Tag: templates

clothesline clues to jobs people do and thank you neighbor book covers

Storytime: Helping Hands

Posted on by msemilylibrary

So remember back in January when I was trying to figure out how to do a “Community” storytime that was not about community helpers? So this week we actually DID the community helpers theme! See, there’s a method to my madness. This was a really great storytime – the activities flowed into each other very well and made sense. I presented it twice, first to a morning toddler group and second to an evening group for kids 5 and under and their families. Both went well!

clothesline clues to jobs people do book cover, with clotheslines and a firefighter's uniform and hose
thank you neighbor book cover, showing a girl walking a dog waving to neighbors like a mail carrier, kids on skateboards, and others.

Early Development Tip: Play a game of “I Spy” while doing errands with your child and point out various community helpers. Take this opportunity to build your child’s vocabulary and talk about different ways people help each other. -North Olympic (WA) Library System

Welcome Song: Hello, Friends* 

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* 
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* 

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: A few weeks ago, we talked about our community – it’s made up of people who care for and help each other. Anyone can be a helper! But some people have special helping jobs. So, who are some of those people? Let’s celebrate them today.

Here’s a rhyme about some of those helpers and the jobs they do.
A throwback – this was a fun one and I love how it both highlights some community helper jobs but also asks kids to ask how they will be a helper.
Fingerplay: This Little Helper
This helper builds our houses (thumb)
This helper brings our mail (pointer)
This helper teaches the children (middle)
And this one has groceries to sell (ring)
And this little helper, yes, it’s me (pinky)
When I grow up, what kind of helper will I be?
Source: North Olympic (WA) Library System

this little helper thumbnail, with a graphic of a handprint with each finger a different color. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Now, if we’re going to use our helping hands, let’s get them warmed up.
Shoutout to my fellow Indiana library for sharing this! This is such a fun song, and worked really well for both age groups. You could use this as a general movement song anytime. Really exaggerate the slow and the fast!
Action Song: Fun with Hands
(tune of Row Your Boat)
Roll, roll, roll your hands As slowly as can be
Roll, roll, roll your hands Do it now with me
Roll, roll, roll your hands As fast as fast can be
Roll, roll, roll your hands Do it now with me
(repeat: clap, shake, wave)
Source: Carmel Clay (IN) Public Library

fun with hands thumbnail, with a graphic of colorful hands reaching up - red pink, green, and yellow. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Transition: If You’re Ready for a Story*

The guessing game nature of this one makes it automatically interactive, and it’s easy enough for the littles to guess, too.
Read: Clothesline Clues to Jobs People Do by Kathryn Heling, Deborah Hembrook & Andy Robert Davies

clothesline clues to jobs people do book cover, with clotheslines and a firefighter's uniform and hose

I really liked this one, and thought it might be a good option for the evening/older group. Unfortunately, either they weren’t in the mood or it was just a little too abstract for them.
Read: Thank You, Neighbor by Ruth Chan

thank you neighbor book cover, showing a girl walking a dog waving to neighbors like a mail carrier, kids on skateboards, and others.

What do these helpers do?
This was fun as a ukulele song, though I think I would feel a little more awkward if I didn’t have a uke in my hands, since there aren’t really any hand motions to do. I originally thought I’d make a flannel for this one, but I just relied on my rhyme sheet graphics to point out some different jobs, and that worked just fine.
Ukulele Song: Community Helpers Song
(tune of Farmer in the Dell)
The teachers help us learn
The teachers help us learn
Heigh-ho, they help us so
The teachers Help us learn!

Other job ideas:
Firefighters put out fires…
The doctors keep us well…
The farmers grow our food…
Mail carriers deliver the mail…
Crossing guards help us cross…
Librarians find us books…
Source: Intentional Storytime

Download a ukulele songsheet for The Farmer in the Dell here!

farmer in the dell ukulele songsheet thumbnail

community helpers song thumbnail, with a graphic of six helpers: a teacher, a mail carrier, firefighter, doctor, librarian, and farmer. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Who brings our mail? A letter carrier!
Another great movement rhyme. I tried to “paint a picture” with every verse. So for example, I said, “what if the mail carrier was late? They’d RUN!” “What if there was a big dog sleeping in the yard and they wanted to sneak by? They’d tiptoe!” “What if they were feeling silly? They would jump/skip” etc.
Action Rhyme: Little Letter Carrier
I am a little letter carrier
Who loves nothing better
Than to walk, walk, walk (walk in place)
To deliver your letter!
(repeat with other actions like run, hop, skip, spin, march, etc)
Source: Jen in the Library

little letter carrier thumbnail, with a graphic of a koala dressed as a letter carrier holding an envelope. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Let’s get out our shakers! Teachers are big helpers. They help us learn our ABCs! Let’s shake along while we sing.
Did I really need a rhyme sheet for the Alphabet Song? Maybe not. But I liked having a visual!
Shaker Song: The Alphabet Song
Source: traditional

alphabet song thumbnail, with a graphic of an apple and a pencil. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Farmers and farm workers help by growing and picking our food! Can you pretend your shaker is an apple?
Shaker Rhyme: Way Up High in the Apple Tree
Way up high in the apple tree (raise shaker(s) up)
I saw two apples looking at me
I shook that tree as hard as I could (shake)
Down came the apples… (drop shaker)
And mmm, they were good! (rub belly)
Source: traditional

way up high in the apple tree thumbnail, with a graphic of a tree with two red apples in it. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Construction workers make the buildings, including our houses! What tools do they use?
This one worked really well for the shakers, even if it wasn’t originally intended for that.
Shaker Rhyme: A House for Me
The builders’ hammers go tap, tap, tap (tap shaker in opposite hand)
And the saws go see-saw-see (move shaker forward and back across opposite arm)
They hammer and hammer
And they saw and saw
And they build a house for me (peak hands above head)
Source: Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives

a house for me thumbnail, with a graphic of a hammer and nails and a saw. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Wee-ooo, wee-oo! Oh, no, it sounds like the fire truck is going by. Can we be firefighting helpers and fight a fire?
And again, this wasn’t originally a shaker tune, but it works so well!
Action/Shaker Song: Hurry, Hurry
Hurry, hurry, drive the fire truck (turn a steering wheel with shaker in one hand)
Hurry, hurry, drive the fire truck
Hurry, hurry, drive the fire truck
Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding! (ring a bell/shake shaker)

Additional verses:
Turn the corner (lean far left and right)
[We’re here, we need to climb up]
Put the ladder up, (climb a ladder)
[Can you put out the fire with your fire hose?]
Spray the fire hose (hold a hose and move it back and forth)

[Wow, you put out the fire! You are heroes! Okay, time to go back to the station. But we don’t need to hurry anymore, right?]
Slowly, slowly, drive the fire truck
Slowly, slowly, drive the fire truck
Slowly, slowly, drive the fire truck
Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding!
Source: adapted from Old Town School of Folk Music from the Songs for Wiggleworms album

hurry hurry thumbnail, with a graphic of a red fire truck. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Astronauts and scientists help us by learning more about our world and our universe!
Action Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom!*

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

Craft: High Five Card
I don’t know how I thought of this one, it just came to me. I had browsed other “community helper” crafts, many of which included hats or pictures of little people wearing different uniforms, which felt like a lot of prep and cutting things out. Then I thought, we’ve been talking about helpers, why not thank a helper? And the theme is “helping HANDS!” This went well with our early learning tip, as well. So all it required was some paint for the handprints, crayons for writing inside, and printed off cards. Paint can be a little messy, but it was not too bad and everyone liked their cards! My hand was a bit big for the space I left in the middle in my sample, but the littles’ hands fit perfectly.

Download a printable High Five Card here!

Craft greeting card showing the front reading "You Deserve a High Five!" with a painted handprint, and the inside saying "Thank You for being a helper"

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*

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

Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme)
Firefighter Flo! – Andrea Zimmerman & Dan Yaccarino
Fire Chief Fran – Linda Ashman & Nancy Carpenter
Leo Gets a Checkup – Anna McQuinn & Ruth Hearson
Someone Builds the Dream – Lisa Wheeler & Loren Long
Thank a Farmer – Maria Gianferrari & Monica Mikai
Teachers Rock! – Todd Parr
Crown: Ode to the Fresh Cut – Derrick Barnes & Gordon C James
Blue Bison Needs a Haircut – Scott Rothman & Pete Oswald
The Loud Librarian – Jenna Beatrice & Erika Lynne Jones
Stanley the Mailman – William Bee
Pigs Dig a Road – Carrie Finison & Brian Biggs
Millie Waits for the Mail – Alexander Steffensmeier

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

Storytime Handout:

handout with book suggestions, rhyme and song lyrics.

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

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

paint with ploof and the hidden rainbow book covers

Storytime: Rainbows

Posted on by msemilylibrary

Who doesn’t love rainbows? They’re so magical, and yet they are a great way to talk about science! For our storytimes the week of St. Patrick’s Day, we chose to do a rainbow theme. It’s related (find a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow!) but only tangentially, so it incudes everyone whether they celebrate the holiday or not. My coworker decided to focus on the colors of the rainbow, and although we did some color activities, I also talked about the weather aspect of rainbows. Springtime seems to be a prime time for the conditions to be right to make a rainbow. I think you could also borrow some of these activities for a Pride themed storytime in June. So there are lots of ways to use a rainbow theme!

paint with ploof book cover, showing a cloud painting a rainbow in the sky
the hidden rainbow book cover, with flowers arranged in the colors of the rainbow

Early Development Tip: Weather and seasons are things your children experience and can relate to. Try using their experiences to talk about the science behind weather, like rainbows. Sometimes we ourselves don’t know all the facts, but we can find out right along with our children by using books at the library. Simple scientific knowledge about everyday events gives children a strong foundation for later school learning. –from The Early Literacy Kit: A Handbook and Tip Cards by Betsy Diamant-Cohen & Saroj Ghoting

Welcome Song: Hello, Friends* 

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* 
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* 

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: It’s almost springtime, and we will be seeing a lot of different kinds of weather. It can be cloudy and cold one day and sunny and warm the next day! It may rain, and it could even snow! What’s the weather like today? Let’s do a song about different kinds of weather.

Let’s see if you can tell me the weather based on these symbols.
I chose just four of these to do – snow, wind, rain, and sun. You can download my printable flannel template here!
Ukulele/Flannel Song: What’s the Weather?
(tune of: Clementine)
What’s the weather, what’s the weather,
What’s the weather, everyone?
Is it windy, is it cloudy,
Is there rain, or is there sun?
Source: Jbrary

Download a ukulele songsheet for What’s the Weather here!

what's the weather ukulele songsheet thumbnail

What's the weather flannel, showing eight circles with a blue background and various weather symbols: sun, wind, clouds, sun behind clouds, snow, rain, cloud with lightning, and fog

what's the weather thumbnail, with a graphic of four blue circles with weather symbols on them: wind, clouds, rain, and sun. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

When there is sunshine right after rain, it makes a… rainbow! Wow, how beautiful! What colors do we see?
I made a very simple rainbow flannel with half-circles of the colors – I didn’t count on the fact that stacking that much felt makes for a very thick rainbow! It did stay up on the board, though, so it works. I also talked a bit about how scientists differentiate between the lighter blue and the darker blue called indigo, but in our song we’ll just say the color blue to cover both. I changed the words a bit as the original said “only seen on rainy days” which felt not quite precise enough for me. (I admit I can be an unnecessarily nitpicky person!)
Flannel Song: Rainbow Colors
(tune of Twinkle Twinkle)
First comes red and orange, too
Shiny yellow, green and blue
Purple ends the arc up high
When rain and sun meet in the sky
First comes red and orange too
Yellow, green, blue, and purple, too!
Source: adapted from Metropolitan (OK) Library System

flannel of a rainbow

rainbow colors thumbnail, with a graphic of watercolor splotches running together in red, orange, yellow, green blue, indigo, and purple. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Transition: If You’re Ready for a Story*

Another interactive book with Ploof! In this sequel, Ploof is trying to make a rainbow. I love that it touches on uncomfortable feelings without making them “bad” and that it celebrates trying.
Read: Paint with Ploof by Ben Clanton & Andy Chou Musser

paint with ploof book cover, showing a cloud painting a rainbow in the sky

A sweet book with flowers the color of the rainbow.
Backup Read: The Hidden Rainbow by Christie Matheson

the hidden rainbow book cover, with flowers arranged in the colors of the rainbow

What do we need to make a rainbow again?
Fingerplay: Big Round Sun
Big round sun in the springtime sky
Waved to a cloud that was passing by
The little cloud laughed as it started to rain
Then out came the big round sun again
[And what else came out?] A rainbow!
Source: King County (WA) Library System

big round sun thumbnail, with a graphic of a smiling yellow and orange sun. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Let’s do one more weather rhyme.
I added the rainbow verse to tie everything together!
Fingerplay: Rain Is Falling Down
Rain is falling down, SPLASH
Rain is falling down, SPLASH
Pitter patter, pitter patter
Rain is falling down, SPLASH

Sun is peeking out, PEEK
Sun is peeking out, PEEK
Peeking here, peeking there
Sun is peeking out, PEEK

Rainbow in the sky, WOW!
(arc hand across, then make “exclamatory wow” hands (open to interpretation))
Rainbow in the sky, WOW!
So many colors do I see
Rainbow in the sky, WOW!
Source: adapted from Jbrary

rain is falling down, rainbow edition thumbnail, with a graphic of a rainbow with a cloud in front of it and a sun behind it. the graphic is behind the text on the last verse. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

It’s time to get our scarves out! And what’s this? My ribbons! You can choose one scarf and one ribbon. I would suggest choosing two different colors! Can we make a rainbow with all these colorful scarves and ribbons?
I don’t use our ribbons often, so this was a great opportunity to hand them out – I figure why not add more color!? They really enjoyed throwing their scarves up in the air on this one.
Scarf Rhyme: Make a Rainbow
Let’s wave our scarves high!
Let’s wave our scarves low!
Let’s wave our scarves fast!
Let’s wave our scarves slow!
Now let’s crumple up our scarves
One, two, three… RAINBOW!
Source: Librionyian

make a rainbow thumbnail, with a graphic of rainbow colored lines radiating in an arc. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Wave your scarves over your head!
I think I originally saw this as a parachute song (though I didn’t note that source), with a parachute that only has red, yellow, green, and blue. To make it a rainbow, I changed the lyrics to also include orange and purple. I don’t love doing the same tune more than once in a storytime, but this one and Rainbow Colors were far enough apart that it didn’t seem too odd.
Scarf Song: These Are the Colors
(tune of Twinkle, Twinkle)
Red and yellow, Green and blue
Orange and purple over you
Red as an apple, Green as a tree
Yellow as the sun, And blue as the sea
Red and yellow, Green and blue
Orange and purple over you
Source: adapted from Storybook Stephanie

these are the colors thumbnail, with a graphic of a green tree with red apples on it, and a yellow sun rising over a blue sea. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Look, it’s raining again!
Another opportunity to let our scarves drop. Is a scarf drop the storytime equivalent of a mic drop? I think so! We did rain and sun, naturally.
Scarf Rhyme: Rain on the Green Grass
Rain on the green grass, (shake low)
Rain on the trees (shake high)
Rain on the roof (hold above head)
But not on me! (drop)
Source: Jbrary

rain on the green grass thumbnail, with a graphic of rain falling on and around a yellow umbrella. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Let’s dance our rainbow scarves. Can you listen for your colors?
Okay, so most of my kiddos are too little to both know what colors they have and wait to do a motion during their color. But it’s fun anyway. Note that the rhyme sheet is two pages long, though the preview below shows just the first page. Click the thumbnail to download the full PDF.
Scarf Rhyme: Rainbow Dancers
Rainbow dancers: Let’s get ready
Hold your scarves nice and steady
Hear the colors of the rainbow Listen for your time to go
Shake red… Shake orange… Shake yellow… Shake green… Shake blue… Shake purple!
Red scarves: turn around
Orange scarves: up and down
Yellow scarves: reach up high
Green scarves: fly, fly, fly
Blue scarves: tickle your nose
Purple: touch your toes
Everybody dance around,
Swirl your scarves Up and down
Now: Shake purple… Shake blue… Shake green… Shake yellow… Shake orange… Shake red!
Rainbow dancers dance around
Scarves swirl up and Scarves swirl down
Our colorful dance is at an end
Thank you, thank you, All my friends!
Source: Jbrary

rainbow dancers thumbnail, with a graphic of a large wavy rainbow behind the text. Rhyme sheet is 2 pages but thumbnail only shows one. click the image to download a non-branded PDF with both pages

Action Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom!*

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

Craft: Paint a Rainbow
My colleague had planned this craft, inspired by ABCDeeLearning, and she used color-coordinated pompoms held by wooden clothespins dipped in paint to make the rainbow. I decided to go an easier route and just got out our dot markers. At one time we had four of each rainbow color (which is one for each table I set up for crafts), but over time we’ve either lost a couple markers or they’ve gone dry. I replaced those with the pompoms and paint, but only needed to replace three missing markers, so it was not a lot of mess and trouble for me. Add some cotton balls and liquid glue and it’s an easy peasy craft!

rainbow dot craft on white coverstock with dotted colored arcs and cotton balls making clouds on each end of the rainbow.

And here’s my setup on each table.

craft set up, showing a rainbow coloring sheet with cotton balls, rainbow dot markers, and liquid glue

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*

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

Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme)
Rainbow Bear – Bill Martin, Michael Sampson, Nathalie Beauvois
Planting A Rainbow – Lois Ehlert
A Rainbow of Rocks – Kate DePalma
Black Is a Rainbow Color – Angela Joy & Ekua Holmes
The Rainbow Snail – Karin Åkesson
Colors All Around – Wiley Blevins & Elliot Kreloff
Elmer and the Rainbow – David McKee
How Do You Eat Color? – Mabi David & Yas Doctor
Bear Sees Colors – Karma Wilson & Jane Chapman
Rainbow Hat – Hong Hai
Rainbow – Marion Dane Bauer & John Wallace
Raindrops to Rainbow – John Micklos Jr. & Charlene Chua
Wow, Said the Owl – Tim Hopgood

This storytime was presented in-person on 3/18/26.

Storytime Handout:

handout with book suggestions, rhyme and song lyrics.

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

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

I'm going to build a snowman and snow days book covers

Storytime: Winter Fun

Posted on by msemilylibrary

I’ve found that sometimes when you’re collaborating on planning storytime, there are occasionally some things that get overlooked. For example, we chose “winter” as a theme this month, but as I was starting to plan I realized we had just had a storytime on “Winter Animals” in November. Whoops. But, it also illuminates how versatile some of these broad themes like “winter” are. In this program, I focused solely on the fun we can have in wintery (mostly snowy) weather, so included topics like building snowpeople, sledding, and so on. So even if you’ve done a theme in the past, there are ways to think about it in new ways, and present activities that are unique.

See other posts about winter and winter-related themes here!

book cover of I'm going to build a snowman with a boy with brown skin, black hair, a red hat and yellow coat is standing in the snow.
snow days book cover, with a picture of a child with pale skin and a red hat and striped scarf sticking their tongue out in the snow. The snowflakes are intricate and of varying sizes.

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

Welcome Song: Hello, Friends* 

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* 
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* 

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: This is the season for cold weather and snow! It can be chilly, but if we bundle up, we can still have a lot of fun outside. Does anyone like to play in the snow?

Let’s see, what do we need to put on to stay warm?
Can I admit something? I really don’t like HSKT. I avoid doing it when I can. But this worked so well for the theme (and yes, I know the kids like it) that I added it in. Because I already have a flannel set for Froggy Gets Dressed that includes all these clothes, I used it just as a visual of someone getting them all on. (Psst, you can download him at Kizclub.com and see more details on how I made it (plus my story cheat sheet) at this post.)
Action Song: Hat, Coat, Pants, & Boots
(tune of Head, Shoulders, Knees, & Toes)
Hat, coat, pants, and boots (Pants and boots)
Hat, coat, pants, and boots (Pants and boots)
A scarf and mittens we’ll wear when it is cold!
Hat, coat, pants, and boots (Pants and boots)
Source: adapted from Storytime in the Stacks

printed and laminated flannelboard prop for froggy gets dressed, with a frog wearing a hat, coat, scarf, mittens, pants, and boots.

hat coat pants and boots thumbnail, with a graphic of each of these items. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Now that we’re all bundled up, let’s go sledding!
Rhyme: Here’s a Hill
Here’s a hill (tilt one arm diagonally)
And here’s a hill (tilt other arm diagonally)
All covered with snow (wiggle fingers downward)
I’ll put on my coat, (mime putting a coat on)
And jump on my sled (jump)
And ZOOM, down the hill I go! (clap, slide hands)
Source: Storytime Katie

here's a hill thumbnail, with a graphic of a rabbit sledding down a gray incline. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Transition: If You’re Ready for a Story*

Such a cute book! I emphasized the word “perfect” in the first few pages, and then mentioned – “Wow, perfect is such a hard thing to do! I hardly ever make anything perfect. Do you?” I think Awan is an author/illustrator to keep an eye on for storytime gold – his Towed by Toad is also fantastic.
Read: I’m Going to Build a Snowman by Jashar Awan

book cover of I'm going to build a snowman with a boy with brown skin, black hair, a red hat and yellow coat is standing in the snow.

This is a gorgeous book – I love the cut-paper and mixed media illustrations, and the thoughtful way the author presents different experiences of snow.
Read: Snow Days by Deborah Kerbel & Miki Sato

snow days book cover, with a picture of a child with pale skin and a red hat and striped scarf sticking their tongue out in the snow. The snowflakes are intricate and of varying sizes.

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

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

It’s starting to snow again!
I have several “Snowflake” songs in my repertoire, but I like this one because it includes a “freeze!”
Action Song: Snowflake, Twirl
(tune of Twinkle, Twinkle)
Snowflake, snowflake Twirl around
Snowflake, snowflake Touch the ground
Snowflake, snowflake Touch my nose
Snowflake, snowflake Touch my toes
Touch my ear and then my knees
Snowflake, I’m about to FREEZE! (pause)
Snowflake, snowflake Twirl around
Snowflake, snowflake Sit back down
Source: Storytime Jennifer

snowflake twirl thumbnail, with a graphic of blue snowflakes. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

What do we use to make a snowman’s face? Maybe some sticks for the eyebrows, rocks or coal for the eyes and mouth, and what about the nose? It’s a carrot! Who likes carrots? You do? Me, too. What animal likes carrots? (bring out puppet)
This flannel was copied from one made by Storytime in the Stacks. Isn’t he cute?
Rhyme: A Chubby Little Snowman
A chubby little snowman, Had a carrot nose
Along came a bunny, And what do you suppose?
That hungry little bunny, Looking for some lunch
Ate that snowman’s nose, With a nibble, nibble, crunch!
Source: Storytime in the Stacks

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

chubby little snowman thumbnail, with a graphic of a snowman's head with eyebrows and a carrot nose, with a pink rabbit looking at it. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Time to get out the parachute! Let’s practice a little. Can you lift the parachute up? Now down. Can you shake it fast? Shake slow?

Let’s build our snowman up. But then the sun comes out!
Parachute/Action Song: Once there Was a Snowman
Once was there was a snowman, a snowman, a snowman
Once there was a snowman – Tall, tall, tall!
In the sun he melted, he melted, he melted
In the sun he melted – Small, small, small!
Source: Jbrary

once there was a snowman thumbnail, with a graphic of a tall snowman with a smile on the left and the snowman's head only with a wavy smile on the right. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

At the end of this, I added a bunch of cotton balls to the parachute. Then we did it again!
Parachute Song: Dance Like Snowflakes
(tune of Frère Jacques)
Dance like snowflakes, Dance like snowflakes
In the air, in the air
Whirling twirling snowflakes, Whirling twirling snowflakes
Everywhere, everywhere
Source: Jbrary

dance like snowflakes thumbnail, with a graphic of blue snowflakes suspended by strings. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Parachute Activity: Snow on the Parachute!
A fun activity I borrowed from Adventures of a Bookworm! Once you have cotton balls all over the parachute, you can put the ‘chute down and invite kids to lay down on their backs and make snow angels. Then let them pick up the parachute and make it snow! Inevitably, they bounce off, so take a moment to collect snow to throw into the middle again. Then you can ask grownups to hold the parachute while kids go underneath (what they generally want to do the whole time) to watch the snow bounce above them.

This is a great way to put the parachute away. I ask for only grownups to hold on, and then let them know they are letting go at the end. Once the parachute was whisked away, I asked the kids to help me pick up all the cotton balls that were scattered about.
Parachute Song: Parachute Fly
(tune of Skip to my Lou)
(kids go under the parachute and adults raise and lower)
Up, up, up it goes,
Down, down, down so low
Raise our parachute to the sky
Count to 3 and watch it fly
Spoken:
Up on one…
Down on two…
Up on three…
and FLY! (adults let go and leader pulls ‘chute in to themselves)
Source: Gymboree

parachute fly thumbnail, with an aerial photo of children holding the edges of a multicolored parachute. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Action Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom!*

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

Craft/Activity: Salt Snowflakes
Inspired by the Loudest Librarian, we made snowflakes out of salt. I used black cardstock (construction paper felt too flimsy) and liquid glue, then bought a big 3 lb container of kosher salt. Looking at similar crafts online, I saw that some took it a step further, using liquid watercolors or food coloring to demonstrate the way salt wicks water. Since that seemed messy and would work better after the glue dried, I prepped a little half sheet of instructions for them to do at home if they wished. Info for that sheet was from the Little Bins for Little Hands blog.

shows a salt snowflake craft with a large snowflake on black paper surrounded by smaller snowflakes and the name Emily. All have a crystalline look from the salt.
Salt Snowflakes extension activity how-to sheet, with instructions on how to add color to snowflakes and the science behind it.

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*

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

Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme)
Mouse’s First Snow – Lauren Thompson & Buket Erdogan
Best in Snow – April Pulley Sayre
Whose Footprints Are These? – Gerda Muller
Winter Is for Snow – Robert Neubecker
The Snowy Day – Ezra Jack Keats
A Big Bed for Little Snow – Grace Lin
Ten Ways to Hear Snow – Cathy Camper & Kenard Pak
Making a Friend – Tammi Sauer & Alison Friend
One Snowy Day – Diana Murray & Diana Toledano
Snow Scene – Richard Jackson & Laura Vaccaro Seeger
The Snowman Shuffle – Christianne Jones & Emma Randall
In My Anaana’s Amautik – Nadia Sammurtok & Lenny Lishchenko

This storytime was presented in-person on 1/7/26.

Storytime Handout:

handout with book suggestions, rhyme and song lyrics.

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

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

the cow loves cookies and who put the cookies in the cookie jar book covers

Storytime: Cookies

Posted on by msemilylibrary

I don’t know about you, but I tend to eat most of my year’s worth of cookies in December, which makes it a perfect time to do a cookie theme!

See another version of this theme from 2022.

The cow loves cookies book cover, featuring a light brown cow and a farmer with a white beard, baseball cap and overalls in front of a farm scene.
who put the cookies in the cookie jar book cover, featuring a cookie jar with various kinds of cookies in it, and two hands (one fair and one brown) pulling one out each.

Early Literacy Tip: Groups of items like our cookie feltboard (where there is a mix of colors, sizes, and shapes of the same kind of item) give a great opportunity to practice some early math skills. We can count, compare, practice recognizing shapes and colors, build descriptive vocabulary, and more. Try asking about differences and similarities, sizes, and what ifs like how many cookies should cow buy if she wants to get a cookie for herself and a cookie for her friend? adapted from Storytime in the Stacks

Welcome Song: Hello, Friends* 

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* 
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* 

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’re going on a sweet adventure, because we’re celebrating cookies! It’s the time of year when people like to bake sweet treats for each other. Who here likes cookies? Who’s made their own cookies before?

Let’s pretend we’re in a big kitchen today, and all of us are the bakers. Can we put our chef’s hats on for this first rhyme?
Action Rhyme: Pat-A-Cake (Cookie Edition)
Pat a cake, pat a cake, Baker’s man
Bake me a cookie as fast as you can
Roll it, And pat it, and mark it with a “C”
And put it in the oven for you and me!
Source: adapted from the traditional

Pat a cake cookie edition thumbnail, with a graphic of chocolate chip cookies on a baking tray. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Transition: If You’re Ready for a Story*

Fun rhyming, with opportunities to make farm animal noises and a repeated phrase to encourage interaction.
Read: The Cow Loves Cookies by Karma Wilson & Marcellus Hall

The cow loves cookies book cover, featuring a light brown cow and a farmer with a white beard, baseball cap and overalls in front of a farm scene.

A book about all the people who are involved in the making of cookies, from the farming of the wheat to sewing the oven mitts. I didn’t end up using it, but a good backup.
Read: Who Put the Cookies in the Cookie Jar by George Shannon & Julie Paschkis

who put the cookies in the cookie jar book cover, featuring a cookie jar with various kinds of cookies in it, and two hands (one fair and one brown) pulling one out each.

There are a lot of steps to making cookies. Do you still have your baker’s hat on? Let’s get out a big mixing bowl (curve arm to the side). We’ll start by pouring out some flour.
I tried to imitate actual cookie making while still having a different motion for each verse.
Action Song: This Is the Way We Make Cookies
(tune of Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush)
This is the way we pour the flour, (shaking motion into the “bowl”)
Pour the flour, Pour the flour
This is the way we pour the flour
To make our cookie treats

additional verses:
Mix butter & sugar… (stir)
Spoon the dough… (scoop)
Bake the dough… (two hands forward into an “oven”)
Cool the cookies… (wave hand or blow)
Eat the cookies… (ASL for eat)
Source: original piggyback

this is the way we make cookies thumbnail, with a graphic of flour and sugar bags and a cookie with a bite taken out. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

We made some delicious looking cookies! Should we put them in our bakery and see who might want to buy one?
I have six felt cookies (template from Storytime Shorts!), and we started there (even though the rhyme sheet says five). When we got to the last cookie, I asked the cow if she was still hungry, and she shook her head no. “There’s one cookie left – let’s save it for later in our cookie jar.” So I “put” the cookie in a toy picnic basket we have and walked behind the easel, then stuck the cookie in the mouth of my alligator puppet, as a set up for “Who Took The Cookie” later.
Counting Rhyme: Down Around the Corner
Down around the corner at the bakery store
Were six sugar cookies with frosting galore!
Along came a cow looking for a treat…
She saw those cookies and she took one to eat!
Source: Storytime Shorts

Six flannel sugar cookies with different colored icing. A large white circle, a small blue circle, a large pink heart and a small green heart, a large blue star and a small white star.

down around the corner thumbnail, with a graphic of five differently shaped and iced sugar cookies with a cow sticking her head in the frame. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Should we make some special cookies? How about gingerbread people?
Action Rhyme: Mix and Stir
Mix and stir and pat in the pan
I’m going to make a gingerbread man
With a nose so neat and a smile so sweet
And gingerbread shoes on his gingerbread feet
Source: Jbrary

mix and stir thumbnail, with a graphic of a gingerbread man with candy nose and buttons and icing eyes, smile, shoes and mittens. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Let’s check on our last cookie. OH NO, it’s GONE!
So much drama! The adults all knew this and chanted along. I used puppets I had: Kitty, Frog, Bear, and last, Alligator. Alligator came out with the cookie in his mouth, and when he said “not me” it fell on the floor to great hilarity. I asked if we should let Alligator eat the cookie, and both of my groups said no! So I took the cookie and told him he should find something else to snack on.
Puppet Rhyme/Game: Who Took the Cookie?
Who took the cookie from the cookie jar?
Kitty took the cookie from the cookie jar
Meow, me? Yes, you! Not me! Then who?
Repeat with any animal puppets you may have.
Source: adapted from the traditional

Storytime easel showing the rhyme sheet for Who took the Cookie as well as a cat, frog, and bear puppet along the bottom, and an alligator puppet with a felt sugar cookie in its mouth at the top.

who took the cookie thumbnail, with a graphic of an orange cat looking at a gray cookie jar. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Let’s clean up!
I actually mimed this as cleaning the bowl and our faces, but gave the belly option for littles.
Tickle Rhyme: Round The Batter Bowl
Round & round the batter bowl (circle on baby’s belly)
One, two, three! (gentle poke on each number)
A little here, a little there (touch both cheeks)
As tasty as can be! (tickle or nibble baby’s belly!)
Source: Storytime in the Stacks

thumbnail, with a graphic of a red mixing bowl with batter and a wooden spoon. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

At this point I handed out our cookie props – laminated cardstock cookies with various colored frosting. I asked everyone to take a look at their cookie and talk with their grownup about how it looks, including what color it is.
Prop Activity: Cookie Colors
Who has a red cookie? Green? (all the colors) Who has a ROUND cookie? (everyone!)

Download a template of the cookies here!

A good action rhyme for any props – I’ve used it for penguins, bunnies, and more!
Action/Prop Rhyme: Cookies Up!
Cookies up! Cookies down!
Hold your cookie & turn around
Cookies up! Cookies down!
Wave your cookies all around
Source: adapted from One Little Librarian (no longer published)

cookies up thumbnail, with a graphic of four round sugar cookies with different frosting and sprinkles (purple, green, blue, and red). click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Raise your cookies when you repeat a phrase!
So this is a fun song to sing and play, but it does require a little set up. I let the group know that the song sounds best if they repeat the end phrase (“cookie crumb” in the first verse) in a high pitched voice, and they could raise and wave their cookies when they did that. We practiced a time or two and the song went perfectly! I wanted to make the song a little longer, so made up the second and third verses. I’m particularly proud of the “mustachy” couplet!
Ukulele/Prop Song: I Wish I Were a Little Cookie Crumb
(tune of If You’re Happy and You Know It)
Oh, I wish I were a little cookie crumb (cookie crumb!)
Oh, I wish I were a little cookie crumb (cookie crumb!)
I’d go crumby, crumby, crumby over everybody’s tummy
Oh, I wish I were a little cookie crumb (cookie crumb!)

additional verses:
Oh, I wish I were a little chocolate chip (chocolate chip!)…
I’d be melty and sweet and leave chocolate in your teeth…

Oh, I wish I were a cold glass of milk (glass of milk!)…
I’d go splishy, splishy, splashy and leave you a cute mustachy…
Source: vs 1, North Mankato Taylor Library (MN), vs 2 & 3, Ms. Emily

Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet here!

Thumbnail for ukulele songsheet

I wish I were a little cookie crumb thumbnail, with lyrics only. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

You know who else loves to eat cookies? Cookie monster!
This was made with a fairly high resolution picture of Cookie Monster, printed on cardstock and laminated, then attached to an empty tissue box covered in blue paper. We sang the song to Cookie Monster first, then I asked if anyone wanted to feed their cookie to him, since he was VERY hungry! A good way to collect the props – just be sure to make lots of growly “nom nom nom” noises when he’s eating!
Prop Song: C is For Cookie
C is for cookie, That’s good enough for me
Yes, C is for cookie, That’s good enough for me
C is for cookie, That’s good enough for me
Oh, cookie, cookie, cookie – Starts with C!
Source: Sesame Street, From the Album “Sesame Street Platinum All-Time Favorites”

Cookie monster prop made with a printed CM face attached to an empty tissue box covered in blue paper, with the mouth/hole cut out. Also pictured are 5 paper sugar cookies with sprinkles, orange, green, red, blue, and purple.

c is for cookie thumbnail, with a graphic of a cookie in the shape of a C and cookie monster's face. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Action Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom!*

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

Craft/Activity: Homemade Play Dough
Not exactly a craft, but my colleague made some homemade play dough (undyed so it looked like cookie dough) and we set out a bunch of cookie cutters and let the kids play with it. There was a little quarter-sheet handout with the recipe on it (from Jessica Etcetera) they could take home and make. It’s a cooked recipe so we couldn’t do it in the library. It stayed nice and soft for the four days we used it, and on the last day I offered it to anyone who wanted to take some home.

messy tray with a number of plastic and metal cookie cutters, a gallon size zip top bag with five balls of neutral colored homemade playdough, and quarter sheet paper with the recipe for homemade play dough.

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*

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

Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme)
A Big Mooncake For Little Star – Grace Lin
The Smart Cookie – Jory John & Pete Oswald
Cookies For Elmo – Erin Guendelsberger & Ernie Kwiat
Cookie Time – Jessie Sima
If You Give A Mouse A Cookie – Laura Numeroff & Felicia Bond
Stop And Smell The Cookies – Gibson Frazier & Micah Player
The Cookie Vote – Margaret McNamara, Daniel Bernstrom, & G. Brian Karas
The Cookie Fiasco – Dan Santat
Who Took the Cookies from the Cookie Jar? – Bonnie Lass, Philemon Sturges, & Ashley Wolff
The Gingerbread Man Loose in the School – Laura Murray & Mike Lowery

This storytime was presented in-person on 12/17 & 12/18/25.

Storytime Handout:

handout with book suggestions, rhyme and song lyrics.

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

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

book covers for my heart fills with happiness, may there always be sunshine, and the thank you book

Storytime: Feeling Thankful (2025)

Posted on by msemilylibrary

It’s the end of November, so that means it’s time for the annual “Feeling Thankful” theme! I try not to repeat themes more than every 2 or 3 years, but this one is close to my heart and I’ve done it every year since 2019. (I wasn’t blogging that year, so I don’t have a post for that one!) It’s fun but also a storytime that promotes mindfulness and a bit of a slowing down to think and feel and appreciate.

Every year I tweak the program just a bit to keep it fresh for myself as well as for any of my regulars who have been with me for a year or more. This year I introduced the song and book “May There Always Be Sunshine” by Jim Gill. I had the pleasure of attending a workshop with him in person a few months ago and it hit me that this is a perfect song for feeling thankful. I was even inspired to create a new craft based on it and it was a big hit.

This is also a great opportunity for me to slow down and say THANK YOU for being a reader. I hope these posts are helpful to you whether you are a fellow librarian, a teacher, caregiver, or anyone else who is interested in early literacy. I love being part of a profession that is generous with our ideas, and I am thankful for all the librarians and teachers who have helped me find my footing in storytime by sharing their materials online.

If you’re looking for more ideas, take a look at the Feeling Thankful themes from every year I’ve done this theme here.

my heart fills with happiness book cover, featuring an indigenous girl from the top down looking up, with two braids and a flared circular flowered skirt around her.
may there always be sunshine book cover, showing a stylized yellow sun with big cheeks and chin on a light blue background
the thank you book cover, with a picture of a light skinned girl with red hair giving a taller Black boy a flower. flowers, rainbows, a sun, and two blackbirds are in the background.

Early Literacy Tip: When we are warm, fed, safe, and snuggled with someone we love, our brains release a chemical called serotonin. This makes us feel good, but it also has the effect of helping us learn. When you snuggle with your child and sing and read together, their brains soak up the language they hear and the serotonin helps make that learning permanent. Snuggling, talking, and singing with your child helps get them ready to read. Source: Mel’s Desk

Welcome Song: Hello, Friends* 

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* 
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* 

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: What does it mean to feel thankful? When someone does something nice for you, saying “thank you” lets them know we appreciate them and are happy they did what they did! We can also think for a moment about all the good things in our lives and feel happy about them, too. Let’s practice saying “thank you” with this rhyme.

Figuring out how to do this rhyme without the middle finger AND using it to do the ASL sign for I love you is one of my proudest moments. 🙂
Fingerplay: Where is Thumbkin?
Where is Thumbkin, Where is Thumbkin?
Here I am, Here I am,
How are you today, Friend?
Very well, I thank you.
Run away, run away.

(repeat with pointer, pinky, then all three)
Where are three friends, Where are three friends?
Here we are, Here we are,
How are you today, Friends?
Very well, we thank you.
I love you, I love you.
Source: adapted from the traditional rhyme by Ms. Emily

where is thumbkin thumbnail, with a graphic of silhouettes of two hands with thumbs up and two hands showing the ASL "I Love You" sign. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Transition: If You’re Ready for a Story*

I’ve shared books by Monique Gray Smith in the past, but this was a new-to-me title. It’s perfect for feeling thankful, because it describes the feeling of gratitude – your heart fills with happiness! It also is short and simple and references things that can make the readaloud more interactive. “Let’s imagine the scent of our favorite thing baking – can you breathe in deep and imagine it?“ It’s also great to share that both the author and the illustrator are indigenous (I read their tribal heritages from the bio at the back), and that November is Native American Heritage Month.
Read: My Heart Fills with Happiness by Monique Gray Smith & Julie Flett

my heart fills with happiness book cover, featuring an indigenous girl from the top down looking up, with two braids and a flared circular flowered skirt around her.

This was my backup title, but I didn’t end up using it this year. It’s a board book, so it’s not very big, but it does work for my group. It focuses mostly on HOW to say thank you, both in words and in actions.
Read: The Thank You Book by Danna Smith & Juliana Perdomo

the thank you book cover, with a picture of a light skinned girl with red hair giving a taller Black boy a flower. flowers, rainbows, stars, a sun, and two blackbirds are in the background.

I’m grateful for my body and the senses that I use to experience the world. Here’s a rhyme about 4 of the 5 senses. (AFTER – which senses did we talk about?)
I learned this one from my home library’s storytime. I loved that so many of the pages in My Heart Fills with Happiness were tied to the senses.
Action Rhyme: Two Little Eyes
Two little eyes to look around
Two little ears to hear a sound
One little nose to smell what’s sweet
One little mouth that likes to eat!
Source: Ms Shelby & Ms Robin at Indy PL
Find it online at King County (WA) Library System

two little eyes thumbnail, with a graphic of four children - a white boy with brown hair holding up a magnifying glass, a girl with black hair and vitiligo listening to earphones, a Black boy smelling a flower, and a white girl with blonde hair eating broccoli. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Which of the senses did we miss talking about? Touch! Here’s a tickle rhyme to engage our sense of touch! I’m thankful for the bees that pollinate our plants and make us honey
Tickle Rhyme: Here Is the Beehive
Here is the beehive, but where are all the bees? (make fist)
Hidden away where nobody sees
Watch and you’ll see them come out of the hive:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (open fingers)
They’re alive! Buzz, buzz, buzz! (tickle)
Source: Jbrary

here is the beehive thumbnail, with a graphic of a yellow beehive with several bees flying around it, centered on a red circle. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

I’m sure it comes as no surprise to you – something I love and something I’m always thankful for are books and reading! Here’s a fun song about someone who wears glasses when she reads a book.
We practice making glasses with our hands, and then a book. We open and close the book several times before we get started with the song!
Song: These Are My Glasses
These are my glasses, this is my book
I put on my glasses and open up the book
Now I read, read, read
And I look, look, look
I put down my glasses and
Whoop! Close up the book!
Source: “Whaddaya Think of That?” by the Laurie Berkner Band

these are my glasses thumbnail, with a graphic of a pair of glasses folded next to a small pile of books. A red mug is alongside. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Scarf distribution: I am thankful for songs we can sing with our scarves! Will you practice with me – wave high, low, in a circle, throw and catch!

I’m thankful for all of the beautiful plants, especially the trees. Can we pretend to be a little acorn?
We start by scrunching up our scarves in our fists and crouching low to make our bodies small like a seed.
Scarf Rhyme: Be a Seed 
Be a seed, small and round (crouch, with scarf scrunched)
Sprout, sprout, sprout up from the ground (stand up)
Shake your leaves for all to see (shake arms and scarf)
Stretch your arms up, you’re a tree! (stretch tall)
Source: Jbrary

be a seed thumbnail, with a graphic of an acorn and a tree. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

I’m thankful for delicious food that we can make and eat with our loved ones.
Scarf Song: Popcorn Kernels
(tune of “Frère Jacques”)
Popcorn kernels, popcorn kernels (wave scarves overhead)
In the pot, in the pot (bunch up scarf in your fist)
Shake them, shake them, shake them!
Shake them, shake them, shake them! (shake)
‘Til they POP! ‘Til they POP! (toss scarves up into the air)
Source: Jbrary

popcorn kernels thumbnail, with a photograph of two popped popcorn kernels. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

I’m thankful for toys and games to play.
We did this one three times each session. They loved throwing the scarves up!
Scarf Rhyme: Jack in the Box
Jack in the box (scrunch scarf up in fist)
Sits so still
Will he come out?
Yes, he will! (throw scarf in the air)
Source: Jbrary

jack in the box thumbnail, with a graphic of a colorful jester's head coming out of a box with a crank. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

This flannel was made from the template created by Mel at Mel’s Desk! I add the flannel pieces as the recorded song mentions them (if you’re playing ukulele for this one, you could go over the pieces first and then sing the song. I love the recorded version so I usually let Raffi do the singing.) Before or afterwards is a good time to mention today’s early literacy tip, whichever flows more naturally for you.
We’re going to do a quiet song now. This one is nice to snuggle to. If you’d like to snuggle with your grownup, that’s great. If not, no need to force it, but let’s listen to the words and all the things we can be thankful for.
Flannel/Ukulele Song: Thanks a Lot
Thanks a lot, Thanks for sun in the sky
Thanks a lot, Thanks for clouds so high
Thanks a lot, Thanks for whispering wind
Thanks a lot, Thanks for the birds in the spring
Thanks a lot, Thanks for the moonlit night
Thanks a lot, Thanks for the stars so bright
Thanks a lot, Thanks for the wondering me
Thanks a lot, Thanks for the way I feel
Thanks for the animals, Thanks for the land,
Thanks for the people everywhere
Thanks a lot
Thanks for all I’ve got
Thanks for all I’ve got
Source: From the Album “Baby Beluga” by Raffi

Thanks a lot flannel set with a yellow sun, white cloud, red bird, blue swirl for wind, yellow crescent moon, purple star, single person figure with arms raised, pink heart, elephant, evergreen tree, and group of three people of various skin tones with arms to the side.

Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet for “Thanks a Lot” here!

thumbnail of Thanks A Lot ukulele songsheet

thanks a lot thumbnail, showing lyrics only. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

This is an old song – originally in Russian, and it’s very simple, just four lines. But children’s musician Jim Gill started singing it. When he performs it for a group of kids, he always asks them what they’d always want there to be. He collected his favorites and made a book from them! [show book and a few of the pages] So take a moment and think about what you are thankful for and that you want there to always be.
We sang the original four lines, then I took suggestions. No suggestion too silly or wrong! We were thankful for Ariel, Rapunzel, trucks, cats, naptime (from an adult!), and more. I finished the last line by saying “storytime” and I got lots of nods and yeses from the grownups! A note on the songsheet – I changed the key to fit my voice better (always a good thing to do to make you feel comfortable!)
Recorded or Ukulele Song: May There Always Be Sunshine
May there always be sunshine
May there always be blue skies
May there always be family
May there always be me
Insert the things you are grateful for!
Source: Jim Gill, from the album “Jim Gill Sings the Sneezing Song and Other Contagious Tunes”

Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet for “May There Always Be Sunshine” here!

thumbnail for may there always be sunshine ukulele songsheet

may there always be sunshine thumbnail, with a graphic of a smiling yellow sun with orange rays. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Action Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom!*

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

Craft: May There Always Be… Booklet
Another idea I got from Jim Gill’s workshop was to create a craft for kids to create their own “May There Always Be…” book. I used a technique I learned from zines to fold a 11″x17″ sheet of tabloid paper into an eight-page book, and printed a front, back, and “may there always be” on each inside page. I branded mine to my library, but I made an unbranded version that you can download as well! The trick with folding is to make your folds as precise and as sharp as you can. I use a bone folding tool to help. See the helpful graphic below for help folding and cutting from Anna Brones blog (where she has a very nice intro to zines and how to create them).

Download a PDF of the booklet here!

May there always be booklet craft - with the words "may there always be" at the top, followed by a colored-in outline of a smiling sun. below are the words "a book of thankfulness by:" and a line filled in by Emily in crayon.

Visual guide to folding a zine - our craft booklet. involves folding the paper into eighths, cutting a slit along the middle four sections, and folding it into the booklet.

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*

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

Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme)
Thank a Farmer – Maria Gianferrari & Monica Mikai
Thank You, Everything – Icinori & Emilie Robert Wong
Thank You, Omu – Oge Mora
The Thankful Book – Todd Parr
We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga – Traci Sorell & Frané Lessac
The Thank You Book – Mo Willems
Thank You, Earth – April Pulley Sayre
The Thank You Letter – Jane Cabrera
When We Are Kind – Monique Gray Smith & Nicole Neidhardt
The Blue Table – Chris Raschka
Thank You, Neighbor! – Ruth Chan
Gracias/Thanks – Pat Mora & John Parra
Bear Says Thanks – Karma Wilson & Jane Chapman
To Dogs, With Love – Maria Gianferrari & Ishaa Lobo
Grandma’s Tiny House – JaNay Brown-Woods & Priscilla Burris

This storytime was presented in-person on 11/19 & 11/20/25.

Storytime Handout:

handout with book suggestions, rhyme and song lyrics.

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

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

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

whats new daniel, when spring comes, and little book about spring book covers

Storytime: Spring

Posted on by msemilylibrary

A seasonal storytime is a great one to do – there are so many aspects to each season that there are a lot of activities to pull from. For this week I focused on weather, sprouting plants, and animals that have their babies in the spring. You could also go with gardening, bugs, (bug option 2 here), eggs, seeds, or wind.

what's new daniel book cover, with a little boy in a red hoodie crouching on a rock looking into a pond
when spring comes book cover, with three white kittens looking up at cherry blossoms and a robin.
a little book about spring, with mice looking at the large letters of spring decorated in different colors and textures.

Early Literacy Tip: As we do fingerplays and action songs, we are working on our fine and gross motor skills. Both are necessary for learning to write. Doing storytime activities at home with your child now will help develop the muscles and skills your child will need to learn to write later on.

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) (TB) (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: Friday will be the first day of the new season. Does anyone know what it is? Hint – right now we’re in “winter.” What happens during the season of spring? (temps warm, weather is unpredictable, flowers and other plants sprout, many animal babies are born.)

In the spring, the weather can do anything! Sunshine, rain, wind, even snow! Let’s check. What’s it like outside today?
I showed different weather symbols and asked them to say what kind of weather it was. I chose about four of the eight to do at each session: sun, rain, wind, and something else. Usually I get my ukulele out at the end of a storytime, but this week it was the first themed song we did. You can download my printable flannel template here!
Flannel/Ukulele Song: What’s the Weather? (TT) (TB) (FT)
(tune of Clementine)
What’s the weather, what’s the weather,
What’s the weather, everyone?
Is it windy, is it cloudy,
Is there rain, or is there sun?
Source: Storytime Katie

Download a ukulele songsheet for What’s the Weather here!

what's the weather ukulele songsheet thumbnail

What's the weather flannel, showing eight circles with a blue background and various weather symbols: sun, wind, clouds, sun behind clouds, snow, rain, cloud with lightning, and fog

what's the weather thumbnail, with a graphic of four blue circles with weather symbols on them: wind, clouds, rain, and sun. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

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

I LOVE this book. It’s so sweet, and I love the interplay between the natural world and the child’s world. The turnaround at the end (where Daniel asks grandpa what’s new with HIM) is an unusual example of modeling empathy and care for caregivers rather than showing the child being the only subject of questions and concern. My group’s attention seemed to wander toward the end, though, so I didn’t try it again at the other sessions.
Read: What’s New, Daniel by Micha Archer (TT)

what's new daniel book cover, with a little boy in a red hoodie crouching on a rock looking into a pond

Read: When Spring Comes by Kevin Henkes & Laura Dronzek (TB)

when spring comes book cover, with three white kittens looking up at cherry blossoms and a robin.

By far the simplest of the three, I chose this one when my Wednesday group was already very wiggly.
Read: A Little Book About Spring by Leo Lionni & Julie Hamilton (FT)

a little book about spring, with mice looking at the large letters of spring decorated in different colors and textures.

Let’s see, what’s the weather… it is raining!
Action Rhyme: “Splash!” Fall the Raindrops (TT) (TB) (FT)
“Splash!” fall the raindrops (wiggle fingers down)
To the ground they go (pat lap in rhythm)
We need the rain (pat lap quickly)
To help the flowers grow (lift hands and wiggle up)
Source: King County (WA) Library System

splash fall the raindrops thumbnail, with a graphic of a droplet of water splashing on the left and a small yellow flower on the right. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

When there are new spring flowers, there are also bees to collect their pollen and make honey.
Tickle/Fingerplay: Here Is the Beehive (TT) (TB) (FT)
Here is the beehive, (make fist)
But where are all the bees?
Hidden away where nobody sees
Watch and you’ll see them come out of the hive:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (open fingers)
They’re alive! Buzz, buzz, buzz! (tickle)
Source: Jbrary

here is the beehive thumbnail, with a graphic of a yellow beehive centered on a red circle. Five small bees fly around it.. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Who is this? A duck! And duck has an egg. I hear something cracking… it’s hatching! Can you be a duckling?
I switched from “little duck” to “duckling,” but I love all these actions!
Action Rhyme: Duckling (TT) (TB) (FT)
Duckling, duckling, waddle around
Duckling, duckling, touch the ground
Duckling, duckling, wings go flap
Duckling, duckling, “Quack, quack, quack!”
Duckling, duckling, jump into the river
Duckling, duckling, give a little shiver
Duckling, duckling, shake your feet
Duckling, duckling, find your seat
Source: Storytime in the Stacks

Duckling flannel and puppet - a fat yellow duck puppet poses in front of the flannelboard, which shows a blue-green egg and duckling flannel pieces.

duckling, duckling thumbnail, with a graphic of a realistic looking brown and yellow duckling. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Another animal who has its babies in the springtime is the bunny.
I cut this one for time after the first session.
Fingerplay: Here is a Bunny (TT)
Here is a bunny with ears so funny (bunny ear fingers, bent)
And here is his hole in the ground (make circle w/ other hand)
At the first sound he hears, he pricks up his ears (extend ears)
And hops in the hole in the ground (fingers jump into the hole)
Source: Storytime Katie

here is a bunny thumbnail, with a graphic of a gray bunny posing next to a patch of grass with a hole in it. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Let’s get out the parachute! In the springtime, the weather can change quickly. We did this song last week with scarves, let’s try it this week with the parachute.
We haven’t gotten the parachute out in a while. I have to remind myself that a lot of the songs we do with scarves can also be done with a parachute.
Parachute Song: Rain Is Falling Down (TT) (TB) (FT)
Rain is falling down, SPLASH! Rain is falling down, SPLASH!
Pitter patter pitter patter, Rain is falling down, SPLASH!

Sun is peeking out, PEEK! Sun is peeking out, PEEK!
Peeking here, peeking there, Sun is peeking out, PEEK!
Source: Jbrary

rain is falling down thumbnail, with a graphic of a smiling cartoon raincloud with a sun peeking from behind it. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Let’s sing about the itsy bitsy spider in some unpredictable spring weather.
I sing “up came the sun” instead of the traditional “out came the sun” to emphasize the up and down motion of the parachute.
Parachute Song: The Itsy Bitsy Spider (TT) (TB) (FT)
(lift and lower scarf when the song indicates up or down)
The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the water spout
Down came the rain and washed the spider out
Up came the sun and dried up all the rain
So the itsy bitsy spider climbed up the spout again
Source: traditional

the itsy bitsy spider thumbnail, with a graphic of a smiling spider next to a rain gutter attached to a red brick wall. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Can we pretend that we’re planting some seeds?
I added some scarves to the middle of the parachute as our “seeds” and then we popped them up to become flowers. I was not completely sure if scarves would pop up or stick to the parachute, but they did! They floated perfectly! I will definitely be using scarves on top of the parachute in the future.
Parachute/Scarf Rhyme: Little Seed (TT) (TB) (FT)
Little seed in the ground
Sitting oh, so still
Little seed, will you sprout?
YES, I WILL! (pop scarf up in the air)
Source: Lady Librarian Life

Little seed thumbnail, with a graphic of a seedling sprouting with a watering can above it. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Now our scarves are butterflies! Let’s help them flutter!
The power of imagination transforms our flower-scarves into butterfly-scarves.
Parachute/Scarf Song: Flutter Butterfly (TT) (TB) (FT)
Flutter, flutter butterfly
Floating in the springtime sky
Floating by for all to see
Floating by so merrily
Flutter, flutter butterfly
Floating in the springtime sky
Source: Storytime Katie

flutter butterfly thumbnail, with a graphic of a pink cartoon butterfly. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

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

Parachute fly thumbnail, with a graphic of an overhead view of children holding on to a colorful parachute with balls bouncing on top. 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: Tissue Paper Butterflies (TB) (FT)
Inspired by the Taming Little Monsters blog, I found a simple butterfly outline in Canva, and sized to to print two per page of cardstock. Volunteers cut them out and I provided tissue paper squares to decorate. We added regular craft sticks and a loop of yarn to make a hanger.

butterfly craft with wings covered in colored tissue paper and the body made from a craft stick with a face drawn on. A loop of yarn is attached as a hanger.

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

Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme)
Mouse’s First Spring – Lauren Thompson & Buket Erdogan
How to Say Hello to a Worm – Kari Percival
Emile and the Field – Kevin Young & Chioma Ebinama
On a Snow-Melting Day – Buffy Silverman
And Then it’s Spring – Julie Fogliano & Erin E. Stead
An Earth Song – Langston Hughes & Tequitia Andrews
A Seed Grows – Antoinette Portis
The Tiny Seed – Eric Carle
Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring – Kenard Pak
Escargot & the Search for Spring – Dashka Slater & Sydney Hanson

This storytime was presented in-person on 3/17, 3/18, & 3/19/25.

Storytime Handout:

handout with book suggestions, rhyme and song lyrics.

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

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

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

little hoo has the flu and llama home with mama book covers

Storytime: Feeling Sick and Feeling Better

Posted on by msemilylibrary

It is an unfortunate truth that we all get sick sometimes. Kids especially, who are still building their immune systems, get sick a lot! So although it isn’t a “fun” topic, it’s definitely a relevant one for the storytime crowd. As is often the case, real life ironically (in the Alanis sense) reared its head and I got really sick with the Flu A strain right after this week of programs! It was not fun, but I did, eventually, get to feeling better.

little hoo has the flu book cover, showing an owl holding a thermometer and whose beak area is reddened.
llama llama home with mama book cover, with a sick in bed llama with mama feeling his forehead.

Early Literacy Tip: Children love being able to identify animals and imitate the sounds they make. Identifying animals, matching sounds with an animal puppet or picture, and imitating animal sounds build children’s knowledge of the world around them. Even children who are not yet talking can make a cow sound: Moo! -adapted from The Early Literacy Kit: A Handbook and Tip Cards by Betsy Diamant-Cohen & Saroj Ghoting

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) (TB) (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: Has anyone felt sick before? It’s not fun, but it does happen to everyone at some point or another. What does it feel like in our body when we’re sick? We may: feel pain, have an upset stomach, coughing, sneezing, sore throat, tired. The good thing to remember about being sick is that eventually we get better! Some things that make us feel better: visiting the doctor, taking medicine, getting plenty of rest, drinking water, and lots of hugs and kisses.

Here’s a rhyme about feeling sick.
Action Rhyme: I’ve Got a Cold (TT) (TB) (FT)
I’ve got a cold
My nose can’t smell (touch nose)
My eyes are red (touch by eyes)
I don’t feel well (hand to forehead or tummy)
So I’ll drink my juice (pretend to drink)
And go to bed… (fold hands under head)
Until my nose feels better (touch nose)
And so does my head! (touch head)
Source: Handley (VA) Regional Library System

I've got a cold thumbnail, with a graphic of a light skinned girl with a red nose and pained expression. she has a thermometer in her mouth, is wearing a scarf, and hugging her body as if cold. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

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

This isn’t the most sophisticated publishing (it kind of looks self-published), but it’s actually a good one for storytime in that it’s straightforward and simple, and did a good job of talking about feeling sick as well as friends helping to cheer you up with flowers and a card, which related to our craft today. We actually have about six Little Hoo books on early experiences.
Read: Little Hoo Has the Flu by Brenda Ponnay (TT) (FT)

little hoo has the flu book cover, showing an owl holding a thermometer and whose beak area is reddened.

Everyone seems to like Llama Llama books. This one worked okay, but I felt like the group got a antsy toward the end.
Read: Llama Llama Home With Mama by Anna Dewdney (TB)

llama llama home with mama book cover, with a sick in bed llama with mama feeling his forehead.

When we are sick, our germs can sometimes make other people sick. There are a few things we can do to avoid that! Stay home when we have a fever. Wash our hands. Cover our mouth!
The original rhyme had you using a tissue or your hand – I updated to the better practice of using the crook of your elbow. We practiced coughing into our elbows before starting the rhyme.
Action Rhyme: When You Cough (TT) (TB) (FT)
When you cough or when you sneeze
Will you think of others, please?
Use a tissue or your elbow
So on your friends your germs won’t go now – Ah-choo!
Source: adapted from SurLaLuneFairyTales.com

When you cough thumbnail, with a graphic of a light skinned girl holding a tissue to her nose, and a dark skinned boy coughing into his elbow. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Oh, no! Someone forgot to cover their mouth and now everyone on the farm has a cold!
I have a farm flannel set, so put the farmer out from there, but used puppets for the other verses.
Puppet Rhyme: Animal Sneezes (TT) (TB) (FT)
Farmer’s nose tingles,
Farmer’s nose twitches,
Farmer is going to sneeze!
Ah-choo, ah-choo, ah-choo!

Repeat, with animal noises:
Oh, no! Look at cow – cow’s nose wiggling…
Cow: moo-choo
Chicken: bok-choo
Pig: oink-choo
Duck: quack-choo
Source: Handley (VA) Regional Library System

photo of farmer flannelboard piece surrounded by four farm animal puppets: cow, chicken, pig, and duck.

animal sneezes thumbnail, with a graphic of a yellow chick pictured twice, once at the inhale of a sneeze ("ah"), and once at the exhale ("choo"). click the image to download a non-branded PDF

The other thing to do both to keep others from getting sick AND to prevent us from getting sick in the first place is to wash our hands. Germs are tiny, so tiny we can’t see them! So we need three things to wash our hands well – soap, water, and time. Let’s sing through this song twice so there’s enough time to get all the germs. Okay, everyone get a some soap on your hands (pretend to pump soap). Now turn on the water! (pretend to twist knob)
I sing this one slow so you can highlight each part of the hand as it’s sung.
Action Song: Wash Your Hands (TT) (TB) (FT)
(tune of Row Your Boat)
Wash, wash, wash your hands,
Get them nice and clean
Wash the tops and wash below,
And wash them in between

Scrub, scrub, scrub your hands,
Fingernails and thumbs
Wrists and palms and pinky too,
Wash them every one!
Source: Waukee (IA) Public Library

Wash your hands thumbnail, with a graphic of a light skinned pair of hands holding soap on the left and a dark skinned pair of hands washing between fingers on the right. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

A nice bowl of soup always makes me feel better when I’m sick.
I cut this one for time during the last session.
Action Song: The Soup Is Boiling Up (TT) (TB)
(tune of The Farmer in the Dell)
The soup is boiling up (hands corkscrew up)
The soup is boiling up
Stir it slow, around we go (stir)
The soup is boiling up
What goes in soup? – noodles, chicken, lentils, celery, carrots, etc
Source: Jbrary

the soup is boiling up thumbnail, with a graphic of a silhouetted soup pot with lid ajar showing bubbles underneath. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

I saw a pin for the inspiration of this rhyme, but rewrote all but the first two lines to change it from enjoying popsicles in the summertime to enjoying them when you’re sick. The last two lines helped me use my “popsicle girl” flannel, which I love but rarely have the opportunity to use.
And when my throat is sore, a popsicle feels so nice!
Flannel Rhyme: Popsicles (TT) (TB) (FT)
Popsicles, popsicles taste so sweet
Popsicles, popsicles hard to beat
Whenever my throat feels sore and sick
A cool lime popsicle does the trick
Look in the mirror, give a holler
My tongue has changed to a different color! GREEN!
What other flavors and colors do popsicles come in?
Source: original, inspired by First Grade Wow

photo of popsicle girl flannelboard set. includes a dark skinned girl with afro puffs and a large smile on her face, as well as 7 popsicles and a coordinating color tongue: orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, red, and rainbow.

popsicles thumbnail, with a graphic of three popsicles - green, red, purple. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Time to get our shaker eggs out! Let’s practice a bit with this song.
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 three shaker eggs: blue, purple, and yellow. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Sometimes we feel bad when we aren’t sick, but we’ve fallen down & hurt ourselves.
Easy enough to adapt this rhyme for shakers since it has a rhythm. Before starting, I asked everyone to decide where their boo-boo was on their body so they could point to it during the rhyme.
Shaker 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 an adhesive bandage with a blue heart in the middle. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

All the rest, soup, and popsicles are making me feel so much better! Let’s shake our sickies out!
Recorded Song: Shake My Sillies (Sickies) 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 ukulele songsheet thumbnail

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: Get Well Soon Cards (TB) (FT)
A super easy craft. I printed cards with a dotted-line font saying “Get Well Soon” on cardstock and folded to a card. Then provided crayons, foam stickers, and band-aid bandages to decorate however they wanted.

Download the Get Well Soon Card template.

get well soon card craft, showing the card decorated with hearts and flower foam stickers with band aid bandages across them.

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

Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme)
Doctor Maisy – Lucy Cousins
Leo Gets a Checkup – Anna McQuinn & Ruth Hearson
Scaredy Squirrel Visits the Doctor – Melanie Watt
Germs Make Me Sick! – Melvin Berger & Marylin Hafner
My Mommy Medicine – Edwidge Danticat & Shannon Wright
A Bad Case of Stripes – David Shannon
Bear Feels Sick – Karma Wilson & Jane Chapman
How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon – Jane Yolen & Mark Teague
A Sick Day for Amos McGee – Philip C Stead & Erin E Stead
The Flea’s Sneeze – Lynn Downey & Karla Firehammer

This storytime was presented in-person on 2/24, 2/25, & 2/26/25.

Storytime Handout:

handout with book suggestions, rhyme and song lyrics.

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

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

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

book covers for kitty's cuddles and a day so gray

Storytime: Warm & Cozy

Posted on by msemilylibrary

When it’s been as polar vortex-y cold as it has been in the midwest this winter, all you want to talk about is how to stay warm and cozy inside. Ironically, the first scheduled session for this theme was cancelled (the one I mark as TT) with a big storm that gave us about 6 inches of snow!
I’ve done this theme before, and this time I added some extension activities about soup and cuddly kitties to this version of warm and cozy.

You can find another version of this theme from 2020.

Kitty's cuddles book cover.
a day so gray book cover.

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

Welcome Song: Hello, Friends* (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* (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* (TB) (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: Brr – it sure is cold outside! When it’s cold outside, I do my best to get warm and cozy inside. What does it mean to feel cozy?  It can mean different things to different people. For me, when I’m feeling warm, safe, and loved.

Let’s try a counting rhyme about being cozy.
Rhyme: Cozy Night (TB) (FT)
(hold up the correct number of fingers at the beginning of each line)
One fluffy quilt on my bed (mime shaking out a blanket)
Two little pillows for my head (fold hands under head)
Three teddy bears to hold so tight (hug self)
Now I’m ready for a cozy night! (rub arms)
Source: Literary Hoots

Cozy night thumbnail, with a graphic of an unmade bed with a yellow blanket, two pillows, and three various teddy bears. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

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

This one really has nothing to do with being warm, but it sure is cozy.
Read: Kitty’s Cuddles by Jane Cabrera (TB)

Kitty's cuddles book cover.

A lovely book about seeing beyond the blah, and appreciating the little joys.
Read: A Day So Gray by Marie Lamba & Alea Marley (FT)

a day so gray book cover.

There are lots of things that can help you feel warm and cozy.
Rhyme: Chilly Day (TB) (FT)
When the day is chilly (shiver)
And I don’t know what to do
Mama gives me my sweater (mime putting on sweater)
I put it on and say, “Thank you!”

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

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

Chilly day thumbnail, with a graphic of pink hearts. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

As a quick print and laminate flannel, this was easy and pretty fun. We went over time though, so I skipped it for the second storytime.
Flannel Rhyme Game: Looking for a Hug (TB)
I’m looking for something warm and snug,
You open your arms and give a great big…
…rug? NO! …bug? NO! …mug? NO! …plug? NO! …pug? NO! …slug? EW, NO! …hug? YES!
Source: Pasadena (CA) Public Library

printed and laminated flannelboard pieces including a Persian style rug, a ladybug, a blue mug with a smiley face, a pug dog, a yellow slug, an orange extension cord, and a stylized "hug" - a pink heart with arms crossed around it.

looking for a hug thumbnail, with a graphic of a stylized "hug" - a pink heart with arms crossed around it. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

This one always gets a lot of laughs and smiles and awwws.
Bounce Rhyme: Bounce, Tickle, Hug (TB) (FT)
I bounce you here, I bounce you there
I bounce you, bounce you everywhere!
I tickle you here, I tickle you there
I tickle you, tickle you everywhere!
I hug you here, I hug you there
I hug you, hug you everywhere!
Source: Mansfield/Richland County (OH) Public Library

bounce, tickle, hug thumbnail, with lyrics only. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

One thing that always warms me up is a nice bowl of soup. My favorite kind is split pea soup! Here’s a fun fingerplay.
Fingerplay: Pea Soup (TB) (FT)
(begin with five fingers up)
​One little pea jumped into the pot,
And waited for the soup to get hot (fold one finger down)
(count down)

Finally, the soup got so very, very hot,
That all the little peas jumped out of the pot! (open hand jumps)
Source: Librarian is on the Loose blog

pea soup thumbnail, with a graphic of three peas in a pod, the middle of which has arms raised. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Breathing Break: Soup Breathing (TB) (FT)
Time for a mindful breathing break. I asked the kids to imagine they were holding a bowl of their very favorite soup, and asked what kind they liked. Then with their hands cupped in front of them, we slowly breathed in the delicious aroma through their noses, then slowly and gently breathed out through their mouths to cool off this hot soup. Afterward, I let them know that this exercise always makes me feel good and more grounded, and they could always get out their bowl of soup if they need help calming down or feeling more connected to their bodies.
Source: Lucky Little Learners

We got out our scarves at this point. Oh, my scarf has turned into a kitty cat. A kitty cat that is very excited! We waved our scarves around and our kitties zoomed up, down, and all around. Then I said we would need to calm our kitties down. We gathered them in our arms and started petting them. Isn’t it cozy to snuggle with a pet or a stuffed animal? Let’s sing them a lullaby!
I saw lots of big smiles from the grownups who probably knew this song from The Big Bang Theory sitcom (which I haven’t watched!) I actually found it on the King County Tell Me a Story site, and it’s a sweet one.
Scarf Song: Soft Kitty (TB) (FT)
Soft kitty, Warm kitty,
Little ball of fur
Happy kitty, Sleepy kitty,
Purr, purr, purr
Source: King County (WA) Library System

soft kitty thumbnail, with a graphic of a sleeping calico cat. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

I’ve done this one as a flannel rhyme before, but I added a scarf element to it. I tried to think of scarf movements that were different for each line.
Scarf/Flannel Rhyme: Blue is the Sky (Winter Edition) (TB) (FT)
Blue is the sky (wave scarf high)
Yellow is the sun (twirl scarf to make a circle)
Silver are the stars when the day is done (throw and catch your “falling stars”)
Orange is the fire (wiggle scarf with hand underneath)
Green is the tree (stretch scarf up long)
Brown is the cocoa for you and me (gather scarf in fist and “sip”)
Source: adapted by Ms. Emily from Mel’s Desk

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

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

Thumbnail of flannel template for blue is the sky.

blue is the sky thumbnail, with a graphic of a fireplace next to an evergreen tree, with two red cups of hot chocolate on the mantel. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Speaking of hot cocoa, or hot chocolate, I’ve got a song about it! Will you wave your scarves around while I play my ukulele?
I found the first verse as a photo pin on Pinterest, but when I went back to it later I couldn’t find any indication as to the source. I added a couple of verses to round it out.
Scarf/Ukulele Song: Hot Chocolate (TB) (FT)
(tune of On Top of Old Smokey)
Do you like hot chocolate?
Marshmallows on top!
It’s warm and delicious
I can hardly stop

Whenever it’s cold out
I like it a lot
And you know the best part:
Marshmallows on top!

We pour in the chocolate
Stir it well but don’t slop
And right before sipping:
Marshmallows on top! – Sluuurp… YUM!
Source: unknown verse 1, original vs 2-3

Download a ukulele songsheet for Hot Chocolate

thumbnail for hot chocolate ukulele songsheet

hot chocolate thumbnail, with a graphic of a pink mug of hot chocolate with marshmallows. 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: Hot Chocolate Mug (TB) (FT)
We decorated our mugs of hot chocolate and added some white pompoms to the top for marshmallows in our simple craft. Hot chocolate always tastes best from your own special mug, right? We used dot markers and stickers. Inspired by Made to Be a Momma blog, where you can find a template.

blue hot chocolate mug with an oval of brown construction paper on top, decorated with colorful dot stickers. Three white pompoms make the marshmallows on top.

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

Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme)
In My Anaana’s Amautik – Nadia Sammurtok & Lenny Lishchenko
Winter is the Warmest Season – Lauren Stringer
The All-Together Quilt – Lizzy Rockwell
Blanket: Journey to Extreme Coziness – Loryn Brantz
Dreamland – Noah Klocek
I’m Going to Give You a Polar Bear Hug! – Caroline B. Cooney & Tim Warnes
Snoozapalooza – Kimberlee Gard & Vivian Mineker
Twinkle, Twinkle, Winter Night – Megan Litwin & Nneka Myers
Chaiwala! – Priti Birla Maheshwari

This storytime was presented in-person on 1/7 & 1/8/25.

Storytime Handout:

handout with book suggestions, rhyme and song lyrics.

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

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

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

Storytime: Boxes

Posted on by msemilylibrary

What can you do with a box? What CAN’T you do with it!? December seems to be a time when the cardboard boxes start to pile up, so what a great time to celebrate both the imaginative things you can do with boxes as well as the fun and mystery of an unopened box. We talked a little about presents and gifts, as well.

You can find another version of this theme from 2021.

Early Literacy Tip: Research shows that constructive play (creating and building with different types of materials) supports children’s physical, cognitive and emotional development. When we pretend and act out stories, we’re using problem-solving skills and it prepares us to write stories of our own someday. –Storytime in the Stacks

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) (TB) (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’re celebrating something like this… point to brown felt box on flannelboard. What is it? A box! Boxes can be fun to play with, to build with, and sometimes, when we’re lucky, they have something wonderful inside of them!

I have a box here, and I think there’s something inside. It’s heavy! And I think I hear something.
This was a box left from my predecessor that I don’t use very often (I think she put her book in it and other special props). I had four puppets in the box: cat, duck, frog, and turtle. Turtle came last to transition to the next rhyme. Turtle didn’t make any noises, so there was some mystery and anticipation in the last repetition. After taking turtle out, I showed everyone that the box was now empty.
Puppet Game: Here Is a Box (TT) (TB) (FT)
Here is a box where something is hid
I wonder whatever is under the lid?
Let’s listen for a shout and see who comes out!
(make animal noises and guess who is in the box)
Source: Storytime in the Stacks

Remember to put your puppets in “butts up” so it’s easy to slip them on while holding the box!

here is a box thumbnail, with a graphic of a red lidded box. the lid is suspended above the box, and gold confetti is coming from it. in the air between the lid and box is a black question mark. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Don’t be shy, turtle, come on out! Have you ever heard of a box turtle? This turtle LIVES in a box. He’s a little feisty today – he’s hungry!
It was a little awkward because I can’t clap like I normally would for the “caught” lines, but I slapped my thigh with my free hand and the adults clapped, so it worked just fine. After one time through, we repeated, after I asked the turtle if he was still hungry and he nodded. My (adorable!) turtleneck turtle has a mouth that moves so it works a little differently than the ones in the Jbrary video.
Fingerplay: There Was a Little Turtle (TT) (TB) (FT)
There was a little turtle (make fist)
who lived in a box (cover fist)
he swam in the puddles (fist wiggles like swimming)
he climbed on the rocks (fist climbs up opposite arm)
He snapped at a mosquito (pinch with thumb and fingers at each “snap”)
He snapped at a flea
He snapped at a minnow
And he snapped at me!
He caught that mosquito (clap each “caught”)
He caught that flea
He caught that minnow
But he didn’t catch me! (waggle finger)
Source: Jbrary

there was a little turtle thumbnail, with a graphic of a cartoon turtle with a green body and brown shell. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

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

The classic storytime book about boxes. It works so well it’s hard not to feature it!
Read: Not a Box by Antoinette Portis (TT) (FT)

not a box book cover.

A newer title, and one from an Indiana author! The illustrations on this one are pretty great. I’m not in love with the rhyme scheme, but I think that’s a personal preference.
Read: Grace & Box by Kim Howard & Megan Lötter (TB)

grace and box book cover.

I felt like I needed another action activity, and one especially featuring pretending with boxes. Sometimes you have to just make up your own!
I love to pretend in a box – what could it be? Let’s all get out a big box to play in.
Rhyme Song: In My Box (TT) (TB) (FT)
In my box, I have found (hold arms out like a box)
I can really get around
My box is a bus: Beep, beep, beep! (wide steering wheel then horn)
Turns into a submarine and dives down deep (tip “wheel” down and crouch)
In my boat I row, row, row (row arms)
Now it’s a race car: go, go, go! (narrow steering wheel and run in place)
Let’s hop into an airplane to glide and fly (arms out to sides)
Then 3, 2, 1 – my rocket zooms to the stars in the sky (count down then clap and jump)
Source: original

in my box thumbnail, with a graphic of a rabbit driving a race car illustration from Not a Box book. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Boxes can also hold anything – there are surprises under every lid.
We talked about how many boxes there were (I only used four: blue, brown, green, and pink) and what colors they were, then we did the rhyme for each one.
Flannel Rhyme: Mystery Boxes (TT) (TB) (FT)
Little BLUE box
Let’s look and see
What’s inside there?
1… 2… 3!
Source: adapted from One For the Books blog

mystery boxes thumbnail, with a graphic of four lidded boxes: blue, brown, green, and pink. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Do you ever have the issue where you can’t sing a storytime tune when the time comes? This happened to me twice for this song! So frustrating. I originally had the Elevator song before this one. That tune messed me up and I could not get the Buffalo Gals tune going and just belted out some weird melody I knew was totally off. Oh, well, it happens, and the adults are very gracious. After that, I was running through the tune in my head over and over and felt pretty confident the second session, but again when it was time for it, I blanked. By my third time doing this program, I switched the order to do this one first, which worked! I was able to do this tune without any problem. So if you’re ever struggling, try switching the order of activities or songs.

I didn’t use my ukulele for this one, but I do have a chord sheet for it! I only did three verses for this age group and it seemed just right.
Sometimes when I have too many wiggles, I have to get out my wiggle box.
Shaker Song: Wiggle Box (TT) (TB) (FT)
(tune of Buffalo Gals)
​Let’s open up the wiggle box, the wiggle box, the wiggle box,
Let’s open up the wiggle box, And wiggle our cares away!

additional verses:
There’s a lot of wiggles in the wiggle box… So wiggle and dance today!
There’s a lot of giggles in the wiggle box… So wiggle and laugh today!
Now throw all your wiggles in the wiggle box… And lock that box up tight!
(slowly, relaxed)
Now that wiggle box is closed up tight… We’re ready for a story today!
Source: Verse 4 from Anne’s Library Life, remainder original

Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet for “Wiggle Box” here!

Wiggle box Ukulele songsheet thumbnail

wiggle box thumbnail, with a graphic of a brown box with a lid askew, with many-colored wiggly lines coming from it. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Here’s a big box! What could it be? Maybe an elevator?
Okay, a bit of a stretch, but the kids don’t care. I changed from my original plan of scarves to shakers since we used scarves last week, but the prop songs work perfectly well with either.
Shaker Song: Let’s Go Riding on an Elevator (TT) (TB) (FT)
Let’s go riding on an elevator, elevator, elevator
Let’s go riding on an elevator – Ride along with me!
First floor, Second floor, Third floor, Fourth floor, Fifth floor…
And down-down-down-down-down!
Source: Jbrary

let's go riding on an elevator thumbnail, with a graphic of a line drawing of an elevator with buttons on the right and a potted plant on the left. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

This was the stand-out hit of this session. We did it three times and I think they wanted to do it again. Sue is a genius.
Remember the Jack-in-the-Box? Let’s play.
Ukulele/Action/Shaker Song: Turn Around (TT) (TB) (FT)
Can you turn around with me?
It’s as easy as can be
Round and round and round just so
Then ker-PLOP! Down we go! (fall/crouch to floor)
Jack is quiet–shhh! (finger to lips)
In his box… (arm covers head)
Open the lid… (open arm up)
And up he… POPS! (jump up)
Source: Sue Schnitzer, from the album “Wiggle and Whirl”

Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet for “Turn Around” here!

Turn Around Ukulele songsheet thumbnail

turn around thumbnail, with a graphic of a jack in the box. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Two uke songs in a row! This is such a fun tune. Since I was playing ukulele, I couldn’t lead any special movements (which you can see with the source link below), but encouraged everyone to just dance and shake their shakers.
Sometimes a box comes with a very special present inside!
Ukulele/Shaker Song: Mail Myself to You (TT) (TB) (FT)
I’m gonna wrap myself in paper, I’m gonna dot myself with glue
Stick some stamps on top of my head, I’m gonna mail myself to you!

I’m gonna tie me up in a red string, I’m gonna tie a blue ribbon too
Climb on up inside my mailbox, I’m gonna mail myself to you!

When you see me in your mailbox Cut the string and let me out!
Wash the glue off my fingers Stick some bubble gum in my mouth

Take me out of my wrapping paper Wash the stamps off my head
Pour me out an ice cream soda…slurp! Put me in a nice warm bed!
Source: Woody Guthrie See motions at: https://youtu.be/no034U7ivfA

Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet for “Mail Myself to You” here!

Mail Myself to you Ukulele songsheet thumbnail

Mail myself to you thumbnail, with a graphic of a blue box wrapped in a red ribbon, with a "Fragile" sticker. click the image to download a non-branded PDF
2 pg sheet, PDF includes both

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: Box Coloring Page (TB) (FT)
I wanted to keep it very simple this week, to give plenty of time to play with boxes. This is a simple sheet with a square in the middle and lots of white space around it, giving the opportunity to draw something imaginary à la Not a Box.

You can download the sheet here!

Play Time
Something special this week! Instead of our usual toys, we played with boxes. I asked my coworkers to save and bring in some boxes and got a great selection, both large and small. I made two “cars” – larger rectangular boxes that I cut the top flaps off and added a cardboard steering wheel using a large brass brad (it turned!). I also made a tunnel by taping two similar-sized boxes together with their flaps taped up. Other than that, the boxes went out as they came to me and families could play however they wanted. I did have some scissors, extra brads, and large clips set out that could be used for “building” but for the most part the kids just stacked the boxes and crawled in them. The cars and tunnel were all popular, but everyone was great about sharing and taking turns.

My two “cars” and the (somewhat flimsy) tunnel on the left, and the aftermath of box play on the right. I offered boxes to anyone who wanted to take them home after the last session, and both cars went, but nothing else!

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

Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme)
A Box Can Be Many Things – Dana Meachen Rau & Paige Billin-Frye
Boxitects – Kim Smith
Big Box, Little Box – Caryl Hart & Edward Underwood
The Box Turtle – Vanessa Roeder
Inside, Outside, Upside Down – Stan & Jan Berenstain
Fraidyzoo – Thyra Heder
Big Box of Shapes – Wiley Blevins & Elliot Kreloff
My Book Box – Will Hillenbrand
Scaredy Cats – Jeff Mack
The Big Sibling Getaway – Korrie Leer
A Gift for Goose – Tad Hills
Thank You Bear – Greg Foley

This storytime was presented in-person on 12/16, 12/17, 12/18, & 12/19/24.

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

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

Storytime: Mice

Posted on by msemilylibrary

Mice are so ubiquitous in children’s literature, I had no trouble finding lots of cute books for this theme. I also had an abundance of rhymes to choose from, making this a fairly easy theme to plan.

Early Literacy Tip: It takes longer for children who are just learning to talk to respond to our questions. This happens because four different parts of the brain have to work together to form a response. We need to be patient and wait anywhere from 5-12 seconds for children to respond. That feels like a long time because adults usually respond in about 2 seconds. The extra time we give children allows them the practice they need to respond more quickly over time. -The Early Literacy Kit: A Handbook and Tip Cards by Betsy Diamant-Cohen & Saroj Ghoting

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) (TB) (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: I have a little friend who lives in this basket! Can you guess who she is? She has little pink ears, soft brown fur, a long pink tail, whiskers, and a twitchy little nose. Who is she? Little Mousie Brown! She has her own rhyme. Would you like to do it with us, Mousie?

photo of folkmanis mouse fingerpuppet.

Fingerplay: Little Mousie Brown (TT) (TB) (FT)
Up the tall white candlestick went little Mousie Brown
But when she got up to the top she could not get back down
She called for Mama, “Mama, Mama!”
But Mama was in town
So she called for Papa, “Papa, Papa!”
But Papa wasn’t around
So little Mousie curled right up and rolled right down!
Source: Jbrary

Little mousie brown thumbnail, with a graphic of a gray mouse perched atop a white candle in an orange candlestick. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Let’s do one more rhyme with Mousie Brown before she goes back to her house.
I switched Mousie Brown from my index finger to my thumb for this one.
Fingerplay: Quiet Mouse (TT) (TB) (FT)
Here’s a quiet little mouse (show thumb)
Living in a quiet little house (hide thumb in fist)
When all was quiet as could be
OUT popped she! (pop out thumb) Squeak!
Source: King County (WA) Library System

quiet mouse thumbnail, with a graphic of a mouse peeking out from a hole in a stump. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

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

Very short, and I wish some of the rhymes weren’t split over page turns, but quite effective.
Read: Mice by Rose Fyleman & Lois Ehlert (TT)

mice book cover

A storytime classic.
Read: The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear by Don & Audrey Wood (TB) (FT)

the little mouse book cover.

Little mice need to look out for bigger animals, like bears or… cats!
I really liked how the librarian in this video did the scampering at the end, but like the tune and progression (especially the transitions between verses of this video better, so my version is a bit of an amalgamation of the two.
Action Song: The Old Gray Cat (TT) (TB) (FT)
The old gray cat is sleeping,
Sleeping, sleeping (lay head in hands)
The old gray cat is sleeping
In the house (peak hands up to make a roof above head)

additional verses:
The little mice are creeping… (creep fingers)
The little mice are nibbling… (pretend to eat)
The old gray cat is creeping… (creep/stalk fingers)
The little mice go scampering… (quickly, and pat lap)
Source: King County (WA) Library System, Version 1 Version 2

the old gray cat thumbnail, with a graphic of a dark gray sleeping cat with two small mice. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

I know a story about another mouse who has a special trick to keep the cat at bay. Little Clapping Mouse!
Story Rhyme: Little Clapping Mouse (TT) (TB) (FT)
(give two claps after each line * *)
Behind the tree * *
And under the house * *
There lived a teeny * *
Tiny mouse * *
She loved to sing * *
She loved to tap * *
But most of all * *
She loved to clap * *
She clapped all night * *
She clapped all day * *
She clapped to frighten * *
The cat away! * * * * * (lots of claps)
Source: Jbrary

little clapping mouse thumbnail, with a graphic of a gray mouse with their hands together. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Do you hear that? (squeak) it’s a squeak, but it’s so soft! It must be some BABY mice
I had one little one who really loved the counting and the “That’s all” at the end. She said it several times after we finished this rhyme – precious.
Fingerplay Rhyme: Baby Mice (TT) (TB) (FT)
Where are the baby mice? Squeak, squeak, squeak (cover eyes)
I cannot see them. Peek, peek, peek (peek-a-boo)
Here they come from a hole in the wall (make hole with fingers)
1-2-3-4-5… That’s all! (lift fingers as you count)
Source: Mel’s Desk

baby mice thumbnail, with a graphic of an open round door with five white mice near it. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

We passed out scarves and wiggled them around like little mice.
Tickle/Scarf Rhyme: Hurry Scurry Little Mouse (TT) (TB) (FT)
Hurry scurry little mouse Starts down at your toes
Hurry scurry little mouse Past your knees he goes
Hurry scurry little mouse Past where your tummy is
Hurry scurry little mouse Gives a mousy kiss!
Source: Mel’s Desk

hurry scurry little mouse thumbnail, with a graphic of a small gray mouse. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

I needed another scarf song, so was looking at my generic ones. I use “Shake it to the East” often with both scarves and shaker eggs, and thought, why not scurry your mouse in scarf form?
Scarf Song: Scurry to the East (TT) (TB) (FT)
Scurry to the east, Scurry to the west
Scurry all around and Then you take a rest
Scurry mousies up Scurry mousies down
Scurry, scurry, scurry, and Then you settle down!
Source: adapted from Jbrary

scurry to the east thumbnail, with a graphic of three inquisitive mice, white, grey, and tan. click the image to download a non-branded PDF

Let’s be mice. Where would your ears be if you were a mouse? Your whiskers? Tail!? Feet?
Action/Scarf Song: Ears and Whiskers, Tail and Feet (TT) (TB) (FT)
(tune of Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes)
Ears and whiskers
Tail and feet, tail and feet
Ears and whiskers
Tail and feet, tail and feet
Pet my fur and
Give a little squeak!
Ears and whiskers
Tail and feet, tail and feet
Source: King County (WA) Library System

ears and whiskers tail and feet thumbnail, with a graphic of a mouse sitting upright, with tail showing behind its body. 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: Mouse Finger Puppet (TB) (FT)
This craft turned out so cute! I was inspired by a photo at Storytime Katie, but the link she provided was no longer in service. I played around and figured out the shape I would need to get a little pocket for your finger. The rest is just circles for the ears, yarn for the tail, and a tiny pompom for the nose. Eyes are just drawn on. I made a template for the mouse bodies and ears, and printed on brown and pink 9×12″ construction paper.

Download the mouse finger puppet 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

Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme)
Where Is Jumper? – Ellen Stoll Walsh
Mina – Matthew Forsythe
Hide-and-Squeak – Heather Vogel Frederick & C.F. Payne
Mousie, I Will Read to You – Rachael Cole & Melissa Crowton
Red House, Tree House, Little Bitty Brown Mouse – Jane Godwin & Blanca Gómez
The Completed Hickory Dickory Dock – Jim Aylesworth & Eileen Christelow
It’s So Quiet – Sherri Duskey Rinker & Tony Fucile
Mice Skating – Annie Silvestro & Teagan White
By Mouse & Frog – Deborah Freedman
Big Bear, Small Mouse – Karma Wilson & Jane Chapman
The Voice in the Hollow – Will Hillenbrand
House mouse – Michael Hall

This storytime was presented in-person on 12/9, 12/10, & 12/11/24.

Storytime Handout:

handout with suggested books and rhyme/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