Squirrels Story Time – Toddler

Opening Song

Book: Frisky Brisky Hippity Hop based on a poem by Alexina B. White with new verses by Susan Lurie

Flannel: “Five Little Acorns” (with squirrel puppet)
Down around the corner by the big oak tree
Sat five little acorns looking so yummy
Along came a squirrel with a big bushy tail.
He took one acorn and ran off down the trail.

Song: “Hop Old Squirrel” – Frog in the Meadow: Music, Now I’m Two!

Book: That Pup! by Lindsay Barrett George

Fingerplay: “This Little Squirrel”
This little squirrel said, “Let’s run and play!”
This little squirrel said, “Let’s hunt nuts today!”
This little squirrel said, “Yes, nuts are good.”
This little squirrel said, “Yes, my favorite food.”
This little squirrel said, “Come climb this tree.” (run fingers up other arm, quickly)
And crack these nuts: one, two, three! (clap hands three times)
(Credit: Sunflower Storytime)

Song: “Frisky Squirrel” (Tune: “The Grand Old Duke of York”)
Oh, the frisky little squirrel
He gathers nuts and seeds.
He hides them for the winter months
So he’ll have all he needs.

Oh, up-up-up he goes
And down-down-down he comes.
He runs around – goes up and down.
His work is never done. (repeat refrain)

Book: The Busy Little Squirrel by Nancy Tafuri
The Busy Little Squirrel book cover

Fingerplay: “Two Little Squirrels”
Two little squirrels sitting on a hill
One named Jack, the other named Jill
Run away Jack, run away Jill
Come back Jack, come back Jill

Two little squirrels sitting on a cloud
One named Quiet, the other named Loud
Run away Quiet, run away Loud
Come back Quiet, come back Loud

Two little squirrels sitting on the snow
One named Fast, the other named Slow
Run away Fast, run away Slow
Come back Fast, come back Slow

Song: “Gray Squirrel” – Learning Station: Where is Thumbkin?

Song: “Mi Cuerpo” – Hot Peas ‘n Butter: Best of the Bowl

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

Closing Song

Craft: Squirrel and acorn shape matching puzzles from Frogs and Fairies

Alligators and Crocodiles Story Time – Toddler

Opening Song

Book: Clarabella’s Teeth by An Vrombaut
clarabellas teeth

Song: “Pig on Her Head” – Laurie Berkner: The Best of the Laurie Berkner Band

Book: The Lady with the Alligator Purse by Mary Ann Hobermen, illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott
lady with alligator purse

Rhyme: “Five Little Monkeys”
Five little monkeys swinging in the tree,
Teasing Mr. Crocodile, “You can’t catch me, no you can’t catch me!”
Along comes Mr. Crocodile, as quiet as can be,
And SNAPPED that monkey out of the tree!

Repeat, counting down until there are no monkeys left.
(Credit: Storytime Katie)

Song: “Walking Through the Jungle”
Walking through the jungle, what did I see? (beat drum)
A big lion roaring at me me me!
Walking through the jungle, what did I see?
A baby monkey laughing at me me me!
Walking through the jungle, what did I see?
A slippery snake hissing at me me me!
Walking through the jungle, what did I see?
A crocodile crunching at me me me!
Walking through the jungle, what did I see?
An elephant stomping at me me me!

Pop-up Book: The Wide-Mouthed Frog by Keith Faulkner, illustrated by Jonathan Lambert
wide mouthed frog

Song: “Put Your Finger in the Air” – Woody Guthrie: Nursery Days

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

Closing Rhyme

Craft: A is for Alligator
alligator