Grumpy and Happy Clothing - 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: Colorful Clothespins

I strung up a length of yarn between a chair and a table in my storytime room.  I then handed the children colored plastic clothespins. Then I had the children come clip their clothespins to the line when I called out their color.  

  

  

 

Book #1: Grumpy Pants by Claire Messer 

Theme activity #1: “Boots” action song from Victor Vito by Laurie Berkner

Theme activity #2: Silly Hat (action song to the tune of “This Old Man” that I found at https://veronastorytime.com/clothes-story-time-sensory-friendly/)

On my {_head_}, I wear my hat
It is such a silly hat
That my {_head_} wiggle waggles to and fro
Where else can my silly hat go?

Sing additional verses with hat on other body parts like knees, hands, etc.) 

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 

  

Book #2: Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing by Judy Barrett, illustrated by Ron Barrett 

Book #3: Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons by Eric Litwin, illustrated by James Dean

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

  

 

Art activity:  Decorating slap bracelets with metallic pens and stickers

Optional other books:
One Shoe Two Shoes by Caryl Hart, illustrated by Edward Underwood 
Very Good Hats by Emma Straub, illustrated by Blanca Gómez

 

 

 

 

 

Wriggly Rabbits - 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: Colored Bunnies in a Field of Clover (flannelboard rhyme written by Carol Hopkins)

{Blue} bunnies hopping onto a field|
Finding lots of yummy clover to eat
They eat and they eat until they are full
So they ask for more bunnies to join the fun

{Yellow} bunnies hopping onto a field
Finding lots of yummy clover to eat
They eat and they eat until they are full
So they asked for more bunnies to join the fun

(repeat as many times as you wish)

 

  

 

Book #1: I am Wriggly by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Robert Starling

Stand-up activity: Bunny Jump Over the Great Big Stick (originally written as a lap bounce action rhyme written by Carol Hopkins, it can also be used as an action rhyme for older children)

Bunny be nimble, Bunny be quick,
Bunny jump over the great big stick. 

Bunny be nimble, Bunny be slick,
Bunny dig under the great big stick.

Bunny be nimble, Bunny go click,
Bunny almost falls off the great big stick.

Bunny be nimble, Bunny be fine,
Bunny blows kisses at story time!

 

Activity: I Saw a Little Rabbit (action rhyme)

I saw a little rabbit go hop, hop, hop
(jump)
I saw his ears go flop, flop, flop
(flop hands on head)
I saw his eyes go blink, blink, blink
(point to eyes and blink)
I saw his nose go twink, twink, twink
(wiggle nose)
I said, "Little rabbit, won't you stay?"
(beckon with hand)
He looked at me and hopped away
(jump)

 

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) 

  

***Parent literacy tip:  Don’t forget to read non-fiction books with your children.  Even young children love learning new things.               

Book #2: The Magic Rabbit by Richard Jesse Watson

Book #3: Wee Little Bunny by Lauren Thompson, illustrated by John Butler

Book #4:  Me andOther Bunnies by Mo Willems

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: Rabbit face headband coloring sheet. Decorate and cut out the paper I found online with crayons and googly eyes. 

Optional other books:
Bunny’s Rainbow Day by Monica Wellington (board book)  

 

 

 

 

 

Bunny Rabbits Jump - 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: Bunny and Me by Adele Aron Greenspun and Joanie Schwarz

Themed activity #1: If You’re a Bunny and You Know It (action song to the tune of “If You’re Happy And You Know It” that I found at Adventures of a Bookwork blog at https://www.adventuresofabookworm.com/2019/04/17/storytime-bunnies-rabbits/#google_vignette)

If you’re a bunny and you know it, hop around
If you’re a bunny and you know it, hop around
If you’re a bunny and you know it and you really want to show it
If you’re a bunny and you know it, hop around

(flop your ears)

(wiggle your nose)

 

Themed activity #2: Bunny Jump Over the Great Big Stick (lap bounce action rhyme written by Carol Hopkins)

Bunny be nimble, Bunny be quick,
Bunny jump over the great big stick. 

Bunny be nimble, Bunny be slick,
Bunny dig under the great big stick.

Bunny be nimble, Bunny go click,
Bunny almost falls off the great big stick.

Bunny be nimble, Bunny be fine,
Bunny blows kisses at story time!

 

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: Don’t forget to read non-fiction books with your children.  Even young children love learning new things.              

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: "R” is for rabbit

 

 

Flannelboard: Five Bunny Rabbits (counting down flannelboard rhyme I found in my library’s storytime collection)

Five bunny rabbits sitting by my door.
One hopped away and then there were four.

Four bunny rabbits sleeping by a tree.
One hopped away and then there were three.

Three bunny rabbits, now what will they do?
One hopped away and then there were two.

Two bunny rabbits resting in the sun.
One hopped away and then there was one.

One bunny rabbit left all alone.
So he hopped away, and then there were none. 

 

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

 

 

 

 

Touch the Night - 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: Twinkle, Twinkle Colored Stars

 Directions: Hand out colored stars to every child. Sing the song once. Then change out the word "little" with a color of a star. The children comes up to place their star on the board when their color is sung. 

  

  

 

Book #1: Touch the Brightest Star by Christie Matheson

Theme activity #1: "The Night I Had a Dream" action song from Whaddaya Think of That? by Laurie Berkne

Theme activity #2: Two Little Barn Owls (adaptation of “Two Little Blackbirds” fingerplay rhyme by Carol Hopkins)

Two little barn owls sitting on a roof.
One named Jack.  The other named Jill.
Fly back Jack.  Fly back Jill.
Two little barn owls sitting on a roof.

Two little barn owls sitting on a roof.
One named Jack. The other named Jill.
Fly high Jack.  Fly low Jill.
Two little barn owls sitting on a roof.

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 

  

Book #2: What Color Is Night? by Grant Snider 

Book #3: Night Light by Nicholas Blechman 

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

  

 

Art activity:  Create paper cup tealite lanterns by coloring on a white paper cup with crayons; punching holes in the cup with a hole punch (I did this ahead of time); threading pipe cleaners through the holes for decorations and a handle; adding a battery operated tealite candle.  

Optional other books:
A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin
The Very Lonely Firefly by Eric Carle 

 

 

 

 

Elephants and Stars - 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: A Parade of Elephants by Kevin Henkes 

Themed activity #1:  "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" traditional song from Songs for Wiggleworms 

Themed activity #2: An Elephant Goes (my notes do not say where I found this action rhyme)

An elephant goes like this and that.
(pat knees)
He's terribly big,
(hands up high)
And he's terribly fat.
(hands out wide)
He has no fingers,
(wiggle fingers)
And he has no toes,
(wiggle toes)
But goodness gracious, what a nose!
(make curling motion away from nose)

  

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.

   

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: “E” is for Elephants

 

 

Flannelboard: Four Little Stars (counting rhyme I found at https://storytimekatie.com/2012/05/11/flannel-friday-four-little-stars/) 

Four little stars winking at me.
One shot off and then there were three!
Three little stars with nothing to do.
One shot off, and then there were two!
Two little stars afraid of the sun.
One shot off, and then there was one!
One little star alone is no fun.
It shot off, and then there was none! 

 

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