Thursday, December 4, 2025

Music & Sounds - 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 body parts)

 

 

Book: Pots and Pans by Patricia Hubbell

Themed activity #1: Here Goes Turtle (action chant, not sure where I picked up this one)

Here goes turtle down the hill,
Creeping, creeping, creeping.

Here goes frog up the hill,
Boing, boing, boing.

Here goes elephant down the hill,
Thud, thud, thud.

Here goes snake up the hill,
Slither, slither, slither.

Here comes a rock down the hill,
Rolling, rolling, rolling,… Crash!

 

Themed activity #2: Quiet Mouse (adapted from a fingerplay rhyme I found at Mel’s Desk blog at http://melissa.depperfamily.net/blog/baby-storytime-noisy-and-quiet/)

Here’s a quiet little mouse that goes
“Squeak! Squeak!”
(Show fist and sign language for “mouse”)

Living in a quiet house
(Place fist inside other hand)

When all was quiet as could be…
Out they popped!
To tickle you under there…

 

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: We’re Making a Purple Stew (story time song I saw a in a video from New York Public Library)

We’re making a {_purple_} stew,
Whip-whip-, whip-whip.
(pretend to stir a big pot in front of your body)

We’re making a {_purple_} stew,
Scooby-dooby-doo.

With {_purple_} potatoes,
(use one hand to pretend to throw potatoes from your shoulder into the pretend pot)

And {_purple_} tomatoes,
(use your other hand to pretend to throw tomatoes from your shoulder into the pretend pot)

And even a {_purple_} you!
(tickle baby’s tummy)

**What other colors should we do?
(repeat the song with other colors)

 

Lap rhyme #4: Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes (traditional body parts action 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: Teachers like to say rhymers are readers because they have an easier time hearing word patterns.  So read lots of rhyming books with your child.          

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) 

 

Letter of the day: "P” is for pots and pans

 

 

Flannelboard: Fingerband Is Coming to Town (flannelboard rhyme I found at https://veronastorytime.com/music-story-time-preschool/ to the tune of “Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush”)

The finger band is coming to town,
Coming to town, coming to town.
The finger band is coming to town
So early in the morning.

This is how they strum their guitar,
Strum their guitar, strum their guitar.
This is how they strum their guitar
So early in the morning.

This is how they play their flute,
Play their flute, play their flute.
This is how they play their flute
So early in the morning.

This is the way they bang the drums,
Bang the drums, bang the drums.
This is the way they bang the drums
So early in the morning.

(Repeat for different instruments, putting each instrument on the flannel board as you go.)

 Oh my! Look at the time, the band has played all day. It’s time for them to go!
The finger band is going away,
Going away, going away.
The finger band is going away,
They’ve played all day!

 

Closing song with egg shakers: “Bublebee Buzz Buzz” from Buzz Buzz by Laurie Berkner   



 

 

 

 

Sunday, November 30, 2025

Winter Solstice Family Celebration

 An inter-generational party to celebrate the longest night of the year!  There was plenty to keep all ages entertained.  

Music: The adult services librarian found a talented cellist to perform a concert in our meeting room.



Art: I found some lanterns to to decorate.  Gluing the colored plastic onto the punched out holes was difficult for the younger children, so I set out silver Sharpie Pens to decorate the black lanterns.  Everyone also received a tea-lite battery operated candle to place inside their lantern.  



Engineering: I brought out the wood block cabinet and some polar animal toys.  I invited the children to build a playground for the animals.  




Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Passive Craft Table: Winter Penguins

 


For this passive program, I set up a craft table on a no school day in December.  I found these penguin craft kits online at Baker Ross.  These kits were simple to put together and decorate.  I added gem stickers, coloring pens, and googly eyes for more decorating options.          

Supplies:

-         Penguin craft kits

-         Coloring pens

-         White glue

-         Gem stickers

-         Googly eyes

-         Tablecloth





Saturday, November 22, 2025

Penguins Up and Down - 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.

 

 

Literacy activity flannelboard: Penguins Sliding Down the Hill (a counting and ordinal number flannelboard story written by Carol Hopkins

A bunch of little penguins went sliding down the hill.
They played all day, sliding on their tummies.

The first on the hill were the number _1’s_. 

The second down the hill were the number _2’s_.

The third on the hill were the number _3’s_.

The fourth down the hill were the number _4’s_.

(Continue through all the numbered penguins you have.  When all of the penguins are on the board, count the total number of penguins.)

_____ total penguins marching up the hill and then went down, sliding on their tummies! 

 


Book #1: Up & Down: A Lift-the-Flap Book by Britta Teckentrup  (lift-flap, moving pieces)  

Stand-up activity: Waddling Around the Iceberg (action song to the tune of “Ring Around the Rosie” written by Carol Hopkins

Waddling around the iceberg,
Moving little feet,
Jumping, Jumping,
We all go for a swim!

Swimming in the water,
Eating lots of fish,
Splashing icebergs,
We all jump up!

 

Activity: Two Little Penguins (fingerplay variant of the rhyme “Two Little Blackbirds” that I found at https://kcls.org/content/two-little-penguins/)

Two little penguins sitting on the ice 
(Hold up two index fingers)
One bows once, the other bows twice 
(Make fingers bow)
Waddle, little penguins, waddle away 
(Put fingers behind back)
Come back penguins, time to play 
(Bring fingers back to front)

(Adaptation by Carol Hopkins)
Two little penguins sitting on the ice
(Hold up two index fingers)
One bows once, the other bows twice
(Make fingers bow)
Waddle, little penguins, waddle out and away
(Put fingers far out to the sides)
Come back penguins, time for a coffee latte
(Bring fingers back to front and pretend to sip a drink)

 

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:  Develop small motor skills by allowing your child to pick up leaves, flowers, twigs, and rocks.  This helps their fingers prepare to write.             

Book #2: I am Small by Emma Dodd  

Book #3: Grumpy Pants by Claire Messer    

Closing music with bean bags: “Rocketship Run” action song from Rocketship Run by The Laurie Berkner Band     

  



Art activity: Penguin cut outs on blue paper with Q-tip white painting, cotton balls to glue, eye stickers, and orange triangle beaks

Optional other books:
One Day On Our Blue Planet… In the Antarctic by Ella Bailey
If You Were a Penguin by Wendell and Florence Minor

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Penguin Family Love - 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 body parts)

 

 

Book: I Like it When… by Mary Murphy

Themed activity #1: “If You’re Happy And You Know It” action song from Songs for Wiggleworms 

Themed activity #2: 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) 

 

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: Gregory Griggs (lap bounce rhyme I first saw as a Jbrary video at https://youtu.be/ntrcaKL_esA?si=twwqYr0wAanW2hrJ)

Gregory Griggs, Gregory Griggs,
Had 27 different wigs. 
He wore them up. (lift baby up)
He wore them down. (bring baby back down)
To please the people of the town.
He wore them east. (tip baby to one side)
He wore them west. (tip baby to the other side)
But which one did he love the best?
This one! (hug or tickle baby)

 

Lap rhyme #4: Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes (traditional body parts action 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: Develop small motor skills by allowing your child to pick up leaves, flowers, twigs, and rocks.  This helps their fingers prepare to write.        

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.

 

Letter of the day: "P” is for penguins

 

 

Flannelboard: Penguin Family (fingerplay rhyme I found inside a penguin themed flannelboard kit at my library)

One royal penguin feeling very blue,
Called for his brother, then there two.
Two royal penguins swimming in the sea,
Called for their sister, then there were three.
Three royal penguins waddle on the shore,
Called for their mother, then there were four.
Four royal penguins learning how to dive,
They called for their father, then there were five. 

 

Closing song with scarves: “The Ponies Are Walking” from Baby’s Boat: The Best of Kathy Reid Naiman   




 

 

 

 

Friday, November 14, 2025

Cookie Shapes - 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 body parts)

 

 

Book: Maisy Makes Gingerbread by Lucy Cousins  

Themed activity #1: “I’m a Little Teapot” traditional action song from the book recording of This Little Piggy by Adam Stemple, et al.

Themed activity #2: Alligator Pie (an action rhyme I found many years ago that I have seen on many websites)

Alligator, alligator, alligator pie, 
(Open and close arms like the jaws of an alligator)

If I don't get some, I think I'm gonna cry.
(Rub eyes like you are crying)

You can take away the grass,
(Point to the ground)

You can take away the sky,
(Point to the sky above)

But don't take away my alligator pie!
(Open and close arms like an alligator)  

 

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: Gregory Griggs (lap bounce rhyme I first saw as a Jbrary video at https://youtu.be/ntrcaKL_esA?si=twwqYr0wAanW2hrJ)

Gregory Griggs, Gregory Griggs,
Had 27 different wigs. 
He wore them up. (lift baby up)
He wore them down. (bring baby back down)
To please the people of the town.
He wore them east. (tip baby to one side)
He wore them west. (tip baby to the other side)
But which one did he love the best?
This one! (hug or tickle baby)

 

Lap rhyme #4: Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes (traditional body parts action 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: By using their muscles to act out the motions in a song or rhyme, children develop both their gross motor skills and body self-awareness.      

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: "C” is for cookie

 

 

Flannelboard: Ten Little Cookies (I found this one at my system’s office) 

Ten little cookies lying on a plate.
Mom takes two, and then there are eight.

When dad comes home, slamming the door,
He eats two cookies, then there are six.

Brother comes home, stomping on the floor,
He eats two cookies, then there are four.

When sister comes home, there are still a few.
She eats a couple, then there are two.

Baby wakes up. His nap is done.
He eats a cookie, then there is one.

The cat jumps on the table and eats the last one.
The poor dog is too late, he only gets a crumb.

 

Closing song with scarves: “Alabama, Mississippi” from Jim Gill Sings the Sneezing Song & Other Contagious Songs by Jim Gill  



 

 

 

 

Monday, November 10, 2025

Cookie Love - 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.

 

 

Literacy activity flannelboard: Runaway Cookies (flannelboard story I adapted from another story that I found)

The cookie jar people hopped out one night,
When the cookie jar lid was not on tight.

The frosted bunny twinkled his nose,
And danced around on his cookie toes.

The cinnamon bear could only grunt,
For he was too fat to do a stunt.

The gingerbread man opened his eyes,
And looked about in great surprise.

The sugary duck began to quack,
And shake the sugar off his back.

The coconut lamb jumped up so high,
That his little white tail flew toward the sky.

They were all so happy/thankful to be at play,
That they danced and danced and danced away.

They danced away so very far,
That they were so very thankful,
Not to be eaten from the cookie jar. 

 

  


Book #1: The Cow Loves Cookies by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Marcellus Hall

Stand-up activity: "Milkshake Song” from Songs for Wiggleworms 

Activity: Alligator Pie (an action rhyme I found many years ago that I have seen on many websites)

Alligator, alligator, alligator pie, 
(Open and close arms like the jaws of an alligator)

If I don't get some, I think I'm gonna cry.
(Rub eyes like you are crying)

You can take away the grass,
(Point to the ground)

You can take away the sky,
(Point to the sky above)

But don't take away my alligator pie!
(Open and close arms like an alligator)  

 

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:  By using their muscles to act out the motions in a song or rhyme, children develop both their gross motor skills and body self-awareness.         

Book #2: Who Took the Cookie from theCookie Jar? by David A. Carter (pop-up)   

Book #3: Cookie Count: A Tasty Pop-Up by Robert Sabuda (pop-up)  

Closing music with scarves: “Flitter Flutter” from The Second Line by Johnette Downing    

Art activity: Paper plate cookie with bingo dabber pens and glitter glue

Optional other books:
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond (BIG BOOK) 
Who Put the Cookies in the Cookie Jar? by George Shannon, illustrated by Julie Paschkis