Tag: puppets

Book Babies Storytime (August)

Posted on by msemilylibrary

Here’s another Book Babies plan! This was the plan for August, 2023. This month’s prop was egg shakers, and we did a lullaby to the tune of “Love Me Tender” on ukulele. I do the same themeless plan three weeks each month at a time, to get the caregivers familiar and comfortable with the songs and rhymes. I usually switch to a different prop each month, and change out songs and rhymes a few at a time, so there are always a few familiars in the lineup.

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

See all the Book Babies plans here.

Early Literacy Tip: Making up new lyrics to songs you already know (as in our lullaby, You’re My Rainbow) is a great way to be creative and introduce your child to popular music.

Here is our room setup, with the parachute out for babies to lay on/sit on, with a few chairs for those who prefer them to the floor. My pink short chair is perfect for this – I can move easily from it to the floor if I want to demo one way or another. I wish our parachute was colorful – I think the original idea was that you can write on it. There are some names on there from years ago that are probably grown with their own children by now.

Photo showing Book Babies setup, with a round white parachute spread on a purple rug, with purple chairs to either side. A board book is set on each wedge, and a small pink chair sits at the head, with a dog puppet on the chair and a frog stuffy laying on the parachute. An easel to the side of the chair has song lyrics on it.

For this and the next song, I use puppets to greet everyone.
Welcome/Puppet Song: Hello, Everybody
(tune of Skip to My Lou)
Hello, everybody and how are you?
Hello, everybody and how are you?
Hello, everybody and how are you?
How are you today?

Hello, [name 1], how are you?
Hello, [name 2], how are you?
Hello, [name 3], how are you?
How are you today?

I finally changed up this hello animal puppet song! I do still start with the dog Scout, then bring out two other random animals.
Song: The Dog Says Hello
(tune of Farmer in the Dell)
The dog says hello, The dog says hello
Woof, woof, Woof-woof, woof-woof
The dog says hello!
Repeat with any other animals; try using puppets!
Source: adapted from the traditional

This tune follows a major scale from one octave to the next and back again. I think it’s great for babies to hear it since it’s the basis of most Western music and having those tones in your head will help with musicality.
Body Song: Creeping Little Flea
(sing up and down a scale)
Creeping, creeping, little flea,
Up my leg and past my knee
To my tummy, on my nose
To my head where my hair grows! (top of scale)
Now he’s creeping down my chin,
To my tummy once again
Down my leg and past my knee
To my toe that little flea – GOTCHA! (tickle foot)
Source: King County (WA) Library System

A classic. I encourage parents to do the motions in front of their baby like a “puppet show.” Since it’s hard to put your arms behind your back when holding a baby, when the birds fly away, I just wiggle and then tuck my fingers away.
Fingerplay Rhyme: Two Little Blackbirds
Two little blackbirds, sitting on a hill
One named Jack, and one named Jill
Fly away, Jack; fly away, Jill
Come back, Jack; come back, Jill
Source: traditional

Bounce: Giddy-Up
Giddy-up, giddy-up ride to town
Giddy-up, giddy-up up and down
Giddy-up fast, Giddy up slow
Giddy-up, giddy-up, giddy-up, WHOA! (lean backwards gently)
Source: Mead Public Library (WI)

Bounce/Lift: Acka Backa
Acka backa soda cracker,
Acka backa boo!
Acka backa soda cracker,
Up goes you! (lift)
Acka backa soda cracker,
Acka backa boo!
Acka backa soda cracker,
I love you! (hug)
Source: traditional

This isn’t a terribly difficult song, but there are a lot more chords (eight) with the bridge part than the typical children’s song. If it’s helpful, it’s totally okay for you to have the songsheet out during your program – that’s what I do! It’s okay to not have songs memorized (and I think that goes for all songs/rhymes. I put words up for caregivers, but I use them, too, and I don’t think that’s a bad thing.)
Ukulele Lullaby: You’re My Rainbow
(tune of Love Me Tender)
You’re my rainbow, you’re my star,
You’re my bright red cookie jar
You’re my goldfish, you’re my pie,
You’re the apple of my eye
You’re my rainbow, you’re my star
You’re my bright red cookie jar
You’re my daisy, you’re my vine,
You’re my own true Valentine
Source: Dany Rosevear

Download a ukulele songsheet for You’re My Rainbow.

I place a book on each wedge on the parachute , so I encourage grownups to take a few minutes to grab a book that is nearby and looks interesting, and to interact with the book however they’d like with their baby. They can read the text, but they don’t have to – they can describe the pictures, colors, or even just let their baby practice turning pages. We generally do this for 2-3 minutes, or until the group as a whole seems to be nearing a stopping point.
Read: choose a board book that’s nearby and looks interesting to you!

Pictured:
Bath! Bath! Bath! – Douglas Florian & Christiane Engel
How Are You?/¿Cómo estás? – Angela Dominguez
How Kind! – Mary Murphy

We did this last month, but I liked it so much we kept it for this month.
Song: I’m Riding on My Bicycle
(Lay baby on their back, and cycle their legs like they’re riding a bike!)
I’m riding on my bicycle,
I’m riding on my bicycle,
I’m riding on my bicycle,
All around the town!

Verses:
My bike goes up, up, up… My bike goes down, down down… (legs go up or down)
My bike goes slow… My bike goes fast… (cycle fast and slow)
My bike goes twist… My bike goes turn… (cross legs both ways)
My bell goes ding-a-ling-a-ling! (tickle!)
Source: Nancy Kopman (this link is to the full song)

Prop Songs & Rhymes
Each month is a new prop. This month is shaker eggs! Babies love their shakers.

Shaker Song: Shake Your Shaker
(tune of Grand Old Duke of York)
You shake your shaker high
You shake your shaker low
You shake your shaker fast, fast, fast
And then you shake it slow
Source: Harris County (TX) Public Library

Shaker Song: 1 – 2, Shake it On Your Shoe
1, 2 – Shake it on your shoe
3, 4 – Shake it on the floor
5, 6 – Stir and mix
7, 8 – Stand up straight
9, 10 – Wave to your friends!
Source: Jbrary

This was one that sounds traditional, but I had never heard before. I like the tune.
Shaker Song: Cobbler, Cobbler
Cobbler, cobbler, mend my shoe
Get it done by half past two, Tu-la-roo-la-roo
Half past two is much too late
Get it done by half past eight, Tu-la-roo-la-roo
Source: Dynamic Music Room

Shaker Song: Shake it to the East
Shake it to the east, Shake it to the west
Shake it all around and Then you take a rest
Shake your shakers up,
Shake your shakers down
Shake it, shake it, shake it,
And then you settle down!
Source: Jbrary

To adapt this for babies, we bounce or clap rather than scraping our hands past each other, and walk fingers up and down baby’s body, arms, or legs for the “if you want to take a trip” part.
Lifting Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom
Zoom, zoom, zoom, We’re going to the moon
Zoom, zoom, zoom, We’re going to the moon
If you want to take a trip climb aboard my rocket ship
Zoom, zoom, zoom, We’re going to the moon
In 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Blast off!
Source: Jbrary

I find it really helpful to finish with a rhyme that definitively says that storytime is over. This one is short and sweet.
Goodbye Rhyme: Hands Up High
Hands up high! (Put your hands in air)
Now give a big sigh (sigh and bring hands down)
Our storytime’s over
So wave bye-bye (wave)
Source: Pasadena Public Library

And that’s it! We don’t have time for free play at the end, but I encouraged grownups to take a little time in the children’s department to play and socialize together.

Suggested books are a little different on my handout since at my library board books are not able to be held if they’re checked out. My handout says:
Check out our board book selections – they cannot be held or requested, so see what’s available anytime you visit the library! Here are some other titles that *can* be requested:
Go! Go! Go! Stop! – Charise Mericle Harper
You Are New – Lucy Knisley
After the Buzz Comes the Bee – Rachel Isadora & Robie Rogge
Good Morning, Good Night – Anita Lobel
Leo Can Swim – Anna McQuinn & Ruth Hearson
5 Little Ducks – Denise Fleming

This storytime was presented in-person on 8/7, 8/21, & 8/28/23.

Storytime Handout:

Book Babies Storytime (July)

Posted on by msemilylibrary

Here’s another Book Babies plan! During the summer I was outside for my toddler classes, so this was the only indoor program I did in June and July. Here’s the plan from July, 2023. I do the same themeless plan three weeks each month at a time, to get the caregivers familiar and comfortable with the songs and rhymes. I usually switch to a different prop each month, and change out songs and rhymes a few at a time, so there are always a few familiars in the lineup.

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

See all the Book Babies plans here.

Early Literacy Tip: Pairing directional words with motions that match while singing and rhyming helps babies better understand their meanings in a fun way. The purposeful gestures we use in “I’m Riding on My Bicycle” and “The ‘Chute Is on My Head” help baby learn new words.

Here is our room setup, with the parachute out for babies to lay on/sit on, with a few chairs for those who prefer them to the floor. My pink short chair is perfect for this – I can move easily from it to the floor if I want to demo one way or another. I wish our parachute was colorful – I think the original idea was that you can write on it. There are some names on there from years ago that are probably grown with their own children by now.

Photo showing Book Babies setup, with a round white parachute spread on a purple rug, with purple chairs to either side. A board book is set on each wedge, and a small pink chair sits at the head, with a dog puppet on the chair and a frog stuffy laying on the parachute. An easel to the side of the chair has song lyrics on it.

For this and the next song, I use puppets to greet everyone.
Welcome/Puppet Song: Hello, Everybody
(tune of Skip to My Lou)
Hello, everybody and how are you?
Hello, everybody and how are you?
Hello, everybody and how are you?
How are you today?

Hello, [name 1], how are you?
Hello, [name 2], how are you?
Hello, [name 3], how are you?
How are you today?

I finally changed up this hello animal puppet song! I do still start with the dog Scout, then bring out two other random animals.
Song: The Dog Says Hello
(tune of Farmer in the Dell)
The dog says hello, The dog says hello
Woof, woof, Woof-woof, woof-woof
The dog says hello!
Repeat with any other animals; try using puppets!
Source: adapted from the traditional

I sing this to the tune of Where Has My Little Dog Gone, and none of the videos I’ve seen of these words do. But I can’t not hear it to this tune! Do what works for you.
Body Song: Where Are Baby’s Fingers?
(tune of Where Has My Little Dog Gone)
Where, oh where are baby’s fingers?
Where, oh where are their toes?
Where, oh where, is baby’s belly button?
‘Round and round it goes!
(make circle around belly)

Where, oh where are baby’s ears?
Where, oh where is their nose?
Where, oh where, is baby’s belly button?
Round and round it goes!
Source: Jbrary

I thought it was very cool to learn (and share with my families) that this rhyme was published in a book for children in 1893. There are a few slightly different versions, but this is the one we did.
Fingerplay Rhyme: Here Is a Ball for Baby
Here’s a ball for baby (touch ten fingers together in a ball)
Big and soft and round
Here is baby’s hammer (pound fist into palm)
See how it can pound
Here are baby’s soldiers (hold fingers up)
Standing in a row
Here is baby’s music (clap hands)
Clapping, clapping so
Here is baby’s trumpet (hands to mouth like a trumpet)
Tootle-doo-doooo!
And here’s baby’s favorite game,
Peek-a-boo! (cover face with hands, then remove)
Source: Washington County (OR) Cooperative Library Services

Bounce: A Smooth Road
A smooth road! (repeat x4) (slowly, and sway baby gently)
A bumpy road! (x4) (a little faster, bouncing gently up and down)
A rough road! (x4) (even faster, bouncing and adding erratic swaying)
Oh, no! A hole! (tip over, lift up, and/or let them fall safely through your knees)
Source: Jbrary

Bounce/Lift: Acka Backa
Acka backa soda cracker
Acka backa boo!
Acka backa soda cracker
Up goes you! (lift)
Acka backa soda cracker
Acka backa boo!
Acka backa soda cracker
I love you! (hug)
Source: traditional

After some bouncing and lifting, we slow it down a bit with a lullaby. This is such a sweet one.
Ukulele Lullaby: Rockabye You
Rockabye you high, Rockabye you low
Rockabye you close, Rockabye you slow
Rockabye you high, Rockabye you low
Rockabye you everywhere we go

Rockabye the sun, Rockabye the moon
Rockabye the sweet flowers growing in June
Rockabye you love, My turtle dove
Rockabye you everywhere I go
Source: Kathy Reid-Naiman

Download a ukulele songsheet for Rockabye You

thumbnail of Rockabye you ukulele songsheet

I place a book on each wedge on the parachute , so I encourage grownups to take a few minutes to grab a book that is nearby and looks interesting, and to interact with the book however they’d like with their baby. They can read the text, but they don’t have to – they can describe the pictures, colors, or even just let their baby practice turning pages. We generally do this for 2-3 minutes, or until the group as a whole seems to be nearing a stopping point.
Read: choose a board book that’s nearby and looks interesting to you!

Pictured:
Who Is Making a Mess? – Maria D’Haene & Charlie Eve Ryan
Sonrisas for Baby – Jen Arena & Blanca Gómez
Peek-a-You! – Andrea Davis Pinkney & Brian Pinkney

Before doing this rhyme, I shared our early development tip. I found this song on this blog post that shared this short video of a caregiver singing the song a capella and the baby doing the motion themselves and giving a joyful scream. It’s so cute. The official recorded version is a little long, so I do the chorus, then two verses back to back, then the chorus, then the last two verses. It’s very fun!
Song: I’m Riding on My Bicycle
(Lay baby on their back, and cycle their legs like they’re riding a bike!)
I’m riding on my bicycle,
I’m riding on my bicycle,
I’m riding on my bicycle,
All around the town!

Verses:
My bike goes up, up, up… My bike goes down, down down… (legs go up or down)
My bike goes slow… My bike goes fast… (cycle fast and slow)
My bike goes twist… My bike goes turn… (cross legs both ways)
My bell goes ding-a-ling-a-ling! (tickle!)
Source: Nancy Kopman (this link is to the full song)

Prop Songs & Rhymes
Each month is a new prop. This month we moved our books and played with the parachute.

Parachute Song: The Itsy Bitsy Spider
The itsy bitsy spider went 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 went up the spout again
Source: traditional

Since this rhyme has some ups and downs, I thought it might work well for the parachute. Instead of clapping the numbers as we normally would, we made the sound of the clock with our voices.
Parachute Rhyme: Hickory Dickory Dock
Hickory, dickory dock,
the mouse ran up the clock
the clock struck one (ding!)
the mouse ran down, hickory dickory dock!

…two… the mouse said, boo!
…three… the mouse said, whee!
…four… the mouse said, no more!
Source: Jbrary

Parachute Song: The ‘Chute Is on My Head
(tune of Farmer in the Dell)
The ‘chute is on my head
The ‘chute is on my head
Hi-ho the dairy-o,
The ‘chute is on my head!

additional verses:
The ‘chute goes up and down…
The ‘chute goes fast and slow…
Source: Laughter and Literacy

Parachute Song: Peek a Boo
(tune of Frère Jacques)
Peek a boo, peek a boo
I see you, I see you
I see your button nose, I see your tiny toes
I see you, peek a boo!
Source: Jbrary

To adapt this for babies, we bounce or clap rather than scraping our hands past each other, and walk fingers up and down baby’s body, arms, or legs for the “if you want to take a trip” part.
Lifting Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom
Zoom, zoom, zoom, We’re going to the moon
Zoom, zoom, zoom, We’re going to the moon
If you want to take a trip climb aboard my rocket ship
Zoom, zoom, zoom, We’re going to the moon
In 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Blast off!
Source: Jbrary

I find it really helpful to finish with a rhyme that definitively says that storytime is over. This one is short and sweet.
Goodbye Rhyme: Hands Up High
Hands up high! (Put your hands in air)
Now give a big sigh (sigh and bring hands down)
Our storytime’s over
So wave bye-bye (wave)
Source: Pasadena Public Library

And that’s it! We don’t have time for free play at the end, but I encouraged grownups to take a little time in the children’s department to play and socialize together.

Suggested books are a little different on my handout since at my library board books are not able to be held if they’re checked out. My handout says:
Check out our board book selections – they cannot be held or requested, so see what’s available anytime you visit the library! Here are some other titles that *can* be requested:
Say Hello Like This – Mary Murphy
Wee Rhymes: Baby’s First Poetry Book – Jane Yolen & Jane Dyer
The Babies on the Bus – Karen Katz
One, Two, Buckle My Shoe – Jane Cabrera
Mine, Mine, Mine, Yours – Kimberly Gee
Boop! – Bea Birdsong & Linzie Hunter
Welcome to the World – Julia Donaldson & Helen Oxenbury

This storytime was presented in-person on 7/6, 7/13, 7/20, & 7/27/23.

Storytime Handout:

handout with book suggestions, rhyme and song lyrics

Book Babies Storytime (June)

Posted on by msemilylibrary

Here’s another Book Babies plan! During the summer I was outside for my toddler classes, so this was the only indoor program I did in June and July. Here’s the plan from June, 2023. I do the same themeless plan a month at a time, to get the caregivers familiar and comfortable with the songs and rhymes. I usually switch to a different prop each month, and change out songs and rhymes a few at a time, so there are always a few familiars in the lineup.

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

See all the Book Babies plans here.

Early Literacy Tip: Tummy time is important for newborns and infants 1–3 months old who are just developing neck control. Tummy time helps develop the muscles they’ll need to roll over, sit up, crawl, and walk. Always stay with your baby during tummy time. Start with a few minutes at a time, 2-3 times a day, and work up. It’s also good for older babies, 4–7 months old. They should still spend some supervised time on their bellies, even if they can roll over and sit with some help. Tummy time helps them practice lifting their head and chest further by straightening their arms. This strengthens arm, chest, and back muscles.

Here is our room setup, with the parachute out for babies to lay on/sit on, with a few chairs for those who prefer them to the floor. My pink short chair is perfect for this – I can move easily from it to the floor if I want to demo one way or another. I wish our parachute was colorful – I think the original idea was that you can write on it. There are some names on there from years ago that are probably grown with their own children by now.

Photo showing Book Babies setup, with a round white parachute spread on a purple rug, with purple chairs to either side. A board book is set on each wedge, and a small pink chair sits at the head, with a dog puppet on the chair and a frog stuffy laying on the parachute. An easel to the side of the chair has song lyrics on it.

For this and the next song, I use puppets to greet everyone.
Welcome/Puppet Song: Hello, Everybody
(tune of Skip to My Lou)
Hello, everybody and how are you?
Hello, everybody and how are you?
Hello, everybody and how are you?
How are you today?

Hello, [name 1], how are you?
Hello, [name 2], how are you?
Hello, [name 3], how are you?
How are you today?

I finally changed up this hello animal puppet song! I do still start with the dog Scout, then bring out two other random animals.
Song: The Dog Says Hello
(tune of Farmer in the Dell)
The dog says hello, The dog says hello
Woof, woof, Woof-woof, woof-woof
The dog says hello!
Repeat with any other animals; try using puppets!
Source: adapted from the traditional

I sing this to the tune of Where Has My Little Dog Gone, and none of the videos I’ve seen of these words do. But I can’t not hear it to this tune! Do what works for you.
Body Song: Where Are Baby’s Fingers?
(tune of Where Has My Little Dog Gone)
Where, oh where are baby’s fingers?
Where, oh where are their toes?
Where, oh where, is baby’s belly button?
‘Round and round it goes!
(make circle around belly)

Where, oh where are baby’s ears?
Where, oh where is their nose?
Where, oh where, is baby’s belly button?
Round and round it goes!
Source: Jbrary

Fingerplay Rhyme: This Little Piggy
(wiggle each toe or finger on one side, starting with the thumb)
This little piggy went to market
This little piggy stayed home
This little piggy had roast beef
And this little piggy had none
And this little piggy cried “wee wee wee” all the way home (tickle!)

(now try on the other hand or foot, starting with the pinky)
This little piggy had a rub-a-dub-dub
And this little piggy had a scrub-a-dub-dub
This little pig-a-wig ran upstairs
And this little pig-a-wig cried out ‘BEARS!’
Down came the jar with a big slam bam (clap or pat foot)
And this little piggy had all the jam
Source: traditional, second verse found with King County (WA) Library System

Bounce Rhyme: Rocking Horse
Rocking horse, rocking horse, to and fro (rock side to side)
Side to side and away we go!
Rocking horse, rocking horse, front and back (rock front and back)
Don’t fall off just like that! Whoaaa! (lean back)
Source: Intellidance

This is such a really fun rhyme! The person who posted it to the Storytime Solidarity Facebook Group didn’t have a source, so if anyone knows where it came from or who wrote it, please let me know!
Bounce/Lift: Fishy, Fishy, Fishy
Fishy, fishy, fishy goes swishy, swishy, swishy (bounce)
Flip flop, flip flop, flip flop (rock side to side)
Uuuuup, (lift baby high in air) 
KERPLOP! (return baby to lap)
Source: Storytime Solidarity

After some bouncing and lifting, we slow it down a bit with a lullaby. This is such a sweet one.
Ukulele Lullaby: Rockabye You
Rockabye you high, Rockabye you low
Rockabye you close, Rockabye you slow
Rockabye you high, Rockabye you low
Rockabye you everywhere we go

Rockabye the sun, Rockabye the moon
Rockabye the sweet flowers growing in June
Rockabye you love, My turtle dove
Rockabye you everywhere I go
Source: Kathy Reid-Naiman

Download a ukulele songsheet for Rockabye You

I place a book on each wedge on the parachute , so I encourage grownups to take a few minutes to grab a book that is nearby and looks interesting, and to interact with the book however they’d like with their baby. They can read the text, but they don’t have to – they can describe the pictures, colors, or even just let their baby practice turning pages. We generally do this for 2-3 minutes, or until the group as a whole seems to be nearing a stopping point.
Read: choose a board book that’s nearby and looks interesting to you!

Pictured:
Summer Babies – Kathryn O. Galbraith & Adela Pons
Sharing – Yusuke Yonezu
My Colors/Mis colores – Rebecca Emberley
Mama Bird, Baby Birds – Angela Johnson & Rhonda Mitchell

Before doing this rhyme, I shared our early development tip. This is a great rhyme to make rolling over fun. I also had to share what I learned about “stiles” when I was researching what that word was, and how they worked. (A stile is something that allows humans (and sometimes their dogs) to easily go over a fence in a field, while not letting the livestock through.)
Rhyme: Leg Over Leg
Leg over leg (criss cross legs)
The dog went to Dover
He came to a stile And – WHOOPS – He went over!
(lift legs or gently roll over)
Source: Jbrary

Prop Songs & Rhymes
Each month is a new prop. This month we got out our scarves.

Scarf Rhyme: Rain on the Green Grass
Rain on the green grass (shake on floor)
Rain on the trees (shake high)
Rain on the roof (hold above head)
But not on me! (drop scarf)
repeat with: Sun, Snow, Leaves
Source: Jbrary

We’ve done this song with the parachute before, so this month we used scarves.
Action/Scarf Song: Come Under My Umbrella
(tune of Did You Ever See a Lassie?)
Come under my umbrella, umbrella, umbrella (scarf over head)
Come under my umbrella, it’s starting to rain (wiggle scarf)
With thunder and lightning, and lightning and thunder (wave scarf dramatically in the air)
Come under my umbrella, it’s starting to rain
Source: traditional, see it used with scarves here

A fun take on the traditional nursery rhyme.
Scarf Rhyme: Little Bo Peep
Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep (hide scarf)
And doesn’t know where to find them
Leave them alone
and they’ll come home (bring scarf out)
Wagging their tails behind them! (wave scarf)
Source: Jbrary

And scarves are just perfect for a game of peekaboo!
Scarf Song: Peek a Boo
(tune of Frère Jacques)
Peek-a-boo, peek-a-boo
I see you, I see you
I see your button nose
I see your tiny toes
I see you! Peek-a-boo!
Source: Jbrary

To adapt this for babies, we bounce or clap rather than scraping our hands past each other, and walk fingers up and down baby’s body, arms, or legs for the “if you want to take a trip” part.
Lifting Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom
Zoom, zoom, zoom, We’re going to the moon
Zoom, zoom, zoom, We’re going to the moon
If you want to take a trip climb aboard my rocket ship
Zoom, zoom, zoom, We’re going to the moon
In 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Blast off!
Source: Jbrary

I find it really helpful to finish with a rhyme that definitively says that storytime is over. This one is short and sweet.
Goodbye Rhyme: Hands Up High
Hands up high! (Put your hands in air)
Now give a big sigh (sigh and bring hands down)
Our storytime’s over
So wave bye-bye (wave)
Source: Pasadena Public Library

And that’s it! We don’t have time for free play at the end, but I encouraged grownups to take a little time in the children’s department to play and socialize together.

Suggested books are a little different on my handout since at my library board books are not able to be held if they’re checked out. My handout says:
Check out our board book selections – they cannot be held or requested, so see what’s available anytime you visit the library! Here are some other titles that *can* be requested:
My Baby and Me – Lynn Reiser & Penny Gentieu
The Seals on the Bus – Lenny Hort & G. Brian Karas
Goodnight Moon – Margaret Wise Brown & Clement Hurd
Baby Day! – Nancy Elizabeth Wallace
Pat the Bunny – Dorothy Kunhardt
The Neighborhood Mother Goose – Nina Crews
Faces – Shelley Rotner & Ken Kreisler

This storytime was presented in-person on 6/8, 6/15, 6/22, & 6/29/23.

Storytime Handout:

Book Babies Storytime (May)

Posted on by msemilylibrary

I’m slowly adding my backlog of Book Babies plans, so here’s what we did in the month of May, 2023. I do the same themeless plan a month at a time, to get the caregivers familiar and comfortable with the songs and rhymes. I usually switch to a different prop each month, and change out songs and rhymes a few at a time, so there are always a few familiars in the lineup.

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

See all the Book Babies plans here.

Early Literacy Tip: The use of small percussion instruments such as bells, rhythm sticks, shakers, and drums helps children with muscular development and coordination.

Here is our room setup, with the parachute out for babies to lay on/sit on, with a few chairs for those who prefer them to the floor. My pink short chair is perfect for this – I can move easily from it to the floor if I want to demo one way or another. I wish our parachute was colorful – I think the original idea was that you can write on it. There are some names on there from years ago that are probably grown with their own children by now.

Photo showing Book Babies setup, with a round white parachute spread on a purple rug, with purple chairs to either side. A board book is set on each wedge, and a small pink chair sits at the head, with a dog puppet on the chair and a frog stuffy laying on the parachute. An easel to the side of the chair has song lyrics on it.

For this and the next song, I use puppets to greet everyone.
Welcome/Puppet Song: Hello, Everybody
(tune of Skip to My Lou)
Hello, everybody and how are you?
Hello, everybody and how are you?
Hello, everybody and how are you?
How are you today?

Hello, [name 1], how are you?
Hello, [name 2], how are you?
Hello, [name 3], how are you?
How are you today?

I start this one with the same puppet as above, my floppy-eared dog, Scout. Then I’ll bring out one or two other puppets to say hello.
Welcome/Puppet Song: When Animals Get Up in the Morning
When dogs get up in the morning
They always say hello!
When dogs get up in the morning
They always say hello!
“Woof, woof, woof, woof,” That is what they say
“Woof, woof, woof, woof,” That is what they say
Source: King County (WA) Library System

Body Song: I Wake Up My Hands
I wake up my hands with a Clap, clap, clap,
Clap, clap, clap, Clap, clap, clap,
I wake up my hands with a clap, clap, clap,
And I wiggle my wiggles away!

Feet…stomp, stomp, stomp
Belly…beep, beep, beep
Body…wiggle, wiggle, wiggle
Source: Jbrary

Fingerplay Rhyme: Little Gnome
Up to the doorway (finger walks up arm)
Comes a little gnome (tickle neck)
Knock, knock! (gently “knock” top of head)
Ding, dong! (tap nose)
Anybody home? (finger to chin, can pull down to open mouth)
Source: Sing, Rhyme and Play with Ms. Christina

Bounce Song: Ride, Baby, Ride
Ride, baby, ride, Cha-cha, cha-cha, cha-cha
Ride that horsey ride
Ride, baby, ride, Cha-cha, cha-cha, cha-cha
Ride that horsey ride (repeat, whispering)
Whooooaaaa!
Source: Jbrary

Lifting Rhyme: Grand Old Duke of York
The grand old Duke of York, He had ten thousand men
He marched them up to the top of the hill
And he marched them down again!
And when you’re up, you’re up
And when you’re down, you’re down
And when you’re only half-way uuuuup…
You’re neither up nor down!
Source: traditional

After some bouncing and lifting, we slow it down a bit with a lullaby. I remind grownups that rocking and holding your baby while singing is a great way to calm them, even if it’s not bedtime.
Ukulele Lullaby: 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!
Source: Jbrary

Download a ukulele songsheet for I See the Moon

Thumbnail of I See the Moon ukulele chord sheet

I place a book on each wedge on the parachute , so I encourage grownups to take a few minutes to grab a book that is nearby and looks interesting, and to interact with the book however they’d like with their baby. They can read the text, but they don’t have to – they can describe the pictures, colors, or even just let their baby practice turning pages. We generally do this for 2-3 minutes, or until the group as a whole seems to be nearing a stopping point.
Read: choose a board book that’s nearby and looks interesting to you!

Pictured:
Library Babies – Puck & Violet Lemay
In My Heart – Mackenzie Porter & Jenny Løvlie
Leo, Sleep Tight! – Anna McQuinn & Ruth Hearson

Tickle Song: Spots, Spots, Spots
(tune of the baseball organ build up)
Spots, spots, spots, spots, spots, spots, spots, spots
A leopard has lots of spots, What a lot of spots he’s got!
A tiger’s stripes are always nice, But a leopard has lots of…
Spots, spots, spots, spots, spots, spots, spots, spots
(tickle, tickle, tickle!)
Source: Jbrary

Prop Songs & Rhymes
Each month is a new prop. This month we got out the jingle bells! This was a lot of fun and the babies really liked the jingle noise. I did try to emphasize that there was a possibility that a bell piece could come loose and be a choking hazard, to try to keep grownups on the lookout. I did see bells go in mouths, so I am not sure if I would do bells for this group again. I wonder if there are infant-safe bells out there.

Bell Song: Are You Sleeping?
Are you sleeping, are you sleeping? (keep bells quiet)
Brother John, Brother John,
Morning bells are ringing, morning bells are ringing (ring bells)
Ding ding dong, ding ding dong
(try substituting your child’s name for “Brother John”)
Source: traditional

This is a good one for demonstrating a steady beat.
Bell Rhyme: 1 – 2 – 3 – 4
1 – 2 – 3 – 4, Jingle at the cottage door
5 – 6 – 7 – 8, Jingle at the cottage gate
Source: Kathy Reid-Naiman

Bell Song: Ice Cream Truck
(tune of Do You Know the Muffin Man)
Do you see the ice cream truck?
The ice cream truck, The ice cream truck?
Do you see the ice cream truck?
It’s driving down the street!

The bells go ring-a-ling-a-ling…
Source: adapted from the traditional

Bell Song: Shake Your Bell In the Air
(tune of If You’re Happy and You Know It)
Shake your bell in the air, in the air
Shake your bell in the air, in the air
Shake your bell in the air and hold it right there
Shake your bell in the air, in the air

…on the side… as you smile really wide
…way down low… then wave and say hello
Source: Jbrary

To adapt this for babies, we bounce or clap rather than scraping our hands past each other, and walk fingers up and down baby’s body, arms, or legs for the “if you want to take a trip” part.
Lifting Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom
Zoom, zoom, zoom, We’re going to the moon
Zoom, zoom, zoom, We’re going to the moon
If you want to take a trip climb aboard my rocket ship
Zoom, zoom, zoom, We’re going to the moon
In 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Blast off!
Source: Jbrary

I find it really helpful to finish with a rhyme that definitively says that storytime is over. This one is short and sweet.
Goodbye Rhyme: Hands Up High
Hands up high! (Put your hands in air)
Now give a big sigh (sigh and bring hands down)
Our storytime’s over
So wave bye-bye (wave)
Source: Pasadena Public Library

And that’s it! We don’t have time for free play at the end, but I encouraged grownups to take a little time in the children’s department to play and socialize together.

Suggested books are a little different on my handout since at my library board books are not able to be held if they’re checked out. My handout says:
Check out our board book selections – they cannot be held or requested, so see what’s available anytime you visit the library! Here are some other titles that *can* be requested:
This Is the Way a Baby Rides – Susan Meyers & Hiroe Nakata
Leo Loves Baby Time – Anna McQuinn & Ruth Hearson
This Little Piggy – Tim Harrington
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do You See? – Bill Martin, Jr. & Eric Carle
My Very First Mother Goose – Iona Opie & Rosemary Wells

This storytime was presented in-person on 5/1, 5/8, & 5/15/23.

Storytime Handout:

handout with suggested books, rhyme and song lyrics

Book Babies Storytime (April)

Posted on by msemilylibrary

I’m slowly adding my backlog of Book Babies plans, so here’s what we did in the month of April, 2023. I do the same themeless plan a month at a time, to get the caregivers familiar and comfortable with the songs and rhymes. I usually switch to a different prop each month, and change out songs and rhymes a few at a time, so there are always a few familiars in the lineup.

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

See all the Book Babies plans here.

Early Literacy Tip: Demonstrating the meaning of words with the way we say them reinforces that concept for babies. When we say “slowly” slowly and “quickly” quickly, our babies learn faster. In addition, slowing down our words – “slow-ly, slow-ly, slow-ly” makes it clear that each syllable is a separate sound.

Here is our room setup, with the parachute out for babies to lay on/sit on, with a few chairs for those who prefer them to the floor. My pink short chair is perfect for this – I can move easily from it to the floor if I want to demo one way or another. I wish our parachute was colorful – I think the original idea was that you can write on it. There are some names on there from years ago that are probably grown with their own children by now.

Photo showing Book Babies setup, with a round white parachute spread on a purple rug, with purple chairs to either side. A board book is set on each wedge, and a small pink chair sits at the head, with a dog puppet on the chair and a frog stuffy laying on the parachute. An easel to the side of the chair has song lyrics on it.

For this and the next song, I use puppets to greet everyone.
Welcome/Puppet Song: Hello, Everybody
(tune of Skip to My Lou)
Hello, everybody and how are you?
Hello, everybody and how are you?
Hello, everybody and how are you?
How are you today?

Hello, [name 1], how are you?
Hello, [name 2], how are you?
Hello, [name 3], how are you?
How are you today?

I start this one with the same puppet as above, my floppy-eared dog, Scout. Then I’ll bring out one or two other puppets to say hello.
Welcome/Puppet Song: When Animals Get Up in the Morning
When dogs get up in the morning
They always say hello!
When dogs get up in the morning
They always say hello!
“Woof, woof, woof, woof,” That is what they say
“Woof, woof, woof, woof,” That is what they say
Source: King County (WA) Library System

Body Song: I Wake Up My Hands
I wake up my hands with a Clap, clap, clap,
Clap, clap, clap, Clap, clap, clap,
I wake up my hands with a clap, clap, clap,
And I wiggle my wiggles away!

Feet…stomp, stomp, stomp
Belly…beep, beep, beep
Body…wiggle, wiggle, wiggle
Source: Jbrary

Instead of opening and shutting our fingers, we opened and shut our whole hands in a clapping motion. We talked here a bit about how babies aren’t quite ready for that fine motor manipulation, but as they become older toddlers and preschoolers it will help them with their grip strength.
Fingerplay Rhyme: Open, Shut Them
Open, shut them, Open, shut them
Give a little clap, clap, clap
Open, shut them, Open, shut them
Lay them in your lap, lap, lap!
Creepy, crawly, Creepy, crawly
Right up to your chin, chin, chin
Open up your little mouth,
But do not let them in, in, in!
Source: traditional

Since this is a longer song and we’re doing all the verses, I eliminated the second bounce/lift song I usually do.
Bounce & Lift Song: She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain
(bounce baby until the end of each line)
She’ll be comin’ round the mountain when she comes (yee haw!) (lift)
She’ll be comin’ round the mountain when she comes (yee haw!) (lift)
She’ll be comin’ round the mountain,
She’ll be comin’ round the mountain
She’ll be comin’ round the mountain when she comes (yee haw) (lift)

She’ll be ridin’ six white horses… (whoa there) (tilt back)
Oh, we’ll all have chicken and dumplings… (yum, yum) (rub tummy)
Yes, we’ll all go out to meet her… (kiss, kiss)
Source: traditional, baby bounce adaptation from Jbrary

After a fun bounce, we slow it down a bit with a lullaby. I remind grownups that rocking and holding your baby while singing is a great way to calm them, even if it’s not bedtime.
Ukulele Lullaby: 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!
Source: Jbrary

Download a ukulele songsheet for I See the Moon

Thumbnail of I See the Moon ukulele chord sheet

I place a book on each wedge on the parachute , so I encourage grownups to take a few minutes to grab a book that is nearby and looks interesting, and to interact with the book however they’d like with their baby. They can read the text, but they don’t have to – they can describe the pictures, colors, or even just let their baby practice turning pages. We generally do this for 2-3 minutes, or until the group as a whole seems to be nearing a stopping point.
Read: choose a board book that’s nearby and looks interesting to you!

Pictured:
Hello Bugs, What Do You Do? – Loes Botman
Kiss by Kiss/Ocêtôwina – Richard Van Camp & Mary Cardinal Collins
Hey, Baby! – Andrea Pippins

Tickle Rhyme: Slowly, Slowly
Slowly, slowly, very slowly creeps the garden snail
Slowly, slowly, very slowly up the garden rail
Quickly, quickly, very quickly runs the little mouse
Quickly, quickly very quickly into his little house
Source: Jbrary

Prop Songs & Rhymes
Each month is a new prop. This month we moved all the books and babies off the parachute and actually used it with our rhymes and songs.

Any rhyme that has a lot of “up” and “down” are good ones to adapt to parachute time.
Lift/Parachute Rhyme: Grand Old Duke of York
The grand old Duke of York, He had ten thousand men
He marched them up to the top of the hill
And he marched them down again!
And when you’re up, you’re up
And when you’re down, you’re down
And when you’re only half-way uuuuup…
You’re neither up nor down!
Source: traditional

Lift/Parachute Song: Let’s Go Riding On an Elevator
Let’s go riding on an elevator, elevator, elevator
Let’s go riding on an elevator, Ride along with me!
First floor, Second floor, Third floor, Fourth floor, Fifth floor…
And down-down-down-down-down!
Source: Jbrary

The first week we tried to put the babies in the middle of the parachute and the adults held and walked the parachute in a circle around them – the idea being that the babies would slowly rotate in the middle. (Like in this video) Instead, the babies fell over on each other. (Oops!) After that, we held our babies and walked around in a circle holding the parachute.
Parachute/Action Song: Ring Around the Rosie
Ring around the rosie,
Pocket full of posies
Ashes, ashes,
We all fall down!
Source: traditional

This is a great way to put the parachute away.
Parachute Song: Parachute Fly
(tune of Skip to my Lou)
(kids go under the parachute and adults raise and lower)
Up, up, up it goes,
Down, down, down so low
Raise our parachute to the sky
Count to 3 and watch it fly
Spoken:
Up on one…
Down on two…
Up on three…
and FLY! (adults let go and leader pulls ‘chute in to themselves)
Source: Gymboree

To adapt this for babies, we bounce or clap rather than scraping our hands past each other, and walk fingers up and down baby’s body, arms, or legs for the “if you want to take a trip” part.
Lifting Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom
Zoom, zoom, zoom, We’re going to the moon
Zoom, zoom, zoom, We’re going to the moon
If you want to take a trip climb aboard my rocket ship
Zoom, zoom, zoom, We’re going to the moon
In 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Blast off!
Source: Jbrary

I find it really helpful to finish with a rhyme that definitively says that storytime is over. This one is short and sweet.
Goodbye Rhyme: Hands Up High
Hands up high! (Put your hands in air)
Now give a big sigh (sigh and bring hands down)
Our storytime’s over
So wave bye-bye (wave)
Source: Pasadena Public Library

And that’s it! We don’t have time for free play at the end, but I encouraged grownups to take a little time in the children’s department to play and socialize together.

Suggested books are a little different on my handout since at my library board books are not able to be held if they’re checked out. My handout says:
Check out our board book selections – they cannot be held or requested, so see what’s available anytime you visit the library! Here are some other titles that *can* be requested:
My Baby and Me – Lynn Reiser & Penny Gentieu
The Seals on the Bus – Lenny Hort & G. Brian Karas
Goodnight Moon – Margaret Wise Brown & Clement Hurd
Baby Day! – Nancy Elizabeth Wallace
Pat the Bunny – Dorothy Kunhardt
The Neighborhood Mother Goose – Nina Crews
Faces – Shelley Rotner & Ken Kreisler

This storytime was presented in-person on 4/3, 4/10, & 4/17/23.

Storytime Handout:

Book Babies Storytime (March)

Posted on by msemilylibrary

I’m slowly adding my backlog of Book Babies plans, so here’s what we did in the month of March, 2023. I do the same themeless plan a month at a time, to get the caregivers familiar and comfortable with the songs and rhymes. I usually switch to a different prop each month, and change out songs and rhymes a few at a time, so there are always a few familiars in the lineup.

If you have any control over your schedule, I highly recommend starting your Monday morning with an infant class. It always makes me happy and gives a positive start to the week! The books featured in the photos below are just some of the board books made available for individual reading.

See all the Book Babies plans here.

Early Literacy Tip: With egg shaker songs for babies, we don’t want to overwhelm them or scare them with sound. We don’t expect them to do specific movements, but there are two main ways we can use egg shakers with them: We shake the egg shakers to the steady beat along with the songs we sing, or we can give them to the babies to shake while we sing or listen. The goal here is merely to expose them to the sound of songs. If we’re the ones shaking the beat, they’ll start to build an unconscious awareness of the beat.

Here is our room setup, with the parachute out for babies to lay on/sit on, with a few chairs for those who prefer them to the floor. My pink short chair is perfect for this – I can move easily from it to the floor if I want to demo one way or another. I wish our parachute was colorful – I think the original idea was that you can write on it. There are some names on there from years ago that are probably grown with their own children by now.

Photo showing Book Babies setup, with a round white parachute spread on a purple rug, with purple chairs to either side. A board book is set on each wedge, and a small pink chair sits at the head, with a dog puppet on the chair and a frog stuffy laying on the parachute. An easel to the side of the chair has song lyrics on it.

For this and the next song, I use puppets to greet everyone.
Welcome/Puppet Song: Hello, Everybody
(tune of Skip to My Lou)
Hello, everybody and how are you?
Hello, everybody and how are you?
Hello, everybody and how are you?
How are you today?

Hello, [name 1], how are you?
Hello, [name 2], how are you?
Hello, [name 3], how are you?
How are you today?

I start this one with the same puppet as above, my floppy-eared dog, Scout. Then I’ll bring out one or two other puppets to say hello.
Welcome/Puppet Song: When Animals Get Up in the Morning
When dogs get up in the morning
They always say hello!
When dogs get up in the morning
They always say hello!
“Woof, woof, woof, woof,” That is what they say
“Woof, woof, woof, woof,” That is what they say
Source: King County (WA) Library System

Body Song: These Are the Toes of My Baby
(tune of Take Me Out to the Ballgame)
These are the toes of my baby,
These are the toes of my sweet
These are her feet and her tiny knees
I can’t help it I’ll give them a squeeze!
And she’s got two arms just for hugging
And hands that clap and wave
But it’s her eyes, ears, nose and her chin
That really draw me in!
(big smooch!)
Source: Jbrary

Instead of opening and shutting our fingers, we opened and shut our whole hands in a clapping motion. We talked here a bit about how babies aren’t quite ready for that fine motor manipulation, but as they become older toddlers and preschoolers it will help them with their grip strength.
Fingerplay Rhyme: Open, Shut Them
Open, shut them, Open, shut them
Give a little clap, clap, clap
Open, shut them, Open, shut them
Lay them in your lap, lap, lap!
Creepy, crawly, Creepy, crawly
Right up to your chin, chin, chin
Open up your little mouth,
But do not let them in, in, in!
Source: traditional

Rhythm Rhyme: Hippopotamus on a City Bus
(bounce 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!” (hug baby)
A cow… “Mooooove over!” (lean far to one side)
A snake…“Sssssssssit down!” (fall thru knees)
A sheep…“Baaaack up!” (lean far back)
Source: Jbrary

We generally got up to three repetitions.
Lifting Rhyme: Tick Tock
Tick tock, tick tock, I’m a little cuckoo clock
Tick tock, tick tock, Now I’m striking one o’clock
Cuckoo! (count up and increase lifts!)
Source: Jbrary

After a fun bounce, we slow it down a bit with a lullaby. I remind grownups that rocking and holding your baby while singing is a great way to calm them, even if it’s not bedtime. I would do Spanish to start, but then ask if anyone knew how to say “I love you” in any other languages. If not, I had a cheat sheet on my ukulele songsheet!
Bilingual Lullaby with Ukulele: Yo te amo / I Love You
Yo te amo, yo te amo
All day long I’ll sing this little song to you.
Yo te amo, yo te amo
Darling, I love you!
Source: Jbrary
Thanks to Storytime Ukulele, who published the chords to this song. I made my own PDF version that you can download.

Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet here!

thumbnail for yo te amo ukulele songsheet

I place a book on each wedge on the parachute , so I encourage grownups to take a few minutes to grab a book that is nearby and looks interesting, and to interact with the book however they’d like with their baby. They can read the text, but they don’t have to – they can describe the pictures, colors, or even just let their baby practice turning pages. We generally do this for 2-3 minutes, or until the group as a whole seems to be nearing a stopping point.
Read: choose a board book that’s nearby and looks interesting to you!

Pictured:
Peekaboo Planet – John Hutton & Candice Hartsough
Maisy’s Bus – Lucy Cousins
City Baby – Laurie Elmquist & Ashley Barron

After reading, we do a rhyme that’s good for “on your back.” I saw this modification for the traditional nursery rhyme from Intellidance, which uses leg movements for each line.
Action Nursery Rhyme: One, Two, Buckle My Shoe
1, 2, Buckle my shoe (“walk” feet on numbers, tap feet together)
3, 4, Shut the door (open and close legs)
5, 6, Pick up sticks (lift legs up)
7, 8, Lay them straight (stretch legs out)
9, 10, A big fat hen! (tickle!)
Source: Intellidance

Prop Songs & Rhymes
Each month is a new prop. This month I shared today’s early literacy tip and gave two egg shakers to each child/caregiver pair.

Shaker Song: Shake Your Shaker
(tune of Grand Old Duke of York)
You shake your shaker high
You shake your shaker low
You shake your shaker fast, fast, fast
And then you shake it slow
Source: Harris County (TX) Public Library

Shaker Song: If You’re Happy and You Know It
If you’re happy and you know it, give a shake
If you’re happy and you know it, give a shake
If you’re happy and you know it, and you really want to show it
If you’re happy and you know it, give a shake
…give a tap
…clap your egg!
Source: Jbrary

After doing the traditional rhyme earlier, I thought it would be fun to reinforce it with the shaker egg version.
Shaker Song: 1 – 2, Shake it On Your Shoe
1, 2 – Shake it on your shoe
3, 4 – Shake it on the floor
5, 6 – Stir and mix
7, 8 – Stand up straight
9, 10 – Wave to your friends!
Source: Jbrary

Shaker Song: The Milkshake Song
You take a little milk – pour some milk!
And you take a little cream – pour some cream!
You stir it all up, You shake it and you’ll sing…
Milkshake, milkshake shake it up, shake it up!
Milkshake, milkshake shake it all up! (x2)
Source: Old Town School of Folk Music, via Jbrary

To adapt this for babies, we bounce or clap rather than scraping our hands past each other, and walk fingers up and down baby’s body, arms, or legs for the “if you want to take a trip” part.
Lifting Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom
Zoom, zoom, zoom, We’re going to the moon
Zoom, zoom, zoom, We’re going to the moon
If you want to take a trip climb aboard my rocket ship
Zoom, zoom, zoom, We’re going to the moon
In 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Blast off!
Source: Jbrary

I find it really helpful to finish with a rhyme that definitively says that storytime is over. This one is short and sweet.
Goodbye Rhyme: Hands Up High
Hands up high! (Put your hands in air)
Now give a big sigh (sigh and bring hands down)
Our storytime’s over
So wave bye-bye (wave)
Source: Pasadena Public Library

And that’s it! We don’t have time for free play at the end, but I encouraged grownups to take a little time in the children’s department to play and socialize together.

Suggested books are a little different on my handout since at my library board books are not able to be held if they’re checked out. My handout says:
Check out our board book selections – they cannot be held or requested, so see what’s available anytime you visit the library! Here are some other titles that *can* be requested:
Maisy Big, Maisy Small – Lucy Cousins
Te amo, Bebé, Little One – Lisa Wheeler & Maribel Suárez
Baby Day – Jane Godwin, Davina Bell, & Freya Blackwood
Moo-Moo, I Love You! – Tom Lichtenheld & Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Animals Here We Grow! – Shelley Rotner
Hand in Hand – Rosemary Wells

This storytime was presented in-person on 3/6, 3/13, & 3/20/23.

Storytime Handout:

handout with suggested books, rhyme, and song lyrics.

Storytime: Mistaken Identity!

Posted on by msemilylibrary

So, yes, this is a kind of weird storytime theme. But- when you look at the literature, there’s actually a lot of picture books that incorporate a character being mistaken for someone/something else – a classic example is the wolf dressed as granny in Little Red Riding Hood. So really, the hard part is explaining what it is and finding some good extension activities to incorporate into the program.

Once upon a time I did this theme on Facebook live early in the pandemic, but three years later I wanted to revisit it. I ended up using the same two books as read alouds, but changed out and added some rhymes and songs.

Early Literacy Tip: Moving to music, dancing, swaying, running, and jumping help young children feel rhythm and begin to understand how their bodies work. Such movements also help them gain muscle control and improve balance. All of this contributes to a child’s gross motor development.

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

Warm Up Song: Wake Up, Feet* (TT) (TB) (FT)
This is a repeated song that everyone seems to enjoy. I always begin and end with feet and tummies, but find two other body parts to wiggle in the middle. This week it was thighs & heads.

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

Rhyme: This is Big, Big, Big* (FT)

Intro: It was a case of mistaken identity! Wait, what does that mean? It means that a person or an animal is mistaken for something they’re not. Maybe they were in disguise, or maybe someone just didn’t see them well and made a mistake! There are lots of fun books about mistaken identity, and I thought it would be fun for us to pretend to be other things today, too. Let’s start by pretending to be a teapot!

Action Song: I’m a Little Teapot (TT) (TB) (FT)
I’m a little teapot
Short and stout
Here is my handle,
Here is my spout
When I get all steamed up
Then I shout:
“Tip me over and Pour me out!”
Source: traditional

Action Rhyme: Animal Movement (TT) (TB) (FT)
Can you hop like a rabbit?
Can you jump like frog?
Can you waddle like a duck?
Can you run like a dog?
Can you slither like a snake?
Can you swim like a fish?
Can you sit down now and
Be as still as this?
Source: adapted from Jen in the Library

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

I thought that my younger class (1-2s) would like the pop up element of this book, but they were just as distracted as usual. Oh, well.
Read: The Wide-Mouthed Frog by Keith Faulkner & Jonathan Lambert (TT)

book cover for the wide mouthed frog

This one went over a little better!
Read: Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal & Tom Lichtenheld (TB) (FT)

book cover for duck rabbit

I thought I was pretty clever to adapt this classic song for Duck! Rabbit! Additionally, I had a bunny and duck puppet to put on for each of those parts of the song, which the littles loved. Everyone loves puppets! For the group that didn’t read that title, we instead did the green frog and bear verses, and skipped the sniff sniff verse.
Action Song: Sniff Sniff (TT) (TB) (FT)
Sniff, sniff went the little white rabbit one day,
Sniff, sniff went the little white rabbit
Sniff, sniff went the little white rabbit one day,
And they all went sniff, sniff, sniff!
But… We know ducks go (clap) quacky, quacky, quack!
Quacky, quacky, quack! Quacky, quacky, quack!
We know ducks go Quacky, quacky, quack!
They don’t go sniff, sniff, sniff!

Additional Verses:
Grrr, grrr went the big brown bear one day… (make claws)
But… We know bears go huggy, huggy, hug (hug self)

Mm-ah went the little green frog one day… (stick out tongue)
But… We know frogs go sha-na-na-na-na… (wave arms)
Source: Jbrary (v 1 original)

At this point we handed out shaker eggs, and pretended they were various things like popcorn and milkshakes. Anything to relate to the theme, right?

Shaker Rhyme: Shake It On Your Shoe (TT) (TB) (FT)
1, 2 Shake it on your shoe
3, 4 Shake it on the floor
5, 6 Stir and mix
7, 8 Stand up straight
9, 10 Wave to your friends!
Source: Jbrary

Shaker Rhyme: Pop, Pop, Pop (TT) (TB)
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!
Source: Jbrary

Shaker Song: Shake Your Shaker (TT) (FT)
(tune of London Bridge)
Shake your shakers in the air, Shake it here, shake it there
Shake your shakers in the air, Shake your shakers!

Additional verses:
Shake it high and shake it low, Shake it yes, shake it no…
Shake it up and shake it down, Shake your shaker on the ground…
Shake it near and shake it far, Drive your shaker like a car…
Shake it fast and shake it slow, Shake it stop, shake it go…
Source: Jbrary

Shaker Song: Milkshake Song (TT) (TB) (FT)
You take a little milk – pour some milk!
And you take a little cream – pour some cream!
You stir it all up, You shake it and you’ll sing…

Milkshake, milkshake
shake it up, shake it up!
Milkshake, milkshake
shake it all up! (x2)
Source: Old Town School of Folk Music, from the album Songs for Wiggleworms

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

Craft: Magic Crayon Resist Painting (TB) (FT)
This was a suggestion from Mandy on the Storytime Solidarity Facebook group, and it was a very fun and easy craft. I encouraged the group to draw as much as possible on their sheet of white construction paper with the white crayons provided, then they could use watercolor paints to “reveal” their drawings like magic! On my picture, it is hard to see. Based on that experiment, I really encouraged everyone to load up their brushes with a lot of paint to make it darker than I did.

craft showing white crayon drawings revealed by pastel watercolors.

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

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

Goodbye Rhyme: Tickle the Stars* (TT) (TB) (FT)

Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme)
I’m a Unicorn – Helen Yoon
Kitty – Rebecca Jordan-Glum
Wolfie the Bunny – Ame Dyckman & Zachariah OHora
Little Red Riding Hood – Saviour Pirotta & Olivia Beckman
Bad Dog – Mike Boldt
Niblet & Ralph – Zachariah OHora
Mother Bruce – Ryan T. Higgins
I Am a Tiger – Karl Newson & Ross Collins
Vampenguin – Lucy Ruth Cummins
Where’s Walrus – Stephen Savage

This storytime was presented in-person on 11/6, 11/7, & 11/8/23.

Storytime Handout:

handout including suggested books, rhyme and song lyrics.

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

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

Book Babies Storytime (February)

Posted on by msemilylibrary

I wrote up my plan for my very first Book Babies sessions in January of this year, but I’m realizing I haven’t updated it at all. I do the same themeless plan a month at a time, to get the caregivers familiar and comfortable with the songs and rhymes. I usually switch to a different prop each month, and change out songs and rhymes a few at a time, so there are always a few familiars in the lineup.

This has really turned out to be a great program, and I consistently get eight to twelve babies, which seems just right. We have a lot of fun bouncing, singing, tickling, and giggling. After the first month, I instituted a few minutes of individual reading instead of reading aloud to the group. The books I’ll feature in the photos below are just some of my favorite board books I’ve passed around.

Early Literacy Tip: Singing to your child is important, and it doesn’t matter if you sing in English or another language. In one scientific study, babies as young as one week could distinguish their mother’s voice from a group of other female voices. Singing helps trigger speech development, and children love hearing their grownups’ voices, so sing aloud to your children at home in any language you like.

Here is our room setup, with the parachute out for babies to lay on/sit on, with a few chairs for those who prefer them to the floor. My pink short chair is perfect for this – I can move easily from it to the floor if I want to demo one way or another. I wish our parachute was colorful – I think the original idea was that you can write on it. There are some names on there from years ago that are probably grown with their own children by now.

Photo showing Book Babies setup, with a round white parachute spread on a purple rug, with purple chairs to either side. A board book is set on each wedge, and a small pink chair sits at the head, with a dog puppet on the chair and a frog stuffy laying on the parachute. An easel to the side of the chair has song lyrics on it.

For this and the next song, I use puppets to greet everyone.
Welcome/Puppet Song: Hello, Everybody
(tune of Skip to My Lou)
Hello, everybody and how are you?
Hello, everybody and how are you?
Hello, everybody and how are you?
How are you today?

Hello, [name 1], how are you?
Hello, [name 2], how are you?
Hello, [name 3], how are you?
How are you today?

I start this one with the same puppet as above, my floppy-eared dog, Scout. Then I’ll bring out one or two other puppets to say hello.
Welcome/Puppet Song: When Animals Get Up in the Morning
When dogs get up in the morning
They always say hello!
When dogs get up in the morning
They always say hello!
“Woof, woof, woof, woof,” That is what they say
“Woof, woof, woof, woof,” That is what they say
Source: King County (WA) Library System

One last rhyme with Scout the puppet, adapted from one about “Teddy.” I have looked for the source that I got this one and unfortunately I did not record it. I tried googling but nothing came up. If anyone knows the source, I’m happy to give credit!
Puppet Rhyme: Where’s Scout?
Let’s clap our hands for Scout,
Scout’s come to play
Cover up your eyes
While Scout hides away! (hide puppet behind back)
Where’s Scout? Here he is! (reveal puppet)

Light brown dog hand puppet named "Scout." Scout is a hound dog with big floppy ears and jowls on the sides of his mouth.

I feel that a body part song is an important part of baby programming. This one can be repeated with any body parts, and I started jotting down some different options to do each time. I’m currently doing three verses, always starting with “nose.”
Body Song: Hello, Everybody, Can You Touch Your Nose?
Well, hello, everybody,
Can you touch your nose?
Touch your nose,
Touch your nose?
Well, hello, everybody,
Can you touch your nose?
Touch…your…nose!

Other verses:
Touch your toes, rub your tummy, pat your back, touch your chin, touch your ears, squeeze your knees, touch your hands, pat your head, clap your hands, tickle your neck, etc.
Source: Jbrary

This is such a really fun rhyme! The person who posted it to the Storytime Solidarity Facebook Group didn’t have a source, so if anyone knows where it came from or who wrote it, please let me know!
Bounce/Lift: Fishy, Fishy, Fishy
Fishy, fishy, fishy goes swishy, swishy, swishy (bounce)
Flip flop, flip flop, flip flop (rock side to side)
Uuuuup, (lift baby high in air) 
KERPLOP! (return baby to lap)
Source: Storytime Solidarity

This is a hit with every group I try it in, and the babies are no exception!
Bounce: Toast in the Toaster
I’m toast in the toaster,
I’m getting very hot
Tick tock, tick tock,
UP I pop!
Source: Jbrary

After a fun bounce, we slow it down a bit with a lullaby. I remind grownups that rocking and holding your baby while singing is a great way to calm them, even if it’s not bedtime. I asked the group if anyone knows how to say “I love you” in another language, and we did do several different versions in the weeks that we sang this one!
Bilingual Lullaby with Ukulele: Yo te amo / I Love You
Yo te amo, yo te amo
All day long I’ll sing this little song to you.
Yo te amo, yo te amo
Darling, I love you!
Source: Jbrary
Thanks to Storytime Ukulele, who published the chords to this song. I made my own PDF version that you can download.

Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet here!

thumbnail for yo te amo ukulele songsheet

I place a book on each wedge on the parachute , so I encourage grownups to take a few minutes to grab a book that is nearby and looks interesting, and to interact with the book however they’d like with their baby. They can read the text, but they don’t have to – they can describe the pictures, colors, or even just let their baby practice turning pages. We generally do this for 2-3 minutes, or until the group as a whole seems to be nearing a stopping point.
Read: choose a board book that’s nearby and looks interesting to you!

Pictured: Ten Little Birds/Diez Pajaritos – 123 Andrés & Sara Palacios
Whose Knees Are These? – Jabari Asim & LeUyen Pham
Opposites – Sandra Boynton
I Love All of Me – Lorie Ann Grover & Carolina Búzio

After reading, we do a rhyme that’s good for “on your back” – maybe one to do after a diaper change. It ends in a tickle!
Tickle Rhyme: Wiggle Waggle Went the Bear
Wiggle, waggle went the bear (open and close baby’s legs)
Catching bees in his underwear
One bee out, (open) one bee in (close)
One bee bit him on his big bearskin!
Bzz! Bzz! Bzz! (tickle)
Source: Jbrary

Prop Songs & Rhymes
Each month is a new prop. This month we got out the scarves.

Fingerplay/Scarf Song: Rain Is Falling Down
Rain is falling down, SPLASH (wiggle fingers/scarf down, then to ground)
Rain is falling down, SPLASH
Pitter patter, pitter patter (softly drum ground)
Rain is falling down, SPLASH

Sun is peeking out, PEEK (hide behind scarf)
Sun is peeking out, PEEK
Peeking here, peeking there
Sun is peeking out, PEEK
Source: Jbrary

Action/Scarf Song: Come Under My Umbrella
(tune of Did You Ever See a Lassie?)
Come under my umbrella, umbrella, umbrella (scarf over head)
Come under my umbrella, it’s starting to rain (wiggle scarf)
With thunder and lightning, and lightning and thunder (wave scarf dramatically in the air)
Come under my umbrella, it’s starting to rain
Source: traditional, see it used with scarves here

Action/Scarf Song: This Is the Way We Wash
(tune of Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush)
This is the way we wash our face,
Wash our face, wash our face!
This is the way we wash our face, When we take a bath!
(arms, legs, back, tummy, etc.)
Source: Greenville Library

Scarf Song: Peek a Boo
(tune of Frère Jacques)
Peek-a-boo, peek-a-boo
I see you, I see you
I see your button nose
I see your tiny toes
I see you! Peek-a-boo!
Source: Jbrary

To adapt this for babies, we bounce or clap rather than scraping our hands past each other, and walk fingers up and down baby’s body, arms, or legs for the “if you want to take a trip” part.
Lifting Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom
Zoom, zoom, zoom, We’re going to the moon
Zoom, zoom, zoom, We’re going to the moon
If you want to take a trip climb aboard my rocket ship
Zoom, zoom, zoom, We’re going to the moon
In 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Blast off!
Source: Jbrary

I find it really helpful to finish with a rhyme that definitively says that storytime is over. This one is short and sweet.
Goodbye Rhyme: Hands Up High
Hands up high! (Put your hands in air)
Now give a big sigh (sigh and bring hands down)
Our storytime’s over
So wave bye-bye (wave)
Source: Pasadena Public Library

And that’s it! We don’t have time for free play at the end, but I encouraged grownups to take a little time in the children’s department to play and socialize together.

Suggested books are a little different on my handout since at my library board books are not able to be held if they’re checked out. My handout says:
Check out our board book selections – they cannot be held or requested, so see what’s available anytime you visit the library! Here are some other titles that *can* be requested:
B Is for Baby – Atinuke & Angela Brooksbank
Knock at the Door – Kay Chorao
Sleepy, Oh So Sleepy – Denise Fleming
Hello Baby! – Mem Fox & Steve Jenkins
Bright Brown Baby – Andrea Davis Pinkney & Brian Pinkney
Jazz Baby – Lisa Wheeler & R. Gregory Christie
Ten Tiny Tickles – Karen Katz

This storytime was presented in-person on 2/6, 2/13, & 2/20/23.

Storytime Handout:

handout with suggested books, rhyme and song lyrics.

Storytime: Squirrels

Posted on by msemilylibrary

Squirrels don’t hibernate, so we see them year-round, but they always seem a little autumnal to me thematically. Probably because that’s when the acorns are ripe and they’re collecting and burying them to prepare for winter. I have a Scaredy Squirrel puppet (based on the books by Mélanie Watt) who I use year-round to demonstrate lap bounces and tickles. He was super excited that we’re finally doing a program on squirrels, and helped out even more than usual this week!

See another version of this theme from 2020.

Early Literacy Tip: Stories can be a great springboard to learning. Reading a story like The Busy Little Squirrel and then finding more information about squirrels and trees in nonfiction titles is a great way to support curiosity, learn new vocabulary and general knowledge, and encourage a love of learning.

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

Warm Up Song: Wake Up, Feet* (TT) (TB) (FT)
This is a repeated song that everyone seems to enjoy. I always begin and end with feet and tummies, but find two other body parts to wiggle in the middle. This week it was thighs and heads.

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

Rhyme: This is Big, Big, Big* (TB) (FT)

Intro: Today we’re talking about squirrels – Scaredy Squirrel is SO EXCITED that we are finally talking about squirrels! Do you ever see squirrels in your neighborhood? What is their favorite food? They have some special abilities – they climb, have a versatile tail, and know how to hide and find acorns.

Squirrels especially love big oak trees, who produce acorns. Let’s pretend to be a big oak tree.
Fingerplay: Be a Seed (TT) (TB) (FT)
Be a seed, small and round (make a fist -we also crouch low)
Sprout, sprout, sprout up from the ground (open fingers – and stand if crouched)
Shake your leaves for all to see (shake hands and body)
Stretch your arms up, you’re a tree! (raise arms high)
Source: Jbrary

Fingerplay: This Little Squirrel (TT) (FT)
(wiggle each finger in turn)
This little squirrel said, “Let’s run and play!”
This little squirrel said, “I want some acorns today!”
This little squirrel said, “Acorns are good”
This little squirrel said, “Yes, my favorite food”
This little squirrel said, “Come climb this tree” (run fingers up other arm)
And crack these acorns: one, two, three! (clap three times)
Source: Sunflower Storytime (no longer linkable)

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

Perfect for little ones, this features some different animals and animal noises, a repeated phrase, and a little twist at the end.
Read: The Busy Little Squirrel by Nancy Tafuri (TT) (FT)

book cover for the busy little squirrel.

April Pulley Sayre was the queen of nonfiction that doesn’t seem like nonfiction.
Read: Squirrels Leap, Squirrels Sleep by April Pulley Sayre & Steve Jenkins (TB)

book cover for squirrels leap, squirrels sleep

This was a really great flannel that I borrowed from AnnMarie Kolakowski from the Pasadena Public Library blog. Her picture didn’t show anything for the green leaf, so I made a little inchworm to hide behind mine. I really appreciated that she talked about some of the skills this flannel addresses: identifying color names, rhyming words, and left-to-right prereading focus. I was only going to do it for the younger group but it went over so well I ended up using it in all three sessions. Of course, the “little squirrel” in question was our Scaredy Squirrel puppet, not pictured.
Flannel: Little Squirrel (TT) (TB) (FT)
Little squirrel, little squirrel time to eat!
Which leaf is hiding your favorite treat?
Source: Pasadena Public Library blog

flannel showing four leaves with color coordinated items that were hidden behind them: a green leaf and green inchworm, a red leaf and ladybug, a yellow leaf and a yellow/white/black striped monarch caterpillar, and a brown leaf with an acorn

After Scaredy Squirrel devoured the little acorn from the previous flannel, I asked if he was still hungry. After a big nod yes, I asked the group to see if they can find more acorns in our room. I had brought in and hidden real acorns from my yard for them to bring to Scaredy. He ate some, and he saved the rest in his log (made from an old oatmeal canister.) This was a great activity to get everyone up and moving around. Even the shyer kids came up to give Scaredy the acorns they had found!
Activity: Acorn Gathering (TT) (TB) (FT)

"log" made of a cardboard oatmeal container, with woodgrain drawn on, sitting next to two real acorns

We handed out scarves and did several songs with them, starting with this warm-up.
Scarf Song: We Wave Our Scarves Together (TT) (TB) (FT)
(tune of For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow)
We wave our scarves together
We wave our scarves together
We wave our scarves together
Because it’s fun to do!

We wave them up high
We wave them down low
We wave them in the middle
Because it’s fun to do!
Source: Jbrary

Scarf Song: Great Big Oak Tree (TT) (FT)
(tune of Frère Jacques)
Great big oak tree, Great big oak tree (hold arms out)
Home to squirrels, Home to squirrels
Moving your branches, When the wind blows (sway arms)
Acorns fall! Acorns fall! (drop scarf)
Source: adapted from Pasadena (CA) Public Library blog (original was apples)

I showed the group photos of the squirrel species that might live in our area, and we shook their bushy tails!
Action Rhyme: Gray Squirrel, Gray Squirrel (TT) (TB) (FT)
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
(repeat for other squirrels: fox, red, flying, or other colors!)
Source: Jbrary

gray squirrel
red squirrel
fox squirrel
flying squirrel on a tree trunk
flying squirrel in the air

We ended up running out of time for this one, so didn’t get to it for any of the sessions.
Scarf Song: Frisky Squirrel
(tune of the Grand Old Duke of York)
Oh, the frisky little squirrel
She gathers nuts and seeds
She hides them for the winter months
So she’ll have all she needs

Oh, up-up-up she goes
And down-down-down she comes
She runs around,
goes up and down
Her work is never done
Source: Storytime Secrets

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

Craft: Fork Painted Squirrel (TB) (FT)
This one was kind of a mix of two inspirations – Glued to My Crafts did a squirrel but only fork painted the tail. I wasn’t crazy about the squirrel template there, either. I also saw a cuter squirrel base that Crafting Cherubs Blog did with tissue paper, so combined the two ideas. I printed the squirrel template from Crafting Cherubs (originally from Twisty Noodle) on light gray construction paper and provided brown paint, plastic forks, and a googly eye. It was fun and as simple as the kids wanted to make it.

coloring page of a squirrel with brown fur painted on with a fork.

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

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

Goodbye Rhyme: Tickle the Stars* (TT) (TB) (FT)

Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme)
The Leaf Thief – Alice Hemming & Nicola Slater
Girl Versus Squirrel – Hayley Barrett & Renée Andriani
Nuts to You! – Lois Ehlert
Squirrel’s Family Tree – Beth Ferry & A.N. Kang
Scaredy Squirrel Has a Birthday Party – Mélanie Watt
Who Stole the Hazelnuts? – Marcus Pfister & David Henry Wilson
This Is a Taco! – Andrew Cangelose & Josh Shipley
Cyril and Pat – Emily Gravett
The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin – Beatrix Potter

This storytime was presented in-person on 9/11, 9/12, & 9/13/23.

Storytime Handout:

handout with suggested books, rhyme and song lyrics

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

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

Storytime: Bears & Berries

Posted on by msemilylibrary

Late summer is prime berry season, so it was time to dust off and revamp this Bears & Berries theme again. Maybe it was just my family, but I remember when my younger siblings were picky eaters and had “opinions” about common fruits like apples, oranges, and bananas, they would *always* eat berries. Mom would buy pints and pints of berries just to get some fruit into them. So I always associate berries as the “fruits everyone loves” although that may not be entirely accurate. In any event, the kids in storytime seemed enthusiastic about berries, so that’s good enough for me.

Early Literacy Tip: Fingerplays like “Two Little Black Bears” can strengthen fine motor skills children will need to write later on. Try making fingerplays a part of your daily routine, such as at bedtime.

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

Warm Up Song: Wake Up, Feet* (TT) (TB) (FT)
This is a repeated song that everyone seems to enjoy. I always begin and end with feet and tummies, but find two other body parts to wiggle in the middle. This week it was arms & chins.

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

Rhyme: This is Big, Big, Big* (TB) (FT)

Intro: Today we’re talking about Bears and some of the things they like to eat. Things like berries! And honey! Do you like berries?

Fingerplay: Two Little Black Bears (TT) (TB) (FT)
(style of Two Little Blackbirds)
Two little black bears eating strawberries
One named Michael and one named Mary
Run away Michael! Run away Mary!
Come back Michael, Come back Mary

Two little black bears digging in the snow
One named Fast and One named Slow…
Two little black bears feeling very proud
One named Quiet and One named Loud…
Source: verse 1: Storytime in the Stacks; 2 & 3: Jbrary

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

Part of the very popular Karma Wilson Bear series, this one features berries on multiple pages, so is a good fit. Nice and short with predictive rhyming text, too.
Read: Bear Sees Colors by Karma Wilson & Jane Chapman (TT) (FT)

book cover for bear sees colors.

Okay, so this book does not mention berries at all. But I found it while prepping for this program and LOVED the silly illustrations and rhythmic text. I thought my older toddler class would enjoy it, and forgive me for not including berries!
Read: A Bear, a Bee, and a Honey Tree by Daniel Bernstrom & Brandon James Scott (TB)

book cover for a bear, a bee, and a honey tree.

Tickle Rhyme: Bears Eat Honey (TT) (TB) (FT)
Bears eat honey
They think it’s yummy,
In their tummy
But…
the bees don’t think it’s funny!
(Buzz, buzz, buzz!)
Source: Storytime Katie

I was inspired by a rhyme about a bear playing with colored balls on the Verona Storytime blog, but rewrote the rhyme so our bear was searching for different kinds of berries. I used my Folkmanis baby bear puppet and the berries from the Jamberry set.
Flannel Game: Hungry Bear (TT) (FT)
Black bear is hungry
She wants something sweet
She’s searching for a RASPBERRY treat!
Is this the raspberry?
Source: original

realistic black bear cub puppet with 5 printed/laminated pictures of berries - a blackberry, gooseberry, raspberry, strawberry, and blueberry.

Booktalk: Jamberry by Bruce Degan (TB)
My library actually doesn’t own a copy of this book, so I didn’t read it. It didn’t make sense to do the Jamberry rhyme out of nowhere, though, so I ILLed a copy and booktalked the book, highlighting the pages where they are on the canoe.

book cover for Jamberry

I created this flannel using graphics in Canva. I think originally the set inspired by Jbrary only had five berries, but since we were counting up to ten, I made two of each kind of berry.
Flannel Chant: Jamberry Rhyme (TB)
Under the bridge And over the dam
Looking for berries, Berries for jam!
1 berry, 2 berries, Pick me a strawberry
(repeat, count up to 10, changing berries)
Source: Jbrary

laminated flannelboard set with a stylized brown canoe holding two strawberries, two blackberries, two raspberries, two gooseberries, and two blueberries.

Stretch Rhyme: Pick Berries High (TT) (TB) (FT)
(style of Pease Porridge Hot)
Pick berries high, Pick berries low
Pick berries on the bush, Nine in a row
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9 (clap 9x)
Some like them red, (gesture to one side)
Some like them blue (gesture to the other side)
Here’s one for me- yum! (pretend to eat)
And here’s one for you! (offer hand)
Source: Story Book Stephanie

I’ve never successfully gotten my room full of toddlers to get into a circle, so we just walked in place. Many grownups did a lift for the “pop” instead of doing the jump, with many giggles.
Action Song: Pop Goes the Berry (TT) (TB) (FT)
(tune of Pop Goes the Weasel)
(walk or dance in circle)
All around the strawberry fields
We picked some juicy berries
We brought them home
And washed them off,
Pop! Goes the berry! (jump up)
Other verses: blueberry, blackberry, gooseberry, raspberry
Source: Jbrary

I didn’t end up using this one for time, but love the idea of using your knees as the mountain, as in the inspirational video from Intellidance. Bear would certainly be going over the mountain to find berries, right?
Action Song: The Bear Went Over the Mountain
Oh, the bear went over the mountain,
the bear went over the mountain
the bear went over the mountain
To see what he could see
But all that he could see
All that he could see
Was the other side of the mountain
The other side of the mountain
The other side of the mountain
Was all that he could see!
(repeat with the bear going around, under, or jumping over the mountain)
Source: traditional, motions inspired by Intellidance

A favorite rendition of this traditional song.
Recorded/Action Song: Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear (TT)
Teddy bear, teddy bear, Turn around
Teddy bear, teddy bear, Touch the ground
Teddy bear, teddy bear, Wave up high
Teddy bear, teddy bear, Wink one eye
Teddy bear, teddy bear, Bend your knees
Teddy bear, teddy bear, Flap in the breeze
Teddy bear, teddy bear, Climb up to bed
Teddy bear, teddy bear, Rest your head!
Source: Jazzy Ash, from the album Good Foot

For my two older classes, I made simple bear puppets with a die cut and craft stick to give out to use with the next two songs (that they got to take home with them.)
Puppet Rhyme: My Bear (TB) (FT)
(use a bear puppet or teddy bear to act out the rhyme)
My bear is looking all around
My bear is sniffing at the ground
My bear is looking at my toes
My bear can kiss me on the nose
My bear can whisper in my ear
What is that? Can you hear?
My bear can hide right behind me
But wherever I go, my bear can find me
Source: Verona (WI) Story Time

bear puppet - brown construction paper die cut teddy bear silhouette taped on to a wooden craft stick.

Ukulele/Puppet Song: Baby Bear Waltz (TB) (FT)
1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, Waltzing with bears
1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, Dance ‘round the chairs
1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, That’s what we’ll do
1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, Waltzing with you
1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, Waltz round the room,
1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, Dance ‘round the moon,
1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, Glide past the stars
1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, Waltzing to Mars
Source: Kathy Reid-Naiman, from the album Say Hello to the Morning

Download a ukulele songsheet for Baby Bear Waltz!

Thumbnail of ukulele songsheet

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

Craft: Bear Ears Headband (TB) (FT)
Simple, simple craft that allows for lots of dramatic play.

picture of bear ears headband - brown construction paper band with brown bear ears (and pink inner ear) glued on.

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

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

Goodbye Rhyme: Tickle the Stars* (TT) (TB) (FT)

Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme)
Blueberries for Sal – Robert McCloskey
Eat Like a Bear – April Pulley Sayre & Steve Jenkins
The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear – Don & Audrey Wood
Wild Berries – Julie Flett
Berry Song – Michaela Goade
Blueberry Cake – Sarah Dillard
Old Bear – Kevin Henkes
Bumpety, Dunkety, Thumpety-Thump – KL Going & Simone Shin
Find Fergus – Mike Boldt

This storytime was presented in-person on 8/28, 8/29, & 8/30/23.

Storytime Handout:

Handout with suggested books, rhymes, and song lyrics.

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

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