“Banned Books Week” preschool storytime

 

Opening Song
I wiggle my fingers. I wiggle my toes.
I wiggle my ears. I wiggle my nose.
I wiggle my shoulders. I wiggle my chin.
I stretch my arms wide and pull them back in.
I wiggle my elbows. I wiggle my knees.
I hop like a bunny. I smile and say, “Cheese!”
Now I have no more wiggles left in me
And I sit on the floor as still as can be.
Source: Storytime with Jason

Book – Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Song: Mr. Eric’s “I Can Shake my Shaker Egg” – Let the wild rumpus start!
The kids actually wanted to do this song again, so we didn’t have time for the next rhyme, but I wanted to throw it on here anyway.

Did You Ever See a Wild Thing?
Did you ever see a wild thing,
A wild thing, a wild thing?
Did you ever see a wild thing
Go this way and that
Go this way and that way
And this way and that way?
Did you ever see a wild thing
Go this way and that
Source: Adapted traditional

 

Book – The Family Book by Todd Parr

If You Love Mom and You Know It
If you love Mom and you know it,
Clap your hands.
If you love Mom and you know it,
Clap your hands.
If you love Mom and you know it,
Then your face will surely show it.
If you love Mom and you know it,
Clap your hands.
Dad…say, “I love you”
Sister…blow a kiss
Brother…give a hug
Source: Adapted traditional

Counting Sheep (sung to “This Old Man”)
Counting sheep, counting sheep
Helps my mommy go to sleep.
(stretch and yawn)
One sheep, two sheep,
(hold up appropriate number of fingers)
Three sheep, four
Soon my mommy starts to snore.
Repeat with “daddy” and other family members
Source: Lansdowne Library CSD

Make a Heart
(make a heart using both hands)
Make a heart up in the sky.
Make it tall. Make it wide.
Make a heart close to the ground.
Make it small, then sit down.
Source: King County Library System

Book – It’s a Book by Lane Smith

Song – “Ziggy Says” – Ziggy Marley

A Ram Sam Sam*
A ram sam sam
A ram sam sam
Guli guli guli guli guli
A rafi, a rafi,
Guli guli guli guli guli
Ram sam sam
Source: Storyblocks

*This song was unofficially challenged at my library when a child care provider didn’t want to sing it unless we could explain what the words meant. The storytime provider didn’t know and referred the patron to me. Truth is, no one knows what the words mean. It’s traditionally called a Moroccan folk song, but it doesn’t mean anything in any language spoken in Morocco either. I told the patron we sing it because it’s fun and because the movements work the midline of the body. Working the midline creates connections between the 2 hemispheres of the brain, which is vital in learning spatial awareness and in learning to read and write.

Goodbye
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as high as we can
Good-bye! (in high, squeaky voice)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as low as we can
Good-bye! (in a deep voice)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as fast as we can
Good-bye! (very quick)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as slow as we can
Good-bye! (very slowly and drawn out)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as quiet as we can
Good-bye! (in a whisper)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as loud as we can
GOOD-BYE! (yelling)
Source: Jbrary

Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Typically held during the last week of September, it highlights the value of free and open access to information. Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community –- librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types –- in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular. Click here for more information on Banned Books Week.

 

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“Things that Go” toddler storytime

Opening Rhyme
(to the tune of The Farmer in the Dell)
We’re all here today. We’re all here today.
Let’s clap our hands and sing together.
Hip, hip, hooray!
Source: (To be honest, my library was using this before I started so I’m not sure where the previous librarian found it, but it looks like a modified version of Jean Warren’s Preschool Express song here.)

Hello, Hands. Good-bye, Hands.
Hello, hands. (Wave hands in front of face.)
Good-bye, hands. (Hide hands behind back.)
Hello, hands. Good-bye, hands.
My hands were feeling shy today. (Keep hands hidden.)
But now they’re feeling better! (Bring hands out, wave frantically, and smile HUGE.)
Repeat with feet, face, etc.
Source: King County Library System

Book – Hello, Airplane! by Bill Cotter

Zoom, Zoom, Zoom, We’re Going to the Moon
Zoom, zoom, zoom,
We’re going to the moon
If you want to take a trip climb aboard my rocket ship
Far, far, far, we’re going to the stars
In 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, blast off!
Far, far, far, we’re going to the stars
Fun, fun, fun, we’re going to the sun
Source: Jbrary

Hurry, hurry! Drive the fire truck
Hurry, hurry! Drive the fire truck!
Hurry, hurry! Drive the fire truck!
Hurry, hurry! Drive the fire truck!
Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding!
Hurry, hurry! Climb the ladder…
Hurry, hurry, squirt the fire…
Slowly, slowly, take a nap…
Hurry, hurry, drive the fire truck…
Source: King County Library System       

Felt Board – Where is Airplane?
Where is airplane? Where is airplane?
Here I am. Here I am
How are you today, sir? Very well, I thank you.
Fly away. Fly away.
Repeat with train, boat, car, etc
Source: Adapted traditional

Book – My Bus by Byron Barton

Row Your Boat
Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,
Life is but a dream.
Row row row your boat
gently down the stream
If you see a crocodile
Don’t forget to scream! (scream)
Rock, rock, rock your boat
Gently to and fro.
Look out, give a shout!
Into the water you go!
(pretend to make a big splash)
Source: King County Library System

Song – Mr. Eric’s “Beep Beep” 

Bubbles – best bubble machine ever! (IMHO, of course)

 Rainbows in my Bubbles
Tune of She’ll be Coming Round the Mountain)
I’ve got rainbows in my bubbles, yes, I do
I’ve got rainbows in my bubbles, yes, I do
When I look up towards the sun,
They’ve got rainbows every one.
I’ve got rainbows in my bubbles, yes, I do.
Source: Preschool Express

Good-bye Song
Wave with one hand, then with the other
Wave with one hand, then with the other
Wave with one hand, then with the other
Wave with both feet now
Repeat with other body parts
Source: King County Library System

Play Time!

Early literacy tip: Books about cars, truck, planes and trains often have great sounds like “beep beep,” “zoom,” and “chugga chugga.” Words like these help your child learn the sounds of language and will help your child develop pre-reading skills. Whenever you can, play with sounds with your child.
Source: Miss Lisa’s Storytimes

Other books that could work for this theme:
Can You Catch Me? Tutu and the Vehicles – Priotr Karski

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“Reading and Libraries” preschool storytime

Opening Song
I wiggle my fingers. I wiggle my toes.
I wiggle my ears. I wiggle my nose.
I wiggle my shoulders. I wiggle my chin.
I stretch my arms wide and pull them back in.
I wiggle my elbows. I wiggle my knees.
I hop like a bunny. I smile and say, “Cheese!”
Now I have no more wiggles left in me
And I sit on the floor as still as can be.
Source: Storytime with Jason

Book – Book! Book! Book! by Deborah Bruss 

Song – “I Know a Chicken” – Laurie Berkner (with egg shakers)

Felt Board – Bookworm
5 felt books in 5 different colors – red, blue, green, black, purple
1 felt worm. Hide the worm behind one of the books.
“Bookworm, bookworm, playing hide and seek.
Are you behind the ____ book? Let’s take a peek!”
Source: Jbrary

 Put Your Hands in the Air
Put your hands in the air,
And touch the ground.
Put your finger on your nose,
And your tongue all around.
Put your hands on your shoulders,
And your elbows on your knees.
Put your chin in your hands, & say,
“Read me a story please.”
Source: King County Library System

 Book – Lola at the Library by Anna McQuinn 

Song – Jim Gill’s “Can’t Wait to Celebrate” 

Story Train
Story train, story train
Chugging down the track.
If you want a story, hook onto my back.
Story train, story train chugging all around,
If you want a story then we’ll all sit down!
Source: King County Library System

Read your Books (Row your Boat)
Read, read, read your books,
Read them every day.
Books are fun (jazz hands!)
And make us smart
(point to your amazing brain)
In every kind of way (swoop arms around!)
Source: King County Library System

Open the Book, Close the Book
Arms, legs, both
Close the book. Open the book. Turn the page.
Start seated with arms stretched out in front of you, palms touching. To “open the book,” stretch the arms wide. To close it, bring them back together. To “turn the page,” open just the right arm and close it, then the left arm and close it. Repeat “turning pages” until the kids giggle. Repeat the whole sequence using legs instead of arms. Then try arms and legs together. 

Book – Dinosaur vs. the Library by Bob Shea

Dinosaurs Used to Stomp
Dinosaurs used to stomp
Dinosaurs used to roar
But now they’re quiet
And quite still
Because they exist no more
Source: I could have sworn I got this from KCLS, but nothing is coming up in a google search. While I would love to take credit for it, I’m certain it didn’t come from my head. If anyone knows a source for this, please pass it along! 

Felt Board – Five Enormous Dinosaurs

Goodbye
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as high as we can
Good-bye! (in high, squeaky voice)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as low as we can
Good-bye! (in a deep voice)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as fast as we can
Good-bye! (very quick)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as slow as we can
Good-bye! (very slowly and drawn out)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as quiet as we can
Good-bye! (in a whisper)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as loud as we can
GOOD-BYE! (yelling)
Source: Jbrary

Early literacy tip: READ EVERY DAY!
Make reading fun. Use voices and gestures to bring stories to life.

 

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“Dinosaurs” yoga storytime

Opening – How I explain the rules of yoga storytime: stay on your mat and keep your hands to yourself.
(Skip to my Lou –  from Jim Gill)
Stomping feet, one and two
Stomping feet, one and two
But if my feet were covered in glue
I’d stick to the glue, my darling.

Clapping hands, one and two
Clapping hands, one and two
But if my hands were covered in glue
I’d stick to the glue, my darling
(hands in Anjali mudra, or prayer position)

Extend and Stretch
Frere Jacques
Extend and stretch (sit in sukasana – easy seated pose, or crisscross applesauce- and do seated side bends)
Extend and stretch
Twist and turn (seated twists)
Twist and turn
This is yoga, (hands overhead on “this,” then bring to prayer position on “yoga”)
This is yoga
Om sweet om, (hands in prayer, bow forward)
Om sweet om
Source: I got this from Kids Yoga Guide teacher training, but here is another from Be Grace Yoga 

Song: Karma Kids Yoga’s “Yoga Clock (Tick Tock)”
We used our yoga clocks to warm up and to go back in time to when the dinosaurs lived.

Dinosaurs wake up and stretch.
Begin in balasana/child’s pose (inside the egg). Who wants to come out? What do you think we’ll see outside the egg?
Stretch up tall (still on knees) to crack open our egg.
Stretch side to side to wake up muscles. parighasana/ gate pose on both sides
Cat/cow to stretch spine and hips
Stretch out neck. Start in table. Lift one arm as the dinosaur neck. Sway it from side to side. Switch arms. Then try the dinosaur tail. Lift one leg. Lower it, and try the other. For extra fun, try lifting opposite arms and legs (right arm and left leg, then left arm and right leg). Remember, baby dinos fell all the time, so it’s ok if you topple!

Open Book
Arms, legs, both
Close the book. Open the book. Turn the page.
Start seated with arms stretched out in front of you, palms touching. To “open the book,” stretch the arms wide. To close it, bring them back together. To “turn the page,” open just the right arm and close it, then the left arm and close it. Repeat “turning pages” until the kids giggle. Repeat the whole sequence using legs instead of arms. Then try arms and legs together. 

Book – Dinosaurs! by Peter Sis

Dinosaur partner puzzle. I printed out 11×17 pictures of dinosaurs and then cut each picture in half, puzzle-style. The kids had to find their other puzzle half, and then we all did the poses. You have to be a member to see the post, but I wanted to credit Yoga in my School for both the dino poses and the puzzle idea.
Velociraptor – lion’s breath/ simhasana
Dinosaur eggs – balasana/child’s pose
Pterodactyl –warrior III/virabhadrasana III
Brachiosaurus – Standing Splits/ Urdhva Prasarita Eka Padasana
Ankylosaurus – Three-legged dog/ tri pada adho mukha svanasana
Triceratops – Horse stance with arms together overhead for horns
Woolly Mammoth – horse stance with eagle/garudasana arms for trunk

Song: Laurie Berkner “We are the Dinosaurs“

Breathing ball

Savasana
This was a guided savasana. We imagined we were back in the jungles where the dinosaurs lived. We could feel the sun. We could see, smell, and taste the enormous plants. We could hear the other dinosaurs all around us. We felt strong and powerful. (60 second meditation).

Peace begins with me
Hold both hands overhead. On the word “peace,” touch the thumbs and pinky fingers together. On the word “begins,” touch the thumbs and ring fingers. On the word “with,” touch the thumbs and middle fingers. On the word “me,” touch the thumbs and pointers. Repeat this four times, the first time loudly and hands overhead. The second time, bring the hands down a little and speak a little softer. The third time, bring hands lower and whisper. The last time, bring hands to knees and speak words silently to self.
Source: Kids Yoga Guide Teacher Training

Craft: Painting our dinosaur feet.  I used cereal boxes instead of foam (less expensive, but the foam would probably work better). What color were dinosaurs? Nobody knows! Make the feet any color you want!

Namaste!

Check out this awesome feedback from the library’s Facebook page.

 

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“Autumn” toddler storytime

Opening Rhyme
(to the tune of The Farmer in the Dell)
We’re all here today. We’re all here today.
Let’s clap our hands and sing together.
Hip, hip, hooray!
Source: (To be honest, my library was using this before I started so I’m not sure where the previous librarian found it, but it looks like a modified version of Jean Warren’s Preschool Express song here.)

Pizza Pickle Pumpernickel
Pizza, pickle, pumpernickel(wiggle fingers)
My little one shall have a tickle!
One for his/her nose (tickle nose)
And one for his/her toes (tickle toes)
And one for his/her tummy where the hotdog goes! (tickle tummy)
Source: Library Meow

Book – Leaves by David Ezra Stein

 Autumn Leaves Are Falling Down (with scarves)
(London Bridges)
Autumn leaves are falling down,
Falling down, falling down
Autumn leaves are falling down,
On this sunny day!
The wind will blow them round and round,
Round and round, round and round
The wind will blow them round and round, On this sunny day!
Take the rake and rake them up,
Rake them up, rake them up
Take the rake and rake them up,
On this sunny day!
Now let’s jump into the pile,
To the pile, to the pile
Now let’s jump into the pile,
On this sunny day!
WHEEE!
Source: Preschool Education

The Leaves on the Trees (with scarves)
(The Wheels on the Bus)
The leaves on the trees turn orange and red,
Orange and red, orange and red
The leaves on the trees turn orange and red
All through the town.
The leaves on the trees come twirling down,
The leaves on the ground go swish, swish, swish
Source: Preschool Education

Book – Footballs and Falling Leaves by Rebecca Davis 

Scarf Play
Peek a boo
Scarf Toss – 1,2,3, wee! 1,2,3, wee!

To the tune “The Farmer in the Dell”,
My scarf goes up.
My scarf goes down.
My scarf goes round and round and round And round and round and round.
My scarf goes in.
My scarf comes out.
My scarf flies about, about, about.
Source: Oakland Schools

Scarf Dance
(Tune: Here We Go ‘Round the Mulberry Bush)
Wave the scarf above your head,
Above your head, above your head.
Wave the scarf above your head,
Then drop it on the ground.

Stretch your arms up to the sky,
to the sky, to the sky.
Stretch your arms up to the sky,
Now make a clapping sound.

Pick the scarf up off the ground,
Off the ground, off the ground.
Pick the scarf up off the ground,
Then twirl and dance around!
Source: King County Library System

Bubbles – best bubble machine ever! (IMHO, of course)

 Rainbows in my Bubbles
Tune of She’ll be Coming Round the Mountain)
I’ve got rainbows in my bubbles, yes, I do
I’ve got rainbows in my bubbles, yes, I do
When I look up towards the sun,
They’ve got rainbows every one.
I’ve got rainbows in my bubbles, yes, I do.
Source: Preschool Express

Good-bye Song
Wave with one hand, then with the other
Wave with one hand, then with the other
Wave with one hand, then with the other
Wave with both feet now
Repeat with other body parts
Source: King County Library System

Play Time!

Early literacy tip: Book-reading times should be like a game of give-and-take. First, you do something (turn the page, for example). Then your child does something (smiles and gets excited). Keep the game going by saying, “The baby is looking at you!” The more your child looks, touches, and enjoys the book-sharing activity, the better.
Source: Early Literacy Learning 

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“Autumn” preschool storytime

Opening Song
I wiggle my fingers. I wiggle my toes.
I wiggle my ears. I wiggle my nose.
I wiggle my shoulders. I wiggle my chin.
I stretch my arms wide and pull them back in.
I wiggle my elbows. I wiggle my knees.
I hop like a bunny. I smile and say, “Cheese!”
Now I have no more wiggles left in me
And I sit on the floor as still as can be.
Source: Storytime with Jason

Book – Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert

Four Little Leaves
Four little leaves hanging from a tree,
Looking as lovely as can be.
Whoosh went the wind and one leaf said,
“Ill meet you on the ground. I’m the color RED.”

Three little leaves hanging from a tree,
Looking as lovely as can be.
Whoosh went the wind and another fell down.
This little leaf was the color BROWN.

Two little leaves hanging from a tree,
Looking as lovely as can be.
Whoosh went the wind. Oh my, it was cold!
Another leaf fell. It was the color GOLD.

One little leaf hanging from a tree,
Looking as lovely as can be.
Whoosh went the wind and the leaf started to sway,
But it was still GREEN, so it had to stay!
Source: King County Library System

Spread your Limbs
Stand up tall and spread your limbs.
You’re a fall tree in the wind.
Move your branches all around,
Pretty leaves falling down.
Some are brown and some are red.
Time for you to go to bed.
Source: Preschool Express

 Book –Frisky Brisky Hippity Hop by Susan Lurie

Song: Mr. Eric’s Tippy Toe

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)
Source: Preschool Education

The Roly-Poly Pumpkin
(The Itsy Bitsy Spider)
Oh, the roly-poly pumpkin
Went rolling down the hill.
Once it started rolling
It couldn’t keep still.
It rolled and rolled
Until it bumped into a rock.
Then the roly-poly pumpkin
Rolled to a stop.
Source: King County Library System

Book – Pumpkin Trouble by Jan Thomas 

Song – “Shake Your Sillies Out” – Raffi

Tony Chestnut
Tony Chestnut knows I love you.
(Toe, knee, chest, nut, nose, eye, love, you)
Tony knows. (Toe, knee, nose)
Tony knows.
Tony Chestnut knows I love you.
That’s what Tony knows.
Source: Traditional but here’s a video from KCLS. 

Sometimes I am Tall
Sometimes I am tall (stretch on toes)
Sometimes I am small (crouch down low)
Sometimes I am very, very tall (stretch and reach up hands)
Sometimes I am very, very small (crouch low to the floor)
Sometimes tall (stretch up)
Sometimes small (crouch low)
See how I am now.
Source: King County Library System

Goodbye
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as high as we can
Good-bye! (in high, squeaky voice)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as low as we can
Good-bye! (in a deep voice)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as fast as we can
Good-bye! (very quick)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as slow as we can
Good-bye! (very slowly and drawn out)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as quiet as we can
Good-bye! (in a whisper)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as loud as we can
GOOD-BYE! (yelling)
Source: Jbrary

Early literacy tip: Children need to know that different sounds go together to form words. This skill takes time to learn. It starts at birth. Here’s what you can do to help your preschooler develop awareness of the sounds of language. Play the “Put It Together” game. Slowly say the different sounds of the word to your child. Ask her, “What do you get when you put these sounds together? /f/ /i/ /sh/?” You get fish.”  Say tongue twisters to play with the sounds of language. Go at your child’s pace. Getting your tongue twisted is half of the fun. Pre-schoolers have fun trying. Some simple ones to start with are:

• Tall Tom took ten turkeys.
• Silly Sue saw seven snakes.
• Happy Harry had hamburgers.

Source: Lee Presky Learning Center (original link broken)


Other books that could work for this theme
Pumpkin Day at the Zoo by Susan Meissner and illustrated by Pablo Pino

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“Apples” toddler storytime

Opening Rhyme
(to the tune of The Farmer in the Dell)
We’re all here today. We’re all here today.
Let’s clap our hands and sing together.
Hip, hip, hooray!
Source: (To be honest, my library was using this before I started so I’m not sure where the previous librarian found it, but it looks like a modified version of Jean Warren’s Preschool Express song here.)

Hello, Hands. Good-bye, Hands.
Hello, hands. (Wave hands in front of face.)
Good-bye, hands. (Hide hands behind back.)
Hello, hands. Good-bye, hands.
My hands were feeling shy today. (Keep hands hidden.)
But now they’re feeling better! (Bring hands out, wave frantically, and smile HUGE.)
Repeat with feet, face, etc.
Source: King County Library System

Book – Orange Pear Apple Bear by Emily Gravett

Apple Tree
Way up high in the apple tree,(stretch way up high)
Four little apples hung over me.
I shook the tree as hard as I could.(shake the tree)
Down came the apples and mmmmm,
Were they good! (rub belly)
Source: Canton Public Library

 Tony Chestnut
Tony Chestnut knows I love you. (Toe, knee, chest, nut {head}, nose, eye, love {heart}, you)
Tony knows. (Toe, knee, nose)
Tony knows.
Tony Chestnut knows I love you.
That’s what Tony knows.
Source: Traditional but here’s a video from KCLS

Applesauce
(tune of Yankee Doodle)
Peel an apple (pretend to peel)
Cut it up (pretend to cut)
Cook it in a pot (stir the pot)
When you taste it you will find
(put spoon to mouth)
It’s applesauce you’ve got! (rub tummy)
Source: King County Library System

Criss cross applesauce
Criss cross applesauce,
Spiders running up your back.
Cool breeze, tight squeeze,
Now you’ve got the shivers.
Source: Traditional but here’s a video from KCLS

Book – Watch Apple Trees Grow by Mary Ann Hoffman

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)
Source: Preschool Education

Five little apples
Five little apples
Lying on the floor
One rolled away and that left four
Four little apples
Hanging on a tree
I picked one off and that left three Three little apples
I know what to do
I put one in my pocket and that leaves two
Two little apples
Sitting in the sun
I’ll pick this one and that leaves one
One little apple
Waiting in my lunch
I’ll eat it up with a crunch, crunch, crunch
Source: King County Library System

Bubbles – best bubble machine ever! (IMHO, of course)

Rainbows in my Bubbles
(Tune of She’ll be Coming Round the Mountain)
I’ve got rainbows in my bubbles, yes, I do
I’ve got rainbows in my bubbles, yes, I do
When I look up towards the sun,
They’ve got rainbows every one.
I’ve got rainbows in my bubbles, yes, I do.
Source: Preschool Express

Good-bye Song
Wave with one hand, then with the other
Wave with one hand, then with the other
Wave with one hand, then with the other
Wave with both feet now
Repeat with other body parts
Source: King County Library System

Play Time!

Early literacy tip: Toys and blocks with letters imprinted on them are great for the little ones. Flashcards with words and letters can be great for creating games with your toddlers. Remember also, that if a child does not want to play with you, put the games away and try again later. Forcing a child to play may cause negative feelings about the activity. Reading should always be presented as fun and never as a chore. Don’t forget to be a good role model when it comes to reading. Take the time to curl up with a good book when you can and make sure your child sees you enjoying it!
Source: Mighty Mommy

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“The Letter D” preschool storytime

Opening Song
I wiggle my fingers. I wiggle my toes.
I wiggle my ears. I wiggle my nose.
I wiggle my shoulders. I wiggle my chin.
I stretch my arms wide and pull them back in.
I wiggle my elbows. I wiggle my knees.
I hop like a bunny. I smile and say, “Cheese!”
Now I have no more wiggles left in me
And I sit on the floor as still as can be.
Source: Storytime with Jason

Alphabet Monster (with puppet)
I’m the Alphabet Monster
And nothing tastes better
To the Alphabet Monster
Than eating a letter.
Today I will eat a “D” if I may
With the million more letters
I munch every day.
I’m hungry now. What shall I do?
I think I’ll eat a “y” an “o” and a “u” . . . . . . That means YOU!
Source: Storyblocks (adapted)

Book – Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Sleeping Bunnies
See the little bunnies sleeping
‘Til it’s nearly noon?
Shall we wake them with a merry tune?
Oh, so still. Are they ill?
Wake up little bunnies!
Hop little bunnies, hop, hop, hop
Hop little bunnies, hop, hop, hop
Hop little bunnies, hop, hop, hop
Source: Jbrary 

Mr. Turkey and Mr. Duck
Mr. Turkey went out one day
In the bright sunshiny weather
He met Mr. Duck along the way
And they stopped to talk together
And they stopped to talk together.
Gobble, gobble, gobble
Quack, quack, quack.
Gobble, gobble, gobble
Quack, quack, quack.
Gobble, gobble, gobble
Quack, quack, quack.
And then they both went back.
Quack!
Source: King County Library System

Drive, Drive, Drive Your Truck
Drive, drive, drive your truck,
All around the town!
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,
Up the hills and down.
Drive, drive, drive your truck,
Drive it down the street
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,
Don’t forget to beep
Source: King County Library System

Book – Dog’s Colorful Day by Emily Dodd

 After a Bath
After a bath, I try, try, try
To wipe myself until I am dry, dry, dry
Hands to wipe and fingers and toes
Two wet legs and a shiny nose
Just think how much less time it would take
If I were a dog and I could shake, shake, shake
Source: King County Library System

Song – Mr. Eric’s “Dance Freeze Melt”

Book – Dinosaur Roar by Paul and Henrietta Stickland

Five Enormous Dinosaurs
Five enormous dinosaurs, letting out a roar
One stomped away, and then there were four.
Stomp, stomp, stomp, stomp, ROAR!
Four enormous dinosaurs, crashing down a tree
Three enormous dinosaurs, eating tiger stew
Two enormous dinosaurs, basking in the sun
One enormous dinosaur, afraid to be a hero
Source: King County Library System

Dinosaurs Used to Stomp
Dinosaurs used to stomp
Dinosaurs used to roar
But now they’re quiet
And quite still
Because they exist no more.
Source: I could have sworn I got this from KCLS, but nothing is coming up in a google search. While I would love to take credit for it, I’m certain it didn’t come from my head. If anyone knows a source for this, please pass it along!

Goodbye
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as high as we can
Good-bye! (in high, squeaky voice)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as low as we can
Good-bye! (in a deep voice)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as fast as we can
Good-bye! (very quick)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as slow as we can
Good-bye! (very slowly and drawn out)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as quiet as we can
Good-bye! (in a whisper)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as loud as we can
GOOD-BYE! (yelling)
Source: Jbrary

Early literacy tip: Tell stories about when you were a child. Kids love trying to imagine the people in their lives as kids themselves. Finding pictures or other memorabilia in scrapbooks is a great way to start talking about the past. Creating the child’s own scrapbook is a way to incorporate postcards, ticket stubs, and other items with words while learning to tell stories to each other.

Other books that could work for this theme
Have You Seen Dinosaur? by David Barrow

Yogibrarian is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

“The Letter C” preschool storytime

Opening Song
I wiggle my fingers. I wiggle my toes.
I wiggle my ears. I wiggle my nose.
I wiggle my shoulders. I wiggle my chin.
I stretch my arms wide and pull them back in.
I wiggle my elbows. I wiggle my knees.
I hop like a bunny. I smile and say, “Cheese!”
Now I have no more wiggles left in me
And I sit on the floor as still as can be.
Source: Storytime with Jason

Alphabet Monster (with puppet)
I’m the Alphabet Monster
And nothing tastes better
To the Alphabet Monster
Than eating a letter.
Today I will eat a “C” if I may
With the million more letters
I munch every day.
I’m hungry now. What shall I do?
I think I’ll eat a “y” an “o” and a “u” . . . . . . That means YOU!
Source: Storyblocks (adapted)

Book – The Cow Loves Cookies by Karma Wilson

Felt Board – Who Said Moo?  

Song – Jim Gill’s “Can’t Wait to Celebrate” 

Book – The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Fuzzy Wuzzy Caterpillar
(Tune of Itsy Bitsy Spider)
Fuzzy Wuzzy Caterpillar
Into a corner will creep
He’ll spin himself a blanket
And then fall fast asleep
Fuzzy, wuzzy caterpillar
Very soon will rise
To find he has grown beautiful wings
Now he’s a butterfly!
Source: King County Library System

Song – They Might be Giants “Clap Your Hands”

Clap, Clap, Clap Your Hands
Clap, clap, clap your hands,
Clap them high and low,
Clap them all around the room,
Whichever way you go.

Clap, clap, clap your hands,
Clap them left and right.
Clap them all around the room.
Clap them out of sight!
Source: King County Library System

Clap your Pinkies
Clap your pinkies. Clap your seat.  (bounce up and down)
Clap your elbows. Clap your feet!
Clap your flippers. Clap your claws.
Now give yourself a round of applause!
Source: King County Library System

Book – There are Cats in this Book by Vivienne Schwartz

Andy Spandy Sugar and Candy
Andy Spandy, sugar and candy
All pop up! (stretch tall)
Andy Spandy, sugar and candy
All pop down! (crouch down)
Andy Spandy, sugar and candy
All pop in! (hug yourself)
Andy Spandy, sugar and candy
All pop out! (jump up with arms outstretched)
Source: King County Library System

Goodbye
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as high as we can
Good-bye! (in high, squeaky voice)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as low as we can
Good-bye! (in a deep voice)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as fast as we can
Good-bye! (very quick)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as slow as we can
Good-bye! (very slowly and drawn out)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as quiet as we can
Good-bye! (in a whisper)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as loud as we can
GOOD-BYE! (yelling)
Source: Jbrary

Early literacy tip: Read a book and then tell the story later when the book is not there. It’s also great to do a puppet show or stage a play and act out the stories. If you need more characters, favorite stuffed animals can become the actors.

Other titles for this theme
Crocodile Hungry – Eija Sumner

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