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

Owl Story Time – Everybody

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.
(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: Owl Babies by Martin Waddell, illustrated by Patrick Benson
owl babies

Rhyme: “Wide-Eyed Owl”
There’s a wide-eyed owl (thumbs and forefingers around eyes)
With a pointed nose, (forefinger makes a v at end of nose)
Two pointed ears, (forefingers extended up from head)
And claws for toes. (fingers and arms bent in front of chest)
When he sits up in the tree, (point to tree)
And he looks at you, (point at a child in the group)
He flaps his wings, (fold arms into arm pits and flap)
And he says, “Whoo Whoo!”

Song: “Toes are Tapping” – Kimbo Educational: Toddler Gym

Book: Little Owl Lost by Chris Haughton
Little Owl Lost book cover

Song: “This Is How I Do It” – Laurie Berkner: Superhero

Closing Rhyme

Owl Story Time – Preschool

Opening Song

Book: Burrowing Owls by Melissa Hill
Burrowing Owls book cover

Song: “Nocturnal Animals” – Banana Slug String Band: Dirt Made My Lunch

Flannel: “There Was One Night Owl in the Tree” (Tune: “She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain”)
There was one night owl in the tree:
Hoo! Hoo!
There was one night owl in the tree:
Hoo! Hoo!
Oh, he called up to the sky to an owl flying by,
And the owl came and joined him happily:
Hoo! Hoo!
(Credit: Jen in the Library)

Puppet Story: Little Owl Lost by Chris Haughton
Little Owl Lost book cover

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

Birds Story Time – Toddler

Opening Song

Book: Silly Little Goose! by Nancy Tafuri

Song: “The Wheels on the Bus”

Rhyme: “Fly Your Fingers”
Fly your fingers up,
Fly your fingers down!
Fly your fingers to the side,
And fly them all around!
Perch them on your shoulders,
Perch them on your head!
Perch them on your belly,
Then put them all to bed!

Book: Early Bird by Toni Yuly

Song: “Zoom, Zoom, Zoom”
Zoom, zoom, zoom,
We’re going to the moon.
Zoom, zoom, zoom,
We’re going to the moon.
If you want to take a trip
climb aboard my rocket ship.
Zoom, zoom, zoom,
We’re going to the moon.
In 5, 4, 3, 2, 1,
Blast off!
(Credit: Jbrary)

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

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)

Flannel: “Five Little Ducks”
Five little ducks went out one day,
Over the hills and far away,
Mother duck called, “Quack, quack, quack, quack,”
But only four little ducks came back.

Repeat with four, three, two, one, and no little ducks.

Scarf Song: “This is the Way”
This is the way we wash our arms,
Wash our arms, wash our arms.
This is the way we wash our arms
When we’re in the bathtub.

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 Song: “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

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

Forest Animals Story Time – Everybody

Opening Song

Book: The Bear Who Shared by Catherine Rayner

Rhyme: Here is a Cave
Here is a cave. Inside is a bear. (bend fingers on one hand; put thumb inside)
Now he comes out to get some fresh air. (pop out thumb)
He stays out all summer in sunshine and heat.
He hunts in the forest for berries to eat. (move thumb in a circle)
When snow starts to fall, he hurries inside
His warm little cave and there he will hide. (put thumb inside fingers)
Snow covers the cave like a fluffy white rug.
Inside the bear sleeps all cozy and snug. (place one hand over the other)

Song: “Raccoon Sitting in a Tree” (Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle”)
Raccoon, raccoon, climbing a tree (make climbing motions)
Wearing a mask, you can’t fool me (hands circle eyes, then shake finger)
Hiding there so I can’t see (point to eyes)
What you’re doing in that tree (hands stretched over head like a tree)
Raccoon, raccoon, climbing a tree (make climbing motions)
Wearing a mask, you can’t fool me (hands circle eyes, then shake finger)

Book: Night Owl by Toni Yuly

Puppets/Rhyme:  There’s Something in the Woods
There’s something in the woods, that I can’t really see. (hands around eyes like binoculars) There’s something in the woods. Now what can it be? (hold up hands, shrug shoulders in question)

Repeat above rhyme before giving each clue…
I’m an animal who’s big, brown and furry and who “Roars” (bear).
I’m an animal who’s who has long ears and goes “Hop, hop, hop” (rabbit).
I’m an animal who says ‘whoo, whoo’ at night (Owl).
I’m an animal who’s red, furry, has a big bushy tail and likes to eat chicken (Fox)
I’m an animal who’s small, has a big, bushy tail and loves to eat nuts (Squirrel).
I’m an animal who’s tiny and makes very quiet “squeaks” (Mouse).

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 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 surely see lots of tree.
(Adapted by Jolanda Garcia, KidsSoup Inc.)

Book: Let’s Play in the Forest by Laudia Rueda
Let's Play in the Forest while the Wof is Not Around book cover

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!)

Song: “Clap your Hands” – They Might Be Giants: Here Come the ABCs

Closing rhyme

Craft: Paper Animal Masks

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

Night Story Time – Toddler

Opening song

Book: Yawn by Sally Symes

Song: “This Is the Way We Yawn & Stretch” (Tune: “Mulberry Bush”)
This is the way we yawn and stretch,
Yawn and stretch, yawn and stretch.
This is the way we yawn and stretch,
On our way to bed.

Additional Verses:
This is the way we take a bath…
This is the way we read a book…
This is the way we hug and kiss…
This is the way we close our eyes…
Credit: Melissa Depper blog

Book: Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes
Kitten's First Full Moon book cover

Flannelboard: There’s Something in the Nighttime
There’s something in the nighttime that I can’t really see.
There’s something in the nighttime, now what can it be?
Whoo, Whoo. Hear it’s funny sound? Whoo, Whoo. An Owl is what I found!
(Continue with other animals, can use an Owl, a cat, a mouse, and a skunk ‘Smell that funny smell? Sniff, sniff, A skunk! You sure can tell!’)
Credit: Miss Barbara at the Library

Story: Owl Babies by Martin Waddell
owl babies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fingerplay: 5 Little Owls
5 little owls on a moonlit night
5 little owls are quite a sight.
5 little owls Are you keeping score?
One flew away! And then there were 4.
4 little owls Happy as can be,
One flew away! Then there were 3.
3 little owls Calling “Whoo! Whoo!”
One flew away! And that left two.
2 little owls having lots of fun.
One flew away! And that left 1.
1 little owl We are almost done.
He flew away! And that leaves none.
Credit: https://www.mrcpl.org/find-stuff/family/fingerplays-and-rhymes/owl-fingerplays

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

Closing rhyme

Craft: Nighttime picture with silver and gold stickers and white crayon on black paper

Owl Story Time – Toddler

Opening song

Sign language: owl

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

Rhyme: “Wide-Eyed Owl”

There’s a wide eyed owl (thumbs and forefingers around eyes)
With a pointed nose, (forefinger makes a v at end of nose)
Two pointed ears, (forefingers extended up from head)
and claws for toes, (fingers and arms bent in front of chest)
When he sits up in the tree, (point to tree)
and he looks at you, (point at a child in the group)
he flaps his wings, (fold arms into arm pits and flap)
And he says ‘Whoo Whoo.’

Song: “Toes are Tapping “ – Kimbo Educational: It’s Toddler Time

Book: Little Owl Lost by Chris Haughton

little-owl-lost

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

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

Closing rhyme

Craft: Snowy owl with small paper plates (from “I heart crafty things”)

snowy-owl

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