Train Story Time – Toddler

Opening Song

Book: I Like Trains by Daisy Hirst

Song: “On the Railroad Train” (Tune: “The Wheels on the Bus”)
The conductor on the train says, “All aboard!” (motion to “Come on in!”)
“All aboard! All aboard!”
The conductor on the train says, “All aboard!”
On the railroad train.

Additional verses:
The freight worker says, “Load ’em up!” (move arms from low to high)
The brakeman says, “Hitch up those cars!” (link both hands in front of you)
The engine on the train goes chugga-chugga-choo (make a circular chugging motion)
The wheels on the train go clickity-clack (clap hands)
The whistle on the train goes “Whoo-whoo-whoo!” (pretend to pull a train whistle)

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

Flannel Story: I Love Trains! by Philemon Sturges, illustrated by Shari Halpern
I Love Trains 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.

Book: Chugga Chugga Choo Choo by Emma Garcia

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

Closing Rhyme

Thanksgiving Story Time – Everybody

Opening Song

Sign Language: Thank you

Book: Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes, illustrated by Doris Barrette

Flannel Song: “Thanks a Lot” – Raffi: Quiet Time
Thanks a lot, thanks for sun in the sky.
Thanks a lot, thanks for clouds so high.
Thanks a lot, thanks for whispering wind.
Thanks a lot, thanks for the birds in the spring.
Thanks a lot, thanks for the moonlit night.
Thanks a lot, thanks for the stars so bright.
Thanks a lot, thanks for the wondering me.
Thanks a lot, thanks for the way I feel.
Thanks for the animals, thanks for the land, thanks for the people everywhere.
Thanks a lot, thanks for all I’ve got. Thanks for all I’ve got.
thanks a lot

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

Song: “(I’m Gonna Eat) On Thanksgiving Day” – Laurie Berkner: Whaddaya Think of That?

Book: All for Pie, Pie For All by David Martin, illustrated by Valeri Gorbachev
all for pie pie for all

Closing Rhyme

Craft: Paper Plate Turkey Wreath
(Credit: The Resourceful Mama)

Thanksgiving Story Time – Preschool

Opening Song

Book: Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes, illustrated by Doris Barrette

Rhyme: “The Turkey”
The turkey is a funny bird, (hook thumbs together and spread fingers to create a turkey tail)
Its head goes wobble, wobble, (wobble head back and forth)
And all it knows is just one word, (hold up one finger)
“Gobble, gobble, gobble.” (open and close hands like beaks)

Book: We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Frané Lessac

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
Say “Thank you!”
Do all 3

Book: Grandma’s Tiny House by JaNay Brown-Wood, illustrated by Priscilla Burris

Song: “Can’t Wait to Celebrate” – Jim Gill: Jim Gill’s Irrational Anthem

Closing Rhyme

Thanksgiving Story Time – Toddler

Opening Song

Book: Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes, illustrated by Doris Barrette

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)

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, and you really want to show it,
If you’re thankful and you know it, clap your hands.

Additional verses:
If you’re thankful and you know it, stomp your feet…
If you’re thankful and you know it, shout “I am!”…
If you’re thankful and you know it, do all three…

Book: All for Pie, Pie for All by David Martin, illustrated by Valeri Gorbachev

Flannel: “Four Pieces of Pie”
One whole pie
Set by the door,
Cut into four pieces,
I count…four.

Four pieces of pie,
All for me!
NomNomNomNomNom
I ate one piece
Now there are…three.
NomNomNomNomNom
[Gasp], Cat ate a piece!
Now there are…two.

Two pieces of pie,
All for me!
[“Squeak, sharing is fun!”] (mouse)
NomNomNomNomNom
[Gasp], Mouse ate a piece!
Now there is…one.

One piece of pie,
All for me!
[“Hurry, scurry, you’re my hero!”] (ant)
NomNomNomNomNom
[Gasp], Ant ate a piece!
Now there’s…zero.
My pie’s all gone.

Song: “Hot Potato” – The Wiggles: Yummy Yummy

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

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

Closing Rhyme

Thanksgiving 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: “Hello Mr. Turkey” (Tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
Hello Mr. Turkey, how are you? (clap, clap)
Hello Mr. Turkey, how are you? (clap, clap)
With a gobble, gobble, gobble (make gobbling noises)
And a wobble, wobble, wobble, (wobble back and forth)
Hello Mr. Turkey, how are you? (clap, clap)
(Credit: Story Time Secrets)

Sign Language: Thank you, turkey, eat, drink

Book: Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes, illustrated by Doris Barrette

Rhyme: “Patty Cake”
Patty cake, patty cake, baker’s man, (clap)
Bake me a cake as fast as you can. (clap)
Roll it, (roll one hand over the other)
And pat it, (pat legs)
And mark it with a “B,” (make the letter B on baby’s tummy)
And put it in the oven for Baby and me! (hands flat, then point to baby, then you)

Song: “Roly Poly” (Tune: “Are You Sleeping?”)
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)

Rhyme: “Chicken in the Barnyard”
Chicken in the barnyard (make a circle on baby’s tummy)
Staying out of trouble,
Along comes a turkey and – (creep fingers up to baby’s chin)
Gobble! Gobble! Gobble! (tickle baby under chin)
(Credit: Pasadena Public Library)

Book: Bear Says “Thank You” by Michael Dahl, illustrated by Oriol Vidal

Lap Song: “Bouncing, Bouncing, Baby on My Knee”
Bouncing, bouncing, baby on my knee.
Bouncing, bouncing, 1 – 2 – 3!

Clapping, clapping, baby on my knee.
Clapping, clapping, 1 – 2 – 3!

Rocking, rocking, baby on my knee.
Rocking, rocking, 1 – 2 – 3!
(Credit: Jbrary)

Lap Song: “I’m Toast in the Toaster”
I’m toast in the toaster, (bounce baby gently on lap)
And I’m getting very hot.
Tick, tock, tick, tock, (sway baby from side to side gently)
Up I POP! (lift baby up in the air)
(Credit: King County Library System)

Book: Where Is Baby’s Turkey? by Karen Katz

Shaker Eggs: “The Turkey Hop” – Carole Peterson: H.U.M. All Year Long

Shaker Eggs: “Shake Your Shaker Up”
Shake your shaker up.
Shake your shaker down.
Shake it side to side.
Shake it all around.
Shake it on your shoulder.
Shake it on your head.
Shake it on your tummy.
And shake it right to bed!

Closing Rhyme

Dinosaurs Story Time – Preschool

Opening Song

Book: Dinosaurs! by Gail Gibbons

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

Puppet Show: “T-Rex Wants to Play Too”

Rhyme: “Dinosaur, Dinosaur”
Dinosaur, Dinosaur, turn around.
Dinosaur, Dinosaur, jump up and down.
Dinosaur, Dinosaur, reach up high.
Dinosaur, Dinosaur, wink one eye.
Dinosaur, Dinosaur, point at your nose.
Dinosaur, Dinosaur, touch your toes.
First ending:
Dinosaur, Dinosaur, tap your chin.
Dinosaur, Dinosaur, do it again!
Repeat, ending with this couplet instead:
Dinosaur, Dinosaur, pat your knees.
Dinosaur, Dinosaur, sit down please!

Book: Crunch, the Shy Dinosaur by Cirocco Dunlap, illustrated by Greg Pizzoli

Closing Rhyme

Cat Story Time – Toddler

Opening Song

Book: Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons by Eric Litwin, illustrated by James Dean
pete the cat and his four groovy buttons

Song: “If You’re a Kitty and You Know It” (Tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
If you’re a kitty and you know it, lick your paws. (pretend to lick paws)
If you’re a kitty and you know it, lick your paws. (pretend to lick paws)
If you’re a kitty and you know it, and you really want to show it.
If you’re a kitty and you know it, lick your paws. (pretend to lick paws)

Additional verses:
Show your claws (show claws)
Swish your tail (wiggle bottom)
Say “Meow!”

Book: Cat Nap by Toni Yuly
cat nap book cover

Song: “When Cats Get Up” – Old Town School of Folk Music: Wiggleworms Love You

Song: “These Are My Glasses” – Laurie Berkner: Whaddaya Think of That?
These are my glasses, this is my book.
I put on my glasses and open up the book.
Now I read, read, read,
And I look, look, look.
I put down my glasses and
Whoop! Close up the book!

Song: “I’m a Little Kitty Cat” (Tune: “I’m a Little Teapot”)
I’m a little kitty cat,
Nice and sweet.
Here are my whiskers,
And here are my feet.
When I go out hunting,
Mice beware,
Or you might just have a scare!
(Credit: Jbrary)

Pop-up Book: If You’re Happy and You Know It by David A. Carter
if youre happy

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

Closing Rhyme

House Story Time – Sensory Friendly

Opening Song

Book: Building a House by Byron Barton

Song: “Here is a House”
Here is a house built up high (hands over head to make a roof)
With two big chimneys
Reaching for the sky. (raise arms up high)
Here is a window. (draw a square)
Here is a door. (pretend to open a door)
If we look inside, (peek through fingers)
There’s a mouse on the floor! (scamper fingers away)
(Credit: Storytime Katie)

Book: Little Houses by Kevin Henkes, illustrated by Laura Dronzek

Fingerplay: “Houses”
Here is a nest for robin, (cup both hands)
Here is a hive for bee, (fists together)
Here is a hole for bunny, (make a circle)
And here is a house for ME! (make a roof)
(Credit: Storytime Katie)

Yoga/Breathing: Child’s Pose

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

Social Story: “Pointing at Stuff” from Quinn at School: Relating, Connecting, and Responding at School by Rick H. Warren

Closing Song

Craft: Paper Bag Houses

Sneezy Story Time – Preschool

Opening Song

Book: A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip Stead, illustrated by Erin Stead
A Sick Day for Amos McGee book cover

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

Book: Pigs Make Me Sneeze! by Mo Willems
Pigs Make Me Sneeze book cover

Puppet Song: “The Sneezing Song” – Jim Gill: Jim Gill Sings The Sneezing Song and Other Contagious Tunes

Song: “If You’re Sneezy and You Know It” (Tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
Verses:
If you’re sneezy and you know it, say Ah-choo, “Ah-choo!”. . .
If you’re shivery and you know it, slurp your soup, “Slurp, slurp”. . .
If you’re sweaty and you know it, drink your juice, “Glug, glug”. . .
If you’re sleepy and you know it, take a nap, “Snore”. . .
If you’re better and you know it, jump on up, “Woo-hoo!”. . .

Book: Llama Llama Home with Mama by Anna Dewdney
llama llama home with mama cover image

Song: “I Feel Crazy So I Jump in the Soup” – Laurie Berkner: Victor Vito

Movement: “Hot Soup” – Kira Willey: Mindful Moments for Kids

Book: Chu’s Day by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Adam Rex
Chu's Day book cover

Puppets: “Animal Sneezes”
Gather a bunch of animal puppets and sneeze with the sound of the animal. Have the audience guess the animal, then reveal the puppet.
Example: “What animal is sneezing? Moo-Achoo! Moo-Achoo!…A Cow!”

Closing Rhyme

Pumpkins Story Time – Toddler

Opening Song

Book: Piggies in the Pumpkin Patch by Mary Peterson, illustrated by Jennifer Rofé
piggies-in-the-pumpkin patch cover image

Puppet Song: “Old MacDonald” (use pig, dog, and cow puppets)

Book: Plumply, Dumply Pumpkin by Mary Serfozo, illustrated by Valeria Petrone

Song: “Have You Ever Seen a Pumpkin?” (Tune: “Have You Ever Seen a Lassie?”)
Have you ever seen a pumpkin, a pumpkin, a pumpkin? (show pumpkin)
Have you ever seen a pumpkin that grows on a vine? (show pumpkin, twirl finger like vine)
Short ones and tall ones and big ones and small ones. (hold hand down low, up higher, hold arms in big circle, hands in small circle)
Have you ever seen a pumpkin that grows on a vine? (show pumpkin, twirl finger like vine)
(Credit: Adventures in Storytime)

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

Book: Pete the Cat: Five Little Pumpkins by James Dean or I See Fall by Charles Ghigna, illustrated by A.G. Jatkowska

Rhyme: “Pumpkin Chant”
Pumpkin, pumpkin, (on first pumpkin, pat hands on thighs, then clap twice on second pumpkin)
Pumpkin bread! (on pumpkin, pat hands on thighs, then hold hands flat in front with one palm lying on top of the other)
Pumpkin, pumpkin,
Pumpkin head! (put hands on head)
Pumpkin, pumpkin,
Pumpkin pie! (hold hands in a big circle)
Pumpkin, pumpkin,
Pumpkin eye! (curve hands around eyes)
Pumpkin, pumpkin,
Pumpkin cake! (hold hands flat, one palm up, one palm down five inches above the other)
Pumpkin, pumpkin,
Pumpkin shake! (hold fists up close to ears and shake hard)
Pumpkin, pumpkin,
Pumpkin stew! (pretend to stir stew)
Pumpkin, pumpkin,
Pumpkin BOO!
(Credit: Jbrary)

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

Closing Rhyme