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

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

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

Leaves Story Time – Everybody

Opening Song: “Bread and Butter”

Book: Fall Leaves Fall! by Zoe Hall, illustrated by Shari Halpern

Song: “Shakin’ Like a Leafy Tree” – The Wiggles: Racing to the Rainbow

Book: Leaves by David Ezra Stein
Leaves book cover

Flannel: “The Green Grass Grew All Around”

Book: One Leaf, Two Leaves, Count With Me! by John Micklos Jr., illustrated by Clive McFarland

Song: “Orange, Yellow, Red and Brown” (Tune: “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes”) (use colored felt leaves)
Orange, yellow, red and brown, red and brown.
Orange, yellow, red and brown, red and brown.
And autumn leaves are twirling all around. (hold your arms out to your sides and spin them around and around)
Orange, yellow, red and brown, red and brown.

Orange, yellow, red and brown, red and brown.
Orange, yellow, red and brown, red and brown.
And autumn leaves are dancing in the breeze. (hold your arms up and dance them all around)
Orange, yellow, red and brown, red and brown.

Orange, yellow, red and brown, red and brown.
Orange, yellow, red and brown, red and brown.
And autumn leaves are falling to the ground. (lay down on the floor)
Orange, yellow, red and brown, red and brown.
(Credit: From the CD Children’s Favorite Autumn Songs & Fingerplays by The Learning Station)

Closing Rhyme

Fall Story Time – Preschool

Opening Song

Book: Full of Fall by April Pulley Sayre

Song: “Autumn Leaves” (Tune: “London Bridge”)
Autumn leaves are in the trees,
In the trees, in the trees.
Autumn leaves are in the trees
All over town.

Additional verses:
Autumn leaves are falling down…
Autumn leaves are whirling round…
Everybody rake them up…
Jump into the pile we made…

Book/Flannel: That Pup! by Lindsay Barrett George

Song: “Gray Squirrel” – Learning Station: Where is Thumbkin?

Book/Flannel: Pick a Circle, Gather Squares: A Fall Harvest of Shapes by Felicia Sanzari Chernesky, illustrated by Susan Swan

Song: “Pumpkin, Pumpkin” (Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”)
Pumpkin, pumpkin on the ground, (touch the ground)
How’d you get so big and round? (make a big circle)
Once you were a seed so small, (pinch fingers together)
Now you are a great big ball! (make a big circle)
Pumpkin, pumpkin on the ground, (touch the ground)
How’d you get so big and round? (make a big circle)
(Credit: Step by Step Childcare)

Puppet Show: The Busy Little Squirrel by Nancy Tafuri
The Busy Little Squirrel book cover

Puppet Song: “So Many Leaves are Falling on the Ground”
So many leaves are falling on the ground,
Orange ones, yellow ones, and even brown.
But the one little leaf that rhymes with…
Is my favorite color, it’s the color…

Shaker Eggs: “Shakin’ Like a Leafy Tree” – The Wiggles: Racing to the Rainbow

Closing Rhyme

Farm Story Time – Preschool

Opening Song

Book: Cows Go Boo! by Steve Webb, illustrated by Fred Blunt

Flannel: “Five Pigs So Squeaky Clean” (Tune: “Five Green and Speckled Frogs”)
Five pigs so squeaky clean,
Cleanest you’ve ever seen,
Wanted to go outside and play.
Oink! Oink!
One jumped into the mud,
Landed with a big THUD,
Then there were four clean and squeaky pigs.

Repeat, counting down until there are no clean and squeaky pigs.
(Credit: Mel’s Desk)

Action Song: “I’m a Little Chick” (Tune: “I’m a Little Teapot”)
I’m a little chick who’s ready to hatch, (crouch down inside your egg)
Pecking at my shell, Tap, tap, tap! (pecking motion with hands)
When I crack it open, out I’ll leap (jump out of shell)
I’ll flap my feathers, and say, “Peep! Peep! Peep!”
(Credit: Metropolitan Library System, Oklahoma City area)

Book: Moo! by David LaRochelle, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka

Puppet Song: “Down on Grandpa’s Farm”
Down on Grandpa’s farm there is a black and white cow,
Down on Grandpa’s farm there is a black and white cow.
The cow she makes a sound like this: Moo! Moo!
The cow she makes a sound like this: Moo! Moo!

Chorus:
Oh, we’re on our way, we’re on our way,
On our way to Grandpa’s farm.
We’re on our way, we’re on our way,
On our way to Grandpa’s farm.

Additional verses:
Down on Grandpa’s farm there is a strong, brown horse…
Down on Grandpa’s farm there is fluffy, white sheep…
Down on Grandpa’s farm there is a muddy, pink pig…
Down on Grandpa’s farm there is a little, yellow chick…
(Credit: Adapted from Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives)

Closing Rhyme