Tag: ukulele

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.

Preschool Storytime: What We Wear

Posted on by msemilylibrary

I’ve been wanting to do a clothing theme since making the One Red Sock flannel a few months ago, so finally got a chance to do it. This was a fun theme, with lots of great options for books as well as songs and rhymes. I was also able to use the last Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Award nominee from 2020 I hadn’t yet used in storytime, Pirate Jack Gets Dressed. I loved the flannelboard idea found in the program guide, and ended up with two versions. The first was a quicker, easier print out that came straight from the guide. I used magnets and quickly learned that it’s really hard to have multiple layers with magnets! Plus, some things went under his beard, complicating the layering. I ended up making a felt version that worked much better. This was a good storytime to talk about the myth of “girl colors” and “boy colors” since Pirate Jack loves all the colors, and I also put in a little plug about glamorous clothes good for some people (boys and girls), but it’s okay to want to wear plain clothes, too. Dismantling gendered socialization one storytime at a time!

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

Early Literacy Tip: Playing rhyming games in the car, while waiting for an appointment, or anywhere can be a fun way to help your child hear the smaller sounds in words. Remember, children can recognize a rhyme before they can make the rhyme. So if it’s too hard to make rhymes, let them start with hearing rhymes and recognizing them. For example, the question “Does cat rhyme with bat?” is easier for young children to answer than the question, “What rhymes with cat?” Children enjoy playing with words and their sounds.

Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello

Ukulele Song: If Your Clothes Have Any Red
(tune of If You’re Happy and You Know It)
If your clothes have any red, any red,
If your clothes have any red, any red,
If your clothes have any red,
Put your fingers on your head,
If your clothes have any red, any red.

Additional verses:
Blue … count your fingers up to two
Green … curl your fingers and look mean
Pink … open your eyes wide then blink
Black … do a quick jumping jack
Brown … make a face like a clown
Yellow … Sit back down and look real mellow
Credit: Firefly Early Literacy Award Program Guide 2020 (Pink, black, and brown verses by Ms. Emily)

Download a ukulele songsheet for If You’re Happy and You Know It)

Read: Pirate Jack Gets Dressed by Nancy Raines Day & Allison Black
I did the flannel while reading the book. A little more difficult, but it was worth it. I started by creating a printed cardstock version, laminated, and attached with magnets. As someone who has to complicate everything, I replaced the generic face with an actual scan of Pirate Jack’s illustration. I cut out his beard and cut slits in the shirt, vest, and coat to get them all to fit underneath. However, the paper version was VERY precarious on a vertical magnet board and awfully difficult to keep so many layers in the right place. When it was clear that wasn’t working well, I went ahead and did a felt version. I lengthened his body to fit the pants and boots (in the paper version his boots are just stuck on the ends of his legs with nothing underneath.) I like the felt version a lot, even though it was a lot of work! The parrot might be my favorite piece!

Action Song: Baby, Put Your Pants On
(tune of Shortnin’ Bread)
Baby, put your pants on, pants on, pants on (mime putting on pants)
Baby, put your pants on: 1, 2, 3!

Repeat with other articles of clothing (socks or tights, shoes, etc.)

Now that you’re all dressed, all dressed, all dressed
Now that you’re all dressed, Let’s go out to play!
Credit: Storytime Hooligans

Our next book is about a missing sock! It reminded me of a poem I heard that made me laugh:
Poem: I’m Glad I’m Not a Centipede
I’m glad I’m not a centipede
And I will tell you why:
I would have 100 feet
And 100 shoes to tie!
Credit: thelibraryann

Read: One Red Sock by Jennifer Sattler
Two flannels in one storytime! Crazy.

Flannel for one red sock. Purple hippo, pink chair, variety of socks next to the book.

Action Rhyme: Hickory Dickory Dock
Hickory, dickory, dock. Let’s put on our socks.
We’ll walk around, Without a sound,
When we put on our socks

Additional verses:
…We’ll slide around…
…We’ll tiptoe around…
Credit: Miss Mariah’s Library

Shaker Song: We Shake and We Shake and We Stop
We shake and we shake and we STOP
We shake and we shake and we STOP
We shake and we shake and we shake and we shake
and we shake and we shake and we STOP
Repeat with other actions such as circle, roll, twirl, tap, wave)
Credit: Jbrary

Shaker Song: Wishy Washy Washerwoman
Waaaay down in the valley where nobody goes
There’s a wishy washy washerwoman washing her clothes
She goes wishy washy up, she goes wishy washy down
She goes wishy washy up, she goes wishy washy down
That’s how the wishy washy washerwoman washes her clothes!

Additional verses:
…drying her clothes, she goes whoo-eee! (shake in a circle)
…folding her clothes, she goes side, side (clap shaker to one side, then the other)
Credit: traditional, as sung by Carole Peterson on her page Macaroni Soup

Our next story is about a little girl who likes to wear glamorous clothes!
Read: Mary Had a Little Glam by Tammi Sauer & Vanessa Brantley-Newton

Action Song: Hat, Sweater, Pants, and Shoes
(tune of Head Shoulders Knees and Toes)
Hat, sweater, pants, and shoes (Pants and shoes)
Hat, sweater, pants, and shoes (Pants and shoes)
Belt, and scarf, and underwear!
Hat, sweater, pants, and shoes (Pants and shoes)
Credit: Literary Hoots

Craft: Clothesline Scene
Color a field or the ground for your clothesline to sit on. Glue down the ends of the yarn but leave the middle free, then the sticks to make the clothesline. Color and cut clothes out, then “hang” them using tabs. (If this is too fiddly, feel free to glue down the string and the clothes.) Add details like sun, clouds, trees, etc.
I couldn’t find clothes with tabs the way I wanted, so I created my own page of clothesline clothes using Canva. Download the PDF here.

I also booktalked these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video.
Ella Sarah Gets Dressed by Margaret Chodos-Irvine
Mrs. McNosh Hangs Up Her Wash by Sarah Weeks & Nadine Bernard Westcott

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented virtually on 9/29/20.

Storytime Handout:

Preschool Storytime: No Theme

Posted on by msemilylibrary

This was my second virtual storytime ever, way back in March. I worked with books I had at home and tried to transition between them using rhymes and songs. I used shaker songs, so encouraged caregivers to make a simple shaker at home using rice or beans in a closable container their child could grip (mine is a 4 oz plastic food container secured with tape). I also said that even if you don’t have a shaker, you can participate by getting out your “magic shaker” – an invisible shaker you can shake and make noise with a “cha-cha” sound. This was a storytime I did exclusively on Facebook Live, and do not have a permanent YouTube version available. With everyone staying safer at home, we weren’t providing handouts or Take and Make packets at that time. I tried to suggest either crafts made with household materials or activities caregivers could do with their child.

Welcome Song: Clap and Sing Hello

Fingerplay: Mr. Bullfrog
Here is Mr. Bullfrog (make fist)
sitting on a rock (place fist on other palm)
He jumps into the water… (lift fist, building anticipation)
Kerplop! (clap hands together)
Credit: Storytime with Miss Tara and Friends

Read: Jump! by Scott M. Fischer

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!
Credit: Jbrary (see video for motions)

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

Read: The Pigeon Wants a Puppy! by Mo Willems

Action Song: My Dog Rags
I have a dog and his name is Rags
He eats so much that his tummy sags (arms circle in front of tummy)
His ears flip flop (flop hands up and down by ears)
and his tail wig wags (wiggle bottom)
And when he walks, he goes zig zag! (zig zag hands together)

He goes flip flop, wig wag, (pause) zig zag (repeat motions above)
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! (arms cross chest)
Credit: Jbrary

Ukulele Song: Days of the Week
(tune of the Addams Family Theme)
Days of the week (clap, clap)
Days of the week (clap, clap)
Days of the week, days of the week, days of the week (clap, clap)

There’s Sunday and there’s Monday
There’s Tuesday and there’s Wednesday
There’s Thursday and there’s Friday
And then there’s Saturday!
Credit: Yogibrarian

Download a ukulele songsheet for Days of the Week

Read: Saturday by Oge Mora

Breathing Exercise
When things don’t go our way, sometimes it helps to take some deep breaths, just like Ava did in Saturday. Will you breathe with me? Let’s breathe in for 3 counts and out for 3 counts.

Activity Suggestion: Puppets!
Just as Ava and her mother made puppets, so can you! You can make puppets from a sock, a paper lunch sack, or even make finger puppets out of plain paper. Dramatic play is great for storytelling and narrative skills, and is a great creative outlet! My puppets were a paper bag flamingo, a sock puppet with pink bows, and a pigeon finger puppet. (My sock puppet was dismantled after storytime.)

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented virtually on 3/30/20.

Baby & Toddler Storytime: Eggs

Posted on by msemilylibrary

Well, this was a very loose theme. I believe it was near Easter, and I was using only my own personal books during lockdown. It was just past my own birthday, so that’s how I looped in The Birthday Box. It was slim pickin’s at that point! I also did a bit of talking during this storytime about mask wearing, so that took up some time I would normally have done some more rhymes. This was a storytime I did exclusively on Facebook Live, and do not have a permanent YouTube version available. With everyone staying safer at home, we weren’t providing handouts or Take and Make packets at that time. I tried to suggest either crafts made with household materials or activities caregivers could do with their child.

Welcome Song: Clap and Sing Hello

I’d used the printable flannelboard for this rhyme from Sunflower Storytime before, but at home I had to do without. Instead I made it a fingerplay.
Fingerplay: Ten Fluffy Chickens
Five eggs and five eggs (show hands, one at a time, with fingers wide)
And that makes ten (bring hands together)
Sitting on top is Mother Hen (fold one hand over other)
Cackle cackle cackle (clap, clap, clap)
What do I see? (questioning pose)
Ten fluffy chickens (all fingers out)
Yellow as can be (wiggle fingers)
Credit: Sunflower Storytime

Read: Good Egg by Barney Saltzberg
This is such a fun novelty book – it includes tabs and pop-up elements and compares an egg getting ready to hatch to a dog. In the end, the egg “speaks” – “peep, peep!”

Earlier in the spring, we talked about how caregivers could make a simple shaker at home using rice or beans in a closable container their child could grip (mine is a 4 oz plastic food container secured with tape). I always say that even if you don’t have a shaker, you can participate by getting out your “magic shaker” – an invisible shaker you can shake and make noise with a “cha-cha” sound.
Shaker Song: We Shake and We Shake and We Stop
We shake and we shake and we STOP
We shake and we shake and we STOP
We shake and we shake and we shake and we shake
and we shake and we shake and we STOP
Additional verses:
We circle…
We tap…
We roll…
Credit: Jbrary

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

Read: The Birthday Box by Leslie Patricelli
Another book that uses a cardboard box to discuss imagination, à la Not a Box by Portis.

And now a transition from imagination to going on an imaginary trip to the moon…
Action Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom
Zoom, zoom, zoom (scrape hands past each other rhythmically)
We’re going to the moon.
Zoom, zoom, zoom
We’re going to the moon.
If you want to take a trip (walk fingers up opposite arm)
climb aboard my rocket ship.
Zoom, zoom, zoom
We’re going to the moon.
In 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 (count on fingers and crouch progressively lower)
Blast off! (jump up!)
Credit: Jbrary

Discussion: Masks
I made a small sized mask to fit on my Scaredy Squirrel puppet, who “attends” all my virtual storytimes, and talked about mask wearing.
I know we’re mostly staying in the house right now, but if you go out to a store or on a walk, you may see people who look a little different – they’re wearing a mask! Here’s Scaredy Squirrel’s mask. It covers his nose and mouth, and is held in place with these loops that go behind his ears. It may look a little funny and different, but it’s not scary! It is just hiding those parts of his face so that his germs can’t go out to others, and others’ germs don’t come in to his nose or mouth to make him sick. Ms. Emily has a mask, too – see how it goes over my ears and covers my nose and mouth. I’m still here underneath, and it looks a little silly, like I’m hiding. But I’m not hiding from friends, I’m hiding from GERMS! So, if you see people wearing masks while you’re out, there’s no reason to be scared. It just helps protect us if we have to go out. Your grown up might ask you to wear a mask, too. It takes some getting used to, but it isn’t hard! Grownups, remember, the CDC recommends that kids under the age of 2 shouldn’t wear a mask, but older kids can.

Ukulele Song: Down by the Bay
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
Back to my home I dare not go!
For if I do, my mother will say:
“Did you ever see a goose kissing a moose?”
Down by the bay!
Additional verses:
… a whale with a polka dot tail?
… a fly wearing a tie?
… a bear combing his hair?
… a llama eating pajamas?
Did you ever have a time when you couldn’t make a rhyme?
Credit: traditional, as popularized by Raffi on the album Singable Songs for the Very Young

Download a ukulele songsheet for Down By the Bay

Activity Idea: Design an Egg
Grownups can draw egg shapes on paper, then kids can draw and design fanciful patterns. You can also draw what might be inside an egg – a chicken? A duck? An alligator?!

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented virtually on 4/7/20.

Preschool Storytime: Mistaken Identity

Posted on by msemilylibrary

What a mouthful for a storytime theme – Mistaken Identity! Yet, I easily found three books that tied to this concept and I’m sure there are many more. We spent a moment at the beginning of the session breaking down the phrase and talking about what it means, and I got feedback later that the kids really enjoyed these stories. This was an early-lockdown storytime I did exclusively on Facebook Live, and do not have a YouTube version available. With everyone staying safer at home, we weren’t providing handouts or Take and Make packets at that time. I tried to suggest either crafts made with household materials or activities caregivers could do with their child.

Welcome Song: Clap and Sing Hello

Read: Mother Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins

Fingerplay: Hickory Dickory Dock
Hickory, dickory dock
the mouse ran up the clock (fingers run up arm)
the clock struck one (clap once)
the mouse ran down (fingers run down arm)
hickory dickory dock.

Additional verses:
…the clock struck two (clap twice) the mouse said, boo! …
…the clock struck three (clap three times) the mouse said, whee! …
…the clock struck four (clap four times) the mouse said, no more! …
Credit: Jbrary

Song: Grr, Grr Went the Big Brown Bear
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

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

Mmm-ahh went the little green frog one day (stick out tongue)
Mmm-ahh went the little green frog
Mmm-ahh went the little green frog one day
And they all went mm-mm-ahh!
But… We know frogs go (clap) sha-na-na-na-na (jazz hands)
(Clap) sha-na-na-na-na, (clap) sha-na-na-na-na
We know frogs go (clap) sha-na-na-na-na
They don’t go mm-mm-ahh!
Credit: Jbrary

Read: The Wide-Mouthed Frog by Keith Faulkner & Jonathan Lambert

For this song, I use three differently sized frog rasps that I purchased on Amazon. They’re a lot of fun and the kids love them. Thanks so much to Ada Moreau Demlow for posting a video of her original creation on Facebook!
Song: Three Frogs in a Bog
There was a big frog (rasp, rasp)
Lived in a big bog (rasp, rasp)
He swam in the water (rasp, rasp)
Played on a big log (rasp, rasp)
Big log (rasp, rasp)
Big bog (rasp, rasp)
Big frog (rasp, rasp)

There was a middle-sized frog…
There was a little frog…

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

Three wooden frog-shaped percussion instruments, with a line of ridges down the back; large, medium, and small. Each holds a removable wooden percussion stick in its mouth.
Frog rasps

Fingerplay: Mr. Bullfrog
Here is Mr. Bullfrog (make fist)
sitting on a rock (place fist on other palm)
He jumps into the water… (lift fist, building anticipation)
Kerplop! (clap hands together)
Credit: Storytime with Miss Tara and Friends

Read: Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal & Tom Lichtenheld

Ukulele Song: Duck On Her Head
Ms. Emily’s got a duck on her head
Ms. Emily’s got a duck on her head
Ms. Emily’s got a duck on her head
And she keeps it there all day! (Quack, quack!)

Repeat with children’s names and other animals. I used animals that were in our stories and rhymes today: Rabbit, Frog, Bear, Goose, Mouse.
Credit: Laurie Berkner (Original song is “Pig on Her Head”)
Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet here!

Craft Idea: Animal Headband
Use construction paper and any other craft materials you wish to create a headband featuring an animal you like best! Add ears, eyes, noses or snouts to evoke different animals. I made a duck, and traced my hands to make the wings. Pro tip – always staple with the smooth side toward the inside so it doesn’t get tangled in a child’s hair!

Yellow paper headband with features to look like a duck: wing feathers, eyes, and an orange beak.

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented virtually on 4/14/20.

Baby & Toddler Storytime: Firefly Award

Posted on by msemilylibrary

Since 2015, the Indiana State Library has had an annual reader’s choice award for excellent picture books called the Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Award. Libraries around the state are encouraged to present the five nominated books and collect votes from kids ages 0-5. Even in lockdown, there were ways to promote the program. The ISL got permission to do a read-aloud video for each title available during the voting period. I promoted two of those titles during this storytime and encouraged parents to watch the remaining three and vote. (I have/will be featuring the other titles in other storytimes.) We learned later that the winning title for 2020 was Don’t Blink! The ISL does a great job promoting this program, and creates a programming guide with suggested extension activities for each title, which I drew from to create this storytime. Read more about the Firefly Award here! This was also a storytime I did exclusively on Facebook Live, and do not have a YouTube version available. With everyone staying safer at home, we weren’t providing handouts or Take and Make packets at that time. I tried to suggest either crafts made with household materials or activities caregivers could do with their child.

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

Welcome Song: Clap and Sing Hello

Tickle song: Spots, Spots, Spots
Spots, spots, spots, spots, spots, spots, spots, spots
A leopard has lots of spots
What a lot of spots he got
A tiger’s stripes are always nice
But a leopard has lots of spots
Spots, spots, spots, spots, spots, spots, spots, spots
Credit: Jbrary

Read: B Is for Baby by Atinuke & Angela Brooksbank

Ukulele Song: My Bonnie
(Stand up or sit down (or raise or lower arms) every time you hear a word beginning with “B”!)
My Bonnie lies over the ocean,
My Bonnie lies over the sea,
My Bonnie lies over the ocean,
Oh bring back my Bonnie to me.

Bring back, bring back, Oh bring back my Bonnie to me, to me:
Bring back, bring back, Oh bring back my Bonnie to me.
Credit: Traditional, actions as described on the album Jim Gill Sings Do Re Mi on His Toe Leg Knee.
Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet here!

Thumbnail of ukulele songsheet for "My Bonnie"

Many people in African countries are experts at carrying items on their head. These could be anything from a basket of fruit to a sewing machine! This leaves their hands free for other tasks and for greeting friends. (Point out illustration on the B is for Bougainvillea page) How far can you go with a beanbag, pillow, or stuffed animal on your head?

Action Song: The Bean Bag
Verse 1
Throw the bean bag and catch
Turn around, turn around, stamp, stamp, stamp
Throw the bean bag and catch
Turn around, turn around, stamp, stamp, stamp

Chorus
Put it on your head and walk around the room (4 times)

Put it on your shoulder, Put it on your elbow
Put it on your knee, Put it on your back now
Put it on your stomach, Put it on your finger
Put it on your foot, Put it on your arm now
repeat chorus
repeat verse 1
Credit: Hap Palmer, from the album Can a Jumbo Jet Sing the Alphabet?

Have you ever tried to skip bedtime? What did you do? Did it work? What is you usual bedtime routine? Here’s a story about skipping bedtime.

Read: Don’t Blink! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal & David Roberts

Lullaby: Over the Ocean
Sailing, sailing over the water
Sailing, sailing over the sea
Sailing, sailing over the ocean
Sail back home to me
Credit: Kathy Reid Naiman from the album A Smooth Road To London Town

*SEE EDIT ABOVE* Ukulele Song: Every Little Cell
(tune of Shortnin’ Bread)
Every little cell in my body is happy
Every little cell is healthy and well
Every little cell in my body is happy
Every little cell is healthy and well

Cells on my left, cells on my right
All my cells are doing just fine
Cells from my top all the way down my spine
My cells work together to keep me in line
Credit: Mick Jeffries taught me the first verse, I wrote the second
(I also saw Allison Davies perform it with a different second verse)

Activity Suggestion: Beading
We saw beautiful, colorful beads in B is for Baby. Spend some time this week beading! Beading is a great activity for fine motor skills. You can make big beads by cutting sections of cardboard tubes (and children can decorate them, too). Older children may enjoy beading with pasta or large wooden beads. For the string, use yarn, shoelaces, or household twine. Wrap tape around the ends of yarn and twine to make it easier to thread.

Also check out the other Firefly Award nominees!
Firefly Home by Jane Clarke & Britta Teckentrup
Pirate Jack Gets Dressed by Nancy Raines Day & Allison Black
The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented virtually on 4/21/20.

Baby and Toddler Storytime: Things That Go

Posted on by msemilylibrary

I was getting down to the last few “themes” that seemed to work out of the books I had in my home and a box of books my director pulled for me while the library was closed, but transportation is a classic and there are lots of extensions that go with it! This was also the first video that I re-recorded with booktalks instead of full readings in order to archive it permanently on YouTube. (The full video went live on Facebook and was deleted in a week.) With everyone staying safer at home, we weren’t providing handouts or Take and Make packets at that time. I tried to suggest either crafts made with household materials or activities caregivers could do with their child.

*EDIT: I’ve realized that the tune “Shortnin’ Bread” is rooted in racism and can be harmful. I’ll no longer be using “Every Little Cell” 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: When children are young, they treat books as they would any other toy – they play with them! This means they put them in their mouths and explore them by pushing and pulling and sometimes tearing them. When you allow your young children to explore books, they are learning how to handle them. Keep some in their toy box. You are helping your children develop print awareness. They are learning how books work, with pages that turn. This is one of the skills that researchers have shown is an important part of a strong foundation for reading.

Welcome Song: Clap and Sing Hello

Read: Vroom! by Barbara McClintock
I love that this title features a female protagonist, lots to look at in the scenery, and even shows the author posing in front of her race car on the back flap!

Action Rhyme: Green Means Go
Green means “GO!” Go! Go! Go! (roll arms quickly)
Yellow means “Slow.” Slow… slow… slow. (roll arms slowly)
Red means “STOP!” (ASL sign for stop: one hand making a chopping motion onto flat opposite hand)
Go! Go! Go! (roll fast!)
Slow… slow… slow. (roll slowly)
Stop! (ASL Sign)
Credit: Jbrary

Song: I’ll Take You Ridin’ in My Car
I’ll take you ridin’ in my car, car (“drive” with a “steering wheel”)
I’ll take you ridin’ in my car, car
I’ll take you ridin’ in my car, car
I’ll take you ridin’ in my car.
Additional verses:
The doors on the car go open and shut… (hands or arms move open and shut)
The windshield wipers go swish, swish… (arms wiper back and forth)
The horn on the car goes beep, beep… (push the horn)
The engine it goes “brrrmp, brrrmp”… (make engine noises with raspberry lips)
Credit: Woody Guthrie, as adapted by Jbrary

Read: Puppy Truck by Brian Pinkney

Lap Bounce: Bumpity, Bumpity Goes the Dump Truck
(tune of Michael Finnegan)
Bumpity, bumpity goes the dump truck
Bumpity, bumpity goes the dump truck
Bumpity, bumpity goes the dump truck
Dump out the load! (lean to side or back)
Credit: Jbrary

Action Song: The Wheels on the Bus
The wheels on the bus go round and round
Round and round, Round and round
The wheels on the bus go round and round
All through the town!

Additional verses:
The money on the bus goes clink, clank, clink…
The wipers on the bus go swish, swish, swish…
The driver on the bus says “Move on back!”…
The doors on the bus go open and shut…
The babies on the bus go “Wah, wah, wah!”…
The parents on the bus go “Shush, shush, shush!”…
Credit: Traditional

Read: The Pigeon Loves Things That Go! by Mo Willems

Rhythm Rhyme: Hippopotamus on a City Bus
(slap thighs rhythmically until the last line of each verse)
A hip, a hip, a hippopotamus
Got on, got on, got on a city bus
And all, and all, and all the people said,
“You’re squishing us!” (squish face)

A cow, a cow, a cow got on a bus
Yes, a cow, a cow, a cow got on the bus
And all, and all, and all the people said,
“Mooooove over!” (lean far to one side)

A snake, a snake, a snake got on the bus
Yes, a snake, a snake, a snake got on the bus
And all, and all, and all the people said,
“Sssssssssit down!” (motion hand down)

A sheep, a sheep, a sheep got on the bus
Yes, a sheep, a sheep, a sheep got on the bus
And all, and all, and all the people said,
“Baaaack up!” (lean far back)
Credit: I’ve known this one a long time, but Jbrary has a lap bounce version.

An off-theme song to wrap up, but one to reinforce some feelings of healthfulness.
*SEE EDIT ABOVE* Ukulele Song: Every Little Cell
(tune of Shortnin’ Bread)
Every little cell in my body is happy
Every little cell is healthy and well
Every little cell in my body is happy
Every little cell is healthy and well

Cells on my left, cells on my right
All my cells are doing just fine
Cells from my top all the way down my spine
My cells work together to keep me in line
Credit: Mick Jeffries taught me the first verse, I wrote the second
(I also saw Allison Davies perform it with a different second verse)

Activity Suggestion: Play with Cars
Take some time to play with cars or trucks this week! You can make a track using tape on the floor, chalk on a sidewalk outside, or use the pattern lines already on rugs or blankets. If you don’t have toy cars, you can decorate toilet paper rolls. You may even want to have a “drive-in movie” at your house by making a car with an old cardboard box. (Image credits to A Little Pinch of Perfect and Welcome to Nana’s)

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented virtually on 5/5/20.


Preschool Storytime: Summertime Fun

Posted on by msemilylibrary

The first inkling of this storytime theme came from a desire to use the book Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall. It’s a gorgeous book with a lovely story about everyday fear and courage at a public pool. As I was researching other books to use with a “Summer” theme, I saw several that had to do with pools, vacations, visiting relatives, selling lemonade etc. All things that kids right now cannot do due to public places being closed and the need to stay safer at home. I decided that I really wanted to highlight the summer fun that can be had even with lockdowns and quarantine. I will definitely return to Jabari Jumps another time, but for now I focused on popsicles, hiking/camping, and firefly watching.

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

Early Literacy Tip: Our fingerplay and craft activities encourage your children to use finger motions of different kinds, grasping, and gripping muscles. These motions help them later when they are learning to write.

Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello

What’s something that makes you think it’s summer? It’s hot! What makes it hot? The sun!
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!

Action Rhyme: Big Round Sun
Big round sun in the summer sky (arms rounded up high)
Waved to a cloud that was passing by (wave)
The little cloud laughed as it started to rain (fingers wave down)
And out came the big round sun again. (arms rounded high)
Credit: Mel’s Desk

One thing I like to do when it’s hot outside is have a popsicle! This book talks about paletas – that’s popsicles in Spanish.

Read: What Can You Do With a Paleta?/¿Qué Puedes Hacer Con una Paleta? by Carmen Tafolla & Magaly Morales

I sang this one instead of using the recording, so I could do the different flavors (I think the official song only does lime, grape, and rainbow.) I did the first verse as a setup, then only repeated the second part for each flavor.
Flannel Song: I’m Eating a Popsicle
In the summer when it’s really hot,
I want something that will hit the spot
Well it’s not a pickle & I’m not very fickle
All I want is an ice cold popsicle!

I’m eating a grape popsicle,
I’m eating a grape popsicle
Slurp, slurp, slurp, (slurp, slurp, slurp)
Yum, yum, yum (yum, yum, yum)
Now stick out your tongue: egh, egh, egh
Stick out your tongue: egh, egh, egh
What color is your tongue when you’re done?
(repeat with: lime, cherry, orange, lemon, blueberry, rainbow)
Credit: Jodi Koplin’s Jigglejam (from the album Jumpin’ Bean)

Flannel of a girl with afro puff hair and 7 popsicles: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and rainbow striped. There is a matching removable tongue to go with each flavor.
My cute popsicle girl!

In the summer we can also go camping or on a nature hike. Or on a boat like a canoe or a rowboat.

Bounce Song: Rowin’ Down the River
(tune of Bumpin’ Up & Down in My Little Red Wagon)
Rowin’ down the river in my little green canoe (bounce or row)
Rowin’ down the river in my little green canoe
Rowin’ down the river in my little green canoe
Won’t you be my darlin’?

Additional verses:
Lookin’ out for rocks… (shade eyes)
Wavin’ to a turtle… (wave)
Don’t stand up or you might tip over… (lean left and right)
Credit: Ms. Emily Library, adapted from Mel’s Desk

Read: Hiking Day by Anne Rockwell & Lizzy Rockwell

Fingerplay: Here is the Camper
Here is the camper (Hold up finger)
Here is the tent (Bend fingers of other hand over like tent)
They crawl inside on a summer night (Finger goes under hand)
Fireflies flicker in a friendly way (Fists opening out rapidly)
All is calm ’til the light of day. (Head on folded hands)
Credit: Sturgis Kids Wiki

Something special we enjoy in Indiana, perhaps even in your backyard: fireflies (or lightning bugs)! Did you know that the Say’s Firefly is the Indiana State Insect?

Fingerplay: Two Little Fireflies
Two little fireflies shining in the sky,
One shined low and one shined high.
Fly away low, Fly away high.
Come back low, Come back high.

Two little fireflies shining in the grass,
One shined slow and one shined fast.
Fly away slow, Fly away fast.
Come back slow, Come back fast.
Credit: Indiana Firefly Award 2020 Program Guide

Two paper fireflies attached to popsicle sticks.
Firefly puppets made with art shared by the Indiana Firefly Award 2019 Program Guide

Read: Firefly Home by Jane Clarke & Britta Teckentrup

Song: Twinkle, Twinkle Firefly
(tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star)
Twinkle, twinkle firefly, How I watch you in the night.
I see you sparkle, I see you shine, I hold you in these hands of mine.
Twinkle, twinkle firefly, A world of wonder flashing by.
Credit: Indiana Firefly Award 2020 Program Guide

Craft: Firefly Suncatcher. Use contact paper and tissue paper squares to make a firefly suncatcher. (or mooncatcher?) From I Heart Arts N Crafts via the Indiana Firefly Award 2020 Program Guide.

Craft depicting fireflies with black heads and wings and yellow and green thoraces made from tissue paper and clear contact paper.
Image credit to Jackie at I Heart Arts N Crafts

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

I also booktalked these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video. Each corresponds to one of the themes above. Let’s Go Hiking was actually written by a local author who is also one of my storytime moms!
One Hot Summer Day by Nina Crews
Let’s Go Hiking by Caitlin Taylor
Among a Thousand Fireflies by Helen Frost & Rick Lieder

This storytime was presented virtually on 8/18/20.

Storytime Handout: