props – Page 10 – Storytime with Ms. Emily Library

Storytime: Camping

Posted on August 12, 2022August 7, 2025 by msemilylibrary

I have a short break before my next set of storytimes, so I took a look at my old files and will start blogging some of the older themes I did pre-pandemic. Today’s is the very first theme I did on my own when I started as an early literacy librarian (I’d done some ad hoc before, but it wasn’t the main part of my job.) This is back in summer of 2019, and it’s kind of amazing to look and see how they’ve changed since then.

If I did these themes again, I probably would tweak, but I like getting them blogged as a record of what came before, and ideas, songs, rhymes, and props that I might reuse. I hope they may be helpful for you, too!

Back then, I had two storytimes: one for Babies & Toddlers ages 0-2, and a “Stories and More” preschool class for ages 3-5. I’ll indicate what was used in each program with a (B) for babies and a (P) for preschool. I also did not have a handout or do early literacy tips at this point. Cheers for the evolution and education I’ve achieved since then!

You can find another version of this theme from 2025.

Welcome song: We Clap and Sing Hello* (B) (P)
*See lyrics for repeated songs on the Repeated Songs and Rhymes page

I read three books for the preschool class, which worked there, but I haven’t been able to do more than one with my current group of kids.
Read: Just Me & My Dad by Mercer Mayer (P)

Action Song: I’m Going Camping (P)
(tune of I’m a Little Teapot)
I am going camping (point thumbs proudly to chest)
Time to pack (point to wrist)
My tent, my bedroll, and a snack (Make tent with hands; fold hands to cheek; pretend to eat)
I’ll sit by the campfire (warm hands over fire)
Its glow so bright (wiggle fingers like a fire)
Then snooze in my tent (pretend to snore)
‘Til the morning light! (arms circle over head)
Source: Lady Librarian’s Literacy, Lifestyle, and Lookbook Log

Counting Rhyme: Five Little Fireflies (B)
One little firefly shines very bright (hold up fingers)
Two little fireflies show their lights
Three little fireflies glimmer and glow
Four little fireflies watch them go!
Five little fireflies fly in the night
Blink! Blink! Blink! Blink! (open and close fingers)
My! What a sight!
Source: King County (WA) Library System

Read: Camping Day by Patricia Lakin (B) (P)

Rhyme: Sleeping Bag (P)
I was lying in my sleeping bag
I couldn’t go to sleep
I looked at my watch and wanted to weep!
I rolled to my left
I rolled to my right
but all I could hear were noises in the night!
I hear an owl! Hoo hoo hoo!
(have the kids name some things you might hear in the middle of the night, out in the woods, in your backyard. Some good options include a dog, a bear, a wolf, etc)
Source: Sturgis Kids

I made cardstock paper props for this song and gave each family a packet with each item so they had something to put in the middle for each verse.
Action Song: The Campfire Pokey (B) (P)
You put your marshmallow in
You take your marshmallow out
You put your marshmallow in
And you shake it all about
You do the campfire pokey
And you turn yourself around
That’s what it’s all about: Yum, Yum!
Repeat with hot dog, potato, popcorn, or anything else that you can roast over the campfire.
Last verse:
You put your whole dinner in…
Source: What Happens in Storytime

Download a copy of the template here!

thumbnail of campfire pokey props, with a pan of popcorn, marshmallow on a stick, hot dog in a bun, and potato.

Read: Ruby’s Sleepover by Kathryn White & Miriam Latimer (P)

Scarf Song: Popcorn Kernels (P)
(tune of Frère Jacques)
Popcorn kernels, popcorn kernels (wave overhead)
In the pot, in the pot (bunch up in fists)
Shake them, shake them, shake them / shake them, shake them, shake them (shake fists)
‘Til they POP, ‘til they POP (toss scarves up)
Source: Jbrary

This was a song my predecessor played at every single storytime program! It was well loved. We had a basket of unsharpened pencils in a bunch of different colors that they used as their sticks. The kids liked to find two of the same color.
Rhythm Stick Song: Tap Your Sticks by Hap Palmer (B) (P)
from the album Rhythms on Parade
see the video: https://youtu.be/M-UKTeWNgOk

Craft: Campfire (P)
Red, orange, and yellow squares of construction paper were glued to a black piece of construction paper, with two (regular) craft sticks glued crisscross underneath. Simple, but I like that there are some different materials and a 3D element in the sticks. Inspired by this craft at Once Upon a (Story) Time (photo credit to her blog, since I don’t have mine anymore!)

Photo of craft with red, orange, and yellow squares of construction paper glued to a black piece of construction paper, with two craft sticks glued crisscross underneath — photo from Once Upon a (Story) Time blog

Centers/Playtime (B) (P)
We spent 5-10 minutes in playtime and socialization each storytime. The babies and toddlers had a couple of baskets full of baby toys – stackers and sorters and pull toys, cars and rattles and toy phones, that sort of thing. I’m not sure where the library got them, whether they purchased them or had donations or looked at yard sales. The preschool group had more complex or interactive toys like puzzles, musical instruments, finger puppets, and toys that I’ve seen on the Lakeshore Learning site that require just a bit more sophistication.

Parachute Time (B) (P)
I honestly forget what I did during parachute time! I think we practiced holding it high, low, shaking fast and slow, and maybe did a song like the Itsy Bitsy Spider. It’s been a long time and when I get out the parachute again I’ll have to re-learn how to do it!

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars* (B) (P)

This storytime was presented in person on 6/18/19 & 6/20/19.

Flannelboard: Pirate Jack Gets Dressed

Posted on April 27, 2022April 27, 2022 by msemilylibrary

If you haven’t had the pleasure of reading Pirate Jack Gets Dressed by Nancy Raines Day & Allison Black, check him out! This swashbuckler takes us through his morning dress routine, which consists of a long list of clothing items in a variety of colors, all in charming rhyme that begs to be read with a jaunty pirate-y accent. I love that there are some more unusual clothes, like a vest and sash, as well as colors often overlooked in books that focus on the rainbow, like gold and silver and brown. Hello, vocabulary!

A picture of the Pirate Jack Gets Dressed book cover.

Adding one clothing piece after another is a perfect fit for flannel adaptation. I first blogged about this set in a What We Wear/Clothing themed storytime and was inspired by a resource my state library put together on nominees for their Early Literacy Firefly Award (you can find their template in the 2020 program guide). I changed the set quite a bit, giving Jack his distinctive features from the book and lengthening his body so his sock and boot actually fit on his leg.

Photo of all the separate pieces of the Pirate Jack felt set, including gray long johns, a white shirt, yellow pants, a blue vest, a pink sock, a brown boot and brown peg leg, a red waist sash, an orange head sash, a silver (gray) hook, a purple coat, gold earrings, and a green parrot.

Thanks to reader Jennifer who asked about a template for this flannel set! I didn’t initially make a template, but scanned my finished pieces so you could recreate it if you wish. There are notes on the template that indicate where pieces might be layered, and a scan of a few of the back pieces to see how a couple of the trickier pieces are put together. One more note – my pieces are a little small. I think if I were doing this again, I would enlarge it a bit just to make it easier to see and work with. You should be able to use your printer dialog box to enlarge (probably anywhere from 20-50% might be good) and print on tablet (11×17) sized paper instead of the default letter (8.5×11).

Photo of Pirate Jack flannel with all the pieces put together so he is "dressed"

Pirate Jack is a great multi-use flannel. You could use this one for a Clothing theme, as I did, one for Pirates or the Ocean, or, of course, Colors. It’s a great fit for the Collaborative Summer Library Program’s Oceans of Possibilities theme for summer 2022. Enjoy!

Download the Pirate Jack template here!

thumbnail of 2 of 4 pages of the Pirate Jack template

Flannel Friday!

Posted on October 22, 2021October 14, 2021 by msemilylibrary

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.

Flannel showing five coyotes, three sitting on the back haunches and two standing on four feet, all howling upward at a white and gray moon.

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.

Flannel showing five doughnuts, four with holes in the middle and different colored frosting: mint green, dark brown, lavender, and light pink, and one with no hole but covered in white frosting and a dark pink dot of jelly showing on one side.

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

Family Storytime: Arctic Animals

Posted on October 15, 2021October 14, 2021 by msemilylibrary

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.

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

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

Laminated clipart of five polar bears on a sled

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

Recorded Song: Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear by Jazzy Ash

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.

Storytime Handout:

Family Storytime: Wiggly Bugs

Posted on September 24, 2021 by msemilylibrary

I knew I’d done a bug storytime recently, but I couldn’t resist repeating the theme for our summer outdoor storytime. For one, I had two big books that featured bugs, and for another, there’s just so many good songs and rhymes and movement activities for bugs. It worked out really well, and the families seemed enthusiastic. All summer, I didn’t use many props or flannelboards, so these blog posts have seemed kind of boring with fewer pictures. I’ll have more to show for fall programs!

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

Early Literacy Tip: When we do fingerplay activities like “The Itsy Bitsy Spider,” we use various finger motions, and change and exaggerate them for verses like “the great big spider.” These motions help your child’s finger strength and dexterity which is important later when they are learning to write, tie shoes, or hold utensils like a fork or toothbrush.

Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello

Read: In the Tall, Tall Grass by Denise Fleming

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 Great Big Spider, teeny weeny spider)
Credit: traditional

For this session, I used fruit instead of Herman’s relatives and went grape, apple, banana, pineapple, and watermelon!)
Silly Story: Herman the Worm
I was sittin’ on my fencepost,
chewing my bubblegum (munch, munch)
Playin’ with my yo-yo, (wee-oo! wee-oo!)
When along came Herman the worm
And he was this big (measure a small worm)
And I said: “Herman? What happened?”
“I ate a grape.”
(Herman gets bigger and bigger, eating more fruit, then goes back to being tiny)
…And I said: “Herman? What happened?”
“I burped!”
Credit: traditional, see motions at Jbrary

So, this book is all about different vegetables that grow up, down, or around, but there are SO MANY wiggly bugs in the illustrations! So, in addition to asking the kiddos to reach up, reach down, and turn around when the text says, we also pointed out and identified one bug on each page.
Read: Up, Down, and Around by Katherine Ayres & Nadine Bernard Westcott

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.

I handed out scarves for the last three songs – yay for being able to do props again!
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

Scarf Song: I’m a Caterpillar
(tune of Skip to My Lou)
I’m a caterpillar, wiggle with me (rep. 3x, wiggle scarf)
What’ll I be my darling?

Additional verses:
I’m a chrysalis, now sleep with me… (whisper)
I’m a butterfly, come fly with me… (hold scarf in middle and “fly”)
Credit: Adventures of a Bookworm

For the virtual program, we did:
Popcorn Kernels
(tune of Frère Jacques: sing each line twice)
Popcorn kernels (wave scarves overhead)
In the pot (bunching scarves up in fist)
Shake them shake them shake them (shake fists)
’til they POP! (toss scarves)
Credit: Jbrary

For the outdoor program, I collected scarves with this song.
Song: If You Have a Scarf
(tune of Do You Know the Muffin Man)
If you have a red scarf,
Red scarf, red scarf
If you have a red scarf
Please bring it up here!
Credit: have used this a long time, not sure the original source!

Recorded Song: Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear by Jazzy Ash

Craft: Butterfly Mask
Just a nice printable template from Simple Mom Project. I purchased the elastics since this library didn’t have any in the supply room, and asked a volunteer to pre-cut the masks. I added some sequins to the supply bags to give them some sparkle!

picture of butterfly mask colored blues, greens, and purples, with green and gold sequins.

I also booktalked these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video.
The Spider and the Fly by Mary Howitt & Tony DiTerlizzi
The Eensy Weensy Spider Freaks Out! Big Time! by Troy Cummings
Daddy Is a Doodlebug by Bruce Degen

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented in-person and virtually on 7/6/21.

Storytime Handout:

A Hoppy, Jumpy Family Storytime

Posted on August 16, 2021September 2, 2021 by msemilylibrary

Photograph of storytime, showing families on the grass and me presenting.

In a further attempt to keep us moving and engaged, I used two books that were smaller/standard size, but big on interactivity for this week’s storytime. Both of them focused on animals that jump and hop! I remember that it was a pretty hot and humid day – can you see most of my families clumped in the shady area to the back? I think we’d mostly lost steam by the time we got to the Croaky Pokey, but the kids did seem to enjoy the party noisemakers that I put in their bags to simulate the *thwap* of the frogs’ tongues!

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

Early Literacy Tip: We do a lot of singing in storytime! Singing is important to early language development because it slows down language and there is often a different note for each syllable. Both of these help children hear the smaller sounds in words. This will later help them sound out words as they learn to read. And don’t worry about how you sound. Your kids love your voice and the fun you have singing together.

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/Sing: If You’re Hoppy by April Pulley Sayre & Jackie Urbanovic

I made up a new verse for this song for a little gray bunny. The “crunch-a-munch-a-munch” was for some carrot-eating, and the motion I picked was a cross between Bugs Bunny and Groucho Marx waggling a carrot/cigar. (Wait, was Bugs Bunny imitating Groucho? Lightbulb moment!)
Song: Mmm-ah Went the Little Green Frog
Mmm-ahh went the little green frog one day,
Mmm-ahh went the little green frog
Mmm ahh went the little green frog one day,
And they all went mmm, mmm, ahh
But… We know frogs go sha-na-na-na-na
Sha-na-na-na-na, Sha-na-na-na-na
We know frogs go sha-na-na-na-na
They don’t go mmm, mmm, ahh!

Hop, Hop went the little gray bunny one day…
But… We know bunnies go crunch-a-munch-a-munch…

Grr, Grr went the big brown bear one day…
But… We know bears go huggy-huggy-hug…
Credit: adapted from Jbrary

During the virtual program, I used my log prop, but since it’s pretty small just did hand motions for the outdoor session.
Counting Song: Five Green & Speckled Frogs
Five green and speckled frogs
Sat on a speckled log
Eating the most delicious bugs (yum, yum)
One jumped into the pool
Where it was nice and cool
Then there were four green speckled frogs
(count down)
Credit: traditional

Five Speckled Frogs prop - paper towel tube with 5 frog tabs that can be pushed downward to show a wave on the opposite side.

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

Fingerplay: Mr. Bullfrog
Here is Mr. Bullfrog (make fist)
Sitting on a rock (place fist on other palm)
He jumps into the water… (lift fist)
KERPLOP! (clap hands together)
Credit: Storytime with Miss Tara and Friends

I invited the group to get out their party noisemakers from their packets during this book and use them everytime the frog went “Thwap!” As I mentioned, it was hot and by this time the kids weren’t doing the hokey pokey movements, but there were a lot of “Thwaps” happening!
Read/Sing: The Croaky Pokey! by Ethan Long

Three multi-colored party noisemakers, which when blown, unwrap like a frog's tongue.

Recorded Song: Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear by Jazzy Ash

In the virtual version, I did this song instead of Teddy Bear. I realized that morning I had forgotten my three frog rasp instruments that I usually use for this song, so improvised with a plain rasp we have at the library and used three different sounding implements to make a big, middle, and small sound.
Instrument Song: Three Frogs in a Bog
(find 3 instruments (even pots and pans!) that make a big/deep sound, a middle sound, and a little/high sound to imitate the frogs)
There was a big frog (big sound, big sound)
Lived in a big bog (big, big)
He swam in the water (big, big)
Played on a big log (big, big)
Big log (big, big)
Big bog (big, big)
Big frog (big, big)

(repeat for middle-sized and little frogs)
And then one day (big sound, middle sound, little sound)
The frogs got together (big, middle, little)
They swam in the water (big, middle, little)
In the bright sunny weather (big, middle, little)
Three frogs (big, middle, little)
Three friends (big, middle, little)
The end! (big, middle, little)
Credit: Ada Moreau Demlow

Screenshot of video, showing the rasp instrument and me holding three implements to make different sounds on it.

Craft: Jumpy Frog
There are LOTS of frog crafts out there. I didn’t want anything too intricate since I was short on time and needed to make a lot of them, so settled on a frog with accordion-folded arms and legs. I was inspired by this craft at All Kids Network but decided to simplify the head and make the body more squat and oval shaped, and leaving off the tongue and separate mouth piece entirely. My template works well printed on regular paper, then stapled to a few sheets of green construction paper to cut out. The blank side and top parts can be cut into 1 inch strips for the arms and legs.

Download the template here!

I also booktalked these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video.
Leap! by JonArno Lawson & Josée Bisaillon
Ah Ha! by Jeff Mack

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented in-person and virtually on 6/15/21.

Storytime Handout:

Preschool Storytime: Bugs

Posted on May 31, 2021May 28, 2021 by msemilylibrary

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!

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

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

Picture of felt bug hunt set, including a tree trunk, grass, flower, and rock, with a roly poly, bee, ladybug, butterfly, ant, grasshopper, and spider.

Closeup of the roly poly felt flipped to the other side, showing it rolled up in a ball.

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

Felt ladybugs in various sizes, including 2 large, 3 medium, and 5 small.

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.

Download a copy of my template here!

Picture of bug cube, showing three sides which say "march like an ant" "zip like a dragonfly" and "buzz like a bee" with an illustration of each bug.

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

Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet for “Ladybugs’ Picnic” here!

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!

Picture of dragonfly craft using a wooden clothespin with blue and green marker stripes, googly eyes, and sparkly wings made from silver and green pipe cleaners.

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.

Storytime Handout:

Handout including book suggestions, rhyme and song lyrics.

Preschool Storytime: Colorful Stories

Posted on May 25, 2021 by msemilylibrary

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.

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

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

Flannel of colorful shapes: pink square, blue circle, green rectangle, red heart, yellow 5 pointed star, purple diamond, and orange triangle.

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

Flannel of "Dog's Colorful Day" including the black and white dog figure and colored dots: red, brown, pink, blue, gray, yellow, purple, orange, and green.

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 from Lego 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

Flannel of fish with googly eyes. There are 1 red, 2 blue, 3 green, and 4 purple fish of various hues.

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.

sheet showing a black and white rainbow arc with colorful tissue paper squares glued to it. — 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

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented virtually on 4/6/21.

Storytime Handout:

Handout including suggested books, rhyme and song lyrics

book covers of titles presented in this storytime

Preschool Storytime: Animals Eating Animals

Posted on April 23, 2021March 14, 2026 by msemilylibrary

So… someone on Storytime Underground mentioned they did an Animals Eating Animals theme and my mind started whirring! I loved it and tucked it away for a future idea. When I did a callout on the site a couple of months later in preparation for this session, I got lots of great ideas, but a few people who said “That’s a weird theme.” Which, sure, it is. BUT – if you look at the number of available books and songs and rhymes that tie in, it’s really not that weird. There’s definitely a basis in the natural world, though I went “silly” instead of “scientific.” And lots of kids seem to love stuff that is just a little taboo – underwear, snot, slime, bugs. So I went in full throttle and had a lot of fun goofing with Animals Eating Animals. I even got to wear my dinosaur dress, and used a TON of props, which I love.

See another version of this theme from 2026.

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

bark george book cover showing a picture of a brown dog looking up

Early Literacy Tip: Preschool children have wonderful imaginations. Encourage pretend play and find ways to expand it so that children explore different situations and characters. You can enrich their play by following their lead, adding new words, offering “what if” situations, and incorporating writing and print into their play. This kind of play adds to their “sense of story”.

Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello

Discussion: Out in the wild, a lot of animals eat other animals to stay alive. This makes them carnivores, or meat-eaters, or omnivores, which means they eat both plants and animals. What about you? Are you a carnivore, omnivore, or even a herbivore (only eat plants – another word is vegetarian)? One thing I love is that there are a lot of really funny stories and songs about animals eating animals! How about turtles? They eat bugs and fish – here’s a rhyme about that:

Fingerplay: There Was a Little Turtle
There was a little turtle (make fist)
who lived in a box (cover fist with arm)
he swam in the puddles (fist wiggles like swimming)
he climbed on the rocks (fist climbs up opposite arm)
He snapped at a mosquito, he snapped at a flea (pinch with thumb and fingers)
He snapped at a minnow, he snapped at me
He caught that mosquito, He caught that flea (clap each time)
He caught that minnow
But he didn’t catch me! (waggle finger)
Credit: Jbrary

Read: Swallow the Leader by Danna Smith & Kevin Sherry

Flannel & Song: Slippery Fish
Slippery fish, slippery fish, sliding through the water,
Slippery fish, slippery fish, Gulp, Gulp, Gulp!
Oh, no! It’s been eaten by an …

Jellyfish … floating in the water
Octopus … squiggling in the water
Tuna fish … flashing in the water
Great white shark … lurking in the water

Humongous whale, humongous whale, spouting in the water,
Humongous whale, humongous whale,
Gulp! … Gulp! … Gulp! … BURP! (Cover mouth)
Excuse me!
Credit: Jbrary (see motions there)

This is one of the first flannels I made – about 2 years ago now. I think I saw it on a video, took a screenshot, and based the design on that. But I went back to see if I could find either my printout or the original video and couldn’t find it. I do wish the whale was facing the other direction (I guess I could just put another eyeball on the back) and the sizes were increasingly big, but I make it work!

slippery fish flannel, including small green fish, pink jellyfish, gray octopus with pink suckers, white tuna with pink fins, a gray shark, and a blue whale.

I’m not sure if I do Baby Shark the same way the viral video does, but it’s the way I’ve always done it!
Action Song: Baby Shark
(motion shark jaws opening and closing throughout, motions getting bigger with larger relatives)
Baby shark, doo-doo, doo-doo-doo-doo (x3) Baby shark!

Baby (thumb and pointer) … Sister (whole hand) …
Brother (both hands) … Grandma (both hands, fingers curled) …
Momma (arms from elbows down) … Daddy (whole arms) …

SHARK ATTACK!! AAAAAHHH!
Swim away (swim motion) doo-doo, doo-doo-doo-doo (x3)
Gotcha! (tickle)
Credit: traditional

Based on this post on Literary Commentary, I asked one of our volunteers to make me a George box to retell this classic story. She did an amazing job and this is the second time I’ve gotten to use this prop. It’s a lot of fun, and a good opportunity to show that books can be acted out!
Puppet Retelling: Bark, George by Jules Feiffer

I love the jazzy tune of this song, and chose it over Five Green and Speckled Frogs, which is another option for this theme and my prop, which I fashioned after the instructions on the Kenton County Public Library’s page. I have an alligator puppet I considered using, but the logistics seemed just too much – holding the log in one hand and flipping the frogs with the alligator puppet on the other hand while singing is a little beyond my coordination.
Counting Song: Five Frogs, Sittin’ on a Log
Five frogs were hoppin’ on a log
One hopped off into the pond
Then a big alligator came a-swimmin’ along
He went, “Chomp! Mm-mm.” Now he’s gone. (Count down)
Credit: Anna Moo

prop for Five Frogs: consists of a paper towel tube covered by 5 strips. one side of the strip depicts a green frog with spots sitting on a brown log. When the strip is flipped to the bottom of the tube, it shows a light blue wave of water.

With a snake prop: the head sticks out from under your arm, and as you say “moa,” pull so the body is exposed.
Poem: Boa
Just when you think you know the boa
There’s moa, and moa, and moa, and moa!
Credit: King County Library System

Photo of plush snake made from a man's tie in browns with a hexagonal pattern and black toy safety eyes.

I’ve seen a lot of videos doing this with a prop – some kind of play tunnel that you leave collapsed at the floor then slowly bring up around your body. If I had one, I’d have used it! As it is, I found a snake plush in our basement so just held and moved that.
Song/Poem: Boa Constrictor
(your arm or your grownup can be the snake)
I’m being eaten by a boa constrictor, a boa constrictor, a boa constrictor.
I’m being eaten by a boa constrictor,
And I don’t like it– one bit.
Well, what do you know? It’s nibblin’ my toe!
Oh Gee! It’s up to my knee! Oh My! It’s up to my thigh!
Oh Fiddle! It’s up to my middle! Oh Heck! It’s up to my neck!
Oh Dread! It’s upmmmmmmmmmmffffffffff…
Credit: Shel Silverstein, from the book Where the Sidewalk Ends

I think this is the book that I first thought of when contemplating this theme! Here’s how I introduced it: “This next book has a lot of great rhythm! I love that the author talks about being visually impaired in his bio, so the way the book SOUNDS was very important to him.”
Read: One Day in the Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus Tree by Daniel Bernstrom & Brendan Wenzel

Silly Story: Herman the Worm
I was sittin’ on my fencepost, chewing my bubblegum (chew, chew, chew, chew)
Playin’ with my yo-yo – wee-oo! wee-oo!
When along came Herman the worm
And he was this big (measure a small worm with fingers)
And I said: “Herman? What happened?”
“I ate my mother!”

(Herman gets bigger and bigger, eating more family members, then
goes back to being tiny)
…And I said: “Herman? What happened?”
“I burped!”
Credit: traditional, via Jbrary

Craft: Bark, George Story Retelling Activity
This was a printable that came straight from Making Learning Fun. I didn’t have time to pick up snack-sized bags, so I used sandwich size and just made sure the bottom was where George’s belly was. I had a volunteer precut the holes and I taped the plastic bag on the back so the kids just had to color and cut out their animals.

I also suggested these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video.
Poor Little Guy by Elanna Allen
The Wolf, the Duck, & the Mouse by Mac Barnett & Jon Klassen
I Saw Anaconda by Jane Clarke & Emma Dodd

I saw anaconda book cover, showing a very large snake looking at a pale skinned child holding binoculars

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented virtually on 1/26/21.

Storytime Handout: