Month: August 2023

Stuffed Animal Story Time – Everybody

Opening Song: “Bread and Butter”

Book: The Best Kind of Bear by Greg Gormley, illustrated by David Barrow

Flannel Song: “Looking for a Teddy Bear” (Tune: “The Wheels on the Bus”)
We’re looking for a teddy bear, teddy bear, teddy bear,
Looking for a teddy bear, let’s look under this (cover).
Is this a teddy bear? No! What is it? It’s a (object). Let’s try again!

Verses:
Covers: Box / hat / blanket / basket
Objects: Egg / hat / snake / bear

Book: Where’s My Teddy? by Jez Alborough

Song: “The Bunny Pokey” – Junior Jukebox: Animals

Book: Found by Salina Yoon
Found book cover

Puppet Song: “Tucking the Animals Into Bed” (Tune: “Mary Had a Little Lamb”)
Here we have a little bear, little bear, little bear.
Here we have a little bear, and he likes to play.
Spoken: Time to sleep, bear! Rock, rock, rock him, and tuck him into bed!

Next we have a little dog, little dog, little dog.
Next we have a little dog, and she likes to sleep.

Then we have a little cat, little cat, little cat.
Then we have a little cat who likes to eat a snack.

Last we have a little bunny, little bunny, little bunny.
Last we have a little bunny who likes to give big hugs.

Song: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!

Closing Rhyme

Bicycle Story Time – Everybody

Opening Song: “Bread and Butter”

Book: My Bike by Byron Barton

Song: “The Wheels on the Bike” (Tune: “The Wheels on the Bus”)
The wheels on the bike go round and round, (roll hands over each other)
Round and round, round and round.
The wheels on the bike go round and round
All through the town.

Additional verses:
The pedals on the bike go up and down (move feet up and down)
The streamers on the bike go swish, swoosh, swish (move hands in a swishing motion)
The bell on the bike goes ding, ding, ding (pretend to ring a bell)
The basket on the bike holds all the things (make arms into a circle like a basket in front of you)
The handles on the bike go left and right (pretend hands on handlebar, steer left and right)
(Credit: Scott, Barbara A. 1,000 Fingerplays & Action Rhymes: A Sourcebook and DVD. New York: Neal-Schuman. 2010.)

Song: “Bicycle” – Laurie Berkner: Superhero

Book: Elena Rides by Juana Medina

Song: “If You Wanna Ride Your Bike” (Tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
If you wanna ride your bike, (roll arms)
Find a friend, HELLO (wave hello) . . .

Chorus: If you wanna ride your bike, (roll arms)
Then you’ve gotta do it right! (thumbs up)

Additional verses:
Tie your shoes, ONE, TWO (reach to feet)
Save your head, HELMET ON (arms up and down)
Test your breaks, PEDAL BACK (stamp backward)
Check both ways, RIGHT, LEFT (look)
(Credit: Leah Portz, Verona Public Library)

Rhyme: “Bicycle”
I have a little bicycle. (hold hands together for little)
I ride it to and fro. (rolls hands)
And when I see that big green light,
I know it’s time to go! (pedal in air fast)
I have a little bicycle. (hold hands together for little)
I took it to the shop. (rolls hands)
And when I see that big red light,
I know it’s time to STOP! (freeze)
(Credit: First Steps Ann Arbor)

Book/Puppets: Duck on a Bike by David Shannon

Closing Rhyme

Sloth Story Time – Preschool

Opening Song: “Bread and Butter”

Book: If I Had a Sleepy Sloth by Gabby Dawnay, illustrated by Alex Barrow

Song: “Fast And Slow” – Laurie Berkner: Rocketship Run

Book: “Slowly, Slowly, Slowly,” said the Sloth by Eric Carle
slowlyslowly-slowly

Puppet/Flannel Song: “Five Little Sloths Went Climbing One Day” (Tune: “Five Little Ducks”)
Five little sloths went climbing one day,
High in the canopies, where they like to play.
The mama sloth called, “Aahh-eeeee!”
But only four little sloths came back.

Count down until no sloths come back.

A worried mama sloth went climbing one day,
High in the canopies, where they like to play.
The mama sloth called, “Aahh-eeeee!”
And all the little sloths came back!
(Credit: Storytime Solidarity)

Book: Happy Sloth Day! by April Pulley Sayre and Jeff Sayre

Song (if time): “S-L-O-T-H”
The rainforest has many friends.
My favorite is the sloth.
S-L-O-T-H
S-L-O-T-H
S-L-O-T-H
I really love the sloth!

Count down just as in “BINGO,” clapping for each letter as it’s replaced.
(Credit: Cockburn Libraries)

Closing Rhyme

Sandra Boynton Story Time – Toddler

Opening Song

Book/App: Blue Hat, Green Hat by Sandra Boynton

Song: “I Like My Hat” – Carole Peterson: Stinky Cake

Rhyme: “Color Rhyme” by Jean Warren
If your clothes have any red,
Put your finger on your head.

If your clothes have any blue,
Put your finger on your shoe.

If your clothes have any green,
Wave your hand so you’ll be seen.

If your clothes have any yellow,
Smile like a happy fellow.

If your clothes have any brown,
Turn your smile into a frown.

If your clothes have any black,
Put your hands behind your back.

If your clothes have any white,
Clap your hands with all your might.

Book: Pajama Time! by Sandra Boynton

Rhyme: “Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed”

Book: Barnyard Dance! by Sandra Boynton
Barnyard Dance book cover

Song: “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” – Bob McGrath: Sing Along with Bob #2

Song: “This is the Way We Clap Our Hands” – Kimbo Educational: Teach a Toddler

Song: “All the Fish” – Sue Schnitzer: Wiggle and Whirl, Clap and Nap

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

Closing Rhyme

Caring Story Time – Everybody

Opening Song: “Bread and Butter”

Book: Eco Girl by Ken Wilson-Max

Imagination Activity: “Planting a Tree”
Put on your imagination hats. Are you ready? We’re going to plant a tree.
Get your seed, hold it carefully. How big is it? Tiny!
Can you dig a little hole in the ground?
Put it in the dirt. Pat it gently.
What should we do next to help it grow?
Can you sprinkle some water on it? Give it some sun?
Now let’s grow! Can you show me how your tree grows?
Oh no! It’s so windy! What happens to the tree when it’s windy? (Sway) Can you protect it from the wind?
Oh no! It’s too thirsty. What happens to the tree when it’s too dry? (Wilt) Can you give it some water?
Oh no! Somebody is trying to chop down the tree! What do we say? Can you say, “Stop!”
How big has your tree grown now? Show me how it stretches towards the sun! Higher – how high can you go?
Good job caring for your trees!

Song: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.
If you’re happy and you know it, and you really want to show it,
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.

Additional verses:
If you’re helpful and you know it, stomp your feet…
If you’re generous and you know it, peekaboo…
If you’re thoughtful and you know it, shout, “Hooray!”…

Book: Hooray for Hat! by Brian Won
hooray for hat cover image

Song: “All I Wanna Do is Dance” – Kira Willey: Kings & Queens of the Forest

Action Rhyme: “Pat Your Knees Carefully”
Pat your knees carefully.
Pat your knees soft.
Pat your knees quickly.
Now we’re going to stop!

Additional verses:
Clap your hands
Run your feet

Book: What’s Next Door? by Nicola O’Byrne

Puppet Song: “This Is the Way We Show We Care” (Tune: “Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush”)
(Before each animal, ask what sound it makes. Then, say what kind of thing the animal does.)
This is the way bear hugs her friends,
Hugs her friends, hugs her friends.
This is the way bear hugs her friends
To show that she cares.

Additional verses:
Bird gives his gifts…
Horse listens well…
Pig plants a tree…

Closing Rhyme

Angry Story Time – Preschool

Opening Song: “Bread and Butter”

Book: I Was So Mad by Mercer Mayer

Song: “If You’re Happy and You Know It” (make faces to go with each emotion)
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands!
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands!
If you’re happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it. (point to your smile)
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands!

If you’re angry and you know it, stomp your feet!
If you’re angry and you know it, stomp your feet!
If you’re angry and you know it, then your face will surely show it. (point to your angry face)
If you’re angry and you know it, stomp your feet!

If you’re sad and you know it, say “boo hoo!” (pretend to cry)
If you’re sad and you know it, say “boo hoo!”
If you’re sad and you know it, then your face will surely show it. (point to your sad face)
If you’re sad and you know it, say “boo hoo!”

If you’re silly and you know it, dance around! (do a silly dance)
If you’re silly and you know it, dance around!
If you’re silly and you know it, then your face will surely show it. (point to silly face)
If you’re silly and you know it, dance around!

Book: When Sophie Gets Angry – Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang

Meditation: “Candle Breath” – Kira Willey: Mindful Moments for Kids

Book: Grump Groan Growl by bell hooks, illustrated by Chris Raschka

Song: “Shakes Your Sillies Out” – The Wiggles: Yummy Yummy

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

Closing Rhyme

Zoo Story Time – Toddler

Opening Song

Book: From Head to Toe by Eric Carle

Song: “The Animals at the Zoo” (Tune: “The Wheels on the Bus”)
The lions at the zoo go roar, roar, roar,
Roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar!
The lions at the zoo go roar, roar, roar!
All day long!

Additional verses:
Monkeys…ooh ooh ah!
Snakes…hiss hiss hiss!
Penguins…waddle, waddle, waddle!

Song: “The Monkey Dance” – The Wiggles: Hot Potatoes!

Book: The Underpants Zoo by Brian Sendelbach

Puppet Song: “We Went to the Zoo One Day” (Tune: “Mary Had a Little Lamb”)
We went to the zoo one day,
Zoo one day, zoo one day.
We went to the zoo one day, and this is what we saw: lion!

Repeat with other animal puppets.

Action Rhyme: “Monkey See, Monkey Do”
Monkey see, monkey do,
Little monkey at the zoo.
Monkey, monkey in the tree.
Can you ________ like me?

Actions: jump around, swing your arms, scratch an itch, eat a banana, screech
(Credit: Perry Public Library)

Book: Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
Dear Zoo

Song: “Zoo Movements” – Dr. Jean: Better Brains and Bodies

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

Closing Rhyme

Animal Sounds Story Time – Baby

Opening Song: “Hello Bubble”
Hello bubble, hello bubble,
Come and land, come and land,
Right in the middle, right in the middle,
Of my hand, of my hand.

Puppet Song: “When Ducks Get Up in the Morning”
When ducks get up in the morning, they always say good day.
When ducks get up in the morning, they always say good day.
Quack, quack, quack, quack, this is what they say.
Quack, quack, quack, quack, this is what they say.

Repeat with other animals/sounds
(Credit: King County Library System)

Sign Language: Friend

Book: Flappy, Waggy, Wiggly by Amanda Leslie

Lap Rhyme: “A Hippopotamus Got On A City Bus”
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!” (hug baby)

A cow, a cow, a cow got on the bus,
And all, and all, and all the people said,
“Moooove over!” (lean baby to side)

A sheep, a sheep, a sheep got on the bus,
And all, and all, and all the people said,
“Baaaaaack up!” (lean baby back)
(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

Repeat with: out/in, fast/slow
(Credit: Jbrary)

Song: “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.

Book: Do Cats Moo? by Salina Yoon

Puppet Song: “Old MacDonald Had a Farm”

Lap Song: “Giddyap Giddyap”
Giddyap, giddyap ride to town (bounce)
Giddyap, giddyap up and down (lift)
Giddyap fast, giddyap slow
Giddyap, giddyap WHOA! (lean baby back)
(Credit: Read Sing Play)

Song: “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes”
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes,
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes,
Eyes and ears and mouth and nose,
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes.

Shaker Eggs: “Everyone Can Shake, Shake, Shake”
Everyone can shake, shake, shake.
Everyone can shake, shake, shake.
Everyone can shake, shake, shake,
And now let’s make a stop.

Additional verses:
Everyone can tap
Everyone can clap
Everyone can wave
(Credit: Jbrary)

Closing Rhyme

Bathtime Story Time – Everybody

Opening Song: “Bread and Butter”

Book: The Pigeon Needs a Bath! by Mo Willems

Song: “Everybody Wash” – Sesame Street: Splish Splash Bath Time Fun

Book: Bears in the Bath by Shirley Parenteau, illustrated by David Walker

Song: “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” – Joanie Bartels: Bathtime Magic

Book: Get Out of My Bath! by Britta Teckentrup

Song: “Bubbles, Bubbles” (Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”)
Bubbles, bubbles, all around. (roll arms)
Bubbles, bubbles, on the ground.
Bubbles, bubbles, on my nose.
Bubbles, bubbles, on my toes.
Bubbles, bubbles, in my hair.
Bubbles, bubbles, everywhere! (reach arms out)

Song: “All the Fish” – Sue Schnitzer: Wiggle and Whirl, Clap and Nap

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

Closing Rhyme

Mail Story Time – Preschool

Opening Song: “Bread and Butter”

Book: Bunny Mail by Rosemary Wells

Song: “Mailing Letters” (Tune: “Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush”)
This is the way we write a letter,
Write a letter, write a letter.
This is the way we write a letter
So early in the morning.

Additional verses:
Stamp a Letter
Mail a Letter
Wait for a Letter
Shout “Hooray!”…when we receive a letter
(Credit: Out of the Box Programming)

Book: A Mail Carrier’s Job by Miguel Rosario

Puppets: “Letters to Animals”
Read each letter and have everyone guess the animal the letter is for. Reveal the animal using the matching puppet and “deliver” the letter to that animal.

There are letters in the mailbox. Can we help the letters get to the correct animal?

“Dear friend, how are you? I’m feeling awkward and shy at my new school. Sometimes I wish I had a shell to hide away in – like you.” – Turtle

“Dear NEIGHbor, thank you for teaching me to braid. Your mane and tail always look fabulous!” – Horse

“Dear Little Brother, I have enclosed some bits of cheese. Don’t forget to clean your whiskers SQUEAKY-clean, and look out for the cat!” – Mouse

“Dear Mommy, I feel safe and loved wrapped up in your trunk. I miss your big floppy ears! Someday I will trumpet as loud as you!” – Elephant

“Dear Friend, I’m so happy you’re nocturnal and like to sleep during the day, just like me! Thank you for teaching me to hiss and growl. I wish I could ‘play dead’ like you, too. Next time I see you, I will bring you some ticks to eat!” – Possum

Book: Millie Waits for the Mail by Alexander Steffensmeier
millie waits for the mail cover image

Closing Rhyme