Tag: flannel

Preschool Storytime: Celebrate the Moon

Posted on by msemilylibrary

October 1 was the first full moon of autumn, and the date of the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival. I have done programming on the moon from a scientific perspective in the past (during the 2019 Universe of Stories summer reading theme), but this time I wanted to concentrate on how the moon has been celebrated traditionally and across cultures.

See other versions of this theme from 2022 and 2026.

You can see the virtual program that does not include the full books read aloud here.

Early Literacy Tip: Children are naturally curious about the world around them. Take advantage of this curiosity to help them develop background knowledge. When we talk with our children about things that interest them and when we share books to broaden their knowledge, all this learning they have about the world, big ideas and little facts, will help them later understand what they read.

Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello

Discussion: Did you get to see the full moon on Thursday? Ever since then it’s gotten a little bit smaller and skinnier as it goes through its phases. Did you know that throughout all of history, and all over the world, people have looked up in the sky and told stories about the moon? In China, Japan, Korea, the Aztec empire, and the Cree people of Canada have all told stories about the Moon Rabbit. The Salish people of the Pacific Northwest and in China there are also stories about a Moon Toad! In Angola stories were told about the Moon Frog, and the Maori of New Zealand had a story about the Lady in the Moon. You may have heard of the “Man in the Moon,” which is common where we live – that originated with a story from Germany! Perhaps you’ve seen drawings of the moon that look like this (holding up full and crescent versions of a “man in the moon.”) The moon is so far away that people couldn’t see it very clearly, so they imagined what it looked like. But now, we have telescopes that give us a better picture (hold up full and crescent photographs of the moon). Still, it’s fun to use our imaginations and tell stories about the moon. (Credit to Mental Floss for the global moon stories – also, I realize I probably babbled on about all this for much too long! Editing myself is something I’m working on…)

Here are some traditional nursery rhymes that feature the moon
Rhyme: The Man In The Moon
The man in the moon looked out of the moon,
Looked out of the moon and said:
It’s time for all children on the Earth
To think about getting to bed!
Credit: traditional

Flannel Rhyme: Hey, Diddle, Diddle
Hey, diddle, diddle, the cat and the fiddle
The cow jumped over the moon
The little dog laughed to see such fun
And the dish ran away with the spoon
Credit: traditional

Professionally printed flannel with pieces of the cat and the fiddle, the laughing dog, a cow, and the dish and spoon, with a background piece with green grass and a night sky featuring a full moon with a face for the rhyme "Hey, Diddle, Diddle"

Read: Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes

Song: Moon, Moon, Moon
Moon, moon, moon, shining bright
Moon, moon, moon, my night light
Moon, moon, moon, I can see
Moon, moon, moon, you’re taking care of me
(sing twice)

Look up, it’s the moon
Look up, it’s the moon
Look up, it’s the moon up in the sky
It’s big and round and I have found
That it looks just like a pizza pie!
Credit: The Laurie Berkner Band, from the album Victor Vito

Rhyme: The Moon is Round
The moon is round –
As round can be (trace the circle of your face)
Two eyes, a nose, (point at eyes and nose)
And a mouth like me! (point at mouth, then hug baby or self)
Credit: Jbrary

Fingerplay: Sun and Moon
(One hand is the moon as a crescent and the other is the
sun – spread five fingers for sun’s rays)
Moon comes out, Sun goes in
Here is a blanket to cuddle your chin (tickle chin)
Moon goes in, and Sun comes out
Throw off the blankets and bustle about!
(Fling arms out wide and wiggle body)
Credit: Sunflower Storytime

The next book compares the light of the moon to butter!
Read: Moonlight by Helen V. Griffith & Laura Dronzek

Action Rhyme: Big Yellow Moon
Big yellow moon shines so bright, (circle overhead)
Glides across the starry night (arms glide left to right)
Looks down at me (hand shades eyes)
Asleep in bed, (head on hands)
Whispers, “Good night sleepyhead.” (shh)

Big yellow moon, your turn is done (circle overhead, then move arms down)
Here comes Mr. Morning Sun (circle overhead)
I wake up. (arms stretch out)
You go to bed. (head on hands)
“Sleep well, Moon, you sleepyhead.” (shh)
Credit: King County Library System

Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom!
Zoom, zoom, zoom, we’re going to the moon (rhythmically slide hands by each other)
Zoom, zoom, zoom, we’re going to the moon
If you’d like to take a trip, climb aboard my rocket ship (fingers walk up opposite arm)
Zoom zoom zoom, we’re going to the moon
In 5…4…3…2…1…BLAST OFF! (count on hands, crouch lower and lower, then JUMP!)
Credit: Jbrary

The last story is about the Mid-Autumn Moon festival, which is celebrated in China and many other Asian countries, and among some Asian-American families. It’s an opportunity to give thanks for a good harvest, and is centered on the full moon.
Read: Thanking the Moon by Grace Lin

Fingerplay: Twinkling Stars
At night I see the twinkling stars (wiggle fingers)
And the great big shining moon (arms overhead in circle)
My mama tucks me into bed (fists under chin)
And sings this goodnight tune! (follow with a lullaby)
Credit: Sunflower Storytime

Ukulele Song: I See the Moon
(tune of Hush, Little Baby)
I see the moon and the moon sees me
Down through the leaves of the old oak tree
Please let the moon that shines on me
Shine on the ones I love

Over the mountain, over the sea
Back where my heart is longing to be
Please let the moon that shines on me
Shine on the ones I love
Credit: Jbrary

Download a ukulele songsheet for I See the Moon

Thumbnail of I See the Moon ukulele chord sheet

Craft: Moon Lanterns
Make a paper lantern just like the ones we saw in Thanking the Moon. Easy instructions can be easily found online. This craft gives kids practice cutting, and being careful not to cut all the way through the folded paper, but to stop before the end. There are many variations – ours had an inner tube of contrasting color and a handle that was made from a 1.5 inch strip cut from that inner piece.

Picture of paper moon lantern craft.

I also booktalked these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video.
Moonbeams: A Lullaby of the Phases of the Moon by Ann Bausum & Kyung Eun Han
Max and the Tag-Along Moon by Floyd Cooper
A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin

max and the tag-along moon book cover, with a large yellow moon in the top right corner framing a little boy looking upward from playing with cars

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented virtually on 10/6/20.

Storytime Handout:

Preschool Storytime: What We Wear

Posted on by msemilylibrary

I’ve been wanting to do a clothing theme since making the One Red Sock flannel a few months ago, so finally got a chance to do it. This was a fun theme, with lots of great options for books as well as songs and rhymes. I was also able to use the last Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Award nominee from 2020 I hadn’t yet used in storytime, Pirate Jack Gets Dressed. I loved the flannelboard idea found in the program guide, and ended up with two versions. The first was a quicker, easier print out that came straight from the guide. I used magnets and quickly learned that it’s really hard to have multiple layers with magnets! Plus, some things went under his beard, complicating the layering. I ended up making a felt version that worked much better. This was a good storytime to talk about the myth of “girl colors” and “boy colors” since Pirate Jack loves all the colors, and I also put in a little plug about glamorous clothes good for some people (boys and girls), but it’s okay to want to wear plain clothes, too. Dismantling gendered socialization one storytime at a time!

You can see the virtual program that does not include the full books read aloud here.

Early Literacy Tip: Playing rhyming games in the car, while waiting for an appointment, or anywhere can be a fun way to help your child hear the smaller sounds in words. Remember, children can recognize a rhyme before they can make the rhyme. So if it’s too hard to make rhymes, let them start with hearing rhymes and recognizing them. For example, the question “Does cat rhyme with bat?” is easier for young children to answer than the question, “What rhymes with cat?” Children enjoy playing with words and their sounds.

Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello

Ukulele Song: If Your Clothes Have Any Red
(tune of If You’re Happy and You Know It)
If your clothes have any red, any red,
If your clothes have any red, any red,
If your clothes have any red,
Put your fingers on your head,
If your clothes have any red, any red.

Additional verses:
Blue … count your fingers up to two
Green … curl your fingers and look mean
Pink … open your eyes wide then blink
Black … do a quick jumping jack
Brown … make a face like a clown
Yellow … Sit back down and look real mellow
Credit: Firefly Early Literacy Award Program Guide 2020 (Pink, black, and brown verses by Ms. Emily)

Download a ukulele songsheet for If You’re Happy and You Know It)

Read: Pirate Jack Gets Dressed by Nancy Raines Day & Allison Black
I did the flannel while reading the book. A little more difficult, but it was worth it. I started by creating a printed cardstock version, laminated, and attached with magnets. As someone who has to complicate everything, I replaced the generic face with an actual scan of Pirate Jack’s illustration. I cut out his beard and cut slits in the shirt, vest, and coat to get them all to fit underneath. However, the paper version was VERY precarious on a vertical magnet board and awfully difficult to keep so many layers in the right place. When it was clear that wasn’t working well, I went ahead and did a felt version. I lengthened his body to fit the pants and boots (in the paper version his boots are just stuck on the ends of his legs with nothing underneath.) I like the felt version a lot, even though it was a lot of work! The parrot might be my favorite piece!

Action Song: Baby, Put Your Pants On
(tune of Shortnin’ Bread)
Baby, put your pants on, pants on, pants on (mime putting on pants)
Baby, put your pants on: 1, 2, 3!

Repeat with other articles of clothing (socks or tights, shoes, etc.)

Now that you’re all dressed, all dressed, all dressed
Now that you’re all dressed, Let’s go out to play!
Credit: Storytime Hooligans

Our next book is about a missing sock! It reminded me of a poem I heard that made me laugh:
Poem: I’m Glad I’m Not a Centipede
I’m glad I’m not a centipede
And I will tell you why:
I would have 100 feet
And 100 shoes to tie!
Credit: thelibraryann

Read: One Red Sock by Jennifer Sattler
Two flannels in one storytime! Crazy.

Flannel for one red sock. Purple hippo, pink chair, variety of socks next to the book.

Action Rhyme: Hickory Dickory Dock
Hickory, dickory, dock. Let’s put on our socks.
We’ll walk around, Without a sound,
When we put on our socks

Additional verses:
…We’ll slide around…
…We’ll tiptoe around…
Credit: Miss Mariah’s Library

Shaker Song: We Shake and We Shake and We 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
Repeat with other actions such as circle, roll, twirl, tap, wave)
Credit: Jbrary

Shaker Song: Wishy Washy Washerwoman
Waaaay down in the valley where nobody goes
There’s a wishy washy washerwoman washing her clothes
She goes wishy washy up, she goes wishy washy down
She goes wishy washy up, she goes wishy washy down
That’s how the wishy washy washerwoman washes her clothes!

Additional verses:
…drying her clothes, she goes whoo-eee! (shake in a circle)
…folding her clothes, she goes side, side (clap shaker to one side, then the other)
Credit: traditional, as sung by Carole Peterson on her page Macaroni Soup

Our next story is about a little girl who likes to wear glamorous clothes!
Read: Mary Had a Little Glam by Tammi Sauer & Vanessa Brantley-Newton

Action Song: Hat, Sweater, Pants, and Shoes
(tune of Head Shoulders Knees and Toes)
Hat, sweater, pants, and shoes (Pants and shoes)
Hat, sweater, pants, and shoes (Pants and shoes)
Belt, and scarf, and underwear!
Hat, sweater, pants, and shoes (Pants and shoes)
Credit: Literary Hoots

Craft: Clothesline Scene
Color a field or the ground for your clothesline to sit on. Glue down the ends of the yarn but leave the middle free, then the sticks to make the clothesline. Color and cut clothes out, then “hang” them using tabs. (If this is too fiddly, feel free to glue down the string and the clothes.) Add details like sun, clouds, trees, etc.
I couldn’t find clothes with tabs the way I wanted, so I created my own page of clothesline clothes using Canva. Download the PDF here.

I also booktalked these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video.
Ella Sarah Gets Dressed by Margaret Chodos-Irvine
Mrs. McNosh Hangs Up Her Wash by Sarah Weeks & Nadine Bernard Westcott

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented virtually on 9/29/20.

Storytime Handout:

Preschool Storytime: Autumn

Posted on by msemilylibrary

Storytime fell on the official first day of autumn, so it seemed natural to make that our theme today. This is a very basic theme, but I actually struggled planning it because it seemed like so many of the songs and rhymes were so alike. I planned to do individual sessions on apples and pumpkins, so I saved those, and everything else seemed to be variations on the falling leaf motif! I tried to mix it up a little bit, even though three activities were about leaves. Making two of them scarf songs kept it more interesting in my view. I borrowed heavily from Sunflower Storytime’s plan – even though I had pulled from many sources in my planning stage, hers just worked well for me and the flow of the stories! In my mind, our arc went from nonfiction, to a fictional title about nature, to a fictional title about human traditions.

You can see the virtual program that does not include the full books read aloud here.

See other versions of this theme from 2023 and 2025.

Early Literacy Tip: Factual books are a great way to expand children’s knowledge about the world. You can read the whole book or choose certain pages your child might be interested in. In fact, it’s perfectly okay to read only parts of a book, or to just focus on the pictures. You can adapt the experience to your child’s interest and attention span.

Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello

Read: selections from Awesome Autumn by Bruce Goldstone
I paper-clipped some pages together, and read just the larger font sentences after talking about the early literacy tip. We did include the information about birds migrating, which helped transition to our first rhyme.

Each bird is one who migrates for the winter.
Fingerplay: Two Little Bluebirds
Two little bluebirds sitting on a hill
One named Jack and one named Jill
Fly away Jack, fly away Jill
Come back Jack, come back Jill

Two little blackbirds in the corn crop
One named Bottom and the other named Top
Fly away Bottom, fly away Top
Come back Bottom, come back Top

Two little geese sitting on a stick
One named slow and one named quick
Fly away slow, fly away quick
Come back slow, come back quick
Credit: traditional, adapted

Fingerplay: Autumn Leaves
Leaves are falling from the trees (Flutter fingers down)
Yellow, brown and red.
Falling, falling from above.
One landed on my head! (Hands on head)
Credit: Sunflower Storytime

What happens in nature during fall?
Read: In the Middle of Fall by Kevin Henkes & Laura Dronzek

Scarf Song: Autumn Leaves are Falling Down
(tune of London Bridge)
Autumn leaves are falling down (flutter scarf down)
Falling down, falling down
Autumn leaves are falling down
All around the town

Additional verses:
The wind will blow them round and round… (twirl in a circle)
Take a rake and rake them up… (use scarf as a scoop)
Now let’s jump into the pile… (jump and throw scarf)
Credit: Sunflower Storytime

Scarf Song: Leaves Are Twirling
(tune of Frère Jacques)
Leaves are twirling, leaves are twirling
All around, all around
They are falling softly, very, very softly
To the ground, to the ground
Credit: Sunflower Storytime

The next book talks more about the traditions that one family has during autumn – look to see which ones you recognize and which are new to you. Perhaps you’ll want to start some new traditions inspired by this book!
Read: I Know it’s Autumn by Eileen Spinelli & Nancy Hayashi

Action Song: Scarecrow, Scarecrow
(tune of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star)
Scarecrow, scarecrow, turn around
Scarecrow, scarecrow, touch the ground
Stand up tall and blink your eyes
Raise your hands up to the sky
Clap your hands, then tap your knees
Turn around and stomp your feet

Scarecrow, scarecrow, touch your toes
Scarecrow, scarecrow, tap your nose
Swing your arms so very slow
Now really fast to scare the crows!
Touch your head, jump up and down
Now sit down without a sound
Credit: Adventures in Storytime

Flannel Rhyme: Blue is the Sky
Blue is the sky, Yellow is the sun
Silver are the stars, When the day is done
Orange is the leaf, Brown is the tree
Red is the apple, For you and me
Credit: Mel’s Desk

flannel of Blue is the Sky: a light blue blob, yellow sun, two silver stars, an orange leaf, a brown tree with no leaves (mounted on a tan blob), and a red apple.

Craft: Tissue Paper Autumn Tree
A simple but pretty craft that allows kids to work their grip muscles by crunching up pieces of tissue paper. Liquid glue seems to work best for this. I printed a bare tree on blue construction paper. If you aren’t sure how to print on construction paper, I highly recommend learning! Makes a lot of crafts much easier!

I also booktalked these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video.
Fall Leaves Fall by Zoe Hall & Shari Halpern
When Autumn Falls by Kelli Nidey & Susan Swan
Fall Mixed Up by Bob Raczka & Chad Cameron

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented virtually on 9/22/20.

Storytime Handout:

Preschool Storytime: Squirrels!

Posted on by msemilylibrary

Hoo-boy, I have been busy! It feels like storytimes have taken a bit longer to plan, and we started offering school-age programs as well in September, so there’s been less time to write up blog posts. But I’ll get them all!

Squirrels may be one of my favorite animals. We have several oak trees in our yard at my house, so we have lots of squirrel friends to watch throughout the year. They’re cute, they have funny tails, and adorable paws for patting the ground after burying an acorn! Plus, there are some GREAT picture books, rhymes, and songs about squirrels, so it’s a perfect storytime theme.

You can see the virtual program that does not include the full books read aloud here.
See another version of this from 2023 here.

Early Literacy Tip: Having your child retell a story is one way to help them understand the story. However, sometimes retelling the whole story can be hard. You can start off with having your child say a repeated phrase as we did in the book Ol’ Mama Squirrel. “Chook, chook, chook! Get out of my tree!” “And that takes care of that!”

Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello

Action Rhyme: Sneaky, Squeaky Squirrel
Sneaky, squeaky, (tiptoe) Hippity, hop, (hop)
Up he goes to the tree top (stretch arms up)
Whirly, twirly round and round (spin around)
Down he scampers to the ground. (sit down)
Credit: Librionyian

Read: Squirrels Leap, Squirrels Sleep by April Pulley Sayre & Steve Jenkins

We talked about the different kinds of squirrels that were mentioned in the book, and I showed photographs of these. For the rhyme, we did a verse for each.

Action Rhyme: Gray Squirrel, Gray Squirrel
Gray squirrel, gray squirrel, shake your bushy tail
Gray squirrel, gray squirrel, shake your bushy tail
Wrinkle up your funny nose…
Hold a nut between your toes…
Gray squirrel, gray squirrel, shake your bushy tail
Gray squirrel, gray squirrel, shake your bushy tail
(repeat with fox squirrel, red squirrel, and flying squirrel)
Credit: Jbrary

Fingerplay: This Little Squirrel
(wiggle each finger in turn)
This little squirrel said, “Let’s run and play!”
This little squirrel said, “Let’s hunt nuts today!”
This little squirrel said, “Yes, nuts are good.”
This little squirrel said, “Yes, my favorite food.”
This little squirrel said, “Come climb this tree.”
(run fingers up other arm, quickly)
And crack these nuts: one, two, three!
(clap hands three times)
Credit: Sunflower Storytime via Storytime Katie

Our grownups love us and want to protect us. In the next book, Ol’ Mama Squirrel is VERY protective of her babies!
Read: Ol’ Mama Squirrel by David Ezra Stein

Song: Grr, Grr Went the Big Brown Bear
Grrr, grrr went the big brown bear one day (make claws and scary face)
Grrr , grrr went the big brown bear
Grrr, grrr went the big brown bear one day
And they all went grrr, grrr, grrr
But… We know bears go (clap) huggy, huggy, hug! (hug yourself)
(Clap) Huggy, huggy, hug, (clap) huggy, huggy, hug!
We know bears go (clap) huggy, huggy, hug!
They don’t go grrr, grrr, grrr

Jump, jump went the little red squirrel one day (jump!)
Jump, jump went the little red squirrel
Jump, jump went the little red squirrel one day
And they all went jump, jump, jump.
But… We know squirrels go (clap) rub a dub a dub! (arms “run” in front of you)
(Clap) Rub a dub a dub, (clap) rub a dub a dub!
We know squirrels go (clap) rub a dub a dub!
They don’t go jump, jump, jump
Credit: Jbrary

My Scaredy Squirrel puppet took these acorns off the flannel board.
Flannel Rhyme: Squirrel’s Acorns
Down around the corner by the big oak tree
Sat five little acorns looking sooo yummy
Along came a squirrel with a big bushy tail
He took one acorn and ran off down the trail
(count down)
Credit: Storytime Secrets

Photo of 5 felt acorns with a puppet of Melanie Watt's Scaredy Squirrel

Read: Scaredy Squirrel by Mélanie Watt

We need to follow that silly story with a silly song! In this one, we will click/clack our tongues. Let’s practice. If you can’t quite get it, you can clap instead of clicking!
Song: I’m a Nut (The Acorn Song)
I’m an acorn small and round
Lying on the cold, cold, ground
People always step on me
That is why I’m cracked you see
I’m a nut (clack, clack)
I’m a nut (clack, clack)
I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut (clack, clack)
Credit: traditional

Craft: Scaredy Squirrel Headbands
Assemble the shapes as shown in the picture. Glue the headband piece to the bottom of Scaredy’s head, then measure to fit your child’s head. Glue or staple the pieces. (I made my own pattern pieces based on this blog post from LiBrionyan.)

I also booktalked these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video.
Squirrel’s Family Tree by Beth Ferry & A.N. Kang
Girl Versus Squirrel by Hayley Barrett & Renée Andriani
This Is a Taco! by Andrew Cangelose & Josh Shipley

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented virtually on 9/15/20.

Storytime Handout:

Preschool Storytime: City Life

Posted on by msemilylibrary

Life in the big city! There are so many titles that depict city life, it was hard to choose. My library is in a small town surrounded by countryside but fairly close to the larger city of Indianapolis. It’s no Big Apple, but I assumed many of them have some personal experience with tall buildings and busy streets. I quite enjoyed the extension activities for this week as well.

You can see the virtual program that does not include the full books read aloud here.

Early Literacy Tip: Rhymes like “The Hippopotamus got on the City Bus” call attention to the fact that “hip” is just one part of the bigger word “hippopotamus.” Also, when we complete the verses for cow, sheep and snake we show how familiar animal sounds can be found in other words that we regularly use. Recognizing and playing with the smaller sounds in words is called phonological awareness. Researchers have recognized this as a critical pre-reading skill that helps kids sound out words when they begin to learn how to read.

Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello

Read: City Shapes by Diana Murray & Bryan Collier

What shapes are these? Black rectangle, green circle, yellow circle, red circle – it’s a stoplight! There are stoplights everywhere, but there are LOTS in a city where there are many vehicles and traffic.
Flannel Rhyme: Green Means Go
Green means “GO!” Go! Go! Go! (roll arms quickly)
Yellow means “Slow.” Slow… slow… slow. (roll arms slowly)
Red means “STOP!” (ASL sign for stop: one hand making a
chopping motion onto flat opposite hand)
Go! Go! Go! (roll fast)
Slow… slow… slow… (roll slow)
STOP! (ASL sign for stop)
Credit: Jbrary

A simple stoplight flannel. I chose to leave the pieces unglued so we can “construct” it. Yes, I did have to look up the order of the colors!

In the city, it’s very busy, and the city is always growing and changing. Sometimes old buildings are torn down and new buildings are constructed. Here’s a stretch about a tall crane that helps build them.

Stretch Rhyme: Cranes Reach Up
Cranes reach up
Cranes reach down
Cranes reach out
And all around
Credit: Jbrary

Read: Skyscraper by Jorey Hurley
I asked the kids to notice the trees in almost every spread, showing the changing seasons. It takes a long time to build a skyscraper!

A tongue twister and a memory challenge!
Song: She’ll Be Driving a Bulldozer
(tune of She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain)
She’ll be driving a bulldozer when she comes…Push it back! (pushing motion)
She’ll be driving a bulldozer when she comes…Push it back! (pushing motion)
She’ll be driving a bulldozer, she’ll be driving a bulldozer,
She’ll be driving a bulldozer when she comes…Push it back!

Additional verses: (at the end of each verse, do ALL the previous refrains in reverse order. So, the last one would be “Clean it up! Lift it high! Mix it up! Look out below! Scoop it up! Push it back!”)
…running a big digger… Scoop it up! (scooping motion)
…working a dirt-dumper… Look out below! (hands around mouth)
…on a cement mixer… Mix it up! (roll arms)
…moving a tall crane arm… Lift it high! (reach arm up)
…steering a street-sweeper… Clean it up! (sweeping motions)
Credit: Rob Reid’s Storytime Slam! 15 Lesson Plans for Preschool and Primary Story Programs.  Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin: Upstart Books.  p8

Lap Bounce: Bumpity-Bumpity Goes the Dump Truck
(tune of Michael Finnegan)
Bumpity, bumpity goes the dump truck (bounce gently)
Bumpity, bumpity goes the dump truck
Bumpity, bumpity goes the dump truck
Dump out the load! (lean to side or back)
Credit: Jbrary

With so many people, there can be a lot of traffic on the road in a city. Many people ride together on buses, trains, and subways to reduce traffic and get from one place to another more quickly.

Rhythm Rhyme: Hippopotamus on a City Bus
(slap thighs rhythmically until the last line of each verse)
A hip, a hip, a hippopotamus
Got on, got on, got on a city bus
And all, and all, and all the people said,
“You’re squishing us!” (squish face or hug baby)

Additional verses:
A cow, a cow, a cow got on a bus
Yes, a cow, a cow, a cow got on the bus
And all, and all, and all the people said,“Mooooove over!”
(lean far to one side)
A snake…“Sssssssssit down!” (motion hand down)
A sheep…“Baaaack up!” (lean far back)
Credit: Jbrary

Read: Noisy Night by Mac Barnett & Brian Biggs

Lifting Song: The Elevator Song
Oh, the city is great and the city is grand
There are a whole lot of people on a little piece of land
And we live way up on the fifty-seventh floor
And this is what we do when we go out the door:
We take the elevator up, we take the elevator down (3 times)
And we turn around!
Credit: Jbrary

Craft: Cityscape
Draw a city with white chalk on black construction paper, then decorate with vehicle foam stickers. I used ALL my stickers on mine!
Credit: Sunflower Storytime

Photo of craft: white chalk drawing on black paper of buildings, a road, a harbor, and a railroad, with colorful vehicle stickers such as cars, buses, boats, trains, and helicopters.
All the stickers!

I also booktalked these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video.
Good Morning, Digger by Anne Rockwell & Melanie Hope Greenberg
Go! Go! Go! Stop! by Charise Mericle Harper
City Moon by Rachael Cole & Blanca Gómez
Windows by Julia Denos & E. B. Goodale

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented virtually on 9/1/20.

Storytime Handout:

Handout with booklist, rhymes, and songs.

Preschool Storytime: Friends of All Kinds

Posted on by msemilylibrary

I just realized that I published another “Friends” theme last week, but it was actually presented four months ago in April! This week I wanted to focus on friendship and appreciating our friends even when they are different than us. I know that my friends share their experiences with me, and I get to learn more about the world we all live in.
For this theme, I used the familiar Thumbkin fingerplay, but with a variation that I first came up with for a Thanksgiving theme in November. I had a brainstorm to work in some ASL and avoid that pesky middle finger by doing thumbkin, pointer, pinky, then all three for the sign “I love you.” When we did it in person in November it was really cute to see the kids figure out the sign and at the very end the hands “hug” each other.

You can see the virtual program that does not include the full books read aloud here.

Early Literacy Tip: When you ask your children questions, give them extra time to think and to answer you. Talking back and forth uses four different parts of the brain, so it takes them some time to form their responses.

Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello

Fingerplay: Where Are Three Friends?
(variation of 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.
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. (Hands “hug” by clasping)
Credit: adapted from the traditional, last verse by me

Lyrics to Where are Three Friends with silhouettes of two hands with thumbs up and two hands showing the ASL "I Love You" sign.
The rhyme sheet I used when we were in person.

Read: Seagull & Sea Dragon by Sydni Gregg

Song: Put Your Puppet On Your Heart
(tune of If You’re Happy and You Know It)
Put your puppet on your heart, On your heart.
Put your puppet on your heart, On your heart.
Put your puppet on your heart, What a lovely way to start!
Put your puppet on your heart, On your heart.

Additional verses:
…on your knee… You’ll both be filled with glee…
…on your toes… Now move it to your nose…
…on your head… Put your puppet straight to bed…
Give your puppet a big hug…make them snug as a bug in a rug!
Credit: Jbrary

Action Song: Let’s Be Friends
(tune of London Bridge)
Let’s be friends with one another, one another, one another
Let’s be friends with one another
Let’s be friends today

You can sing with a friend…
(repeat with other actions such as jump, clap, dance, etc)
Credit: Step by Step Childcare

Read: My New Friend Is So Fun! by Mo Willems

Friends like to play games together. Look – Elephant and Piggie are going to play Hide and Seek! I rewrote the rhyme to go with this set to one that just flowed more naturally for me.
Flannel Rhyme: Elephant and Piggie Hiding Game
Piggie is hiding; let’s take a look
Are you behind the red book?
Credit: Literary Hoots for concept and printable files, Ms. Emily for the rhyme

Photo of laminated pieces: six books (blue, yellow, brown, green, purple, and red), and Mo Willems' characters Elephant Gerald and Piggie.
“We are in a book!”

Fingerplay: Two Little Friends
Two little friends are better than one, (raise two fingers on one hand, one on the other)
And three are better than two (raise one additional finger on both hands)
And four are much better still (raise one last finger on the first hand to make four)
Just think! What four little friends can do! (wiggle four fingers)
Credit: King County Library System

Read: Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev & Taeeun Yoo

One thing that friends do is have love and kindness for each other.
Fingerplay: Make a Heart
I put my hands together (hands palm-to-palm)
This is how I start
I curve my fingers right around (curl fingertips)
And I can make a heart!
Credit: Verona Story Time

Song: Skinnamarink
Skinnamarinky-dinky-dink, Skinnamarinky-doo
I love you!
Skinnamarinky-dinky-dink, Skinnamarinky-doo
I love you!

I love you in the morning
and in the afternoon.
I love you in the evening
underneath the moon.

Skinnamarinky-dinky-dink, Skinnamarinky-doo
I love you!
Credit: Traditional. Find hand motions at this video from Jbrary

Craft: Friendship Chains
Decorate multicolored people figures and connect them with paper hearts.
Credit: Storytime Mellie

Photo of three generic construction paper people figures of different skin tones, each colored with unique clothes and hair, connected at the arms with two hearts.

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented virtually on 8/25/20.

Storytime Handout:

Preschool Storytime: Friends

Posted on by msemilylibrary

This was a bit of a miscellany of a theme, but all three books did, indeed, feature friends. Rhymes and songs were loosely associated, but overall it flowed well. This was the last storytime I did on Facebook live before re-recording a permanent version for YouTube, so there is no video. Throughout these virtual storytimes, I encouraged parents to create their own props using household materials. Shakers can be made from rice or beans inside small plastic food containers, sippy cups with holes taped closed, leftover plastic Easter eggs, even cardboard tubes with the ends secured. I always mention before shaker songs that if you don’t have one handy, a “magic shaker” can be used by making the shaking motion and “ch-ch-cha”ing along. With everyone staying safer at home, we weren’t providing handouts or Take and Make packets at that time. I tried to suggest either crafts made with household materials or activities caregivers could do with their child.

Welcome Song: Clap and Sing Hello

Action Rhyme: Roly Poly
(Roll hands and change voice to coordinate with the lyrics)
Roly poly, roly, poly, up, up, up (arms up, voice higher)
Roly poly, roly, poly, down, down, down (arms down, voice low)
Roly poly, roly, poly, out, out, out (arms far from chest, voice expansive)
Roly poly, roly, poly, in, in, in (arms close to chest, voice and lips collapsed)
Roly poly, roly, poly, BIG, BIG, BIG (large movements, voice loud)
Roly poly, roly, poly, very, very small (roll only index fingers, voice quiet)
Roly poly, roly, poly, fast, fast, fast, fast, fast! (roll quickly, voice frenetic)
Rol…ly… po…ly… in… your… lap (roll very slowly, then lay hands down, speak in slow motion)
Credit: Rebecca Jane Flanagan

Read: Bear Came Along by Richard T. Morris & LeUyen Pham

A song for quarantine. This one was suggested on Storytime Underground for virtual storytimes. The original goes “I am here and you are here.” You can also add motions to extend the song.
Action Song: I Am Here and You Are There
I am here and you are there but we are all together.
I am here and you are there and we’re going to have some fun.
I’m going to clap my hands.

Repeat, clapping hands throughout verse 2
I am here and you are there but we are all together.
I am here and you are there and we’re going to have some fun.
I’m going to clap my hands.
I’m going to stamp my feet.

Repeat, clapping hands AND stomping feet throughout verse 3
I am here and you are there but we are all together.
I am here and you are there and we’re going to have some fun.
I’m going to clap my hands.
I’m going to stamp my feet.
I’m going to nod my head.

Repeat, clapping hands AND stomping feet AND nodding head throughout verse 4
I am here and you are there but we are all together.
I am here and you are there and we have had some fun!
Credit: King County Library System

Fingerplay: Dance Your Fingers Up
Dance your fingers up, dance your fingers down
Dance them to the side and dance them all around.
Dance them on our shoulders, dance them on your head.
Dance them on your tummy, and put them all to bed!
Credit: King County Library System

Read: The Doghouse by Jan Thomas

Flannel Game: Little Mouse
Little Mouse, little Mouse,
Are you in the red house?

Picture of flannel pieces for the hide-and-seek game Little Mouse. Includes 7 houses of varying colors and sizes and one mouse small enough to hide behind any of them.

Shaker Song: We Shake and We Shake and We 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

Additional verses:
We circle and circle and STOP… (draw a circle with shaker)
We tap and we tap and we STOP… (tap on different body parts)
We roll and we roll and we STOP… (roll arms)
Credit: Jbrary

Shaker Rhyme: Pop, Pop, Pop
Pop, pop, pop
Put the corn in the pot
Pop, pop, pop
Shake it ’til it’s hot
Pop, pop, pop
Lift the lid and what have you got?
Popcorn!
Credit: Jbrary (see video for motions)

Read: The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog by Mo Willems

Fingerplay: 5 Little Hot Dogs
Five little hot dogs (wiggle 5 fingers on one hand)
frying in a pan, (other hand flat as a pan, 5 fingers wiggle above it)
The grease got hot (rub hands together)
and one went BAM! (1 finger up, then CLAP on “bam”)

(Count down, then last verse:)
No little hot dogs frying in a pan
The grease got hot and the pan went BAM!
Credit: Jbrary

Activity Suggestion: Draw a picture of YOUR favorite food. Or, draw a picture of your favorite meal that you eat this week, or make a food journal and draw a picture of each night’s dinner. Do as much or as little as you like. Here are my favorites, a strawberry and a blueberry!

Line drawing of a strawberry and a blueberry on lined notebook paper.

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented virtually on 4/28/20.

Preschool Storytime: Summertime Fun

Posted on by msemilylibrary

The first inkling of this storytime theme came from a desire to use the book Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall. It’s a gorgeous book with a lovely story about everyday fear and courage at a public pool. As I was researching other books to use with a “Summer” theme, I saw several that had to do with pools, vacations, visiting relatives, selling lemonade etc. All things that kids right now cannot do due to public places being closed and the need to stay safer at home. I decided that I really wanted to highlight the summer fun that can be had even with lockdowns and quarantine. I will definitely return to Jabari Jumps another time, but for now I focused on popsicles, hiking/camping, and firefly watching.

You can see the virtual program that does not include the full books read aloud here.

Early Literacy Tip: Our fingerplay and craft activities encourage your children to use finger motions of different kinds, grasping, and gripping muscles. These motions help them later when they are learning to write.

Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello

What’s something that makes you think it’s summer? It’s hot! What makes it hot? The sun!
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
Oh, Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun
Please shine down on me
Credit: Raffi (from the album Singable Songs for the Very Young)
Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet here!

Action Rhyme: Big Round Sun
Big round sun in the summer sky (arms rounded up high)
Waved to a cloud that was passing by (wave)
The little cloud laughed as it started to rain (fingers wave down)
And out came the big round sun again. (arms rounded high)
Credit: Mel’s Desk

One thing I like to do when it’s hot outside is have a popsicle! This book talks about paletas – that’s popsicles in Spanish.

Read: What Can You Do With a Paleta?/¿Qué Puedes Hacer Con una Paleta? by Carmen Tafolla & Magaly Morales

I sang this one instead of using the recording, so I could do the different flavors (I think the official song only does lime, grape, and rainbow.) I did the first verse as a setup, then only repeated the second part for each flavor.
Flannel Song: I’m Eating a Popsicle
In the summer when it’s really hot,
I want something that will hit the spot
Well it’s not a pickle & I’m not very fickle
All I want is an ice cold popsicle!

I’m eating a grape popsicle,
I’m eating a grape popsicle
Slurp, slurp, slurp, (slurp, slurp, slurp)
Yum, yum, yum (yum, yum, yum)
Now stick out your tongue: egh, egh, egh
Stick out your tongue: egh, egh, egh
What color is your tongue when you’re done?
(repeat with: lime, cherry, orange, lemon, blueberry, rainbow)
Credit: Jodi Koplin’s Jigglejam (from the album Jumpin’ Bean)

Flannel of a girl with afro puff hair and 7 popsicles: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and rainbow striped. There is a matching removable tongue to go with each flavor.
My cute popsicle girl!

In the summer we can also go camping or on a nature hike. Or on a boat like a canoe or a rowboat.

Bounce Song: Rowin’ Down the River
(tune of Bumpin’ Up & Down in My Little Red Wagon)
Rowin’ down the river in my little green canoe (bounce or row)
Rowin’ down the river in my little green canoe
Rowin’ down the river in my little green canoe
Won’t you be my darlin’?

Additional verses:
Lookin’ out for rocks… (shade eyes)
Wavin’ to a turtle… (wave)
Don’t stand up or you might tip over… (lean left and right)
Credit: Ms. Emily Library, adapted from Mel’s Desk

Read: Hiking Day by Anne Rockwell & Lizzy Rockwell

Fingerplay: Here is the Camper
Here is the camper (Hold up finger)
Here is the tent (Bend fingers of other hand over like tent)
They crawl inside on a summer night (Finger goes under hand)
Fireflies flicker in a friendly way (Fists opening out rapidly)
All is calm ’til the light of day. (Head on folded hands)
Credit: Sturgis Kids Wiki

Something special we enjoy in Indiana, perhaps even in your backyard: fireflies (or lightning bugs)! Did you know that the Say’s Firefly is the Indiana State Insect?

Fingerplay: Two Little Fireflies
Two little fireflies shining in the sky,
One shined low and one shined high.
Fly away low, Fly away high.
Come back low, Come back high.

Two little fireflies shining in the grass,
One shined slow and one shined fast.
Fly away slow, Fly away fast.
Come back slow, Come back fast.
Credit: Indiana Firefly Award 2020 Program Guide

Two paper fireflies attached to popsicle sticks.
Firefly puppets made with art shared by the Indiana Firefly Award 2019 Program Guide

Read: Firefly Home by Jane Clarke & Britta Teckentrup

Song: Twinkle, Twinkle Firefly
(tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star)
Twinkle, twinkle firefly, How I watch you in the night.
I see you sparkle, I see you shine, I hold you in these hands of mine.
Twinkle, twinkle firefly, A world of wonder flashing by.
Credit: Indiana Firefly Award 2020 Program Guide

Craft: Firefly Suncatcher. Use contact paper and tissue paper squares to make a firefly suncatcher. (or mooncatcher?) From I Heart Arts N Crafts via the Indiana Firefly Award 2020 Program Guide.

Craft depicting fireflies with black heads and wings and yellow and green thoraces made from tissue paper and clear contact paper.
Image credit to Jackie at I Heart Arts N Crafts

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

I also booktalked these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video. Each corresponds to one of the themes above. Let’s Go Hiking was actually written by a local author who is also one of my storytime moms!
One Hot Summer Day by Nina Crews
Let’s Go Hiking by Caitlin Taylor
Among a Thousand Fireflies by Helen Frost & Rick Lieder

This storytime was presented virtually on 8/18/20.

Storytime Handout:

Flannelboard: Popsicle Girl

Posted on by msemilylibrary

This cutie-patootie popsicle girl is used with the Jodi Koplin song, “Popsicle,” from her album Jumpin’ Bean, and was inspired by the brilliant librarian at Storytiming, who generously provided her template for her popsicle boy. Somehow I had a vision of a girl with adorable Afro puffs so he was transformed.

When I’ve used this, I sing instead of using the recording, so I could repeat for each of the different flavors. The official song only does lime, grape, and rainbow, and includes an additional bridge that I left out. I did the first verse as a setup, then only repeated the second part for each flavor.

Flannel of a girl with afro puff hair and 7 popsicles: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and rainbow striped. There is a matching removable tongue to go with each flavor.

Flannel Song: I’m Eating a Popsicle
In the summer when it’s really hot,
I want something that will hit the spot
Well it’s not a pickle & I’m not very fickle
All I want is an ice cold popsicle!

I’m eating a grape popsicle,
I’m eating a grape popsicle
Slurp, slurp, slurp, (slurp, slurp, slurp)
Yum, yum, yum (yum, yum, yum)
Now stick out your tongue: egh, egh, egh
Stick out your tongue: egh, egh, egh
What color is your tongue when you’re done?
(repeat with: lime, cherry, orange, lemon, blueberry, rainbow)
Credit: Jodi Koplin’s Jigglejam (from the album Jumpin’ Bean)

Preschool Storytime: Silly Stories

Posted on by msemilylibrary

This was one of my last storytimes that I did before we had access to the library building again, so I used books I had in my house as well as ones I had asked my director to pull for me. This storytime and the ones that came before it in lockdown were a bit of a mishmash of what I had on hand and a “theme” I could connect them with. These three books were just silly, so that became the theme! As with all the other storytimes done when the library was closed, we were not offering Take and Make packets or handouts.

You can see the virtual program that does not include the full books read aloud here.

Early Literacy Tip: Helping your children associate books and reading with something enjoyable and positive is supporting print motivation, a child’s interest in and enjoyment of books and reading. Researchers have noted that children who have enjoyable experiences around books are more likely to stick with learning to read even if it difficult.

Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello

Read: Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed by Mo Willems

Action Rhyme: The Colors I See
Red, red is the color I see
If you’re wearing red then show it to me!
Stand up, take a bow, turn around
Then sit back down right on the ground!
Repeat with any colors – don’t forget black, white, and brown!
Credit: King County Library System

Flannel Game: Little Mouse
Little Mouse, Little Mouse,
Are you in the red house?

Flannel set with seven houses of varying colors and sizes and one small mouse

Read: Who Wet My Pants? by Bob Shea & Zachariah Ohora

Bouncing Song: Baby, Put Your Pants On
(tune of Shortnin’ Bread)
Baby put your pants on, pants on, pants on
Baby put your pants on, 1, 2, 3
Baby put your pants on, pants on, pants on
Baby put your pants on, 1, 2, 3

Leg to the left, leg to the right
Wiggle and jiggle and pull ’em up tight.
Leg to the left, leg to the right
Wiggle and jiggle and pull ’em up tight.

Other verses: shirt, socks, shoes, hat
Credit: Jbrary

Fingerplay: Two Little Friends
Two little friends are better than one (two fingers on one hand, one finger on the other)
And three are better than two
And four are much better still –
Just think! What four little friends can do!
List activities that four friends can do together.
Credit: King County Library System

Read: Dinosaur Vs. Bedtime by Bob Shea

Ukulele Song: Shake My Sillies Out
I gotta shake, shake, shake my sillies out
Shake, shake, shake my sillies out
Shake, shake, shake my sillies out
And wiggle my waggles away!

Additional verses:
I gotta clap, clap, clap my crazies out…
I gotta jump, jump, jump my jiggles out…
I gotta stretch, stretch, stretch my stretchies out…
I gotta yawn, yawn, yawn my sleepies out…
Credit: Raffi (from the album Raffi in Concert with the Rise and Shine Band)
Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet here!

Activity Suggestion: Paper Plate Doughnuts. Make your own doughnuts like the ones in Who Wet My Pants? with paper plates. Decorate the outside with the icing and sprinkles you like, and ask a grownup to help cut out a hole in the middle. If you make multiples, you can use them for a ring toss game!

paper plate doughnut craft

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented virtually on 5/12/20.