“Halloween” 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 – Skeleton Hiccups by Margery Cuyler

Ring Around the Pumpkins
Ring Around the pumpkins
Pocket full of spiders
Boo! Boo!
We all fall down!
The ghosts are in the meadow
Drinking witches brew
Boo! Boo!
We all stand up!
Source: Sunflower Storytime
*The kids had us do this 4 times. A hit!

Sometimes I like to Walk in the Dark
(Sing to Pop Goes the Weasel)
Sometimes I like to walk in the dark
I like to shout and scream.
I sneak behind somebody I know
Boo! It’s Halloween!
Source: King County Library System

Big Round Eyes
Big round eyes
and fuzzy wuzzy hair
and a big loud boo!
but I’m not scared
because behind this mask you will see
that the monster is really me!
Source: King County Library System

Book – Click Clack Boo by Doreen Cronin

Song – Mr. Eric’s “I Can Shake my Shaker Egg”

Felt Board – Five Little Ghosties
Five little ghosties shining clean and white,
Waiting for their mother to bring dinner for the night.
One little ghost said ‘I’m too hungry to wait!’
Grabbed up some ____ and that is what it ate.
It swallowed it all down into its hungry tum.
Do you know what color did that ghost did become?
Count down remaining ghosts end with…

One mother ghostie, shining clean and white,
Brought home to her little ones dinner for the night.
When she saw the colors her ghosts had become,
She knew just what do to, and put into their tums,
A tall glass of milk, and a marshmallow or three.
Then her little ghosties were as white as white could be!
Source: SLC Book Boy
*The kiddos LOVED this one! 

The More we Boo Together
The more we boo together, together, together,
The more we boo together the scarier we’ll be.
‘Cause my boo plus your boo will make goblins boo-hoo.
The more we boo together the scarier we’ll be.
Source: King County Library System

Book- The Spooky Box by Mark Gonyea

Five Little Pumpkins Felt Board
Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate.
The first one says, “Oh, my.  It’s getting late!”
The second one says, “There are witches in the air!”
The third one says, “But I don’t care.”
The fourth one says, “Let’s run and run and run.”
The fifth one says, “We’re ready for some fun!”
Ooooooooooo went the wind, and OUT went the light,
and five little pumpkins rolled out of sight.
Source: Traditional

The Witch on the Broom
(The Wheels on the Bus)
The witch on the broom goes hee, hee, hee, hee, hee, hee
The witch on the broom goes hee, hee, hee,
All through the night.
The ghost in the castle goes boo, boo, boo
The werewolf in the field goes hoooooowl
The Frankenstein goes stomp, stomp, stomp
The cat at night goes meow, meow, meow
Source: Adapted traditional/ 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: Tell ghost stories on Halloween night. Make up your own stories or read a classic “scary” book together. Have a costume party and write your own unique invitations. Once guests have arrived, why not play a word game using only Halloween-related words? Organize Halloween candy in different ways. Organize by shape, size, candy name, or even candy type, and then trade! This activity helps to reinforce the importance of math in everyday life. Bake a pumpkin pie. Following recipes is a great way to improve both reading and math skills. Children can read the instructions out loud and/or help measure the ingredients when making a treat for the family. Research the history of Halloween, and share spooky statistics!
Source: Early Literacy Connection

 

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“Halloween” 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 

Halloween sun salutations
Hello, bats. Flap, flap, flap
Hello, worms. Squirm, squirm, squirm.
Place your hands on the floor. 1,2
And step back. 3,4
Lower your belly to the leaves on the floor.
Aoooo. howl at the moon so pale
Lift up to shake your werewolf tail
Bend your knees. Jump your feet up please.
Take a deep breath in
And feel the magic deep within.
Source: KidPowerment Yoga

Book – How Big Could your Pumpkin Grow? by Wendell Minor
page 1 – take 3 breaths, one small, one medium, one large, like the different size pumpkins
pumpkin as boat – paripurna navasana/ boat pose
Babe the Ox – Cat/Cows
hot air balloons – warrior III/ virabhadrasana III
Lighthouse – seated twists like you’re scanning the water
Pumpkin on Bridge – setu bandha sarvangasana/ bridge pose
cowboy hat – triangle pose/ trikonasana (both sides), like a pointy hat
Roller Coaster – standing back bend (like going up the roller coaster), then forward fold/ uttanasana (like going down the roller coaster)
Behind the Capitol building – witch on a broom – warrior II/ virabhadrasana II
president – utkatasana/ chair pose (like you’re sitting in the oval office)
waterfall – seated forward fold/ paschimottanasana
Rocket – chair pose into blast off!

The Roly-Poly Pumpkin
(Tune: Itsy Bitsy Spider / Pose: Happy Baby)
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.

Spooky simple anatomy with the skeleton pieces found here.

Skeleton Dance – Dry Bones

Breathing ball

Savasana
This was a guided savasana. We imagined we were a seed in the ground. We could feel the warm, soft dirt all around us. We felt safe and secure. We wanted to grow, and one day we burst through the dirt as a small stem. We could feel the sun. It gave us food and light and warmth. We could feel ourselves growing stronger and longer into vines and tendrils, and one day, we sprouted a pumpkin. We could feel ourselves growing rounder and rounder into the biggest, best pumpkin we could be. (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: Pumpkin “mala” bracelets

Namaste!

 

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“Halloween” 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.)

Open Shut Them
Open, shut them, open, shut them,
Give a little clap, clap, clap.
Open, shut them, open, shut them,
Put them in your lap, lap, lap.
Creep them, crawl them,
Creep them, crawl them,
Right up to your chin, chin, chin.
Open up your little mouth,
But do not put them in.
Source: King County Library System

Book – Ghosts in the House! by Kazuno Kohara

The roly-poly pumpkin (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

The Itsy Bitsy Spider
The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the water spout
Down came the rain and washed the spider out
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain
And the itsy bitsy spider climbed up the spout again!
Source: Traditional
The More we Boo Together
The more we boo together, together, together,
The more we boo together the scarier we’ll be.
‘Cause my boo plus your boo will make goblins boo-hoo.
The more we boo together the scarier we’ll be.
Source: King County Library System

Book – Plumply, Dumply Pumpkin

Ten Little Pumpkins
Ten little pumpkins sitting in a row (hold up 10 fingers)
When they see the moonlight,
They wiggle just so.
They wiggle to the left
They wiggle to the right.
Then they close their vines (make fists)
And say night-night!
Source: King County Library System

If You’re a Monster
If you’re a monster and you know it, wave your arms,
If you’re a monster and you know it, wave your arms,
If you’re a monster and you know it,
Then your arms will surely show it,
If you’re a monster and you know it, wave your arms
If you’re a monster and you know it, stomp your feet…
If you’re a monster and you know it, show your claws…
Source: Adapted traditional

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: Organize Halloween candy in different ways. Organize by shape, size, candy name, or even candy type, and then trade! This activity helps to reinforce the importance of math in everyday life.
Source: Early Literacy Connection

Shape recognition also aids in letter knowledge when children start to read.

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“Playing” 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 – Let’s Do Nothing! by Tony Fucile

Song – “Are You a Rabbit?” – Lunch Money

Felt Board – Pigs and Pancakes

Book – Can I Play Too? by Mo Willems

Song – Greg and Steve’s “Listen and Move”

Laugh a Little
Laugh a little, laugh a little. Ha, ha, ha
Sing a little, sing a little. La la la
Dance a little, dance a little. Tap, tap, tap
Clap a little, clap a little. Clap, clap, clap.
Spin a little, spin a little. Round and round.
Rest a little, rest a little. All sit down.
Source: Preschool Express

Book – Wiggle by Doreen Cronin

Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed
Five little monkeys jumping on the bed.
One fell off and bumped her head.
Mama called the doctor, and the doctor said,
“No more monkeys jumping on the bed!”
Four little monkeys…
Source: Traditional

 

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:  Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” – Fred Rogers

 

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“Foxes” toddler storytime

*Disclaimer: I refuse to read the What Does the Fox Say book, just on general personal principles 😉

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 – Foxes by Maryann MacDonald

Felt Board – A-hunting We Will Go
A hunting we will go, a hunting we will go!
We’ll catch a fox and put him in a box,
And then we’ll let him go.
mouse…put her in a house
frog…put him on a log
goat…put her in a boat
bear…put him in a chair
owl … put her in a towel
Source: King County Library System

Here is Foxy
Here are foxy’s pointed ears.
(point to ears)
Here is foxy’s nose.    (point to nose)
Here is foxy’s bushy tail.
(point to “tail”)
Now up and off he goes!    (trot around)
Source: Storytime Sparks

Book – Orange Triangle Fox by Sarah Jones 

If You’re a Fox and You Know It…
If you’re a fox and you know it
Swish your tail.
If you’re a fox and you know it
Swish your tail.
If you’re a fox and you know, then you’ll really want to show it
If you’re a fox and you know it
Swish your tail
wiggle your nose…
show your claws…
Source: Sunflower Storytime

Felt Board – Little Fox, are you in the Box?
5 felt boxes in 5 different colors – red, blue, green, black, purple
1 felt fox. Hide the fox behind one of the boxes.
“Little fox, little fox, are you in the red box?”
Source: Jbrary

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

Joke: What is a witch’s favorite subject in school? Spelling!

Other books that could work with this theme:
Fox Explores the Night by  Martin Jenkins and illustrated by Richard Smythe

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“Singing” 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 – I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More! by Karen Beaumont

Let’s Get the Rhythm
Let’s get the rhythm of our knees (x3)
If you please
Let’s get the rhythm of our knees
Let’s get the rhythm of our shoulders…
Big boulders..
Let’s get the rhythm of our heads…
Oh dread..
Let’s get the rhythm of our feet…
How neat…
Source: Jbrary

Song: Jim Gill’s “Toe Leg Knee”

 Book – Bedtime at the Nuthouse by Eric Litwin

Tony Chestnut
(toe, knee, chest, nut {head}, nose, eye, heart, point)
Tony Chestnut knows I love you
Tony knows. Tony knows.
Tony Chestnut knows I love you.
That’s what Tony knows.
Source: Traditional but here are the motions from KCLS

Song – Greg and Steve’s “The Freeze”

Felt Board – A-hunting we will Go
A hunting we will go, a hunting we will go!
We’ll catch a fox and put him in a box,
And then we’ll let him go.
…mouse…put her in a house
…frog…put him on a log
…goat…put her in a boat
…bear…put him in a chair
… owl … put her in a towel
Source: King County Library System

Book – Let’s Sing a Lullaby with the Brave Cowboy by Jan Thomas
I have no idea what the tune for this song is, but “Twinkle,  Twinkle” works well. 

Silly Hat Tune: This Old Man
On my head I wear my hat.
It is such a silly hat that my head
will wiggle waggle to and fro
Where else can my silly hat go?
(foot, elbow, knee…)

On my hands I wear my hat.
It is such a quiet hat that my
hands don’t wiggle they just go clap.
Then I fold them in my lap.
Source: King County Library System

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
Hop little bunnies ‘til I say stop
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:  Singing breaks down words into their syllables, making it easier to hear all the sounds. Dancing boosts brain power. Rhymes teach us the cadence of the language. Sing it loud. Sing it proud!

 

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“Music and Movement” 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.)

Open Shut Them
Open, shut them, open, shut them,
Give a little clap, clap, clap.
Open, shut them, open, shut them,
Put them in your lap, lap, lap.
Creep them, crawl them,
Creep them, crawl them,
Right up to your chin, chin, chin.
Open up your little mouth,
But do not put them in.
Source: King County Library System

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

Book – From Head to Toe

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

Book – If You’re Happy and You Know It illustrated by Jane Cabrera

 Song – Mr. Eric’s “Shake Shake Minuet in G” with shaker eggs

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:  Melodies divide words into smaller parts and present language in patterns that make sense to the brain example: Alphabet makes no sense until presented in a song where the letters are learned and retained in a pattern. Children already know melodies to nursery rhymes, and can participate in “reading.” (Example: children are more likely to sing Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star than to say the words if simply read from a book.) Songs naturally divide words into syllables and sounds, so they are internalized. The built-in repetition and rhyme increase understanding and retention.
Source: Nationwide Children’s/Nancy Music/ Reach Out and Read

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“The Letter E” 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 an “E” 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 – First the Egg by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Song: Mr. Eric’s “Shake with You”  

If You like your Eggs Scrambled
If you like your eggs scrambled,
clap your hands
repeat
Yes, they’re yummy and they’re yellow
So you’ll be a happy fellow
If you like your eggs scrambled,
clap your hands
Eggs fried, jump up high…
Bacon with your eggs, wiggle your legs…

If you want toast instead, nod your head
Yes, it’s yummy and it’s great
So you’ll be glad that you ate
If you want toast instead, nod your head.
Source: King County Library System

Book – Ears are for Earrings by Katherine Hengel

Ears and Whiskers, Tail and Feet
(Tune: Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes)
Ears and whiskers, tail and feet, tail and feet.
Ears and whiskers, tail and feet, tail and feet.
Pet my fur and give a little squeak!
Ears and whiskers, tail and feet, tail and feet.
Source: King County Library System/ Adapted traditional

Ears So Funny
Here is a bunny with ears so funny,
(Hold up two fingers, bent over.)
And here is his home in the ground.
(Make a circle with thumb and index finger of other hand.)
When a noise her hears, he perks up his ears,
(Straighten fingers.)
And he jumps to his home in the ground.
(Two fingers dive into circle of other hand.)
Source: Traditional

Elevator Song
Oh, the city is great and the city is grand
There are lots of tall buildings
On a little piece of land
We live way up on the fifty-seventh floor
And this is what we do when we go out the door
Take the elevator up, take the elevator down (3 times)
Then we bounce around
Source: King County Library System

Book – How Do Dinosaurs Eat their Food? by Jane Yolen

Elbow Elbow
Elbow, elbow
Wrist, wrist
Fingers go like this, this
Knees and toes
Hips and nose
And, that’s the way it goes (clap)
Source: King County Library System

Felt Board – Elephants in the Bathtub
One elephant in the bathtub
Going for a swim
Knock, knock (clap twice)
Splash, splash (slap knees twice)
Come on in! (motion with both hands to come in)

(count up from 1-5)
Five elephants in the bathtub
Going for a swim
Knock, knock (clap twice)
Splash, splash (slap knees twice)
It all fell in! (knock the felt pieces down)
Source: Jbrary

 Song – Jim Gill’s “Shakin’ Everywhere”

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: E is for everywhere! Read everywhere you can: in line, at bedtime, in a waiting room. Point out print on signs, on menus, and everywhere you go!

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More books that will work:
Every Color Soup – Jorey Hurley
Whose Ears? – Sue Tarsky
The Eyebrows of Doom – Steve Smallman
Elefantastic – Jane Yolen

“Animals at Night” 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.)

Open Shut Them
Open, shut them, open, shut them,
Give a little clap, clap, clap.
Open, shut them, open, shut them,
Put them in your lap, lap, lap.
Creep them, crawl them,
Creep them, crawl them,
Right up to your chin, chin, chin.
Open up your little mouth,
But do not put them in.
Source: King County Library System

Book – Little Owl’s Night by Divya Srinivasan

There’s Something in the Nighttime
There’s something in the nighttime
that I can’t really see.
There’s something in the nighttime,
Now what can it be?
Whoo, Whoo
Hear its funny sound?
Whoo, Whoo
An Owl is what I found!
Repeat with cat, mouse, wolf, etc.

The Owls in the Forest
(Wheels on the Bus)
The owls in the forest go hoo, hoo, hoo
Hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo
The owls in the forest go hoo, hoo, hoo
All night long.
The rabbits in the forest go bounce, bounce, bounce…
The bats in the forest go flap, flap, flap…
Source: Storytime Source Page

Bunnies at Bedtime
“My bunnies now must go to bed,”
The little mother rabbit said.
“But I will count them first to see
If they have all come back to me.
One bunny, two bunnies,
Three bunnies dear,
Four bunnies, five bunnies,
Yes, you’re all here.
You are the prettiest things alive,
My bunnies, one, two, three, four, five.”
Source: King County Library System

Book – Baby Animals at Night by the editors of Kingfisher

Five Little Monkeys
Five little monkeys jumping on the bed
One fell off and bumped his head.
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said:
“No more monkeys jumping on the bed”.
Four little monkeys…
Three little monkeys…
Two little monkeys…
One little monkey…
Source: traditional

The Moon
The moon is round as round can be
Two eyes, a nose and a mouth – like me.
Source: King County Library System

Hey Diddle Diddle
Hey diddle diddle,
The cat and the fiddle
The cow jumped over the moon,
The little dog laughed to see such sport,
And the dish ran away with the spoon.
Source: Traditional

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: Kids are fascinated by the natural world around them. Incorporate science themes, like nocturnal animals, into your everyday reading and exploring!

Other books that would work  this theme:
Gray Fox in the Moonlight  – Isaac Peterson
Night Lunch – Eric Fan and illustrated by Dena Seiferling

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