Favorite Family Books - Family Storytime

A Tuesday morning storytime for ages 0-6 years old.  

Opening #1: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” from Songs for Wiggleworms by Old Town School of Folk Music

Opening #2: Roly Poly Oh So Fast (hand rolling chant adapted by Carol Hopkins)

Roly poly, roly poly, oh so fast!
Roly poly, roly poly, oh so slowly.
Roly poly, roly poly, up.
Roly poly, roly poly, down.
Roly poly, roly poly, hands on your head.
Roly poly, roly poly, hand on your feet.

(Repeat with other body parts)

Roly poly, roly poly, hands in your lap.

 

Opening #3: Fee Fi Fo Fum

Fee fi fo fum,
(clap for each syllable)

See my fingers,
(wiggle fingers)

See my thumbs.
(wiggle thumbs)

Fee fi fo fum,
(clap for each syllable)

Good bye fingers,
(hide one hand behind back)

Good bye thumbs.
(hide the other hand behind back)

(Repeat several times moving and saying the words faster and faster)

 

 

Literacy activity flannelboard: Matching Mother and Baby Animals

 I found some "Animal and their young" matching card print outs on the Twinkl education resource website. I made multiple copies of the baby animals and handed them out to the children. When I put a mother animal on the board, the children with the corresponding baby animal would then place their card on the board. 

 

 

 

Book #1: The Napping House by Audrey Wood and Don Wood (Big Book) 

Theme activity #1:  “If You’re Happy And You Know It” from Wee Sing

Theme activity #2: "The Night I had a Dream" from Whaddaya Think of That? by Laurie Berkner 

Transition: Come 'A' Look And See (fingerplay song I first picked up at a workshop conducted by Jane Cobb but can also be found on the music CD The Baby Record by Bob McGrath)

Come a' look a' see, here's my mama, 
(point to thumb)
Come a' look a' see, here's my papa, 
(point to index finger)
Come a' look a' see, my brother tall, 
(point to tall finger)
Sister, baby, 
(point to ring, then baby finger) 
I love them all. 
(Kiss the fingertips of your finger family) 

  

Book #2: My Pop Pop and Me by Irene Smalls, illustrated by Cathy Ann Johnson 

Book #3:  Kite Flying by Grace Lin 

Book #4:  Whose Daddy Does This?: A Sliding Surprise Book by Charles Reasner (board book)  

Closing music with bells: “The Tempo Marches On” from Jim Gill Sings Do Re Mi on His Toe Leg Knee by Jim Gill      

  

 

Art activity:  Create a fun placemat with dot markers and dot stickers, with the words "Love Is Easy To Spot" printed on the paper

Optional other books:
Grandma's Tiny House by JaNay Brown-Wood, illustrated by Priscilla Burris 

 

 

 

 

 

Water Next Door - Family Storytime

A Tuesday morning storytime for ages 0-6 years old.  

Opening #1: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” from Songs for Wiggleworms by Old Town School of Folk Music

Opening #2: Roly Poly Oh So Fast (hand rolling body part chant adapted by Carol Hopkins)

Roly poly, roly poly, oh so fast!
Roly poly, roly poly, oh so slowly.
Roly poly, roly poly, up.
Roly poly, roly poly, down.
Roly poly, roly poly, hands on your head.
Roly poly, roly poly, hand on your feet.

(Repeat with other body parts)

Roly poly, roly poly, hands in your lap.

 

Opening #3: Fee Fi Fo Fum

Fee fi fo fum,
(clap for each syllable)

See my fingers,
(wiggle fingers)

See my thumbs.
(wiggle thumbs)

Fee fi fo fum,
(clap for each syllable)

Good bye fingers,
(hide one hand behind back)

Good bye thumbs.
(hide the other hand behind back)

(Repeat several times moving and saying the words faster and faster)

 

Literacy activity flannelboard: Pop, Pop Bubble Numbers (number literacy flannelboard chant written by Carol Hopkins)

I like to pop.
I like to pop.
I like to pop, pop bubbles!
Soapy bubbles, soapy bubbles,
With a {_one_} on them. 

(Repeat with other numbers. Finish by counting how many bubbles were placed on the board)

 

  

Book #1: Down By the Cool of the Pool by Tony Mitton, illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees 

Theme activity #1: “The Goldfish" from Victor Vito by Laurie Berkner 

Theme activity #2: I'm a Little Fishy (action song to the tune of "I'm a Little Teapot" that I found many, many, many years ago)

I'm a little fishy

I can swim

Here is my tail and here is my fin

When I want to have fun with my friends

I wiggle my tail and dive right in

  

Transition: Open, Shut Them (fingerplay)

Open, shut them
(open and close hands)
Open, shut them
Give a little clap (clap)
Open, shut them

Open, shut them
Put them in your lap
(put hands in lap)

Creep them, creep them
Under your chin
(creep fingers up chest)
Open your mouth, but don't put them in
(do as words say)

Open, shut them
Open, shut them
Give a little clap
Open shut them
Open shut them
Put them in your lap 

  

***Parent literacy tip: Helping your child learn color names in a playful way, like in a rhyme or song, helps them learn more about their world.  This can be done in any language! 

Book #2: What's Next Door? by Nicola O'Byrne 

Book #3: Splash! by Flora McDonnell 

Closing music with rhythm sticks: “Goin’ On a Bear Hunt” from Kids In Action by Greg & Steve       

  

 

Art activity:  Watercolor paint a picture of planet earth plus add star stickers 

Optional other books:
Leo Can Swim by Anna McQuinn, illustrated by Ruth Hearson 
Bears at the Beach by Shirley Parenteau, illustrated by David Walker 

 

 

 

 

Water Play - Baby Toddler Storytime

A Tuesday morning storytime for ages 0-2 years old.  

Opening #1: Skinnamarink (action song from Car Songs: Songs to Sing Anywhere by Dennis Buck from Kimbo)

Opening #2: Sticky, Sticky Bubblegum (fingerplay)

Sticky, sticky bubblegum, bubblegum, bubblegum; 
Sticky, sticky bubblegum;
Stuck to your __________.
1, 2, 3, PULL!

(Repeat with more places to stick the gum)

 

 

Book: Maisy's Pool by Lucy Cousins 

Themed activity #1:  “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” from Songs for Wiggleworms by Old Town School of Folk Music

Themed activity #2: One Little Fish (color and counting song I learned from Ms. S at Pierce County Library System)

{_One_} little {_blue_} fish swimming in the water;
Swimming in the water;
Swimming in the water.
{_One_} little {_blue_} fish swimming in the water;
Bubble, bubble, bubble, pop!

(For additional verses, increase the number and have the children name other colors to use.  The last verse should be a "rainbow fish".) 

 

Lap rhyme #1: Tick Tock (lap bounce)

(bounce baby from leg to leg)

Tick tock, tick tock, I’m a little cuckoo clock.
Tick, tock, tick tock, now it is one o’clock… Cuckoo!
(raise baby up for each cuckoo)

(repeat for other times of day)
Now it is two o’clock… Cuckoo! Cuckoo!

Now it is three o’clock… Cuckoo! Cuckoo! Cuckoo!

 

Lap rhyme #2: Counting Bubbles (counting rhyme I learned during a BrainDance workshop)

One bubble, two bubbles, three bubbles, top.
(pat legs with hands for each number chanted, then place hands on top of head)

Three bubbles, four bubbles, five bubbles, drop.
(pat legs with hands for each number chanted, then drop hands to lap)

Six bubbles, seven bubbles, nine bubbles, pop.
(pat legs with hands for each number chanted, then clap hands loudly in front of body)

Ten little bubbles floating down!
(twinkle hands down to floor)

Now let’s blow _____ bubbles.
(This is a breath exercise.  Pick a number and pretend to blow that number of bubbles through hand.  Don’t forget to pop the bubbles with a loud clap after blowing it up.  I count the bubble while I do the clap.) 

 

Lap rhyme #3: Dance Your Fingers (fingerplay adaption from a video I saw from New York Public Library)

Dance your fingers up;
(put fingers high in the air)

Dance your fingers down;
(touch the ground)

Dance your fingers from side to side;
(move hands from left to right side of body and back again, several times)

And dance them all around.
(hands move in a large wiggly circle in the air in front of your body)

Dance them on your shoulders;
(fingers wiggle on your shoulders)

Dance them on your head;
(fingers wiggle on top of your head)

Dance them on your tummy;
(fingers wiggle on top of your tummy)

And put them all to bed.
(fold hands in lap or tuck under armpits)

 

Lap rhyme #4: Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes (traditional song)

Head, shoulders, knees, and toes,
Knees and toes.
Head, shoulders, knees and toes,
Knees and toes.
And eyes and, ears and, mouth and nose.
Head, shoulders, knees and toes,
Knees and toes.

   

***Literacy tip: Helping your child learn color names in a playful way, like in a rhyme or song, helps them learn more about their world.  This can be done in any language!  

Transition: Open-Shut Them (fingerplay)

Open, shut them
(open and close hands)
Open, shut them
Give a little clap (clap)
Open, shut them

Open, shut them
Put them in your lap
(put hands in lap)

Creep them, creep them
Under your chin
(creep fingers up chest)
Open your mouth, but don't put them in
(do as words say)

Open, shut them
Open, shut them
Give a little clap
Open shut them
Open shut them
Put them in your lap 

 

Letter of the day: “W” is for Water  

 

 

Flannelboard: Five Green and Speckled Frogs (traditional counting down song)

Closing song with scarves: “Milkshake Song” from Songs for Wiggleworms by Old Town School of Folk Music    

 

 

 

 

Favorite Mouse Stories - Family Storytime

A Tuesday morning storytime for ages 0-6 years old.  

Opening #1: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” from Songs for Wiggleworms by Old Town School of Folk Music

Opening #2: Roly Poly Oh So Fast (hand rolling body part chant adapted by Carol Hopkins)

Roly poly, roly poly, oh so fast!
Roly poly, roly poly, oh so slowly.
Roly poly, roly poly, up.
Roly poly, roly poly, down.
Roly poly, roly poly, hands on your head.
Roly poly, roly poly, hand on your feet.

(Repeat with other body parts)

Roly poly, roly poly, hands in your lap.

 

Opening #3: Fee Fi Fo Fum

Fee fi fo fum,
(clap for each syllable)

See my fingers,
(wiggle fingers)

See my thumbs.
(wiggle thumbs)

Fee fi fo fum,
(clap for each syllable)

Good bye fingers,
(hide one hand behind back)

Good bye thumbs.
(hide the other hand behind back)

(Repeat several times moving and saying the words faster and faster)

 

Literacy activity flannelboard: Hickory Dickory Dock (based on the traditional fingerplay)

Hickory dickory dock 
(clapping) 
A mouse ran up the clock 
(one hand run up the other arm) 
The clock struck 1 
(clap once) 
The mouse ran down 
(one hand run down the other arm) 
Hickory dickory dock 
(clapping) 

Hickory dickory dock 
A mouse ran up the clock 
The clock struck 2 
(clap twice) 
The mouse said "BOO!" 
(try to tickle child) 
Hickory dickory dock 

Hickory dickory dock 
A mouse ran up the clock 
The clock struck 3 
(clap three times) 
The mouse said "Wheee!" 
(one hand slide down the other arm and the down to the floor as if on a slide) 
Hickory dickory dock 

Hickory dickory dock 
A mouse ran up the clock 
The clock struck 4 
(clap 4 times) 
There is no more 
(shake head, show empty hands) 
Hickory dickory dock.

 

  

 

Book #1: Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh 

Theme activity #1: Colored Shoes (action chant written by Carol Hopkins) 

Walking in my red shoes, red shoes, red shoes

Walking in my red shoes, here at storytime.

Running in my blue shoes, blue shoes, blue shoes,

Running in my blue shoes, here at storytime.

Sliding in my green shoes, green shoes, green shoes,

Sliding in my green shoes, here at storytime.

Twirling in my pink shoes, pink shoes, pink shoes,

Twirling in my pink shoes, here at storytime.

Sitting in my white shoes, white shoes, white shoes,

Sitting in my white shoes, here at storytime.

  

Theme activity #2: Can You Scamper Like a Mouse? (adapted from a rhyme told by Rob Reid)

(suite actions to words)
Can you scamper like a mouse?
Can you stalk like a cat looking for a mouse?
Can you growl like a tiger?
Can you hop like a frog?
Can you climb like a monkey?
Can you bark like a dog?
Can you slither like a snake?
Can you fly like a bat?
Can you howl like a wolf?
Can you sit like a kid at storytime?

 

Transition: Tommy & Tammy Thumb (fingerplay)

Tommy Thumb up, 
Tommy Thumb down,
Tommy Thumb dancing all around town.

Tammy Thumb out,
Tammy Thumb in,
Tammy Thumb dancing all in a spin.

Dancing, dancing, dancing,
Dance them on your knees,
Dance them on your head,
Dance them on your shoulders,
Then tuck them into bed.

  

Book #2: Lunch by Denise Fleming 

Book #3: The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear by Don and Audrey Wood 

Closing music with rhythm sticks: “Goin’ On a Bear Hunt” from Kids In Action by Greg & Steve       

  

 

Art activity:  Cut and color mouse headband I found online with crayons and dot markers

Optional other books:
Mice by Rose Fyleman, illustrated by Lois Ehlert
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numberoff, illustrated by Felicia Bond 

 

 

 

 

Book Monsters - Family Storytime

A Tuesday morning storytime for ages 0-6 years old.  

Opening #1: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” from Songs for Wiggleworms by Old Town School of Folk Music

Opening #2: Roly Poly Oh So Fast (hand rolling body part chant adapted by Carol Hopkins)

Roly poly, roly poly, oh so fast!
Roly poly, roly poly, oh so slowly.
Roly poly, roly poly, up.
Roly poly, roly poly, down.
Roly poly, roly poly, hands on your head.
Roly poly, roly poly, hand on your feet.

(Repeat with other body parts)

Roly poly, roly poly, hands in your lap.

 

Opening #3: Fee Fi Fo Fum

Fee fi fo fum,
(clap for each syllable)

See my fingers,
(wiggle fingers)

See my thumbs.
(wiggle thumbs)

Fee fi fo fum,
(clap for each syllable)

Good bye fingers,
(hide one hand behind back)

Good bye thumbs.
(hide the other hand behind back)

(Repeat several times moving and saying the words faster and faster)

 

Literacy activity flannelboard: Monster Eyes (flannelboard rhyme I adapted from one I found at https://earlyliteracylibrarian.com/monster-themed-storytimes-10-2022/) 

I'm a friendly monster that's waving to you.
I need some help and I'm asking you!
Who has an eye that can help me see?
If it's ______ {color}, please come put it on me.  

(say the different colors one at a time) 

 

  
 

Book #1: There's a Monster In Your Book by Tom Fletcher, illustrated by Greg Abbott 

Theme activity #1: "Jumping and Counting" action song from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem and More Salutes to Nonsense by Jim Gill 

Theme activity #2: 'm a Little Monster (action song to the tune of "I'm a Little Teapot")

I'm a little monster hear me growl

Here are my big ears

Here are my claws

When I get all sneaky, I tip toe up

I jump in the air and give a big ROAR!

  

Transition: Tommy & Tammy Thumb (fingerplay)

Tommy Thumb up, 
Tommy Thumb down,
Tommy Thumb dancing all around town.

Tammy Thumb out,
Tammy Thumb in,
Tammy Thumb dancing all in a spin.

Dancing, dancing, dancing,
Dance them on your knees,
Dance them on your head,
Dance them on your shoulders,
Then tuck them into bed.

  

***Parent literacy tip: When you read a book to your child, running your finger under the text teaches them that you are reading words on the page.  

Book #2: Go Away, Big Green Monster! by Ed Emberley 

Book #3: Monster, Monster by Melanie Walsh (lift-flap) 

Closing music with rhythm sticks: “Goin’ On a Bear Hunt” from Kids In Action by Greg & Steve       

  

 

 

Art activity:  Monster doorknob hangers with color pens, eye stickers, and craft foam shape stickers

Optional other books:
Tickle Monster by Edouard Manceau
Monster Trouble by Lane Fredrickson, illustrated by Michael Robertson