Groundhogs Story Time – Preschool

Opening Song

Book: Groundhogs by Kari Schuetz

Movement: “Mr. Groundhog”
Mr. Groundhog is inside his home, warm and fast asleep.
But he’ll wake up and poke his head out for one tiny peep.
If the day is cloudy and cool, He’ll go for a stroll.
But if the sun is shining bright – Pop! Back in his hole!

Book: Groundhog’s Runaway Shadow by David Biedrzycki

Song: “The Airplane Song” – Laurie Berkner: Whaddaya Think of That?

Song/Finger Play: “Where is Groundhog?” (Tune: “Where is Thumbkin?”)

Book: Ten Grouchy Groundhogs by Kathryn Heling and Deborah Hembrook, illustrated by Jay Johnson

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

Rhyme: “I See A Little Groundhog”
I see a little groundhog,
Furry and brown.
He’s popping up,
To look around.
If he sees his shadow,
Down he’ll go.
Six more weeks of winter,
Oh, no!

Book: A Greyhound A Groundhog by Emily Jenkins, illustrated by Chris Appelhans

Closing Rhyme

Celebrating Black Lives Story Time – Preschool

Opening Song

Book: I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James

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

Flannel: “My Many Colored Capes”

Song: “Rainbow” – Wunmi: Science Fair

Book: Mommy’s Khimar by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, illustrated by Ebony Glenn

Song: “Scarves on Your Laps” – Johnette Downing: The Second Line

Book: I Am Enough by Grace Byers, illustrated by Keturah A. Bobo

Closing Rhyme

Plans Go Awry Story Time – Preschool

Opening Song

Book: Julia’s House Moves On by Ben Hatke

Flannel/Movement: “Shoes”
I was walking along the street one day. (March)
With my knees up high, Can you walk this way?
But I stepped in something. Now what should I do?
My favorite, fastest shoes have turned the color blue!
+4 Verses
(Credit: Shawn Wolf)

Movement: “Count to Five” – Kira Willey: Mindful Moments for Kids

Book: Saturday by Oge Mora

Song: “Whatever Dance” – Dana McCarthy: Chocolate Milk and Other Tasty Tunes!

Song/Flannel: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”

Book: The Yawns Are Coming! by Christopher Eliopoulos

Closing Rhyme

Purple Story Time – Preschool

Opening Song

Book: Sally and the Purple Socks by Lisze Bechtold

Song: “Purple People Eater” – Various Artists: Drews’s Famous Halloween Dance Party Favorites

Book: Purple by Heather Adamson

Song: “Plum Pudding” – Kathy Reid-Naiman: Sing the Cold Winter Away

Flannel: Purple Foods

Song: “Fruit Salad Salsa” – Laurie Berkner: Victor Vito

Movie: Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson

Closing Song

Craft: Coloring adventure with a purple crayon

Pirates Story Time – Preschool

Opening Song

Book: Are You the Pirate Captain? By Gareth P. Jones, illustrated by Garry Parsons

Song: “Captain Feathersword Fell Asleep on his Pirate Ship” – The Wiggles: Toot, Toot!

 Book: Pirates Go to School by Corinne Demas, illustrated by John Manders
Pirates Go to School book cover
Song: “A Sailor Went to Sea” – The Wiggles: Nursery Rhymes, Vol. 2

Flannel: Pirates Wear Patches
Pirates wear patches and on their hand, hooks
Pirates love to mismatch And give dirty looks
Pirates wear white shirts with big puffy sleeves
Pirates are scoundrels And rascals and thieves!
Pirates wear black hats with a skull and cross bones
Pirates yell “Avast”! And “Ahoy, thar she blows!
Pirates have long hair they decorate with beads
Pirates aren’t rare When you’re sailing the seas!
Pirates have a pet bird and tie the best knots
Pirates are quite absurd X marks the spot!

Pirates Wear Patches flannel

Song: “If you’re a pirate and you know it”
If you’re a pirate and you know it, swab the deck (swish, swish)
If you’re a pirate and you know it, swab the deck (swish, swish)
If you’re a pirate and you know it, then you’ll hear the sea winds blowin’.
If you’re a pirate and you know it, swab the deck (swish, swish)

verses two and three
If you’re a pirate and you know it, walk the plank (stomp, stomp)
If you’re a pirate and you know it, say ahoy Ahoy! (with arm movement)
(Credit: Born Librarian blog)

Puppet Show: Peg Leg Pup

Closing Rhyme

Craft: Paper bag pirate maps

Bullies Story Time – Preschool

Opening Song

Book: Llama Llama and the Bully Goat by Anna Dewdney

Song: “I Look in the Mirror and What Do I See?”adapted
I look in the mirror and what do I see?
I see a happy face smiling at me.

I look in the mirror and what do I see?
I see a(n)  . . .
. . . surprised face looking at me.
. . . scared face hiding from me.
. . . angry face shouting at me.
. . . sad face frowning at me.
. . . shy face peeking at me.
. . . excited face grinning at me.
Book: We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins

Song: “Shake Your Sillies Out” – The Wiggles: Yummy Yummy

Puppets/Song: “There’s a dog in school” – Stuart Stotts and Tom Pease: Celebrate
(Add T.Rex puppet and verse)

Book: A Big Guy Took My Ball! by Mo Willems

Flannel/Song: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”

If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.
If you’re happy and you know it, your face will surely show it.
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.

If you’re angry and you know it, move your feet . . .
If you’re sad and you know it, get a hug . . .
If you’re worried and you know it, take a breath . . .
Discuss emotions and strategies to overcome them.

Closing rhyme

Craft: Feelings bookmark

Down Under Story Time – Preschool

Opening Song

Flannel/Book: Wombat Walkabout by Carol Diggory Shields, illustrated by Sophie Blackall

Movement/Book: Over in Australia: amazing animals down under by Marianne Berkes, illustrated by Jill Dubin

Song: “A Kangaroo” – Junior Jukebox: Let’s Pretend

Book: Diary of a Baby Wombat by Jackie French, illustrated by Bruce Whatley

Song: “Walk Along the River” – Laurie Berkner: The Ultimate Laurie Berkner Band Collection

Puppets/Book: Pouch! By David Ezra Stein

Pouch Cover Image

Movement/Book: Sometimes I Like to Curl Up in a Ball by Vicki Churchill, illustrated by Charles Fuge

Closing rhyme

Craft: Color plastic boomerangs

Boxes Story time – Preschool

Hello Song

Book: My Book Box by Will Hillenbrand

My Book Box book cover

Song: “Cardboard Box” – Justin Roberts: Jungle Gym

Book: Sitting in my Box by Dee Lillegard, illustrated by Jon Agee

sitting in my box cover image

Rhyme: “I Like to Be a Jumping Jack”
I like to be a jumping jack
And jump out from a box
I like to be a rocking horse
And rock and rock and rock.
I like to be a spinning top
And spin around and round
I like to be a rubber ball
And bounce right to the ground

Puppets/Movement: Take out puppets from a box and do an associated movement (jumping, running, etc.)

Book: Not a Box by Antoinette Portis

End Rhyme

Creative Play: Color cardboard boxes and play with them!

picture of box play

Winter Fun Story Time – Preschool

Opening Song

Book: Learning to Ski with Mr. Magee by Chris Van Dusen

learning to ski with mr. magee

Flannel: Build a Snowman

Snowman felt story time

Song: “Let’s Play in the Snow” – Rachel Buchman: Sing a Song of Seasons

Book: Ten on the Sled by Kim Norman, illustrated by Liza Woodruff

ten on the sled

Song: “Scarves on Your Laps” – Johnette Downing: The Second Line

Song: “Snow on the Rooftops” – Kathy Reid-Naiman: Sing the Cold Winter Away

Book: Red Sled by Lita Judge

red sled

Craft: Snowmen skiing (cotton balls, Popsicle sticks, toothpicks, pipe cleaners, & black dots.)

cotton ball snowman on skis story time craft

Closing Rhyme