Month: August 2024

Camping Story Time – Everybody

Opening Song

Book: Night Animals by Gianna Marino

Puppet Rhyme: “Sleeping Bag Rhyme”
(Do an animal noise and have the kids guess the animal, then reveal the puppet.)
I was lying in my sleeping bag – I couldn’t go to sleep.
I looked at my watch, and wanted to weep!
So I rolled to the left and I rolled to the right,
But all I could hear were noises in the night!
Whoo whoo whoo! I hear…an owl!

Repeat with bear, squirrel, wolf/coyote, goose, frog, etc.

Movement: “Camp Counselor Says”
Play “Simon Says,” replacing “Simon” with “camp counselor.” Do night animal noises/movements (whoo like an owl, hop like a rabbit, etc.) and camping motions (sit by the campfire, set up a tent, and go to sleep).

Book: One-Dog Canoe by Mary Casanova, illustrated by Ard Hoyt
One-Dog Canoe book cover

Action Song: “Bear Hunt”
(Have kids repeat your words and movements.)
We’re going on a bear hunt.
We’re going to catch a big one!
I’m not scared.
It’s a beautiful day!

Look over there!
It’s a tall field of grass.
Can’t go over it,
Can’t go under it,
Can’t go around it,
We’ve got to go through it. (pretend to go through obstacle)

Repeat for mud swamp, rushing river, and cave.

(Cave verse)
Get out your flashlight,
Look around.
I see something flutter up high. (bats)
WHAT’S THAT?
I see one shiny wet nose,
Two big furry ears,
Two big googly eyes!
IT’S A BEAR!
Quick! Quietly!
Back through the cave!
Tiptoe! Tiptoe! Tiptoe!

Go back through the other 3 obstacles.

Go home! (open door, shut & lock the door, hop into bed)

We went on a Bear Hunt,
And we weren’t afraid!

Book: Don’t Feed the Bear by Kathleen Doherty, illustrated by Chip Wass

Song: “Campfire Pokey” (Tune: “Hokey Pokey”)
You put your marshmallow in,
You take your marshmallow out.
You put your marshmallow in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the campfire pokey,
And you turn yourself around.
That’s what it’s all about!

Repeat with hot dog, potato, popcorn
(Credit: What Happens In Storytime…)

Action Song: “I’m Going Camping” (Tune: “I’m a Little Teapot”)
I am going camping, (point thumbs proudly to chest)
Time to pack (point to wrist)
My tent, my bedroll, and a snack. (make tent with hands, fold hands to cheek, pretend to eat)
I’ll sit by the campfire, (warm hands over fire)
Its glow so bright, (wiggle fingers like a fire)
Then snooze in my tent (pretend to snore)
‘Til the morning light! (arms circle over head)
(Credit: Lady Librarian’s Literacy, Lifestyle, and Lookbook Log)

Closing Rhyme

Summer Story Time – Preschool

Opening Song

Book: Natsumi’s Song of Summer by Robert Paul Weston, illustrated by Misa Saburi

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

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

Song: “I Wake Up My Hands”
I wake up my hands with a clap, clap, clap,
A clap, clap, clap, a clap, clap, clap,
I wake up my hands with a clap, clap, clap,
And I wiggle my waggles away.

Additional verses:
Feet – stomp
Head – nod
Belly – beep
Eyes – blink
(Credit: Jbrary)

Book: One Hot Summer Day by Nina Crews

Flannel: “If You’re Going to the Pool” (Tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
If you’re going to the pool, wear your suit, (show picture)
If you’re going to the pool, wear your suit,
If you’re going to the pool, then a suit will keep you cool,
If you’re going to the pool, wear your suit.

Additional verses:
…then a hat will keep you cool
…then your shoes will keep you cool
…then your shades will keep you cool
(Credit: Mel’s Desk)

Action Song: “We Are Ice Cream Cones” (Tune: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”)
We are ice cream cones
On a summer’s day,
Melting, melting, melting, melting,
Melting all away.
(Credit: Heather McPhail)

Closing Rhyme

Beach Story Time – Toddler

Opening Song

Book: Good Night, Good Beach by Joy Cowley, illustrated by Hilary Jean Tapper or Sandy Feet! Whose Feet? by Susan Wood, illustrated by Steliyana Doneva

Song with Cards: “Going to the Beach” (Tune: “The Farmer in the Dell”)
I’m going to the beach,
I’m going to the beach!
I think I’ll see a (say a beach item) there,
I’m going to the beach.

Repeat with other beach items, holding up a card with a picture of the item each time.
(Credit: Mel’s Desk)

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

Book: Sandy Toes by Shauntay Grant, illustrated by Candice Bradley

Flannel: “Five Little Sandcastles”
Five little sandcastles built by the shore,
Along came a wave and WHOOSH!
there were four.

Four little sandcastles built by you and me,
Along came a wave and WHOOSH!
there were three.

Three little sandcastles built by me and you,
Along came a wave and WHOOSH!
there were two.

Two little sandcastles built in the sun,
Along came a wave and WHOOSH!
there was one.

One little sandcastle built just for fun,
Along came a wave and WHOOSH!
there were none.
5 little sandcastles
(Credit: Story Tree)

Song: “Little Red Wagon” – Old Town School of Folk Music: Wiggleworms Love You

Book: Hide and Seek Harry at the Beach by Kenny Harrison

Song: “Baby Shark” – Pinkfong

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

Shaker Eggs: “Mr. Sun” – Raffi: Singable Songs for the Very Young

Shaker Eggs: “Shaky Shaky” – The Wiggles: Yummy Yummy

Closing Rhyme

Summer Story Time – Baby

Opening Song

Puppet Song: “When Ducks Go on an Adventure”
When ducks go on an adventure, they always say good day.
When ducks go on an adventure, 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: Sun, rain

Book: I See Summer by Charles Ghigna, illustrated by Ag Jatkowska

Rhyme: “Big Round Sun”
Big round sun in the summer sky, (sign for sun)
Waved to a cloud that was passing by, (wave!)
The little cloud laughed as it started to rain, (sign for rain)
And out came the big round sun again. (sign for sun)
(Credit: Mel’s Desk)

Rhyme: “Here is the Beehive”
Here is the beehive, (make fist)
But where are the bees?
Hidden away where nobody sees.
Soon they’ll come creeping out of the hive.
One! Two! Three! Four! Five! (open hand one finger at a time)
BZZZZZZ!!!!! Back in the hive, bees! (buzz and tickle)
(Credit: King County Library System)

Flannel: “If You’re Going to the Pool” (Tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
If you’re going to the pool, wear your suit, (show picture)
If you’re going to the pool, wear your suit,
If you’re going to the pool, then a suit will keep you cool,
If you’re going to the pool, wear your suit.

Additional verses:
…then a hat will keep you cool
…then your shoes will keep you cool
…then your shades will keep you cool
(Credit: Mel’s Desk)

Book: Baby Loves Summer! by Karen Katz

Lap Song: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”
Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream,
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,
Life is but a dream.

Repeat with: bounce, sway, tickle

Lap Song: “Little Red Wagon”
Bumpin’ up and down in my little red wagon,
Bumpin’ up and down in my little red wagon,
Bumpin’ up and down in my little red wagon,
Won’t you be my darlin’?

Additional verses:
Goin’ back and forth in my little red wagon… (lean front to back)
One wheel’s off and the axle’s broken… (lean side to side)
(Credit: Old Town School of Folk Music: Wiggleworms Love You)

Lap Song: “Little Bar of Soap”
Oh, I wish I was a little bar of soap, bar of soap. (lift baby)
Oh, I wish I was a little bar of soap, bar of soap.
Oh, I’d slippy and I’d slidey over everybody’s hidey, (tickle)
Oh, I wish I was a little bar of soap, bar of soap!
(Credit: Jbrary)

Shaker Eggs: “Mr. Sun” – Raffi: The Singable Songs Collection

Closing Rhyme

Unique Animal Story Time – Everybody

Opening Song

Book: Is it a Mermaid? by Candy Gourlay, illustrated by Francesca Chessa

Puppet Song: “I Am Hungry” (Tune: “Frère Jacques”) (Call and response song w/manatee puppet)
I am hungry! (I am hungry!)
What should I eat? (What should I eat?)
I think I’ll have some sea grass. (I think I’ll have some sea grass.)
A salty treat. (A salty treat.)

I am hungry! (I am hungry!)
What should I eat? (What should I eat?)
I think I’ll have some lettuce. (I think I’ll have some lettuce.)
A nice big bunch. (A nice big bunch.)

I am hungry! (I am hungry!)
What should I eat? (What should I eat?)
I think I’ll have some mangrove leaves. (I think I’ll have some mangrove leaves.)
A tasty lunch. (A tasty lunch.)

I am hungry! (I am hungry!)
What should I eat? (What should I eat?)
I think I’ll have some algae. (I think I’ll have some algae.)
It makes me burp. (It makes me burp.)

I am tired! (I am tired!)
Where should I sleep? (Where should I sleep?)
I think I’ll find a nice canal. (I think I’ll find a nice canal.)
Warm and deep. (Warm and deep.)
(Credit: Storytime Solidarity)

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.

Book: Roly Poly Pangolin by Anna Dewdney

Puppet Song: “Old MacDonald Had a Farm”
Verses: kangaroo, opossum, iguana, porcupine, Yeti

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

Closing Rhyme

Adventure Story Time – Preschool

Opening Song

Book: A Hippy-Hoppy Toad by Peggy Archer, illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf

Song: “Bouncing, Hopping and Jumping” – Jim Gill: Vote for Jim Gill

Flannel Rhyme: “Shoes”
Start with an orange shoe on the board.
I was walking along the street one day (march)
With my knees up high, can you walk this way?
But I stepped in something. Now what should I do?
My favorite, fastest shoes have turned the color blue!

I was hopping along the street one day (hop)
On just one foot, can you hop this way?
But I hopped in something. Now I’m filled with dread.
My favorite, fastest shoes have turned the color red!

I was twirling along the street one day, (turn in a circle)
Around and around, can you twirl this way?
But I twirled into something, and I’m not a happy fellow.
My favorite, fastest shoes have turned the color yellow!

I tiptoed along the street one day (tiptoe)
Way up on my toes, can you tiptoe this way?
But I tiptoed in something. Now I’m about to make a scene,
For my favorite, fastest shoes have turned the color green!

I stood perfectly still on the street one day, (stand in place)
With my feet like this, can you stand this way?
I stepped into nothing, but this isn’t very fun.
My favorite, fastest shoes are meant to run, run, run! (run in place)
(Credit: Shawn Wolf)

Book: Mr. Complain Takes the Train by Wade Bradford, illustrated by Stephan Britt

Song: “The Airplane Song” – Laurie Berkner: Whaddaya Think of That?

Puppets/Book: Wild One by Jane Whittingham, illustrated by Noel Tuazon

Closing Rhyme

Toddler Favorites Story Time – Toddler

Opening Song

Book: Mine, Mine, Mine, Yours! by Kimberly Gee

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.

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)

Book: Naptime with Theo and Beau by Jessica Shyba

Puppet Song: “Five Little Monkeys”

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

Book: If You’re a Robot and You Know It by David A. Carter

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: “You’ll Wave Your Scarf”
You’ll wave your scarf and I’ll wave my scarf.
We’ll wave our scarves together.
You’ll wave your scarf and I’ll wave my scarf,
In warm or wintry weather.

Additional verses:
You’ll throw your scarf…
You’ll twirl with your scarf…
You’ll shake your scarf…
(Credit: Adapted from “You’ll Sing a Song and I’ll Sing a Song” by Ella Jenkins)

Scarf Rhyme: “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

Adventure Story Time – Baby

Opening Song

Puppet Song: “When Ducks Go on an Adventure”
When ducks go on an adventure, they always say good day.
When ducks go on an adventure, 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: Let’s go, outside, play

Book: Let’s Go, Ted! by Sophy Henn

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

Additional verses:
Horn/beep-beep-beep
Wipers/swish-swish-swish
Doors/open and shut
Babies/up & down
Parents/I love you

Song: “I’m an Airplane” (Tune: “Frère Jacques”)
I’m an airplane, I’m an airplane,
Flying high, flying high,
I can tilt this way, I can tilt that way,
In the sky, in the sky.

I’m an airplane, I’m an airplane,
Flying high, flying high,
I can make a landing, I can make a landing,
From the sky, from the sky.
(Credit: Jbrary)

Puppet Song: “Adventure We Will Go”
Adventure, we will go,
Adventure, we will go,
We’ll find a fox standing on a box,
And then we’ll watch it go.

Additional verses:
Bear/have a scare
Goat/pet its coat
Frog/cross the bog
Mouse/scurry round its house

Book: Higher! Higher! by Leslie Patricelli
Higher! Higher! book cover

Lap Song: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”
Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream,
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,
Life is but a dream.

Repeat with: bounce, sway, tickle

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)

Lap Song: “Bumpity Bumpity Goes the Dump Truck”
Bumpity bumpity goes the dump truck.
Bumpity bumpity goes the dump truck.
Bumpity bumpity goes the dump truck.
Dump out the load. (tip baby to the side)
(Credit: Jbrary)

Shaker Eggs: “Drive My Car” – Laurie Berkner: Under a Shady Tree

Closing Rhyme