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)

 

 

 

 

Summer Camp Storytime Week 8

I held a storytime session at the local summer day camp for 5- and 6-year-olds.  

Opening Song:

When Animals Get Up in the Morning (adaptation of a traditional song)

When pigs get up in the morning,
They always say “Good Day!”
When pigs get up in the morning,
They always say “Good Day!”
They say, "Oink!, Oink!, Oink!, Oink!,"
that is what they say.
They say, "Oink!, Oink!, Oink!, Oink!,"
that is what they say.

(Repeat with other animals that I randomly pull out of a cloth bag.)

   

 

Books:

Buddy and the Bunnies in Don’t Playwith Your Food by Bob Shea

I Just Ate My Friend by Heidi McKinnon

 

Craft activity: 

We made clothespin monsters!  I gave the campers clothespins, color pens, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, pompoms, and glue.  They used these supplies to create unique little monsters. 

 

 

Sing-a-Song Storytime: Monsters Love Colors

 With the pandemic closing the library and all large gatherings, my library took its time deciding how to get back into the storytime groove.  I created this video storytime series along with a coworker, who is a talented musician, to get young children moving around and singing.  It is filled with lots of favorite storytime songs and rhymes, and of course a book!  I really wanted the grown-ups watching along with the kiddos to learn the songs, so I used a split screen technique on the videos to display the words to the songs/rhymes while I am singing and acting them out.  

Opening song - Skinnamarink (https://youtu.be/95JkQfANW9M) 

Action song - Bumpin' Up and Down in my Little Red Wagon (bouncing song)

Bumping up and down in my little red wagon
Bumping up and down in my little red wagon
Bumping up and down in my little red wagon
Won't you be my darling

One wheel's off and the axle's broken
One wheel's off and the axle's broken
One wheel's off and the axle's broken
Won't you be my darling

Johnny's gonna fix it with his hammer
Johnny's gonna fix it with his hammer
Johnny's gonna fix it with his hammer
Won't you be my darling

Bumping up and down in my little red wagon
Bumping up and down in my little red wagon
Bumping up and down in my little red wagon
Won't you be my darling

Transition sit down song - Come A' Look A' 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 - Monsters Love Colors by Mike Austin (read with permission by HarperCollins Children's Books)  

 

Action song - I'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!

Action song - Twinkle, Twinkle Colored Star (scarf song to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star")

Twinkle, twinkle yellow star

How I wonder where you are?

Let's go looking here and there,

Let's go looking everywhere.

Twinkle, twinkle yellow star

How I wonder where you are?

Twinkle, twinkle blue star

How I wonder where you are?

Let's go looking here and there,

Let's go looking everywhere.

Twinkle, twinkle blue star

How I wonder where you are?

Twinkle, twinkle red star

How I wonder where you are?

Let's go looking here and there,

Let's go looking everywhere.

Twinkle, twinkle red star

How I wonder where you are?

Closing song - excerpt from the Carpenter's song "Sing a Song" (also a classic Sesame Street song https://youtu.be/-nI7IfwLoBI)

***The video for this storytime will remain up through 12/31/20 on my library's YouTube channel.  

Jumping Monsters Storytime

Storytime for 1 to 3 year olds:

• Opening - Skinnamarink, Sticky Sticky Bubblegum

    

 

• Book #1 – Don't Push the Button! by Bill Cotter 

• Stand-up Activity – "Jumping and Counting" action song from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem and More Salutes to Nonsense by Jim Gill

• Bridge - 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 -  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!

• Letter of the Day - "M" is for monster

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

• Activity – Monster, Monster (action rhyme, based on the rhyme "Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear Turn Around")

Monster, monster turn around.
Monster, monster touch the ground.
Monster, monster reach up high.
Monster, monster bug out your eyes.
Monster, monster bend your knees.
Monster, monster give a sneeze.
Monster, monster sit on your bed.
Monster, monster rest your head.

• Closing - Rhythm sticks using "Goin' On a Bear Hunt" from Kids In Action by Greg and Steve 

 

 

• Art Experience – Stick eye stickers and color with crayons on a faceless monster drawing

Wild Sendak Rumpus Preschool Storytime

Storytime for 3 to 5 year olds:

• Opening - "A Tooty Ta" from Dance Like This by Mr. Al

• Shape literacy activity flannelboard - Shape Identification

I passed out a felt circle, triangle, or rectangle to each child. We then talked about how many lines and corners each shape has. Then they brought up their shapes to place on the board. 

  

• Book #1 - Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

• Stand-up activity - "Monster Boogie" from Buzz Buzz by Laurie Berkner

• Activity - Alligator Pie (fingerplay I found somewhere, I have seen it on numerous websites)

Alligator, alligator, alligator pie
If I don't get some
I think I'm gonna cry
You can take away the grass
Take away the sky
But don't take away
My alligator pie!

• Book #2 - Chicken Soup with Rice by Maurice Sendak

• Book #3 - Bears by Ruth Krauss, illustrated by Maurice Sendak

• Closing - Dance with scarves to the song "Silly Dance Contest" from Jim Gill Sings the Sneezing Song and Other Contagious Tunes by Jim Gill

  

 

• Art experience - Color with pens and cut out paper monster feet

• Reflection - This storytime was pulled together at almost the last moment.  I needed to quickly substitute for another librarian.  I'm not sure if I would do this line up of books again.  It didn't seem to flow very well.  The art activity turned out really cute, especially once we figured out how to make the foot hole larger on the paper feet.