Popping in with a quick post on a storytime off-week!
Have you ever really read the full lyrics to You Are My Sunshine? They are actually pretty depressing and (at least in my view) depict a controlling and manipulative romantic relationship. But the chorus is baked into my happy childhood memories and the tune seems to be very widely known and sung here in the US.
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine You make me happy when skies are gray You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you Please don’t take my sunshine away
The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping I dreamed I held you in my arms But when I awoke, dear, I was mistaken And I hung my head and cried
I’ll always love you and make you happy If you will only say the same But if you leave me to love another You’ll regret it all some day
You told me once, dear, you really loved me And no one else could come between But now you’ve left me and love another You have shattered all my dreams
I found some alternate lyrics written by children’s musician Bill Crosby on a blog post many years ago. (When I tried to go back to look at it, the original link is expired.) Those lyrics are sweet, but the phrasing of the syllables is a little awkward to sing and I’ve never really been in love with it.
But recently, I saw Mama Nous singing her version of the song, and it is so simple and sweet and works so well. I love that it doesn’t put pressure on the child to be someone’s only source of happiness, and reinforces the caregiver sharing their love. I’m going to be using it as my lullaby in an upcoming Book Babies session, so updated my rhyme sheet and ukulele songsheet. Enjoy!
You Are My Sunshine You are my sunshine, my sweetest sunshine You make me happy when skies are gray You’ll always know, dear, how much I love you For I will tell you every day
And every night, dear, as you lay sleeping I will be there just out of sight And in the morning I’ll be so happy To start the day with my sunshine Source: Mama Nous
Another magical storytime! This time, we headed to the sea to swim with the merfolk. Now, remember, not all merfolk are mermaids! We talked about mermen, merdaddies and mermommies, merboys and mergirls, merkids, merchildren, even merbabies. I love how the books available also reflect an array of merfolk. Merfolk come in all skin tones, hair and tail colors, even body types (though it’s a little harder to find those.)
You can find another magical creatures theme (which included merfolk) from 2020, and a merfolk only theme from 2022.
Early Literacy Tip: Learning how to deal with big feelings is one crucial way we can help our child’s development. The act of taking slow, deep breaths triggers a cascade of mind-body systems that can result in increased comfort, relaxation, vigor, and alertness, and reduced symptoms of confusion, anxiety, stress, sadness, and anger – and it works fast. Taking a breathing break regularly gives kids the practice for using this tool when they really need it.
Welcome Song: Hello, Friends* †
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.
Lifting Rhyme: Toast in the Toaster*
Intro: Today we’re celebrating magical, imaginary beings that live in the ocean – merfolk! Maybe you’ve heard of mermaids, mermen, merkids? Merfolk are legendary creatures that are half human and half fish. It’s fun to imagine what they might be like!
I wonder what it would be like to live in the ocean like the merfolk? My hand motions for this one were a little random. In fact, a lot of our hand motions for this theme were similar, though that didn’t seem to bother anyone. I waved my hand vaguely behind me for the tail, jumped my hand up and down like a dolphin, and opened hands wide for big whales. The ocean was a smaller up and down like waves and the last line was a swishing motion with hands together. Action Song: I’m a Little Merkid (tune of I’m a Little Teapot) I’m a little merkid, see my tail My friends are the dolphins and also the whales I live in the ocean big & blue I love to swim with the little fish, too! Source: adapted from Bayviews.org
Transition: If You’re Ready for a Story*
A merchild looks up to Merdaddy and they have fun together under the sea, until… it’s time to get out of the bath! I loved that Merdaddy has a bigger body type and that we saw a lot of sea life that we could imitate as we read. Read: Merdaddy by Wednesday Kirwan
My backups. Can I Give You a Squish is a great one about consent, too! Backup titles: Mermaids Fast Asleep by Robin Riding & Zoe Persico OR Can I Give You a Squish? by Emily Neilson.
Can we pretend to be mermaids and mermen? For the last verse, we got very quiet and pretended to sleep. When the song was over, I said, “Wake Up! It’s time for another song!” Action Song: Did You Ever See a Mermaid? (tune of Did You Ever See a Lassie) Did you ever see a mermaid, a mermaid, a mermaid Did you ever see a mermaid swim this way and that? Swim this way and that way Swim that way and this way Did you ever see a mermaid swim this way and that?
additional verses: …a merman flip this way and that? …merbabies sleep this way and that? Source: adapted from Barberton Public Library
Most merfolk live in the ocean. Let’s do the Ocean Song! Grown-ups can lift you up, or you can do the wave motions with me. Lifting Song: The Ocean Song Oh, the ocean is great and the ocean is grand There are lots of big ships but very little land And we sleep down deep in a hammock near the floor And this is what we do when we go out to shore: We ride the waves going up We ride the waves going down We ride the waves going up We ride the waves going down We ride the waves going up We ride the waves going down And we turn around! Source: adapted from Jbrary
After the Ocean Song, I’m invariably ready for a breathing break. Breathing Break: Ocean Breath Whew, I need a breathing break after that one! Can we make the sound of the ocean with our breath? Take a big breath in, hold it for just a moment, then let the wave crash – TCHHHHHHH! Let’s breathe for five waves.
I feel so much calmer! Let’s sing a merchild lullaby together. Can you rock your merbaby? I wrote this one a couple years ago when I used the Mermaids Fast Asleep book, but it’s still fun. Lullaby: Rockabye, Merchild (tune of Rockabye, Baby) Rockabye, merchild In the deep sea Let the tide soothe you And cuddle close to me When the waves break High up above Sleep sound and dream sweetly For you’re safe and loved Source: original by Storytime with Ms. Emily Library
To avoid using the “10 little” song melody, I do this one like Caspar Babypants. We talked about each merkid’s color as well as the number between each verse. It’s time to get out our wrist ribbons! Come on up and pick out a color you like. [Practice “Bubble, splash” part] Oh, your ribbons look like seaweed! Flannel/Ribbon/Counting Song: One Little Merkid One little merkid swimming in the water Swimming in the water, Swimming in the water One little merkid swimming in the water Bubble, bubble, bubble, …SPLASH! (count up) Source: adapted from Caspar Babypants’ All the Fish and Verona Storytime
Ribbon Song: The Waves in the Sea (tune of Wheels on the Bus) The waves in the sea go up and down (big up and down motions) Up and down, up and down The waves in the sea go up and down, All day long!
additional verses: The fish in the sea go swish, swish, swish… (dart prayer hands forward and side to side) The crabs in the sea go snap, snap, snap… (pinch fingers) Merkids in the sea go splash, splash, splash… (go wild!) Source: adapted from the traditional
One last song with our ribbons – dance however you’d like! This is a silly one! I’m always tickled to write new verses for this song, and then do my best to illustrate them using clipart in Canva! Ukulele/Ribbon Song: Down By the Bay Down by the bay, Where the merbabies grow Back to my home, I dare not go For if I do, my mother will say: “Did you ever see a whale With a polka dot tail, Down by the bay?”
additional verses: …mermaid swimming in lemonade… …a merman knitting an afghan… …a merkid riding a squid… …have a time you couldn’t make a rhyme… Source: traditional, original merfolk verses by Storytime with Ms. Emily Library
Craft: Merfolk Dot Marker Sheets with Sequins I like an easy craft every so often. I used these merkid sheets a few years ago, and adapted coloring sheets to be sure we had merboys as well as mermaids. The mermaid sheets are from The Artisan Life and the merboys are from Simple Everyday Mom. Did you know you can make any coloring sheet into a dot marker sheet? I used Canva, but you could certainly do the same thing in Publisher. Just add .75 inch dots to the sheet on blocks of color (avoiding faces and slender limbs like arms). Because merfolk need some sparkle, I had large sized sequins and gems available to add wherever they liked!
Play Time I put out a laundry basket of baby toys – rattles and cars, sorters and stackers, toy phones and spinners. For the older toddlers and siblings, we have foam blocks, soft food toys, puzzles, plastic farm animals, and lacing cards and I rotate among a few of these options each session. We play for 5-10 minutes at the most, then I ring the bell and ask the kids to help me clean up. The clean up bit is good practice for them – I often say “it’s hard to say goodbye to toys, so that’s why we practice every storytime!” I think that helps the grown ups who may be embarrassed that their kid is crying or refusing to put a toy away. So much of what we do in storytime is practicing skills, and I don’t expect the kids to “do it right’ every time, or even most times.
Goodbye Song: See You Later Alligator*
Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme) Mermaid and Pirate – Tracey Baptiste & Leisl Adams Julián Is a Mermaid – Jessica Love Sounds Like Joy – Yesenia Moises How to Spot a Mermaid – Jane Yolen & Sally Deng Oona – Kelly DiPucchio & Raissa Figueroa The Little Mermaid – Jerry Pinkney Mermaid Day – Diana Murray & Luke Flowers I Am a Meadow Mermaid – Kallie George & Elly MacKay Goodnight, Mermaid – KJ Oceanak & Allie Ogg You’re My Sparkly Mermaid – Joyce Wan Grumpycorn – Sarah McIntyre (it’s about a unicorn writing a story about mermaids!)
This storytime was presented in-person on 8/20 and 8/21/25.
Get ready for some magical storytimes! I love how you can incorporate things like horse rhymes and rainbows into a unicorn theme. I bet you could work in some songs/rhymes on magic or kindness as well. Next week we’re diving into Merfolk.
This week’s storytime was a new experience for me. I went part-time at my library, so I’m now sharing storytime duties with a fabulous coworker. She presents Mondays and Tuesdays, and I do Wednesdays and monthly Thursday evenings. We present the same theme throughout the week, but we decided that since we are both part-time, we would share responsibility for planning each theme. So this is the first time I presented a program that I didn’t plan myself! There is room for individualizing – we are both good with tweaking the plan to suit our own styles. I had a simple bounce that I really enjoy that I slipped into the mix, as well as a different counting song that I played on my ukulele. I think it’s a great way to work with the time we have, and I’m so glad that I have the opportunity to continue to work with the age group I love.
(If you’re an email subscriber, please note I forgot to link my rhyme sheets for last week’s blog post – they are fixed online now!)
You can find another magical creatures theme (which included unicorns) from 2020.
Early Literacy Tip: Early experiences help to form the architecture of the brain and lay a strong foundation for both social and emotional development. Playing with other children at a young age, experiencing the fun of taking turns and sharing, and discovering that it is fun to pass a ball or beanbag to someone else and then get it back are great ways to learn important social and emotional skills. -from The Early Literacy Kit: A Handbook and Tip Cards by Betsy Diamant-Cohen & Saroj Ghoting
Welcome Song: Hello, Friends* †
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.
Lifting Rhyme: Toast in the Toaster*
Intro: Today we’re talking about unicorns! Unicorns are mythical, magical horses with a long horn on their head. They love rainbows, sparkles and spreading kindness.
I did this one more like the King County video, but my colleague had the same instructions as Jen in the Library, so I think that’s where she found it. Fingerplay: Ten Galloping Unicorns Ten galloping unicorns Came galloping through the town Five were white and five were brown They galloped up They galloped down Ten galloping unicorns Came through the town… Then WHOA! They all slowed down Source: adapted from King County Library System and Jen in the Library
Transition: If You’re Ready for a Story*
A sweet and simple book that sets up the idea of unicorns and their purported properties. Perfect introduction to the theme for the littlest ones. Read: I’m a Unicorn by Mallory C. Loehr
My backups. Both are humorous takes on what unicorns are, so may work better for kids who are already familiar with unicorns. Backup titles: I’m a Unicorn by Helen Yoon OR Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great by Bob Shea.
My coworker created the rhyme sheet for this one! Action Rhyme: Unicorn, Unicorn Unicorn, unicorn touch your toes Unicorn, unicorn touch your nose Unicorn, unicorn pat your head Unicorn, unicorn go to bed Unicorn, unicorn wake up now Unicorn, unicorn take a bow Unicorn, unicorn touch the ground Unicorn, unicorn turn around Unicorn, unicorn sit back down Source: Verona Storytime
My coworker created a flannel for this one and I forgot to grab a picture. The colors of the unicorns match what I added to the rhyme sheet, though. Flannel/Counting/Ukulele Song: Five Unicorns Went Out One Day (tune of Five Little Ducks) Five unicorns went out one day Beyond the rainbow and far away Papa unicorn said, “Please don’t roam” But only four unicorns came home (count down)
Last verse: Well, papa unicorn went out one day Searching for unicorns far and away He searched far and he searched near And just like magic, they re-appeared! Source: Flannel Board Fun
Our unicorns want to go for a ride! Can you mount up? I do this one slow to start, then speed up over the next 2-3 repetitions. Bounce: Giddy Up, Up, Up (tune of the William Tell Overture) Giddy up, giddy up Giddy up, up, up Giddy up, giddy up Giddy up, up, up Giddy up, giddy up Giddy up, up, up Whoooa, unicorn! (lean back!) Source: Adventures in Storytime
Time to get our scarves out! Can you come up and pick out a scarf? Let’s warm up by doing some shaking. Scarf Song: Shake it to the East Shake it to the east, shake it to the west Shake it all around and then you take a rest Shake your scarves up, shake your scarves down Shake it, shake it, shake it and then you settle down Source: Jbrary
My coworker created the rhyme sheet for this one! Scarf Song: Let’s All Twirl (Tune of Mulberry Bush) Let’s all twirl our scarves today Scarves today, scarves today Let’s all twirl our scarves today All around the room
Additional verses: …toss our scarves …circle our scarves …shake our scarves Source: Storytime with Miss Jennifer
Scarf Song: Rainbow Colors (Tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star) Rainbow colors way up high Happy colors in the sky Red and pink and green and blue Yellow, orange and purple, too Rainbow colors way up high Happy colors in the sky Source: adapted from King County (WA) Library System
Action Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom!*
Here were the ones I didn’t end up doing that my coworker planned:
Since I wanted to do a ukulele song, I subbed in Five Unicorns Went Out to Play instead. Counting Rhyme: 5 Little Unicorns I saw 5 little unicorns – creatures from folklore I watched the blue one prance away and then there were 4 I saw 4 little unicorns resting by a tree I watched the orange one prance away, and then there were 3 I saw 3 little unicorns, but as near to them I drew The green one pranced away, and then there were 2 I saw 2 little unicorns – I watched them run and run The red one pranced away, and then there was 1 I saw a lonely purple unicorn standing in the sun When I blinked my eyes, it pranced away, and then there were none Source: Storytime Secrets
I was planning to do this one, but I ended up cutting it for time! Action Song: If You’re A Unicorn & You Know It If you’re a unicorn & you know it, shake your horn (shake, shake) If you’re a unicorn & you know it, shake your horn (shake, shake) If you’re a unicorn & you know it, then your magic will surely show it If you’re a unicorn & you know it, shake your horn (shake, shake)
Additional Verses: …stomp your hooves (stomp, stomp) …toss your mane (toss, toss) …twitch your tail (twitch, twitch) …prance around (prance, prance) Source: Adventures in Storytime
I think my coworker made these two up as I didn’t see them online. Action Song: Unicorn Pokey You put your front hoof in, you put your front hoof out. You put your front hoof in, and you shake it all about. You do the unicorn pokey, and you turn yourself around. That’s what it’s all about!
Additional Verses: Back hoof, Sparkly horn, Swishy tail, Whole self Source: E Fox
Action Song: I’m A Little Unicorn (tune of I’m A Little Teapot) I’m a little unicorn, short and stout Here is my horn, and here is my snout I like to chase the rainbow to and fro I spread kindness wherever I go! Source: E Fox
Craft: Paper Plate Unicorn Inspired by Glued to My Crafts, this was a very colorful unicorn! I think if I did it again, I’d have attached the yarn hair ahead of time, as no kids could do that part on their own, but all of the adults were helpers. Snouts, horns and ears were pre-cut as well. For eyes, we have white label paper that we’ve printed eyes on as a good alternative to googly eyes for little ones who may still be putting things in their mouths. My coworker cut her eyes out individually here, but since they’re on white paper and getting stuck to a white paper plate, they don’t need to be cut.
Play Time I put out a laundry basket of baby toys – rattles and cars, sorters and stackers, toy phones and spinners. For the older toddlers and siblings, we have foam blocks, soft food toys, puzzles, plastic farm animals, and lacing cards and I rotate among a few of these options each session. We play for 5-10 minutes at the most, then I ring the bell and ask the kids to help me clean up. The clean up bit is good practice for them – I often say “it’s hard to say goodbye to toys, so that’s why we practice every storytime!” I think that helps the grown ups who may be embarrassed that their kid is crying or refusing to put a toy away. So much of what we do in storytime is practicing skills, and I don’t expect the kids to “do it right’ every time, or even most times.
Goodbye Song: See You Later Alligator*
Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme) Uni the Unicorn – Amy Krouse Rosenthal & Brigette Barrager The Teeny-Weeny Unicorn – Shawn Harris Roxy the Last Unisaurus Rex – Eva Chen & Matthew Rivera Not Quite Narwhal – Jessie Sima Kevin the Unicorn: It’s Not All Rainbows – Jessika Von Innerebner Grumpycorn – Sarah McIntyre Do You Believe in Unicorns? – Bethanie Deeney Murguia Wee Unicorn – Meg McLaren Unicorn Day – Diana Murray & Luke Flowers You Don’t Want A Unicorn! – Ame Dyckman & Liz Climo Layla, The Last Black Unicorn – Tiffany Haddish, Jerdine Nolen, & Jessica Gibson Thelma the Unicorn – Aaron Blabey
This storytime was presented in-person on 8/13/25.
Welcome back, friends! I’m back from leave and started up my first storytime last week. I’m down to part-time hours, so I’m offering a Wednesday morning Family Time (ages 0-3.5 and siblings) and a Wednesday afternoon Book Babies (0-12 months, or pre-walkers.) I’m collaborating with a coworker, who is offering a Monday and Tuesday storytime with the same theme as my Family Time. Since we are both part-time now, we’re switching off all the planning duties for our weekly themes, and I started with a camping theme.
Coming back after four months away does feel like riding a bike – I know how to do it, but getting back on I was a bit wobbly. I felt like I could have read the room better and skipped activities or brought the group back with more movement. This new set up will take some getting used to – having three storytimes per week used to mean that I could tweak and try different things as the days went by, but now I’m one and done, with no opportunity to try again.
New challenges, new opportunities, right? Camping is a theme I’ve done once before, way back in 2019 and at a different library for a different age group. So this time around I’ve revamped it quite a bit, and found some new songs and rhymes that I liked.
I’ve also got some ideas simmering, so stay tuned for some new Storytime with Ms. Emily Library content coming this fall!
You can find another version of this theme from 2019.
Early Literacy Tip: Singing with our children is one way to help them hear the smaller sounds in words, especially if there is a different note for each syllable. In “Walking, Walking” the word “walking” has two syllables and two different notes. Learning to hear the individual sounds of words is called phonological awareness, and developing this skill will help your child later with reading.
Welcome Song: Hello, Friends* †
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.
Lifting Rhyme: Toast in the Toaster*
Intro: Has anyone been camping before? It’s so fun! You get to spend time outdoors, observe nature, cook over a campfire, and sleep in a tent!
Fingerplay: Here Are the Campers Here are the campers (hold up 2 fingers) Here is the tent (bend fingers of other hand over like tent) And when it was night that’s where they went (fingers go under other hand) Fireflies flicker in a friendly way (fists open & shut) And the campers sleep tight ‘Til the light of day (head on folded hands) Source: adapted from Sturgis Kids Wiki
Transition: If You’re Ready for a Story*
This is a beautiful book, and short, but it ended up being a little too abstract, or maybe too quiet for my group. I ended up just describing the pictures on the last few pages rather than reading the text. Read: Gather Round by David Covell
Two fun books that were my backups. I like to give myself options and choose a book based on the moment. Looking back, I probably should have chosen Red Canoe for my audience. It’s pretty short and snappy. A few of the boats aren’t “camping” boats (like the tugboat at 1:00), but most of the rest are. Backup titles: Red Canoe Shows Up at Two by Victoria Allenby OR The Sharing Book by Dianne White & Simone Shin
I wanted to highlight a lot of the things that I love best about camping, and hiking is one of them! I set the scene for each verse before we sang the song. I always want what we do to make sense, and telling the “story” of our hike gets everyone more excited. Let’s go on a hike! Okay, we’ll start by walking down the trail, then – oh! there’s a log fallen over the path! We’ll have to jump over it. Then a long, straight stretch – we should race! Action Song: Walking, Walking (tune of Frère Jacques) Walking, walking (Walking, walking) Jump, jump, jump (Jump, jump, jump) Running, running, running (Running, running, running) Now we stop! (Now we stop)
[Okay, let’s keep hiking – until we get to a stream. We’ll need to hop across the rocks. And beyond that there’s a large ridge – can we climb to the top?] Hiking, hiking (Hiking, hiking) Hop, hop, hop (Hop, hop, hop) Climbing, climbing, climbing (Climbing, climbing, climbing) Now we stop! (Now we stop!) [Oh, it’s so beautiful up here! Let’s look around – I see the stream, and the trail. Can we take a big breath of fresh air?] Source: adapted from Jbrary
It’s going to be dark soon, let’s build our fire. There are so many sights and sounds when you go camping that you don’t see or hear at home. Action Song: The Fire at the Camp (tune of Wheels on the Bus) The fire at the camp goes Crackle, crackle, POP (wiggle fingers, then clap) Crackle, crackle, POP, Crackle, crackle, POP The fire at the camp goes Crackle, crackle, POP All night long!
Additional verses: Fireflies at night go blink, blink, blink… (open and close hands) Rain on my tent goes pitter, pitter, PAT… (pat lap) The moon up above glows so bright… (circle arms above head) The water in the river goes whoosh… (move hand up and down) The leaves in the trees go rustle… (wave hands) Source: The Crazy Outdoor Mama via Pinterest
I didn’t end up doing this one but had it available in case I needed it. Fingerplay: Two Little Fireflies Two little fireflies Blinking in the sky One blinked low And one blinked high Fly away low, Fly away high Come back low Come back high
Two little fireflies Blinking in the grass One blinked slow And one blinked fast Fly away slow, Fly away fast Come back slow Come back fast Source: Indiana Firefly Award 2020 Program Guide
When you’re camping, you may hear wildlife! Birds, squirrels, cicadas, owls. Maybe even something like a coyote! Don’t worry, these coyotes are just having fun howling at the moon. I love using this song – it’s just a lot of fun to do all the howling and snoring! Flannel/Counting Song: Five Coyotes Five coyotes, sittin’ on a hill Just sittin’ and a howlin’ at the moon: Aahh-ooo! One coyote had his fill So he went to sleep and snoozed *snore!* (count down) Source: adapted by Rebecca Ballard from Nancy Stewart
You might be able to go on a lake or river when you camp, so let’s row our boats. Originally I’d planned to use scarves for this program, but we were going to use them for next week, so I changed to shakers. For several songs, including this one, we just shook our eggs in rhythm with the song. Shaker Song: Row, Row, Row Your Boat Row, row, row your boat Gently down the stream Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily Life is but a dream!
Rock, rock, rock your boat Gently down the stream If you see a crocodile Don’t forget to SCREAM! (Aaah!)
Row, row, row your boat Gently to the shore If you see a lion there Don’t forget to ROAR! (Grrrrr!) Source: traditional
Did you know you can make popcorn over a campfire? Shaker Rhyme: Pop, Pop, Pop Pop, pop, pop, put the corn in the pot Pop, pop, pop, shake it ‘til it’s hot Pop, pop, pop, Lift the lid and what have you got? Popcorn! Source: Jbrary
Popcorn is tasty, but my FAVORITE campfire treats are s’mores! The shaker was really just a rhythm prop for this one. We started by patting our laps and clapping, then miming the stacking of the graham crackers and chocolate, and toasting over a fire. Shaker Rhyme: Campfire, Campfire (in the style of Pat a Cake) Campfire, campfire, Toast me a s’more Graham crackers, chocolate But we need more: Marshmallow! Toast it and roast it and Get it just right Put it on top for a Toasted delight! Source: adapted from The Crazy Outdoor Mama via Pinterest
Okay, friends. It’s getting dark; it’s time to get into our tents, and find our sleeping bags, and say goodnight. Can you make twinkling stars with your shakers? Ukulele and Shaker Song: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star Twinkle, twinkle, little star How I wonder what you are Up above the world so high Like a diamond in the sky Twinkle, twinkle, little star How I wonder what you are Source: traditional
Craft: S’mores A borrow from Miss Mariah’s Library – s’mores cross-sections using jumbo craft sticks, construction paper, and cotton balls, decorated with chalk or white crayon.
Play Time I put out a laundry basket of baby toys – rattles and cars, sorters and stackers, toy phones and spinners. For the older toddlers and siblings, we have foam blocks, soft food toys, puzzles, plastic farm animals, and lacing cards and I rotate among a few of these options each session. We play for 5-10 minutes at the most, then I ring the bell and ask the kids to help me clean up. The clean up bit is good practice for them – I often say “it’s hard to say goodbye to toys, so that’s why we practice every storytime!” I think that helps the grown ups who may be embarrassed that their kid is crying or refusing to put a toy away. So much of what we do in storytime is practicing skills, and I don’t expect the kids to “do it right’ every time, or even most times.
Goodbye Song: See You Later Alligator*
Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme) The Hike – Alison Farrell The Camping Trip – Jennifer K. Mann Make More S’mores – Cathy Ballou Mealey & Ariel Landy Fatima’s Great Outdoors – Ambreen Tariq & Stevie Lewis Maisy Goes Camping – Lucy Cousins Hiking Day – Anne Rockwell & Lizzy Rockwell A Bed of Stars – Jessica Love Camp Rex – Molly Idle Hungry Bird – Jeremy Tankard Daddy & Me, Side by Side – Pierce Freelon & Nadia Fisher Bear Hug – Lawrence Pringle & Kate Salley Palmer Tiny T. Rex and the Very Dark Dark – Jonathan Stutzman & Jay Fleck
A big movement storytime generally works pretty well, as long as there are some breaks in between. And as spring advances, my thoughts turn to some of the notable animals we haven’t seen all winter – rabbits and frogs – so this week was all about jumping and hopping. We talked a bit about the difference between a jump and a hop (a hop could be a little jump, or it could be a jump on one foot for an advanced move) and practiced both a LOT.
I’ll be taking a little break from blogging in the next couple of months. I’m so happy to say that I’ll be on maternity leave, getting to know our new little one. I wish you all a wonderful summer and look forward to catching up again in July or August!
Early Literacy Tip: Learning to “stop” is an important skill for children, both for safety as well as for impulse control. Practicing “stopping” in a fun way, like with freeze songs, helps work on this skill in a positive environment. You can also add the American Sign Language sign for “stop” to further reinforce this concept: one hand “chops” against the other as if blocking the way.
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. I rotate between elbows, cheeks, hips, noses, arms, chins, thighs, heads, shoulders, ears, knees, and fingers.
Lifting Rhyme: Toast in the Toaster* (TT) (TB) (FT)
Intro: Today I am very excited – I’m just feeling very bouncy, and hoppy, and jumpy! We’re going to do a lot of moving today, so get your bouncy feet ready.
Let’s practice our jumping and listening. Action Rhyme: We Can Jump (TT) (TB) (FT) We can jump, jump, jump, We can hop, hop, hop We can clap, clap, clap, We can stop, stop, stop We can nod our heads for yes We can shake our heads for no We can bend our knees a little bit And sit down really slow Source: Jen in the Library
Transition: If You’re Ready for a Story* (TT) (TB) (FT)
A story you can sing! This one got a lot of chuckles from the adults in particular (especially the “slimy and scaly … nevermind” line.) It worked so well I used it for all of my sessions. Read: If You’re Hoppy by April Pulley Sayre & Jackie Urbanovic (TT) (TB) (FT)
This was a backup title for me but I didn’t end up using it. Read: Bounce by Doreen Cronin & Scott Menchin
My group stayed seated during the book, so this gave them a chance to act it out afterward. After the end of this song, I assured the grownups that this was the last time we’d be using this tune this storytime (pretty much 3 times in a row!) Are YOU hoppy? Action Song: If You’re Hoppy (TT) (TB) (FT) If you’re hoppy and you know it give a jump If you’re hoppy and you know it give a jump If you’re hoppy and you know it and you really want to show it If you’re hoppy and you know it give a jump
additional verses: If you’re jumpy… hop high If you’re bouncy… baby hop Source: adapted from Jen in the Library
There’s an animal that is really good at jumping – like this! I did this one once with the puppet and a second time demonstrating the hand movements. Fingerplay/Puppet: Mr. Bullfrog (TT) (TB) (FT) Here is Mr. Bullfrog (make fist) Sitting on a rock (place fist on other palm) He jumps into the water… (lift fist) KERPLOP! (clap hands together) Source: Storytime with Miss Tara and Friends
Counting Song: Five Green & Speckled Frogs (TT) (TB) (FT) Five green and speckled frogs Sat on a hollow log Eating the most delicious bugs (yum, yum) One jumped into the pool Where it was nice and cool Then there were four green speckled frogs (count down) Source: traditional
There’s another jumpy animal who lives far away in Australia Fingerplay: Kangaroo (TT) Jump, jump, jump (jump pointer finger) Goes the kangaroo I thought I saw one (hold up one finger) But now I see two! (hold up two fingers) Mommy and her baby With his head popping out (wiggle thumb from fist) He holds on tight (hug self) As they jump all about! (bounce hand around) Source: Storytime Katie
Time to get our shakers out! Okay, let’s see if we can FREEZE when you hear the word STOP I learned this one from Jbrary, but going back to listen to them I realized that I morphed the tune and made it my own. You can hear how I do it here! Action/Shaker Song: We Bounce and STOP (TT) (TB) (FT) (ASL sign for “stop” – one hand “chops” across the opposite hand) We bounce and we bounce and we STOP We bounce and we bounce and we STOP We bounce and we bounce and we bounce and we bounce And we bounce and we bounce and we STOP (we hop… we shake… we hug…) Source: Jbrary
There’s a traditional rhyme about jumping over a candlestick. Can we pretend that our shaker is a candlestick? Lay it on the ground, and we’ll try to jump over. Grown-ups, please help if needed. Only the oldest of my kiddos were able to let go of their shakers to put them on the ground, but oh, well. This is another place where a good early literacy tip fits – that traditional nursery rhymes often use rich language that isn’t usually included in everyday conversation, and we talked briefly about what the word “nimble” means. Nursery Rhyme: Jack Be Nimble (TT) (TB) (FT) (at home, try using a cardboard tube or similar to jump over!) Jack be nimble, Jack be quick Jack jump over the candlestick! Source: traditional
A couple other recorded songs about jumping that might work for you. I added them to my take home handout but didn’t play them in storytime. Recorded Song: Leap Frog Source: Jazzy Ash (from the album Bon Voyage)
Craft: Speckled Frogs (TB) (FT) After last week’s very, very messy craft, I went easy this week. My library has a few frog die cuts, so I cut out enough so everyone could have five, as well as a brown construction paper rectangle log. All could be arranged and decorated with crayons however they liked on a background sheet of sky (or water) blue. I pointed out that two of my frogs had already jumped into the pool and were feeling nice and cool!
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)
Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme) A Hippy-Hoppy Toad – Peggy Archer & Anne Wilsdorf Jabari Jumps – Gaia Cornwall Froggy Day – Heather Pindar & Barbara Bakos Hop Jump – Ellen Stoll Walsh Hop – Jorey Hurley Jump! – Scott M. Fischer The Ball Bounced – Nancy Tafuri Jumpy Jack & Googily – Meg Rosoff & Sophie Blackall Peep Leap – Elizabeth Verdick & John Bendall-Brunello The Croaky Pokey – Ethan Long
This storytime was presented in-person on 3/31, 4/1, & 4/2/25.
**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
I’m dreaming of warm sunny days with soft puffy clouds drifting, although this spring has brought much more dark rainclouds and overcast skies. Clouds are like that, though! Clouds are a theme you can take in a few directions, obviously weather, but also shapes, or even imagination! There are a few newer titles on clouds, as well as classics like It Looked Like Spilt Milk, so I was able to find plenty of books for display and take-home.
Our craft this session, making cloud dough, was quite messy, but every so often I do like to tackle a messy craft. After all, I am on the clock so I’m getting paid to clean up!
Early Literacy Tip: Playing with playdough, kneading bread dough, or squishing a soft ball are not only fun activities with a unique sensory component, they also help strengthen the hand muscles. These muscles will be important when your child is learning to write later on!
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. I rotate between elbows, cheeks, hips, noses, arms, chins, thighs, heads, shoulders, ears, knees, and fingers.
Lifting Rhyme: Toast in the Toaster* (TT) (TB) (FT)
Intro: Last week we talked about springtime, and how much the weather changes in the spring. Today we’re talking about clouds, which play very important role in our weather. They can also be beautiful to look at, and come in all different shapes and sizes!
Can we pretend to be clouds? What does your cloud look like? Song: I’m a Little Cloud (TT) (TB) (FT) (tune of I’m a Little Teapot) I’m a little cloud up in the sky You can find me way up high Sometimes I’m puffy, Sometimes stretched out I just love to float about Source: Jen in the Library
Transition: If You’re Ready for a Story* (TT) (TB) (FT)
A fantastic interactive read that touches not only on clouds, but also feelings and shapes. I see there’s a new one in the series, too, Paint with Ploof, which would be awesome if you’re doing the CSLP theme Color Our World this summer.So good I did it for all four of my sessions! Read: Ploof by Ben Clanton & Andy Chou Musser (TT) (TB) (FT)
This was a backup title for me but I didn’t end up using it. Read: Little Cloud by Eric Carle
If you were a cloud way up high in the sky, what might you see? I was inspired by Abby the Librarian, but used either felt pieces that I already had or ones that we have a die cut for to make creating the felt easy and quick. I wanted to end with the sun, as a transition to the next rhyme. Flannel Chant: Fluffy Cloud, What Do You See? (TT) (TB) (FT) Fluffy cloud, fluffy cloud, What do you see? I see an orange butterfly looking at me!
What else might a cloud see? Try making up your own! …green kite …white airplane …red rocket …yellow sun Source: adapted from Abby the Librarian
I imagine that the sun and the clouds are good friends. Action Rhyme: Big Round Sun (TT) (TB) (FT) Big round sun in the summer sky (circle arms overhead) Waved to a cloud that was passing by (wave) The little cloud laughed as it started to rain (wiggle fingers down) Then out came the big round sun again (circle overhead) Source: Mel’s Desk
I ended up not using this one, but I reimagined my “Find the Moon” hide and seek game for the sun. There were just too many fun things to fit them all in! Here come some clouds, it’s getting overcast! The sun is playing peekaboo Flannel Rhyme Game: Find the Sun Yellow sun, yellow sun, Come out to play! Which cloud are you hiding behind today? Source: original
And again, just not enough time for everything. I have done this one in the past and it’s fun to do, with the whooshing at the end! I would have used the large colored clouds shown in the “Find the Sun” rhyme above. Counting/Flannel Fingerplay: Five Little Clouds Five little clouds up in the sky (five fingers up) Drifting, floating, way up high (drift hand) When a big gust of wind came blowing through – Whoosh! (blow on hand) One disappeared from the sky so blue (lower a finger, count down) Source: Jen in the Library
Let’s get our scarves out. The weather is turning windy! I do this two or three times, hiding my scarf in different places. They especially like it when I put it under my shirt or up a sleeve! Scarf Song: One Bright Scarf (TT) (TB) (FT) One bright scarf waiting for the wind to blow Toss it up high, and wave it down low Wiggle it fast, and wiggle it slow (hide the scarf) Hey! Where did it go? (bring out) Here it is! Source: Jbrary
We did this rhyme last week with our parachute. Let’s try it with our scarves this week! Scarf 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
Oh, no! The weather is turning stormy! Can you make your scarf big? Scarf Song: Big Dark Clouds (TT) (TB) (FT) (tune of A Ram Sam Sam) Some big dark clouds, Some big dark clouds (hold hands apart) Raindrops falling from (wiggle fingers down) Some big dark clouds (x2)
A thunderclap – BOOM! (clap) A thunderclap – BOOM! (clap) Raindrops falling from some big dark clouds (x2) Source: Storytime in the Stacks
The rain is going away, and now it’s time for the sun to come out again. Can your scarves be little puffy clouds floating in a beautiful sunshiny sky? Scarf Song: Mr. Sun (TT) (TB) (FT) Oh, Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun, Please shine down on me Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun Hiding behind a tree These little children are asking you To please come out so we can play with you Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun Please shine down on me Source: Raffi from the album Singable Songs for the Very Young
Craft: Cloud Dough (TB) (FT) Some days we go big on the craft. Cloud dough is fun but very messy! I did my best to control it, but it was inevitable. I meant to take pictures of the setup and the aftermath, but didn’t even get any pictures of my finished product! The recipe came from Southern Plate, and it’s basically 2 parts cornstarch to 1 part hair conditioner. I bought six 12 oz boxes of cornstarch and three large (28 oz) bottles of Suave conditioner and that lasted me through 50+ portions. I pre-measured 1/4 cup of cornstarch in big bowls we had in storage (they’re Halloween candy bowls!) so they had lots of space to mix. Then I pre-measured 2 Tbsp conditioner into small disposable bowls and gave everyone a plastic spoon. I did mention to grownups that if they were doing this at home, I would encourage them doing the measuring with their kid as it’s a great way to get some math and spatial skill practice in, but with the big group I didn’t want big scoops of cornstarch or conditioner going everywhere. Everyone got a small snack sized plastic bag to take their cloud dough home. Clean up was a lot, but, hey – I’m getting paid to clean up the mess!
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)
Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme) It Looked Like Spilt Milk – Charles G. Shaw Partly Cloudy – Deborah Freedman Cloudette – Tom Lichtenheld Cloudy – Alice K Flanagan When Cloud Became a Cloud – Rob Hodgson Clouds – Marion Dane Bauer & John Wallace Weather Together – Jessie Sima The Little Cloud – Pam Fong Cloudland – John Burningham Moongame – Frank Asch The Little Cloud – Pam Fong Paint with Ploof – Ben Clanton & Andy Chou Musser
This storytime was presented in-person on 3/24, 3/25, 3/26, & 3/27/25.
**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
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.
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)** †
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.
Lifting Rhyme: Toast in the Toaster* (TT) (TB) (FT)
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
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)
Read: When Spring Comesby Kevin Henkes & Laura Dronzek (TB)
By far the simplest of the three, I chose this one when my Wednesday group was already very wiggly. Read: A Little Book About Springby Leo Lionni & Julie Hamilton (FT)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Action Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom!* (TT) (TB) (FT)
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.
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)
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.
**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
As I mentioned last post, I got sick with the flu and was off work for a week. In that time, my awesome coworkers stepped in and did the theme that I planned for trees. I was disappointed I didn’t get to present any of the sessions – I’d never done this theme before and I was looking forward to seeing how it played out. Oh, well – maybe I’ll do it again in another two or three years! This would also be a great theme to tie to Earth Day in April.
Early Literacy Tip: We do a lot of rhymes in storytime. Rhyming and reading go hand in hand! Being able to recognize rhyming words helps kids pick up on word patterns, which helps them read AND write. When you say, sing, and play with rhyming words, you help your child get ready to read. –Storytime in the Stacks
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. I rotate between elbows, cheeks, hips, noses, arms, chins, thighs, heads, shoulders, ears, knees, and fingers.
Lifting Rhyme: Toast in the Toaster* (TT) (TB) (FT)
Intro: Today we’re celebrating trees! Trees are beautiful, they provide a home for many different animals and insects, they can give us fruit or nuts, a shady spot, and they help give us clean air to breathe. Trees are amazing!
Trees come in all shapes and sizes (just like people)! I had fun finding specific trees to highlight on this rhyme sheet – many of them are quite different! Palms, redwoods, baobabs, saplings, a conifer, and a willow were the ones I matched to the rhyme. I’m sure you could find lots of other options! I did change the word “perfect” to “beautiful” because perfection is such a loaded term. We can be beautiful without being perfect, and so can trees! Action Rhyme: Some Trees Some trees are thin, (stand straight with arms to sides) Some trees are tall (reach up high) Some trees are wide, (spread hands wide) Some trees are small (crouch) Some trees reach high, (reach high) Some trees bend low (bend over and hang arms down) All trees are beautiful, No matter how they grow! (could give a self hug here) Source: Lady Librarian Life
Transition: If You’re Ready for a Story* (TT) (TB) (FT)
A modern classic, with so much interaction! I’m not sure which books were read by my substitutes at which sessions, but this would have been my pick for Toddler Time and Family Time. Read: Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson
This is a beautiful celebration of nature and appreciating it in the moment. It’s a little longer, so I would have tried it at my Teddy Bear session. Read: Can You Hug a Forest?by Frances Gilbert & Amy Hevron
Some trees provide delicious fruit for us! Action Rhyme: Way Up High in the Apple Tree Way up high in the apple tree (stretch arms high) I saw two apples looking at me (hold up two fists) I shook that tree as hard as I could (shaking motion) Down came the apples… (fists fall) And mmm, they were good! (smile and rub belly) Source: traditional
Can we pretend to be a big old oak tree? Action Song: I’m an Old Oak Tree (tune of I’m A Little Teapot) I’m an old oak tree Tall and strong My trunk is wide And my branches long My roots go underground to help me grow Underground below, below Source: Richmond (VA) Public Library
Who lives in the old oak tree and eats lots of acorns? Squirrels! Fingerplay: This Little Squirrel (wiggle each finger in turn) This little squirrel said, “Let’s run and play!” This little squirrel said, “I want some acorns today!” This little squirrel said, “Acorns are good.” This little squirrel said, “Yes, my favorite food” This little squirrel said, “Come climb this tree” (run fingers up arm) And crack these acorns: one, two, three! (clap) Source: Sunflower Storytime (no longer linkable)
Let’s do some moving. Listen carefully! Action Rhyme: Tall as a Tree Tall as a tree, (stretch tall) Wide as a house (arms out to either side) Thin as a pin, (stand straight with arms to body) Small as a mouse (crouch down) Source: King County (WA) Library System
Let’s get our scarves out. Can we pretend to be a baby tree – a seed? Scarf Rhyme: Be a Seed Be a seed, small and round (hide scarf and crouch low) Sprout, sprout, sprout up from the ground (stand and reach up) Shake your leaves for all to see (shake scarf) Stretch your arms up, you’re a tree! (raise arms high) Source: Jbrary
Some trees lose their leaves in the autumn. Yes, it’s similar to the last one, but I liked the dropping of the scarves at the end! Scarf Rhyme: Once I Was a Seed Once I was a seed and I was small, small, small I grew into a tree and now I’m tall, tall, tall! My branches sway in the breeze so soft (sway gently) And when it’s autumn, all my leaves fall off! (drop scarf) Source: Storytime in the Stacks
This is a very catchy melody – so be careful, it will stick with you! It definitely feels like the tune of a common hymn to me, but I am not familiar enough with it to name a specific one. Lady Librarian Life created a very helpful chord sheet, but I did feel like it needed a couple tweaks. A tree has deep, deep roots that help them stay steady even when they grow very tall. Scarf Song: My Roots Go Down My roots go down, down to the earth My roots go down, down to the earth My roots go down, down to the earth My roots go down
verses: I am a birch tree swaying in the breeze… I am a pine tree standing tall… I am an oak tree spreading wide… I am a willow swinging low… Source: original by Sarah Pirtle, adapted by Lady Librarian Life
I’m not sure if they played this one or not, it was an extra in case we had time. Optional Scarf Song: Mr. Sun Oh, Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun, Please shine down on me Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun Hiding behind a tree These little children are asking you To please come out so we can play with you Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun Please shine down on me Source: Raffi from the album Singable Songs for the Very Young
Craft: Tree Handprint Paintings (TB) (FT) This craft was a mashup of two tree crafts I saw online. The first was from the Richmond (VA) Public Library. Instead of tracing their hand on brown paper and cutting it out to glue down onto a different page, I just provided crayons and encouraged them to trace and color in their hand to be the tree trunk and branches. Then, instead of gluing down tissue paper leaves, I took the idea from Brie Brie Blooms to use a stamper to make the leaves. She used play-doh lids, but I just used our toilet paper tube stash. A great example of taking ideas from all over to create something that will work for your group.
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)
Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme) Only a Tree Knows How to Be a Tree – Mary Murphy Some Questions About Trees – Toni Yuly The City Tree – Shira Boss & Lorena Alvarez Apple and Magnolia – Laura Gehl & Patricia Metola Treehouse Town – Gideon Sterer & Charlie Mylie Eco Girl – Ken Wilson-Max All Kinds of Special – Tammi Sauer & Fernando Martin My Tree – Hope Lim & Il Sung Na Nell Plants a Tree – Anne Wynter & Daniel Miyares Zee Grows a Tree – Elizabeth Rusch & Will Hillenbrand
This storytime was presented in-person on 3/3, 3/4, & 3/5/25.
**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
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.
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)** †
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.
Lifting Rhyme: Toast in the Toaster* (TT) (TB) (FT)
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
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)
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 Mamaby Anna Dewdney (TB)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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)
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.
**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
Apologies for the long delay in posting. I’ve been sick with flu A and it was a doozy!
Kids love animals! They love to talk about their pets and the animals they’ve met in their day-to-day lives. There are lots of fun rhymes and songs about domesticated animals, too, so this is really an easy theme to take into lots of different directions. You could probably do a session just on dogs or cats! One on “unusual” pets would be more challenging, but I’m sure it would work. Here’s the route I went.
You can find another version of this theme from 2021 here.
Early Literacy Tip: Even before your child can read on their own, books are a great way to work on visual literacy skills. Let them “read” the pictures to you – they’ll learn to pick up details, tell a narrative, and appreciate how illustrations can tell a story as well as text. Books like Dog in Charge or even wordless picture books are great for this exercise.
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. I rotate between elbows, cheeks, hips, noses, arms, chins, thighs, heads, shoulders, ears, knees, and fingers.
Lifting Rhyme: Toast in the Toaster* (TT) (TB) (FT)
Intro: Who has a pet at home? What kind? What do you love about them? If not, what kind of pet would you get if you could? Some of us can’t have furry pets because we’re allergic, or we don’t have the time to properly take care of a pet. Maybe you have a stuffed animal that gets your love, or maybe you get to visit a relative or neighbor’s pet.
Let’s see if we can pretend to be some common pets. Action Rhyme: Can You? Can you make yourself small like a hamster? Can you jump up high like a frog? Can you s-t-r-e-t-c-h like a cat? Can you wag your tail like a dog? Can you fly like a bird? Can you swim like a fish? Can you sit back down and be as still as this? Source: Harford County (MD) Public Library
Transition: If You’re Ready for a Story* (TB) (FT)
Super simple, with just a few words per page, this is a great title. There’s a lot to look at in the pictures, so I try to point out the main animals and encourage them to check it out later to look more closely. Read: Some Pets by Angela DiTerlizzi & Brendan Wenzel (TT) (FT)
I love the interactiveness of this title. However, some of the animals are a bit of a stretch as far as “pets” go – a butterfly? And two different dogs are featured – it feels like that was a missed opportunity to feature another animal. Read: Pet this Book by Jessica Young & Daniel Wiseman (TB)
I don’t think I used every single animal in the flannel set I’d made, but I went with the most common as well as some that have distinctive noises like the snake. We had to get creative with the rabbit! I did include the dog, cat, snake, bird, fish, and rabbit. Can you help me with all of my pets? I forgot what they say! Activity: Pet Voices (TT) (TB) (FT) Use pictures and let your child fill in the blanks for each animal This my pet____________. They make this sound __________. (for example) This is my Fish. They make this sound: “Glub Glub” Source: Jen in the Library
Let’s sing a song. I will need your help to do some of the animal voices that we just practiced. What does the doggie say again? Ukulele Song: How Much is that Doggie (TT) (TB) (FT) How much is that doggie in the window? (Woof woof!) The one with the waggily tail? How much is that doggie in the window? (Woof woof!) I do hope that doggie’s for sale
Kitty…meow…whiskers so long Birdie… tweet tweet…flappity wings Rabbit…hop hop…hoppity legs Fishy… glub glub… swimmity fins Source: adapted from traditionalby Jen in the Library
I found this song version with the fun bubble motions at the end at Jbrary. If you’re a child of the 90s like me, you’ll recognize the old hand clapping tune – when we sang it, it was about Miss Lucy and the person in the bathtub was her baby (although I think the Miss Suzy and her steamboat song also used the same tune). The adults sang loud so I wasn’t the only one who remembered it! We love our pets, but sometimes they can get into trouble! Song: Tiny Tim (TT) (TB) (FT) I have a little turtle his name is Tiny Tim I put him in the bathtub to see if he could swim He drank up all the water (glug, glug, glug) He ate up all the soap (munch, munch, munch) And now he’s lying in his bed with bubbles in his throat! Bubble, bubble, bubble, bubble, bubble, POP! (roll arms then clap) Bubble, bubble, bubble, bubble, bubble, POP! Source: Jbrary
We sure do love our pets. And I love this song! I went through the different motions with everyone first. Action Song: My Dog Rags (TT) (TB) (FT) I have a dog and his name is Rags He eats so much that his tummy sags His ears flip flop and his tail wig wags and when he walks he goes zig zag! He goes flip flop, wig wag, [pause] zig zag He goes flip flop, wig wag, [pause] zig zag He goes flip flop, wig wag, [pause] zig zag I love Rags and he loves me! Source: Jbrary
Let’s get out our scarves! Make sure they’re working – shake them up high… down low… in a circle… behind your knees… looks good!
I learned this rhyme at an in-person children’s roundtable event and I don’t know who shared it! It’s a great one because it can be done with anything. I did all animals, starting with a snake (which is an easy one for a scarf to emulate) then did a fish (loosely fold scarf in half, with a bulbous fish body in front and all the edges sticking out the back of your hand as the tail), bird (hold scarf in the middle and let both sides be wings that flap), and rabbit (same as fish but the “tail” turned upward to form the ears). Did you know that these are magic scarves? Scarf Rhyme: Magic Scarf (TT) (TB) (FT) Abracadabra! Fiddle dee dee! If I wave my magic scarf, what will it be? Source: unknown
My friend Little Bo Peep has outdoor pets – sheep! Scarf Rhyme: Little Bo Peep Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep (hide scarf) And doesn’t know where to find them Leave them alone and they’ll come home (bring scarf out) Wagging their tails behind them! (wave scarf) Source: traditional, scarf movements from Jbrary
Let’s do a song about this pet – what is it? (pointing to rabbit flannelboard piece) And how do bunnies get around? First we’re going to pretend to be sleeping bunnies. Let’s make a pillow with our scarf. Action/Scarf Song: Sleeping Bunnies (begin with “bunnies” asleep on the floor) Look at all the bunnies sleeping ’Til it’s nearly noon (point to wrist) Shall we wake them with a merry tune? (wave hands like a conductor) Oh so still… Are they ill? (dramatic pause, then sing fast and clap!) Wake up, wake up, wake up little bunnies! Wake up, wake up, wake up little bunnies! (bunnies get up and hop around!) Hop little bunnies, Hop, hop, hop Hop little bunnies, Hop, hop, hop Stop little bunnies, Stop, stop, stop! (FREEZE!) Source: King County (WA) Library System
Action Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom!* (TT) (TB) (FT)
Craft:Pet Parade/Collage Craft(TB) (FT) My library has a great collection of Ellison and Accucut dies, so I just went through and picked out all the animals that could be construed as pets! I cut them all in colors that made sense for the animal and gave them a large 12 x 18″ piece of purple construction paper. I tried to emphasize that they could choose any of the animals, and didn’t need to do all the same ones I did, to make it their own.
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)
Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme) Mister Kitty Is Lost! – Greg Pizzoli The Man Who Didn’t Like Animals – Deborah Underwood & LeUyen Pham The Welcome Home – Amy June Bates Mr. Watson’s Chickens – Jarrett Dapier & Andrea Tsurumi I Am Cat / I Am Dog – Peter Bently & Chris Chatterton My Dog Just Speaks Spanish – Andrea Cáceres Where Have You Been, Little Cat? – Richard Jones Coquí in the City – Nomar Perez Alfie – Thyra Heder Lola Gets a Cat – Anna McQuinn & Rosalind Beardshaw Take Your Pet to School Day – Linda Ashman & Suzanne Kaufman Dog in Charge – K.L. Going & Dan Santat Mr. Fuzzbuster Knows He’s the Favorite – Stacy McAnulty & Edward Hemingway I Got a New Friend – Karl Newsom Edwards Is This Your Class Pet? – Troy Cummings The Pigeon Wants a Puppy – Mo Willems Hello, Jimmy! – Anna Walker I Wanna Iguana – Karen Kaufman Orloff & David Catrow
This storytime was presented in-person on 2/17, 2/18, & 2/19/25.
**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 with Ms. Emily Library 