scarves – Page 4 – 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.

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:

Parks Department Outreach

Posted on September 3, 2021September 2, 2021 by msemilylibrary

Our local parks department runs a summer half-day camp for preschoolers, and asked the library to come out for a story and craft session once a week. It was another outdoor opportunity to connect with our community, so I was happy to do it! We had time each week for a book, a song, and a craft, and the kiddos were a lot of fun. The camp had their own weekly themes, so I tailored each session to what they were already doing. Where I could, I then used any overlapping animal themes for my weekly library storytime (dinosaurs, arctic, jungle), but did something different the weeks they had non-animal themes (transportation, olympics).

Pets: 6/17/21

I’d done a pet theme a few months earlier, so this was an easy one. I got to read a book that was a little long for my “all ages/family” virtual program, but was perfect for a group of preschoolers. I did a different voice for each pet and really hammed it up. They loved it! For our song, I wanted to get the ukulele out, so did “How Much is that Pet in the Window.” Their “job” was to make the animal noises after each line, and they took that job *very* seriously. 🙂

Book: Mr Fuzzbuster Knows He’s the Favorite by Stacy McAnulty & Edward Hemingway

book cover of Mr. Fuzzbuster Knows He's the Favorite

Song: How Much Is that Pet in the Window?
How much is that doggy in the window? Woof woof!
The one with the waggily tail?
How much is that doggy in the window? Woof woof!
I do hope that doggy’s for sale

Additional verses: (What do other animals do and say?)
Kitty…meow…whiskers so long
Bird… tweet tweet…flappity wings
Rabbit…hop hop…hoppity legs
Fish… glub glub… swimmy fins
Credit: Jen in the Library

Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet here!

Thumbnail of ukulele songsheet for How Much is that Doggie in the Window

Craft: Paper Plate Fishbowls
In the past I’d used dried beans for the aquarium rocks, but for simplicity and weight I used crispy rice cereal for this group. My photo is from my original sample.

photo of fishbowl craft - paper plate colored blue, with multicolored dried beans glued to the bottom, tissue paper aquatic plants, and two goldfish with googly eyes.

Dinosaurs: 6/24/21

Again, I’ve done dinosaurs in the past (pre-blog), so it was easy to pull together a song and book. I figured out the chords for Five Little Ducks the way I sing it (which seems to be a little different from a lot of the chord sheets I looked at, strangely enough). I also had flannel board dino pieces that I brought along and held up for each new dinosaur. They were from a template on the Mel’s Desk blog.

Book: We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins

book cover of We Don't Eat our Classmates

Ukulele Song: One Dinosaur Went Out to Play
(tune of Five Little Ducks)
One dinosaur went out to play
By a giant fern one day
She had such enormous fun
That she called for another dinosaur to come:
“Oh, Diiiiiiiiiiiinosaur!” (slap thighs for “running” sounds)

(count up to 5)
Last line:
…That they played until the day was done!
Credit: Mel’s Desk

Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet here!

Thumbnail of ukulele songsheet for One Dinosaur Went Out to Play

Craft: Shape-o-Saurus
Make a dino using simple shapes. This was a tough one to do on a windy day – shapes blew everywhere! But the kids still enjoyed it. I created a template to get all the shapes for two dinos on one sheet of construction paper, which you can download here. I printed them on red, green, and purple, but you could do any color you like.

Printable Shape-o-Saurus Template

photo of shape-o-saurus craft - purple shapes on a black paper make a stegosaurus. triangles, half-circles, circles, and rectangles make up the body.

Transportation: 6/28/21

Another easily adapted theme from sessions I’ve done in the past. I used a new-to-me book and tried to keep the craft as simple as possible. I figured a familiar song would be welcome and the kiddos were happy to call out the Wheels on the Bus verses we did together.

Book: Toad on the Road: A Cautionary Tale by Stephen Shaskan

Ukulele Song: The Wheels on the Bus
The wheels on the bus go round and round, (circle arms)
Round and round, Round and round.
The wheels on the bus go round and round,
All through the town.

Additional verses:
The wipers on the bus go Swish, swish, swish (wiper motion)
The doors on the bus go open and shut (open/close hands)
The horn on the bus goes Beep, beep, beep (push a horn)
The driver on the bus says “Move on back” (cock thumb back)
The people on the bus go up and down (bounce up and down)
The baby on the bus says “Wah, wah, wah” (wring hands at eyes)
The parents on the bus say “Shush, shush, shush.” (bring index finger to lips)

Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet here!

Thumbnail of ukulele songsheet for The Wheels on the Bus

Craft: Name Train
Simple craft this time. I printed a train engine on two halves of 11×17 paper and provided construction paper squares to make cars. (My cars were too big for kids to have one per letter, so we figured out how to get their name on using 4 cars or less…) For a little extra sensory experience, we glued down cotton ball steam – which is hard to see in the picture!

Download the train template (print to 11×17 paper and cut in half)

photo of name train craft. long rectangular (5.5"x17") white paper with a train engine printed on the left side, followed by purple, green, blue, and orange rectangles behind it. Letters on each train car spell EMILY. Cotton is glued to the smoke stack on the engine.

Arctic: 7/15/21

A cold weather theme for the middle of summer! I had an inflatable globe I’d intended to bring to point out the arctic and antarctic (the fact that polar bears and penguins get grouped together is one of my pet peeves), but I’d left it behind. Oh, well, next time! I also left the ukulele at home this week on purpose – our song worked better with motions, and I brought our storytime scarves for it. I added a verse about the dryer since it felt wrong to wash without drying!

Book: A Polar Bear in the Snow by Mac Barnett & Shawn Harris

Scarf Song: The Walrus Washes His Winter Coat
Oh, the walrus washes his winter coat
Down by the wavy ocean
He adds some water and he adds some soap
and he waits…and he waits…and he waits.

Then the laundry shakes, shakes, shakes
The laundry shakes and shakes and shakes
The laundry shakes, shakes, shakes
until it’s clean. (repeat)

Additional verses:
The laundry spins … until it’s clean
The laundry tumbles … until it’s dry
Credit: Brytani Fraser via Jbrary

Craft: Polar Bear Scene
This was inspired by Tompkins County Public Library (NY). I printed a picture of a polar bear on dark blue construction paper, and gave kids chalk and cotton balls. They could choose to fill the bear with either chalk or cotton, or the snow (or really, whatever they wanted.) I showed them examples of both and let them go. It was fun to see the variety of what they made.

Olympics: 7/22/21

This theme was actually not one I’d ever done before, so I pulled a lot of books to see what might fit. I considered Peanut Goes for the Gold by Jonathan Van Ness & Gillian Reid – it’s super cute and a pretty recent title (plus, Peanut uses they/them pronouns – bonus!), but ultimately decided to go with Jabari Jumps. I’d thought it would be more relatable, and worked with the song I’d chosen. Our craft was an abstract process art piece that the kids really got into.

Book: Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall

Ukulele Song: If You’re Going to the Pool
(tune of If You’re Happy and You Know It)
If you’re going to the pool, wear your suit
If you’re going to the pool, wear your suit
If you’re going to the pool, then a suit will keep you cool
If you’re going to the pool, wear your suit
(Additional verses: hat, flip flops, sunglasses, what else?)
Credit: Teeny Tiny Library

Craft: Olympic Rings
Inspired by the Happy Hooligans blog, this was a simple process art. I brought paper plates, tempera paint, toilet paper tubes, and construction paper, showed them how to make a ring, and let them at it! Some were done in three minutes, some lingered for ten.

photo of olympic ring craft - rings are randomly stamped on the page from toilet paper tubes in black, red, yellow, green, red, and blue.

Jungle: 7/29/21

The last session! Our book was on the longer side and the group got a little wiggly during it, so perhaps it is a better fit for slightly older kids – maybe kindergarten. The other option I was thinking of was Oh, No! by Candace Fleming & Eric Rohmann, which might have been better with the interactive option for the repeated phrase. I set up the chant by talking about monkeys and what the phrase “go bananas” meant – that helped them know exactly what to do on the last line! And the craft was one I was pretty proud of – I’d seen this lion fork painting at Crafty Morning and adapted the idea to painting the tiger’s stripes! (Since grouping savanna animals with jungle animals is another pet peeve of mine…) I found a picture of a stripeless tiger, made some jungle leaves, and the kids built their scene.

Book: Mr. Tiger Goes Wild by Peter Brown

Action Chant: Bananas Unite!
Bananas……unite!
Peel bananas, peel, peel bananas (x2)
Chop bananas, chop chop bananas (x2)
Mash bananas, mash mash bananas (x2)
Eat bananas, eat, eat bananas (x2)
Goooooooooo BANANAS!
Credit: Jbrary

Craft: Tiger in the Jungle
I asked the kids to glue down all the parts and pieces first – leaves and tiger, then gave them forks to dip into black paint to add the stripes. Lastly, they could draw any other elements on their page, such as vines or other animals.

picture of tiger craft - orange tiger on a green paper, with 4 different colored leaves glued on. The tiger's stripes are made with the tines of a fork.

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

Preschool Storytime: Hide & Seek

Posted on May 21, 2021May 17, 2021 by msemilylibrary

As is often the case, this theme was inspired by noticing several cute picture books on the topic of hiding, seeking, and peek-a-boo. The challenge, then, was to choose titles that were different enough to be interesting, rather than rehashing the same shtick over and over. This is a great theme to use scarves and the ever-popular Little Mouse flannel game.

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

Early Literacy Tip: Peek-a-boo is a game that helps develop object permanence, which is part of early learning. Object permanence is an understanding that objects and events continue to exist, even when they cannot directly be seen, heard, or touched. Did you know baby’s age affects how they play peek-a-boo?
0-3 Months – Baby just watches and may smile or coo
3-6 Months – Helps baby visually track if you “peek” from different spots
6-9 Months – Baby becomes curious and might laugh because they enjoy the game
9-12 Months – Baby imitates you and may use early language by saying “boo”
12+ Months – Baby might initiate the game by covering their eyes

Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello

I found a number of these different-sized ladybugs made by a predecessor. They are sewn and have some kind of crinkly material in the middle – I’m not sure what they were used for before. But I used one of the smallest ones to “hide” on my body. Using a “itty bitty” voice for the ladybug parts makes it more silly and fun.
Rhyme with Flannel: Hide and Seek Ladybug
Ladybug, ladybug, where are you?
I’m right here beside your shoe.
Ladybug, ladybug, where could you be?
I’m right here upon your knee.
Ladybug, ladybug, did you give me the slip?
I’m right here sitting on your hip.
Ladybug, ladybug, where did you go?
I’m right here, perched on your elbow.
Ladybug, ladybug, are you here?
I’m right here, over on your ear.
Ladybug, ladybug, you’re gone I suppose?
I’m right here sitting on your nose!
Credit: Canton Public Library (MI)

Flannels of different sized ladybugs - picture shows 2 large, 3 medium, and 5 small

Read: Where’s Lenny? by Ken Wilson-Max

Scarf Rhyme: Little Bo Peep
Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep (hide scarf behind you)
And doesn’t know where to find them
Leave them alone and they’ll come home (bring scarf out)
Wagging their tails behind them (shake scarf)
Credit: Jbrary

Scarf Song: One Bright Scarf
One bright scarf waiting for the wind to blow
Toss it up high, and wave it down low
Wiggle it fast, and wiggle it slow (hide the scarf)
Hey! Where did it go? (bring out) Here it is!
Credit: Jbrary

Scarf Game: Peekaboo
Peekaboo, where are you hiding in your… PLACE!
PEEKABOO!
Peekaboo, I see you and your smiling… FACE!
PEEKABOO!
Credit: Jbrary (link no longer available)

Strangely, the game played in this book is hide and seek, not peek-a-boo.
Read: Peek-A-Boo Bunny by Holly Surplice

Flannel: Little Mouse
Little mouse, little mouse,
Are you in the _____ house?
I always knock on the door before seeing if Mouse is home!
Credit: ubiquitous – I can’t remember where I first saw this long ago

Flannel for Little Mouse. Includes different sized houses (1, 2, or 3 storey) in different colors: green, red, orange, yellow, brown, pink, and blue) and a small mouse.

Fingerplay/Tickle: Here Is the Beehive
Here is the beehive, But where are the bees?
Hidden away, Where nobody sees
Watch and you’ll see them
Come out of the hive: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5…
They’re alive! Buzz, buzz, buzz!
Credit: Jbrary

Read: The Elephants’ Guide to Hide-and-Seek by Kjersten Hayes & Gladys Jose

Ukulele Song: Mr. Sun
Oh, Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun
Please shine down on me
Oh, Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun
Hiding behind a tree

These little children are asking you
To please come out so we can play with you

Oh, Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun
Please shine down on me
Credit: Raffi (from the album Singable Songs for the Very Young)

Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet for “Mr. Sun” here!

Craft: Hide and Seek House
Kids get to craft their own lift-the-flap picture. I included pictures of a dog, cat, or mouse to color and hide behind the door, but of course kids can draw whatever they please.

Download a free printable for this craft!

I also suggested these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video.
Where’s Baby? by Anne Hunter
Everybunny Count! by Ellie Sandall
Hide ‘n’ Sheep by Jennifer Sattler & Benson Shum

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented virtually on 3/23/21.

Storytime Handout:

handout which includes suggested books and rhyme and song lyrics

Preschool Storytime: Bathtime

Posted on March 24, 2021March 25, 2021 by msemilylibrary

What a fun theme! You get to combine bubbles, body parts, and bath toys into one!

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

Early Literacy Tip: Bath time is a wonderful opportunity to encourage play and imagination! You can be pirates or sea turtles, or you can use bubbles to practice fine motor skills and finger dexterity. Learn more ways bubbles can be beneficial here: http://mamaot.com/11-benefits-of-playing-with-bubbles/

Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello

Fingerplay: Bubbles
A small bubble (make a circle with your fingers)
A medium sized bubble (make a large circle with your hands)
A great big bubble I see (make a large circle with your arms)
Now let’s count them, are you ready?
1 –2 – 3 (make 3 circles again)
POP! (clap hands loudly once)
Credit: Sunflower Storytime

Read: Time for a Bath by Phillis Gershator & David Walker

Scarf Warmup:
Wave your scarves high, then low
Wave them fast, then slow
Count to three and throw them in the air, then CATCH!

Scarf Song: This Is the Way We Wash Our Head
(tune of Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush)
This is the way we wash our head
Wash our head, wash our head
This is the way we wash our head
So early in the morning
(repeat and “wash” different body parts with scarf – as Abby says in her original post, this is a great opportunity to introduce or reinforce less common body part language – “thigh,” “ankle,” “elbow,” “shoulder,” “jaw,” etc.)
Credit: Abby the Librarian

Scarf Song: Washing
(tune of Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes)
Wash your head, shoulders, knees and toes (knees and toes)
Wash your head, shoulders, knees and toes (knees and toes)
Wash your eyes and ears and mouth and nose –
Wash your head, shoulders, knees and toes (knees and toes)
(repeat and speed up)
Credit: adapted from the traditional

Read: How Do You Take a Bath? by Kate McMullan & Sydney Hanson

Flannel Song: Five Elephants in the Bathtub
One elephant in the bathtub, going for a swim
Knock, Knock (clap, clap)
Splash, Splash (pat knees twice)
Come on in! (motion with both hands to come in)
(repeat up to five)

Five elephants in the bathtub, going for a swim
Knock, Knock (clap, clap)
Splash, Splash (pat knees twice)
They all fell in! (wave arms wildly)
Credit: traditional, flannel pattern from Sunflower Storytime

Flannel for Five Elephants in the Bathtub. Includes bathtub and 5 elephants: green, yellow, orange, purple, and blue.

Do you have any toys you like to play with in the tub?
Read with Flannel: Who’s In the Tub? by Sylvie Jones & Pascale Constantin

Flannel Game: Memory – What’s Missing?
Once again, I was inspired by the awesome Sunflower Storytime. I used her template but made a couple of adjustments to make the pieces look a little more like the ones in the book. The biggest change was the seal and the octopus. I HAVE to have an eight-armed octopus. 🙂 For the game after reading the book, I ask the kids to look closely at the pieces, then everyone closes their eyes and one piece is removed for them to guess/remember.

Flannel for "Who's in the Tub" book. Includes bathtub, little boy, striped ball, yellow seal, green turtle, pink octopus, yellow duck, and blue whale.

Bubble Song: Bubble, Bubble, Pop!
(if you have bubbles, this is a great song to use them with)
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; you can change to different bath toys like “one little blue boat floating on the water” or change the number and/or color of fish)
Credit: Jbrary

Ukulele or Recorded Song: Rubber Ducky
Credit: Sesame Street
As a ukulele song, Rubber Ducky is certainly not easy. It’s a jazzy tune with lots of interesting chords: the dreaded E natural, 7ths, augmented, diminished, etc. I took an “easy” version (15 chords!) and stripped it down even further. There are still 10 chords, and very few of them are common, though most are not hard shapes to make with gCEA tuning. And thankfully, they mostly flow from one to another fairly naturally with some practice. (I had most trouble with G#7 to C#m). Give it a try, it’s fun!

Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet for “Rubber Ducky” here!

thumbnail of Rubber Ducky Ukulele songsheet

Craft: Bubble Wrap Painting
Borrowing once again from Sunflower Storytime! For the take and make packets, I included a small amount of blue paint in a little 2 oz cup, a paper plate to spread the paint on, a strip of bubble wrap taped end to end to make a “cuff” that kids could put over their hand, the bathtub print out from Sunflower Storytime, and a yellow duck cut out. I encouraged kids to also draw other details like themselves or their other favorite bath toys in the scene. I didn’t make a sample for this, just borrowed the photo from Sunflower Storytime’s page.

Bubble wrap craft - bathtub with blue painted bubbles and a yellow duck. Image from Sunflower Storytime.

I also suggested these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video.
Bath! Bath! Bath! by Douglas Florian & Christiane Engel
Get Out of My Bath! by Britta Teckentrup
Ten Pigs: An Epic Bath Adventure by Derek Anderson

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented virtually on 1/12/21.

Storytime Handout:

Preschool Storytime: Autumn

Posted on October 19, 2020October 3, 2025 by msemilylibrary

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

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

See other versions of this theme from 2023 and 2025.

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

Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

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

Storytime Handout:

Preschool Storytime: Country Life

Posted on September 21, 2020 by msemilylibrary

When I first thought about doing a City Life/Country Life duo for storytime, I thought that it would be really easy to find books about country life. But as I was clarifying in my mind what I really wanted to present, I realized that the books I wanted were much harder to identify. Of course, books about “farm life,” especially from the perspective of farm animals, are everywhere. That’s the bread and butter of children’s picture books, it seems. However, I really wanted to show a realistic view of living in the country from a child’s or family’s perspective. I eventually found a few books that worked well for me, and a couple as backup.

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

Early Literacy Tip: Learning shapes and practicing manipulating them as we do in our tractor craft this week is an important early literacy skill. A child who is able to distinguish between shapes is better equipped to notice the differences in shapes of letters. This helps not only with reading but also with writing.

Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello

Lifting Song: The Country Song
Oh, the country is great and the country is grand!
There are not a lot of buildings on a whole lot of land.
And we live way out by the forest and the trees.
We grow a lot of vegetables and maybe keep some bees.

We put the seeds in the earth, we take the vegetables out
(repeat 3 times)
And we dance and shout!
Credit: Jbrary

Tickle Rhyme: Here Is the Beehive
Here is the the beehive (show fist)
But where are the bees?
Hidden away where nobody sees
Watch and you’ll see them come out of the hive
1, 2, 3, 4, 5… (show fingers) They’re alive!
Buzz buzz buzz! (tickle)
Credit: Jbrary

Read: Green On Green by Dianne White & Felicita Sala
A beautiful book that shows a family through the seasons in different settings of their country home – a pond, the seashore, by trees, picnicking in a field with friends. Some may notice that the mother’s belly grows through the seasons until a new baby is subtly included in the last pictures.

Scarf Song: Picked a Strawberry
(tune of Clementine)
Picked a strawberry, picked a strawberry (“pick” your scarf)
That was growing in the sun. (raise arms with scarf to make a round sun)
Then I washed it, and I ate it, (“scrub” with scarf and pretend to take a bite)
And I picked another one. (pick again)
Repeat with other foods: apple, grape, tomato, blueberry, etc
Credit: Jbrary

Scarf Rhyme: Way Up High in the Apple Tree
Way up high in the apple tree, (pull scarf up through hand)
I saw two apples looking at me (make fists with scarf in one hand)
I shook that tree as hard as I could (shaking motion)
Down came the apples, and mmmm, they were good! (drop scarf, rub tummy)
Credit: traditional

Read: Hey, Hey, Hay! by Christy Mihaly & Joe Cepeda
This simple rhyming text shows a modern farm with modern equipment, a mom and daughter who work it, and explains why and how hay is made. I love that it mentions the traditional haymaker’s punch, or switchel, and includes a recipe as well as glossary of terms.

Lap Bounce: Bumpin’ Up and Down in My Little Red Tractor
(bounce child, then lift, hug, or lean on the last line)
Bumpin’ up and down in my little red tractor (repeat 3 times)
Won’t you be my darlin’?

Additional verses:
Mowin’ down the grass in my little red tractor… (bounce or “steer” tractor)
Takin’ a break for cake and switchel… (bounce or pretend to eat & drink)
Baling up the hay in my little red tractor… (bounce or roll arms)
Credit: adapted by Ms. Emily from the traditional “Bumpin’ Up and Down in my Little Red Wagon”

A lot of people in the country drive a pickup truck. It’s useful for hauling things like supplies for the farm. Here’s a story about Farmer MacDonald and his wife – they want to buy a new truck.

Folder Story: Farmer MacDonald’s Truck
Farmer McDonald and his wife go to town to buy a new truck. But each time the truck sales person offers a different color truck, it is never right. First he shows them a red truck and Farmer McDonald says:
“Oh no, that won’t do, please bring me a truck that is BLUE”
“No no, you are being mean, please bring me a truck that is GREEN”
“No no,” said Old McDonald with a gurgle, “Please bring me a truck that is PURPLE”
“No, no, I think….- I’d like to see a truck that is PINK”
“I can’t drive that bright truck around town! Please show me a truck that is BROWN”
“No, that’s just not the truck I have pictured in my head. Let’s try a truck that is RED”
“Yes, yes! That one wins the race! Why didn’t you show me that in the first place?!”
and The McDonalds drive back to the farm in their new truck.
Credit: The LibraryAnn

Picture of manila folder with a truck outline cut out, with black tires. Paper inside the folder changes the color of the truck. — Farmer MacDonald’s Truck

Read: The Old Truck by Jerome Pumphrey & Jarrett Pumphrey
Story of a truck owned by a family of farmers, that worked hard but grew old. The young girl who begins the story grows older and eventually restores the truck to be used again with her own family. Great simple story of an African-American farming family.

Action Rhyme: Open the Truck Door
(act out rhyme)
Open the truck door, climb inside
I get to help my mommy drive!
Fasten the seat belt and shut the door
Start the engine, hear it roar
Turn the corner and step on the gas
If the road is clear, we may pass.
Credit: Librarian Lisa

Craft: Shape Tractors
Assemble a tractor and cart with simple shapes, then add cotton balls to represent hay bales.

I also booktalked these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video.
Birdsong by Julie Flett
Why Are You Doing That? by Elisa Amado & Manuel Monroy
Pond by Jim LaMarche

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented virtually on 9/8/20.

Storytime Handout: