Owl Story Time – Everybody

Opening Song

Book: Little Owl’s Snow by Divya Srinivasan
The cover of the book Little Owl's Snow. The illustration is of a tiny orange owl with big green eyes flying on a snowy night.

Flannel: “Little Owl Count”
5 little owls on a dark, dark night.
5 little owls are quite a sight.
5 little owls! Are you keeping score?
1 flies away and that leaves 4.

4 little owls as happy as can be.
1 flies away and that leaves 3.

3 little owls calling, “Who, who, who.”
1 flies away and that leaves 2.

2 little owls having lots of fun.
1 flies away and that leaves 1.

1 little owl and we’re almost done.
He flies away and that leaves none.
(Credit: Upper Hudson Library System)

Song: “Be Like an Owl” (Tune: “London Bridge”)
Flap your wings and fly around, fly around, fly around.
Flap your wings and fly around, just like an owl.

Open your eyes big and wide, big and wide, big and wide.
Open your eyes big and wide, just like an owl.

Land on the ground and hop along, hop along, hop along.
Land on the ground and hop along, just like an owl.

Turn your head and say, “Who, who! Who, who, who! Who, who, who!”
Turn your head and say, “Who, who,” just like an owl.
(Credit: Upper Hudson Library System)

Book: Little Owl Lost by Chris Haughton
The cover of the book Little Owl Lost. The illustration is of a little owl on a plain background.

Song: “The Owls” – Laurie Berkner Band: A Laurie Berkner Halloween

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

Book: Who Meows? by Robin Page
The cover of the book Who Meows?: A Book of Animal Sounds. The illustration is of a tan cat with green eyes who is peeking over the edge of a black rectangle that contains the title.

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

Song: “Bodies 1-2-3” – Peter and Ellen Allard: Sing It! Say It! Stamp It! Sway It! Vol. 2

Closing Rhyme

Bird Story Time – Sensory Friendly

Opening Song

Book: Little Robin’s Book of Birds by Yuval Zommer
The cover of the book Little Robin's Book of Birds.

Song: “If I Was a Bird” – Old Town School of Folk Music: Wiggleworms Love You

Book: Early Bird by Toni Yuly
The cover of the book Early Bird.

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

Movement: Learn the yoga pose “eagle”

Social Story: Excuse Me by Janet Riehecky
The cover of the book Excuse Me.

Closing Song

Craft: Bird nest craft
Colorful bird nest pictures made by drawing a swirly nest with crayons and then gluing paper birds, leaves, and eggs on top.
(Credit: Krokotak)

Owl Story Time – Preschool

Opening Song

Big Book: Owl Babies by Martin Waddell, illustrated by Patrick Benson
owl babies

Song: “There Were Three Night Owls in the Tree” (Tune: “She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain”)
There were three night owls in the tree:
Hoo! Hoo!
There were three night owls in the tree:
Hoo! Hoo!
Oh, they called up to the sky to their mama flying by,
And she swooped down and joined them happily:
Hoo! Hoo!
(Credit: Adapted from Jen in the Library)

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
People/up & down
Owls/whoo, whoo, whoo

Book: Hoot Owl, Master of Disguise by Sean Taylor, illustrated by Jean Jullien

Song: “Be Like an Owl” (Tune: “London Bridge is Falling Down”)
Flap your wings and fly around, fly around, fly around.
Flap your wings and fly around, just like an owl.
Open your eyes big and wide, big and wide, big and wide.
Open your eyes big and wide, just like and owl.
Land on the ground and hop along, hop along, hop along.
Land on the ground and hop along, just like an owl.
Turn your head and say who, who, say who, who, say who, who.
Turn your head and say who, who, just like an owl.
(Credit: Jen in the Library)

Puppet Story: Adapted from Good-night, Owl! by Pat Hutchins

Closing Rhyme

Animals at Night Story Time – Preschool

Opening Song

Book: Knight Owl by Christopher Denise

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

Book: Night Animals by Gianna Marino

Song: “Flutter, Flutter, Little Bat” (Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”)
Flutter, flutter, little bat.
How I wonder where you’re at.
Up above the world so high.
Like a mouse who’s learned to fly.
Flutter, flutter, little bat,
Glad there are no flying cats!
(Credit: King County Library System)

Flannel Rhyme: “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.

(Credit: Lady Librarian Life)

Book: Make More S’mores by Cathy Ballou Mealey, illustrated by Ariel Landy

Closing Rhyme

Forest Friends Story Time – Everybody

Opening Song

Book: Let’s Play in the Forest While the Wolf Is Not Around! by Claudia Rueda
let's play in the forest

Song: “If You’re Ever in the Forest” (Tune: “Did You Ever See a Lassie?”)
If you’re ever in the forest,
The forest, the forest,
If you’re ever in the forest,
You might see some deer—
A young one and an old one,
And some that can quickly run. (run in place)
If you’re ever in the forest,
You might see some deer.

If you’re ever in the forest,
The forest, the forest,
If you’re ever in the forest,
You might see some rabbits.
They hop here, and they hop there, (jump like rabbits)
They hop, hop, hop everywhere.
If you’re ever in the forest,
You might see some rabbits.

If you’re ever in the forest,
The forest, the forest,
If you’re ever in the forest,
You might hear some birds.
A tweet here, and a tweet there,
They are flying around everywhere. (fly like a bird)
If you’re ever in the forest,
You might hear some birds.

If you’re ever in the forest,
The forest, the forest,
If you’re ever in the forest,
You’ll surely see lots of trees.
There are tall ones and short ones, (stretch high, and then get low)
And young ones and old ones.
If you’re ever in the forest,
You’ll surely see lots of trees.
(Adapted by Jolanda Garcia, KidsSoup Inc.)

Puppet Story: The Bear Went Over the Mountain by Jane Cabrera

Song: “Silly Dance Contest” – Jim Gill: The Sneezing Song and Other Contagious Tunes

Action Song: “My Blue Canoe” (Tune: “The Wheels on the Bus”)
Start by having kids ask an adult for permission. Then we all put our life jackets on!
I love to paddle my blue canoe, (pretend to row)
Blue canoe, blue canoe.
I love to paddle my blue canoe
Out on the forest pond.

My blue canoe tracks back and forth, (twist right to left)
Back and forth, back and forth.
My blue canoe tracks back and forth
Out on the forest pond.

My blue canoe goes up and down, (bend knees)
Up and down, up and down.
My blue canoe goes up and down
Out on the forest pond.

My blue canoe has a fishing pole, (cast “rod” arm)
A fishing pole, a fishing pole.
My blue canoe has a fishing pole
Out on the forest pond.

My blue canoe rocks side to side, (rock side to side)
Side to side, side to side.
My blue canoe rocks side to side
Out on the forest pond.

My blue canoe turns round and round, (turn in a circle)
Round and round, round and round.
My blue canoe turns round and round
Out on the forest pond.

So, come for a paddle in my blue canoe, (pretend to row)
Blue canoe, blue canoe.
So come for a paddle in my blue canoe
Out on the forest pond.
(Credit: Leah Portz)

Puppet Story: Who Sank the Boat? by Pamela Allen

Closing Rhyme

Forest Story Time – Toddler

Opening Song

Book: Squirrels Leap, Squirrels Sleep by April Pulley Sayre, illustrated by Steve Jenkins

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: “I’m a Little Pinecone” (Tune: “I’m a Little Teapot”)
I’m a little pinecone, brown and small. (make a fist with one hand)
I live in a pine tree oh so tall. (stretch arms up high)
When the wind blows, I dance and hop (wave arms as though the wind were blowing)
Down on the ground with a PLOP, PLOP, PLOP! (fall down on the floor)
(Credit: King County Library System)

Book: Night Owl by Toni Yuly

Song: “If You’re an Owl and You Know It”
If you’re an owl and you know it, hoot like this, “Hoo(t), hoo(t)!”
If you’re an owl and you know it, hoot like this, “Hoo(t), hoo(t)!”
If you’re an owl and you know it, then your hoot will surely show it.
If you’re an owl and you know it, hoot like this, “Hoo(t), hoo(t)!”

Additional verses:
Flap your wings (flap wings)
Turn your head (turn it from side to side!)

Book: Acorns Everywhere! by Kevin Sherry

Scarf Song: “Wave Your Scarf Up and Down” (Tune: “London Bridge”)
Wave your scarf up and down,
Up and down, up and down.
Wave your scarf up and down,
Wave your scarf.

Additional verses:
Left and right
Fast and slow
High and low
Around and around
Wave it goodbye
(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)

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

Closing Rhyme

Birds Story Time – Toddler

Opening Song

Book: Wow! Said the Owl by Tim Hopgood
wow said the owl

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: Little Quack by Lauren Thompson, illustrated by Derek Anderson

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.

Action Rhyme: “Little Birds, Little Birds”
Little birds, little birds, jump up and down.
Little birds, little birds, don’t make a sound!
Little birds, little birds, tip-toe to me.
Little birds, little birds, bend your knees!
Little birds, little birds, peep, peep, peep.
Little birds, little birds, sleep, sleep, sleep.
Little birds, little birds, fly to the leaves!
Little birds, little birds, sit down, please.

Puppet Song: “This Is the Way We Flap Our Wings”
This is the way we flap our wings,
Flap our wings, flap our wings,
This is the way we flap our wings,
All day long!

Additional verses:
This is the way we peck the ground… (peck the ground with your fingers in a “beak” shape)

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

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

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

Owls Story Time – Baby

Opening song

Sign Language: morning, night, good morning, good night, bird, sing

Book: Hooray for Today! by Brian Won


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: 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)

Book: Night Owl by Toni Yuly

Song: “Wise Old Owl” (Tune: “Frere Jacques”)
Wise old owl, wise old owl,
In the tree, in the tree.
Who-oo are you winking at?
Who-oo are you winking at?
Is it me? Is it me?
(Credit: North Mankato Taylor Library)

Song/Flannel: “One Little Owl” – Muffin Songs

Rhyme: Rock the Baby
Rock the baby, rock the baby, 1-2-3
Watch the baby, watch the baby, smile at me
Bounce the baby, bounce the baby, on your lap
And teach the baby how to clap, clap, clap!
(Credit: Read Sing Play)

Book: Hoot! Hoot! By Richard Powell

Song (Recording) with shaky eggs: “Wise Old Owl” – John Feierabend: Had a Little Rooster

Closing Song

Owls Story Time – Toddler

Opening song

Book: Wow! Said the Owl by Tim Hopgood

wow said the owl

Flannel: Little Owl Count
5 little owls on a dark, dark night.
5 little owls are quite a sight.
5 little owls! Are you keeping score?
1 flies away and that leaves 4

4 little owls as happy as can be
1 flies away and that leaves 3

3 little owls calling, “Who, who, who.”
1 flies away and that leaves 2

2 little owls having lots of fun
1 flies away and that leaves 1

1 little owl and we’re almost done,
He flies away and that leaves none
(Source: Upper Hudson Library System)

Song: “Be Like an Owl” (tune: of “London Bridges”)
Flap your wings and fly around, fly around, fly around.
Flap your wings and fly around, just like an owl.

Open your eyes big and wide, big and wide, big and wide.
Open your eyes big and wide, just like an owl.

Land on the ground and hop along, hop along, hop along.
Land on the ground and hop along, just like an owl.

Turn your head and say who, who, who, who, who, who, who, who,
Turn your head and say who, who, just like an owl.
(Source: Upper Hudson Library System)

Book: Little Owl’s Night by Divya Srinivasan

little-owls-night

Song: “Wise Old Owl” – Feiereabend & Trinka: Had a Little Rooster

Song: “Everybody Clap Your Hands” – Peter Moses: 90 Nifty Songs

Book: Little Owl Lost by Chris Haughton or Hoot! Hoot! by Richard Powell

little-owl-lost

Song: “1-2 Hands” – Laurie Berkner: Superhero 

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

Closing rhyme

Craft: fuzzy baby owls