Book: Froodle by Antoinette Portis or A Garden to Save the Birds by Wendy McClure, illustrated by Beatriz Mayumi

Action Rhyme: “Fly Your Fingers”
Fly your fingers up!
Fly your fingers down!
Fly your fingers to the side,
And fly them all around!
Perch them on your shoulders!
Perch them on your head!
Perch them on your belly, then
Put them all to bed!

Song: “Jump and Fly” – Laurie Berkner: Rocketship Run

Flannel: “Five Little Birds”
5 little birds sitting in a tree.
Can you count them with me?
1-2-3-4-5!
1 flew away to look for food,
And then there were 4.

4 little birds sitting in a tree.
Can you count them with me?
1-2-3-4!
1 flew away to help build a nest,
And then there were 3.

3 little birds sitting in a tree.
Can you count them with me?
1-2-3!
1 flew away to visit her friend,
And then there were 2.

2 little birds sitting in a tree.
Can you count them with me?
1-2!
1 flew away to find water,
And then there was 1.

1 little bird sitting in a tree.
Can you count him with me?
1!
He flew away to get warm in the sun,
And then there were none.

No more little birds sitting in a tree.

Soon the little birds flew back to the tree.
They were all as happy as can be.
Can you count them with me?
1-2-3-4-5!
5 little birds sitting in a tree.
(Credit: childcareland)

Song: “If I Was a Bird” – Old Town School of Folk Music: Wiggleworms Love You

Puppet Song: “Owl in the Tree” (Tune: “The Wheels on the Bus”)
Owl in the tree goes, “Hoo, hoo, hoo!
Hoo, hoo, hoo! Hoo, hoo, hoo!”
Owl in the tree goes, “Hoo, hoo, hoo!”
All night long.

Additional verses:
Duck in the pond goes, “Quack, quack, quack…”
Chicken on the farm goes, “Cluck, cluck, cluck…”
Goose in the grass goes, “Honk, honk, honk…”
All day long.
(Credit: Adapted from Mel’s Desk)

Action Rhyme: “Little Birds”
Little birds, little birds, jump up and down!
Little birds, little birds, don’t make a sound!
Little birds, little birds, tip-toe to me!
Little birds, little birds, bend your knees!
Little birds, little birds, peep, peep, peep!
Little birds, little birds, sleep, sleep, sleep!
Little birds, little birds, fly to the leaves!
Little birds, little birds, sit down please!

Book: Peck, Peck, Peck by Lucy Cousins

Song: “Bird Friends” (Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”)
Bird friends, bird friends, fly around,
Up to the sky, down to the ground.
Bird friends, bird friends, flap your wings.
Open your beak and sweetly sing.
Bird friends, bird friends, fly to your nest.
Now it is time to take a rest.

Closing Rhyme

Birds Story Time – Toddler

March 2, 2023March 2, 2023

Opening Song

Book: Silly Little Goose! by Nancy Tafuri

Song: “The Wheels on the Bus”

Rhyme: “Fly Your Fingers”
Fly your fingers up,
Fly your fingers down!
Fly your fingers to the side,
And fly them all around!
Perch them on your shoulders,
Perch them on your head!
Perch them on your belly,
Then put them all to bed!

Book: Early Bird by Toni Yuly

Song: “Zoom, Zoom, Zoom”
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.
Zoom, zoom, zoom,
We’re going to the moon.
In 5, 4, 3, 2, 1,
Blast off!
(Credit: Jbrary)

Song: “Roly Poly” (Tune: “Frère Jacques”)
Roly poly, roly poly
Up, up, up
up, up, up
Roly roly poly
roly roly poly
down, down, down
down, down, down

Roly poly, roly poly
out, out, out
out, out, out
Roly roly poly
roly roly poly
in, in, in
in, in, in

Roly poly, roly poly
fast, fast, fast
fast, fast, fast
Roly roly poly
roly roly poly
slow, slow, slow
slow, slow, slow
(Credit: Jbrary)

Flannel: “Five Little Ducks”
Five little ducks went out one day,
Over the hills and far away,
Mother duck called, “Quack, quack, quack, quack,”
But only four little ducks came back.

Repeat with four, three, two, one, and no little ducks.

Scarf Song: “This is the Way”
This is the way we wash our arms,
Wash our arms, wash our arms.
This is the way we wash our arms
When we’re in the bathtub.

Scarf Song: “We Wave Our Scarves Together”
We wave our scarves together,
We wave our scarves together,
We wave our scarves together
Because it’s fun to do.

Wave them up high,
Wave them down low,
Wave them in the middle
Because it’s fun to do.
(Credit: Jbrary)

Scarf Song: “Popcorn Kernels”
Popcorn kernels (wave scarves overhead)
In the pot. (make their scarves ‘disappear’ by bunching them up in their fists)
Shake them, shake them, shake them (shake fists)
‘Til they POP! (toss scarves up into the air)

Song: “Icky Sticky Bubble Gum” – David Landau: Kids and Kitties

Closing Rhyme

Mother Bruce Story Time – Family

April 16, 2021

Opening song

Book: Mother Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins

Song: “Bruce is Sleeping” (Tune: “Frere Jacques”)
Bruce is sleeping, Bruce is sleeping (lay head on hands)
Wake him up, wake him up (cover face with hands)
Come and say hello Bruce, come and say hello Bruce (wave hello)
Time to eat, time to eat (pretend to eat food)

Book: Spring Stinks by Ryan T. Higgins

Song: “If You’re Mother Bruce and You Know It” (Tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
If you’re Mother Bruce and you know it, clap your paws.
If you’re Mother Bruce and you know it, clap your paws.
If you’re Mother Bruce and you know it, and you really want to show it.
If you’re Mother Bruce and you know it, clap your paws.

Additional verses:
If you’re Mother Bruce and you know it…take a nap
If you’re Mother Bruce and you know it…chase the goslings

Flannel: Where’s Bruce? with hidden Bruce and goslings

Book: Peek-a-Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins

Song: “Goslings, Goslings” (Tune: “Twinkle Twinkle”)
Goslings, goslings, jump up and down
Goslings, goslings, don’t make a sound
Goslings, goslings, tip-toe to me
Goslings, goslings, bend your knees
Goslings, goslings, peep, peep, peep
Goslings, goslings, sleep, sleep, sleep
Goslings, goslings, fly to the leaves
Goslings, goslings, sit down please

Book: 1 Grumpy Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins

Closing Song

Virtual Story Time with Ms. Julie – Family

June 19, 2020

Opening song

Book: Birds by Kevin Henkes, illustrated by Laura Dronzek (HarperCollins Children’s Books)

Song: “Owl in a Tree” (Tune: “Skip to my Lou”)
Owl in the tree goes, “Hoo, hoo hoo,”
Owl in the tree goes, “Hoo, hoo hoo,”
Owl in the tree goes, “Hoo, hoo hoo,”
Skip to my lou, my darling.

Additional verses:
Robin in the nest goes, “Tweet, tweet, tweet…”
Duck in the pond goes, “Quack, quack, quack…”
Rooster in the yard goes, “Cock a doodle doo…”
(Credit: Mel’s Desk)

Book: Bear Counts by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman (Simon and Schuster)

Song: “Jumping and Counting” by Jim Gill, sung with permission, recording Jim Gill: Jim Gill’s Irrational Anthem
Jump Jump Jump Jump
Jumping high are we.
But we’ll stop jumping
While we count to three. 1-2-3!
Jump Jump Jump Jump
Jumping even more.
But we’ll stop jumping
While we count to four. 1-2-3-4!
Jump Jump Jump Jump
Just like pogo sticks.
But let’s stop jumping
While we count to six. 1-2-3-4-5-6!
Jump Jump Jump Jump
Jumping then we wait.
We stop our jumping
While we count to eight. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8!
Jump Jump Jump Jump
Jumping once again.
But we’ll be finished
Once we count to ten. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10!

Book: White is for Blueberry by George Shannon, pictures by Laura Dronzek (HarperCollins Children’s Books)

Song: “ABC Song”

Song: Icky Sticky Bubble Gum – David Landau: Kids and Kitties

Closing Song

Virtual Story Time with Ms. Julie – Family

May 8, 2020May 8, 2020

Opening Song

Book: Grumpy Bird by Jeremy Tankard (Scholastic)

Song: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”

Additional verses:
Robin in the nest goes, “Tweet, tweet, tweet…”
Duck in the pond goes, “Quack, quack, quack…”
Rooster in the yard goes, “Cock a doodle doo…”
(Credit: Mel’s Desk)

Action Rhyme: Little Birds, Little Birds
Little birds, little birds, jump up and down.
Little birds, little birds, don’t make a sound!
Little birds, little birds, tip-toe to me.
Little birds, little birds, bend your knees!
Little birds, little birds, peep, peep, peep.
Little birds, little birds, sleep, sleep, sleep.
Little birds, little birds, fly to the leaves!
Little birds, little birds, sit down, please.
(Credit: Greatest Resource Education Child Care)

Book: Little White Rabbit by Kevin Henkes (HarperCollins Children’s)

Song: “Sleeping Bunnies” with ukulele
Sleeping Bunnies (C)C [G7] F C See the little bunnies sleeping, till it's nearly noon G7 C G7 C Shall we wake them with a merry tune C Oh, so still. Are they ill? G7 C Wake up... and C Hop little bunnies, hop, hop, hop C G7 C Hop little bunnies, hop, hop, hop C Hop little bunnies, hop, hop, hop, and C G7 C Stop little bunnies, stop, stop, STOP!

Sleeping Bunnies (G)G [D] C G See the little bunnies sleeping, till it's nearly noon D G D G Shall we wake them with a merry tune G Oh, so still. Are they ill? D G Wake up... and G Hop little bunnies, hop, hop, hop G D G Hop little bunnies, hop, hop, hop G Hop little bunnies, hop, hop, hop, and G D G Stop little bunnies, stop, stop, STOP! (Credit: Storytime Ukulele)

Book: Hello, My Name is Octicorn by Kevin Diller and Justin Lowe (Balzer and Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers)

Song: “Icky Sticky Bubble Gum” sung acapella, recording: David Landau: Kids and Kitties

Closing Song

Owls Story Time – Baby

February 28, 2020

Opening song

Sign Language: morning, night, good morning, good night, bird, sing

Book: Hooray for Today! by Brian Won

Song: “Baby Put Your Pants On” (Tune: “Short’nin’ Bread”)
Baby put your pants on, pants on, pants on (move baby’s legs)
Baby put your pants on, one, two, three (gently poke baby’s belly)
Baby put your pants on, pants on, pants on
Baby put your pants on, one, two, three

Leg to the left, leg to the right (move legs)
Wiggle and jiggle and pull them up tight
Leg to the left, leg to the right
Wiggle and jiggle and pull them up tight

Baby put your pants on, pants on, pants on
Baby put your pants on, one, two, three
Baby put your pants on, pants on, pants on
Baby put your pants on, one, two, three!
(Credit: Jbrary)

Rhyme: This is Big, Big, Big
This is big, big, big. Move arms out to side
This is small, small, small. Move arms back to center.
This is short, short, short. Hold hands with palms facing each other
This is tall, tall, tall. Reach one hand above head
This is fast, fast, fast. Circle fists quickly
This is slow, slow, slow. Circle fists slowly
This is yes, yes, yes. Nod
This is no, no, no. Shake head
(Credit: Mel’s Desk)

Book: Night Owl by Toni Yuly

Song: “Wise Old Owl” (Tune: “Frere Jacques”)
Wise old owl, wise old owl,
In the tree, in the tree.
Who-oo are you winking at?
Who-oo are you winking at?
Is it me? Is it me?
(Credit: North Mankato Taylor Library)

Song/Flannel: “One Little Owl” – Muffin Songs

Rhyme: Rock the Baby
Rock the baby, rock the baby, 1-2-3
Watch the baby, watch the baby, smile at me
Bounce the baby, bounce the baby, on your lap
And teach the baby how to clap, clap, clap!
(Credit: Read Sing Play)

Book: Hoot! Hoot! By Richard Powell

Song (Recording) with shaky eggs: “Wise Old Owl” – John Feierabend: Had a Little Rooster

Closing Song

Owls Story Time – Toddler

September 20, 2019September 20, 2019

Opening song

Book: Wow! Said the Owl by Tim Hopgood

Flannel: Little Owl Count
5 little owls on a dark, dark night.
5 little owls are quite a sight.
5 little owls! Are you keeping score?
1 flies away and that leaves 4

4 little owls as happy as can be
1 flies away and that leaves 3

3 little owls calling, “Who, who, who.”
1 flies away and that leaves 2

2 little owls having lots of fun
1 flies away and that leaves 1

1 little owl and we’re almost done,
He flies away and that leaves none
(Source: Upper Hudson Library System)

Song: “Be Like an Owl” (tune: of “London Bridges”)
Flap your wings and fly around, fly around, fly around.
Flap your wings and fly around, just like an owl.

Open your eyes big and wide, big and wide, big and wide.
Open your eyes big and wide, just like an owl.

Land on the ground and hop along, hop along, hop along.
Land on the ground and hop along, just like an owl.

Turn your head and say who, who, who, who, who, who, who, who,
Turn your head and say who, who, just like an owl.
(Source: Upper Hudson Library System)

Book: Little Owl’s Night by Divya Srinivasan

Song: “Wise Old Owl” – Feiereabend & Trinka: Had a Little Rooster

Song: “Everybody Clap Your Hands” – Peter Moses: 90 Nifty Songs

Book: Little Owl Lost by Chris Haughton or Hoot! Hoot! by Richard Powell

Song: “1-2 Hands” – Laurie Berkner: Superhero

Song: “Icky-Sticky Bubble Gum” – David Landau: Kids and Kitties

Closing rhyme

Craft: fuzzy baby owls

Bird Story Time – Toddler

April 11, 2016

Opening song

Sign language: bird

Book: Birds by Kevin Henkes

Robin in the nest goes, “Tweet, tweet, tweet…”
Duck in the pond goes, “Quack, quack, quack…”
Rooster in the yard goes, “Cock a doodle doo…”
(Credit: Mel’s Desk)

Action Rhyme: “Little Birds”
Little birds, little birds, jump up and down
Little birds, little birds, don’t make a sound
Little birds, little birds, tip-toe to me
Little birds, little birds, bend your knees
Little birds, little birds, peep, peep, peep
Little birds, little birds, sleep, sleep, sleep
Little birds, little birds, fly to the leaves
Little birds, little birds, sit down please

Book: Night Owl by Toni Yuly

Flannel: Five little owls sitting in the tree

Song: “The Little Bird” – Georgiana Stewart: Nursery Rhyme Time Songs

Book: I am a Penguin by Karen Durrie

Song: “This is the way we clap our hands” – Kimbo Educational: Teach a Toddler

Song: “Icky Sticky Bubble Gum” – David Landau: Kids and Kitties

Closing song

Craft: Bird and nest on a paper plate (Credit: La La’s Home Daycare)

bird nest

Birds Story Time – Baby

March 27, 2015

Opening song

Sign language: Bird

Book: Birds by Kevin Henkes, illustrated by Laura Dronzek

Song (puppets): Owl in the tree (Tune: “Skip to My Lou”)
Owl in the tree goes, “Hoo, hoo hoo,”
Owl in the tree goes, “Hoo, hoo hoo,”
Owl in the tree goes, “Hoo, hoo hoo,”
Skip to my Lou, my darling

Blue bird in the nest goes, “Tweet, tweet, tweet…”
Duck in the pond goes, “Quack, quack, quack…”
Rooster in the yard goes, “Cock a doodle doo…”

Song: Hop, hop, hop along (Tune: “Row Your Boat”)
Hop, hop, hop along (hop)
Or bounce on someone’s knee (bounce)
Higher and higher and higher and higher (lift)
Bunny hop with me. (hop)

Book: Silly Little Goose! by Nancy Tafuri

Rhyme: One, two, buckle my shoe
One, two, buckle my shoe (clap, tap shoes)
Three, four, shut the door (clap, cover eyes)
Five, six, pick up sticks (clap, wiggle fingers)
Seven, eight, lay them straight (clap, raise arms)
Nine, ten, a big fat hen (clap, widen arms)

Song (iPod): “The Little Bird” – Elizabeth Mitchell; Blue Clouds

Book: Nest by Jorey Hurley

Rhyme: Trot, trot to Boston

Flannel: Five little owls

Song: Forgot a bag to carry (Tune: “Ring around the Rosie”)
Forgot a bag to carry (sign for bag)
Our books at the library (sign for book)
Stack’em, stack’em (lift baby, or stack hands)
They all fall down (baby to lap, or hands open)
Credit: Leah Portz

Book: Big Fat Hen by Keith Baker

Song (shaky eggs): “I Know a Chicken” – Laurie Berkner; Whaddaya Think of That?

Closing rhyme

Verona Story Time

Story Time Ideas from the Verona Public Library

Tag: bird

Bird Story Time – Everybody

Birds Story Time – Toddler

Mother Bruce Story Time – Family

Virtual Story Time with Ms. Julie – Family

Virtual Story Time with Ms. Julie – Family

Owls Story Time – Baby

Owls Story Time – Toddler

Bird Story Time – Toddler

Birds Story Time – Baby