Brave Superhero Books - Family Storytime

A Wednesday 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: Superheroes Move All Around Town (to the tune of “Wheels On the Bus” that I adapted from one I found on the Literary Hoots blog at http://www.literaryhoots.com/2015/04/superhero-storytime.html)

The superhero _arms_ can flex and lift,
flex and lift, flex and lift;
The superhero _arms_ can flex and lift,
All around town.

…_Eyes_ go zap, zap, zap.

…_Legs_ run very fast.

…_Cape_ flies with a zoom!

 

   

 

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

Theme activity #1: Did You Ever See a Hero? (adapted from an action song I saw on the Jbrary blog, to the tune of "Did You Ever See a Lassie?")

Did you ever see a hero, a hero, a hero

Did you ever see a hero, flying through the sky?

Flying this way and that way

Flying this way and that way

Flying round and around

Flying round and around

Did you ever see a hero

Flying down to the ground?

  

Theme activity #2: "Grand Old Duke Of York" action song from Where Is Thumbkin? by Kimbo

Transition: 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)

  

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

Book #3: Owl Babies by Martin Waddell, illustrated by Patrick Benson (big book) 

Closing music with egg shakers: “I Know a Chicken” from Whaddaya Think of That? by Laurie Berkner        

  

 

Art activity:  Make superhero armbands with slapbracelets, bingo dabbers, and stickers

Optional other books:
Ten Rules of Being a Superhero by Deb Pilutti 
Bear Feels Scared by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman 

 

 

 

 

Brave Little Superheroes - Baby Toddler Storytime

A Wednesday 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: Supertruck by Stephen Savage 

Themed activity #1:  The Garbage Truck Rolls (fingerplay to the tune of "Wheels On the Bus" adapted by Carol Hopkins)

The garbage truck drives down the street, down the street, down the street
The garbage truck drives down the street
As it picks up garbage

The garbage truck stops and goes, stops and goes, stops and goes
The garbage truck stops and goes
As it picks up garbage

...Turns the corner...
...Wiggle, wiggle, wiggles... 

 

Themed activity #2: "If You're Happy And You Know it" from Songs for Wiggleworms 

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: Little Owls Say Shhhh! (a quiet time or transition song I adapted from one I learned from Librarian Michelle A. to the tune of “Are You Sleeping?”)

Little owls, little owls,
They say, “Who!”
They say, “Who!” 
All very quietly, all very quietly,
Now they say, “Shhhh!”
Now they say, “Shhhh!”

 

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: 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)

 

Letter of the day: “S” is for Superheroes  

 

 

 

Flannelboard:  Five Superheroes (counting down rhyme I found on the Jbrary blog at https://jbrary.com/preschool-storytime-superheroes/) 

5 superheroes ready to fly
Here comes the villain, Stop that guy!
This superhero can save the day.
Off they fly – up, up, and away!

Count down from 4, 3, 2, 1, 0

  

Closing song with egg shakers: “Shake With You” from Bouncy Blue from the Learning Groove by Mr. Eric & Mr. Michael     

 

 

 

 

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 

 

 

 

 

 

So Brave - 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 Am So Brave! by Stephen Krensky, illustrated by Sara Gillingham (board book)

Themed activity #1: “Grand Old Duke of York” action song from Where Is Thumbkin?

Themed activity #2: On My Toes There Is a Flea (action rhyme I found at https://pasadena-library.net/kids/2018/zoo-infant-storytime/ but have also seen elsewhere)

On my toe there is a flea
Now it’s climbing on my knee
Past my tummy, pasty my nose
On my head where my hair grows
On my head there is a flea
Now it’s climbing down on me
Past my tummy, past my knee
On my toe…
Get off, you flea! 

 

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

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: "M” is for monster

 

 

Flannelboard: If You See a Monster (to the tune of "Mary Had a Little Lamb" written by Carol Hopkins)

If you see a little monster, little monster, little monster,
If you see a little monster, wave your hand hello.

If you see a medium monster, medium monster, medium monster,
If  you see a medium monster, bow your head in greeting.

If you see a great big monster, great big monster, great big monster,
If you see a great big monster, run away and hide!

...Then turn around and say, "You Don't Scare Me!" because...

When you see any monster, any monster, any monster,
When you see any monster make a silly face!

 

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

Optional extra book:
Let’s Be Brave by Leah Osakwe, illustrated by Becky Paige (board book)

 

 

 

 

Exploring Adventure Toddler Storytime

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 #1 – Silly Sally by Audrey Wood (BIG BOOK)

Stand-up activity – “Tempo Marches On” from Jim Gill Sings Do Re Mi On His Toe Leg Knee by Jim Gill

Transition #1 - 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 

Flannelboard – Cuckoo Bird Shapes

Instructions: Create a selection of felt shapes as well as one shape of a small bird.  Hide the bird behind a shape.  Let the children guess which shape the cuckoo bird is hiding behind while saying this rhyme.

Cuckoo bird, cuckoo bird,
Where are you? 
Cuckoo bird, cuckoo bird, 
Peek-a-boo!

(Look under a shape)

Literacy Tip – Learning about shapes is also a great opportunity to point out how many things in our world have similar features, yet are still different. 

Letter of the day - "S" is for silly and Sally

Transition #2 – 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 – Maisy’s Nature Walk by Lucy Cousins (pop-up)

Closing – “Goin’ On a Bear Hunt” action song from Kids In Action by Greg & Steve