Storytime - Read with Me

Toddler

Books: Baby Penguins Everywhere! by Melissa Guion and Stick! by Andy Pritchett

Songs / Rhymes: “Good Morning”, “Hello, How Are You?”, “Open, Shut Them”, “The Elevator Song”, “Head and Shoulders”, “I Wiggle My Fingers”, “Come Under My Umbrella” with parachute, “If You’re Happy and You Know It” with parachute, “Ring Around the Rosie” with parachute, “Row Boat, Row Boat” with parachute, and “The More We Get Together”.

Craft: There was no craft today. The toddlers played with the parachute instead.

Preschool

Books: Dinosaur Kisses by David Ezra Stein and The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli

Songs / Rhymes: “Welcome to the Library”, “Hello, How Are You?”, “Open, Shut Them”, “The Elevator Song”, “The ABC Stop Song”, “Come Under My Umbrella” with parachute, “If You’re Happy and You Know It” with parachute, “Row Boat, Row Boat” with parachute, and “The More We Get Together”.

Craft: There was no craft today. The preschoolers played with the parachute instead.

Songs/Rhymes

The Elevator Song

Sung to: "Do Your Ears Hang Low?"

Oh the city is great and the city is grand

There's a whole lot of people

on a little piece of land

And we live way up on the 57th floor

and this is what we do when we go out the door.

We take the elevator up and the elevator down,

take the elevator up, take the elevator down

Take the elevator up and the elevator down

and we turn around.

--Jbrary

*This is my new favorite song!

Head and Shoulders

Head and shoulders, knees and toes,

Knees and toes

Head and shoulders, knees and toes,

Knees and toes

Eyes and ears and mouth and nose

Head and shoulders, knees and toes

Knees and toes!

--Traditional

Come Under My Umbrella

with parachute

Come under my umbrella,

Umbrella, umbrella.

Gently wave the parachute up and down.

Come under my umbrella,

It’s starting to storm.

Move parachute faster.

There’s thunder and lightning

And wind and rain.

Come under my umbrella,

It’s starting to storm.

--MCLS Kids

If You're Happy and You Know It

with parachute

If you're happy and you know it,

Shake it slow.

If you're happy and you know it,

Shake it slow.

If you're happy and you know it,

And you really want to show it,

If you're happy and you know it,

Shake it slow.

*raise it high, shake it fast.

--Kendra at Read, Sing, Play

Ring Around the Rosie

Ring around the rosie

A pocket full of posie

Ashes, ashes, we all fall down!

--Traditional

Row Boat, Row Boat

Row boat, row boat go so slow (wave the chute slowly).

Row boat, row boat go so fast (shake the chute fast).

Row boat, row boat the waves are getting worse (shake fast again).

Row boat, row boat put it in reverse (stop the chute by pulling towards you).

--Kendra at Read, Sing, Play

The ABC Stop Song

A B C D E F G

STOP! (holding palms facing out in front of you)

H I J K L M N O P

STOP! (holding palms facing out in front of you)

Q R S T U V

STOP! (holding palms facing out in front of you)

W X Y and Z

STOP! (holding palms facing out in front of you)

Now I know my ABCs, next time won’t you sing with me?

STOP! (Extra loud, flail your arms like a maniac)

--via The Magpie Librarian

Storytime - It's My Favorite!

Toddler

Books: Dinosaur vs. the Library by Bob Shea

Songs / Rhymes: “Good Morning”, “Hello, How Are You?”, “The Hokey Pokey”, “Open, Shut Them”, “Five Little Monkeys Swinging from a Tree” on the felt board, “Come Under My Umbrella” with parachute, “Ring Around the Rosie” with parachute, “London Bridge” with parachute, “Row Boat, Row Boat” with parachute, and “The More We Get Together”.

Craft: There was no craft today. The toddlers played with the parachute instead.

Preschool

Books: That Is Not a Good Idea! by Mo Willems and Crankenstein by Samantha Berger

Songs / Rhymes: “Welcome to the Library”, “Hello, How Are You?”, “The Hokey Pokey”, “Open, Shut Them”, “If You’re Happy and You Know It”, and “The More We Get Together”.

Craft: There was no craft today. The preschoolers helped make a rain circle instead.

Special Activities: The preschoolers helped me make a rain circle to celebrate the rainstorms outside. They stood in a circle around me, and copied the actions I made when I turned to them. They snapped their fingers, rubbed their hands together, tapped their legs, clapped their hands, and stomped their feet. When it was all put together, they sounded just like a rainstorm!

Songs/Rhymes

The Hokey Pokey

You put one arm in,

You take one arm out.

You put one arm in,

And you shake it all about.

You do the Hokey Pokey,

And you turn yourself around.

That’s what it’s all about!

Substitute different body parts. For more advanced children, use left and right.

--Traditional

Five Little Monkeys Swinging From a Tree

Five little monkeys swinging from a tree

Teasing Mr. Crocodile, “You can’t catch me!”

When along comes Mr. Crocodile annnnd SNAP!

-- Traditional

Come Under My Umbrella

with parachute

Come under my umbrella,

Umbrella, umbrella.

Gently wave the parachute up and down.

Come under my umbrella,

It’s starting to storm.

Move parachute faster.

There’s thunder and lightning

And wind and rain.

Come under my umbrella,

It’s starting to storm.

--MCLS Kids

Ring Around the Rosie

with parachute

Ring around the rosie

A pocket full of posie

Ashes, ashes, we all fall down!

--Traditional

London Bridge

with parachute

London Bridge is falling down.

Falling down, falling down.

London Bridge is falling down,

My fair lady.

--Traditional

Row Boat, Row Boat

Row boat, row boat go so slow (wave the chute slowly).

Row boat, row boat go so fast (shake the chute fast).

Row boat, row boat the waves are getting worse (shake fast again).

Row boat, row boat put it in reverse (stop the chute by pulling towards you).

--Read, Sing, Play

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,

And you really want to show it,

If you’re happy and you know it,

Clap your hands.

Repeat with stomp your feet, shout hooray, do all three.

--Traditional

Wee Read - Goodbye, Summer!

Early Literacy Tip of the Week:

Play with tongue twisters, mix up events in a story, and read favorite stories again and again. Most importantly, have fun!

Good Morning

Hello, How are You?

Oliver Twist

Oliver Twist twist twist

Can do this this this

Touch his knees knees knees

Touch his nose nose nose

Touch his hair hair hair

Touch his toes toes toes

--District 196

Open Shut Them

Book One

Here Are My Hands by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault

Waves at the Beach

Sung to: “The Wheels on the Bus”

--The Big Book of Stories, Songs, and Sing-Alongs by Beth Maddigan and Stefanie Drennan. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited, 2003.

Mr. Sun

Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun

Won’t you please shine down on me?

Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun

Hiding behind a tree.

These little children are asking you

To please come out so they can

Play with you.

Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun

Won’t you please shine down on me?

--Traditional

I Wiggle My Fingers

These are the Colors Over You

Sung to: "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star"

Pink/purple and orange/yellow and green and blue

These are the colors over you

Pink as a blossom, green as a tree

Orange as a carrot (yellow as the sun), blue as the sea

Pink and orange and green and blue

These are the colors over you.

--Kendra from Read, Sing, Play

Come Under My Umbrella

Come under my umbrella,

Umbrella, umbrella.

Gently wave the parachute up and down.

Come under my umbrella,

It’s starting to storm.

Move parachute faster.

There’s thunder and lightning

And wind and rain.

Come under my umbrella,

It’s starting to storm.

--MCLS Kids

Row Boat, Row Boat

Row boat, row boat go so slow (wave the chute slowly).

Row boat, row boat go so fast (shake the chute fast).

Row boat, row boat the waves are getting worse (shake fast again).

Row boat, row boat put it in reverse (stop the chute by pulling towards you).

--Kendra at Read, Sing, Play

Read Together

That’s Not My Dinosaur by Fiona Watt

The More We Get Together

Storytime - Dinosaurs

Toddler

Books: Dinosaur Roar! By Paul and Henrietta Stickland and Dinosaurs, Dinosaurs by Byron Barton.

Songs / Rhymes: “Good Morning”, “Hello, How Are You?”, “Open, Shut Them”, “Stomp, Stomp, Stomp Around”, “If You’re Happy and You Know It”, “I Wiggle My Fingers”, “Come Under My Umbrella” with parachute, “These Are the Colors Over You” with parachute, “Ring Around the Rosie” with parachute, “Row Boat, Row Boat” with parachute, and “The More We Get Together”. 

Craft: There was no craft today. We played with the parachute instead.

Preschool

Books: How Do Dinosaurs Go to School by Jane Yolen and Dino Bites! by Algy Craig Hall.

Songs / Rhymes: “Welcome to the Library”, “Hello, How Are You?”, “Hi There, So Glad You Came”, “Open, Shut Them”, “Stomp, Stomp, Stomp Around”, “If You’re Happy and You Know It”, “Head and Shoulders”, and “The More We Get Together”.

Special Activity: Storytime Graduation. We celebrated the preschoolers who were moving up to Kindergarten. Each graduate received a special Storytime Diploma! There were 17 graduates in all. They’ll be missed, but we look forward to hearing about their adventures in Kindergarten! The storytime diploma can be found here. The template originally came from Microsoft's template site.

Craft: There was no craft today.

Songs/Rhymes

Stomp, Stomp, Stomp AroundSung To: "Row, Row, Row Your Boat"
Stomp, stomp, stomp around
On your great big feet.
Swish your tail
Then turn around,
Now go take your seat!

--PreschoolExpress

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,

And you really want to show it,

If you’re happy and you know it,

Clap your hands.

Repeat with stomp your feet, shout hooray, do all three.

--Traditional

Come Under My Umbrella

Come under my umbrella,

Umbrella, umbrella.

Gently wave the parachute up and down.

Come under my umbrella,

It’s starting to storm.

Move parachute faster.

There’s thunder and lightning

And wind and rain.

Come under my umbrella,

It’s starting to storm.

--MCLS Kids

These are the Colors Over You

Sung to: "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star"

Pink and green and orange and blue

These are the colors over you

Pink as a blossom, green as a tree

Orange as a carrot (yellow as the sun), blue as the sea

Pink and orange and green and blue

These are the colors over you.

--Kendra at Read, Sing, Play

Ring Around the Rosie

Ring around the rosie

A pocket full of posie

Ashes, ashes, we all fall down!

--Traditional

Row Boat, Row Boat

Row boat, row boat go so slow (wave the chute slowly).

Row boat, row boat go so fast (shake the chute fast).

Row boat, row boat the waves are getting worse (shake fast again).

Row boat, row boat put it in reverse (stop the chute by pulling towards you).

--Kendra at Read, Sing, Play

Head and Shoulders

Head and shoulders, knees and toes,

Knees and toes

Head and shoulders, knees and toes,

Knees and toes

Eyes and ears and mouth and nose

Head and shoulders, knees and toes

Knees and toes!

-- Traditional

Storytime - Crocodiles and Alligators

Toddler

Books: For Pete’s Sake by Ellen Stoll Walsh

Songs / Rhymes: “Good Morning”, “Hello, How Are You?”, “Open, Shut Them”,  “Five Little Monkeys Swinging from a Tree” on the felt board, “Come Under My Umbrella” with parachute, “Ring Around the Rosie” with parachute, “Row Boat, Row Boat” with parachute, “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” with parachute, “I Wiggle My Fingers”, and “The More We Get Together”.

Special Activity: I reminded the toddlers and their families to save water by turning off the tap while brushing their teeth and gave each child a cup and tooth brush provided by our city's water department.

Craft: There was no craft today. The toddlers played with the parachute instead.

Preschool

Books: For Pete’s Sake by Ellen Stoll Walsh.

Songs / Rhymes: “Welcome to the Library”, “Hello, How Are You?”, “Open, Shut Them”, “Five Little Monkeys Swinging from a Tree” on the felt board, “I Wiggle My Fingers”, “Come Under My Umbrella” with parachute, “Ring Around the Rosie” with parachute, “Row Boat, Row Boat” with parachute, “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” with parachute, and “The More We Get Together”.

Special Activity: I reminded the preschoolers and their families to save water by turning off the tap while brushing their teeth and gave each child a cup and tooth brush provided by our city's water department.

Craft: There was no craft today. The toddlers played with the parachute instead.

Songs/Rhymes

Five Little Monkeys Swinging From a Tree

Five little monkeys swinging from a tree

Teasing Mr. Crocodile, “You can’t catch me!”

When along comes Mr. Crocodile annnnd SNAP!

-- Traditional

Come Under My Umbrella

Come under my umbrella,

Umbrella, umbrella.

Gently wave the parachute up and down.

Come under my umbrella,

It’s starting to storm.

Move parachute faster.

There’s thunder and lightning

And wind and rain.

Come under my umbrella,

It’s starting to storm.

--MCLS Kids

Ring Around the Rosie

Ring around the rosie

A pocket full of posie

Ashes, ashes, we all fall down!

--Traditional

Row Boat, Row Boat

Row boat, row boat go so slow (wave the chute slowly).

Row boat, row boat go so fast (shake the chute fast).

Row boat, row boat the waves are getting worse (shake fast again).

Row boat, row boat put it in reverse (stop the chute by pulling towards you).

--Kendra at Read, Sing, Play

Row Row Row Your Boat with Alligator

Row, row, row your boat,

Gently down the stream,

Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,

Life is but a dream.

Row, row, row your boat,

gently down the stream,

if you see an alligator

don’t forget to scream.

(Scream!!!!!)

--Tracey at 1234 More Storytimes

Wee Read - I Love Mommy

Early Literacy Tip of the Week:

Give your child access to books. Choosing what she would like to look at and learning to turn the pages is part of early literacy.

Good Morning

Hello, How are You?

Roll Roll Sugarbabies

Roll, roll sugarbabies (arms roll)
Roll, roll sugarbabies.
Push, pull,
Clap, clap, clap!

--Rain Makes Applesauce

Open Shut Them

Book One

I Love My Mommy by Giles Andreae

Row, Row, Row Your Boat

Row, row, row your boat,

Gently down the stream.

Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,

Life is but a dream!

--Traditional

If You're Happy and You Know It

If you're happy and you know it,

Shake it slow.

If you're happy and you know it,

Shake it slow.

If you're happy and you know it,

And you really want to show it,

If you're happy and you know it,

Shake it slow.

*raise it high, shake it fast.

--Kendra at Read, Sing, Play

Down at the Library was a Parachute

Down at the library in the story room

Sat babies and Miss Mollie and a parachute

Lift, said Miss Mollie, lift the 'chute

And they lifted and they lifted that parachute.

*Shake, said Miss Mollie, shake the 'chute

And they shook and they shook that parachute.

*Let go, said Miss Mollie, let go of the 'chute!

And they all let go of the parachute.

--Miss Mollie

I Wiggle My Fingers

Book Two

Where Is My Mommy? by Julie Downing

Pease Porridge Hot

Pease porridge hot,

Pease porridge cold,

Pease porridge in a pot, nine days old.

Some like it hot,

Some like it cold,

Some like it in a pot, nine days old.

Clap each syllable.

--Traditional

Clap Hands, Clap Hands

Use sign language for daddy and mommy.

--from Babies in the Library by Jane Marino. Lanham, MD: The Scarecrow Press, 2003.

Read Together

Where is Baby's Mommy? by Karen Katz

The More We Get Together

Storytime - Favorites

Toddler

Books: I Say, You Say: Animal Sounds by Tad Carpenter and Now I’m Big by Karen Katz.

Songs / Rhymes: “Good Morning”, “Hello, How Are You?”, “Open, Shut Them”, “Roll, Roll Sugarbabies”, “The Hokey Pokey”, “If You’re Happy and You Know It” with parachute, “Row Boat, Row Boat” with parachute, “Down at the Library in the Storytime Room” with parachute, “I Wiggle My Fingers”, and “The More We Get Together”.

Craft: There was no craft today.

Preschool

Books: Which Would You Rather Be by William Steig and Have You Seen My New Blue Socks? by Eve Bunting on the felt board.

Songs / Rhymes: “Welcome to the Library”, “Hello, How Are You?”, “A Tooty Tah”, “Open, Shut Them”, “The Hokey Pokey”, “If You’re Happy and You Know It” with parachute, “Row Boat, Row Boat” with parachute and “The More We Get Together”. 

Craft: There was no craft today.

Parachute Songs/Rhymes

If You're Happy and You Know It (parachute)

If you're happy and you know it,

Shake it slow.

If you're happy and you know it,

Shake it slow.

If you're happy and you know it,

And you really want to show it,

If you're happy and you know it,

Shake it slow.

*raise it high, shake it fast.

--Kendra at Read, Sing, Play

Row Boat, Row Boat

Row boat, row boat go so slow (wave the chute slowly).

Row boat, row boat go so fast (shake the chute fast).

Row boat, row boat the waves are getting worse (shake fast again).

Row boat, row boat put it in reverse (stop the chute by pulling towards you).

--Kendra at Read, Sing, Play

Down at the Library was a Parachute

Down at the library in the story room

Sat some kids and Miss Mollie and a parachute

Lift, said Miss Mollie, lift the 'chute

And they lifted and they lifted that parachute.

*Shake, said Miss Mollie, shake the 'chute

And they shook and they shook that parachute.

*Let go, said Miss Mollie, let go of the 'chute!

And they all let go of the parachute.

--Miss Mollie

Wee Read - Parachute Day

Early Literacy Tip of the Week:

Ask your baby questions and answer yourself. This models turn-taking in conversation.

Good Morning

Hello, How are You?

I Put My Arms up High

--Babies in the Library by Jane Marino. Lanham, MD: The Scarecrow Press, 2003.How Does Baby Feel?

Open Shut Them

Book One

Little Robin Redbreast by Shari Halpern

Red Bird

--Babies in the Library by Jane Marino. Lanham, MD: The Scarecrow Press, 2003.

Little Cheek

Little cheek, little chin,

This is where the food comes in.

Little eyes, little nose,

Now I’ll kiss your little toes.

--Manly Library

I Wiggle My Fingers

Book Two

How Does Baby Feel? by Karen Katz

Come Under My Umbrella (with parachute)

Come under my umbrella,

Umbrella, umbrella.

Gently wave the parachute up and down.

Come under my umbrella,

It’s starting to storm.

Move parachute faster.

There’s thunder and lightning

And wind and rain.

Come under my umbrella,

It’s starting to storm.

--MCLS Kids

Row Boat, Row Boat (with parachute)

Row boat, row boat go so fast (shake the chute fast).

Row boat, row boat go so slow (wave the chute slowly).

Row boat, row boat the waves are getting worse (shake fast again).

Row boat, row boat put it in reverse (stop the chute by pulling towards you).

--Kendra at Read, Sing, Play

Ring Around the Rosie (with parachute)

Ring around the rosie

A pocket full of posie

Ashes, ashes, we all fall down!

--Traditional

The More We Get Together