Zoo Story Time – Baby

Opening Song

Puppet Song: “When Ducks Go on an Adventure”
When ducks go on an adventure, they always say good day.
When ducks go on an adventure, they always say good day.
Quack, quack, quack, quack, this is what they say.
Quack, quack, quack, quack, this is what they say.

Repeat with other animals/sounds
(Credit: King County Library System)

Sign Language: Bear, monkey, alligator, lion

Book: Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle

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)

Song: “Our Arms Go Up and Down” (Tune: “The Farmer In the Dell”)
Our arms go up and down,
Our arms go up and down,
Hi ho the derry-o,
Our arms go up and down.

Additional verses:
Our feet go back and forth…
Our heads go side to side…
We all go up and down…
(Credit: Bucks County Free Library)

Puppet Song: “The Animals at the Zoo” (Tune: “The Wheels on the Bus”)
The lions at the zoo go roar, roar, roar,
Roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar!
The lions at the zoo go roar, roar, roar
All day long!

Additional verses:
Monkeys…ooh, ooh, ah
Seals…arf, arf, arf
Snakes…hiss, hiss, hiss
Penguins…waddle, waddle, waddle

Book: Peekaboo Zoo by Susan Hood, illustrated by Simone Abel

Lap Rhyme: “A Hippopotamus Got on a City Bus”
A hip, a hip, a hippopotamus,
Got on, got on, got on a city bus,
And all, and all, and all the people said,
“You’re squishing us!” (hug baby)

A cow, a cow, a cow got on the bus,
And all, and all, and all the people said,
“Moooove over!” (lean baby to side)

A sheep, a sheep, a sheep got on the bus,
And all, and all, and all the people said,
“Baaaaaack up!” (lean baby back)
(Credit: Jbrary)

Lap Song: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”
Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream,
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,
Life is but a dream.

Repeat with: bounce, sway, tickle

Lap Rhyme: “Alice the Camel”
Alice the Camel has 2 humps (bounce)
Alice the Camel has 2 humps
Alice the Camel has 2 humps
So go, Alice, go!

Additional verses:
Alice the camel has 1 hump…So go, Alice, go!
Alice the camel has no humps…Because Alice is a horse!

Shaker Eggs: “Going to the Zoo” – Raffi: The Raffi Singable Songs Collection

Closing Rhyme

Forest Story Time – Baby

Opening Song

Puppet Song: “When Ducks Go on an Adventure”
When ducks go on an adventure, they always say good day.
When ducks go on an adventure, they always say good day.
Quack, quack, quack, quack, this is what they say.
Quack, quack, quack, quack, this is what they say.

Repeat with other animals/sounds
(Credit: King County Library System)

Sign Language: Trees, squirrel, rabbit, owl

Book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Forest Hide & Seek by Eric Carle

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: “Our Arms Go Up and Down” (Tune: “The Farmer In the Dell”)
Our arms go up and down,
Our arms go up and down,
Hi ho the derry-o,
Our arms go up and down.

Additional verses:
Our feet go back and forth…
Our heads go side to side…
We all go up and down…
(Credit: Bucks County Free Library)

Puppet Rhyme: “There’s Something in the Forest”
There’s something in the forest
That I can’t really see.
There’s something in the forest.
Now what can it be?

Repeat for bear, rabbit, owl, fox, squirrel, and mouse.

Book: Hide-and-Seek In the Forest by Rachel Elliot, illustrated by Gareth Lucas

Lap Song: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”
Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream,
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,
Life is but a dream.

Repeat with: bounce, sway, tickle

Lap Song: “Way Up High in the Apple Tree”
Way up high in the apple tree, (lift baby)
I saw a little baby smiling at me.
I shook that tree as gently as I could, (shake gently)
Down came the baby, (bring down)
Mmm, was she good! (kiss)
(Credit: King County Library System)

Lap Song: “Giddyap Giddyap”
Giddyap, giddyap ride to town (bounce)
Giddyap, giddyap up and down (lift)
Giddyap fast, giddyap slow
Giddyap, giddyap WHOA! (lean baby back)
(Credit: Read Sing Play)

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 and leaves.
(Credit: Jbrary)

Scarf Song: “Peekaboo” (Tune: “Frère Jacques”)
Peekaboo, peekaboo,
I see you, I see you,
I see your button nose,
I see your tiny toes,
Peekaboo, I see you.

Closing Rhyme

Camping Story Time – Everybody

Opening Song

Book: Night Animals by Gianna Marino

Puppet Rhyme: “Sleeping Bag Rhyme”
(Do an animal noise and have the kids guess the animal, then reveal the puppet.)
I was lying in my sleeping bag – I couldn’t go to sleep.
I looked at my watch, and wanted to weep!
So I rolled to the left and I rolled to the right,
But all I could hear were noises in the night!
Whoo whoo whoo! I hear…an owl!

Repeat with bear, squirrel, wolf/coyote, goose, frog, etc.

Movement: “Camp Counselor Says”
Play “Simon Says,” replacing “Simon” with “camp counselor.” Do night animal noises/movements (whoo like an owl, hop like a rabbit, etc.) and camping motions (sit by the campfire, set up a tent, and go to sleep).

Book: One-Dog Canoe by Mary Casanova, illustrated by Ard Hoyt
One-Dog Canoe book cover

Action Song: “Bear Hunt”
(Have kids repeat your words and movements.)
We’re going on a bear hunt.
We’re going to catch a big one!
I’m not scared.
It’s a beautiful day!

Look over there!
It’s a tall field of grass.
Can’t go over it,
Can’t go under it,
Can’t go around it,
We’ve got to go through it. (pretend to go through obstacle)

Repeat for mud swamp, rushing river, and cave.

(Cave verse)
Get out your flashlight,
Look around.
I see something flutter up high. (bats)
WHAT’S THAT?
I see one shiny wet nose,
Two big furry ears,
Two big googly eyes!
IT’S A BEAR!
Quick! Quietly!
Back through the cave!
Tiptoe! Tiptoe! Tiptoe!

Go back through the other 3 obstacles.

Go home! (open door, shut & lock the door, hop into bed)

We went on a Bear Hunt,
And we weren’t afraid!

Book: Don’t Feed the Bear by Kathleen Doherty, illustrated by Chip Wass

Song: “Campfire Pokey” (Tune: “Hokey Pokey”)
You put your marshmallow in,
You take your marshmallow out.
You put your marshmallow in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the campfire pokey,
And you turn yourself around.
That’s what it’s all about!

Repeat with hot dog, potato, popcorn
(Credit: What Happens In Storytime…)

Action Song: “I’m Going Camping” (Tune: “I’m a Little Teapot”)
I am going camping, (point thumbs proudly to chest)
Time to pack (point to wrist)
My tent, my bedroll, and a snack. (make tent with hands, fold hands to cheek, pretend to eat)
I’ll sit by the campfire, (warm hands over fire)
Its glow so bright, (wiggle fingers like a fire)
Then snooze in my tent (pretend to snore)
‘Til the morning light! (arms circle over head)
(Credit: Lady Librarian’s Literacy, Lifestyle, and Lookbook Log)

Closing Rhyme

Bear Story Time – Everybody

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: Bears on Chairs by Shirley Parenteau, illustrated by David Walker

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

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 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)

Scarf Song: “You’ll Sing a Song and I’ll Sing a Song” – Based on Ella Jenkins: You’ll Sing a Song and I’ll Sing a Song

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

Fun Outdoors Story Time – Preschool

Opening Song

Book: We Love Fishing! by Ariel Bernstein, illustrated by Marc Rosenthal

Puppet Rhyme: “Sleeping Bag Rhyme”
I was lying in my sleeping bag – I couldn’t go to sleep.
I looked at my watch, and wanted to weep!
So, I rolled to the left and I rolled to the right,
But all I could hear were noises in the night!
I hear an owl! Whoo whoo whoo
(Repeat with mouse, cat, wolf, etc.)

Book: Bear Came Along by Richard T. Morris, illustrated by LeUyen Pham

Song: “The Cool Bear Hunt” – Dr. Jean: Sings Silly Songs

Book (if time): Sheep Take a Hike by Nancy Shaw, illustrated by Margot Apple

Closing Rhyme

Eric Carle & Lois Ehlert Story Time – Toddler

Opening song

Book: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and illustrated by Lois Ehlert

Flannel: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Letters & Sing ABCs

Book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Movement: Letter Movement Cards (in bag with Chicka letters)

Flannel: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. and illustrated by Eric Carle

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

Closing rhyme

Mother Bruce Story Time – Family

Opening song

Book: Mother Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins

Song: “Bruce is Sleeping” (Tune: “Frere Jacques”)
Bruce is sleeping, Bruce is sleeping (lay head on hands)
Wake him up, wake him up (cover face with hands)
Come and say hello Bruce, come and say hello Bruce (wave hello)
Time to eat, time to eat (pretend to eat food)

Book: Spring Stinks by Ryan T. Higgins

Song: “If You’re Mother Bruce and You Know It” (Tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
If you’re Mother Bruce and you know it, clap your paws.
If you’re Mother Bruce and you know it, clap your paws.
If you’re Mother Bruce and you know it, and you really want to show it.
If you’re Mother Bruce and you know it, clap your paws.

Additional verses:
If you’re Mother Bruce and you know it…take a nap
If you’re Mother Bruce and you know it…chase the goslings

Flannel: Where’s Bruce? with hidden Bruce and goslings

Book: Peek-a-Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins

Song: “Goslings, Goslings” (Tune: “Twinkle Twinkle”)
Goslings, goslings, jump up and down
Goslings, goslings, don’t make a sound
Goslings, goslings, tip-toe to me
Goslings, goslings, bend your knees
Goslings, goslings, peep, peep, peep
Goslings, goslings, sleep, sleep, sleep
Goslings, goslings, fly to the leaves
Goslings, goslings, sit down please

Book: 1 Grumpy Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins

Closing Song

Bears Story Time – Baby

Opening Song

Sign Language: bear, brown, I love you, hug

Book: Bears and Blossoms by Shirley Parenteau


Song: “Baby Put Your Pants On” (Tune: “Short’nin’ Bread”)
Baby put your pants on, pants on, pants on         (move baby’s legs)
Baby put your pants on, one, two, three              (gently poke baby’s belly)
Baby put your pants on, pants on, pants on
Baby put your pants on, one, two, three

Leg to the left, leg to the right                            (move legs)
Wiggle and jiggle and pull them up tight
Leg to the left, leg to the right
Wiggle and jiggle and pull them up tight

Baby put your pants on, pants on, pants on
Baby put your pants on, one, two, three

Baby put your pants on, pants on, pants on
Baby put your pants on, one, two, three!
(Credit: Jbrary

Rhyme: My Bear (using a bear puppet)
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: Where is Bear? by Jonathan Bentley


Song: “Grizzly Bears” (Tune: “Mary Had A Little Lamb”)
Grizzly bears are big and brown, (stretch up tall)
Big and brown, big and brown,
Grizzly bears are big and brown,
And live in the woods.

Polar bears are soft and white, (rub arms)
Soft and white, soft and white,
Polar bears are soft and white,
And live where it’s cold.

Teddy bears are just my size, (hug pretend bear)
Just my size, just my size,
Teddy bears are just my size,
To cuddle with at night.
(Credit: Jbrary)

Rhyme: This is Big, Big, Big
This is big, big, big. Move arms out to side
This is small, small, small. Move arms back to center.
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)

Song: “One Little, Two Little, Three Little Fingers”
One little, two little, three little fingers             (wiggle each finger)
Four little, five little, six little fingers
Seven little, eight little, nine little fingers
Ten little fingers on my hand

They wiggle and they wiggle and they wiggle all together       (wiggle fingers)
They wiggle and they wiggle and they wiggle all together
They wiggle and they wiggle and they wiggle all together
Ten little fingers on my hand

They clap and they clap and they keep on clapping            (clap)
They clap and they clap and they keep on clapping
They clap and they clap and they keep on clapping
Ten little fingers on my hand

One little, two little, three little fingers             (wiggle each finger)
Four little, five little, six little fingers
Seven little, eight little, nine little fingers
Ten little fingers on my hand
(Credit: Jbrary)

Book: 1 Grumpy Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins

Song (Recording) with shaky eggs:  “Bumblebee” – Laurie Berkner: Buzz Buzz

Closing rhyme

Bears Story Time – Sensory Friendly

Opening Song

Book: Time to Sleep by Denise Fleming

Song: “If You’re A Bear and You Know It” (Tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
If you’re a polar bear and you know it, clap your paws.
If you’re a polar bear and you know it, clap your paws.
If you’re a polar bear and you know it, and you really want to show it,
If you’re a polar bear and you know it, clap your paws.

Additional verses:
If you’re a black bear and you know it…eat some blueberries
If you’re and grizzly bear and you know it …give a growl

Rhyme: My Bear (using a bear puppet)
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.

Book: Old Bear by Kevin Henkes

Flannel:
Bear’s not tired,
He wants to play!
He wants to catch the RED ball today.
Is this the red ball?

(Source: My Storytime Life blog)

Song: “Bears Are” (Tune: “Mary Had A Little Lamb”)
Grizzly bears are big and brown, (stretch up tall)
Big and brown, big and brown,
Grizzly bears are big and brown,
And live in the woods.

Polar bears are soft and white, (rub arms)
Soft and white, soft and white,
Polar bears are soft and white,
And live where it’s cold.

Teddy bears are just my size, (hug pretend bear)
Just my size, just my size,
Teddy bears are just my size,
To cuddle with at night.

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

Movement: Breathing and Spider Push Ups

Social Story: Bear and Hare Share by Emily Gravett

Closing Song