seasons – Page 2 – Storytime with Ms. Emily Library

Storytime: Keeping Warm (Warm Clothing)

Posted on February 20, 2023February 20, 2023 by msemilylibrary

Although I did a “snow” theme a couple of weeks ago, I still had activities and ideas I couldn’t fit into that program and which followed more of a theme of warm winter clothing.

I think I overplanned a bit for this session, and we skipped several things I had on my list, but it’s better to have too much material than too little. My third session was the one I was planning to retell Froggy Gets Dressed in, but – ironically enough – we had some snow and ice and cancelled programming that day!

Early Literacy Tip: Songs that focus on body parts increase children’s awareness of how different parts of their body can start specific movements. By using their muscles to make the motions in the song, children develop both their gross motor skills and body self-awareness.

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

Warm Up Song: Wake Up, Feet* (TT) (TB)
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.

Lifting Rhyme: Toast in the Toaster* (TT)

Rhyme: This is Big, Big, Big*

Intro: When it’s cold outside we need to dress warmly – did anyone wear their Coat today? Hat/boot/mitten/scarf/etc.

Bounce: Bumpin’ Up and Down in My Little Blue Sled (TT) (TB)
Bumping up and down in my little blue sled
Bumping up and down in my little blue sled
Bumping up and down in my little blue sled
Won’t you be my darling? (lift)

Hit a rock and we all fell over… (lean to sides)
Source: adapted from the traditional

Let’s come inside to drink something hot. Ready to put the kettle on?
Action Song: I’m a Little Teapot (TT) (TB)
I’m a little teapot, short and stout
Here is my handle (crook one hand to hip)
Here is my spout (hold other hand out to side)
When I get all steamed up then I shout:
“Tip me over and pour me out!” (tilt body to the side of the spout)
Source: traditional

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

I think this is more entertaining for the adults than for the kids, but it’s cute and quick and goes through several winter clothing choices.
Read: Under My Hood I Have a Hat by Karla Kuskin & Fumi Kosaka (TT)

Book cover for Under My Hood I Have a Hat

A newer book about a bundled-up turkey who gives away his warm clothes to friends on the farm. Lots of funny puns and silly illustrations!
Read: Cold Turkey by Corey Rosen Schwartz, Kirsti Call, & Chad Otis (TB)

Fingerplay: Warm Mittens (TT) (TB)
I wiggle my left hand, I wiggle my right
Inside of my mittens so warm and so tight
I wiggle my pinkie, I wiggle my thumbs
So when I make snowballs My hands don’t get numb!
Source: Adventures of a Bookworm

This was one of the songs that I skipped for time purposes. Another reason is that I hadn’t really worked out what motions to pair with the song, which made it feel awkward to me. If I figure it out, I’ll gladly try again – I am a fan of the My Bonnie tune!
Song: My Sweater
(tune of My Bonnie)
My sweater is warm and cozy
My sweater is warm and dry
When I play in very cold weather
Oh bring me a sweater to wear
Oh bring me, bring me,
Oh bring me a sweater to wear, to wear
Bring me, bring me, oh bring me my sweater to wear
Source: Johnson County (KS) Library

This was a fun alternative to the usual tune of Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, with a little built-in anticipation and silliness!
Action Song: Hat, Coat, Pants, and Boots (TT) (TB)
(tune of London Bridge)
Hat, coat, pants, and boots (touch head, shoulders, knees, and toes)
Pants and boots, Pants and boots
Hat, coat, pants, and boots
Mittens… (wiggle hands) Earmuffs! (hands over ears)
(repeat, changing the last item to other clothing or accessories, including silly ones – scarf, glasses, bow tie, umbrella, etc)
Source: adapted from Storytime Secrets

This probably should have been done earlier, maybe before the book – it didn’t flow very well in this spot.
Bounce: Baby’s in a Bundle (TT)
Baby’s in a bundle
Baby’s very warm
Baby’s very happy
In the snowstorm
Source: Handley Regional Library System (VA)

I was pretty excited to do this one, but we ended up not having time in the Teddy Bear session, and Family Time was cancelled for weather. I printed and laminated the Froggy and clothing pieces from Kizclub.com (they have lots of great resources!). I enlarged it to fit 11×17″ instead of 8.5×11″, and that seemed like a better size for a flannel for everyone to see. After laminating, I attached velcro dots to hold the clothing in place according to the story. To help them blend in, I colored the velcro with different Sharpie markers, and was pleased at how well they are hidden. This is definitely going to come out again in the future!
Retelling: Froggy Gets Dressed by Jonathan London & Frank Remkiewicz

Download my story cheat sheet here

Ukulele Song: Fuzzy Wuzzy Blanket (TT) (TB)
(tune of the Oscar Mayer jingle)
Oh I wish I were a fuzzy wuzzy blanket
That is what I’d truly like to be
‘Cause if I were a fuzzy wuzzy blanket
Everyone would snuggle up with me!

Additional verses:
…fuzzy wuzzy beanie…
…fuzzy wuzzy scarf…
…pair of fuzzy mittens…
Source: Book Besotted Librarian Blog

Click here for a ukulele songsheet of this tune (words are for Pepperoni Pizza)

thumbnail of "I Wish I Were a Pepperoni Pizza" ukulele songsheet

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

Craft: Warm Hat Suncatcher (TB)
Inspired by this mitten project at Kinder Craze, I took a look at our library’s die cut designs and realized we had a winter hat die. This was better than mittens since I’d only have to cut out one per kid, and it would use less contact paper. I made an outline for the brim and the main body of the hat and asked volunteers to cut it out, then stuck the outline on a piece of contact paper, replacing the backing paper until we were ready to craft. I then provided tissue squares and another piece of contact paper to seal it all up. I relied on grownups to cut out the shape, punch a hole, and string some yarn through for a hanger. It was a bit more intensive craft, but everyone enjoyed piecing the tissue paper and making colorful designs for their hats. Again, our Family Time program was cancelled due to weather, so I packaged up the materials for that group and offered it in the next week as a Take and Make packet.

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)
Three Little Kittens – Barbara McClintock
Lost. Found. – Marsha Diane Arnold & Matthew Cordell
Extra Yarn – Mac Barnett & Jon Klassen
A Sled for Gabo – Emma Otheguy & Ana Ramírez González
Not Now, Cow – Tammi Sauer & Troy Cummings
A Hat for Minerva Louise – Janet Morgan Stoeke
Winter Babies – Kathryn O Galbraith & Adela Pons
Winter is the Warmest Season – Lauren Stringer
Sweater Weather – Matt Phelan

This storytime was presented in-person on 1/23 & 1/24/23.

Storytime Handout:

handout with book suggestions, 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: Let it Snow

Posted on January 13, 2023January 12, 2023 by msemilylibrary

Regular storytimes are back! After a couple week’s break over the winter holidays, we’re back for a new year, with a few tweaks to the Itty Bitty programs at my library. I took the plunge and have started a program for pre-walking babies, who had been lumped together with toddlers in the past. It’s new for me, so I spent a lot of those three weeks off (and some time earlier, too…) figuring out what and how I’ll do things differently now that the age groups I’m serving have shifted a bit.

I’ll do a separate blog post for that baby program, but shifting there also means that one of my other programs has also shifted. What used to be “Book Babies” is now “Toddler Time” serving kids ages 1-2. The other two sessions remain the same: “Teddy Bears” is ages 2-3.5, and “Family Time” still serves 0-3.5. My resolution this year was was to expand my repertoire by incorporating some new hands-on props beyond shaker eggs and scarves – instruments, rhythm sticks, ribbon bracelets, etc. I jumped in with two feet by starting with the parachute!

In the past I’d been hesitant to incorporate parachute play where we had very mobile three-year-olds in the same room as crawlers or unsteady walkers. Separating them (in most classes) means I feel better about using the parachute with both groups.

You may also notice that there aren’t a ton of activities marked (TT) – that group was super wound up this week! I didn’t do half of what I’d planned, but we got out the parachute and they enjoyed that, and they spent a little extra time during free play, so it all evened out.

This week was a very common January theme, snow. We danced like snowflakes and made a blizzard with the parachute and some cotton balls, too!

Early Literacy Tip: Seeing patterns and trying to recognize things that are alike and things that are different is a fun game for children. Such activities help them develop the mathematical concepts of patterns and relationships.

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 was knees and cheeks.

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

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

Intro: This is the season for snow! Does anyone like to play in the snow? Let’s pretend it’s snowing right now.

Action Song: Watch the Snowflakes (TT) (TB) FT)
(tune of Frère Jacques)
Watch the snowflakes, Watch the snowflakes
Floating down, Floating down
Oh so very slowly, Oh so very slowly
To the ground, To the ground
(repeat: from so very high, quickly, twirly)
Source: Jen in the Library

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

Read: Mouse’s First Snow by Lauren Thompson & Buket Erdogan (TT) (FT)

book cover for Mouse's First Snow, showing little mouse next to a mouse made of snow.

This is such a beautiful book, with stunning crisp photographs and a very simple, lyrical text. This group was fascinated. Bonus, it’s by an Indiana author!
Read: Best in Snow by April Pulley Sayre (TB)

book cover for best in snow, showing a bluejay sitting on a snowy branch

I loved that Mouse got to do lots of fun things in the snow, like sledding! Here’s a rhyme about sledding.
Rhyme: Here’s a Hill (TT)
Here’s a hill (tilt one arm diagonally)
And here’s a hill (tilt other arm diagonally)
All covered with snow (wiggle fingers downward)
I’ll put on my coat, (mime putting a coat on)
And jump on my sled (hold the rope of a sled)
And ZOOM, down the hill I go! (clap, slide hands)
Source: Storytime Katie

For this one, we really emphasized going slow at the beginning, and fast at the end.
Bounce: Sledding (TT) (FT)
(tune of Row Your Boat)
Crunch, crunch, Crunch, crunch, crunch (sway slowly)
Up the hill so slow
Sliding, sliding, Sliding, sliding (bounce quickly)
Down the hill we go!
Source: Yogibrarian

I think it’s getting ready to snow again!
Action Song: A Snowy Sky (TB) (FT)
(tune of A Ram Sam Sam)
A big white sky, A big white sky
Snowflakes falling from a big white sky
A big white sky, A big white sky
Snowflakes falling from a big white sky
A winter breeze – BRRR!
A winter breeze – BRRR!
And snowflakes falling from a big white sky!
Source: Storytime in the Stacks

I see some colors through the snow.
Flannel Activity: Colors in the Snow (TB) (FT)
Based on this post by Abby Johnson on the ALSC Blog (and in turn, inspired by Mel’s Desk!), we looked at some colorful shapes.
The idea is to lay out several shapes of one color, saying something like, “I see a white snowflake. And a white cloud. And a white rabbit. And a white pumpkin!” The kids will likely correct you that no, that is an ORANGE pumpkin, thank you very much. Then you start again with orange things, messing up at the end of each line. When all your items are out, you can say you see something that has all those colors, what could it be? A snowman!
My shapes were mostly die cuts, though I did search for a few shapes online like the cat, crow, cloud, rabbit, and leaf.

colors in the snow felt. Shapes in different colors are lined in a grid shape:
white: snowflake, cloud, rabbit
orange: pumpkin, butterfly, leaf
black: cat, bat, crow
red: ladybug, apple, fire truck
a snowman with a black hat, orange nose and red scarf sits to the side.

I was so enamored with this snowman with his jaunty eyebrows that I copied it exactly from Storytime in the Stacks!
Flannel/Puppet Rhyme: A Chubby Little Snowman (TB) (FT)
A chubby little snowman
Had a carrot nose
Along came a bunny,
And what do you suppose?
That hungry little bunny,
Looking for some lunch
Ate that snowman’s nose,
With a nibble, nibble, crunch!
Source: Storytime in the Stacks

Chubby Little Snowman felt and puppet - the snowman's nose has been caught by the pink bunny puppet, who holds the carrot shape. The snowman felt is just the head, with eyes, a mouth and eyebrows.

This is a very catchy tune – fair warning, it’s been stuck in my head all week!
Action Song: Once there Was a Snowman (FT)
Once was there was a snowman, a snowman, a snowman
Once there was a snowman – Tall, tall, tall!
In the sun he melted, he melted, he melted
In the sun he melted – Small, small, small!
Source: Jbrary

Parachute Time!
We started by practicing a bit, lifting up and down, shaking fast and shaking slow

After one repetition through this song, I threw a couple of handfuls of cotton balls in the middle – fun! After a couple of songs when most of them had “jumped” off, we took a short break to collect them and throw them back in the middle. After Parachute Fly, I asked the kids to find and bring up the scattered cotton balls, which they were very happy to do.
Parachute Song: Snowflake in the Sky (TT) (TB) (FT)
(tune of Twinkle, Twinkle)
Snowflake, snowflake in the sky,
Love to watch you floating by
Down you fall upon the ground,
Down you fall without a sound
Snowflake, snowflake in the sky,
Love to watch you floating by
Source: Jbrary

I accidentally planned two songs that use Frère Jacques. Oops.
Parachute Song: Dance Like Snowflakes (TT) (TB) (FT)
(tune of Frère Jacques)
Dance like snowflakes, Dance like snowflakes
In the air, in the air
Whirling twirling snowflakes, Whirling twirling snowflakes
Everywhere, everywhere
Source: Jbrary

I watched a bunch of YouTube videos of using parachutes with kids to prepare, and saw this song used by several Gymboree classes. It seems like a good one for putting the parachute away. Hopefully in time I can teach the adults to actually let go at the end – this first time took us a couple tries!
Parachute Song: Parachute Fly (TT) (TB) (FT)
tune of Skip to My Lou
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 1…
Down on 2…
Up on 3, and Fly!
Source: Gymboree

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

Craft: Puffy Snow Paint (TB) (FT)
Sometimes it’s nice to do a messy craft – it may inspire some families to try it at home, and it might be the one chance kids from more fastidious families might have to be messy! This really cool puffy paint is easy to make, stores easily in between uses, and dries actually puffy. It’s made with equal (ish) parts foam shaving cream and white school glue. I mixed and kept it in a large zip-top bag with the air squeezed out, and it stayed good for 3 days. There was white chalk to draw with as well, and I free-hand cut out some small black circles and orange triangles in case they wanted to make snowpeople. Fun and cute!

craft showing snowflakes drawn on black construction paper with white chalk, and a snowman made of white puffy paint with two black paper eyes, three black paper buttons, and a orange paper nose.

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 Snowman Shuffle – Christianne Jones & Emma Randall
In the Snow – Sharon Phillips Denslow & Nancy Tafuri
Winter Is Here – Kevin Henkes & Laura Dronzek
One Snowy Morning – Kevin Tseng & Dana Wulfekotte
The Snowy Day – Ezra Jack Keats
A Big Bed for Little Snow – Grace Lin
In My Anaana’s Amautik – Nadia Sammurtok & Lenny Lishchenko
Making a Friend – Tammi Sauer & Alison Friend
Ten on the Sled – Kim Norman & Liza Woodruff
Over & Under the Snow – Kate Messner & Christopher Silas Neal

This storytime was presented in-person on 1/9, 1/10, & 1/11/23.

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

Preschool Storytime: On-the-Fly Snow Day Edition!

Posted on May 3, 2021April 30, 2021 by msemilylibrary

We had a snow day back in February on my usual storytime Tuesday. I debated just cancelling, but since I have the ability and the setup for virtual storytimes at home from when we were in lockdown, I decided to do a short improvised version. I looked through my personal book collection for something that would be seasonally appropriate and decided to go with the first chapter of Owl at Home by Arnold Lobel, all about a snowstorm! A couple more songs and a rhyme about sledding, and I was set. I had about an hour and a half between when I decided to do it and air time, but that turned out to be just perfect. I think it was one of my highest viewed (during the live), too!

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

Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello

Fingerplay: Here’s a Hill
Here’s a hill (tilt one arm like a hill)
And here’s a hill (tilt other arm like a hill)
All covered with snow (fingers wiggle down)
I’ll put on my coat (mime)
And jump on my sled (jump in seat)
And ZOOM, down the hill I will go! (clap hands, slide past each other)
Credit: The Holiday Zone via Storytime Katie

Read: Owl at Home by Arnold Lobel excerpt: Chapter 1 – The Guest

Song: Hoot, Hoot Went the Little Brown Owl
Hoot, hoot went the little brown owl one day (cup hands around mouth)
Hoot, hoot went the little brown owl
Hoot, hoot went the little brown owl one day
And they all went hoot, hoot, hoot!

But… We know owls go (clap) lah-di-dah-di-dah! (wiggle arms up and down)
(Clap) lah-di-dah-di-dah, (clap) lah-di-dah-di-dah!
We know owls go (clap) lah-di-dah-di-dah!
They don’t go hoot, hoot, hoot!

Additional verse:
Jump, jump went the little red squirrel one day (jump!) …
We know squirrels go (clap) rub-a-dub-a-dub (running arms)…
Credit: Jbrary

You know what sounds good on a cold day like today? A hot bowl of soup! What kind of soup do you like?
Ukulele Song: Noodles in My Soup
(tune: If You’re Happy and You Know It)
There are noodles, noodles, noodles in my soup
There are noodles, noodles, noodles in my soup
There are oodles, oodles, oodles
Of the most delicious noodles
There are noodles, noodles, noodles in my soup
repeat and sub other foods like peas, carrots, chicken, etc. (keep lines 3 & 4 the same)
Credit: The Librarian Is on The Loose

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

That’s it! No craft, no handout. Short and sweet.

This storytime was presented virtually on 2/16/21.

Preschool Storytime: Hibernation

Posted on March 2, 2021February 26, 2021 by msemilylibrary

I’m slowly catching up on recording storytimes – I’m now into 2021! Inspired by the book William’s Winter Nap used in the last session (Warm & Cozy), it made sense to theme an upcoming storytime on hibernation. Although I’ve been a librarian for over 16 years, I’m only creeping into my second year as a children’s programmer (I started as a teen librarian, then went into management). So I’ve been presenting a lot of “classic” themes that I’m sure a lot of veteran librarians have been doing forever – but they’re new to me!

This theme gave me the opportunity to learn some more facts, as well as be frustrated with inaccurate picture books! I wanted to present a variety of animals that hibernate, not just bears, but several books show squirrels as hibernators, when they are not. I think they are less active in the winter, but they definitely don’t hibernate – the ones in my yard play in the snow! So there were a few titles that were good except for these inaccuracies that I just couldn’t present. Grr.

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

Early Literacy Tip: Making predictions about a book really helps children understand what they read. Comprehension is important because without it, kids don’t stay motivated to keep reading for very long. So ask your children a question or two about the book before you start reading. Talking with your child will help them get ready to read!

Discuss: When it’s cold outside, we bundle up and like to spend more time indoors. But some animals will sleep all winter long – this is called hibernation! Let’s learn more about what it means.

Read: Hibernation by Margaret Hall

I had photographs of a bear, frog, snake, and bat being active, then hibernating on the back of cards. We talked about them before starting the song.
Song: Hibernation
(tune of “Alouette”)
Chorus:
Hibernation, time for hibernation
Hibernation, time to go to sleep
Verse:
In the winter, where’s the bear?
Sleeping in his log or lair
Where’s the bear? (Log or lair)
Where’s the bear? (Log or lair) OOOOOOH!

Additional verses:
…frog? Sleeping by a pond or log
…snake? In the mud beside the lake
…bat? In a cave is where she’s at
Credit: Charles County Public Library (MD)

Fingerplay: Here Is a Cave
Here is a cave. Inside is a bear (bend fingers on one hand; put thumb inside)
Now he comes out to get some fresh air (pop out thumb)
He stays out all summer in sunshine and heat
He hunts in the forest for berries to eat (move thumb in a circle)
When snow starts to fall, he hurries inside
His warm little cave and there he will hide (put thumb inside fingers)
Snow covers the cave like a fluffy white rug
Inside the bear sleeps all cozy and snug (place one hand over the other)
Credit: King County Library System (WA)

Bear is ready to sleep, but first, he wants to remind his friends that it’s time to hibernate. Who will he meet?
Read: Time to Sleep by Denise Fleming

Action Rhyme: Brown Bear, Brown Bear
Brown bear, brown bear, turn around
Brown bear, brown bear, touch the ground
Brown bear, brown bear, reach up high
Brown bear, brown bear, touch the sky
Brown bear, brown bear, bend down low
Brown bear, brown bear, touch your toes
Brown bear, brown bear, go to bed
Brown bear, brown bear, rest your head
Brown bear, brown bear, turn out the lights
Brown bear, brown bear, say “good night”
Credit: King County Library System (WA)

I rooted around for any hibernator puppets or stuffed animals we had and came up with quite a few. I think I only did about four during storytime, though.
Fingerplay with Puppets: Sleepy Bear
(tune of “Thumbkin”)
Where is Bear? Where is Bear?
Here I am. Here I am.
How are you this winter?
Very tired, thank you.
Go to sleep. Go to sleep.
(repeat with other hibernators: hedgehog, chipmunk, turtle, bat, frog, mouse)
Credit: preschooleducation.com

photo of stuffed animals and puppets: turtle, hedgehog, mouse, bat, and chipmunk. — A few of my hibernators – not pictured: baby bear and frog who are at home!

You know I love a funny book. This one is told entirely in jokes!
Read: Knock Knock by Tammi Sauer & Guy Francis

Flannel/Action Rhyme: Sleepy Bear Roll
Five sleepy bears moving really slow
One yawns and stumbles and starts to… ROLL! (roll arms)
He rolls to a stop and begins to snore (exaggerated snoring)
How many bears are left to explore? (count down)
Credit: Canton Public Library (MI)

laminated cartoon pictures of 5 different cartoon bears, all sleeping.

Counting/Ukulele Song: The Bears Go Marching
The bears go marching one by one, Hurrah! Hurrah!
The bears go marching one by one, Hurrah! Hurrah!
The bears go marching one by one,
The little one knew that autumn was done
And they all go marching down to their den
Because winter had set in, boom, boom, boom

Additional verses:
…two by two… little one stopped to sneeze : “ahh-choo!”
…three by three… little one stopped to scratch a tree
…four by four… little one stopped to eat just a bit more
…five by five… little one stopped to whisper : “nighty-night!”
Credit: Ram Sam Storytime

Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet for “The Bears Go Marching” here!

Craft: Sleeping Bear Den
I ordered some foam leaf stickers to go with this craft, but they didn’t come in time. Either way, I think it’s simple and cute. Inspired by the project at Glued To My Crafts blog. Bear image from Play Create Explore.

craft with 3 jumbo craft sticks colored brown and glued into a triangle, with a grey construction paper triangle glued to it plus a picture of a sleeping bear. Cotton balls are glued to the top and bottom to represent snow.

I also suggested these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video.
Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner & Christopher Silas Neal
Old Bear by Kevin Henkes
I Don’t Want to Go to Sleep by Dev Petty & Mike Boldt

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented virtually on 1/5/21.

Storytime Handout:

handout with suggested books and rhyme/song lyrics

Preschool Storytime: Warm & Cozy

Posted on February 25, 2021 by msemilylibrary

In another attempt to avoid holiday programming while still celebrating a universal happy winter feeling, my last storytime of December was focused on the feeling of “coziness.” I invite the kids to think about what makes them feel cozy, and remind them that different people may have different things that make them feel that way. In general, though, we feel cozy when we are warm, secure, fed, and loved – something every child (and adult!) needs and deserves.

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

Early Literacy Tip: One of the best things you can give your children is the enjoyment of books and reading. By allowing your children to participate as you share books with them, you can keep them engaged around the book. Feel free to have them turn the pages, to stop and talk about a picture, or ask an open-ended question to keep their interest. Of course, if they are not enjoying it, don’t force them to sit still. Try again at another time – it’s fine to have several abbreviated reading times throughout the day if they’re enjoyable rather than forcing a longer session. Your child’s attention span and tolerance for longer stories will increase in time.

Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello

I hadn’t really used any fingerplays that specify right and left hands before, so I asked on the Storytime Underground Facebook page what best practices were. Many people do the opposite so that children can mirror them and use the correct hand, while specifying for parents that’s what they’re doing. I think it’s good to emphasize that it’s a hard concept and parents can gently help until kids get it. There was also discussion about ableism and excluding kids that may not have two hands/fingers which is great food for thought.
Fingerplay: Warm Mittens
I wiggle my left mitten (wave hand)
I wiggle my right (wave hand)
Inside of my mittens (make “mitten” hands)
So warm and so tight
I wiggle my pinkie (wiggle pinkie)
I wiggle my thumbs (wiggle thumbs)
So when I make snowballs (cup hands together)
My hands don’t get numb (shake out hands)
Credit: Adventures of a Bookworm

Read: Winter is the Warmest Season by Lauren Stringer

Rhyme: Cozy Night
One fluffy quilt on my bed (mime shaking out a blanket)
Two little pillows for my head (fold hands under head)
Three teddy bears to hold so tight (hug self)
Now I’m ready for a cozy night! (rub arms)
Credit: Literary Hoots

Action Rhyme: Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
Teddy bear, teddy bear, turn around
Teddy bear, teddy bear, touch the ground
Teddy bear, teddy bear, reach up high
Teddy bear, teddy bear, touch the sky
Teddy bear, teddy bear, touch your knees
Teddy bear, teddy bear, sit down please!
Credit: traditional

Sometimes it feels like winter is gray and colorless. What do you think?
Read: A Day So Gray by Marie Lamba & Alea Marley

This flannel, which Mel’s Desk does with an autumn theme, always feels cozy to me, so I wrote an alternative ending for winter.
Flannel Rhyme: Blue is the Sky (Winter Edition)
Blue is the sky
Yellow is the sun
Silver are the stars when the day is done
Orange is the fire
Green is the tree
Brown is the cocoa for you and me
Credit: adapted by Ms. Emily from Mel’s Desk

Flannel for "blue is the sky" with blue blob, yellow sun, two aluminum foil stars, a fireplace with an orange flame, a dark green conifer tree, and a red mug with light brown cocoa and white marshmallows.

Download the template for winter pieces here! (Original at Mel’s Desk for sky, sun, and stars)

Thumbnail of flannel template for blue is the sky.

Pull laminated pieces out of a hat or basket. Do as many or as few as your group has patience for! End with a hug for kiddos and caregivers.
Flannel: Looking for a Hug
I’m looking for something warm and snug
You open your arms and give a great big…
…rug? NO! …bug? NO! …mug? NO! …plug? NO! …pug? NO! …slug? EW, NO! …hug? YES!
Credit: Pasadena Public Library

Laminated clipart of a green rug, cartoon ladybug, blue mug, orange electrical cord and plug, pug dog, yellow slug, and an icon of a "hug" - pink heart with arms around it.

William is ready to get nice and cozy for a nap, but something happens! Let’s find out.
Read: William’s Winter Nap by Linda Ashman & Chuck Groenink

Rhyme: Chilly Day
When the day is chilly (shiver)
And I don’t know what to do
Mama gives me my sweater (mime putting on sweater)
I put it on and say, “Thank you!”

But when I am still chilly (shiver)
From the snowy winter storm
Papa puts a blanket over me (mime pulling up a blanket)
But still I’m not quite warm

So when I am still chilly (shiver)
I know just what I should do
I say, “Mom & Pop, I’d like some warm cuddles from you!”
(give yourself a hug, or hug a loved one)
Credit: Storytime Stuff

Action Song: Cocoa Pokey
(tune of the Hokey Pokey)
You put your mug in, you take your mug out
You put your mug in, and you shake it all about
You do the cocoa pokey and you turn yourself around
That’s what it’s all about!

Additional verses:
You put your spoon in… stir it all about…
You put your cocoa in… sip it all up…
You put your marshmallow in… slurp it all up…
Credit: So Tomorrow blog

Craft: Mug of Cocoa
This was a kit from Oriental Trading that we’d had extras of. I don’t see it on their site any longer, though. Photo credit to them.

I also suggested these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video.
Lucky Pennies and Hot Chocolate by Carol Diggory Shields & Hiroe Nakata
In My Anaana’s Amautik by Nadia Sammurtok & Lenny Lishchenko
Sleep, Black Bear, Sleep by Jane Yolen & Heidi EY Stemple & Brooke Dyer

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented virtually on 12/15/20.

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: