Tag: ukulele

shows book covers for titles used in this storytime

Preschool Storytime: Knitting & Yarn

Posted on by msemilylibrary

As I was planning for a “Warm and Cozy” theme in December, I noticed that there were quite a few books about knitting that came up in my searches. I love to knit and crochet and these books were pretty darn cute. So I set them aside and planned to do a theme just on knitting and yarn.

NOTE: I’ve realized that the rhyme “Baa Baa Black Sheep” has problematic associations with racism and can be harmful. I’ll no longer be using it during storytime.

See another version of this theme from 2026.

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

cat knit book cover, showing a irritated dark gray cat tangled up in red yarn, with the ball end in the foreground with a pair of knitting needles in it.

Early Literacy Tip: Lacing activities help children develop fine motor skills, hand/eye coordination, motor planning, visual perception, improved attention, patience, and perseverance. In addition, lacing helps children practice the precursor skills for shoe tying and writing.

Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello

Discussion: What is this I have? It’s some yarn, and I’m using these needles to knit. Knitting is a way to make yarn into clothes like sweaters, mittens, hats, scarves. Do you know where yarn comes from? Our first book is about how a knitted item is made, all the way back from the wool sheared from the sheep. Did you know that the oldest piece of knitting found was a sock from Egypt in the 11th century CE!

Read: Farmer Brown Shears His Sheep by Teri Sloat & Nadine Bernard Westcott

NOTE: Since this storytime I’ve learned that this rhyme has problematic associations with racism. I will no longer be using it. I think in the future I would use this felt set to discuss different colors of wool without using the rhyme.
Nursery Rhyme: Baa, Baa, Black Sheep
Baa, baa black sheep have you any wool?
Yes, sir, yes, sir, three bags full
One for the mister, One for the dame
And one for the little boy who lives down the lane

Baa baa ___ sheep have you any wool?
Yes, ma’am, yes ma’am, three needles full
One to mend a jumper, One to mend a frock
And one for the little girl, With holes in her socks

Baa baa ___ sheep have you any wool?
Yes, child, yes, child, three bags full
One for the kitten, One for the cats
And one for the guinea pigs to knit some woolly hats

Baa, baa naked sheep have you any wool?
No, friend, no friend, I’m cold right through
Baa, baa naked sheep, what can we do?
Knit a sweater for me and you!
Credit: traditional, final rhyme and flannel via Piper Loves the Library

Sheep flannel set. Includes sheep with pink, green, red, dark gray, blue, and brown wool, plus a "naked" sheep and a green/pink/blue/orange striped sweater to add to the naked sheep.

I was pretty proud of myself for writing a new knitting verse!
Action Song: These Are My Glasses
These are my glasses, And 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

These are my glasses, And this is my yarn
I put on my glasses And start to knit my yarn
Now I look, look, look, And I knit, knit, knit
I put down my glasses and…
WHOOP! It’s time to quit
Credit: Laurie Berkner, from the album Whaddaya Think of That?
(second verse by Ms. Emily)

Read: Cat Knit by Jacob Grant

This flannel was a labor of love. I am so pleased with how it turned out, even though it was a lot of work! Click the link for more on how I made it, plus a downloadable template.
Counting Rhyme: Ten Balls of Yarn
Ten balls of yarn, sitting in a bowl
One fell out and started to…. ROLL
It bounced on my foot and there it sits
How many balls are left to knit?
(Count down to one)
Credit: Canton Public Library (MI)

Flannel set for "Ten Balls of Yarn" Includes blue, white, purple, green, pink, brown, red, yellow, orange, and black.

Song: Click Clack Went the Knitting Needles
(tune of Mmm Ahh Went the Little Green Frog)
Click, clack went the knitting needles one day (pretend to knit)
Click, clack went the knitting needles
Click, clack went the knitting needles one day,
and they both went click clack click!

But… We know needles go (clap) la de la de la (wave arms)
(clap) la de la de la, (clap) la de la de la!
We know needles go (clap) la de la de la,
they don’t go click clack click!

Roll, roll went the big ball of yarn one day (roll arms)…
We know yarn goes (clap) rub a dub a dub (running arms)…
Credit: Canton Public Library (MI)

This was a song that my predecessor played every week in storytime, and it’s a favorite with many of our regulars. I stopped doing it every week, but sprinkled it in every so often. This is the first time I did it for a virtual program – it seemed so appropriate for a knitting theme!
Recorded Song: Tap Your Sticks
Credit: Hap Palmer, from the album Rhythms on Parade

I like to knit, but it took me some time to learn how. And I wasn’t very good at it at first! Just like the girl in our next book.
Read: A Hat for Mrs. Goldman by Michelle Edwards & G. Brian Karas

Action Rhyme: Mittens Up
Put your mittens UP, put your mittens DOWN
Hold your mittens together, and turn around!
Put your mittens UP, put your mittens DOWN
Put your mittens flat down on the ground.
Credit: One Little Librarian

With “movie magic” I added a knitted item to my ensemble for each verse. One benefit of pre-recorded storytimes! I didn’t do this song for my Facebook Live version since I ran out of time.
Ukulele Song: I Wish I Were a Fuzzy Wuzzy Blanket
(tune of the Oscar Mayer Jingle)
Oh I wish I were a fuzzy wuzzy blanket
That is what I’d truly like to be
‘Cause if I were a fuzzy wuzzy blanket
Everyone would snuggle up with me!

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

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

thumbnail of "I Wish I Were a Pepperoni Pizza" ukulele songsheet
screenshot from YouTube showing Ms. Emily wearing a knitted sweater, scarf, hat, and fingerless mittens, with a knitted blanket over one arm, with her ukulele, at the end of playing "I Wish I Were a Fuzzy Wuzzy Blanket"
ALL THE KNITS!

Craft: Y is for Yarn Lacing Card
Not exactly a craft this week, but a lacing activity. I asked a volunteer to pre-cut the Ys from craft foam, punched holes, and provided a length of yarn that had tape on both ends (imitating a shoelace). This correlated with our Early Literacy Tip for the week. Craft idea from The Lion is a Bookworm.

Photo of green foam letter "Y" laced with red yarn.

I also booktalked these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video.
Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett & Jon Klassen
Leave Me Alone! by Vera Brosgol
Knit Together by Angela Dominguez

knit together book cover, showing a mother and daughter hugging. The daughter is wearing a knit hat and scarf and the title is made with red yarn.

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

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

Storytime Handout:

Handout with suggested books and rhyme/song lyrics

Preschool Storytime: Bathtime

Posted on by msemilylibrary

What a fun theme! You get to combine bubbles, body parts, and bath toys into one!

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

Early Literacy Tip: Bath time is a wonderful opportunity to encourage play and imagination! You can be pirates or sea turtles, or you can use bubbles to practice fine motor skills and finger dexterity. Learn more ways bubbles can be beneficial here: http://mamaot.com/11-benefits-of-playing-with-bubbles/

Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello

Fingerplay: Bubbles
A small bubble (make a circle with your fingers)
A medium sized bubble (make a large circle with your hands)
A great big bubble I see (make a large circle with your arms)
Now let’s count them, are you ready?
1 –2 – 3 (make 3 circles again)
POP! (clap hands loudly once)
Credit: Sunflower Storytime

Read: Time for a Bath by Phillis Gershator & David Walker

Scarf Warmup:
Wave your scarves high, then low
Wave them fast, then slow
Count to three and throw them in the air, then CATCH!

Scarf Song: This Is the Way We Wash Our Head
(tune of Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush)
This is the way we wash our head
Wash our head, wash our head
This is the way we wash our head
So early in the morning
(repeat and “wash” different body parts with scarf – as Abby says in her original post, this is a great opportunity to introduce or reinforce less common body part language – “thigh,” “ankle,” “elbow,” “shoulder,” “jaw,” etc.)
Credit: Abby the Librarian

Scarf Song: Washing
(tune of Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes)
Wash your head, shoulders, knees and toes (knees and toes)
Wash your head, shoulders, knees and toes (knees and toes)
Wash your eyes and ears and mouth and nose –
Wash your head, shoulders, knees and toes (knees and toes)
(repeat and speed up)
Credit: adapted from the traditional

Read: How Do You Take a Bath? by Kate McMullan & Sydney Hanson

Flannel Song: Five Elephants in the Bathtub
One elephant in the bathtub, going for a swim
Knock, Knock (clap, clap)
Splash, Splash (pat knees twice)
Come on in! (motion with both hands to come in)
(repeat up to five)

Five elephants in the bathtub, going for a swim
Knock, Knock (clap, clap)
Splash, Splash (pat knees twice)
They all fell in! (wave arms wildly)
Credit: traditional, flannel pattern from Sunflower Storytime

Flannel for Five Elephants in the Bathtub. Includes bathtub and 5 elephants: green, yellow, orange, purple, and blue.

Do you have any toys you like to play with in the tub?
Read with Flannel: Who’s In the Tub? by Sylvie Jones & Pascale Constantin

Flannel Game: Memory – What’s Missing?
Once again, I was inspired by the awesome Sunflower Storytime. I used her template but made a couple of adjustments to make the pieces look a little more like the ones in the book. The biggest change was the seal and the octopus. I HAVE to have an eight-armed octopus. 🙂 For the game after reading the book, I ask the kids to look closely at the pieces, then everyone closes their eyes and one piece is removed for them to guess/remember.

Flannel for "Who's in the Tub" book. Includes bathtub, little boy, striped ball, yellow seal, green turtle, pink octopus, yellow duck, and blue whale.

Bubble Song: Bubble, Bubble, Pop!
(if you have bubbles, this is a great song to use them with)
One little red fish swimming in the water, (motion one finger, then weave hand back and forth as if swimming)
Swimming in the water, swimming in the water,
One little red fish swimming in the water
Bubble, bubble, bubble, bubble, (corkscrew index fingers upwards on both sides)
POP! (clap)
(repeat; you can change to different bath toys like “one little blue boat floating on the water” or change the number and/or color of fish)
Credit: Jbrary

Ukulele or Recorded Song: Rubber Ducky
Credit: Sesame Street
As a ukulele song, Rubber Ducky is certainly not easy. It’s a jazzy tune with lots of interesting chords: the dreaded E natural, 7ths, augmented, diminished, etc. I took an “easy” version (15 chords!) and stripped it down even further. There are still 10 chords, and very few of them are common, though most are not hard shapes to make with gCEA tuning. And thankfully, they mostly flow from one to another fairly naturally with some practice. (I had most trouble with G#7 to C#m). Give it a try, it’s fun!

Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet for “Rubber Ducky” here!

thumbnail of Rubber Ducky Ukulele songsheet

Craft: Bubble Wrap Painting
Borrowing once again from Sunflower Storytime! For the take and make packets, I included a small amount of blue paint in a little 2 oz cup, a paper plate to spread the paint on, a strip of bubble wrap taped end to end to make a “cuff” that kids could put over their hand, the bathtub print out from Sunflower Storytime, and a yellow duck cut out. I encouraged kids to also draw other details like themselves or their other favorite bath toys in the scene. I didn’t make a sample for this, just borrowed the photo from Sunflower Storytime’s page.

Bubble wrap craft - bathtub with blue painted bubbles and a yellow duck. Image from Sunflower Storytime.

I also suggested these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video.
Bath! Bath! Bath! by Douglas Florian & Christiane Engel
Get Out of My Bath! by Britta Teckentrup
Ten Pigs: An Epic Bath Adventure by Derek Anderson

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented virtually on 1/12/21.

Storytime Handout:

Rhyme sheet with book suggestions

Preschool Storytime: Hibernation

Posted on by msemilylibrary

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

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

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

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

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

Read: Hibernation by Margaret Hall

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thumbnail of ukulele sheet

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

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

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

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

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

Storytime Handout:

handout with suggested books and rhyme/song lyrics

Preschool Storytime: Favorites

Posted on by msemilylibrary

In the week or so before this storytime, I asked my viewers (we’re still virtual) what their favorite songs and rhymes are. I didn’t get a huge response, so I made a list of common and well-known songs as well as a few of my own favorites. I made magnetized picture pieces representing all of these, and grouped them in threes or fours for kiddos to choose from in our comments during storytime. It was really great to see those comments come through! For the recorded session (link below), I gave the options, appeared to consider, and chose the songs/rhymes that I liked and made most sense with our stories. I reminded kids and grownups that if the one they were hoping to hear didn’t get chosen, to pause or do those favorites on their own! Hopefully this reminds grownups that they don’t have to be in storytime to rhyme and sing with their kids. The books were my own favorites. I had a good time with this one!

EDIT: I’ve realized that the tune “Shortnin’ Bread” is rooted in racism and can be harmful. I’ll no longer be using “Mama’s Little Baby” during storytime, as it uses this tune.

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

Early Literacy Tip: Talking with your children, especially as you share books, is one of the best ways to develop your children’s vocabulary. In books they see things they might not otherwise see, like different kinds of animals. Take advantage of expanding their vocabulary by talking with them about the pictures in books.

Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello

The board at the beginning of storytime:
I removed the images of songs we didn’t use and at the end of storytime the board showed a road map of what we did. Unfortunately, I didn’t take another picture at the end… *These were the items that I chose.

Magnet board with lots of printed and laminated pieces with pictures representing songs and rhymes (2 blackbirds, spider, teapot, star, grandfather clock, popcorn, etc)

Fingerplay One – Choose from:
Two Little Blackbirds
Itsy Bitsy Spider *
I’m a Little Teapot

closeup of fingerplay one images

Fingerplay Two – Choose from:
Slowly, Slowly* (from Jbrary)
Hickory Dickory Dock (from Jbrary)
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

closeup of fingerplay two images

Read: Red House, Tree House, Little Bitty Brown Mouse by Jane Godwin & Blanca Gómez

Scarf Songs – Choose Two:
One Bright Scarf* (from Jbrary)
Mama’s Little Baby Loves Dancin’ (from KCLS) See EDIT above
Popcorn Kernels* (from Jbrary)
Row, Row, Row Your Boat

closeup of scarf song images

Read: Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings

Song – Choose from:
My Dog Rags* (from Jbrary)
ABC Song
Where is Thumbkin?

closeup of song images

This book is not only a beautiful poem about all the things the ones who care for us want to give us, but it’s illustrated by one of my absolute favorite artists, Christian Robinson.
Read: Just In Case You Want to Fly by Julie Fogliano & Christian Robinson

Action Song – Choose from:
Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes
Zoom, Zoom, Zoom* (from Jbrary)
Tick, Tock, Tick Tock (from Jbrary)

closeup of action song images

Ukulele Song – Choose from:
Mr. Sun
Apples and Bananas
Down By the Bay
Shake My Sillies Out* (these four from Raffi)
If You’re Happy and You Know it

closeup of ukulele song images

Visit my Ukulele Songsheet Page for arrangements for each of these songs!

Craft: My Favorite Things Coloring Sheet
I looked at a lot of other people’s “Favorite Things” sheets and couldn’t find one that I loved. So I used Canva to make my own. You can download a copy here.

Coloring sheet with My favorite... animal, color, food, toy, book, and thing to do outside

I also suggested these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video.
Pokko and the Drum by Matthew Forsythe
The Bad Seed by Jory John & Pete Oswald
Hello, Hello by Brendan Wenzel

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented virtually on 12/8/20.

Storytime Handout:

Storytime handout with suggested books and rhyme/song lyrics.

Preschool Storytime: Feeling Thankful (2020)

Posted on by msemilylibrary

Around the time of American Thanksgiving, I think it’s great to reflect on gratefulness and feeling thankful. Because this holiday is so intertwined with false historical narratives and the legacy of violent colonialism, I have decided not to focus on the actual holiday, but on harvest or thankfulness.

In this storytime we did a good bit of American Sign Language – for “Where are Three Friends,” “The More We Get Together,” and learning the sign for “Thank You” in the poem “A Lesson from the Deaf” in the book Thanks a Million.

You can see the plans for every year I’ve done this theme here.

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

Early Literacy Tip: When we are warm, and fed, 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: We Clap and Sing Hello

Practice a bit of ASL and avoid the pesky middle finger in this variation of Thumbkin.
Fingerplay: Where Are Three Friends?
(variation of 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.
Credit: adapted from the traditional, last verse by Ms. Emily

Lyrics to Where are Three Friends with silhouettes of two hands with thumbs up and two hands showing the ASL "I Love You" sign.

Read: Gracias / Thanks – Pat Mora & John Parra

One thing I am thankful for is that you’re here for storytime, and even though we aren’t together in person, we are together in spirit!
Song: The More We Get Together
See ASL movements here: https://youtu.be/YZLlZoD3gU8
The more we get together, together, together
The more we get together
The happier we’ll be
For your friends are my friends
and my friends are your friends
The more we get together
The happier we’ll be

The more we read together, together, together
the more we read together
the happier we’ll be.
Read big books and small books
Read short books and tall books
The more we read together
the happier we’ll be.
Credit: traditional; verse 2: Story Time Secrets

Read: poem from the book Thanks a Million by Nikki Grimes & Cozbi A. Cabrera: “A Lesson From the Deaf” Practice the ASL sign for “thank you.”

Cover image of the book Thanks a Million by Nikki Grimes and Cozbi A Cabrera

The next book also talks about being thankful, and uses words in another language: Cherokee. New words seem hard at first, but the more we practice, the easier they get. Practice title a couple of times.
Read: We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga – Traci Sorell & Frané Lessac

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 kiddos and parents to snuggle and hug, or kiddos can snuggle with a stuffed animal during this song. Afterwards is a good time to mention today’s early literacy tip.
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
Credit: From the Album “Baby Beluga” by Raffi

Flannel for "Thanks a Lot" by Raffi. Includes these pieces: sun, cloud, bird, wind, moon, star, person, heart, elephant, tree, and trio of three people of various skin tones.

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

See what happens when someone does something nice. Can you imagine how an animal would say thank you?
Read: Thank You! by Ethan Long

Song: If You’re Thankful and You Know It
If you’re thankful and you know it, clap your hands
If you’re thankful and you know it, clap your hands
If you’re thankful and you know it
and you really want to show it
If you’re thankful and you know it, clap your hands
(stomp your feet, shout “hooray”, do all three)
Credit: adapted from the traditional

Craft: Thankful Wreath
Die-cut leaves would make this easier, but my library doesn’t have one. I found templates for leaves at firstpalette.com and used the medium sized ones for heart-, oval-, and star-shaped leaves. I cut the middle out from a paper plate, hole punched the top and attached a loop of yarn. 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.

Photo of "thankful wreath" craft with orange, yellow, and red leaves with writing on them such as "books" "pizza" "family" "art" "storytime friends" etc.

I also suggested these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video.
Thank You, Earth by April Pulley Sayre
Thank You, Bees by Toni Yuly
Thanku: Poems of Gratitude by Marlena Myles & Miranda Paul & others
The Thank You Letter by Jane Cabrera

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented virtually on 11/17/20.

Storytime Handout:

Preschool Storytime: Sounds We Hear

Posted on by msemilylibrary

Books with great sounds and onomatopoeia abound in children’s literature, and instruments and noisemakers are fascinating to kids. I wish we’d been in person for this theme – I don’t think it translates quite as well virtually, but we do our best.

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

See another version of this theme from 2025.

squeak, rumble, whomp, whomp, whomp book cover, with a picture of a Black boy playing a trumpet with a black cat looking in the background.

Early Literacy Tip: One way to support early literacy is to help children recognize that print has meaning. When we talk about the words on the page as we read them, children are making the connection between the written word and the meaning of the word. A great place to begin is by pointing out where sounds are written out differently from the other words, as they are in our book, Squeak, Rumble, Whomp! Whomp! Whomp!

Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello

General discussion on sound – how can we make noise? How do we hear noise? Why do we hear noise in our ears? I showed and read just two spreads (pgs 12-15) from a nonfiction title, showing the vocal chords and the inside of the ear.
Read: (selection from) Sounds All Around by Wendy Pfeffer & Anna Chernyshova

Activity: Demonstrating Sound
Put a couple of dried beans on a drum and show how they jump and vibrate with each beat. Ask the kids to touch their throats while humming to feel the vibrations. Block your ears and see how well the sound waves get through.

Action Rhyme: I Played My Drum – Tum, Tum, Tum
(match actions to words)
I played my drum – tum, tum, tum
I played my violin – zum, zum, zum
I played my harmonica – hum, hum, hum
I played my guitar – strum, strum, strum
I played my piano – dee, dee, dum
I’m all quiet now – mum, mum, mum
Credit: King County Library System

Read: Squeak, Rumble, Whomp! Whomp! Whomp! by Wynton Marsalis & Paul Rogers

Fingerplay: Quiet Mouse
Here’s a quiet little mouse (show thumb)
Living in a quiet little house (hold thumb in fist)
When all was quiet as could be (shh with other hand)
OUT! popped he! (pop out thumb)
Squeak! Squeak! Squeak! (wiggle thumb)
Credit: Mel’s Desk

I did this one only in the YouTube video – it probably would make the storytime with the books being read in full too long. I use my wooden frog rasps for this.
Instrument Song: Three Frogs in a Bog
(find 3 instruments (even pots and pans!) that make a big/deep sound, a middle sound, and a little/high sound to imitate the frogs)
There was a big frog (big sound, big sound)
Lived in a big bog (big, big)
He swam in the water (big, big)
Played on a big log (big, big)
Big log (big, big)
Big bog (big, big)
Big frog (big, big)

(repeat for middle-sized and little frogs)
And then one day (big sound, middle sound, little sound)
The frogs got together (big, middle, little)
They swam in the water (big, middle, little)
In the bright sunny weather (big, middle, little)
Three frogs (big, middle, little)
Three friends (big, middle, little)
The end! (big, middle, little)
Credit: Ada Moreau Demlow

Three wooden rasp instruments in the shape of frogs, each a different size.

Flannel Rhyme: What Noise Do I Make?
I just used a few animal flannels I had, and decided I needed a vehicle, too, so made the truck to go “vroom!” I realized after doing the YT video that “shake” needed to really be a shaker, not me shaking my shoulders…ay, yi, yi.

Flannel Rhyme: What Noise Do I Make?
I just used a few animal flannels I had, and decided I needed a vehicle, too, so made the truck to go “vroom!” My control-freak heart wishes the styles were all different or all the same, but that’s how it goes. AND – I realized after doing the YT video that “shake” needed to really be a shaker, not me shaking my shoulders…ay, yi, yi.
Clap, stomp!
Clap, clap, shake!
Can you make the noise that I make?
Credit: STEM in Libraries


I love this book, and its companion, Dancing Feet – both have just fantastic rhythm.
Read: Farmyard Beat by Lindsey Craig & Marc Brown

We couldn’t do a “sound” storytime without our shaker songs!
Shaker Song: Shake Your Shaker
(tune of London Bridge)
Shake your shakers in the air, Shake it here, shake it there
Shake your shakers in the air, Shake your shakers

Shake it high and shake it low, Shake it yes, shake it no
Shake it high and shake it low, Shake your shakers

Shake it up and shake it down, Shake your shaker on the ground
Shake it up and shake it down, Shake your shakers

Shake it near and shake it far, Drive your shaker like a car
Shake it near and shake it far, Shake your shaker

Shake it fast and shake it slow, Shake it stop, shake it go
Shake it fast and shake it slow, Shake your shaker
Credit: Jbrary

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

All these great sounds make me want to dance. Let’s see how these kids do it!
Read: How Do You Wokka-Wokka? by Elizabeth Bluemle & Randy Cecil

Ukulele Song: Shake My Sillies Out
I gotta shake, shake, shake my sillies out
Shake, shake, shake my sillies out
Shake, shake, shake my sillies out
And wiggle my waggles away!

Additional verses:
I gotta clap, clap, clap my crazies out…
I gotta jump, jump, jump my jiggles out…
I gotta stretch, stretch, stretch my stretchies out…
I gotta yawn, yawn, yawn my sleepies out…
Credit: Raffi (from the album Raffi in Concert with the Rise and Shine Band)

Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet here!

thumbnail of "shake my sillies out" ukulele song

Craft: String Telephone
Decorate two cups with crayons or stickers. Carefully thread the ends of the string into the hole on the bottom of each cup, from outside to inside. Tie a knot on each end of the string. Optionally, you can also tape it down on the inside of the cup. Now, you and a friend hold the cups at a distance that makes the string taut (but don’t pull too hard or jerk the cups). Make sure the string isn’t touching anything else. One person talks into the cup while the other puts the cup to their ear. Can you hear each other? Try whispering and speaking normally. Experiment! Try the different tests on the Experiment sheet. Ask your child to make predictions/guess what will happen before trying each one.
Other Sound Activities:
Collect a variety of containers: plastic cups and bowls, metal or aluminum bowls or pie plates, styrofoam egg cartons, ceramic mugs – and different shapes – a plastic champagne flute, a plastic bowl, a plastic bag, etc. Use dry beans or rice and let your child pour them into the various containers. What different sounds do the beans make as you pour them into different containers? This is an activity that engages several of our senses – hearing, seeing, touching. To contain a potential mess, let them play on the floor with a bedsheet underneath!
Brainstorm what would make good noisemakers from household objects. The kitchen is a great place to start! Explore what sounds different objects make. Does it sound different when you hit a pot with a wooden spoon vs. a whisk? Get the family involved and have a family band or drum circle. A leader can tap out different rhythms and the rest of the family repeats them.

Click here to download the String Phone Experiment Sheet.

I also booktalked these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video.
So Many Sounds by Tim McCanna & Andy J. Miller
Bumpety, Dunkety, Thumpety-Thump! by K.L. Going & Simone Shin
Jazz Baby by Lisa Wheeler & R. Gregory Christie

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented virtually on 11/10/20.

Storytime Handout:

Preschool Storytime: Pizza!

Posted on by msemilylibrary

Everyone loves pizza! I wanted a theme that was fun and relatable, and this one has all the ingredients to fill us up with literary goodness. Yum!

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

Early Literacy Tip: Play gives you and your children lots of opportunities to pretend. As you are playing with your children, make a point of adding in a word or two they may not know. You are adding to their vocabulary in a fun way, teaching new words without sitting down to memorize what words mean. Children will remember these words because they are hearing them and using them while being involved in the situation.

Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello

Action Song: I Am Hungry
(tune of Frère Jacques)
I am hungry, I am hungry (rub tummy)
Yes, I am! Yes, I am! (nod head)
Grumble, rumble, rumble, Grumble, rumble, rumble (rub tummy)
Yum, yum, yum! Yum, yum, yum! (mime eating)
Credit: librionyian

I actually found some good pizza books in our leveled readers section. It’s a good resource that I sometimes forget about when I’m looking for theme books. The books are physically a little smaller, but that doesn’t matter much for small or virtual storytimes. I liked that this one featured a dad helping out with the pizza making, and a diverse cast of kids.
Read: Pizza Party! by Grace Maccarone & Emily Arnold McCully

Fingerplay: Pat A Cake Pizza Man
Pat a cake, pat a cake, pizza man (clap hands)
Make me a pizza as fast as you can (shake finger)
Roll it (roll arms)
Toss it (pretend to toss in air)
Sprinkle it with cheese (sprinkling motion)
Put in the oven (pushing motion)
And bake it fast please!
Credit: Mansfield/Richland County Public Library (OH)

It irked me that all the pizza makers are “men” so I adapted this rhyme to gender non-specific “pizza maker.” It was a tiny bit harder to say, but practice makes perfect. I also liked the pizza-specific actions, in theory. In practice I realized that many of these actions are not very action-y and very similar to the other rhymes I did, so in the future I’d probably revert back to the bigger gross motor movements of Teddy Bear.
Action Rhyme: Pizza Maker, Pizza Maker Turn Around
(mime actions)
Pizza maker, pizza maker turn around
Pizza maker, pizza maker touch the ground
Pizza maker, pizza maker give the dough a toss
Pizza maker, pizza maker ladle on the sauce
Pizza maker, pizza maker sprinkle on the cheese
Pizza maker, pizza maker touch your knees
Pizza maker, pizza maker put it in the oven
Pizza maker, pizza maker press the oven button
Pizza maker, pizza maker rub your tummy
Pizza maker, pizza maker eat some pizza! Yummy!
Credit: Jen in the Library

Have you ever had a pizza delivered to your house?
Read: “Hi, Pizza Man!” by Virginia Walter & Ponder Goembel

Flannel/Clapping Song: P-I-Z-Z-A
(tune of B-I-N-G-O)
There is a treat that’s good to eat and pizza it its name-a
P-I-Z-Z-A! P-I-Z-Z-A! P-I-Z-Z-A!
And pizza is its name-a
(spoken) Oh yum! I’m gonna eat one!

There is a treat that’s good to eat and pizza it its name-a
(clap)-I-Z-Z-A! (clap)-I-Z-Z-A! (clap)-I-Z-Z-A!
And pizza is its name-a
(Continue until you are clapping all the letters.)
Credit: Jen in the Library

I used Jen in the Library’s post as a template, but decided to make my pizza slices double-sided, based on the background color of my felt board. The opposite side of the full slice looked like just the pizza crust that was gnawed on, effectively becoming a placeholder for our claps. I like the way it turned out!

We’ve eaten so much pizza, it will feel good to get a little exercise.
Action Song: Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes
(start slow and repeat, speeding up)
Head, shoulders, knees, and toes (knees and toes!)
Head, shoulders, knees, and toes (knees and toes!)
Eyes and ears and a mouth and nose!
Head, shoulders, knees, and toes (knees and toes!)
Credit: traditional

What would you do if a raccoon was trying to steal your pizza?
Read: Secret Pizza Party by Adam Rubin & Daniel Salmieri

Ukulele Song: I Wish I Were a Pepperoni Pizza
(tune of the Oscar Meyer jingle)
Oh, I wish I were a pepperoni pizza
That is what I’d truly like to be
For if I were a pepperoni pizza
Everyone would be in love with me!
(repeat with other four-syllable pizza topping combos, such as:
mushroom sausage… onion pepper… ham pineapple… cheesy cheesy…)
Credit: Perpetual Preschool

Download a ukulele songsheet for I Wish I Were a Pepperoni Pizza

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

Craft: Pizza Pretend Play Kit
So this wasn’t so much a craft, but a collection of pieces that kids could use to “make” pizzas at home for their families. I could certainly have promoted painting the edge of the plate brown for the crust, and/or making the toppings “look” like actual toppings, but I went simple and promoted the benefits of pretend play. The toppings were just foam shapes we had – mostly skinny triangles and a few squares. The sauce is just a wavy shape of construction paper, and the cheese is short pieces of yarn. Craft idea adapted from Storytime Katie.

Pizza craft with paper plate, construction paper sauce, foam pieces in yellow, red, green, and brown, and white yarn pieces for cheese.

I also booktalked these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video.
Pizza Pat by Rita Golden Gelman & Will Terry
Pete the Cat and the Perfect Pizza Party by Kimberly & James Dean
Pete’s a Pizza by William Steig

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented virtually on 11/3/20.

Storytime Handout:

Preschool Storytime: Apples

Posted on by msemilylibrary

Yum! Apples are an easy theme – most kids like them, and there’s a wealth of storytime material to choose from when planning. I’d noticed in my last few storytimes that I’ve been cramming more and more content in, and my videos were getting longer and longer. Starting with this week, I tried to cut back. It’s against my nature, but I’m doing better!

You can find other versions of this theme from 2022 and 2025.

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

tap the magic tree book cover, showing a tree's branches in various seasons.

Early Literacy Tip: As you and your child go about your day, highlight the five senses and talk about the textures, the size, color, sounds, smells, and tastes of the things around you. These observations will be the basis for later exploration and classifying that will lead to sorting and problem solving skills. These are skills that will help your child later understand what they read.

Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello

Fingerplay: A Little Apple Seed
(tune of Itsy Bitsy Spider)
Once a little apple seed was planted in the ground
Down came the rain drops falling all around
Out came the big sun bright as bright could be
And the little apple seed grew up to be an apple tree
Credit: Madelyn’s Library Programming

Read: Apples Here! by Will Hubbell
This is a really great book that goes through the seasons of an apple tree and shows that apples are “in” the buds, flowers, and more. It shows diverse kids enjoying the orchard and cooking, eating applesauce with latkes and finding them in the toes of Christmas stockings. Simple and short text makes it perfect for storytime.

Rhyme: Way Up High in the Apple Tree
Way up high in the apple tree (stretch arms up high)
Two red apples smiled at me (hold up two fists)
I shook that tree as hard as I could (make a shaking motion)
Down came the apples… (make a downward motion)
And mmm, they were good! (smile and rub tummy)
Credit: traditional

Rhyme: Eat an Apple
Eat an apple (bring hand to mouth)
Save the core (close hand in fist)
Plant some seeds (bend down to touch hand to ground)
And grow some more! (extend both arms out)
Credit: preschooleducation.com

Word Exercise: Using Our Five Senses
What words can we use to describe apples using our senses? This definitely would work better in-person, but I made it work for virtual. I borrowed this activity from Literary Hoots

drawing of a red apple outline (with brown stem and green leaf) on whiteboard, with words written inside: sweet, smooth, fresh, red, yellow, green, wet, crunchy, tart, good, shiny, crisp, sour, mushy

Read: Apple Pie ABC by Alison Murray

Action Song: The Pie Song
(tune of The Farmer in the Dell)
This is the way we slice the apple, (act out each step)
Slice the apple, slice the apple,
This is the way we slice the apple to make a yummy pie.

Additional verses:
Pour the flour… Roll the dough… Stir the filling…
Sprinkle spices… Bake our pie… Eat a slice…
Credit: adapted from “Thanksgiving Pie Song” at Storytime Hooligans

People like to eat apples, but so do animals! I decided to do a twist ending on this one, with 4 tiny finger puppet animals (mouse, rabbit, duck, and deer) and then a full size alligator! Silliness. 🙂 I made the flip side of the apples with different amounts eaten and with counted up seeds, but ended up not flipping them for this rhyme.
Flannel Rhyme: Five Little Apples
Five little apples up in a tree
The farmer wasn’t looking,
So guess who came to eat?
A mouse! Munch munch munch!
(count down, using available animal finger puppets, or choose animals you like to “munch” on your five fingers as the apples)
Credit: Storytime Katie

Read: Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson

Ukulele Song: Apples and Bananas
(begin with the correct pronunciation, then change the vowel sounds for each verse to a, e, i, o, and u)
I like to eat, eat, eat apples and bananas
I like to eat, eat, eat apples and bananas

I like to ate, ate, ate ayples and ba-nay-nays
I like to ate, ate, ate ayples and ba-nay-nays

I like to eet, eet, eet eeples and ba-nee-nees
I like to eet, eet, eet eeples and ba-nee-nees

I like to ite, ite, ite iples and ba-ni-nis
I like to ite, ite, ite iples and ba-ni-nis

I like to ote, ote, ote oples and ba-no-nos
I like to ote, ote, ote oples and ba-no-nos

I like to ute, ute, ute uples and ba-nu-nus
I like to ute, ute, ute uples and ba-nu-nus
Credit: Raffi, from the album One Light, One Sun

Download a ukulele songsheet for Apples and Bananas

thumbnail of apples and bananas ukulele songsheet

Craft: Apple Pie
Cut an apple in half. Eat one half and use the other for this craft! Spread the paint on one plate and let your child dip the cut apple half in paint, then “stamp” a second paper plate in the middle. They can make as many stamps as they wish! Help your child spread brown paint around the rim of the plate. For an additional sensory element, let your child sprinkle a little cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice on the wet paint. (My example pie looked a little sad – I didn’t have an apple handy so cut a foam sheet in an apple shape and it didn’t stamp as well as I’d hoped!) Credit: Literary Hoots

paper plate craft - brown paint around the edge to look like crust, red paint in middle for apples, sprinkled with cinnamon

I also booktalked these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video.
Secrets of the Apple Tree by Carron Brown & Alyssa Nassner
Ten Red Apples by Pat Hutchins
Apples, Apples! by Salina Yoon

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented virtually on 10/20/20.

Storytime Handout:


Preschool Storytime: Celebrate the Moon

Posted on by msemilylibrary

October 1 was the first full moon of autumn, and the date of the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival. I have done programming on the moon from a scientific perspective in the past (during the 2019 Universe of Stories summer reading theme), but this time I wanted to concentrate on how the moon has been celebrated traditionally and across cultures.

See other versions of this theme from 2022 and 2026.

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

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

Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello

Discussion: Did you get to see the full moon on Thursday? Ever since then it’s gotten a little bit smaller and skinnier as it goes through its phases. Did you know that throughout all of history, and all over the world, people have looked up in the sky and told stories about the moon? In China, Japan, Korea, the Aztec empire, and the Cree people of Canada have all told stories about the Moon Rabbit. The Salish people of the Pacific Northwest and in China there are also stories about a Moon Toad! In Angola stories were told about the Moon Frog, and the Maori of New Zealand had a story about the Lady in the Moon. You may have heard of the “Man in the Moon,” which is common where we live – that originated with a story from Germany! Perhaps you’ve seen drawings of the moon that look like this (holding up full and crescent versions of a “man in the moon.”) The moon is so far away that people couldn’t see it very clearly, so they imagined what it looked like. But now, we have telescopes that give us a better picture (hold up full and crescent photographs of the moon). Still, it’s fun to use our imaginations and tell stories about the moon. (Credit to Mental Floss for the global moon stories – also, I realize I probably babbled on about all this for much too long! Editing myself is something I’m working on…)

Here are some traditional nursery rhymes that feature the moon
Rhyme: The Man In The Moon
The man in the moon looked out of the moon,
Looked out of the moon and said:
It’s time for all children on the Earth
To think about getting to bed!
Credit: traditional

Flannel Rhyme: Hey, Diddle, Diddle
Hey, diddle, diddle, the cat and the fiddle
The cow jumped over the moon
The little dog laughed to see such fun
And the dish ran away with the spoon
Credit: traditional

Professionally printed flannel with pieces of the cat and the fiddle, the laughing dog, a cow, and the dish and spoon, with a background piece with green grass and a night sky featuring a full moon with a face for the rhyme "Hey, Diddle, Diddle"

Read: Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes

Song: Moon, Moon, Moon
Moon, moon, moon, shining bright
Moon, moon, moon, my night light
Moon, moon, moon, I can see
Moon, moon, moon, you’re taking care of me
(sing twice)

Look up, it’s the moon
Look up, it’s the moon
Look up, it’s the moon up in the sky
It’s big and round and I have found
That it looks just like a pizza pie!
Credit: The Laurie Berkner Band, from the album Victor Vito

Rhyme: The Moon is Round
The moon is round –
As round can be (trace the circle of your face)
Two eyes, a nose, (point at eyes and nose)
And a mouth like me! (point at mouth, then hug baby or self)
Credit: Jbrary

Fingerplay: Sun and Moon
(One hand is the moon as a crescent and the other is the
sun – spread five fingers for sun’s rays)
Moon comes out, Sun goes in
Here is a blanket to cuddle your chin (tickle chin)
Moon goes in, and Sun comes out
Throw off the blankets and bustle about!
(Fling arms out wide and wiggle body)
Credit: Sunflower Storytime

The next book compares the light of the moon to butter!
Read: Moonlight by Helen V. Griffith & Laura Dronzek

Action Rhyme: Big Yellow Moon
Big yellow moon shines so bright, (circle overhead)
Glides across the starry night (arms glide left to right)
Looks down at me (hand shades eyes)
Asleep in bed, (head on hands)
Whispers, “Good night sleepyhead.” (shh)

Big yellow moon, your turn is done (circle overhead, then move arms down)
Here comes Mr. Morning Sun (circle overhead)
I wake up. (arms stretch out)
You go to bed. (head on hands)
“Sleep well, Moon, you sleepyhead.” (shh)
Credit: King County Library System

Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom!
Zoom, zoom, zoom, we’re going to the moon (rhythmically slide hands by each other)
Zoom, zoom, zoom, we’re going to the moon
If you’d like to take a trip, climb aboard my rocket ship (fingers walk up opposite arm)
Zoom zoom zoom, we’re going to the moon
In 5…4…3…2…1…BLAST OFF! (count on hands, crouch lower and lower, then JUMP!)
Credit: Jbrary

The last story is about the Mid-Autumn Moon festival, which is celebrated in China and many other Asian countries, and among some Asian-American families. It’s an opportunity to give thanks for a good harvest, and is centered on the full moon.
Read: Thanking the Moon by Grace Lin

Fingerplay: Twinkling Stars
At night I see the twinkling stars (wiggle fingers)
And the great big shining moon (arms overhead in circle)
My mama tucks me into bed (fists under chin)
And sings this goodnight tune! (follow with a lullaby)
Credit: Sunflower Storytime

Ukulele Song: I See the Moon
(tune of Hush, Little Baby)
I see the moon and the moon sees me
Down through the leaves of the old oak tree
Please let the moon that shines on me
Shine on the ones I love

Over the mountain, over the sea
Back where my heart is longing to be
Please let the moon that shines on me
Shine on the ones I love
Credit: Jbrary

Download a ukulele songsheet for I See the Moon

Thumbnail of I See the Moon ukulele chord sheet

Craft: Moon Lanterns
Make a paper lantern just like the ones we saw in Thanking the Moon. Easy instructions can be easily found online. This craft gives kids practice cutting, and being careful not to cut all the way through the folded paper, but to stop before the end. There are many variations – ours had an inner tube of contrasting color and a handle that was made from a 1.5 inch strip cut from that inner piece.

Picture of paper moon lantern craft.

I also booktalked these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video.
Moonbeams: A Lullaby of the Phases of the Moon by Ann Bausum & Kyung Eun Han
Max and the Tag-Along Moon by Floyd Cooper
A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin

max and the tag-along moon book cover, with a large yellow moon in the top right corner framing a little boy looking upward from playing with cars

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented virtually on 10/6/20.

Storytime Handout:

Baby & Toddler Storytime: Welcome to Virtual

Posted on by msemilylibrary

This was my first ever virtual storytime! My library shut down March 16, 2020 with all staff staying safer at home. I decided I needed to reach out to my storytime kids (and keep myself occupied!) with some virtual programming, so I inventoried my personal collection of picture books and put together a loose plan to share some familiar stories and songs online by the next week, March 24. At this point I wasn’t even thinking about activity or craft suggestions, and the video went live on Facebook but we weren’t yet offering a song and rhyme only version on YouTube as we eventually did.

Welcome Song: Clap and Sing Hello

Transition: We’re in a different place than usual! This is my house. We’re all staying safer at home, but I’m so glad that we can still connect with each other like this. Let’s play a game about colors. Can you find something blue in the room you’re in, or on the screen where I am? Green? Red?

Read: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. & Eric Carle

Song: Hoot, Hoot Went the Little Brown Owl
Hoot, hoot went the little brown owl one day (cup hands around mouth)
Hoot, hoot went the little brown owl
Hoot, hoot went the little brown owl one day
And they all went hoot, hoot, hoot!
But… We know owls go (clap) lah-di-dah-di-dah! (wiggle arms up and down)
(Clap) lah-di-dah-di-dah, (clap) lah-di-dah-di-dah!
We know owls go (clap) lah-di-dah-di-dah!
They don’t go hoot, hoot, hoot!

Jump, jump went the little red squirrel one day (jump!)
Jump, jump went the little red squirrel
Jump, jump went the little red squirrel one day
And they all went jump, jump, jump.
But… We know squirrels go (clap) rub a dub a dub! (arms “run” in front of you)
(Clap) Rub a dub a dub, (clap) rub a dub a dub!
We know squirrels go (clap) rub a dub a dub!
They don’t go jump, jump, jump

Grrr, grrr went the big brown bear one day (make claws and scary face)
Grrr , grrr went the big brown bear
Grrr, grrr went the big brown bear one day
And they all went grrr, grrr, grrr
But… We know bears go (clap) huggy, huggy, hug! (hug yourself)
(Clap) Huggy, huggy, hug, (clap) huggy, huggy, hug!
We know bears go (clap) huggy, huggy, hug!
They don’t go grrr, grrr, grrr
Credit: Jbrary

Bounce Song: Bumping Up and Down
Bumping up and down in my little red wagon
Bumping up and down in my little red wagon
Bumping up and down in my little red wagon
Won’t you be my darlin’?

One wheel’s off and the axle’s broken
One wheel’s off and the axle’s broken
One wheel’s off and the axle’s broken
Won’t you be my darlin’?
(Can continue with other “vehicles” – little black stroller, shiny green tricycle, etc.)
Credit: Raffi, via Jbrary

Fingerplay: Dance Your Fingers
Dance your fingers up,
Dance your fingers down
Dance your fingers to the side,
Dance them all around
Dance them on your shoulders,
dance them on you head
Dance them on your tummy,
and put them all to bed!
Credit: Storytime Katie

Song: The Handwashing Song
(tune of Frère Jacques)
Tops and bottoms, tops and bottoms
In between, in between
Scrub them all together, scrub them all together
Now we’re clean, squeaky clean.
Credit: Jbrary

Read: We Belong Together by Joyce Wan

A song for quarantine. This one was suggested on Storytime Underground for virtual storytimes. The original goes “I am here and you are here.” You can also add motions to extend the song.
Action Song: I Am Here and You Are There
I am here and you are there but we are all together.
I am here and you are there and we’re going to have some fun.
I’m going to clap my hands.

Repeat, clapping hands throughout verse 2
I am here and you are there but we are all together.
I am here and you are there and we’re going to have some fun.
I’m going to clap my hands.
I’m going to stamp my feet.

Repeat, clapping hands AND stomping feet throughout verse 3
I am here and you are there but we are all together.
I am here and you are there and we’re going to have some fun.
I’m going to clap my hands.
I’m going to stamp my feet.
I’m going to nod my head.

Repeat, clapping hands AND stomping feet AND nodding head throughout verse 4
I am here and you are there but we are all together.
I am here and you are there and we have had some fun!
Credit: King County Library System

Ukulele 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
Oh, Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun
Please shine down on me
Credit: Raffi (from the album Singable Songs for the Very Young)
Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet here!

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented virtually on 3/24/20.