I have generally not repeated storytime themes, (at a single library – I have repeated themes I did at my old job!) EXCEPT for my Feeling Thankful theme, which I’ve done every November since 2019. Every year there are a few tweaks, of course. New books, different songs, but the core is there. This year was not very different – just two new scarf songs and different books.
As I’ve written before, holiday themes don’t feel inclusive to me, and American Thanksgiving has a lot more underlying issues beyond that. But I feel that gratitude and feeling thankful and appreciative are universal, and I look forward to celebrating them each year.
Speaking of – THANK YOU for being a reader. I started this blog to document what I’ve done, not even sure if anyone would see it. I owe so much to other library bloggers and sharers that I’ve always hoped readers would find something of use to them, their libraries, and their patrons. Thanks for reading and for doing the work you do.
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.
Welcome Song: Hello, Friends* (TT) (TB) (FT)**
Warm Up Song: Wake Up, Feet* (TT) (TB) (FT)
This is a repeated song that everyone seems to enjoy. I always begin and end with feet and tummies, but find two other body parts to wiggle in the middle. This week it was knees & fingers.
Lifting Rhyme: Toast in the Toaster* (TT) (FT)
Rhyme: This is Big, Big, Big* (FT)
Talk: 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? (BB) (TB) (FT)
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
Transition: If You’re Ready for a Story* (TT) (TB) (FT)
I found a new Thank You book this year! This is a board book, so it’s not very big, but it does work for my group. I liked the different ways of saying thank you, both in words and in actions.
Read: The Thank You Book by Danna Smith & Juliana Perdomo (TT) (FT)
This is a fun title, with some unusual things to be thankful for. I am a Spanish learner, so I read the subject for the thanks in Spanish, but not the whole explanation. So for the first page, I read “Para el sol, for the sun that wakes me up…”
Read: Gracias/Thanks by Pat Mora & John Parra (TB)
Gracias mentions bees, but the Thank You Book didn’t. We just glossed over it!
I’m thankful for the bees that pollinate our plants and make us honey!
Tickle Rhyme: Here Is the Beehive (TT) (TB) (FT)
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
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 books.
Song: These Are My Glasses (TT) (TB) (FT)
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
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 the weather, even when it rains!
Scarf Rhyme: Rain on the Green Grass (TT) (TB) (FT)
Rain on the green grass (wave low)
Rain on the trees (wave high)
Rain on the roof (hold over head)
But not on me! (let fall to the floor!)
repeat with Sun, Snow, Leaves
Source: Jbrary
I’m thankful for games with our loved ones!
Scarf 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
We did this one three times each session. They loved throwing the scarves up!
Scarf Rhyme: Jack in the Box (TT) (TB) (FT)
Jack in the box (scrunch scarf up in one fist)
Sits so still
Will he come out?
Yes, he will! (throw scarf in the air)
Source: Jbrary
This flannel was made from the template created by Mel at Mel’s Desk! I go over the lyrics first and add the flannel pieces, then play the song (recorded or ukulele). I encourage kids to snuggle with someone they love. Before or afterwards is a good time to mention today’s early literacy tip, whichever flows more naturally for you.
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
Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet for “Thanks a Lot” here!
Action Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom!* (TT) (TB) (FT)
Craft: Thankful Wreath (TB) (FT)
I used die-cuts from my library’s collection to make the leaves and asked volunteers to cut out the middle of a paper plate, hole punch it and string it with yarn. If you don’t have a die-cutter, you can use these templates for leaves at firstpalette.com. I encouraged families to write what they’re thankful for on the leaves, being sure to mention that not all leaves need to be filled out right away – this can be a craft “in progress” over time. I also mentioned that it might be easier to glue the leaves to the outer side of the plate (curving out) rather than the inner part (curving in) like I did. I had trouble getting my leaves to stick and had to hold them on there for 20-30 seconds.
Play Time
The toddlers have two laundry baskets of baby toys – rattles and cars, sorters and stackers, toy phones and spinners. For the older kids, I have foam blocks, soft food toys, puzzles, and a few other items that are a little more sophisticated than the baby toys. For Family Time, I gauge the overall age of the group and put out what seems right for them. We play for 5-10 minutes at the most, then I ring the bell and ask the kids to help me clean up. I think the clean up bit is good practice for them!
Goodbye Song: See You Later Alligator* (TT) (TB) (FT)
Goodbye Rhyme: Tickle the Stars* (TT) (TB) (FT)
Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme)
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, Bees – Toni Yuly
Thank You, Neighbor! – Ruth Chan
This storytime was presented in-person on 11/20, 11/21, & 11/22/23.
Storytime Handout:
*Lyrics to these songs can be found on the Repeated Songs & Rhymes page.
**These symbols indicate the program sessions I used the activities for:
(TT) Toddler Time, ages 1-2
(TB) Teddy Bears, ages 2-3.5
(FT) Family Time, ages 0-3.5
Storytime with Ms. Emily Library 