Category: Family Storytime

Animals at Night!

The Plan

Books

I’m Not Scared by Jonathan Allen
The Very Lonely Firefly by Eric Carle
Where Does the Brown Bear Go? by Nicki Weiss
Whoooo’s There? by Mary Serfozo

Extension Activities

Flannelboard: “Ten Flashing Fireflies”

Fingerplay: “Two Little Hoot Owls”
Two little hoot owls, sitting on a hill
One named Jack and the other named Jill
Fly away Jack! Fly away Jill!
Come back, Jack! Come back, Jill!
Credit: Modified from childhood

Song: “I’m a Little Firefly” (I’m a Little Teapot)
I’m a little firefly
Look at me!
I’m as happy as I can be.
See my light flicker
And shine so bright
Now watch me fly
Into the night!
Credit: Preschool Education

Song: “Flutter, Flutter Little Bat”
Flutter, flutter little bat
How I wonder where you’re at
Up above the midnight sky
Peeking down with black eyes
Flutter, flutter little bat
How I wonder where you’re at
Credit: Library Palooza

Craft

This was an Oriental Trading kit that I purchased. A co-worker traced her hands on the foam and cut them out ahead of time so that the kids had an easier time with the activity. Everything else was self-stick.

How It Went

This was a great storytime! The variety in it really appealed to everyone and I was SO GLAD that I didn’t have a single storytime on each of the nocturnal animals. Their favorite book was “The Very Lonely Firefly,” and I recently purchased a library copy so that I knew the fireflies would light up at the end! All of the extension activities went over very well, but the best part was when I brought out our bat finger puppet. The kids were delighted and all of them politely came up and greeted batty before we sang our song!

July 30, 2012 4 Comments Short URL, Family Storytime

Bedtime & Pajamas!

The Plan

Books

Fly Blanky Fly! By Anne Margaret Lewis
Kitty Cat, Kitty Cat, Are You Going to Sleep? By Bill Martin Jr. and Michael Sampson
Little Quack’s Bedtime by Lauren Thompson
Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney

Extension Activities

Flannelboard: “Papa Please Get the Moon”

Action Rhyme: “Big Yellow Moon”
Big yellow moon shines so bright, (circle overhead)
Glides across the starry night (arms left to right)
Looks down at me (hand shades eyes)
Asleep in bed, (head on hands)
Whispers, “Good night sleepyhead.” (shh)
Big yellow moon, your turn is done (move arms down)
Here comes Mr. Morning Sun (circle overhead)
I wake up. (arms stretch out)
You go to bed. (head on hands)
“Sleep well, Moon, you sleepyhead.” (shh)
Credit: King County Library System

Action Rhyme: “Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear”
Credit: Childhood

Fingerplay: “Dance Your Fingers Up”
Dance your fingers up, dance your fingers down
Dance you fingers to the side, dance them all around
Dance them on your shoulders, dance them on your head
Dance them on your tummy, and put them all to bed
Credit: Best Kids Book Site

Rhyme: “Good Night”
One fluffy quilt on my bed,
Two little pillows on my head,
Three teddy bears to hold tight
Four kisses from Mom for a restful night,
Five hugs from Dad, and off goes my light!
Good night!
Credit: Canton Public Library

Song: “Twinkle, Twinkle”
Credit: Childhood

Craft

This AMAZING moon craft came courtesy of Andrea at Rovingfiddlehead Kitlit. We glued macaroni to the paper plates and then put a layer of tinfoil over it. The macaroni made some craters and other imperfections on the moon. Since we don’t have anything but glue sticks, we did have to use Tacky Glue, so I handed out bottles to our adults. Luckily, everything worked out!

How It Went

This was my storytime during Chicago’s 100 degree four-day heat warning. I still had eight families come out to brave the weather! (Honestly, I really consider that a very good program attendance number, all things considering!) It made this a very subdued storytime, which was okay. We had a great response to “Fly, Blanky, Fly!” and “Little Quack’s Bedtime.” And the movement activities were very well-received overall.

July 23, 2012 4 Comments Short URL, Family Storytime

Owls!

The Plan

Books

A Book of Sleep by Il Sung Na
I’m Not Scared! by Jonathan Allen
Little Owl’s Night by Divya Srinivasan
Owl Babies by Martin Waddell

Extension Activities

Flannelboard: “Five Little Owls”
Five hoot owls sitting a tree
One flew away, how many do you see?
One, two, three, four. (count down)

Action Rhyme: “Wide-Eyed Owl”
There’s a wide-eyed owl (circle your eyes with your hands)
With a pointed nose (make a beak with your fingers)
Two pointed ears (make ears with your fingers)
And claws for toes (wiggle your “claws”)
He lives way up in the tree (point way up)
And when he looks at you (point to children)
He flaps his wings (flap your wings)
And says, “Whoo! Whoo!” (say “whoo”)
Credit: Wilmette Public Library

Action Song: “Owl Hokey Pokey”
You put your right wing in, you put your right wing out
You put your right wing in, and you flap it all about
You do the hokey pokey and you fly yourself around
That’s what it’s all about! Hoot, hoot!
Credit: Ms. Hegna’s Storytime

Song: “Owl In the Tree” (Tune: Skip to My Lou)
Owl in the tree says, who, who, who?
Owl in the tree says, who, who, who?
Owl in the tree says, who, who, who?
Who, who, are you?
Credit: Ms. Hegna’s Storytime

Song: “Twinkle, Twinkle”
Credit: Childhood

Craft

This was a craft that was inspired by this blog post, at Meet the Dubiens. (I originally saw this as a Pinterest post, but without a link back. Luckily, I recognized Jill’s watermark!) I used the template that Jill links to, but I did balk on the handprint painting when it came time for storytime to start. Instead, I pulled out our feather bin and let the kids go at it!

How It Went

This is very similar to the owl theme that I did in the fall, but I knew I had to repeat it for the CSLP theme of “Dream Big, Read!” This time around “Owl Babies” was the big hit, followed by “A Book of Sleep.” The extension activities went AWESOME and they had a great time shaking their tails in the Owl Hokey Pokey. We made a lot of great connections in this storytime about owls sleeping at night and having wide-eyes so they could see in the dark. It was a very rewarding storytime to be at!

July 16, 2012 16 Comments Short URL, Family Storytime

Camping!

The Plan

Books

Into the Outdoors by Susan Gal
Maisy Goes Camping by Lucy Cousins
Scare a Bear by Kathy-Jo Wargin
Sheep Take a Hike by Nancy Shaw

Extension Activities

Flannelboard: “Campfire 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 about,
That’s what it’s all about!
(Other verses include hotdog, potato, popcorn, etc.)

Flannelboard: “Five Little Kernels”
Five little kernels sizzling in the pot
All of a sudden, one went POP!
(Countdown)

Action Rhyme: “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt”
We’re going on a bear hunt (We’re going on a bear hunt)
Gonna catch a big one (Gonna catch a big one)
I’m not scared (I’m not scared)
What a beautiful day! (What a beautiful day!)
Oh look! It’s some long, wavy grass!
Can’t go under it (Can’t go under it)
Can’t go over it (Can’t go over it)
Can’t go around it (Can’t go around it)
Gotta go through it (Gotta go through it!)
(Trees, River, Storm, Cave, etc. until you meet a bear; then run back!)
Credit: Library School

Fingerplay: “Here is the Camper”
Here is the camper (hold up finger)
Here is the tent (bend fingers of other hand like tent)
He crawls inside on a summer night (finger goes under)
Fireflies flicker in a friendly way (flicker your hands)
All is calm till the light of day (head on folded hands)
Credit: Sturgis Kids

Song: “Twinkle Twinkle”

Craft

This was another pre-packaged craft from Oriental Trading. I had a lot of sibling sets at storytime, and this was definitely a reach for the youngest kids, so I would suggest it for preschool storytime and up. Luckily, I had some great moms who let their little ones make whatever kind of mishmash campfire they wanted!

How It Went

I wasn’t sure how this theme would work, because I honestly wasn’t sure if any of my kids had ever been camping. Luckily, lots of kids HAD been camping! I started with “Into the Outdoors” which turned out to be a great primer for those who hadn’t gone camping before. “Going on a Bear Hunt” was a RIDICULOUS good time!! I already made a flannelboard to go with it because I know I will be repeating it. The transition between “Maisy Goes Camping” and “Five Little Kernels” was amazingly (not planned) fluid since Maisy and her friends pop out of their tent and that’s the sound that popcorn makes! This was, overall, just a wonderful amazing storytime and a great send-off as I got ready to go to ALA Annual.

July 9, 2012 6 Comments Short URL, Family Storytime

Moon and Stars!

The Plan

Books

How to Catch a Star by Oliver Jeffers
Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes
Papa, Please Get the Moon by Eric Carle
When the Moon Smiled by Petr Horacek

Extension Activities

Flannelboard: “Four Little Stars”

Flannelboard: “Hey Diddle Diddle”

Action Rhyme: “Bend and Stretch”
Bend and stretch, reach for the stars
There goes Jupiter, here comes Mars
Bend and stretch and reach for the sky
Stand on tip-e-toe, oh so high!
Credit: Preschool Kids

Action Rhyme: “Moon Ride”
Do you want to go up with me to the moon? (point up)
Let’s get in our rocket ship and blast off soon! (climb in, seat belt, blast off)
Faster and faster we reach to the sky (jump and reach)
Isn’t it fun to be able to fly? (hands out)
We’re on the moon, now all take a look (look around)
Sit back down, and I’ll read you a book. (sit down)
Credit: SurLaLune Storytime

Song: “Twinkle, Twinkle”

Craft

This was a scratch art kit purchased from Oriental Trading. If you haven’t used scratch art at your storytimes yet, I would highly suggest it!

How It Went

This was such a great, GREAT storytime session. We were packed — I hit my highest ever attendance for a storytime and I think everyone had a wonderful time. I could not even pick a favorite book because they all went over so well. I think that “Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me” might have edged the others out because of the flaps/pop-ups, but other than that, all the books were on equal footing. They had a great time with the extension activities and the craft was adored by all. Afterwards, I had to direct several parents on where to buy their own scratch art because it was such a hit!

July 2, 2012 10 Comments Short URL, Family Storytime

Pirates!

The Plan

Books

Bubble Bath, Pirates! by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Peg Leg Peke by Brie Spangler
Pirate Nap by Danna Smith
This Little Pirate by Philemon Sturges

Extension Activities

Flannelboard: “Five Pirates for a Treasure Chest”
Five pirates on a treasure chest, one jumped off and four are left.
Four pirates on a treasure chest, one slid off and three are left.
Three pirates on a treasure chest, one fell down and two are left.
Two pirates on a treasure chest, one was pushed off and one is left.
One pirate on a treasure chest, he climbed down and none are left.
No pirates on the treasure chest, yo-ho-ho and now it’s all mine!
Credit: Mega Storytime

Flannelboard: “The Pirate Wore a Red Patch”
Pirate wore a red patch, red patch, red patch
Pirate wore a red patch all day long…
Credit: Loons and Quines

Action Song: “If You’re a Pirate and You Know It”
If you’re a pirate & you know it, swab the desk (swish, swish)
If you’re a pirate & you know it, swab the desk (swish, swish)
If you’re a pirate & you know it, then you’ll hear sea winds a’blowin
If you’re a pirate & you know it, swab the desk (swish, swish)
(Walk the plank, stomp stomp // Say ahoy, ahoy!)
Credit: Born Librarian

Fingerplay: “Ten Little Pirates”
Ten little pirates stood in a row (hold up all ten fingers)
They bowed to their captain so (lower and raise fingers)
They marched to the left (march hands to left)
And marched to the right (march hands to right)
They shouted yo-ho! (cup hands over mouth)
And gave their captain a fright (act scared, cover mouth with hands)
Credit: Born Librarian

Song: “Sail, Sail, Sail Your Ship” (Tune: Row, Row, Row Your Boat)
Sail, sail, sail your ship
Gently over the sea
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily
A pirate’s life for me!
Credit: King County Library System

Craft

This was a craft kit that I bought from Oriental Trading. All of the foam shapes were peel and stick and the kids LOVED their pirate hats. We had several kids up in the department afterwards working on their treasure map coloring sheets and swashbuckling their crayons.

How It Went

I know I say this all the time, but this was an AMAZING theme for storytime! The kids had SO MUCH fun with the extension activities and shouting “ARR!” with me. The hit of storytime was “Bubble Bath Pirates,” and I have to thank a neighboring librarian who recommended and pulled the book for me — it is definitely being purchased for our storytime collection.

June 18, 2012 10 Comments Short URL, , Family Storytime

Hats!

The Plan

Books

A Hat for Minerva Louise by Janet Morgan Stoeke
Twelve Hats for Lena by Karen Katz
Where’s Mary’s Hat?
Who’s Under That Hat? by David A. Carter

Extension Activities

Flannelboard: “Little Cat”

Action Rhyme: “Hats on Everyone”
Hats on police officers starchy and blue (salute)
Hats on fire fighters shiny and new (spray with hose)
Hat on marchers in a band (drum)
Hat on astronauts when they land (float)
Hats on farmers made of straw (shovel hay)
Hats on artists when they draw (paint)
Hats on kids out in the sun (shade eyes)
Hat on almost everyone! (hold hands out to side)
Credit: Perry Public Library

Action Rhyme: “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes”
Credit: Childhood

Fingerplay: “Grandma’s Glasses”
These are Grandma’s glasses
This is Grandma’s hat
This is the way she folds her hands
And lays them in her lap
Here are Grandpa’s glasses
And here is Grandpa’s hat
And here’s the way he folds his arms
And takes a little nap
Credit: Childhood

Song: “Silly Hat Song” (Tune: This Old Man)
On my head, I wear my hat.
It is such a silly hat
That my head will wiggle waggle to and fro
Where else can my silly hat go?
[Repeat using foot, elbow and knee.]
Credit: SurLaLune Storytime

Craft

I got this craft from Sarah at Awesome Storytime and it was a big hit. I put out tons of craft supplies and let the kids go to town. We had some very creative hats!

How It Went

This is such a great storytime theme; I’m surprised it took me this long to do it! Their favorite book was “Twelve Hats for Lena” because they loved telling me which holiday she decorated her hat for, but I think the book that got the most laughs was “A Hat for Minerva Louise.” They really enjoyed telling me what Minerva Louise was really wearing instead of a hat. The best part of storytime, however, was the flannelboard game. The kids were screeching with delight as we tried to find Little Cat. It’s been a while since I did a hiding flannel with them, and they definitely missed it!

June 11, 2012 5 Comments Short URL, , Family Storytime

Pizza!

The Plan

Books

Hi, Pizza Man! by Virginia Walter
Pete’s a Pizza by William Steig
Pizza at Sally’s by Monica Wellington
The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza by Philemon Sturges

Extension Activities

Flannelboard: “The Pizza That Sally Made”

Action Rhyme: “Pizza Man, Pizza Man”
Pizza man, pizza man, turn around
Pizza man, pizza man, touch the ground
Pizza man, pizza man, reach up high
Pizza man, pizza man, touch the sky
Pizza man, pizza man, find your nose
Pizza man, pizza man, touch your toes
Pizza man, pizza man, find your knees
Pizza man, pizza man, sit down, please!
Credit: Modified from childhood; idea from Awesome Storytime

Action Song: “If You Wanna Eat Some Pizza”
If you want to eat some pizza, clap your hands!
If you want to eat some pizza, clap your hands!
If you like bubbly cheese then just say, “Pizza please!”
If you want to eat some pizza, clap your hands!
Credit: Awesome Storytime

Fingerplay: “Pizza Man”
Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, pizza man (clap hands)
Make me a pizza as fast as you can (shake finger)
Roll it (roll)
Toss it (pretend to toss in air)
Sprinkle it with cheese (sprinkling motions)
Put it in the oven (pushing motion)
And bake it fast, please!
Credit: SurLaLune Storytime

Craft

This was a craft from KidsSoup, and it was very simple! I could have cut out tons of toppings, but I find most kids just prefer cheese at this age.

How It Went

Pizza storytime was SO fun! I love doing this theme because there are some great pizza books out there. Their favorite books were “Hi, Pizza Man!” and “Pizza at Sally’s.” I did not have a good group for “The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza,” so I wound up abbreviating a lot of the humor in that book. It made me a little sad, but you have to roll with the punches in storytime! Their favorite extension activity was, of course, “If You Wanna Eat a Pizza.”

June 4, 2012 17 Comments Short URL, Family Storytime

Messy!

The Plan

Books

Dog’s Colorful Day by Emma Dodd
I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More by Karen Beaumont
I’m Dirty! By Kate and Jim McMullan
Not Me! by Nicola Killen

Extension Activities

Flannelboard: “Five Pigs So Squeaky Clean”

Flannelboard: “Mrs. Wishy-Washy”

Action 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.
(Legs, tummies, heads)
Credit: Mel’s Desk

Fingerplay: “Two Mother Pigs”
Two mother pigs lived in a pen, (two thumbs up)
Each had four babies and that made ten. (Wiggle four fingers on each hand)
These four babies were black and white. (Wiggle four fingers on one hand)
These four babies were black as night. (Wiggle four fingers on the other hand)
All eight babies loved to play. (Wiggle eight fingers)
And the rolled and they rolled in the mud all day. (Roll hands)
At night, with their mother,
They curled up in a heap, (Make fists, palms up)
And squealed and squealed
Till they went to sleep. (Tuck thumbs under fingers)
Credit: King County Library System

Craft

Today’s craft was super easy. I bought giant stamp pads at our craft store and pulled out all the foam stamps that we had, porcupine rings, and these cars where the tire treads are designed. Then, I let the kids go to town. This was less messy than fingerpaint, but still messy enough that I had parents who asked to borrow some of our craft smocks!

How It Went

This storytime was a blast! I had so much fun, and we had a GIANT group of kids. The best book by far was “Dog’s Colorful Day,” which they cannot get enough of. I definitely had some kids sing along with me during “I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More” because their afternoon preschool class reads it all the time. It was super nice to have someone sing with me!

May 30, 2012 4 Comments Short URL, Family Storytime

Fruits & Veggies!

The Plan

Books

Chew Chew Gulp! by Lauren Thompson
Eating the Alphabet by Lois Ehlert
Orange Pear Apple Bear by Emily Gravett
Rah, Rah, Radishes! by April Pulley Sayre

Extension Activities

Flannelboard: “Lunch”

Action Rhyme: “Picking Up the Fruits”
Picking up the apples and puttin’ ‘em in the basket
Picking up the apples and puttin’ ‘em in the basket
Picking up the apples and puttin’ ‘em in the basket
Way down yonder in the apple field
(Repeat with other fruits)
Credit: What Happens In Storytime

Fingerplay: “Way Up High”
Way up high in the apple tree
I saw two apples looking at me
I shook that tree as hard as I could
And down came the apples
And mmm, they were good
Credit: Childhood

Song: “Apples and Bananas”
Credit: Childhood

Song: “Vegetable Song” (Tune: Twinkle Twinkle)
Carrots, peas, and broccoli
Vegetables are good for me
For my snack and in my lunch
Veggie sticks are great to munch
Carrots, peas, and broccoli
Vegetables are good for me
Childhood: Preschool Education

Craft

This is another craft from KidsSoup. I had all of the fruits and veggies cut out, as well as the plate basket. (Thank you, teen volunteers!) The kids colored and glued their food down. It was a very simple craft that went over very well.

How It Went

We had a much better storytime experience this week than last, which I was grateful for. The kids all insisted that they eat their vegetables at home, but I saw several moms shake their heads and laugh when I posed the question. The best book of the day was “Eating the Alphabet” and the kids were thrilled when my mouse puppet ate the food off of the flannelboard.

May 28, 2012 8 Comments Short URL, Family Storytime

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