Spring Story Time – Toddler

Opening song

Sign language: spring

Book: Baby Loves Spring by Karen Katz

baby loves spring

Flannel: There’s something in my garden

Song: “It is Springtime” – Junior Jukebox: Four Seasons

Book: Rain by Robert Kalan, illustrated by Donald Crews

rain

Song: “It’s raining/Itsy-bitsy spider medley” – Music for Little People: 101 Toddler Favorites

Song: “La Arana Pequenita” – Cantarima: Canciones Tradicionales

Book: Duckie’s Rainbow by Frances Berry

duckies rainbow

Song (with scarves): “Colors” – Kira Willey: Dance for the Sun

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

Closing rhyme

Craft: Glue worms and flowers and color.

 

 

Birds Story Time – Baby

Opening song

 Sign language: Bird

Book: Birds by Kevin Henkes, illustrated by Laura Dronzek

Birds

Song (puppets): Owl in the tree (Tune: “Skip to My Lou”)
Owl in the tree goes, “Hoo, hoo hoo,”
Owl in the tree goes, “Hoo, hoo hoo,”
Owl in the tree goes, “Hoo, hoo hoo,”
Skip to my Lou, my darling

Blue bird in the nest goes, “Tweet, tweet, tweet…”
Duck in the pond goes, “Quack, quack, quack…”
Rooster in the yard goes, “Cock a doodle doo…”

Song: Hop, hop, hop along (Tune: “Row Your Boat”)
Hop, hop, hop along (hop)
Or bounce on someone’s knee (bounce)
Higher and higher and higher and higher (lift)
Bunny hop with me. (hop)

Book: Silly Little Goose! by Nancy Tafuri

Silly Little Goose

Rhyme: One, two, buckle my shoe
One, two, buckle my shoe (clap, tap shoes)
Three, four, shut the door (clap, cover eyes)
Five, six, pick up sticks (clap, wiggle fingers)
Seven, eight, lay them straight (clap, raise arms)
Nine, ten, a big fat hen (clap, widen arms)

Song (iPod): “The Little Bird” – Elizabeth Mitchell; Blue Clouds

Book: Nest by Jorey Hurley

nest

Rhyme: Trot, trot to Boston

Flannel: Five little owls

Song: Forgot a bag to carry (Tune: “Ring around the Rosie”)
Forgot a bag to carry (sign for bag)
Our books at the library (sign for book)
Stack’em, stack’em (lift baby, or stack hands)
They all fall down (baby to lap, or hands open)
Credit: Leah Portz

Book: Big Fat Hen by Keith Baker

Big Fat Hen

Song (shaky eggs): “I Know a Chicken” – Laurie Berkner; Whaddaya Think of That?

Closing rhyme

St. Patrick’s Day Story Time – Family

Opening song

Book: The Story of the Leprechaun by Katherine Tegen, illustrated by Sally Anne Lambert

story of the leprechaun

Song: “Dance, Dance Leprechaun Dance”
(to tune of “Skip to My Lou”)
Dance, dance, leprechaun dance.
Dance, dance, leprechaun dance.
Dance, dance, leprechaun dance,
Do a dance for me.

Bow…
Clap…
Search, search, search for gold…
Jump…

(Finish with…)
Sit, sit, leprechaun sit.
Sit, sit, leprechaun sit.
Sit, sit, leprechaun sit.
Sit for our next story.
(Source: Jen in the Library)

Book: Good Luck Bear by Greg Foley

good luck bear

Song/flannel: “The rattlin’ bog” (idea from Mel’s Desk) – clap during chorus, and do call and response for each verse’s first line.

rattlin bog

Song: “Jumping and Counting” – Jim Gill: Jim Gill’s Irrational Anthem

Book: Green by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

green

Song: “St. Patrick’s Day Song” (Tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)

If you’re wearing green today, dance a jig,
If you’re wearing green today, dance a jig,
If you’re wearing green today,
Dance a jig, then smile and say,
If you’re wearing green today, dance a jig.

“If you’re wearing green today, clap your hands”….
“If you’re wearing green today, spin around”….
“If you’re wearing green today, shout “Hurray!””….
“If you’re wearing green today, stomp your feet”….
(Source: Sunflower Storytime)

Book: Duckie’s Rainbow by Frances Barry

duckies rainbow

Song (with scarves): “Colors” – Kira Willey: Dance for the Sun

Movie: A Rainbow of My Own by Don Freeman

 

Hugs and Kisses Story Time – Baby

Opening song

Sign language: Love, hug, and kiss

Book: I Kissed the Baby! by Mary Murphy

I kissed the baby

Rhyme: Up, up, up, in the sky like this (lift baby, facing you)
Down, down, down, for a great big kiss (lower and give kiss)
Up like this (lift)
Down for a kiss (lower down)
You’re my special baby! (hug)

Rhyme: Diddle diddle dumpling

Book: Huggy Kissy by Leslie Patricelli

huggy kissy

Song: Kiss kiss song (Tune: “Ten Little Indians”)
One little, two little, three little kiss kiss,
Four little, five little, six little kiss kiss,
Seven little, eight little, nine little kiss kiss,
Ten little kisses say “I Love You”
(repeat backwards)

Rhyme: Balloon goes up
Balloon goes up (lift)
Balloon goes down (lap)
Balloon goes up to reach the clouds (lift high)
Storm rolls by (wiggle side to side)
Babe rocks down (sway to lap)
Made it home, safe and sound (hug and kiss)
(Credit: Leah Portz)

Rhyme: Bunny kisses: rub noses
Butterfly kisses: brush eyelashes on cheek
Goldfish kisses: suck in your cheeks and kiss on the lips!
Billy goat kisses: gently bump foreheads
And of course . . .
End with a big bear hug!

Book: We Love Each Other by Yusuke Yonezu

we love each other

Song: Baby Hop (Tune: “Bunny Hop”)
Snuggle up together
Baby’s in your lap
Snuggle up together and clap, clap, clap

Snuggle up together
Baby don’t you nap
Snuggle up together and tap, tap, tap

You’re working out together
Baby don’t stop
You’re working out together now hop, hop, hop

Rhyme: Rickety rocking horse

Book (choral): Snuggle Puppy by Sandra Boynton – Eric Stoltz; Philadelphia Chickens

snuggle puppy

Song (shaky eggs): “Skinnamarink” – Sharon, Lois & Bram; One Elephant Went out to Play

Closing rhyme

Snow Story Time – Baby

Opening song

Sign language: Snow, mittens, and hat

Book: No Two Alike by Keith Baker

No Two Alike

Rhyme: Jack Frost’s nose
Where did you get that little red nose? (touch nose)
Jack Frost kissed it (pinch nose)
I suppose.
He kissed it once (one kiss on nose)
He kissed it twice (two kisses)
Poor little nose, it’s as cold as ice (wiggle nose)

Rhyme: Rickety rocking horse

Book: Under My Hood I Have a Hat by Karla Kuskin, illustrated by Fumi Kosaka

under my hood i have a hat

Song: Snowflake, Snowflake (Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”)
Snowflake, Snowflake, dance around,
Snowflake, snowflake, touch the ground,
Snowflake, landing on your nose,
Snowflake, landing on your toes,
Snowflake, Snowflake, dance around,
Snowflake, snowflake, touch the ground.

Flannel: Red mitten, red mitten

Song: “Hands Go Up and Down” – Fisher- Price; Babbles to Books

Song: Buckle, buckle (Tune: “Sailing, Sailing”)
Buckle, buckle, buckle my baby in (pat tummy)
Start up the car and drive around (sign for car)
Until we get to town (sign for travel, as you travel up the tummy to tickle chin)
Buckle, buckle, buckle my baby in (pat tummy)
Start up the car and drive around (sign for car)
‘Til we come home again (sign for travel, as you travel up the tummy to tickle chin)
(Credit: Leah Portz)

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

in the snow

Song: Baby Hop (Tune: “Bunny Hop”)
Snuggle up together
Baby’s in your lap
Snuggle up together and clap, clap, clap

Snuggle up together
Baby don’t you nap
Snuggle up together and tap, tap, tap

You’re working out together
Baby don’t stop
You’re working out together now hop, hop, hop

Rhyme: Balloon goes up
Balloon goes up (lift)
Balloon goes down (lap)
Balloon goes up to reach the clouds (lift high)
Storm rolls by (wiggle side to side)
Babe rocks down (sway to lap)
Made it home, safe and sound (hug and kiss)
(Credit: Leah Portz)

Rhyme: Diddle diddle dumpling

Book (choral): Winter Friends by Carl R. Sams II and by Jean Stoick

Winter Friends

Song (shaky eggs): “Let’s Play in the Snow” – Rachel Buchman; Sing a Song of Seasons

Closing rhyme

Slow and Fast Story Time – Toddler

Opening song

Sign language: fast, slow

Book: Hi, Harry! by Martin Waddell, illustrated by Barbara Firth

hi harry

Rhyme: Roly poly, ever so slowly, roly poly, faster, faster, faster (roll arms)

Rhyme: Green says, “Go!” (march quickly)
Go! Go! Go!
Yellow says, “Slow!” (march slowly)
Slow…slow…slow
And red says, “Stop!” (stop and freeze)
Go! Go! Go! (march fast)
Slow…slow…slow (march slowly)
and STOP! (stop)
(Credit: Toddler Storytime)

Book: Slow Snail by Mary Murphy

slow snail

Rhyme: Garden snail
Slowly, slowly, very slowly, creeps the garden snail. (Move hands down legs)
Slowly, slowly, very slowly, up the wooden rail. (Move hands up legs)
Quickly, quickly, very quickly, runs the little mouse, (Down legs)
Quickly, quickly, very quickly, in his little house. Squeak! (Up legs and body, make ears)

Rhyme: This is big, big, big Hold arms out to side
This is small small small Cup hands together
This is short short short Hold hands with palms facing each other
This is tall tall tall Reach one hand above head
This is fast fast fast Circle fists quickly
This is slow slow slow Circle fists slowly
This is yes yes yes Nod
This is no no no Shake head
(Credit: Mel’s Desk)

Book: Quick Duck by Mary Murphy

quick duck

Song (with shaky eggs): “Slow and Fast” by Hap Palmer: Rhythms on Parade

Song (with shaky eggs): “Shaky Shaky” by The Wiggles: Yummy Yummy

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

Closing rhyme

Craft: Small paper plate snail with tissue paper squares

snail

 

Houses Story Time – Baby

Opening song

Sign language: House

Book: My House by Lisa Desimini

My House

Rhyme: Round and Round the Garden
Round and round the garden (make a circle in child’s palm)
Goes the teddy bear.
One step, two steps, (fingers walk up arm)
Tickle you under there. (tickle under arm)
Round and round the haystack, (make a circle in child’s other palm)
Goes the little mouse.
One step, two steps, (fingers walk up arm)
Into his little house. (tickle under arm)

Rhyme: Diddle diddle dumpling

Book: Bear at Home by Stella Blackstone, illustrated by Debbie Harter

Bear at Home

Song/Puppets: “Bringing Home a Baby Bumble Bee” – Dr. Jean; Sings Silly Songs

Song: Buckle, buckle (Tune: “Sailing, Sailing”)
Buckle, buckle, buckle my baby in (pat tummy)
Start up the car and drive around (sign for car)
Until we get to town (sign for travel, as you travel up the tummy to tickle chin)
Buckle, buckle, buckle my baby in (pat tummy)
Start up the car and drive around (sign for car)
‘Til we come home again (sign for travel, as you travel up the tummy to tickle chin)
(Credit: Leah Portz)

Rhyme: Balloon goes up
Balloon goes up (lift)
Balloon goes down (lap)
Balloon goes up to reach the clouds (lift high)
Storm rolls by (wiggle side to side)
Babe rocks down (sway to lap)
Made it home, safe and sound (hug and kiss)
(Credit: Leah Portz)

Puppet: The Quiet Mouse
Once there lived a quiet mouse (hold out index finger)
In a quiet little house (wrap other hand around it)
When all was quiet as can be
OUT popped he! (pop finger out)

Flannel: Some Houses are wood and some are stone.
But let’s build one with shapes alone.
Start with a square but we won’t stop.
Add a triangle up on the top.
Then a rectangle for the door.
Now square windows 1, 2, 3, 4!
A little circle just for fun.
Now our shape house is all done!
(credit: Finger Tales, by Joan Phelps)

Song: Baby Hop (Tune: “Bunny Hop”)
Snuggle up together
Baby’s in your lap
Snuggle up together and clap, clap, clap

Snuggle up together
Baby don’t you nap
Snuggle up together and tap, tap, tap

You’re working out together
Baby don’t stop
You’re working out together now hop, hop, hop

Rhyme: Rickety rocking horse

Book: Minerva Louise by Janet Morgan Stoeke

Minerva Louise

Rhyme: Slowly, Slowly
Slowly, slowly, very slowly, Creeps the garden snail (walk fingers over baby)
Slowly, slowly, very slowly, Up the wooden rail
Quickly, quickly, very quickly, Runs the little mouse (run fingers over baby)
Quickly, quickly, very quickly, Round about the house

Song (shaky eggs): “Home on the Range” – Victor Johnson; Cowboy Playground

Closing rhyme

Construction Story Time – Toddler

Opening Song

Sign language: hammer

Book: Construction by Sally Sutton, illustrated by Brian Lovelock (spoiler alert: they build a library!)

construction

Fingerplay: “Five Little Nails”
Five little nails, standing straight and steady
Here I come with my hammer ready!
Bam, bam, bam! That nail goes down.
Now there are just four nails to pound.
(count down)
(Credit: Mel’s Desk)

Song: The wheels on the truck go round and round (roll hands)
Round and round, round and round
The wheels on the truck go round and round
All through the town

The shovel on the truck goes dig dig dig
The horn on the truck goes honk honk honk

Book: Diggers by Aaron Frisch

diggers

Song: “Construction Worker Song”
This is the way we pound our nails, pound our nails, pound our nails
This is the way we pound our nails, so early in the morning
(saw the wood, stack the bricks, stir the paint, paint the walls)
(Credit: Pre-K Fun)

Book: The Construction Crew by Lynn Meltzer, illustrated by Carrie Eko-Burgess
construction crew

Since we were without an ipod this week, we sang the following songs together:
“Itsy Bitsy Spider”
“ABC Song”
“Bingo”
“Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes”
“Icky Sticky Bubble Gum”

Closing rhyme

Craft: Construction vehicles matching game – cut apart and put in ziplocs so participants could play right away and/or take them along with them

 

 

Moon and Stars Story Time – Baby

Opening song

Sign language: Moon, stars

Book: Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes

kittens first full moon

Rhyme: Zoom Zoom Zoom
Zoom zoom zoom, we’re going to the moon! (standing: swing & lift)
Zoom zoom zoom, we’ll be there very soon! (swing & lift)
5 . . . 4 . . . 3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . . (bending knees, lower baby as you count)
BLAST OFF! (baby flies or swings up into the air!)

Rhyme: Diddle diddle dumpling

Book: Moonlight by Helen V. Griffith, illustrated by Laura Dronzek

moonlight

Song/Flannel: “Stars Shining” – Kathy Reid-Naiman; Sing the Cold Winter Away

Song: Buckle, buckle (Tune: “Sailing, Sailing”)
Buckle, buckle, buckle my baby in (pat tummy)
Start up the car and drive around (sign for car)
Until we get to town (sign for travel, as you travel up the tummy to tickle chin)
Buckle, buckle, buckle my baby in (pat tummy)
Start up the car and drive around (sign for car)
‘Til we come home again (sign for travel, as you travel up the tummy to tickle chin)
(Credit: Leah Portz)

Book: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star by Jane Cabrera

twinkle

Song: Baby Hop (Tune: “Bunny Hop”)
Snuggle up together
Baby’s in your lap
Snuggle up together and clap, clap, clap

Snuggle up together
Baby don’t you nap
Snuggle up together and tap, tap, tap

You’re working out together
Baby don’t stop
You’re working out together now hop, hop, hop

Rhyme: Balloon goes up
Balloon goes up (lift)
Balloon goes down (lap)
Balloon goes up to reach the clouds (lift high)
Storm rolls by (wiggle side to side)
Babe rocks down (sway to lap)
Made it home, safe and sound (hug and kiss)
(Credit: Leah Portz)

Rhyme: Rickety rocking horse

Book (choral): Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd

goodnight moon

Song (shaky eggs): “Midnight Moonlight” – Kira Willey; Dance for the Sun

Closing rhyme

Cat Story Time – Toddler

Opening song with cat puppet

Sign language for cat

Book: Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes

kittens first full moon

Song/poster: Hey, diddle, diddle

Rhyme: Tiptoe Soft by Margaret Hillert
Tiptoe soft as a pussycat
Soft on little cat feet.
Flap your wings like a baby bird.
Open your beak for a treat.
Clomp, clomp, clomp like a big old horse.
Pick up a hoof, and then
Tip, tip tip on the tips of your toes
Soft as a cat again.

Song: “If You’re a Kitty and You Know It”

If you’re a kitty and you know it lick your paws. (pretend to lick paws)

Continue with:
…show your claws (show claws)
…swish your tail (wiggle bottom)
…say “Meow!”

Book: Where is Tippy Toes? by Betsy Lewin

where is tippy toes

Flannel: The Cat of Many Colors

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!
(Source: Jbrary)

Book: Three Little Kittens by Lorianne Siomades

three little kittens

Book: If You’re Happy and You Know It by David Carter

if youre happy

Song (with shaky eggs): “Kitty Cat” – Laura Doherty: Kids in the City

kids in the city

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

Closing rhyme

Craft: Glue paper cat and yarn on “C is for Cat” paper