Tag: shaker eggs

Storytime: Alphabet

Posted on by msemilylibrary

Sometimes you just need to get back to basics. That’s how I was feeling after sitting down with the calendar and trying to brainstorm storytime themes for the rest of the year. So today we’re celebrating the alphabet, and upcoming we’ll get to counting, shapes, messy, and clean. Although knowing the alphabet is a fundamental literacy skill, and there are many online storytime write-ups of alphabet themes, I found this one challenging to put together. I tried to choose rhymes and songs I liked and ended up with a plan that worked okay, but got some tweaking with every session. What are your favorite alphabet activities?

Early Literacy Tip: Singing the alphabet song helps children learn the names of the letters. Singing the names of the letters to a different tune breaks the letters down in different ways and helps them hear the names more clearly. Experiment with other common tunes like “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” “This Old Man,” or “Row Your Boat.” adapted from Mel’s Desk

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

Hello Friends rhyme sheet. Includes a smiling rainbow and two yellow ducks at the bottom. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

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. I rotate between elbows, cheeks, hips, noses, arms, chins, thighs, heads, shoulders, ears, knees, and fingers.

Wake Up Feet thumbnail, with a graphic of three pairs of baby-sized shoes. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

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

Toast in the Toaster thumbnail, with a graphic of a toaster with a piece of bread hovering above it. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Intro: Today our theme is the alphabet! It’s all the letters that make up words, and one of the early steps of learning to read and write is knowing the alphabet. You’re just getting started and you have lots of time to practice, so don’t worry if you don’t know it yet. Can we sing the alphabet song together?

Song: The Alphabet Song (TT) (TB) (FT)
The first time through, we sang the traditional tune, to “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” The second time, I shared today’s early literacy tip and sang to “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”
I have always felt a little awkward with the alphabet song – there’s no motion to do with my hands. I asked on the Storytime Solidarity FB group for suggestions, and got lots of good ones, including clapping, shaking shakers, stomping, jumping, or patting your lap to the beat, having an alphabet chart and pointing to the letters, or doing the “There’s a Dog in School” song. Others do the letters in ASL, but I have never learned it and don’t want to get it wrong. For this week, I had the letters on the flannelboard (made with the die cutter) and pointed to them as we sang each time, and that worked well. If I start incorporating the song in future storytimes, I’ll think I’ll do clapping. Thanks to all who gave a suggestion!

Flannel showing multicolored capital letters on a blue background.

This rhyme features things from the first four letters of the alphabet. What are those letters again? A, B, C, & D!
We previewed the motions for A B and C, and when we got to Circle, we spun around and around and around and around to extend the spinning!
Rhyme: A Is for Alligator
A is for alligator chomp, chomp, chomp
B is for bunny, hop, hop, hop
C is for circle, spin around and around
D is for dizzy, and we all fall down!
Source: King County (WA) Library System

A is for Alligator thumbnail, with a graphic of a cartoon alligator. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

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

Both my younger and older classes were entranced for the first few pages (maybe through G), then got wiggly. I did skip to the end, which is not the easiest to do with this book. But it is a beautiful and fun title!
Read: Animalphabet by Julia Donaldson & Sharon King-Chai (TT) (TB)

Animalphabet book cover

After the first two groups struggling with Animalphabet, I switched to this classic. (Which is not one that I grew up with – in fact I read it for the first time in preparation for this week!) Again, they loved the first part (and I had several people reciting the first few pages with me out loud), but after the letters fell and we were going through the alphabet the second time, they were distracted. To keep it interactive, I asked them to say “Boom Boom” with claps whenever I said “Chicka Chicka,” which they quite enjoyed. I notice that there aren’t any of those interspersed between letters the second time through, only at the very end. So perhaps that was a factor?
Read: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr, John Archambault, & Lois Ehlert (FT)

chicka chicka boom boom book cover

Cute, and the biggest hit with Toddler Time, I cut it for time in the last session.
Can we spread our arms really wide for a big A? How about a little a?
Bounce: Big A Little A (TT) (TB)
Big “A,” Little “a” (spread hands wide apart, then bring them close together)
Bouncing “B” (bounce up and down)
The cat’s in the cupboard (cover your eyes)
And can’t see me! Peek-a-boo!
Source: Loudest Librarian

Big A little A thumbnail, with a graphic of two capital and two lowercase letter a's in various font and color styles, as if cut from magazines. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

My little mouse flannel gets more mileage with a letter hide and seek. They love this game!
One of our alphabet wants to play a game – can we find them?
Flannel: Letter Hide & Seek (TT) (TB) (FT)
Letter B, letter B
Playing hide and seek
Are you in the RED house?
Let’s take a peek!
Source: original

Little house flannel, showing seven houses (two one-story, three two-story, and two three-story) in different colors. Green, red, orange, yellow, brown, pink, and blue. Also pictured is a little brown mouse not used in this storytime.
Houses flannel shown with mouse, but I subbed the letter B

Letter hide and seek thumbnail, with a graphic of five houses from the above flannelboard with a letter B peeking from behind one. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

We talk about ABC a lot, but what about the letter at the END of the alphabet? Here’s a song about ZOOMING down the highway.
Action Song: Zoom Down the Highway (TT) (TB) (FT)
Zoom down the highway, Zoom down the highway,
Zoom down the highway (slide arms forward on “zoom”)
FAST! (clap)
Up goes the drawbridge (x3)
(raise child up on knees, or lift arms from a flat to a vertical position)
A ship is going past

Down goes the drawbridge (x3)
(reverse previous movement)
The ship has passed at last

So we can… Zoom down the highway… (repeat verse one)
Source: King County (WA) Library System

zoom down the highway thumbnail, with a graphic of a coupe car with motion lines behind it. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

I’m not super good with puppets. I tried to make this one silly with googly eyes and a scrunchy (since I don’t have any actual monster puppets), but I felt a little awkward and I’m sure that telegraphed into the rendition. I probably would have dropped it for the last session, but that’s what tied in the craft, so no.
Who is this? IT’S a monster! An alphabet monster! Can you make a monster with your hand?
Rhyme: Alphabet Monster (TB) (FT)
I’m the Alphabet Monster and nothing tastes better
To the Alphabet Monster than eating a letter
Today I will eat an “M” if I may
With the million more letters I munch every day
I’m hungry now. What shall I do?
I think I’ll eat a “y” an “o” and a “u”…
That means YOU! (nom, nom, nom)
Source: Yogibrarian

alphabet monster thumbnail, with a graphic of a cute blue monster holding letters of different fonts and colors, with other letters floating in front of it. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Shakers Intro: Let’s practice our shakers. Shake high, low, slow, fast, in a circle.

I saw this one on almost every single storytime blog about the alphabet I visited. It seemed a little hokey to me, but then I saw the librarian at Waukee Public Library sharing it (see link below), and I liked her style. I got a similar set of magnetic alphabet letters and I liked the idea of picking a random letter each verse. She also had a fourth letter verse I didn’t see anywhere else.
Let’s practice some letters with this action rhyme.
Action Rhyme: Alphabet Beat (TT) (TB) (FT)
(choose any four letters, name a object or word that starts with that letter and the name of the letter)
Clap your hands and stomp your feet
Everybody’s doing the alphabet beat
Bear, Bear, Bear – B – B – B
Bear, Bear, Bear – B – B – B

Wave your hands high, swing your arms low
The alphabet beat is the way to go (2nd letter)

Shake to the left and shake to the right
The alphabet beat is out of sight (3rd letter)

Sparkle really fast. Sparkle really slow (wiggle fingers)
The alphabeat’s great, and now you know (4th letter)

(I didn’t include this end verse)
Now give a high five to a nearby friend
The alphabet beat has come to the end!
Source: Waukee (IA) Public Library

alphabet beat thumbnail, with a graphic of animal letters (from the magnetic set used in person): a B shaped as a bear, P for panda, F for flamingo, L for lion, R for rhino, T for tiger, and Z for zebra. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

This song features some very special letters. A, E, I, O, U. Grownups, what are they called? Vowels!
Ukulele/Shaker Song: Apples and Bananas (TT) (TB) (FT)
(begin with the correct pronunciation, then change the vowel sounds for each verse to a, e, i, o, and u)
I like to eat, eat, eat apples and bananas
I like to eat, eat, eat apples and bananas

Additional verses:
I like to ate, ate, ate ayples and ba-nay-nays…
I like to eet, eet, eet eeples and ba-nee-nees…
I like to ite, ite, ite iples and ba-ni-nis…
I like to ote, ote, ote oples and ba-no-nos…
I like to ute, ute, ute uples and ba-nu-nus…
Source: Raffi, from the album “One Light, One Sun”

Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet here!

apples and bananas ukulele songsheet thumbnail.

apples and bananas thumbnail, with a graphic of a red apple and yellow banana with cute faces. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

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

zoom zoom zoom thumbnail, with a graphic of a rocket ship. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Craft: Alphabet Monster (TB) (FT)
We have a large supply of all kinds of stickers, so I pulled out all of the letter ones to make a simple monster coloring sheet fit with our theme. Googly eyes help make them fun, and I stressed that any letters would be good for their monsters, no need to try to spell anything. Idea from Verona Storytime, monster printable from PreschoolAlphabet.blogspot.com.

Monster craft, showing a monster with a large egg-shaped body, two three fingered hands, two small legs/feet, two horns, and a large smile with three uneven teeth. Mine is colored with crayons, has three plastic googly eyes, and several different color/font/size letter stickers.

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)

See you later thumbnail, with a graphic of a green alligator, brown crocodile, ladybug, and jellyfish. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

I actually have not done this one for the last two weeks (since being back from summer.) I like it a lot, but it extends the goodbye period and by this time most grownups are packing up and getting going. So I think I’m going to nix it for the foreseeable future.
Goodbye Rhyme: Tickle the Stars*

Tickle the stars thumbnail, with a graphic of blue and pink stars. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme)
Owls Are Good at Keeping Secrets – Sara O’Leary & Jacob Grant
Oops Pounce Quick Run – Mike Twohy
The Racecar Alphabet – Brian Floca
Eating the Alphabet – Lois Ehlert
K Is for Kindness – Rina Horiuchi & Risa Horiuchi
Z Is for Moose – Kelly Bingham & Paul O Zelinski
B Is for Bananas – Carrie Tillotson & Estrela Lourenco
Click, Clack, Quackity-Quack – Doreen Cronin & Betsy Lewin

This storytime was presented in-person on 8/12, 8/13, & 8/14/24.

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

† Click the image of rhyme/song sheets to download a non-branded PDF

Storytime: All My Feelings

Posted on by msemilylibrary

Let’s talk feelings! I think a lot of adults (myself included) were taught that sad or angry feelings are “bad” and we should try not to feel them, or to “get over” them as soon as possible. Research is showing that this attitude is not the healthiest. All feelings are valid and they actually give us important information about ourselves and help us process the world and our place in it. (If you’re interested in reading more, I recommend the book Permission to Feel by Marc A. Brackett.)

All this to say, I hope this generation of kids gets permission to be more in tune with their feelings, learning strategies to process them and not simply hide or bottle them up. That starts with us normalizing talking about them, being able to identify them in yourself and others, and teaching ways to process without hurting yourself or others. I can’t say that this storytime is going to solve all the problems, but I hope it was one small step in the right direction.

See another version of this theme from 2020.

Early Literacy Tip: Grown-ups, talking about both our own feelings and other people’s feelings is so important! Research shows that kids with emotional intelligence do better in school and life because they can self-regulate and build strong relationships. When you read books, talk about how the characters are feeling and make connections. This helps your child build the vocabulary they need to better recognize their own feelings and communicate with you.
I’m trying to be better about sourcing my early lit tips, at least here on the blog. This one came whole cloth from Jessica at Storytime in the Stacks, who always includes excellent early lit/early development tips!

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

Hello Friends rhyme sheet. Includes a smiling rainbow and two yellow ducks at the bottom. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

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. I rotate between elbows, cheeks, hips, noses, arms, chins, thighs, heads, shoulders, ears, knees, and fingers.

Wake Up Feet thumbnail, with a graphic of three pairs of baby-sized shoes. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

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

Toast in the Toaster thumbnail, with a graphic of a toaster with a piece of bread hovering above it. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Intro: Today we are talking about our feelings! Our feelings help us process the world around us. It’s okay to feel all the feelings. What are the names of some feelings?

Activity: Identify Feelings (TT) (TB) (FT)
Show emotions on cartoon faces, and/or photos of kids’ faces. What might they be feeling? Sometimes it’s hard to tell what others are feeling. We can share our feelings to help others understand.
(OPTIONAL – Read: I Feel by Juana Medina)
I used the cartoon feelings faces from (now defunct) Sunflower Storytime, as well as feelings cards of photographs of actual kids that I put together from Canva images. I like that some of them are not cut and dried – what I labeled as “excited” could be read as “happy.” The tired yawning baby could be interpreted as crying. Feelings aren’t always easy to read! I didn’t use the Juana Medina book, but it is another good resource with lots of feelings and great illustrations of diverse kids.

Download the Sunflower Storytime Feelings Faces (6 emotions)

Download Feelings Cards with photographs (10 emotions, 2 faces each)

Action Rhyme: Feelings (TT) (TB) (FT)
Sometimes on my face you’ll see
How I feel inside of me
A smile means happy, a frown means sad
And when I grit my teeth, I’m mad
When I’m proud I beam and glow
But when I’m shy, my head hangs low
Source: North Olympic (WA) Library System

feelings thumbnail, with a graphic of a star looking proud, a flame looking angry, a tear looking sad, and a laughing smiley face. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

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

Read: Mad, Mad Bear by Kimberly Gee (TT) (FT)
Bear gets very mad, but some breathing, a snack, and a nap help him feel better.

mad mad bear book cover.

Read: Hooray for Hat! by Brian Won (TB)
This is a good one for interactivity – there are repeated phrases that the whole group can help yell out.

hooray for hat book cover.

Here’s a silly song about being grumpy. Who looks sleepy? Who looks grumpy?
Flannel Song: Five in the Bed (TT) (TB) (FT)
There were five in a bed, and the little one said (5 fingers up)
“Roll over, roll over” (make rolling motion)
And they all rolled over and one fell out.
There were four in a bed… (continue down to one)

There was one in the bed and the little one said,
(tune of He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands)
“Ahhhhhhhh. I’ve got the whole bed to myself!
I’ve got the whole wide bed to myself!
I’ve got the whole bed to myself,
I’ve got the whole bed to myself! Goodnight!”
Source: traditional

[My friend Rebecca at Oconee County Library cued me in to connecting the songs Five in the Bed and He’s Got the Whole World; I think it’s a brilliant mashup! I made my own copy of Five in the Bed flannel using inspiration from Adventures in Storytime for the faces and Making Learning Fun for the bed. The faces flip to show their sleeping and surprised faces (the little one starts out grumpy)]

five in the bed thumbnail, with a graphic of a small bear in the middle of a big bed, with four larger bears looking surprised off to the side. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Sometimes when I get hurt, I feel sad or mad or scared.
We clapped and patted in rhythm through most of this.
Rhyme: Boo Boo (TT) (TB) (FT)
One, two, I’ve got a boo-boo
Three, four, oh, it’s sore!
Five, six, blow it a kiss
Seven, eight, put the bandage on straight
Nine, ten, now it’s better again!
Source: North Olympic (WA) Library System

boo boo thumbnail, with a graphic of a bandage with a blue heart on it. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Breathing can help us feel, and it’s a great way to work through big feelings.
Ukulele Song: Take a Breath (The Self-Reg Song) (TT) (TB) (FT)
Verse 1:
When I’m not doing fine, I keep this in mind
I can take a breath or two
When I want to feel well, I can be still
I can take a breath or two
Breathing in, Breathing out, Breathing in, Breathing out
When I am still, I can be fine, Breathing in and out

Additional verses:
…I can sing a song or two…
…I can move my arms around…

Last verse:
To change how I feel, I keep this in mind
I can take a breath – I can hum a song – I can move my arms – And feel all right.
Source: Raffi, from the album Dog on the Floor

Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet here!

Thumbnail of ukulele songsheet for Take a Breath

take a breath thumbnail, with a graphic of a line drawing of a face in profile with wind lines coming from the mouth. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

We didn’t end up doing this one for any of the sessions.
Whatever we feel, it’s good to remember our grownups love us no matter what.
Action Song: I’ll Hug You
(tune of Farmer in the Dell)
I’ll hug you when you’re sad
I’ll hug you when you’re glad,
I’ll hug you when you’re feeling scared
I’ll hug you when you’re mad
Source: Librionyian

I'll hug you thumbnail, with a graphic of an anthropomorphic heart shape giving itself a hug. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Let’s shake it out now with some shaker egg songs!
Shaker Song: Shake It to the East (TT) (TB) (FT)
Shake it to the east, Shake it to the west
Shake it all around and Then you take a rest
Shake your shakers up, Shake your shakers down
Shake it, shake it, shake it, and Then you settle down!
Source: Jbrary

shake it to the east thumbnail, with a graphic of three diverse children shaking maracas, and one sitting and reading a book. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

We shook our eggs along with the motions.
Shaker Song: If You’re Happy and You Know It (TT) (TB) (FT)
If you’re happy and you know it shout hooray…
…grumpy…stomp your feet…
…sad…have a cry (boo hoo!)…
…silly…wave your arms…
…surprised…shout “oh my!”…
…scared…cover your eyes…
Source: Rain City Librarian

if you're happy thumbnail, with lyrics. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

I like the live version of this recording best!
Recorded Song: Shake My Sillies Out (TT) (TB) (FT)
Source: Raffi, from the album In Concert with the Rise and Shine Band

I also have this one as a ukulele songsheet. Download it here!

shake my sillies out thumbnail, with a graphic of two children dancing. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

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

zoom zoom zoom thumbnail, with a graphic of a rocket ship. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Craft: Feelings Flower (TB) (FT)
I looked around for a feelings craft that my little ones could do, but the ones I saw were generally too complex, requiring them to draw faces, or just didn’t fit quite what I wanted. So, finding inspiration in a couple of places, I created my own. The flower concept came from this video from Gru Languages, but they didn’t have a free printable and it involved both drawing faces as well as didn’t include all of the emotions I’d prefer. I also saw a feelings spinning wheel from Super Simple Songs, but again, it was a little more complex. So I created my own flower shape, labeled it with the feelings I wanted, and used the round tokens from Super Simple Songs. That way, the kids just needed to match the right feeling to the right petal (with their grown-up’s help), glue it down, and decorate by coloring. The kids really liked it – the faces were recognizable to them, and they liked how the petals folded in. I mentioned that it might be a good tool for them to use anytime they’re feeling big feelings and they’re having trouble putting them in words. (I did resize and place the Super Simple Songs tokens on a page to maximize how many could be printed without wasting paper, but because this isn’t my IP, I don’t feel comfortable sharing that sheet.)

Download the flower template here.

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)

See you later thumbnail, with a graphic of a green alligator, brown crocodile, ladybug, and jellyfish. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

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

Tickle the stars thumbnail, with a graphic of blue and pink stars. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme)
I Feel! – Juana Medina
I’m Sad – Michael Ian Black & Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Grumpy Pants – Claire Messer
How Do You Feel? – Lizzy Rockwell
The Rabbit Listened – Cori Doerrfeld
The Many Colors of Harpreet Singh – Supriya Kelkar & Alea Marley
When Sadness Is at Your Door – Eva Eland
When Sophie Gets Angry-Really, Really Angry – Molly Bang
I Am a Tornado – Drew Beckmeyer
I Want to Be Mad for a While! – Barney Saltzberg

This storytime was presented in-person on 4/29, 4/30, & 5/1/24.

Storytime Handout:

*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: Eggs

Posted on by msemilylibrary

Eggs are so intriguing! What’s inside? Who lays eggs? We explored eggs and the animals that lay them this week in storytime. (You could also do some breakfast-y type things, but I didn’t go that route.)

This was also a theme that lent itself very well to flannels. I made two new flannels and reused an old one for this theme!

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

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

Hello Friends rhyme sheet. Includes a smiling rainbow and two yellow ducks at the bottom. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

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. I rotate between elbows, cheeks, hips, noses, arms, chins, thighs, heads, shoulders, ears, knees, and fingers.

Wake Up Feet thumbnail, with a graphic of three pairs of baby-sized shoes. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

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

Toast in the Toaster thumbnail, with a graphic of a toaster with a piece of bread hovering above it. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Rhyme: This is Big, Big, Big* I’ve actually stopped doing this one in general, but keep it in my flip display of rhyme and song lyrics so I can use it as a backup at any time.

This is Big Big Big thumbnail, with a graphic of an anthropomorphic ruler. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Intro: (point out eggs on the flannelboard) Oh, my, what are these? Eggs! A lot of animals are born from eggs. I wonder what is inside these eggs?

This is an old standby – I use it a lot!
Fingerplay: Ten Fluffy Chicks (TT) (TB) (FT)
Five eggs and five eggs, And that makes ten
Sitting on top is mother hen
Cackle, cackle, cackle, And what do I see?
Ten fluffy chicks as yellow as can be
Source: Mel’s Desk

Flannel from Sunflower Storytime, now defunct. You can download it here.

ten fluffy chicks thumbnail, with a graphic of two clutches of five eggs with a brown hen on top. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Tickle: Chicken in the Barnyard (TT) (TB) (FT)
Chicken in the barnyard (circle baby’s hand or tummy)
Staying out of trouble
Along comes a turkey (move fingers up arm or chest)
Gobble, gobble, gobble! (tickle under arm or chin)
Source: Jen in the Library

chicken in the barnyard thumbnail, with a graphic of a small yellow chick running away from a turkey. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

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

Read: Whose Chick Are You? by Nancy Tafuri (TT)
This one was nice and simple, but I wished there were turtle eggs or something that was non-avian.

whose chick are you book cover

Read: Egg by Kevin Henkes (TB) (FT)
The surprise factor was fun! I also appreciated how there were opportunities to talk about emotions. The last (twist) page didn’t quite hit home for my group, but overall the book worked.

egg book cover

Do you know a famous rhyme about a big egg who sits on a wall?
A bit of a mash-up: I did the full body movement I found on the intellidance video, while giving the option to rock in a lap as well. I didn’t do the “and crack” she does at the end, but launched straight to “Humpty Dumpty fell in a puddle…” My flannel is double sided, so a quick flip shows Humpty cracked.
Action Rhyme: Rock on the Wall (TT) (TB) (FT)
Rock and rock and rock on the wall (rock side to side)
Rock and rock and hope we don’t fall…
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall (bounce up and down)
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall! (tilt back or thru legs)
All the king’s horses and all the king’s men (bounce or rock fast!)
Couldn’t put Humpty together again
Humpty Dumpty fell in a puddle
Humpty Dumpty needed a cuddle (give baby a big hug)
Source: Felt-tastic Flannelboard Funtime & Intellidance (see it here as a lap rhyme, and here as a full body action rhyme)

flannel of rock on the wall, with a piece of dark red felt with brown bricks. Two eggs are superimposed, one sitting at the top of the wall with a smile and a big red bowtie, the second on its side at the bottom of the wall frowning, with cracks and tie askew.

rock on the wall thumbnail, with a graphic of a cartoon humpty dumpty sitting on the wall and another at the bottom, cracked. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

I worked HARD on this flannel, and I’m very pleased with how it turned out. To get the heathered look on the duck and duckling, I started with a heathered gray felt and painted it with watercolors. It worked, though it took a long time to dry! I also painted the duck egg a light blue/teal. I wanted all three eggs to look different, and the ducks to be a little more realistic.
Wow, here are some more eggs! They look different, don’t they?
Flannel Story: Three Eggs in a Basket (TT) (TB) (FT)
There were three eggs in a basket.
The first egg started to rock. Tap, tap, CRACK! Out came a little chick.
The second egg started to rock. Tap, tap, CRACK! A duckling popped out.
The third egg began to rock back and forth. Tap, tap, CRACK! Out popped a little turtle! (Did you know turtles came from eggs?)
Along came a mother hen. “Where is my baby?” she asked. Which one is her baby?
Along came a mamma duck. “Where is my baby?” she asked. Which one is her baby?
Along came a mamma turtle. “Where is my baby?” she asked. Which one is her baby?
All of the mothers have found all of their babies! Yay!
Source: Librarian Is on the Loose

flannel for three eggs in a basket, showing a simple brown basket with three eggs - a brown one with a yellow chick showing on top, a larger blue egg with a duckling, and a round white egg with a turtle. ARound the basket are a large brown/gray duck, brown hen, and green turtle.

Turtles aren’t the only reptiles that hatch from eggs. Did you know dinosaurs also hatched from eggs?
Action Rhyme: Inside Her Eggshell (TT) (TB) (FT)
Inside her egg shell, white and round
Baby dinosaur is safe and sound
But she wants to come out into the light
So she pushes and shoves with all her might
Her shell soon cracks and creaks and pops
One big jump and out she pops!
Source: Yogibrarian

inside her eggshell thumbnail, with a graphic of a dinosaur sitting in a cracked egg. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Activity: Dino Eggs (TT) (TB) (FT)
Can you find any eggs around our room? See if you can find an egg and bring it to your grownup. Then we’ll see what’s inside!
I “hid” plastic eggs with felt dinosaurs made from our die cutter around the room. There aren’t many places to hide things, so this was mostly on top of the chairs that remain at the tables, and a couple in the windowsills. The kids loved finding eggs and bringing them up to the mini-flannelboard (we use with outreach) that was low enough for them to reach (mine is up higher). After the scrum of kids retreated, we counted how many dinos they found.
Source: Falling Flannelboards

Now let’s come up and pick out an egg shaker!

Couldn’t do an egg program without some egg shaking!
Shaker Rhyme: Egg Shakers Up (TT) (TB) (FT)
Egg shakers up, egg shakers down
Egg shakers dancing all around the town
Dance them on your shoulders, Dance them on your head
Dance them on your knees, And tuck them into bed!
Source: Jbrary

egg shakers up thumbnail, with a graphic of four different colored egg shapes. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

This one actually didn’t work that well. The kids were confused about rolling the egg on the floor, even though I was demoing. I nixed it for the third group.
Shaker Rhyme: Little Egg (TT) (TB)
Once there was a little egg that jumped down to the floor
It started rolling all around then rolled right out the door
Little egg, roll, roll, roll, Roll all around
Little egg roll, roll, roll, All across the ground
Source: Jen in the Library

little egg thumbnail, with a graphic of a grassy hill with a gray egg rolling down it. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

This was a backup and came in handy when I didn’t do the Little Egg rhyme.
Shaker Song: Shake Your Shaker (FT)
(tune of Grand Old Duke of York)
You shake your shaker high
You shake your shaker low
You shake your shaker fast, fast, fast
And then you shake it slow
Source: Harris County (TX) Public Library

shake your shaker thumbnail, with a graphic of three different colored egg shapes. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

We ended with a recorded song.
Recorded Song: I Know a Chicken (TT) (TB) (FT)
Source: The Laurie Berkner Band, from the album Whaddaya Think Of That?

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

zoom zoom zoom thumbnail, with a graphic of a rocket ship. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Craft: Egg Babies (TB) (FT)
Inspiration for this craft came from Krokotak, but I wanted the option to choose what egg baby was inside your egg. I used Canva to find outline images of animals that hatch from eggs, and sized them and an egg shape to fit. There were enough egg babies for each child to choose several, and they could switch them out in their egg or glue one down.

Download the egg template here. Download egg babies here.

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)

See you later thumbnail, with a graphic of a green alligator, brown crocodile, ladybug, and jellyfish. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

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

Tickle the stars thumbnail, with a graphic of blue and pink stars. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme)
An Egg Is Quiet – Dianna Aston & Sylvia Long
Guess What Is Growing Inside this Egg – Mia Posada
Egg – Amy Sky Koster & Lisel Jane Ashlock
Hatch! – Roxie Munro
Where Are the Eggs? – Grace Lin
Tillie Lays an Egg – Terry Golson & Ben Fink
First the Egg – Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Hello, I’m Here! – Helen Frost & Rick Leider
Duck, Duck, Dinosaur – Kallie George & Oriol Vidal
Mother Bruce – Ryan T. Higgins

This storytime was presented in-person on 3/25, 3/26, & 3/27/24.

Storytime Handout:

*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: Sun, Moon, Eclipse!

Posted on by msemilylibrary

I don’t generally post my storytime plans until after they have occured, but I thought this one might be helpful to anyone else doing an eclipse program for the April 8, 2024 event.

We are in the path of totality, so my library is holding a lot of programming for all ages and making a big event of the day. I’ll be holding these Sun, Moon, Eclipse sessions the week before to get our little ones excited for the upcoming event.

I had done Moon storytimes before, so I figured I could adapt that and add some sun activities. I’m not usually good at coming up with original material, but I did think up a rhyme and a song to directly discuss the eclipse – “Eclipse-a-Boo” and “These Are My [Eclipse] Glasses.” You can see my renditions of these on my virtual program, Storytime Shorts (available to view April 1, 2024 at 9:00 am EDT). I also got a lot of inspiration from Lady Librarian Life, who did an eclipse themed storytime in 2017, when the last eclipse was visible from the US.

Early Development Tip: Hearing rhymes and patterns in sounds helps to trigger speech. Scientific evidence shows that early exposure to nursery rhymes and songs with strong sound patterns significantly enhances a child’s ability to hear the smaller sounds that words are made up of, which in turn helps develop early reading skills. When you engage your child with rhymes and songs, you help your child build a strong foundation for learning to read.

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

Hello Friends rhyme sheet. Includes a smiling rainbow and two yellow ducks at the bottom. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

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. I rotate between elbows, cheeks, hips, noses, arms, chins, thighs, heads, shoulders, ears, knees, and fingers.

Wake Up Feet thumbnail, with a graphic of three pairs of baby-sized shoes. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

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

Toast in the Toaster thumbnail, with a graphic of a toaster with a piece of bread hovering above it. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

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

This is Big Big Big thumbnail, with a graphic of an anthropomorphic ruler. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Intro: Our theme today is a special one – we’re preparing for an amazing and rare astronomical event, a total solar eclipse. This will happen one week from today, April 8, and we are in the right place to see it in its totality. This means that the moon will get in between the earth and the sun, casting its shadow and blocking our view of the sun for just a few minutes. Today we’re celebrating the main players – the sun and the moon.

So how do the sun and moon usually work? Who’s out in the daytime/at night?
Fingerplay: Sun and Moon (TT) (TB) (FT)
(One hand is the moon as a crescent and the other is the sun – spread five fingers for sun’s rays)
Moon comes out, Sun goes in
Here is a blanket to cuddle your chin (tickle chin)
Moon goes in, and Sun comes out
Throw off the blankets and bustle about! (fling arms wide and wiggle)
Source: Sunflower Storytime (no longer published)

Sun & Moon thumbnail, with a graphic of a smiling sun and moon. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Apparently this is adapted from a Romper Room tune, which is before my time. To get the tune, I found the link to a video of it being performed by Dany Rosevear of Singing Games for Children. She’s a great resource for songs and guitar/ukulele chords.
Let’s stretch up to the sky.
Stretch: Sky Stretch (TT) (TB) (FT)
Bend and stretch, reach for the moon!
Sway back and forth to our little tune
Bend and stretch, reach for the sun!
Sit down slowly now, our song is done
Source: Lady Librarian Life

Sky Stretch thumbnail, with a graphic of a sun and moon with multicolored hands reaching up. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

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

Read: Our Friend Moon by Lea Redmond (TT) (FT)
It would be great to be able to read Eclipse, but I don’t think it will come in on time for me. I’m 3rd on the holds list right now and there’s only one week to go! Instead, I plan to read Our Friend Moon for the Monday and Wednesday groups, a lovely little board book that I helped Kickstart!

Our Friend Moon book cover

Read: A Day in the Sun by Diana Ejaita (TB)
A newer title with lovely illustrations, showing daytime activities around the world.

A day in the sun book cover

Have you ever seen the moon during the daytime?
Rhyme: Ms. Moon (TT) (TB) (FT)
Ms. Moon, Ms. Moon
You’re up too soon!
The sun is still in the sky
Go back to your bed,
And cover up your head,
And wait till the day goes by
In the morning
the sun wakes up,
And marches all the day
At noon he stands straight overhead
And at night? He goes away
Source: Lady Librarian Life

Ms. Moon thumbnail, with a graphic of a smiling full moon surrounded by stars. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Flannel: Eclipse (TT) (TB) (FT)
This isn’t a rhyme or song, but I just made a simple sun and a black circle to represent the moon to try to show what the eclipse would look like. I pulled out a moon flannel from my “Five Coyotes” set, too. The plan is to just explain what happens and show the moon eclipsing the sun.

Flannelboard pieces of a realistic white moon with light gray craters, a bright yellow sun with short rays, and a black circle that would cover the sun but show the rays. The black circle is 80% covering the sun in this picture.

I was trying to think of a simple way to incorporate the eclipse into a rhyme, and the image just struck me of the sun and moon playing, and the rhyme practically wrote itself (except that last line, which, I realize, is a little awkward…)
During an eclipse, the sun and moon seem like they’re playing peek-a-boo!
Action Rhyme: Eclipse-A-Boo (TT) (TB) (FT)
The sun is playing peek-a-boo
Oh, look, the moon is playing, too
Peek a boo, goodbye, sun
Hide and seek is so much fun!
Peek a boo, hello, moon
I didn’t expect to see you so soon
Peek a boo, sun returns
Much fun with sun and moon in turns
Source: original

Eclipse-a-Boo thumbnail, with a graphic of a sun with a surprised face peeking out from behind a big smiling sun. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Another one that just came in a flash of inspiration. I was thinking about eclipse glasses, and Laurie Berkner’s song popped into my head. It took a little wrangling to make it work, but I am very pleased with the end rhymes of both verses!
It’s very important to protect our eyes while we’re watching the eclipse. There are special glasses we’ll wear to keep our eyes safe from the brightness of the sun.
Song: These Are My [Eclipse] Glasses (TT) (TB) (FT)
These are my glasses,
There is the sun
I put on my glasses before I look above
And I look, look, look
and I see, see, see
I take off my glasses
When we reach totality! …Oooh! Aaah!…

These are my glasses,
There goes the moon
I put on my glasses as the moon moves on
And I look look look
Until down the moon slips
I take off my glasses – What a cool eclipse!
Source: original, to tune of Laurie Berkner’s These Are My Glasses

These are my eclipse glasses thumbnail, with a graphic of a line drawing of a boy and a girl wearing dark eclipse glasses. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

At this point I’m thinking I’ll get out shaky eggs for the group to accompany us as we sing.
Here’s a song I love to sing about the sun. Another librarian wrote some lyrics to celebrate the last eclipse, so listen carefully!
Song: Mr. Sun (TT) (TB) (FT)
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
Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun
Please shine down on me

Additional verses:
Ms. Moon, Moon, Ms. Silver Moon please shine down on me…

Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun
Please come out real soon
Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun
Hiding behind the moon…
Source: Raffi, with vs 2-3 by Lady Librarian Life

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

thumbnail of Mr. Sun ukulele songsheet

Mr Sun thumbnail, with a graphic of a smiling sun. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

I’ll probably put my ukulele down for this one to do the hand motions.
This song mentions the daytime and nighttime, but I love that it says you’re loved always
Song: Skinnamarink (TT) (TB) (FT)
Skinnamarinky-dinky-dink, Skinnamarinky-doo
I love you!
Skinnamarinky-dinky-dink, Skinnamarinky-doo
I love you!
I love you in the morning,
and in the afternoon
I love you in the evening,
Underneath the moon
Skinnamarinky-dinky-dink, Skinnamarinky-doo
I… Love… you!
Boo-boopee-doo!
Source: traditional, see Jbrary doing motions

Skinnamarink thumbnail, with a graphic of small red hearts surrounding the words. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

We only ever do the chorus in storytime, but the verses of this song really made me dislike it. It’s very controlling/unhealthy relationship! In my songsheet, I found some alternative lyrics from the children’s musician Bill Crosby (not Bill Cosby) that I like. BUT, for this storytime, I plan to just do the chorus a couple times.
Help me by shaking your shakers!
Ukulele Song: You Are My Sunshine (TT) (TB) (FT)
You are my sunshine,
My only sunshine
You make me happy
When skies are gray
You’ll never know, dear
How much I love you
Please don’t take my sunshine away
Source: traditional

Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet for You Are My Sunshine here!

thumbnail of You Are My Sunshine ukulele songsheet.

You Are My Sunshine thumbnail, with a graphic of a smiling sun. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

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

zoom zoom zoom thumbnail, with a graphic of a rocket ship. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Craft: Chalk Eclipse (TB) (FT)
It’s a simple craft, and not original, but it still makes a beautiful presentation. Use some black or dark construction paper, white or yellow chalk, and some thin cardboard or cardstock. Cut out a circle with the cardstock – I used a die cut, but you can also trace around a bowl to make a nice circle. Hold down the circle on your construction paper, or tack it down with a little bit of tape. Then draw a thick line around the circle with your chalk, and use your finger to smudge the chalk outward. Always start from the circle outward, then pick up your finger to do it again (don’t go back and forth). Then remove the cardstock circle and you have this cool image of an eclipse!

Picture of the chalk eclipse craft, showing the corona of the sun behind a black moon.

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)

See you later thumbnail, with a graphic of a green alligator, brown crocodile, ladybug, and jellyfish. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

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

Tickle the stars thumbnail, with a graphic of blue and pink stars. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme)
Hello, Moon – Evan Turk
Kitten’s First Full Moon – Kevin Henkes
Moonlight – Helen V Griffith & Laura Dronzek
Moonday – Adam Rex
The Moon Remembers – EB Goodale
A Day in the Sun – Diana Ejaita
Sun Flower Lion – Kevin Henkes
May There Always Be Sunshine – Jim Gill & Susie Signorino-Richards
Sunny Days – Deborah Kerbel & Miki Sato
Stella Keeps the Sun Up – Clothilde Ewing & Lynn Gaines

This storytime will be presented in-person on 4/1, 4/2, & 4/3/24.

Storytime Handout:

Storytime handout, with suggested books, rhyme and song lyrics.

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

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

Storytime: Color Wheel – Purple

Posted on by msemilylibrary

Wow, I didn’t expect purple to be such a difficult color to program for! There should be more books about grapes, plums, and violets. But I was glad that I found a flannelboard set of the Gigantic Turnip in our storage, and the PB & J song is such a standard. I got creative on the rest, with the help of some other color storytime blogs.

In planning these color-based themes, I brainstorm objects/animals/plants that are generally the color in question and songs and rhymes that work with those things. Yes, it was shorter this time. Here’s the list:

Grapes
Eggplant
Blackberry (ish)
Cabbage
Onion
Violets
Plums
Lavender/Lilac flowers
Grape Jelly
Turnips

Amazingly, there aren’t songs about purple cabbage and red onions. 🤔

Early Development Tip: Purple is a beautiful color, and there are so many different words to describe the color purple. Learning synonyms (like lilac, lavender, orchid, violet, fuschia, eggplant, plum) helps young children expand their vocabulary. Research shows that who know more find it easier learn read.

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

Hello Friends rhyme sheet. Includes a smiling rainbow and two yellow ducks at the bottom. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

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

Wake Up Feet thumbnail, with a graphic of three pairs of baby-sized shoes. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

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

Toast in the Toaster thumbnail, with a graphic of a toaster with a piece of bread hovering above it. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

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

This is Big Big Big thumbnail, with a graphic of an anthropomorphic ruler. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Intro: Look at these beautiful colors on this color wheel! Today’s color is purple! Can you think of anything that is purple? Write answers on whiteboard in purple pen. Is anyone wearing purple today?

I made this color wheel, using the “chart” feature in Canva, since I wanted an unusual seven-wedge pie, including pink, which I couldn’t find already made.

A round color wheel showing the colors red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and pink, with a highlighted white outline wedge around blue, which can spin on a push pin in the middle.

I plan to do this rhyme at the beginning of all of the color sessions. Just in case someone doesn’t wear a particular color, I gave out small colored dot stickers (that my library already had) to each kid as they arrive.
Action Rhyme: The Color I See (TT) (TB) (FT)
Purple, purple is the color I see
If you’re wearing purple, then show it to me
Stand up, take a bow, turn around
Show me your purple and sit back on the ground
Source: Librarian vs. Storytime

The Color I see thumbnail, with a graphic of a clothes rack with various colored clothing. The place where the color name is repeated is shown as a blank within the text. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

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

Today’s story is a very old one. There are a lot of books that retell it, but today I’m going to tell it to you using our flannelboard to illustrate.
Tell: The Giant Turnip (TT) (TB) (FT)
I pulled the bones of the story from this one on the Arts on the Move site, but modified it a bit to suit my own taste. (The woman was the gardener and the man had a fantastic turnip soup recipe) The flannel was donated to my library with a bunch of others. It was made on very thin white material (milk filters?) and colored. In the picture they had finally pulled the turnip and they’d all fallen down!

picture of flannel story of the giant turnip, with a brown lump of a hill, purple turnip with green stem, a man, woman, and girl dressed in traditional Russian attire, and a dog, cat, and mouse.

This was a good transition; we started by pulling our turnips, and ended with sniffing purple flowers to flow to the next activity.
Let’s put our pretend hats on and see what purple things we can pretend.
Action Activity: Purple Pretending (TT) (TB) (FT)
(act out different purple activities. Here are some we tried)
Pull a purple turnip
Eat a purple popsicle
Climb a purple mountain
Act like a purple monster
Color with a purple crayon
Spread purple jam on bread
Fly like a purple bird
Chew purple bubble gum
Sip purple grape juice
Smell purple flowers
Source: The Lion Is a Bookworm

purple pretending thumbnail, with a graphic of two thought bubbles in purple. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Several of my purple ideas were flowers, so I expanded a bit on that theme and changed a generic flower rhyme to this. I wanted realistic renditions of these very different flowers, so opted for photographs. We talked a little about how the different purple flowers were different – darker, lighter, more pinky purple, etc.
Several lovely flowers are purple. In fact, we get the names for some of my favorite purple shades come from flowers. Violet, Lavender, Lilac, Orchid.
Counting Rhyme: Four Purple Flowers (TT) (TB) (FT)
Four pretty purple flowers in the meadow grew
“Hmmm,” I said, “I bet they smell pretty, too!”
I bent down to sniff but they tickled my nose
Ah-CHOO! Oh, no!
Away one flower blows!
(count down)
Source: adapted from Jen in the Library

Flannel of printed and laminated photographs of violets, lilacs, lavender, and orchids.

four purple flowers thumbnail, with a graphic of lavender, violets, lilacs, and orchids. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

I felt like I needed another grape song, so adapted the itsy bitsy spider.
Does anyone like grapes? There are green grapes, but there are also PURPLE grapes! I like to eat grapes, but so does this caterpillar.
Song: Up the Grapevine (TT) (TB) (FT)
(tune of Itsy Bitsy Spider)
The itsy bitsy caterpillar climbed up the twisty vine
She reached for purple grapes and then began to dine
The plump grape burst and all the juices ran down
So the itsy bitsy caterpillar slid down to the ground – Whee!
Source: original, adapted from the traditional

Up the grapevine thumbnail, with a graphic of a grapevine with a green caterpillar beginning to climb the base of the vine. Purple grape clusters hang down. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Purple grapes make a delicious grape jelly. And you can use THAT to make… a PB&J!
Lots of ways to do this song, here’s mine.
Song: Peanut Butter and Jelly (TT) (TB) (FT)
Peanut, peanut butter… and jelly! (clap and pat)
Peanut, peanut butter… and jelly!
Verses:
First you take the peanuts & you crush ‘em, you crush ‘em (x2 each verse) (crush fist into opposite hand)
Then you take some grapes & you squish ‘em, you squish ‘em (stomp feet)
Then you take the bread and you spread it, you spread it (swipe hand across opposite hand)
Then you take the sandwich and you eat it, you eat it (hands to mouth)
(last chorus sung as if your mouth is full!)
Source: traditional

peanut butter and jelly thumbnail, with a graphic of peanuts, grapes, a knife with peanut butter on it, one piece of bread spread with jelly and another with peanut butter, and a sandwich cut diagonally with one bite taken out of it. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

And here’s where I ran out of purple ideas… So we got out our shakey eggs!
That PBJ gave me so much energy! Let’s shake some of our energy out with some shaker egg songs.
Shaker Song: Shake Your Shaker (TT) (TB) (FT)
(tune of Grand Old Duke of York)
You shake your shaker high,
You shake your shaker low
You shake your shaker fast, fast, fast
And then you shake it slow
Source: Harris County (TX) Public Library

shake your shaker thumbnail, with a graphic of blue, purple, and yellow eggs. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

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

shake it to the east thumbnail, with a graphic of four kids. Three have maracas and are shaking, and the fourth is sitting reading a book. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Perhaps this is a grape milkshake? Or even a PBJ flavored one?
(OMG, a PBJ flavored milkshake sounds awesome!)
Shaker Song: The Milkshake Song (TT) (TB) (FT)
You take a little milk – pour some milk!
And you take a little cream – pour some cream!You stir it all up,
You shake it and you’ll sing…
Milkshake, milkshake shake it up, shake it up!
Milkshake, milkshake shake it all up! (x2)
Source: Old Town School of Folk Music, from the album Songs for Wiggleworms

the milkshake song thumbnail, with a graphic of a pink milkshake with whipped cream and a cherry and straw, with a smiley face on the glass. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

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

zoom zoom zoom thumbnail, with a graphic of a rocket ship. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Craft: Purple Process Art (TB) (FT)
I provided tissue paper squares in various shades of purple, glue sticks, purple crayons, and some purple stickers (smiley faces and stars, not pictured) from the sticker bin for them to create whatever they would like.

craft showing a flower and bunch of grapes made with tissue squares and crayons.

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)

See you later thumbnail, with a graphic of a green alligator, brown crocodile, ladybug, and jellyfish. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

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

Tickle the stars thumbnail, with a graphic of blue and pink stars. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme)
The Turnip – Pierr Morgan
Peanut Butter & Jelly – Nadine Bernard Westcott
Harold and the Purple Crayon – Crockett Johnson
The World Needs More Purple People – Kristen Bell, Benjamin Hart, & Daniel Wiseman
Purple is Best – Dana Meachen Rau & Mike Cressy
Lousy Rotten Stinkin’ Grapes – Margie Palatini & Barry Moser
Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse – Kevin Henkes
A Perfectly Messed-Up Story – Patrick McDonnell
Monster Boogie – Laurie Berkner & Ben Clanton
Creepy Crayon – Aaron Reynolds & Peter Brown
The Purple Puffy Coat – Maribeth Boelts & Daniel Duncan

This storytime was presented in-person on 2/19, 2/20, & 2/21/24.

Storytime Handout:

handout thumbnail, including suggested books, rhyme and song lyrics.

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

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

Book Babies Storytime (August)

Posted on by msemilylibrary

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

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

See all the Book Babies plans here.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Download a ukulele songsheet for You’re My Rainbow.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Storytime Handout:

Book Babies Storytime (March)

Posted on by msemilylibrary

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

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

See all the Book Babies plans here.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rhythm Rhyme: Hippopotamus on a City Bus
(bounce until the last line of each verse)
A hip, a hip, a hippopotamus
Got on, got on, got on a city bus
And all, and all, and all the people said,
“You’re squishing us!” (hug baby)
A cow… “Mooooove over!” (lean far to one side)
A snake…“Sssssssssit down!” (fall thru knees)
A sheep…“Baaaack up!” (lean far back)
Source: Jbrary

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

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

Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet here!

thumbnail for yo te amo ukulele songsheet

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Storytime Handout:

handout with suggested books, rhyme, and song lyrics.

Storytime: Mistaken Identity!

Posted on by msemilylibrary

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

book cover for the wide mouthed frog

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

book cover for duck rabbit

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

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

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

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

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

Shaker Rhyme: Pop, Pop, Pop (TT) (TB)
Pop, pop, pop, Put the corn in the pot
Pop, pop, pop, Shake it ’til it’s hot
Pop, pop, pop, Lift the lid and what have you got?
Popcorn!
Source: Jbrary

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

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

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

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

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

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

craft showing white crayon drawings revealed by pastel watercolors.

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

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

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

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

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

Storytime Handout:

handout including suggested books, rhyme and song lyrics.

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

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

Storytime: La música (Hispanic Heritage Month)

Posted on by msemilylibrary

September 15-October 15 is Hispanic Heritage month, and I enjoy taking that opportunity to highlight Latine authors, illustrators, and Spanish language songs and rhymes. I am extremely fortunate to have several regular storytime families who speak Spanish, and who helped suggest some new songs for us to do, and who helped me read the Spanish portions of the two bilingual books we read. I was a French major in college, but have always enjoyed learning a little Spanish here and there. This past year, I got a little more systematic about it and have been doing Spanish lessons on a language learning app consistently. It’s been great to learn more, and I love having some new songs and rhymes to share. I had chosen the theme of “La música” several months ago, not really exploring books yet, but wanting a theme I knew could go with a lot of my songs. It was a very loose theme!

See other versions of this theme from 2020 and 2022.

Early Literacy Tip: Studies show that children raised in bilingual environments develop core cognitive skills like decision-making and problem-solving — before they even speak. If you aren’t already bilingual, that’s okay! You can still expose your child to different languages and cultures. As long as you expose them to foreign words in a consistent way with the same context, they’ll reap the benefits.

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

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

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

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

Intro: Hispanic Heritage Month just started, and runs from September 15 – October 15. Hispanic means Spanish-speaking. Today we are going to celebrate Spanish and Spanish-speakers, and the contributions they make, including authors who write in both English and Spanish, & illustrators from Spanish-speaking countries.

This is a sweet and simple song that is good to get us started. I ask the kids to take a good look at their hand and admire it – what a pretty hand it is! We do this twice, switching hands on the second repetition.
Song: La linda manita (TT) (TB) (FT)
La linda manita (flip hand back and forth)
que tiene el bebé
qué linda, qué bella
qué preciosa es
Source: traditional, watch: https://youtu.be/OWAunlWlMUI

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

I had a Spanish-speaking volunteer for two of my three sessions. For the first session, I went with the “music” theme and this reinterpretation of Mary Had a Little Lamb. I read the English and she read the Spanish.
Read: Maria Had a Little Llama / María tenía una llamita by Angela Dominguez (TT)

book cover for Maria Had a Little Llama / María tenía una llamita

My second session volunteer was the one who was my primary helper. She suggested songs and this book specifically. It’s a little longer than Maria, which is why I chose a different one for the first/younger session. I pointed out that this was written by the musical group 123 Andrés, and that the book was based on a song they could look up.
Read: Hola amigo! / Hello, Friend by 123 Andrés & Sara Palacios (TB)

Book Cover for Hello, Friend/Hola, Amigo

Alas, though I did put out a email call for anyone signed up in my third session, no one felt comfortable volunteering to read. I chose this book because the majority is in English, with Spanish words sprinkled throughout, which I felt I could handle on my own.
Read: Sonrisas for Baby by Jen Arena & Blanca Gómez (FT)

Book cover for Sonrisas For Baby

Let’s bring out the music that’s in our bodies!
Action Song: Mi cuerpo hace música (TT) (TB) (FT)
Mi cuerpo, mi cuerpo hace música
Mi cuerpo, mi cuerpo hace música
Mis manos hacen (clap,clap, clap)
Mis pies hacen (stomp, stomp, stomp)
Mi boca hace: la, la, la! (point at mouth)
Mi cuerpo hace: cha, cha, cha! (dance)
Source: Sol y Canto, from the album El Doble de Amigos. Watch with motions at Jbrary

This was a new one to me, which was suggested by my volunteer. I found lots of videos of it, many of them the strange robotic animated children’s song ones that have taken over YouTube in the last few years. I finally found the one linked below on Mama Lisa’s World, which is a great resource for international music. I love that it’s a home video showing a family doing the song, which sounded natural, so that’s how I learned the tune.
Here’s a circle song, similar to Ring Around the Rosie. I explained the song lyric translation. At the end we fall down and go to sleep! I encouraged grownups to make a circle with their little one (like in the video) rather than trying to wrangle everyone into a big circle.
Circle Song: A la rueda, rueda (TT) (TB) (FT)
(walk in a circle, and fall down and pretend to sleep at the end!)
A la rueda, rueda, De pan y canela
Dame un besito, Y vete para la escuela
Spoken: Si no quieres ir, Acuéstate a dormir!
To the wheel, wheel, of bread and cinnamon
Give me a kiss, and go to school
If you don’t want to go, Lay down to sleep!
Source: traditional, watch here: https://www.mamalisa.com/?t=es&p=2792

Confession: I am not a big fan of this song, in any language. I know the kids like it, though, so we did it in English first and then in Spanish.
Action Song: Cabeza y hombros, rodillas y pies (TT) (TB) (FT)
(Head, Shoulders, Knees, & Toes)
Cabeza y hombros, rodillas y pies (rodillas y pies)
Cabeza y hombros, rodillas y pies (rodillas y pies)
Ojos, orejas, boca y nariz
Cabeza y hombros, rodillas y pies (rodillas y pies)
Source: traditional

This was another suggestion from my volunteer. I showed the video for one session, and I think it would have gone better just singing. It runs a bit long, with lots of instrumental breaks, and the group got restless. I ended up skipping it for the last two sessions.
Action/Body Song: Con tu dedito (TT)
Con tu dedito, con tu dedito, con tu dedito: tap, tap, tap!
Ponlo hacia arriba,
Ponlo hacia abajo,
Ponlo en tu cabeza
Continue moving your finger and tapping different parts of your body. Try:
Nariz = Nose
Mentón = Chin
Brazo = Arm
Pierna = Leg
Pie = Foot
Source: Canta con Jess

We then got out shakers. We have regular shaker eggs that we use regularly, but I noticed we also have some maraca style shakers with a handle, clear bowl and multicolored pieces inside which I’d never used before. OMG, they are LOUD. So loud. It was difficult to hear myself think, much less sing. I nixed them for the last session.
Shaker Practice: Shake Your Shaker High (TT) (TB)
(tune of Grand Old Duke of York)
You shake your shaker high
You shake your shaker low
You shake your shaker fast, fast, fast
And then you shake it slow!
Source: Harris County (TX) Public Library

This one I heard about from another library at a conference this year. I showed the video, and encouraged them to dance with their shakers (for the group that had them).
Body Song: Baila, baila (TB) (FT)
Cuando un amigo baila, baila, baila, baila!
Pies = Feet
Rodillas = Knees
Caderas = Hips
Manos = Hands
Cabeza = Head
Source: Baila, Baila

And we ended with bubbles. This is the bubble song I use every session in the summer, so my groups were familiar with it.
Recorded Song: Pop, Pop, Pop (TT) (TB) (FT)
by Nathalia From the album “Dream a Little”

Album cover for Dream a Little/Sueña un poquito from Nathalia.

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

Craft: Papel picado Craft (TB) (FT)
I’ve seen instructions on how to make simplified papel picado, but that’s still too advanced for my group. Instead, I printed out papel picado coloring sheets from the Greenville (SC) County Library and provided dot markers and tissue paper squares to decorate them with. It was a hit! In both sessions, I had kids working on their craft for much longer than they usually do, even after I’d gotten the toy bins out! I had saved coloring sheets from a previous year from Greenville, which I’m not seeing on their website. I’ve uploaded them here for you to use.

Craft of a papel picado banner, saying "Hispanic Heritage/Herencia Hispana" at the top, and showing two birds flying, among decorative flower, square, and lacy shapes. It's decorated with colored dots and multicolored scrunched up tissue paper squares.

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)
Fiesta Babies – Carmen Tafolla & Amy Có rdova
Los pollitos dicen / The Baby Chicks Are Singing – Ashley Wolff
Marta! Big & Small – Jen Arena & Angela Dominguez
Gracias / Thanks – Pat Mora & John Parra
My Name is Celia / Me llamo Celia – Monica Brown & Rafael López
A Song of Frutas – Margarita Engle & Sara Palacios
Paletero Man – Lucky Diaz & Micah Player
Brrrum, brrrum, brrrum / Zoom, Zoom, Zoom – Annie Kubler
Eso es mio / That’s Mine – Sumana Seeboruth & Ashleigh Corrin
Nosotros Means Us – Paloma Valdivia
Téo’s Tutu – Maryann Jacob Macias & Alea Marley
Just Ask! – Sonia Sotomayor & Rafael López
¡Pío Peep! Traditional Spanish Nursery Rhymes – Alma Flor Ada, F. Isabel Campoy, Alice Schertle, & Viví Escrivá

This storytime was presented in-person on 9/18, 9/19, & 9/20/23.

Storytime Handout:

Handout with suggested books, rhyme and song lyrics.

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

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

Storytime: I Love Being Me

Posted on by msemilylibrary

Instead of a Valentine’s theme, I wanted to do a program on loving and appreciating ourselves this February. I learned some new songs and my groups did a lot of self-hugs.

This is a topic near and dear to me, and in one of my asides, I noted to the group that kids generally do a pretty good job loving themselves, but it’s a harder task for us grown-ups. I reminded them that finding ways to be loving and compassionate to ourselves as adults sends a great message to our kids that our bodies don’t have to look a certain way for us to appreciate them, and we can celebrate our smarts, our creativity, our problem-solving, our kindness as well as our bodies and all the amazing things they do for us.

Early Literacy Tip: Self-confidence is an attribute that you can teach your children as they play, learn, and read with you. Don’t forget that they pick up so many cues from us even when we’re not paying attention. Being positive about your own body and self is a great way to model it for them – both now and as they grow and change.

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

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

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

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

Intro: February is a month full of love – who are some of the people you love? Don’t forget to love YOU. You are special and there’s no one else exactly like you. Loving yourself gives you the foundation to love others.

The orginal rhyme said “my fingers can snap” but most of my kids can’t snap yet, so I changed it to wiggle!
Rhyme: All of Me (TT) (TB) (FT)
My hands are for clapping, My arms can hug tight
My fingers can wiggle, Or turn out the light
My legs are for jumping, My eyes help me see
This is my body, And I love all of me!
Source: Miss Sarah’s Storytime

Rhyme: Up & Down (TT) (TB) (FT)
Put your arms up, Put your arms down
Put them in the middle, Move them all around
One arm to the left, One arm to the right
Give yourself a hug, And hold on tight!
Source: Mansfield/Richland County (OH) Public Library

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

This is just a perfect book for this age. Lots of adorable kids in the illustrations, and body parts to touch and tickle.
Read: I Love All of Me by Lorie Ann Grover & Carolina Búzio (TT) (FT)

book cover for I Love All of Me

I love that this one looks at the whole person.
Read: Be You! by Peter H. Reynolds (TB)

book cover for Be You

Our bodies are so amazing, let’s test them out.
Rhyme: Touch Your Nose (TT) (TB) (FT)
Touch your nose, touch your chin,
That’s the way this game begins.
Touch your eyes, touch your knees,
Now pretend you feel a breeze.
Touch your hair, touch one ear,
Touch your two cheeks right here.
Touch your elbows where they bend,
That’s the way this touch game ends.
[I added: okay, now reach a little farther and give yourself a big hug!]
Source: King County (WA) Library System

I love my body, but I also love other things about myself. Here’s some of them!
The original song uses the “love” verse as a chorus and repeats it. It also is sung a little differently. I simplified by singing it the same as the other verses and used it as the last verse.
Ukulele Song: I Am Kind (TT) (TB) (FT)
I am kind – I’ll be your friend, will you be mine?
I can share a smile, I am kind

I am brave – I do it though I feel afraid
I can do the hard things, I am brave

I am wise – Solving problems that arise
Finding new solutions, I am wise

I am strong – I’m OK when things go wrong
I know I can do it, I am strong

I am love – I wrap my arms around myself
In a great big hug, I am love!
Source: Lindsay Munroe featuring Raffi, from the album I AM KIND: Songs for Unique Kids

Download a ukulele songsheet here!

Thumbnail for I Am Kind Ukulele songsheet

Rhyme: Make a Heart (TT) (TB) (FT)
I put my hands together,
This is how I start
I curve my fingers right around,
And I can make a heart!
Source: Verona Story Time

Shaker Rhyme: Egg Shakers Up (TT) (TB) (FT)
Egg shakers up, egg shakers down
Egg shakers dancing all around the town
Dance them on your shoulders, Dance them on your head
Dance them on your knees, And tuck them into bed!
Source: Jbrary

I absolutely love this song. Gives me the feels every time. The toddlers were running out of steam, so we skipped this song for them and went straight to the hokey pokey. For everyone else, I just encouraged them to shake their shakers along with the music.
Ukulele/Shaker Song: I Love My Body (TB) (FT)
I love my body from my head to my toes
I love my face, my eyes, my mouth, my nose
I love the way I look when I look in the mirror
I stand a little closer just to see a little clearer

Who is that? It’s me! And I am looking good as good can be
So, what do I say? I tell myself I love me every day
I hope you can, too! You’re worthy of your own love, it is true
So what do we say? We tell ourselves we love us, every day!
Source: Mother Moon

Download a ukulele songsheet here!

thumbnail for I Love My Body ukulele songsheet

Shaker Song: The Hokey Pokey (TT) (TB) (FT)
You put your right arm in,
You take your right arm out,
You put your right arm in
and you shake it all about,
You do the hokey pokey,
and you turn yourself around
That’s what it’s all about! (clap, clap)
(repeat with arms, legs, head, whole self)
Source: traditional

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

With one group I did this after Zoom, Zoom, Zoom and before our craft, and with the others I did it after cleaning up toys and before our Goodbye song and rhyme. I think it worked best before saying goodbye, but it worked either way!
Affirmation (TT) (TB) (FT)
I am KIND (hands outstretched)
I am BRAVE (hands on hips)
I am SMART (finger to your head)
I am STRONG (arms curled up)
I am LOVED (give yourself a hug)
Today is an awesome day! (fist pump)
Source: adapted from Miss Sarah’s Storytime

Craft: Valentine to Yourself (TB) (FT)
Very simple concept and execution. Write your name on the heart. Talk with your grownup about some of the things you love about yourself, and ask them to help you write a few on your (die-cut) heart. Decorate with stickers and crayons.

Craft showing a pink scalloped heart shape with the name EMILY written vertically down the middle, with "I like my smile" "My hands let me be creative" "I am friendly" "I am kind" also written on it, decorated with hearts, stars, stickers, and jewels.

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)
Be Who You Are – Todd Parr
Bodies Are Cool – Tyler Feder
I Love My Body Because – Shelly Anand, Nomi Ellenson, & Erika Rodriguez Medina
Lovely – Jess Hong
I Love You, Nose! I Love You, Toes! – Linda Davick
Beautifully Me – Nabela Noor & Nabi H. Ali
I Am Golden – Eva Chen & Sophie Diao
Who Will You Be? – Andrea Pippins
From Head to Toe – Eric Carle

This storytime was presented in-person on 2/13, 2/14, & 2/15/23.

Storytime Handout:

*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