Month: August 2025

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

Pirate Story Time – Everybody

Opening Song

Book: Monsters in the Briny by Lynn Becker, illustrated by Scott Brundage

Song: “If You’re a Pirate and You Know It”
If you’re a pirate and you know it, swab the deck. (swish, swish)
If you’re a pirate and you know it, swab the deck. (swish, swish)
If you’re a pirate and you know it, then you’ll hear the sea winds blowin’.
If you’re a pirate and you know it, swab the deck. (swish, swish)

Additional verses:
If you’re a pirate and you know it, hoist the sails. (heave ho!)
If you’re a pirate and you know it, walk the plank. (splish, splash)
If you’re a pirate and you know it, say, “Ahoy!” (Ahoy!)
(Credit: Born Librarian blog)

Book: The Treasure of Pirate Frank by Mal Peet and Elspeth Graham, illustrated by Jez Tuya
Actions to do during the story:
Map (x), Sea (side-side), Island (circle), Mountains (shiver), Forest (monkey), Swamp (jump), Steps (march), Volcano (hands up), Tree (tree pose)

Puppet Rhyme: “Four Little Parrots”
One little parrot,
Singing I love you.
One more joins in,
Making them two.

Two little parrots,
Happy as can be.
One more joins in,
Making them three.

Three little parrots,
Looking for more.
One more joins in,
Making them four.

Four little parrots,
Up in a tree.
One flew away,
Then there were three.

Three little parrots,
Of green and yellow hue.
One flew away,
Then there were two.

Two little parrots,
Watch the setting sun.
Another flew away,
Then there was one!

He became a pirate,
Then there were none!

Song: “A Sailor Went to Sea/Hornpipe” – The Wiggles: You Make Me Feel Like Dancing

Song: “Take a Trip Out on the Sea” – The Wiggles: Splish, Splash, Big Red Boat!

Puppet Show: “Peg Leg Pup”

Closing Rhyme

Eric Carle Story Time – Everybody

Opening Song

Book: The Mixed-Up Chameleon by Eric Carle

Song: “Zoo Animals” (Tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
If you want to be a seal, clap your flippers!
If you want to be a seal, clap your flippers!
If you want to be a seal, if you want to be a seal,
If you want to be a seal, clap your flippers!

Additional verses:
Polar bear – roar out loud
Turtle – hide in your shell
Flamingo – stand on one leg
Fish – swim around
Elephant – swing your trunk
Fox – swish your tail
Deer – shake your antlers
Giraffe – stand up tall
Chameleon – catch a fly
Yourself – shout, “Hooray!”
(Credit: Adapted from King County Library System)

Puppet Story: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Song: “I’m a Little Egg” (Tune: “Pop Goes the Weasel”)
A little egg lay on a leaf (lay head on hands)
In the light of the moon. (make your arms into a circle over your head)
It wiggled and wiggled, (wiggle)
What will it be? (shrug arms)
Pop! A caterpillar. (clap hands and jump up on “pop” and crawl your finger like a caterpillar)

A chrysalis hung on a leaf (make hands into a “chrysalis”)
In the light of the moon. (make your arms into a circle over your head)
It wiggled and wiggled, (wiggle)
What will it be? (shrug arms)
Pop! A butterfly. (clap hands and jump up on “pop” and make a butterfly with your hands)
(Credit: Adapted from Sing a New Song)

Flannel Song: Today Is Monday by Eric Carle

Big Book: From Head to Toe by Eric Carle (Have everyone do the actions the animals do and repeat, “I can do it!”)

Closing Rhyme

Fruit Story Time – Everybody

Opening Song

Song: “In My Garden” – Raffi: Raffi’s Box of Sunshine

Book: Odd Dog by Claudia Boldt

Puppet/Flannel: “Five Red Strawberries”
Five red strawberries, sweet to the core.
Bear came and ate one and then there were four.

Four red strawberries, growing near a tree.
Bear came and ate one and then there were three.

Three red strawberries, for you and you and you.
Bear came and ate one and then there were two.

Two red strawberries, sitting in the sun.
Bear came and ate one and then there was one.

One red strawberry, left all alone.
Bear came and ate it and then there were none.
(Credit: Storytime Katie)

Book: Orangutangled by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen, illustrated by Aaron Zenz

Song: “The Ants Go Marching” – Old Town School of Folk Music: Songs for Wiggleworms

Book: The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli

Song: “Fruit Salad Salsa” – Laurie Berkner: Victor Vito

Closing Rhyme

Unicorn Story Time – Sensory Friendly

Opening Song

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

Action Rhyme: “Unicorn, Unicorn”
Unicorn, unicorn touch your toes.
Unicorn, unicorn touch your nose.
Unicorn, unicorn pat your head.
Unicorn, unicorn go to bed.
Unicorn, unicorn wake up now.
Unicorn, unicorn take a bow.
Unicorn, unicorn touch the ground.
Unicorn, unicorn turn around.
Unicorn, unicorn sit back down.
Unicorn, unicorn don’t make a sound.

Book: I’m a Unicorn by Helen Yoon

Song: “Tap, Tap, Tap” – Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer: Get Set for School Sing Along

Yoga: Unicorn warrior (Warrior 1 pose with arms reaching overhead like a horn)

Social Story: Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great by Bob Shea

Closing Rhyme

Craft: Paper plate rocker unicorn (modified to yarn through hole punches instead of paper mane)

(Credit: Easy Kids Craft)

Bathtime Story Time – Everybody

Opening Song

Book: The Pigeon Needs a Bath! by Mo Willems

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

Book: Tubby by Leslie Patricelli
tubby

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: “This Is The Way We Wash Our Face” – Teddy’s Wonderland: Teddy’s Nursery Rhymes

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

Closing Rhyme

Animals at Night Story Time – Preschool

Opening Song

Book: Knight Owl by Christopher Denise

Song: “We Are Dinosaurs” – Laurie Berkner: Whaddaya Think of That?

Book: Night Animals by Gianna Marino

Song: “Flutter, Flutter, Little Bat” (Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”)
Flutter, flutter, little bat.
How I wonder where you’re at.
Up above the world so high.
Like a mouse who’s learned to fly.
Flutter, flutter, little bat,
Glad there are no flying cats!
(Credit: King County Library System)

Flannel Rhyme: “Bear in the Lair”
Sleepy bear, sleepy bear,
Are you in the (color) lair?

Repeat for different colored lairs (caves) until you find the bear.

(Credit: Lady Librarian Life)

Book: Make More S’mores by Cathy Ballou Mealey, illustrated by Ariel Landy

Closing Rhyme

Bus Story Time – Toddler

Opening Song

Book: It’s a Field Trip, Busy Bus! by Jody Jensen Shaffer, illustrated by Claire Messer

Song: “(Silly) Wheels on the Bus” – Miss Nina and the Jumping Jacks: Every Day’s Your Birthday

Book: The Seals on the Bus by Lenny Hort, illustrated by G. Brian Karas

Song: “Drivin’ in My Car” – Ralph Covert: Ralph’s World

Rhyme: “Traffic Light”
Green says, “Go” (march in place quickly)
Go! Go! Go!
Yellow says, “Slow!” (march slowly)
Slow…slow….slow…
And red says “stop!” (stop suddenly)

Go! Go! Go! (move fast)
Slow…slow….slow… (move slowly)
and STOP! (stop)
(Repeat and allow children to pretend they are cars driving down the street.)

Book: The Bus Stop by Janet Morgan Stoeke

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

Song: “Bodies 1-2-3” – Peter and Ellen Allard: Sing It! Say It! Stamp It! Sway It! Vol. 2

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

Closing Rhyme

Library Story Time – Sensory Friendly

Opening Song

Book: Lola at the Library by Anna McQuinn, illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw

Song: “If You’re a Reader and You Know It” (Tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
If you’re a reader and you know it, clap your hands.
If you’re a reader and you know it, clap your hands.
If you’re a reader and you know it, and you really want to show it,
If you’re a reader and you know it, clap your hands.

Repeat with stomp your feet, shout hooray, and do all three.
(Credit: Storytime Katie)

Book: Hooray for Books! by Brian Won

Song/Video: “Dance for the Sun” – Kira Willey: Dance for the Sun

Yoga: Tree pose (while pretending to read a book!)

Social Story: Being Responsible by Rebecca Pettiford

Closing Song

Craft: Make your own bookmark with book character stickers

Jungle Story Time – Everybody

Opening Song

Book: It’s a Tiger! by David LaRochelle, illustrated by Jeremy Tankard

Song: “Walking in the Jungle” – Super Simple Songs

Finger Puppets: “Teasing Mr. Crocodile”
Spread five fingers out. Swing back and forth.
Five little monkeys
Sitting in a tree,
Teasing Mister Crocodile,
“You can’t catch me!”
Along comes Crocodile,
Quiet as can be.
SNAP!

Continue the countdown until…
One little monkey….
“Ha Ha! Missed me!”

Book: There’s a Lion in the Forest! by Mônica Carnesi

Song: “The Monkey Dance” – The Wiggles: Yummy Yummy

Movement Activity: Simon Says

Book: Neon Leon by Jane Clarke, illustrated by Britta Teckentrup

Closing Rhyme