I’m on vacation for two weeks, but I wanted to share a preview of some flannels I’ve been working on for upcoming posts, and what better day to do so than on a Friday? (If you haven’t checked it out yet, Flannel Friday is an amazing resource of community-submitted flannelboard/feltboard props.)
My last in-person outdoor storytime of the season was themed for the American Southwest (where I’m vacationing!) My friend and fellow librarian Rebecca suggested this Five Coyotes song and flannel that is so sweet. The coyotes were fun but layered, so took some patience. I was feeling extra and wanted the moon to be as realistic as possible, so I printed a NASA photo of the moon and mapped out some simplified craters and darker areas.
I ran out of time, but I will someday make the coyotes reversible! I’d like them to be curled up and sleeping on the back.
Counting Song: Five Coyotes Five coyotes, sittin’ on a hill Just sittin’ and a howlin’ at the moon Aahh-ooo! One coyote had his fill So he went to sleep and snoozed Snore! (Count down) Credit: adapted by Rebecca Ballard from Nancy Stewart
Upcoming, I have a Breakfast-themed storytime coming up. One rhyme is about doughnuts, so here are mine. I love jelly doughnuts, so I had to make one a filled jelly! Making some pieces different is a great opportunity for talking with your group about similarities and differences. I thought about putting sprinkles on these, but I’m kind of paint-shy – they never seem to look as good after I’ve added the paint! So for now, they’ll just be frosted.
Counting Rhyme: Five Colored Doughnuts Down around the corner at the bakery shop, There were [number] little donuts with frosting on top Along came [name] hungry for a treat, And s/he picked the [color] one to take home and eat! Credit: The Lion is a Bookworm via Literary Hoots
To do an arctic animal storytime in July, we needed to put on our pretend hats! I don’t think I would have come up with this theme myself, but the parks camp I did outreach to had this as their theme, so I adapted it for my outdoor storytime.
To be honest, I felt like this storytime was a little “off.” Maybe I wasn’t super comfortable with some of the materials. Maybe the audience was just a little more wiggly than usual. Maybe the imminent threat of rain made me feel rushed. More than likely, it was a combination of things. I don’t dwell. Some days you just have an off day, and that’s okay.
Early Literacy Tip: Counting up or down in songs like Five Little Polar Bears helps kids strengthen their number recognition. And don’t be afraid to change up the number – eight little polar bears or ten little polar bears will let kids hear lesser-used numbers.
Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello
Welcome Song: Hello, Friends (tune of Goodnight, Ladies) Hello, friends! Hello, friends! Hello, friends, it’s time to say hello! Hello, [name 1], hello, [name 2]! Hello, [name 3], it’s time to say hello! (ASL motions: salute for “hello,” then take the index fingers on each hand and you link them together as though they are hugging each other back and forth for “friends”) Credit: Glenside Public Library District
Our new warm-up for the last few weeks of the summer session. Warm-Up Rhyme: We Wiggle and Stop (Use the ASL sign for the word “stop” – one hand “chops” across the opposite hand) We wiggle and we wiggle and we STOP We wiggle and we wiggle and we STOP We wiggle and we wiggle and we wiggle and we wiggle And we wiggle and we wiggle and we STOP (Try other motions such as jump, twirl, stretch) Credit: Jbrary
This book might have been the start of my “offness” – although I like that it shows a wide variety of arctic animals AND it shows the arctic in the summertime AND it’s a book you can sing, it just wasn’t right for my group. It was too long, and because it was a regular sized book, the pictures were too small. I skipped a few pages, but I could still see the attention wandering. Read: Way Up in the Arctic by Jennifer Ward & Kenneth J. Spengler
For the virtual, I stuck velcro on the back of these laminated pieces, but for the in-person session, I taped craft sticks on the bears to make them easier to hold. Counting Song: Five Little Polar Bears Five little polar bears riding on a sled One fell off and bumped his head Mama called the doctor and the doctor said, “No more polar bears riding on a sled!” (count down) Credit: Literary Hoots
Another regular-sized book. The illustrations of cut and torn paper are AMAZING, but again, probably too small for my audience to really see. Read: A Polar Bear in the Snow by Mac Barnett & Shawn Harris
Movement: Arctic Animal Movement Can you… …Walk on four feet like a polar bear? …Turn your head like a snowy owl? …Swim like an orca/beluga whale? …Flap your wing like an arctic tern? …Stomp your feet like a caribou? …Hop like an arctic hare? Credit: Guilderland Public Library
Breathing Break: Five Finger Breathing Our breathwork visualization for the last few weeks of the summer session. We inhale while tracing up a finger, pause at the top, then exhale while tracing down, and pause at the bottom. Repeat for all five fingers. At the end, I let them know this is a great way to get calm, get centered or focused, and get ready for the next thing. I also remind them they can take a ten finger break if they need to, and it’s always available for them whenever they need it.
One more new repeated activity. This has always been a favorite song! Action Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom! Zoom, zoom, zoom, we’re going to the moon! (hands scrape past each other rhythmically) Zoom, zoom, zoom, we’re going to the moon! If you want to take a trip (fingers walk up arm) Climb aboard my rocket ship! Zoom, zoom, zoom, we’re going to the moon! In 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, BLASTOFF! (crouch, then jump!) Credit: Jbrary
I always try to do several songs that use a particular prop so that the kids have some time with them. Today was scarves! To collect them at the end of the in-person session, I sang “If You Have a Red Scarf” to the tune of The Muffin Man and directed kids to listen for their color.
Scarf Song: Dance Like Snowflakes (tune of Frère Jacques) Dance like snowflakes Dance like snowflakes In the air, in the air Whirling, twirling snowflakes Whirling, twirling snowflakes Everywhere, everywhere Credit: Jbrary
Scarf Song: We Wave Our Scarves Together (tune of For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow) We wave our scarves together (3x) because it’s fun to do! Wave them up high Wave them down low Wave them in the middle Because it’s fun to do! Credit: Jbrary
I added the “drying” verse because this song is too fun to just do two verses! For the “tumble” action, we threw our scarves up and caught them, like they were tumbling around in a dryer.This song was probably the most successful activity of the storytime! Scarf Song: The Walrus Washes His Winter Coat Oh, the walrus washes his winter coat Down by the wavy ocean He adds some water and he adds some soap and he waits…and he waits…and he waits.
Then the laundry shakes, shakes, shakes The laundry shakes and shakes and shakes The laundry shakes, shakes, shakes until it’s clean. (repeat)
Additional verses: The laundry spins … until it’s clean The laundry tumbles … until it’s dry Credit: Brytani Fraser via Jbrary
Craft: Polar Bear Scene This was inspired by Tompkins County Public Library, and I loved how they suggested different mediums and let the kids decide what to do with them. So I printed an outline of a polar bear on a dark blue sheet of construction paper, provided cotton balls and chalk, and gave both example photos below. Kids could use the cotton for snow or for the bear, and chalk for the opposite, or do whatever they liked!
I also booktalked these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video. Sweetest Kulu by Celina Kalluk & Alexandria Neonakis The Bear Report by Thyra Heder Sea Bear by Lindsay Moore
Goodbye Song: See You Later, Alligator (tune of Clementine) See you later, alligator (wave with one hand, then the other) In a while, crocodile (open and shut arms like a croc’s mouth) Give a hug, ladybug (hug yourself or a loved one) Blow a kiss, jellyfish! MWAH! (move hand like a jellyfish then blow a kiss!) Credit: King County Library System
Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars
This storytime was presented in-person and virtually on 7/13/21.
I’d been wanting to use the Going on a Bear Hunt chant/rhyme for outdoor storytime, and just happened to have a big book copy of The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear, so that translated quite well into a theme. We had a lot of fun going THROUGH various obstacles, roaring like mad, and identifying berries. Since this was our fifth week of outdoor stories, I changed up our recurring rhymes and activities, too.
Early Literacy Tip: Pretend play helps your child act out and understand stories and events they have seen, heard, or experienced. Simple props or costumes like the bear ears we’ll make in today’s craft help enhance the fun and promote more immersive play.
Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello
Welcome Song: Hello, Friends (tune of Goodnight, Ladies) Hello, friends! Hello, friends! Hello, friends, it’s time to say hello! Hello, [name 1], hello, [name 2]! Hello, [name 3], it’s time to say hello! (ASL motions: salute for “hello,” then take the index fingers on each hand and you link them together as though they are hugging each other back and forth for “friends”) Credit: Glenside Public Library District
Our new warm-up for the last few weeks of the summer session. Warm-Up Rhyme: We Wiggle and Stop (Use the ASL sign for the word “stop” – one hand “chops” across the opposite hand) We wiggle and we wiggle and we STOP We wiggle and we wiggle and we STOP We wiggle and we wiggle and we wiggle and we wiggle And we wiggle and we wiggle and we STOP (Try other motions such as jump, twirl, stretch) Credit: Jbrary
Read: The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, & the Big Hungry Bear by Don & Audrey Wood
Outside, I held up large pictures of the various berries at the end of each verse for the kids to shout out. The kids got all of them except the gooseberry!In the video, I had a laminated version for the flannelboard, made from Canva. Counting Rhyme: Jamberry Hunt Under the bridge and over the dam, looking for berries, berries for jam 1 berry, 2 berries, pick me a strawberry (repeat, counting up to 10 and asking for different berries each time: blackberry, blueberry, raspberry, gooseberry.) Last line: Under the bridge and over the dam, Back home to cook my berries, berries for jam Credit: Jbrary
Action Rhyme: Bears Eat Honey Bears eat honey (pretend to eat) They think it’s yummy In their tummy (rub tummy) But the bees don’t think it’s funny! Buzzzzzzzzzzzz! (tickle) Credit: King County Library System via Storytime Katie
Breathing Break: Five Finger Breathing Our new breathwork visualization for the last few weeks of the summer session. We inhale while tracing up a finger, pause at the top, then exhale while tracing down, and pause at the bottom. Repeat for all five fingers. At the end, I let them know this is a great way to get calm, get centered or focused, and get ready for the next thing. I also remind them they can take a ten finger break if they need to, and it’s always available for them whenever they need it.
One more new repeated activity. This has always been a favorite song! Action Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom! Zoom, zoom, zoom, we’re going to the moon! (hands scrape past each other rhythmically) Zoom, zoom, zoom, we’re going to the moon! If you want to take a trip (fingers walk up arm) Climb aboard my rocket ship! Zoom, zoom, zoom, we’re going to the moon! In 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, BLASTOFF! (crouch, then jump!) Credit: Jbrary
Movement: Bear Brain Break Based on this worksheet from the OT Toolbox, we moved like a bear and did the Bear Crawl, Bear Scratch, Bear Bend, Bear Stretch, and Bear Hug!
Sometimes this song features bears, so that’s where my thoughts were in choosing it. You could sing “and the little bear said…” to further reinforce it. And I saw my colleague Rebecca B. do the Whole Bed schtick, which I thought was a hilarious and perfect end! I use a flannel (template from Making Learning Fun) for this on the video, but we just did hand motions in person. Counting Song: Five in the Bed There were five in a bed, and the little one said (5 fingers up) “Roll over, roll over” (make rolling motion) And they all rolled over and one fell out. There were four in a bed… (continue to 1)
There was one in the bed and the little one said, (tune of He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands) “Ahhhhhhh. I’ve got the whole bed to myself! I’ve got the whole wide bed to myself! I’ve got the whole bed to myself, I’ve got the whole bed to myself! Goodnight!” Credit: traditional
For the virtual session, I did this instead of the recorded Teddy Bear song. Song: Bear Went Over the Mountain Oh, the bear went over the mountain, (rep. 3x) To see what he could see!
But all that he could see, Yes, all that he could see Was the other side of the mountain, (rep 3x) Was all that he could see! (repeat with “around,” “under,” and “jumped over”) Credit: traditional, movement ideas from Intellidance
Craft: Bear Ears Headband Simple, simple craft that allows for lots of dramatic play.
I also booktalked these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video. Jamberry by Bruce Degen Where is Bear? by Jonathan Bentley There’s a Bear on My Chair by Ross Collins
Goodbye Song: See You Later, Alligator (tune of Clementine) See you later, alligator (wave with one hand, then the other) In a while, crocodile (open and shut arms like a croc’s mouth) Give a hug, ladybug (hug yourself or a loved one) Blow a kiss, jellyfish! MWAH! (move hand like a jellyfish then blow a kiss!) Credit: King County Library System
Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars
This storytime was presented in-person and virtually on 6/29/21.
Hopping on to the theme chosen by my summer outreach session, this week was all about dinosaurs! This is an easy theme with lots of great books and extension activities, so it all came together quickly.
You can find other versions of this theme from 2022 and 2024.
Early Literacy Tip: Everybody knows at least one preschooler who can rattle off the names of dozens of dinosaurs. There’s a reason for that! Preschoolers’ 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.
Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello
Welcome Song: Hello, Friends (tune of Goodnight, Ladies) Hello, friends! Hello, friends! Hello, friends, it’s time to say hello! Hello, [name 1], hello, [name 2]! Hello, [name 3], it’s time to say hello! (ASL motions: salute for “hello,” then take the index fingers on each hand and you link them together as though they are hugging each other back and forth for “friends”) Credit: Glenside Public Library District
We did a repeated warm up each week to get everyone loosened up. Warm-Up Rhyme: Roly Poly (Roll arms and change voice to coordinate with the lyrics) Roly poly, roly, poly, up, up, up Roly poly, roly, poly, down, down, down Roly poly, roly, poly, out, out, out Roly poly, roly, poly, in, in, in Roly poly, roly, poly, BIG, BIG, BIG Roly poly, roly, poly, very, very small Roly poly, roly, poly, fast, fast, fast, fast, fast! Rol…ly… po…ly… in… your… lap Credit: Rebecca Jane Flanagan
Read: Dinosaur Vs. the Library by Bob Shea
The flannel can be used for both this song and “One Dinosaur Went Out to Play,” below, and the template is available at Mel’s Desk. Action Song: All Through the Swamp (tune of Wheels on the Bus) 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 Stegosaurus’ tail goes swish, swish, swish… The Brachiosaurus’ mouth goes munch, munch, munch… The Pteranodon’s wings go flap, flap, flap… Credit: Mel’s Desk
Song: Dino Ditty (tune of Do Wah Diddy Diddy) Here they come just a stompin’ with their feet (stomp) Singing “Dino ditty, ditty, dum ditty do” Searchin’ around for something good to eat Singin’ “Dino ditty, ditty, dum ditty do.” They’re big! (They’re big!) They’re strong! (They’re strong!) They’re big, They’re strong, won’t be hungry very long! Singin’ “Dino ditty, ditty, dum ditty do…”
Additional verses: Here they come just a flying through the sky (flying motions) Singing “Dino ditty, ditty, dum ditty do” Looking around for a good fish pie…
Here they come just a swimming in the lake (swimming motions) Singin’ “Dino ditty, ditty, dum ditty do” Looking around for a good clam bake… Credit: King County Library System (WA)
Read: Crunch, the Shy Dinosaur by Cirocco Dunlap & Greg Pizzoli
Breathing Break: Soup Breathing This was part of our repeated activities in June. I asked the kids to imagine they were holding a bowl of their very favorite soup, and asked what kind they liked. Then with their hands cupped in front of them, we slowly breathed in the delicious aroma of their very favorite soup through their noses, then slowly and gently breathed out through their mouths to cool off this hot soup. We repeated about 5 times, and after the 1st time with explanation, I used my Hoberman sphere to help them visualize the in and out breaths. Afterward, I let them know that this exercise always makes me feel good and more grounded, and they could always get out their bowl of soup if they need help calming down or feeling more connected to their bodies. Credit: Lucky Little Learners
Another repeated activity during June. Song: Look at All the Bunnies Look at all the bunnies sleeping til it’s nearly noon Shall we wake them with a merry tune? Oh so still! Are they ill? Wake up, wake up, wake up little bunnies Wake up, wake up, wake up little bunnies Hop little bunnies, hop, hop, hop Hop little bunnies, hop, hop, hop Stop little bunnies, stop, stop, stop And…. 1, 2, 3, SILLY FREEZE! Credit: King County Library System
Action Rhyme: Dinosaur Stretch 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 Credit: Storytime Katie
In the virtual session, I did this song instead of the recorded one: Ukulele/Flannel Song: One Dinosaur Went Out to Play (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)
(count up to 5) Last line: …That they played until the day was done! Credit: Mel’s Desk
Craft: Shape-o-Saurus Make a dino using simple shapes. I created a template to get all the shapes for two dinos on one sheet of construction paper, which you can download here. I printed them on red, green, and purple, but you could do any color you like.
I also booktalked these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video. We Love Dinosaurs by Lucy Volpin We Are the Dinosaurs by Laurie Berkner & Ben Clanton We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins
Goodbye Song: See You Later, Alligator (tune of Clementine) See you later, alligator (wave with one hand, then the other) In a while, crocodile (open and shut arms like a croc’s mouth) Give a hug, ladybug (hug yourself or a loved one) Blow a kiss, jellyfish! MWAH! (move hand like a jellyfish then blow a kiss!) Credit: King County Library System
Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars
This storytime was presented in-person and virtually on 6/22/21.
Our local parks department runs a summer half-day camp for preschoolers, and asked the library to come out for a story and craft session once a week. It was another outdoor opportunity to connect with our community, so I was happy to do it! We had time each week for a book, a song, and a craft, and the kiddos were a lot of fun. The camp had their own weekly themes, so I tailored each session to what they were already doing. Where I could, I then used any overlapping animal themes for my weekly library storytime (dinosaurs, arctic, jungle), but did something different the weeks they had non-animal themes (transportation, olympics).
Pets: 6/17/21
I’d done a pet theme a few months earlier, so this was an easy one. I got to read a book that was a little long for my “all ages/family” virtual program, but was perfect for a group of preschoolers. I did a different voice for each pet and really hammed it up. They loved it! For our song, I wanted to get the ukulele out, so did “How Much is that Pet in the Window.” Their “job” was to make the animal noises after each line, and they took that job *very* seriously. 🙂
Book: Mr Fuzzbuster Knows He’s the Favorite by Stacy McAnulty & Edward Hemingway
Song: How Much Is that Pet in the Window? How much is that doggy in the window? Woof woof! The one with the waggily tail? How much is that doggy in the window? Woof woof! I do hope that doggy’s for sale
Additional verses: (What do other animals do and say?) Kitty…meow…whiskers so long Bird… tweet tweet…flappity wings Rabbit…hop hop…hoppity legs Fish… glub glub… swimmy fins Credit: Jen in the Library
Craft: Paper Plate Fishbowls In the past I’d used dried beans for the aquarium rocks, but for simplicity and weight I used crispy rice cereal for this group.My photo is from my original sample.
Dinosaurs: 6/24/21
Again, I’ve done dinosaurs in the past (pre-blog), so it was easy to pull together a song and book.I figured out the chords for Five Little Ducks the way I sing it (which seems to be a little different from a lot of the chord sheets I looked at, strangely enough). I also had flannel board dino pieces that I brought along and held up for each new dinosaur. They were from a template on the Mel’s Desk blog.
Book: We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins
Ukulele Song: One Dinosaur Went Out to Play (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, Diiiiiiiiiiiinosaur!” (slap thighs for “running” sounds)
(count up to 5) Last line: …That they played until the day was done! Credit: Mel’s Desk
Craft: Shape-o-Saurus Make a dino using simple shapes. This was a tough one to do on a windy day – shapes blew everywhere! But the kids still enjoyed it. I created a template to get all the shapes for two dinos on one sheet of construction paper, which you can download here. I printed them on red, green, and purple, but you could do any color you like.
Another easily adapted theme from sessions I’ve done in the past. I used a new-to-me book and tried to keep the craft as simple as possible. I figured a familiar song would be welcome and the kiddos were happy to call out the Wheels on the Bus verses we did together.
Book: Toad on the Road: A Cautionary Tale by Stephen Shaskan
Ukulele Song: The Wheels on the Bus The wheels on the bus go round and round, (circle arms) Round and round, Round and round. The wheels on the bus go round and round, All through the town.
Additional verses: The wipers on the bus go Swish, swish, swish (wiper motion) The doors on the bus go open and shut (open/close hands) The horn on the bus goes Beep, beep, beep (push a horn) The driver on the bus says “Move on back” (cock thumb back) The people on the bus go up and down (bounce up and down) The baby on the bus says “Wah, wah, wah” (wring hands at eyes) The parents on the bus say “Shush, shush, shush.” (bring index finger to lips)
Craft: Name Train Simple craft this time. I printed a train engine on two halves of 11×17 paper and provided construction paper squares to make cars. (My cars were too big for kids to have one per letter, so we figured out how to get their name on using 4 cars or less…) For a little extra sensory experience, we glued down cotton ball steam – which is hard to see in the picture!
A cold weather theme for the middle of summer! I had an inflatable globe I’d intended to bring to point out the arctic and antarctic (the fact that polar bears and penguins get grouped together is one of my pet peeves), but I’d left it behind. Oh, well, next time! I also left the ukulele at home this week on purpose – our song worked better with motions, and I brought our storytime scarves for it. I added a verse about the dryer since it felt wrong to wash without drying!
Book: A Polar Bear in the Snow by Mac Barnett & Shawn Harris
Scarf Song: The Walrus Washes His Winter Coat Oh, the walrus washes his winter coat Down by the wavy ocean He adds some water and he adds some soap and he waits…and he waits…and he waits.
Then the laundry shakes, shakes, shakes The laundry shakes and shakes and shakes The laundry shakes, shakes, shakes until it’s clean. (repeat)
Additional verses: The laundry spins … until it’s clean The laundry tumbles … until it’s dry Credit: Brytani Fraser via Jbrary
Craft: Polar Bear Scene This was inspired by Tompkins County Public Library (NY). I printed a picture of a polar bear on dark blue construction paper, and gave kids chalk and cotton balls. They could choose to fill the bear with either chalk or cotton, or the snow (or really, whatever they wanted.) I showed them examples of both and let them go. It was fun to see the variety of what they made.
Olympics: 7/22/21
This theme was actually not one I’d ever done before, so I pulled a lot of books to see what might fit. I considered Peanut Goes for the Gold by Jonathan Van Ness & Gillian Reid – it’s super cute and a pretty recent title (plus, Peanut uses they/them pronouns – bonus!), but ultimately decided to go with Jabari Jumps. I’d thought it would be more relatable, and worked with the song I’d chosen. Our craft was an abstract process art piece that the kids really got into.
Book: Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall
Ukulele Song: If You’re Going to the Pool (tune of If You’re Happy and You Know It) If you’re going to the pool, wear your suit If you’re going to the pool, wear your suit If you’re going to the pool, then a suit will keep you cool If you’re going to the pool, wear your suit (Additional verses: hat, flip flops, sunglasses, what else?) Credit: Teeny Tiny Library
Craft: Olympic Rings Inspired by the Happy Hooligans blog, this was a simple process art. I brought paper plates, tempera paint, toilet paper tubes, and construction paper, showed them how to make a ring, and let them at it! Some were done in three minutes, some lingered for ten.
Jungle: 7/29/21
The last session! Our book was on the longer side and the group got a little wiggly during it, so perhaps it is a better fit for slightly older kids – maybe kindergarten. The other option I was thinking of was Oh, No! by Candace Fleming & Eric Rohmann, which might have been better with the interactive option for the repeated phrase. I set up the chant by talking about monkeys and what the phrase “go bananas” meant – that helped them know exactly what to do on the last line! And the craft was one I was pretty proud of – I’d seen this lion fork painting at Crafty Morning and adapted the idea to painting the tiger’s stripes! (Since grouping savanna animals with jungle animals is another pet peeve of mine…) I found a picture of a stripeless tiger, made some jungle leaves, and the kids built their scene.
Craft: Tiger in the Jungle I asked the kids to glue down all the parts and pieces first – leaves and tiger, then gave them forks to dip into black paint to add the stripes. Lastly, they could draw any other elements on their page, such as vines or other animals.
This was the end of my storytime season – at my library we take the month of May off for planning our summer reading program. We start back up in June, and I’ll be doing OUTDOOR STORYTIMES! I’m very excited to be seeing the kids and caregivers in person again (and a little scared, too – will I remember names? Will it be terrible? Have I lost all my in-person skills?) Deep breath – we’ll be good.
Early Literacy Tip: Helping children cope with transitions is something we caregivers can do mindfully, whether going from one activity to another or going to a new school or moving to a new house. Ease into transitions by creating or continuing routines that evolve as a child gets older. A goodbye routine might be a special hug and kiss, but can evolve into pat and a smile by the time they are “big kids.” Simple songs can signal going to bed (it’s time to go bed, it’s time to go bed, heigh-ho the derry-o, it’s time to go to bed) or time alerts (5 minutes until bed… 3 minutes until bed…) As you show your child ways to cope, they will develop their own internal transition skills.
Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello
Rhyme: How Do You Say Hello? Hey! Hi! Howdy! Yo! There are many ways to say hello! Wave your hand. Nod your head Smile big or wink instead Blow a kiss. Tip your hat Shake your hands. Give a pat Of all the ways to say hello, Here’s the way I like to go… HELLO! (choose your favorite!) Credit: Storytime Katie
In this book, a little girl named Carmelita loves to say hello to all the people in her neighborhood. Many of them speak a different language, so she’s learned to say hello many different ways. Read: Say Hello! by Rachel Isadora
Fingerplay: Where is Thumbkin? Where is Thumbkin? Where is Thumbkin? Here I am! Here I am! How are you today, friend? Very well, I thank you! Say goodbye. Say goodbye. Credit: adapted from the traditional
Action Song: Say Hello to Your Toes (tune of London Bridge) Say hello to your toes, to your toes, to your toes! Say hello to your toes. Hello, toes! (repeat for knees, tummies, elbows, middle, etc.) Credit: Storytime Secretsvia the Reading Room
Fingerplay: Open, Shut Them(Hello/Goodbye Version) Open, shut them, open, shut them Put your hands down low, low, low Open, shut them, open, shut them Wave and say hello-lo-lo!
Open, shut them, open, shut them Raise your hands up high, high, high Open, shut them, open, shut them Wave and say goodbye, bye, bye! Credit: One Little Librarian
This one is a little long, but it’s so sweet. Read: Hello Goodbye Dog by Maria Gianferrari & Patrice Barton
Using this farm set from Oriental Trading, I hid various animals behind farm objects, with little bits of them sticking out. Flannel Song: Can We Find? (tune of Do You Know the Muffin Man?) Can we find a pink pig? A pink pig? A pink pig? Can we find a pink pig? We want to say HELLO! (oink, oink!) (can be used for any hide-and-seek type game at home!) Credit: Sunflower Storytime
Action Song: See You Later, Alligator (tune of Clementine) See you later, alligator (wave with one hand, then the other) In a while, crocodile (open and shut arms like a croc’s mouth) Give a hug, ladybug (hug yourself or a loved one) Blow a kiss, jellyfish! MWAH! (blow a kiss!) (can you think of other goodbye rhymes? wave goodbye, butterfly, toodle-oo, kangaroo, gotta go, buffalo, take care, teddy bear, etc) Credit: King County Library System
Discuss: This is our last storytime before our summer programs, so we’ll be saying goodbye for a little while, but I’ll be planning and getting ready to have some amazing fun storytimes for you starting again in June. This next book is about how saying goodbye to one thing always means saying hello to something else.
Read: Goodbye Brings Hello by Dianne White & Daniel Wiseman
Action Rhyme: Thank You Rhyme My hands say thank you with a clap, clap, clap And my feet say thank you with a tap, tap, tap Clap, clap, clap; tap, tap, tap We roll our hands around and we say goodbye Credit: Mansfield/Richland County Public Library (OH)
Ukulele Song: Hello Goodbye See songsheet for lyrics. I couldn’t resist singing this classic Beatles tune for a Hello & Goodbye theme! Honestly, it’s kind of perfect for contrary toddlers. I simplified it for storytime, but kept the full song on the sheet in case you have time or want to play the whole thing on your own. (The parts I eliminated for storytime are in gray.) You can channel the original from the Beatles, or maybe try to embody Caspar Babypants!If you’re in-person and not a singer, you could play these recordings instead.
Craft: Hello Goodbye Elephant Another simple craft from Sunflower Storytime. I love her printables! I had (too much?) fun making a purple elephant with pink polka dots.
Update 4/21/23: Since the Sunflower Storytime blog is no longer available, I’ll share the downloads that I had saved from their site. Download the Hello Goodbye Elephant here!
I also suggested these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video. Say Hello Like This! by Mary Murphy Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away by Meg Medina & Sonia Sánchez Goodbye, Friend! Hello, Friend! by Cori Doerrfeld
Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars
This storytime was presented virtually on 4/27/21.
Bugs are so fun, and I feel like kids have more of a fascination than the fear and disgust that many adults have. Maybe because they are closer to the ground? I used the unscientific term “bugs” for this storytime, since I wanted to be able to include non-insects like spiders, roly-polys, and worms. Maybe “creepy crawlies” is another synonym to use!
Early Literacy Tip: Go ahead and use words that are unfamiliar to your children. Don’t replace words in books that they may not understand. Explain them. When you talk with them try to use the word for a specific thing. For example, if you see a bug, call it a bug, but also the kind if you know it, like a cicada or praying mantis.
Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello
I used one of my small felt ladybugs for this – pictured below. Rhyme: 1, 2, 3, There’s a Bug on Me 1, 2, 3, there’s a bug on me! (pretend to brush it off) Where did it go? (look around) I don’t know! (shrug shoulders) Credit: Perry County (OH) Library Storytime via Library Village
Read: Some Bugs by by Angela DiTerlizzi & Brendan Wenzel
This flannel was a lot of fun to make. I have really been enjoying finding clipart and then transforming it into multilayered flannel pieces. (My favorite is little roly-poly, who curls up when you tap him (flip him over)) Flannel/Rhythm Chant: Going on a Bug Hunt Repeat between each bug: We’re going on a bug hunt! We’re going to see some big ones. What a sunny day! Are you ready? OK!
Oh, my! A bee! A black & yellow bee, Flying over the flowers. BUZZ Oh, my! An ant! A tiny, black ant, Crawling through the grass. SHH Oh, my! A grasshopper! A big, green grasshopper, Hopping around the tree. BOING Oh, my! A butterfly! A pretty, orange butterfly, Floating in the sky. WHOOSH Oh, my! A spider! A big black spider, Creeping on the tree. CREEP Oh, my! A ladybug! A bright red ladybug, climbing up a flower. CLIMB Oh, my! A roly-poly! A gray, armored roly-poly, hiding under a rock. ROLL Credit: adapted from Small Town Story Time Lady Blog
I didn’t end up doing this one, but it’s a fun one for babies and toddlers. Bounce: I’m a Little Beetle I’m a little beetle and I wiggle all day (bounce) If you get too close to me, I’ll FLY away! (lift or jump at end) Repeat with other bugs that fly or jump: bumblebee, ladybug, grasshopper, dragonfly… Credit: Mel’s Desk
Song: The Itsy Bitsy Spider The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the water spout Down came the rain and washed the spider out Out came the sun and dried up all the rain And the itsy bitsy spider climbed up the spout again Repeat with a “great big” spider and a “eensy weensy” spider, making your hands and voice match. Credit: traditional
What a gorgeous book. I loved looking for Poppy when she was trying to blend in to the background at social functions. Read: A Way with Wild Things by Larissa Theule & Sara Palacios
I used five of the small ladybugs from a set made by a predecessor for this song, one for the 1,2,3 rhyme above, and nine (plus three paper ones) for Ladybugs’ Picnic. Flannel/Counting Song: Five Little Ladybugs adapted tune of “Five Little Ducks” Five little ladybugs climbing up my door One flew away and then there were four
Oh, ladybug, ladybug I’m happy to play, Ladybug ladybug don’t go away
Four… climbing up a tree… then there were three… Three… climbing up my shoe… then there were two… Two… playing in the sun… then there was one… One… on my honey bun… then there were none… Credit: adapted from Betsy Diamant-Cohen
Movement: Bug Cube Many librarians use a song cube during storytime, to add some interest and randomization to the familiar songs and rhymes they repeat. I saw a very cute version of this with bug movements, and decided to create my own. It fits a standard “cube” shaped tissue box. Yes, the sides are a bit larger than the top and bottom, but we’re not going to Vegas here.
This goes beyond the standard counting book by counting to 10 on each page, split between bugs and plants, and using all the various ways to get to ten: 1+9. 2+8, 3+7, etc. Read: 100 Bugs! A Counting Book by Kate Narita & Suzanne Kaufman
A simple but seriously fun song that brings back the nostalgia from my own childhood, watching Sesame Street reruns. The verses go a little fast, so practice a bit so you don’t get tongue-tied.The arrows in the songsheet reminded me whether the melody goes up or down, as it changes at various parts. Listen to the original and you’ll get it. I put up 12 ladybugs on the flannel board to reinforce the number concept, using some paper ones since I only had 9 small bugs from the set I inherited from my predecessor. Ukulele Song: Ladybugs’ Picnic 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 ,8 ,9, 10, 11, 12 Ladybugs came to the ladybugs’ picnic
They had twelve sacks so they ran sack races And they fell on their backs and they fell on their faces The ladybugs 12 At the ladybugs’ picnic
They played jump rope but the rope it broke So they just sat around telling knock-knock jokes The ladybugs 12 At the ladybugs’ picnic
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 ,8 ,9, 10, 11, 12 And they chatted away At the ladybugs’ picnic
They talked about the high price of furniture and rugs And fire insurance for ladybugs The ladybugs 12 At the ladybugs’ picnic. 12! Credit: Sesame Street
Craft: Clothespin Dragonflies A simple but fun 3D craft. I knew we had some sparkly pipe cleaners in our supply closet, which sealed the deal. Thanks to Crafty Morning for the inspiration!
I also suggested these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video. Backyard Bugs by Jill McDonald Stories from Bug Garden by Lisa Moser & Gwen Millward (seriously charming!) There’s a Bug on My Book! by John Himmelman
Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars
This storytime was presented virtually on 4/20/21.
Early Literacy Tip: When your children are playing, think about what words you might write or what signs you can make to make the play more language-rich. For example, if children are playing gardening, you might ask what plants they are growing and then make signs for them, saying the letters as you spell the words.
Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello
Discussion: Have you noticed all of the new growing things in the world? Do any of you have a garden or some plants that you’ve helped to grow? A garden can be outside in your yard, or you can grow some great plants in pots or in a window garden. Let’s see how a plant grows from a tiny seed. What does it need? Water, soil, sunshine!
Fingerplay: Dig a Little Hole Dig a little hole, Plant a little seed Pour a little water, Pull a little weed Chase a little bug, Heigh-ho, there he goes! Give a little sunshine, Grow a little rose Credit: SurLaLune Storytime via Storytime Katie
Read: The Hidden Rainbow by Christie Matheson
Song: Will Our Flowers Bloom? (tune of Wheels on the Bus) The seeds from the pack go in the ground (poke with finger) In the ground, in the ground The seeds from the pack go in the ground Will our flowers bloom?
additional verses: The rain from the sky goes drip drip drop… (flutter fingers) The sun above is bright and hot… (arms make a circle) Our little seeds are sprouting fast… (fingers grow upward) (last line) Look! Our flowers bloomed! (spread hands) Credit: Storytime with Miss Jennifer
Flannel Rhyme: Five Little Flowers Five little flowers growing in a row The first one said, “We need rain to grow.” The second one said, “Yes, we need water!” The third one said, “Whew, it’s getting hotter!” The fourth one said, “Look, there are clouds in the sky.” The fifth one said, “I wonder why?” Then “BOOM” went the thunder, (clap hands) And “ZAP” went the lightening (draw zig-zag in air) That springtime storm was kind of frightening. But were the flowers scared? No, no, no. (shake head) They knew they needed rain to grow, grow, grow. Credit: Adventures in Storytime
I LOVE the little worm protagonist with his one sneaker! Read: Goodnight, Veggies by Diana Murray & Zachariah OHora
I found these cute carrot flannels at Target before Easter last year, so adapted a flower rhyme. They kind of remind me of the carrots from the book Creepy Carrots! Flannel Counting Rhyme: Out in the Garden Out in the garden growing in the sun Were 4 tasty carrots and my mommy picked one! (nom, nom!) Out in the garden growing in the sun Were 3 tasty carrots and my daddy picked one! (nom, nom!) Out in the garden growing in the sun Were 2 tasty carrots and the baby picked one! (nom, nom!) Out in the garden growing in the sun Was 1 tasty carrot and and I picked that one! (nom, nom!) Credit: adapted from Pasadena Public Library (CA)
I tried to pair an animal and what they might be after in the garden for each of these. Guessing Game: Something In My Garden There’s something in my garden, Now, what can it be? There’s something in my garden,That I can’t really see. I hear its funny sound…. RIBBIT – RIBBIT – RIBBIT A … FROG is what I found! RIBBIT – RIBBIT – RIBBIT
Repeat with other animals found in a garden. I used: Ribbit – Frog – bugs from a lettuce plant Thump – Rabbit – nibbling a carrot Squeak – Mouse – tasting a blackberry Caw – Crow – pecking at some corn Buzz – Bee – gathering pollen from a flower Wiggle – Worm – chewing an old leaf Flutter – Butterfly – sipping nectar from a hyacinth Credit: Storytime Katie
Read: One Little Lot by Diane C. Mullen & Oriol Vidal
Ukulele Song: Apples and Bananas (begin with the correct pronunciation, then change the vowel sounds for each verse to a, e, i, o, and u) I like to eat, eat, eat apples and bananas I like to eat, eat, eat apples and bananas
I like to ate, ate, ate ayples and ba-nay-nays I like to ate, ate, ate ayples and ba-nay-nays
I like to eet, eet, eet eeples and ba-nee-nees I like to eet, eet, eet eeples and ba-nee-nees
I like to ite, ite, ite iples and ba-ni-nis I like to ite, ite, ite iples and ba-ni-nis
I like to ote, ote, ote oples and ba-no-nos I like to ote, ote, ote oples and ba-no-nos
Craft: Cupcake Liner Flowers I provided a blue construction paper background, various cupcake liners in different colors and sizes, and several strips of green construction paper that they could cut or tear into any kind of leaf shape. Thanks to Storytime Katie and Literary Hoots for the inspiration.
I also booktalked these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video. A Peaceful Garden by Lucy London & Christa Pierce Up, Down, and Around by Katherine Ayres & Nadine Bernard Westcott Anywhere Farm by Phyllis Root & G. Brian Karas
Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars
This storytime was presented virtually on 4/13/21.
There’s just something about spring that makes me want to do stories about colors! And the retelling of White Rabbit’s Color Book is kind of magical.
A “color” storytime is also a good opportunity to talk about race in an explicit way in storytime. This is something that I’ve been wanting to do but just have not felt there was a comfortable “in” to get there. Of course, it’s not about me (a white woman) being comfortable. There’s some fear of messing up and fear of possible push-back, but none of those are good reasons to avoid talking about race in an age-appropriate way. I consulted with a librarian of color that was kind enough to offer feedback and went for it. There was no push-back that I’m aware of and I hope that it was a good way to educate both kids AND their parents that it is okay and necessary to talk about race even with young kids.
Early Education Tip: Research shows that children form race-related ideas long before they’re ready to talk about race and racism… awareness of race begins as early as infancy! No matter their age, all children collect clues from their experiences to make sense of the world, so early, honest, and age-appropriate conversations really matter. Check out the Sesame Street Workshop’s excellent resources and videos for every age: https://www.sesameworkshop.org/what-we-do/racial-justice
Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello
Discussion: [For my virtual audience: To get ready for today’s storytime, please grab 1 or 2 scarves, bandanas, washcloths, or even a t-shirt that has a rainbow color – red, orange, yellow, green, blue, or purple.] Now that it’s starting to be springtime, I’m noticing lots and lots of colors outside, how about you? New leaves, new flowers! Let’s do some rhymes and songs that celebrate colors! Let’s get warmed up by identifying some colors and shapes.
Rhyme Game: Pink Square, Pink Square Pink square, pink square, what do you see? I see a … blue circle looking at me.
Blue circle, blue circle, what do you see? I see a … green rectangle looking at me. Credit: Sunflower Storytime
I have a flannel for this book, but it felt like I had a lot of props and flannels going on with this storytime, so I decided to just read the book this time. Read: Dog’s Colorful Day by Emma Dodd
Rhyme: Blue is the Lake Blue is the lake (point to the floor) Yellow is the sun (point to the sky) Silver are the stars when the day is done (wiggle fingers) Red is the apple (make circle with hands) Green is the tree (raise arms over head like branches) Brown is the cookie for you and me! (rub tummy) Credit: Harris County Public Library via Librionyian
Action Song: If You’re Wearing… tune of “Do You Know the Muffin Man” If you’re wearing red today, red today, red today If you’re wearing red today, Would you touch your head? Additional verses: brown … touch the ground blue … tie your shoe white … take a bite green … look mean black … touch your back gray … shout “hooray!” Credit: adapted fromLego Librarian
Discussion: There’s one color that doesn’t get a lot of attention, but it’s a beautiful color that we all have with us all the time! It’s BROWN, and everyone’s skin has some brown in it. The thing that makes our skin brown is called melanin, and that’s also what helps color our hair and our eyes. Some people have a lot of melanin, and some people only have a little bit. There are some people whose bodies don’t produce melanin at all, but that’s quite rare. In this next book, a little boy describes all the different colors of brown in his family! No one has exactly the same color. I love how he gives them all beautiful names.
Read: Brown: The Many Shades of Love by Nancy Johnson James & Constance Moore
I encouraged kiddos to use their scarves for this if the wanted to. Flannel/Scarf Song: Bubble, Bubble, Pop! One little red fish swimming in the water, (motion one finger, then weave hand back and forth as if swimming) Swimming in the water, swimming in the water, One little red fish swimming in the water Bubble, bubble, bubble, bubble, (corkscrew index fingers upwards on both sides) POP! (clap) (repeat, change the number and/or color of fish) Credit: Jbrary
Scarf Song: Rainbow Dancers Rainbow dancers let’s get ready Hold your scarves nice and steady You’ll hear the colors of the rainbow Listen for your time to go: Shake red… Shake orange… Shake yellow… Shake green… Shake blue… Shake purple… Red scarves – turn around! Orange scarves – up and down! Yellow scarves – reach up high! Green scarves – fly, fly, fly! Blue scarves – tickle your nose! Purple scarves – touch your toes! Everybody dance around Swirl your scarves up and down! Shake purple… Shake blue… Shake green… Shake yellow… Shake orange… Shake red… Rainbow dancers dance around Scarves swirl up and down Our colorful dance is at an end Thank you, thank you, all my friends Credit: Jbrary
Flannel Retelling: White Rabbit’s Color Book by Alan Baker I used the fantastic tutorial on Sunflower Storytime to put this together. I couldn’t find colored pails, so I covered white pails with felt. Some tips I learned: • Make sure the pails are well ABOVE the eyeline/camera line of your audience, so they can’t see inside • PRACTICE • Arrange the rabbits in the order that you’ll be exchanging them in the pails, but try to separate them if possible. • Felt sticks to itself (as we all know!) You may need to draw out your “hop, swish, swish, swish” and maybe add some kind of flourish so that you have time to release one rabbit and pull out another without them sticking • PRACTICE!
Since it’s springtime, let’s end with a rhyme about rain! Get your scarves out! Scarf Song: Rain on the Green Grass Rain on the green grass(flutter scarf downward) Rain on the tree (arms up like branches) Rain on the rooftop (fingers peak together like a roof) But NOT on me! (hold scarf above head) Repeat with different colored items: yellow duck, pink flower, blue stream, brown squirrel, etc. Credit: King County Library System
Craft: Rainbow Simple, simple craft, inspired by Storytime Katie. In my instructions home, I emphasized the idea of creative freedom, and making this a “process” craft instead of a “product” craft. Process-focused art gives a child an open-ended project so they have the opportunity to express themselves in the art. I provided the rainbow template and some tissue paper squares, but also suggested using other mediums – paint, crayons, markers, or colored pencils instead of or in addition to the tissue squares.
Image from Storytime Katie
I also suggested these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video. Red Is a Dragon by Roseanne Thong & Grace Lin Are Your Stars Like My Stars by Leslie Helakoski & Heidi Woodward Sheffield Mix It Up! by Hervé Tullet
As is often the case, this theme was inspired by noticing several cute picture books on the topic of hiding, seeking, and peek-a-boo. The challenge, then, was to choose titles that were different enough to be interesting, rather than rehashing the same shtick over and over. This is a great theme to use scarves and the ever-popular Little Mouse flannel game.
Early Literacy Tip: Peek-a-boo is a game that helps develop object permanence, which is part of early learning. Object permanence is an understanding that objects and events continue to exist, even when they cannot directly be seen, heard, or touched. Did you know baby’s age affects how they play peek-a-boo? 0-3 Months – Baby just watches and may smile or coo 3-6 Months – Helps baby visually track if you “peek” from different spots 6-9 Months – Baby becomes curious and might laugh because they enjoy the game 9-12 Months – Baby imitates you and may use early language by saying “boo” 12+ Months – Baby might initiate the game by covering their eyes
Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello
I found a number of these different-sized ladybugs made by a predecessor. They are sewn and have some kind of crinkly material in the middle – I’m not sure what they were used for before. But I used one of the smallest ones to “hide” on my body. Using a “itty bitty” voice for the ladybug parts makes it more silly and fun. Rhyme with Flannel: Hide and Seek Ladybug Ladybug, ladybug, where are you? I’m right here beside your shoe. Ladybug, ladybug, where could you be? I’m right here upon your knee. Ladybug, ladybug, did you give me the slip? I’m right here sitting on your hip. Ladybug, ladybug, where did you go? I’m right here, perched on your elbow. Ladybug, ladybug, are you here? I’m right here, over on your ear. Ladybug, ladybug, you’re gone I suppose? I’m right here sitting on your nose! Credit: Canton Public Library (MI)
Read: Where’s Lenny? by Ken Wilson-Max
Scarf Rhyme: Little Bo Peep Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep (hide scarf behind you) And doesn’t know where to find them Leave them alone and they’ll come home (bring scarf out) Wagging their tails behind them (shake scarf) Credit: Jbrary
Scarf Song: One Bright Scarf One bright scarf waiting for the wind to blow Toss it up high, and wave it down low Wiggle it fast, and wiggle it slow (hide the scarf) Hey! Where did it go? (bring out) Here it is! Credit: Jbrary
Scarf Game: Peekaboo Peekaboo, where are you hiding in your… PLACE! PEEKABOO! Peekaboo, I see you and your smiling… FACE! PEEKABOO! Credit: Jbrary(link no longer available)
Strangely, the game played in this book is hide and seek, not peek-a-boo. Read: Peek-A-Boo Bunny by Holly Surplice
Flannel: Little Mouse Little mouse, little mouse, Are you in the _____ house? I always knock on the door before seeing if Mouse is home! Credit: ubiquitous – I can’t remember where I first saw this long ago
Fingerplay/Tickle: Here Is the Beehive Here is the beehive, But where are the bees? Hidden away, Where nobody sees Watch and you’ll see them Come out of the hive: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5… They’re alive! Buzz, buzz, buzz! Credit: Jbrary
Read: The Elephants’ Guide to Hide-and-Seek by Kjersten Hayes & Gladys Jose
Ukulele Song: Mr. Sun Oh, Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun Please shine down on me Oh, Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun Hiding behind a tree
These little children are asking you To please come out so we can play with you
Craft: Hide and Seek House Kids get to craft their own lift-the-flap picture. I included pictures of a dog, cat, or mouse to color and hide behind the door, but of course kids can draw whatever they please.
I also suggested these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video. Where’s Baby? by Anne Hunter Everybunny Count! by Ellie Sandall Hide ‘n’ Sheep by Jennifer Sattler & Benson Shum
Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars
This storytime was presented virtually on 3/23/21.
