Sing-a-Song Storytime: If You Give a Cat a Cupcake

   With the pandemic closing the library and all large gatherings, my library continues offering virtual storytimes.  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 - I'm a Little Teapot (action song)

I'm a little teapot
Short and stout
Here is my handle
Here is my spout
When I get all steamed up
Hear me shout
"Tip me over and pour me out!"

I'm a clever teapot,
Yes it's true
Here let me show you
What I can do
I can change my handle
And my spout
Just tip me over and pour me out!

Transition sit down song - 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 - If You Give a Cat a Cupcake by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond (read with permission by HarperCollins Children's Books)  

 

Action song - Row, Row, Row Your Boat (traditional action song)

Row, row, row your boat,
Gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily,merrily,
Life is but a dream.

Sway, sway, sway your boat,
Gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily,merrily,
Life is but a dream.

Bounce, bounce, bounce your boat,
Gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily,merrily,
Life is but a dream.

Twist, twist, twist your boat,
Gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily,merrily,
Life is but a dream.

Hide, hide, hide your boat,
Gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily,merrily,
Life is but a dream.

Action song - Kitty Cat, Kitty Cat (action rhyme written by Carol Hopkins similar to "Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear Turn Around") 

Kitty cat, kitty cat turn around
Kitty cat, kitty cat touch the ground
Kitty cat, kitty cat walk on your toes
Kitty cat, kitty cat paw your nose
Kitty cat, kitty cat stretch up high
Kitty cat, kitty cat jump to the sky
Kitty cat, kitty cat start to eat
Kitty cat, kitty cat find your seat

Closing song - Down By the Bay (traditional rhyming camp song)

Down by the bay
Where the watermelons grow
Back to my home
I dare not go
For if I do
My mother will say
"Did you ever you ever see a goose kissing a moose?"
Down by the bay!

..."Did you ever see a whale with a polka dot tail?"...

..."Did you ever see a fly wearing a tie?"...

..."Did you ever see a fairy inside a library?"... 

***The video for this storytime will remain up through 6/30/21 on my library's YouTube channel.

Sing-a-Song Storytime: Trashy Town

 With the pandemic closing the library and all large gatherings, my library continues offering virtual storytimes.  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 - If You See a Piece of Trash (fingerplay written by Carol Hopkins to the tune of "Mary Had a Little Lamb")

If you see a piece of trash, piece of trash, piece of trash

(pretend to pick up a piece of garbage)

If you see a piece of trash, pick it up right now.

Put it in a garbage can, garbage can, garbage can,

(sign language for trash can)

Put it in a garbage can, do it right now.

If you can recycle it, recycle it, recycle it,

(sign language for recycle)

If you can recycle it, then recycle it right now.

Transition sit down song - 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 - Trashy Town by Andrea Zimmerman and David Clemesha, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino (read with permission by HarperCollins Children's Books) 

 

Action song - 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

Action song - I'm a Little Garbage Truck (action song to the tune of "I'm a Little Teapot" written by Carol Hopkins)

I'm a little garbage truck, watch me go
Here is my hopper
Here is my cab
When I get all filled up, to the dump I go
Just tip me over and dump the garbage out

Closing song - Down By the Bay (traditional rhyming camp song)

Down by the bay
Where the watermelons grow
Back to my home
I dare not go
For if I do
My mother will say
"Did you ever you ever see a goose kissing a moose?"
Down by the bay!

..."Did you ever see a whale with a polka dot tail?"...

..."Did you ever see a fly wearing a tie?"...

..."Did you ever see a fairy inside a library?"... 

***The video for this storytime will remain up through 6/30/21 on my library's YouTube channel.

Sing-a-Song Storytime: If You Plant a Seed

  With the pandemic closing the library and all large gatherings, my library continues offering virtual storytimes.  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 - Baby Bumblebee (traditional song)

I'm bringing home a baby bumblebee
Won't my mommy be so proud of me?
I'm bringing home a baby bumblebee
Ouch! It stung me

I'm squishing up the baby bumblebee
Won't my mommy be so proud of me?
I'm squishing up the baby bumblebee
Eeeww! It's yucky!

I'm wiping off the baby bumblebee
Won't my mommy be so proud of me?
I'm wiping off the baby bumblebee
No more bees on me!

Transition sit down song - 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 - If You Plant a Seed by Kadir Nelson (read with permission by HarperCollins Children's Books)  

 

Action song - Let's Be Friends Today (action song to the tune of "The More We Get Together" written by Carol Hopkins)

Let's be friends with one another, together forever,
Let's be friends with each other,
Let's be fri-ends today!

As friends we can ju-ump, go jumping, go jumping.
Let's be friends with each other,
Let's be fri-ends today!

As friends we can cla-ap, go clapping, go clapping.
Let's be friends with each other,
Let's be fri-ends today!

As friends we can ru-un, go running, go running.
Let's be friends with each other,
Let's be fri-ends today!

As friends we can spi-in, go spinning, go spinning.
Let's be friends with each other,
Let's be fri-ends today!

As friends we can si-it, go sitting, go sitting.
Let's be friends with each other,
Let's be fri-ends today!

Action song - Little Flower Open Up (action song written by Carol Hopkins to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star")

Little flower begin to grow

Open up your petals bright

Swaying in the sunshine light

Come and let the bees buzz right

Little flower in the night

Closing up your petals tight

Closing song - Down By the Bay (traditional rhyming camp song)

Down by the bay
Where the watermelons grow
Back to my home
I dare not go
For if I do
My mother will say
"Did you ever you ever see a goose kissing a moose?"
Down by the bay!

..."Did you ever see a whale with a polka dot tail?"...

..."Did you ever see a fly wearing a tie?"...

..."Did you ever see a fairy inside a library?"... 

***The video for this storytime will remain up through 6/30/21 on my library's YouTube channel.

Sing-a-Song Storytime: Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes

  With the pandemic closing the library and all large gatherings, my library continues offering virtual storytimes.  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 - Kitty Cat, Kitty Cat (action rhyme written by Carol Hopkins similar to "Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear Turn Around") 

Kitty cat, kitty cat turn around
Kitty cat, kitty cat touch the ground
Kitty cat, kitty cat walk on your toes
Kitty cat, kitty cat paw your nose
Kitty cat, kitty cat stretch up high
Kitty cat, kitty cat jump to the sky
Kitty cat, kitty cat start to eat
Kitty cat, kitty cat find your seat

Transition sit down song - 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 - Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin, illustrated by James Dean (read with permission by HarperCollins Children's Books) 

 

Action song - 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.

Action song - Shoe Pokey (action song written by Carol Hopkins to the tune of "Hokey Pokey" using a real shoe in your hand)

You put your shoe in
You put your shoe out
You put your shoe in and you shake it all about
You do the shoe pokey
And you turn yourself around
That's what it's all about!

You put your shoe up,
You  put your shoe down...

You put your shoe on your tummy,
You put your shoe on your back...

You put your shoe on the floor
You jump over it
You jump, jump, jump, and jump around some more
You do the shoe pokey
And you turn yourself around
That's what it's all about!

Closing song - Down By the Bay (traditional rhyming camp song)

Down by the bay
Where the watermelons grow
Back to my home
I dare not go
For if I do
My mother will say
"Did you ever you ever see a goose kissing a moose?"
Down by the bay!

..."Did you ever see a whale with a polka dot tail?"...

..."Did you ever see a fly wearing a tie?"...

..."Did you ever see a fairy inside a library?"... 

***The video for this storytime will remain up through 6/30/21 on my library's YouTube channel.

Sing-a-Song Storytime: The Carrot Seed

  With the pandemic closing the library and all large gatherings, my library continues offering virtual storytimes.  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 - Little Flower Open Up (action song written by Carol Hopkins to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star")

Little flower begin to grow

Open up your petals bright

Swaying in the sunshine light

Come and let the bees buzz right

Little flower in the night

Closing up your petals tight

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 - The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss, illustrated by Crockett Johnson (read with permission by HarperCollins Children's Books)   

 

Action song - A Little Plant (adapted action rhyme)

In the heart of a seed
Buried oh so deep, a little plant lay fast asleep
"Awake," said the sun
"Come up through the earth."
"Awake," said the rain
"We are giving you birth."
The little seed heard and giving it a try
Pointed its leaves
Up to the sky

Action song - Do It for Your Family (action song to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat")

Roll, roll, roll your hands
As fast as fast can be
Do it now let me see
Do it for your family

Clap, clap, clap your hands
As fast as fast can be
Do it now let me see
Do it for your family

(use other body motions such as stomp your feet, jump your legs, etc.)

Closing song - Down By the Bay (traditional rhyming camp song)

Down by the bay
Where the watermelons grow
Back to my home
I dare not go
For if I do
My mother will say
"Did you ever you ever see a goose kissing a moose?"
Down by the bay!

..."Did you ever see a whale with a polka dot tail?"...

..."Did you ever see a fly wearing a tie?"...

..."Did you ever see a fairy inside a library?"... 

***The video for this storytime will remain up through 6/30/21 on my library's YouTube channel.