Category: Toddler Story time

Lunar New Year Story Time – Toddler

Opening Song

Book: Round Is a Mooncake: A Book of Shapes by Roseanne Thong, illustrated by Grace Lin

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

Rhyme: “This Is Big”
This is big, big, big. (stretch hands far to sides)
This is small, small, small. (cup hands together)
This is short, short, short. (hold palms close vertically)
This is tall, tall, tall. (hold palms far apart vertically)
This is fast, fast, fast. (roll hands quickly)
This is slow, slow, slow. (roll hands slowly)
This is yes, yes, yes. (nod head)
This is no, no, no. (shake head)

Book: It’s Your Year, Baby Dragon illustrated by Ariel Hsu

Flannel Song: “Five Little Dragons”
Five little dragons went out one day,
Over the hills and far away.
Mother dragon said, “It’s time for your snack.”
Only four little dragons came roaring back.

Four little dragons went out one day,
Over the hills and far away.
Mother dragon said, “It’s time for your snack.”
Only three little dragons came roaring back.

Three little dragons went out one day,
Over the hills and far away.
Mother dragon said, “It’s time for your snack.”
Only two little dragons came roaring back.

Two little dragons went out one day,
Over the hills and far away.
Mother dragon said, “It’s time for your snack.”
Only one little dragon came roaring back.

One little dragon went out one day,
Over the hills and far away.
Mother dragon said, “It’s time for your snack.”
But no little dragons came roaring back.

Mother dragon said, “It’s a really good snack!”
And all five little dragons came roaring back.
(Credit: Laptime Songs)

Song: “Chinese New Year” (Tune: “Mary Had a Little Lamb”)
See the dragon dance and prance,
Dance and prance,
Dance and prance.
See the dragon dance and prance
On Chinese New Year’s Day.

Hear the firecrackers pop, pop, pop,
Pop, pop, pop,
Pop, pop, pop!
Hear the firecrackers pop, pop, pop
On Chinese New Year’s Day!
(Credit: Storytime with Miss Mollie)

Shaker Eggs: “Shake Your Shakers” (Tune: “The Wheels on the Bus”)
Shake your shakers, shake, shake, shake,
Shake, shake, shake, shake, shake shake.
Shake your shakers, shake, shake, shake,
Shake your shakers.

Additional verses:
Shake your shakers high, high, high
Shake your shakers low, low, low
Shake your shakers fast, fast, fast
Shake your shakers slow, slow, slow

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

Closing Rhyme

Rosemary Wells Story Time – Toddler

Opening Song

Book: Max’s ABC by Rosemary Wells

Song: “The Alphabet Song”

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

Rhyme: “This Is Big”
This is big, big, big. (stretch hands far to sides)
This is small, small, small. (cup hands together)
This is short, short, short. (hold palms close vertically)
This is tall, tall, tall. (hold palms far apart vertically)
This is fast, fast, fast. (roll hands quickly)
This is slow, slow, slow. (roll hands slowly)
This is yes, yes, yes. (nod head)
This is no, no, no. (shake head)

Book: Bunny Cakes by Rosemary Wells

Flannel: “Five Little Bunnies”
Five little bunnies standing by the door,
One hopped away, and then there were four.
Four little bunnies sitting near a tree,
One hopped away, and then there were three.
Three little bunnies looking at you,
One hopped away, and then there were two.
Two little bunnies enjoying the sun,
One hopped away, and then there was one.
One little bunny sitting all alone,
He hopped away, and then there were none!

Scarf Song: “Four Corners”
My scarf has four corners,
Four corners has my scarf.
And if there weren’t four corners,
It would not be my…scarf.

Additional verses:
My hat…
My blanket…
My cape…
My pillow…

Scarf Song: “Wave Your Scarf” (Tune: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”)
Wave, wave, wave your scarf,
As slowly as you can.
Wave your scarf, wave your scarf,
As slowly as you can.

Additional verses:
Wave, wave, wave your scarf, as quickly as you can…
Swing your arms (slowly, quickly)
Stomp your feet (slowly, quickly)

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

Closing Rhyme

Cozy Story Time – Toddler

Opening Song

Book: If It’s Snowy and You Know It, Clap Your Paws! by Kim Norman, illustrated by Liza Woodruff

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

Rhyme: “This Is Big”
This is big, big, big. (stretch hands far to sides)
This is small, small, small. (cup hands together)
This is short, short, short. (hold palms close vertically)
This is tall, tall, tall. (hold palms far apart vertically)
This is fast, fast, fast. (roll hands quickly)
This is slow, slow, slow. (roll hands slowly)
This is yes, yes, yes. (nod head)
This is no, no, no. (shake head)

Book: Snow Days by Deborah Kerbel, illustrated by Miki Sato

Flannel: “Blanket Colors”
I once had a blanket.
It was fluffy and new.
I once had a blanket,
And its color was __________ (blue).

I once had a blanket,
The prettiest I’ve seen.
I once had a blanket,
And its color was ________ (green).

I once had a blanket,
Soft as a pillow.
I once had a blanket,
And its color was _______ (yellow).

I once had a blanket,
At the foot of my bed.
I once had a blanket,
And its color was ________ (red).
(Credit: Jen in the Library)

Puppet Song: “Sleepy Bear” (Tune: “Where Is Thumbkin?”)
Where is bear? Where is bear?
Here I am. Here I am.
How are you this winter?
Very tired, thank you.
Go to sleep. Go to sleep.
(Have the kids shout “WAKE UP, BEAR” to do the song again.)
(Credit: Preschool Education Music & Songs)

Shaker Eggs: “Can You Shake Your Egg with Me?” (Tune: “London Bridge”)
Can you shake your egg with me?
Shake your egg along with me.
It’s as easy as can be.
Now put it on your tummy!

Repeat with: knee, head, straight to bed
(Credit: King County Library System)

Shaker Eggs: “Shake Your Egg”

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

Closing Rhyme

Soup Story Time – Toddler

Opening Song

Book: Soup Day by Melissa Iwai

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

Rhyme: “This Is Big”
This is big, big, big. (stretch hands far to sides)
This is small, small, small. (cup hands together)
This is short, short, short. (hold palms close vertically)
This is tall, tall, tall. (hold palms far apart vertically)
This is fast, fast, fast. (roll hands quickly)
This is slow, slow, slow. (roll hands slowly)
This is yes, yes, yes. (nod head)
This is no, no, no. (shake head)

Book: Every Color Soup by Jorey Hurley

Song: “Stir, Stir, Stir the Soup” (Tune: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”)
Stir, stir, stir the soup,
Stir it all day long.
Add some (insert food name here),
Take a taste, (slurrrp!)
Soup will make us strong. (flex arm)

Repeat for different ingredients

Fingerplay: “Pea Soup”
(hold hand up with all five fingers extended)
1 little pea jumped into the pot (fold one finger down)
And waited for the soup to get hot.

2 little peas jumped into the pot (fold one finger down)
And waited for the soup to get hot.

3 little peas jumped into the pot (fold one finger down)
And waited for the soup to get hot.

4 little peas jumped into the pot (fold one finger down)
And waited for the soup to get hot.

5 little peas jumped into the pot (fold one finger down)
And waited for the soup to get hot.

Finally the soup got so very hot,
All the little peas jumped out of the pot. (quickly open hand and extend all fingers)
(Credit: Jen in the Library)

Shaker Eggs: “Can You Shake Along With Me?” (Tune: “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes”)
Can you shake along with me?
Along with me, along with me,
Can you shake along with me?
Put your shaker on your…knee!

Repeat with different body parts
(Credit: Jbrary)

Shaker Eggs: “Shake Your Shakers” (Tune: “London Bridge”)
Shake your shaker, shake, shake, shake,
Shake, shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
Shake your shaker, shake shake, shake,
Shake your shaker.

Additional verses: Shake your shaker high/low/fast/slow
(Credit: Jbrary)

Shaker Eggs: “Shake It To The East”
Shake it to the east,
Shake it to the west,
Shake it all around,
And then you take a rest.

Shake your shakers up,
Shake your shakers down,
Shake it, shake it, shake it,
And then you settle down.
(Credit: Rockland Public Library)

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

Closing Rhyme

Sleepy Story Time – Toddler

Opening Song

Book: Rock-a-bye Baby by Jane Cabrera

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: “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: Tuck Me In! by Dean Hacohen, illustrated by Sherry Scharschmidt

Flannel: “Five Sleepy Sloths”
Five sleepy sloths on the rainforest floor,
One swam away, and then there were four.

Four sleepy sloths climbing up a tree,
One stopped for fruit, and then there were three.

Three sleepy sloths with an upside-down view,
One switched branches, and then there were two.

Two sleepy sloths in circles they spun,
One climbed down, and then there was one.

One sleepy sloth missing everyone
Left to eat leaves, and now there are none.

Song: “Five in the Bed”
There were five in the bed and the little one said,
“Roll over, roll over!”

So they all rolled over and one fell out.
There were four in the bed and the little one said,
“Roll over, roll over!”

So they all rolled over and one fell out.
There were three in the bed and the little one said,
“Roll over, roll over!”

So they all rolled over and one fell out.
There were two in the bed and the little one said,
“Roll over, roll over!”

So they all rolled over and one fell out.
There was one in the bed and the little one said, “Goodnight.”
(Credit: The Laurie Berkner Band)

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…

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

Winter Animals Story Time – Toddler

Opening Song

Book: In the Snow by Sharon Phillips Denslow, illustrated by Nancy Tafuri

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: “Bumping Up and Down in My Little Blue Sled” (use Yeti puppet)
Bumping up and down in my little blue sled,
Bumping up and down in my little blue sled,
Bumping up and down in my little blue sled,
Won’t you be my darling?

Additional verses:
Snow’s coming down on my little blue sled…
Waving to my friends on my little blue sled…
(Credit: Jbrary)

Book: I Am Small by Emma Dodd
Cover of the book I AM SMALL by Emma Dodd

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)

Flannel: “Red Mitten, Red Mitten”
Red mitten, red mitten, what do you see?
I see a blue mitten looking at me.

Repeat for different colored mittens

Rhyme: “Royal Penguins”
One royal penguin, feeling very blue
Called for his brother, then there were two.

Two royal penguins swimming in the sea
Called for their sister, then there were three.

Three royal penguins waddle on the shore,
Call for their mother, then there were four.

Four royal penguins learning how to dive,
Call for their father, then there were five.

Shaker Eggs: “Egg Shakers Up”
Egg shakers up.
Egg shakers down.
Egg shakers dancing all around the town.
Dance them on your shoulders.
Dance them on your head.
Dance them on your knees,
And tuck them into bed!

Shaker Eggs: “Shake Your Shakers” (Tune: “The Wheels on the Bus”)
Shake your shakers, shake, shake, shake,
Shake, shake, shake, shake, shake shake.
Shake your shakers, shake, shake, shake,
Shake your shakers.

Additional verses:
Shake your shakers high, high, high
Shake your shakers low, low, low
Shake your shakers fast, fast, fast
Shake your shakers slow, slow, slow

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

Closing Rhyme

Clothes and Hats Story Time – Toddler

Opening Song

Book: Applesauce Is Fun to Wear by Nancy Raines Day, illustrated by Jane Massey

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: “Boots, Parka, Scarf and Hat” (Tune: “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes”)
Boots, parka, scarf and hat, scarf and hat.
Boots, parka, scarf and hat, scarf and hat.
In wintertime we dress like that!
Boots, parka, scarf and hat, scarf and hat.
(Credit: Mel’s Desk)

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

Rhyme: “This Is Big”
This is big, big, big. (stretch hands far to sides)
This is small, small, small. (cup hands together)
This is short, short, short. (hold palms close vertically)
This is tall, tall, tall. (hold palms far apart vertically)
This is fast, fast, fast. (roll hands quickly)
This is slow, slow, slow. (roll hands slowly)
This is yes, yes, yes. (nod head)
This is no, no, no. (shake head)

Activity: “Hat Hunt”
(Credit: Miss Meg’s Storytime)

Scarf Song: “Four Corners”
My scarf has four corners,
Four corners has my scarf.
And if there weren’t four corners,
It would not be my…scarf.

Additional verses:
My hat…
My blanket…
My cape…
My pillow…

Scarf Song: “Wave Your Scarf” (Tune: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”)
Wave, wave, wave your scarf,
As slowly as you can.
Wave your scarf, wave your scarf,
As slowly as you can.

Additional verses:
Wave, wave, wave your scarf, as quickly as you can…
Swing your arms (slowly, quickly)
Stomp your feet (slowly, quickly)

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)

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

Closing Rhyme

Family Story Time – Toddler

Opening Song

Book: One Family by George Shannon, illustrated by Blanca Gómez

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

Flannel: “Five Little Kernels”
(Put up the five kernel shapes on the board, as spread out as you can. When you say “POP!” slap a white popcorn shape right on top of one of the kernels.)
Five little kernels sizzling in the pot.
All of a sudden, one went POP!

Repeat, counting down until all the kernels have popped.
(Credit: Mel’s Desk)

Book: Theo’s Thanksgiving by David Steinberg, illustrated by Julia Woolf

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: “If You’re Thankful and You Know It” (Tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
If you’re thankful and you know it, clap your hands.
If you’re thankful and you know it, clap your hands.
If you’re thankful and you know it, then your face will surely show it.
If you’re thankful and you know it, clap your hands.

Additional verses:
Stomp your feet
Jump up and down
Shout, “Hooray!”

Shaker Eggs: “Egg Shakers Up”
Egg shakers up.
Egg shakers down.
Egg shakers dancing all around the town.
Dance them on your shoulders.
Dance them on your head.
Dance them on your knees,
And tuck them into bed!

Shaker Eggs: “Shake Your Shakers” (Tune: “The Wheels on the Bus”)
Shake your shakers, shake, shake, shake,
Shake, shake, shake, shake, shake shake.
Shake your shakers, shake, shake, shake,
Shake your shakers.

Additional verses:
Shake your shakers high, high, high
Shake your shakers low, low, low
Shake your shakers fast, fast, fast
Shake your shakers slow, slow, slow

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

Closing Rhyme

Bear Story Time – Toddler

Opening Song

Book: Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman
Bear Snores On Cover Image

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

Puppet Rhyme: “My Bear”
My bear is looking all around.
My bear is sniffing at the ground.
My bear is looking at my toes.
My bear can kiss me on the nose.
My bear can whisper in my ear.
What’s he saying? Can you hear?
My bear can hide behind me,
But wherever I go, my bear can surely find me.
(Credit: Yorba Linda Public Library)

Book: Orange Pear Apple Bear by Emily Gravett
Orange Pear Apple Bear book cover

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.

Flannel: “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.

Scarf Song: “Rain on the Grass”
Rain on the grass, (shake on floor)
Rain on the trees, (shake high)
Rain on the roof, (hold above head)
But not on me. (drop)

Repeat with: sun, snow, leaves

Scarf Rhyme: “Jack in the Box”
Jack in the box
Sits so still.
Will he come out?
Yes, he will!
(Credit: Jbrary)

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

Closing Rhyme

Folk and Fairy Tales Story Time – Toddler

Opening Song

Pop-up Book: The Long-Nosed Pig by Keith Faulkner, illustrated by Jonathan Lambert

Puppet Song: “Old MacDonald”

Book: Maria Had a Little Llama by Angela Dominguez

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: “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.

Flannel Rhyme: “Queen Elsa’s Crown” (Tune: “Mary Wore Her Red Dress”)
Queen Elsa wore her purple crown, purple crown, purple crown.
Queen Elsa wore her purple crown every Sunday!

Repeat with different crowns and days.

(Credit: Miss Sarah’s Storytime)

Shaker Eggs: “The Grand Old Duke of York”
The grand old Duke of York,
He had ten thousand men,
He marched them up to the top of the hill
And marched them down again.

‘Cause when you’re up, you’re up,
And when you’re down, you’re down,
And when you’re only halfway up
You are neither up nor down.

Shaker Eggs: “Egg Shakers Up”
Egg shakers up.
Egg shakers down.
Egg shakers dancing all around the town.
Dance them on your shoulders.
Dance them on your head.
Dance them on your knees,
And tuck them into bed!

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

Closing Rhyme