little bunny in a hat thumbnail, with a graphic of a white rabbit peeking her head out of a black top hat, with yellow stars in the air around her. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

If you wear a hat, you won’t get rain on your head!
A bit of a stretch for a hat storytime, but I wanted another simple one for our scarves.
Scarf Rhyme: Rain on the Green Grass (TT) (TB) (FT)
Rain on the green grass (shake on floor)
Rain on the trees (shake high)
Rain on the roof (hold above head)
But not on me! (drop scarf)
repeat with: Sun, Snow, Leaves
Source: Jbrary

rain on the green grass thumbnail, with a graphic of an umbrella in the rain. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Speaking of the weather, have you ever tried to wear a hat when it’s windy outside?
Scarf Song: Hats Are Blowing (TT) (TB) (FT)
(tune of Frère Jacques)
Hats are blowing, Hats are blowing
In the air, Everywhere!
Every time the wind blows, Someone’s hat, away it goes
Hold on tight. You’ll be all right!
Source: Storybook Stephanie

hats are blowing thumbnail, with a graphic of a cloud blowing wind and a wide-brimmed hat flipped and blowing in the breeze. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

This is a silly song. Every time we sing a word that starts with the letter “B”, let’s lift up our “hat” (scarf), and when we sing another “B” word, put your hat on. Listen carefully!
I’m always trying to add in a ukulele tune, so I was pleased to realize I could replace one word in this traditional tune and make it a hat tune. Jim Gill does this one with the hands up/down twist. I try to raise and lower the neck of my ukulele to lead the group. It’s hard! I kept trying to change position whenever I change chords, not just at B words. But it’s all fun.
Note that I changed the key of this song after trying my original sheet – C just worked better for my voice. Feel free to use what works best for you!
Ukulele/Scarf Song: My Bonnet (TT) (TB) (FT)
(tune of My Bonnie)
(raise hands or scarf when you hear a word that starts with “B,” and lower them the next time you hear one!)
My Bonnet lies over the ocean
My Bonnet lies over the sea
My Bonnet lies over the ocean

Oh, Bring Back my Bonnet to me
Bring Back, Bring Back
Oh, Bring Back my Bonnet to me, to me
Bring Back, Bring Back
Oh, Bring Back my Bonnet to me!
Source: adapted from traditional, hear the Jim Gill version here

Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet in the key of C here!
Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet in the key of G here!

thumbnail for "my bonnie" ukulele songsheet

my bonnet thumbnail, with a graphic of an old fashioned bonnet and an ocean wave. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

It’s time to put our astronaut helmets on so we can zoom, zoom, zoom!
Action Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom!* (TT) (TB) (FT)

Craft: Origami Hat Decorating (TB) (FT)
A traditional origami hat! When I was a kid we made these out of newspapers, but for a plain hat to decorate I used white butcher paper that we have as a library supply. I cut pages to approximately newspaper size, 15 x 22″, and made the hats myself. If I had a slightly older group, I may have let them fold. You can find instructions here, using the “pirate hat” instructions: https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Newspaper-Hat. We decorated with dot markers and the library’s extensive supply of stickers.

an origami hat decorated with multicolored dots from dot markers, plus heart and star stickers and two round stickers of animals in space.

Goodbye Song: See You Later Alligator* (TT) (TB) (FT)

Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme)
Very Good Hats – Emma Straub & Blanca Gómez
Hooray for Hat! – Brian Won
Bedtime Bonnet – Nancy Redd & Nneka Myers
A Hat for Minerva Louise – Janet Morgan Stoeke
I Had Ten Hats – David McPhail
Finders Keepers – Keiko Kasza
I Want My Hat Back – Jon Klassen
Do YOU Have a Hat? – Eileen Spinelli & Geraldo Valério
Hat Tricks – Satoshi Kitamura
Kindergarten Hat – Janet Lawler & Geraldine Rodriguez
Hats Are NOT for Cats! – Jacqueline K Rayner
A Hat for Mrs. Goldman – Michelle Edwards & G Brian Karas
The Magic Hat – Mem Fox & Tricia Tusa

This storytime was presented in-person on 10/14, 10/15, & 10/16/24.

Storytime Handout:

*Lyrics to these songs can be found on the Repeated Songs & Rhymes page.

**These symbols indicate the program sessions I used the activities for:
(TT) Toddler Time, ages 1-2
(TB) Teddy Bears, ages 2-3.5
(FT) Family Time, ages 0-3.5

† Click the image of rhyme/song sheets to download a non-branded PDF