Holiday Fun Storytime 12/9/15

Books read: 
Christmas Magic by Sue Stainton

Let's All Do a Little Clapping 
(Tune:"We Wish You a Merry Christmas", from Storytime Katie)
Let's all do a little clapping,
Let's all do a little clapping,
Let's all do a little clapping,
and spread Christmas cheer!

Santa's Little Reindeer (from Bright Hub Education)
Santa's little reindeer
Standing in a row, (stand straight)
When Santa comes they bow like so, (bow)
They fly to the left, (pretend to fly)
They fly to the right,
They fly all day,
And sleep all night. (pretend to sleep)

Boogie Woogie Santa (on CD)

Jingle Bells (with bells)

Here we go round the Christmas tee (with parachute, to the tune of "Hear we go round the mulberry bush")
Here we go round the Christmas tree, (walk in circle with chute)
Christmas tree, Christmas tree,
Here we go round the Christmas tree so early in the morning.

This is the way we gather the presents, (bring chute to center)
Gather the presents, gather the presents,
This is the way we gather the presents so early in the morning.

This the way the jingle bells shake, (shake chute)
Jingle bells shake, jingle bells shake,
This is the way the jingle bells shake so early in the morning.

This is the way the snow falls down, (lift and drop chute)
Snow falls down, snow falls down,
This is the way the snow falls down so early in the morning.

Craft: We decorated an ornament template with torn paper.

Literacy tip of the week: Giving books as gifts is a great way to emphasize the importance of reading.

Ms. Kelly's Favorites Storytime 12/2/15

Book read:
The Princess and the Pony by Kate Beaton

Come along and march with me (from Storytime Underground)
Come and march along with me,
Along with me.
Come and march along with me,
So early in the morning.
(Other actions can include spinning, hopping, bouncing, flying, etc)

Hello, my name is Joe (from the Storytime Spot)
Hello, my name is Joe and I work at the pizza factory.
I have a house, and a dog and a family.
Now one day the cook said to me
"Are you busy?" 
I said "No."
The cook said, "Do you mind stirring sauce with your right hand?" (stirring motion with right hand)

Hello, my name is Joe and I work at the pizza factory.
I have a house and a dog and a family.
Now one day the cook said to me,
"Are you busy?"
I said "No."
The cook said "Then do you mind chopping these veggies with your left hand?" (add chopping motion with left hand)

Hello, my name is Joe and I work at the pizza factory.
I have a house and a dog and a family.
Now one day the cook said to me,
"Are you busy?"
I said "No."
The cook said, "Do you mind opening the trash with your right foot (add motion with right foot)

Hello, my name is Joe and I work at the pizza factory.
I have a house and a dog and a family.
Now one day the cook said to me,
"Are you busy?"
 I said "No."
The cook said, "Could you open the door with your left foot?" (add motion with left foot)

Hello, my name is Joe and I work at the pizza factory.
I have a house and a dog and a family.
Now one day the cook said to me,
"Are you busy?"
I said "No."
The cook said, "Could you lick these stamps with your tongue?" (stick out tongue)

Hello, my name is Joe and I work at the pizza factory.
I have a house and a dog and a family.
Now one day the cook said to me,
"Are you busy?"
I said "YES!"

The Freeze (on Kids in Motion) 

We Will Stomp by Mr. Eric and Mr. Michael

Puppies in the dog house 
Using the parachute as our "dog house" the kids pretended to be puppies and go in and out of it while adults lifted the chute.

If you're happy and you know it (with parachute)
Verses include "lift it high", "shake it fast", "drop it low", etc.

Craft: We made snow scenes with foam stickers.

Literacy tip of the week: When you share your favorite books with your child you are also sharing your love of reading!

Food Storytime 11/24/15 and 11/25/15

Books read: 
Who's Hungry by Dean Hachohen

ASL Sign of the Week: Eat

If you're hungry and you know it 

Andy, spandy, sugar and candy (modfied from KCLS)
Andy, spandy, sugar and candy, all jump up!
Andy, spandy, sugar and candy, all turn round!
Andy spandy, sugar and candy all crouch down!
Andy spandy, sugar and candy all jump up! 

We're going to the market (done with shakers, modified version of We're Going to the Zoo from ALA's 2014 Guerilla Storytime)
We're going to the market,
We're going to be there soon!
We're going to get some veggies, and other yummy food!
Shake it baby, shake it!
Shake it while you can!
Shake it like a milkshake, and pour it in the can!
Shake it to the bottom! Shake it to the top!
Shake it round and round and round!
Until I tell you stop!

I feel crazy so I jump in the soup by Laurie Berkner 

Popcorn Kernels (with scarves, to the tune of "Frere Jacques", from Jbrary)
Popcorn kernels, popcorn kernels,
In the pot, in the pot, (ball up scarf and hide in hands)
Shake them, shake them, shake them, (shake)
Shake them, shake them, shake them,
Till they pop! Till they pop! (throw scarf in the air) 

Patacake Pizza Man (with scarves, modified from Storytime Katie) 
Patacake, patacake, Pizza Man,
Bake me a pizza as fast as you can,
Roll it, (wave scarf in a circle)
Toss it (1 , 2 , 3 ) (toss three times)
And put in it in the oven for you and me!

Craft: We used green circular stickers to make a picture of grapes.

Literacy tip of the week: Peeling stickers is a great way to develop the fine motor skills your child will need when they learn to write!

Baby Storytime 11/19/15

Book read: 
Hooray for Fish! by Lucy Cousins

ASL Sign of the Week: Cat

They're a part of me (to the tune of "Wheels on the Bus", from Miss Meg's Storytime)
I can make my hands go
Clap, clap, clap,
Clap, clap, clap,
Clap, clap, clap.
Because they're a part of me.
Other verses: Feet go stomp, lips go kiss, etc.

Autumn leaves are falling down (adapted from Jbrary)
Autumn leaves are falling down, falling down, falling down, (flutter hands towards ground)
Autumn leaves are falling down, all around town.

The wind will blow them round and round, round and round, (spin)
The wind will blow them round and round, all around town.

Autumn leaves are dancing round, dancing round, dancing round (dance)
Autumn leaves are dancing round, all around town. 

Here we go up, up, up (from Reading with Red)
Here we go up, up, up! (reach up)
Here we go down, down, down! (touch floor)
Here we go back and forth! (sway side to side)
And here we go round and round! (turn around) 

My Little Baby (to the tune of Shortin' Bread, modified from Verona Storytime)
My little baby loves bouncing, bouncing,
My little baby loves bouncing round.
My little baby loves bouncing, bouncing,
My little baby loves bouncing round.
Lean to the left, lean to the right, now hug that baby nice and tight!
Other actions include: jumping high, spinning round, dancing fast, flying high, etc)

Giddyup, Giddyup (from King County Library System)
Giddyup, giddyup ride to town, (bounce baby on your lap)
Giddyup, giddyup, up and down.
Giddyup fast, (bounce quickly)
Giddyup slow, (bounce slowly)
Giddyup, giddyup, WHOA! (dip baby backwards)

We Hit the Floor Together (to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell", from Abby Librarian)
We hit the floor together,
We hit the floor together,
We hit the floor together,
Because it's fun to do!
Repeat with different actions: clap hands, nod heads, sway side to side, say hello, etc.

Wheels on the bus

I'm a little cuckoo clock (from Born to Read)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock baby back and forth)
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's one o'clock! (lift baby once)

Tick tock, tick tock,
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's two o'clock! (lift baby twice)

Itsy Bitsy Spider

Literacy tip of the week: When your baby turns pages of the book as you read, they are actually showing their knowledge of how a book works!
 

Pet Storytime 11/17/15 and 11/18/15

Books read: 
Hooray for Fish by Lucy Cousins
My Dog Bob by Richard Torrey

ASL Signs of the Week: Cat and Dog

If you're a pet and you know it (modified from Miss Meg's Storytime)
If you're a dog and you know it shake your tail!
If you're a dog and you know it shake your tail!
If you're a dog and you know it and you really want to to show it,
If you're a dog and you know it shake your tail!  
Other verses can include: cat/pounce like this, fish/move your fins, hamster/run in place)

Tiptoe soft (from SuraLune Storytime)
Tiptoe soft as a pussy cat,
Soft on little cat feet,
Flap your wings like a baby bird,
Open your beak for a treat!
Clomp, clomp, clomp, like a big old horse,
Pick up a hoof and then,
Tip, tip, tip, on the tips of your toes,
Soft as a cat again.  

The Goldfish by Laurie Berkner

We are the Dinosaurs by Laurie Berkner (for a funny pet!)

I've got a cat on my knee (to the tune of "Skip to My Loo", using cat cut outs, modified from Storytime Kids)
I've got a cat on my knee,
Cat on my knee,
Cat on my knee,
Meow, meow, meow, meow!
Time to move him now!
Repeat with cat on various body parts.

Puppies in the dog house 
Using the parachute as our "dog house" the kids pretended to be puppies and go in and out of it while adults lifted the chute.

Craft: We decorated paper plate fish with construction paper.

Literacy tip of the week:  Dancing is a great way for kids to explore the rhythm in language!

Baby Storytime 11/12/15

Book read: Wake up me! by Marni McGee

They're a part of me (to the tune of "Wheels on the Bus", from Miss Meg's Storytime)
I can make my hands go
Clap, clap, clap,
Clap, clap, clap,
Clap, clap, clap.
Because they're a part of me.
Other verses: Feet go stomp, lips go kiss, etc.

Come along and march with me (from Storytime Underground)
Come and march along with me,
Along with me.
Come and march along with me,
So early in the morning.
(Other actions can include spinning, hopping, bouncing, flying, etc)

Bumping up and down my little red fire truck (modified from 2015 CSLP manual)
Bumping up and down my little red fire truck, (bounce on lap)
Bumping up and down in my little red fire truck,
Bumping up and down in my little red fire truck,
Through the streets we go!

Rolling down the street in my blue police car, (roll hands around)
Rolling down the street in my blue police car,
Rolling down the street in my blue police car,
Through the streets we go!

Swaying back and forth in my little tugboat, (rock back and forth)
Swaying back and forth in my little tugboat,
Swaying back and forth in my little tugboat,
Through the waves we go!

Peekaboo (with scarves, from Jbrary) 
Peekaboo, peekaboo,
I see you! I see you!
I see your button nose.
I see your tiny toes.
Peekaboo! Peekaboo!

Here we go up, up, up (with scarves, modified from Reading With Red)
Here we go up, up, up! (lift scarf)
Here we go down, down, down! (lower scarf)
Here we go back and forth! (sway scarf from side to side)
And here we go round and round! (spin scarf in a circle)

Itsy bitsy spider

Wheels on the bus

I'm a little cuckoo clock (from Born to Read)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock baby back and forth)
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's one o'clock! (lift baby once)

Tick tock, tick tock,
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's two o'clock! (lift baby twice)

Literacy tip of the week: It is perfectly normal for your baby to explore books with their mouth. Board books and tub books are great for this purpose!

Red Storytime 11/10/15 and 11/11/15

Books read: 
Lemons are not red by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Mouse Count by Ellen Stoll Walsh

ASL Sign of the Week: Red

Bumping up and down my little red fire truck (modified from 2015 CSLP manual)
Bumping up and down my little red fire truck, (bounce on lap)
Bumping up and down in my little red fire truck,
Bumping up and down in my little red fire truck,
Through the streets we go!

Rolling down the street in my blue police car, (roll hands around)
Rolling down the street in my blue police car,
Rolling down the street in my blue police car,
Through the streets we go!

Swaying back and forth in my little tugboat, (rock back and forth)
Swaying back and forth in my little tugboat,
Swaying back and forth in my little tugboat,
Through the waves we go!

Baby Fell Into the Bathtub (modified from Perry Public Library)
Baby fell into the bathtub, (tip baby back as if falling)
Baby fell onto the bed (repeat)
Baby fell into the raspberry jam (repeat)
And came out red! (lift baby up)

Here we go up, up, up (from Reading With Red)
Here we go up, up, up! (reach up)
Here we go down, down, down! (touch floor)
Here we go back and forth! (sway side to side)
And here we go round and round! (turn around)

Way up high in the apple tree (modified from Literary Commentary)
Way up high in the apple tree, (lift arms)
10 little apples smiled at me!
I shook that tree as hard as I could, (shake back and forth)
Down came the apple, (wave hands towards ground)
Boy was it good!

Autumn leaves are falling down (adapted from Jbrary)
Autumn leaves are falling down, falling down, falling down, (flutter hands towards ground)
Autumn leaves are falling down, all around town.

The wind will blow them round and round, round and round, (spin)
The wind will blow them round and round, all around town.

Autumn leaves are dancing round, dancing round, dancing round (dance)
Autumn leaves are dancing round, all around town.

Hurry, hurry (to the tune of "Ten Little Indians")
Hurry, hurry drive the fire truck, (x3) (pretend to drive)
Hurry, hurry ring the bell (x3)
Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding.
Hurry, hurry climb the ladder (x3) (pretend to climb)
Hurry, hurry squirt the water (x3) (pretend to spray water) 

I know a chicken by Laurie Berkner

Here We Go Round the Apple Tree (done with parachute, adapted from King County Library)
Here we go round the apple tree, apple tree. apple tree
Here we go round the apple tree so early in the morning.

This is the way we shake off the apples, shake off the apples, shake off the apples
This is the way we shake off the apples so early in the morning.

This is the way the leaves fall down, leaves fall down, leaves fall down,
This is the way the leaves fall down, so early in the morning.

Craft: We made collages of red items cut from newspapers.

Literacy tip of the week: Books are a great way to introduce your child to concepts such as shapes and colors.

Baby Storytime 10/15/15

Book read: 
Flutterby Butterfly by Emma Parrish

Autumn leaves are falling down (adapted from Jbrary)
Autumn leaves are falling down, falling down, falling down, (flutter hands towards ground)
Autumn leaves are falling down, all around town.

The wind will blow them round and round, round and round, (spin)
The wind will blow them round and round, all around town.

Autumn leaves are dancing round, dancing round, dancing round (dance)
Autumn leaves are dancing round, all around town. 

Come along and march with me (from Storytime Underground)
Come and march along with me,
Along with me.
Come and march along with me,
So early in the morning.
(Other actions can include spinning, hopping, bouncing, flying, etc)
 
Here we go up, up, up (from Reading With Red)
Here we go up, up, up! (reach up)
Here we go down, down, down! (touch floor)
Here we go back and forth! (sway side to side)
And here we go round and round! (turn around)

A Bouncing We Will Go (from Jbrary)
A bouncing we will go,
A bouncing we will go,
High ho the derry-o
A bouncing we will go!
Other verses include a hugging we will go, a rocking we will go, a clapping we will go, etc.

Patacake

Itsy Bitsy Spider

Where is Pumpkin? (to the tune of Frere Jacques" from Step by Step Childcare)
Where is pumpkin, where is pumpkin? (crouch low)
Here I am! Here I am! (jump up)
I am round and orange,
See my funny face? (make funny face)
Now you don't. (hide face)
Now you don't.   

Wave your scarf (to the tune of "Frere Jacques" from Jbrary)
Wave your scarf up and down,
Up and down, up and down.
Wave your scarf up and down.
Wave your scarf!
Other verses can include: fast and slow, high and low, around and around, left and right, etc)

I'm a little cuckoo clock (from Born to Read)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock baby back and forth)
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's one o'clock! (lift baby once)

Tick tock, tick tock,
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's two o'clock! (lift baby twice)

Wheels on the Bus

Literacy tip of the week: When you like a song or book your enthusiasm will carry over to your baby. Take the time to introduce them to your favorites!

Pumpkins Storytime 10/13/15 and 10/14/15

Books read:
Pumpkin Heads by Wendell Minor
The Runaway Pumpkin by Kevin Lewis

On our way to the pumpkin patch (from Storytimes and More, to the tune of "Here we go round the Mulberry Bush")
Here we go marching down the road, down the road,
Here we go marching down the road, on our way to the pumpkin patch!
Additional verses can include: running, tiptoeing, stomping, flying, etc.

I'm a Little Pumpkin (from Kid Activities, to the tune of "I'm a Little Teapot")
I'm a little pumpkin, orange and round (hold arms in a circle)
Here is my stem, (place fist on your head)
There is the ground. (touch the ground)
When I get all cut up, don't you shout!
Just open me up and scoop me out! (pretend to scoop the pumpkin out)

Where is Pumpkin? (to the tune of "Frere Jacques", from Step by Step Childcare)
Where is pumpkin, where is pumpkin? (crouch low)
Here I am! Here I am! (jump up)
I am round and orange,
See my funny face? (make funny face)
Now you don't. (hide face)
Now you don't. 

Once there was a Pumpkin (from Step by Step Childcare)
Once there was a pumpkin
And it grew (join fingers of each hand to make one pumpkin)
And grew (separate the hands keeping the pumpkin formation)
And grew (join hands before you, making a large pumpkin with your arms)
Now it's a Jack-O-Lantern and it smiles at you
And you, and you! (Move pumpkin shape around to greet each child) 

If you're a pumpkin and you know it
If you're a happy pumpkin and you know it jump for joy!
If you're a happy and pumpkin and you know it jump for joy!
If you're a happy pumpkin and you know it then your face will surely show it.
If you're a happy pumpkin and you know it joy for joy!
Other verses can include different emotions and actions, such as: scared/run away, mad/stomp around, silly/make a face, etc

Pumpkin Count Jumping
Pumpkin cut outs are laid on the floor and labeled with 1-5. The children must jump from pumpkin to pumpkin in correct counting sequence. (Great for number recognition and especially good for kids who learn best through movement)

Pumpkin, pumpkin (from Storytime Themes)
Pumpkin, pumpkin siting on a wall,
Pumpkin, pumpkin tip and fall,
Pumpkin, pumpkin, rolling down the street,
Pumpkin, pumpkin, trick or treat!

Literacy tip of the week: Relating stories to you child's life helps build their understanding and keep them engaged with the story. When reading books about pumpkins talk about a trip you took to the pumpkin patch!

Baby Storytime 10/8/2015

Book read: 
Hands can by Cheryl Willis Hudson

ASL sign of the week: Water

Autumn leaves are falling down (adapted from Jbrary)
Autumn leaves are falling down, falling down, falling down, (flutter hands towards ground)
Autumn leaves are falling down, all around town.

The wind will blow them round and round, round and round, (spin)
The wind will blow them round and round, all around town.

Autumn leaves are dancing round, dancing round, dancing round (dance)
Autumn leaves are dancing round, all around town.

We Hit the Floor Together (to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell", from Abby Librarian)
We hit the floor together,
We hit the floor together,
We hit the floor together,
Because it's fun to do!
Repeat with different actions: clap hands, nod heads, sway side to side, say hello, etc.

If you're happy and you know it

Here we go up, up, up (from Reading With Red)
Here we go up, up, up! (reach up)
Here we go down, down, down! (touch floor)
Here we go back and forth! (sway side to side)
And here we go round and round! (turn around)

Clap, Clap, Clap (to the tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat, from Perry Public Library)
Clap, clap, clap your hands, clap them now with me,
Clap your hands, let me see,
Clap them now with me!
(other verses: tap your knees, shake your feet, touch your shoulders) 

Giddyup, Giddyup (from King County Library System)
Giddyup, giddyup ride to town, (bounce baby on your lap)
Giddyup, giddyup, up and down.
Giddyup fast, (bounce quickly)
Giddyup slow, (bounce slowly)
Giddyup, giddyup, WHOA! (dip baby backwards)

Itsy bitsy spider  

I'm a little cuckoo clock (from Born to Read)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock baby back and forth)
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's one o'clock! (lift baby once)

Tick tock, tick tock,
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's two o'clock! (lift baby twice)

Wheels on the Bus

Literacy tip of the week: Doing rhymes like the Itsy Bitsy Spider is great to help with your child's fine motor control. This will come in handy when they are learning to write!

Cat Storytime 10/6/15 and 10/7/15

Books read:
I love cats by Sue Stainton
Pete the Cat: I love my white shoes by Eric Litwin

ASL Sign of the Week: Cat

If you're a cat and you know it (version of "If you're happy and you know it")
If you're a cat and you know it pounce like this,
If you're a cat and you know it and you really want to show it,
If you're a cat and you know it pounce like this. 
Other actions can include stretching, shaking tail, meowing, etc.

My Little Kitty (to the tune of Shortin' Bread)
My little kitty loves running, running,
My little kitty loves running fast.
My little kitty loves jumping, jumping,
My little kitty loves jumping high.
Other actions can include: Spinning around, Shaking quick, etc.

Paws, whiskers, ears and tails (from Carol Simon Levin, version of "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes")
Paws (curl hands in front)
Whiskers (make whiskers on face)
Ears (touch ears) and tails (touch bottom).
We will like our fur and nap right here.
Paws, whiskers, ears and tails,
Ears and tails!

Pin the shoe on Pete the Cat

I've got a cat on my knee (with scarves, from Storytime Kids, to the tune of "Skip to my Loo")
I've got a cat on my knee,
I've got a cat on my knee,
I've got a cat on my knee,
Meow, meow, meow, meow!
Move to other body parts for additional verses.

Little Kittens (done with scarves, from Suralune Storytime)
Little kittens, snuggled tight,
Sleeping soundly through the night,
Meow, meow, meow, meow!
Time to get up now!

Literacy tip of the week: Moving your finger along the words as you read to your child is a great way to teach them that print goes right to left.

Baby Storytime 10/1/15

Book read: 
Spots, Feathers and Curly Tails by Nancy Tafuri

Here we go up, up, up (from Reading With Red)
Here we go up, up, up! (reach up)
Here we go down, down, down! (touch floor)
Here we go back and forth! (sway side to side)
And here we go round and round! (turn around)

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

If you're happy and you know it

My Little Baby (to the tune of Shortnin' Bread, modified from Verona Storytime)
My little baby loves bouncing, bouncing,
My little baby loves bouncing round.
My little baby loves bouncing, bouncing,
My little baby loves bouncing round.
Lean to the left, lean to the right, now hug that baby nice and tight!
Other actions include: jumping high, spinning round, dancing fast, flying high, etc)

Dump Truck (adapted from ALSC listserv)
Dump truck, dump truck (rock back and forth)
Bumping down the road.
Spilling gravel as we travel (rock back and forth)
with our heavy load.

Dump truck, dump truck (bouncing)
DUMP! (fall down)

This Is The Way (from Mel's Desk)
This is the way we wash our arms,
Wash our arms, wash our arms.
This is the way we wash our arms,
When we're in the bathtub.
(repeat using legs, tummy, head, etc)

Where is Big Toe? (with scarves, to the tune of "Where is Thumbkin?", from Library Meow)
Where is big toe?
Where is big toe?
Here I am! Here I am! (touch baby's toe)
Wiggle, wiggle, big toe,
Wiggle, wiggle, big toe.
My big toe. My big toe.

Other verses can include:
Where is elbow...bendy, bendy elbow.
Where is tummy... tickle, tickle tummy.
Where are two eyes... peekaboo two eyes.
Where are two hands... happy clappy two hands.

I'm a little cuckoo clock (adapted from Born to Read)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock back and forth)
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's one o'clock! (jump once)

Tick tock, tick tock,
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's two o'clock! (jump twice)

Wheels on the Bus

Literacy tip of the week: Play is an important part of your baby's literacy development. It is how they will learn how the world works, and how they will develop their imaginative thinking skills.

Farmer's Market/Fruits and Vegetables Storytime

Books read: 
The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear by Don Wood
Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert
The Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall

ASL Sign of the Week: Eat

Pea Soup (modified from What Happens in Storytime)
One little pea jumped into the pot (jump once)
And waited for it to get nice and hot.
Two little peas jumped into the pot (jump twice)
And waited for it to get nice and hot.
Three little peas jumped into the pot (jump three times)
And waited for it to get nice and hot.
Four little peas jumped into the pot (jump four times)
And waited for it to get nice and hot.

If you like veggies and you know it (modified version of "If you're happy and you know it")

We're going to the market (done with shakers, modified version of We're Going to the Zoo from ALA's 2014 Guerilla Storytime)
We're going to the market,
We're going to be there soon!
We're going to get some veggies, and other yummy food!
Shake it baby, shake it!
Shake it while you can!
Shake it like a milkshake, and pour it in the can!
Shake it to the bottom! Shake it to the top!
Shake it round and round and round!
Until I tell you stop!

Way up high in the apple tree (modified from Literary Commentary)
Way up high in the apple tree, (lift arms)
10 little apples smiled at me!
I shook that tree as hard as I could, (shake back and forth)
Down came the apple, (wave hands towards ground)
Boy was it good!

Fruit Salad Salsa by Laurie Berkner

Bananas Unite (from Jbrary)
Bananas unite! (hands connected above head)
Peel bananas, peel bananas! (move hands down)
Chop bananas, chop bananas! (chopping motion)
Mash bananas, mash bananas! (mashing motion)
Go bananas! Go bananas!

Five Green Peas (from Storytime Katie)
Five green peas in a peapod pressed, (make fist)
One grew, two grew and so did the rest. (raise fingers one at a time)
They grew and grew and did not stop. (stretch fingers)
Till one day that peapod just had to go POP! (clap)

Picking up the fruit (with parachute, modified from Storytime Katie)
Picking up the fruit (lift chute)
Putting it in the basket (drop chute)
Repeat with various fruits and vegetables.

Here We Go Round the Apple Tree (done with parachute, adapted from King County Library)
Here we go round the apple tree, apple tree. apple tree
Here we go round the apple tree so early in the morning.

This is the way we shake off the apples, shake off the apples, shake off the apples
This is the way we shake off the apples so early in the morning.

This is the way the leaves fall down, leaves fall down, leaves fall down,
This is the way the leaves fall down, so early in the morning.

Craft: We made collages out of cut out magazine pictures of fruits and vegetables.

Literacy tip of the week: Nonfiction picture books are a great choice for reading because they will prepare you child for the texts they encounter when they start school.
 

Baby Storytime 9/24/15

Book read:
Hello Baby by Mem Fox

ASL Sign for the Week: Play

Here we go up, up, up (from Reading With Red)
Here we go up, up, up! (reach up)
Here we go down, down, down! (touch floor)
Here we go back and forth! (sway side to side)
And here we go round and round! (turn around)

Come along and march with me (from Storytime Underground)
Come and march along with me,
Along with me.
Come and march along with me,
So early in the morning.
(Other actions can include spinning, hopping, bouncing, flying, etc)

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

If you're happy and you know it

Everyone can shake (with shakers, modified from Jbrary)
Everyone can shake, shake, shake
Everyone can shake, shake, shake
Everyone can shake, shake, shake
And now it's time to stop.
Additional verses: 
Everyone can tap, Everyone can clap, Everyone can wave, etc.

1, 2 Shake It On Your Shoe (from Jbrary)
1, 2, shake it on your shoe.
3.4 shake it on the floor.
5. 6 shake it really quick.
7, 8 hold it up straight.
9, 10 shake it with your friends!

I'm a little cuckoo clock (adapted from Born to Read)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock back and forth)
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's one o'clock! (jump once)

Tick tock, tick tock,
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's two o'clock! (jump twice)

Wheels on the Bus

The Freeze by Greg and Steve (on Kids in Motion)

Literacy tip of the week: It is okay to stop reading when you child loses interest. Reading time should be a fun time so keep it as low stress as possible.

Fall Storytime 9/22/15 and 9/23/15

Books read: 
Mouse's First Fall by Lauren Thompson
Fall Leaves Fall by Zoe Hall

ASL Sign of the Week: Fall

Autumn Leaves (to the tune of Mary Had a Little Lamb, modified from Sunflower Storytime)
Autumn leaves are falling down, (wave hands towards floor)
Falling down, falling down,
Autumn leaves are falling down,
All over town.
Other actions can include spinning, dancing, flying, etc.

Way up high in the apple tree (modified from Literary Commentary)
Way up high in the apple tree, (lift arms)
10 little apples smiled at me!
I shook that tree as hard as I could, (shake back and forth)
Down came the apple, (wave hands towards ground)
Boy was it good!

The Freeze by Greg and Steve (on Kids in Motion)

Boing, boing, squeak (modified from Storytime Katie)
Boing, boing, squeak! Boing, boing, squeak!
A bouncing mouse is in my house, he's been there for a week.
He bounces in the kitchen, he bounces in the den,
He bounces very fast, as he counts to 10.
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1!

One bright leaf (adapted from Storytime Underground)
One bright leaf, waiting for the wind to blow,
Wave it high, wave it low,
Throw it high!
Where did it go?

We wave our leaves (adapted from "We Hit the Floor Together" by Abby Librarian)
We wave our leaves together, together,
We wave our leaves together, together,
We wave our leaves together,
Because it's fun to do!

Two little blackbirds (found at multiple sources)
Two little blackbirds, sitting on a hill,
One named Jack, the other named Jill.
Fly away Jack! Fly away Jill!
Come back Jack! Come back Jill!
Other pairs can include: soft/loud, fast/slow, high/low.

Craft: We decorated a leaf template with torn paper.

Literacy tip of the week: Songs like "The Freeze" are a great way to teach self regulation. This will come in handy when your child is learning to read!

Baby Storytime 9/17/15

Book read:
Daytime, Nighttime by William Low

ASL sign of the week: All done

My Little Baby (to the tune of Shortnin' Bread, modified from Verona Storytime)
My little baby loves bouncing, bouncing,
My little baby loves bouncing round.
My little baby loves bouncing, bouncing,
My little baby loves bouncing round.
Lean to the left, lean to the right, now hug that baby nice and tight!
Other actions include: jumping high, spinning round, dancing fast, flying high, etc)

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

Let's go riding in an elevator (from Jbrary)
Let's go riding in an elevator (hold baby in front of you)
An elevator, elevator. (rock back and forth)
Let's go riding in an elevator!
First floor (lift baby, raise up on each floor)
Second floor,
Third floor,
Fourth floor,
Down, down, down! (bring baby down to ground)

Walking, Walking (to the tune of Frere Jacques, from NIEHS)
Walking, walking,
Walking walking.
Hop, hop, hop!
Hop, hop, hop!
Walking, walking, walking,
Walking, walking, walking,
Now we stop! Now we stop!
(Other actions could include swaying, running, flying, etc)

Zoom, Zoom, Zoom (from Reading with Red)
Zoom, zoom, zoom! (bounce baby)
We're going to the moon.
Zoom, zoom, zoom!
We'll be there very soon.
5 ,4, 3, 2, 1!  Blast off! (lift baby)

I'm a little cuckoo clock (adapted from Born to Read)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock back and forth)
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's one o'clock! (jump once)

Tick tock, tick tock,
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's two o'clock! (jump twice)

Wheels on the bus 

Literacy tip of the week: Incorporate reading into your child's daily routine. For instance, read a book each night at bedtime.

Big and Little Storytime

Book read:
I'm the biggest thing in the ocean! by Kevin Sherry

Other book suggestions: 
Big smelly bear by Britta Teckentrup
The little mouse, the red ripe strawberry and the big hungry bear by Don Wood
Ten little fingers and ten little toes by Mem Fox

ASL Signs of the Week: Big and Little

This is Big (from Mel's Desk)
This is big, big, big. (arms wide)
This is small, small, small. (bring arms together)
This is short, short, short. (crouch down)
This is tall, tall, tall. (reach high)
This is fast, fast, fast. (run fast)
This is slow, slow, slow. (run slowly)
This is yes, yes, yes. (shake head yes)
This is no, no, no. (shake head no)

If You’re a Bug and You Know It (from Librarian Lisa's Storytimes)
If you’re a bee and you know it buzz like this “buzz, buzz”
If you’re a bee and you know it buzz like this “buzz, buzz”
If you’re a bee and you know it and you really want to show it,
If you’re a bee and you know it buzz like this “buzz, buzz”

Additional verses:
If you’re a grasshopper…hop like this…
If you’re a caterpillar… eat a leaf “chomp, chomp”…
If you’re a butterfly … flap your wings…

Monkey See, Monkey Do (from Perry Public Library)
Monkey see, monkey do,
Little monkey in the zoo,
Little monkey in the tree,
Can you (insert action) like me? 

I'm a little cuckoo clock (adapted from Born to Read)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock back and forth)
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's one o'clock! (jump once)

Tick tock, tick tock,
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's two o'clock! (jump twice) 

Popcorn (modified from Library Meow)
I'm a piece of popcorn (rock)
Put me in the pot (drop down)
Shake me, shake me (wiggle)
Watch me POP! (jump in the air)  

The Waves in the Sea (to the tune of "The Wheels on the Bus", from AnnesLibraryLife)
The waves in the sea go up and down, (bend knees up and down)
Up and down, up and down,
The waves in the sea go up and down,
Up and down, up and down,
The waves in the sea go up and down,
All day long.

Additional verses:
The shark in the sea goes snap, snap, snap (clap hands)
The fish in the sea go swish, swish, swish, (swish hands back and forth)
The boats in the sea go toot, toot, toot, (pretend to honk horn)

Teasing Mr. Shark (from Canton Public Library)
Five Little Fish,
Swimming in the sea,
Teasing Mr. Shark,
You can't catch me,
You can't catch me,
Along came Mr. Shark,
As quiet as can be...
SNAP!
Four little fish swimming in the sea... (count down until all fish are gone) 

Craft: We made a collage of big and little circles.

Literacy tip of the week: Make up stories and play pretend with your child. This is a great way to develop their imaginative thinking!
 

Baby Storytime 9/10/15

Book read: I went walking by Sue Williams

ASL Sign of the Week: Please

My Little Baby (to the tune of Shortnin' Bread, modified from Verona Storytime)
My little baby loves bouncing, bouncing,
My little baby loves bouncing round.
My little baby loves bouncing, bouncing,
My little baby loves bouncing round.
Lean to the left, lean to the right, now hug that baby nice and tight!
Other actions include: jumping high, spinning round, dancing fast, flying high, etc)

Come along and march with me (from Storytime Underground)
Come and march along with me,
Along with me.
Come and march along with me,
So early in the morning.
(Other actions can include spinning, hopping, bouncing, flying, etc)

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes 

Itsy Bitsy Spider

Pop goes the weasel (from Perry Public Library)
All around the mulberry bush, (bounce baby or have toddlers crouch down)
The monkey chased the weasel.
In and out and all about.
POP goes the weasel! (lift or jump)

All around the cobbler's bench, (bounce or crouch)
The monkey chased the weasel.
That's the way the money goes.
POP goes the weasel! (lift or jump)

All around the mulberry bush, (bounce or crouch)
The monkey chased the weasel.
The monkey stopped to scratch his head.
POP goes the weasel! (lift or jump)  

Giddyup, Giddyup (from King County Library System)
Giddyup, giddyup ride to town, (bounce baby on your lap)
Giddyup, giddyup, up and down.
Giddyup fast, (bounce quickly)
Giddyup slow, (bounce slowly)
Giddyup, giddyup, WHOA! (dip baby backwards)

I'm a little cuckoo clock (adapted from Born to Read)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock back and forth)
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's one o'clock! (jump once)

Tick tock, tick tock,
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's two o'clock! (jump twice)

Wheels on the bus 

Literacy tip of the week: Books with repeated refrains, such as "I went walking" will provide repetition that benefits your baby's cognitive development.

Horse Storytime 9/8/15 and 9/9/15

Books read: Noni the Pony by Alison Lester
Are you a horse? by Andy Rash

Other book suggestions: 
Clip Clop by Nicola Smee
Let's sing a lullaby with the Brave Cowboy by Jan Thomas

ASL Sign of the Week: Horse

She'll be Coming Around the Moutain (from Jbrary)
She'll be coming around the mountain when she comes.
Yee Haw! (lift arms)
She'll be coming around the mountain when she comes.
Yee Haw! (lift arms)
She'll be coming around the mountain.
She'll be coming around the mountain.
She'll be coming around the mountain when she comes.

She'll be riding six white horses when she comes.
Whoa there! (lean back)
She'll be riding six white horses when she comes.
Whoa there! (lean back)
She'll be riding six white horses.
She'll be riding six white horses.
She'll be riding six white horses when she comes.

We'll all eat chicken and dumplings when she comes.
Yum! Yum! (rub tummy)
We'll all eat chicken and dumplings when she comes.
Yum! Yum! (rub tummy)
We'll all eat chicken and dumplings.
We'll all eat chicken and dumpling.
We'll all eat chicken and dumplings when she comes.

If you're a horse and you know it 
Actions include: Shake your tail, Stomp your hooves, Run so fast

My Little Horsey (to the tune of Shortin' Bread)
My little horsey loves running, running,
My little horsey loves running fast.
My little horsey loves jumping, jumping,
My little horsey loves jumping high.
Other actions can include: Neighing loud, Spinning around, Shaking quick

Horsey don't you stop (from Sunshine Preschool)
Horsey, horsey, don't you stop.
Let your feet go clippety clop! (run)
Your tail goes swish (shake tail)
As the wheels go round. (roll hands)
Giddyup we're homeward bound!

Cowboy Pokey (from Loudest Librarian)
Hokey Pokey but with boots in, hat in, lasso in, etc)

Craft: We decorated horse print outs with torn brown paper.

Literacy tip of the week: Books are one of the best ways to introduce your child to new words. They contain words you may not use very often in day to day life, and therefore expand your child's vocabulary.

Baby Storytime 8/6/15

Book read:
Say Hello Like This! by Mary Murphy

Come along and march with me (from Storytime Underground)
Come and march along with me,
Along with me.
Come and march along with me,
So early in the morning.
(Other actions can include spinning, hopping, bouncing, flying, etc)

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

Walking, Walking (to the tune of Frere Jacques, from NIEHS)
Walking, walking,
Walking walking.
Hop, hop, hop!
Hop, hop, hop!
Walking, walking, walking,
Walking, walking, walking,
Now we stop! Now we stop!
(Other actions could include swaying, running, flying, etc)

Popcorn (from Library Meow)
I'm a piece of popcorn (rock baby)
Put me in the pot (drop baby down)
Shake me, shake me (wiggle baby)
Watch me POP! (lift baby in the air) 

This Is The Way (from Mel's Desk)
This is the way we wash our arms,
Wash our arms, wash our arms.
This is the way we wash our arms,
When we're in the bathtub.
(repeat using legs, tummy, head, etc)

Where is Big Toe? (with scarves, to the tune of "Where is Thumbkin?", from Library Meow)
Where is big toe?
Where is big toe?
Here I am! Here I am! (touch baby's toe)
Wiggle, wiggle, big toe,
Wiggle, wiggle, big toe.
My big toe. My big toe.

Other verses can include:
Where is elbow...bendy, bendy elbow.
Where is tummy... tickle, tickle tummy.
Where are two eyes... peekaboo two eyes.
Where are two hands... happy clappy two hands.

Old McDonald Had a Farm (with stuffed animals)
 
I'm a little cuckoo clock (adapted from Born to Read)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock back and forth)
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's one o'clock! (jump once)

Tick tock, tick tock,
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's two o'clock! (jump twice)

Wheels on the bus 

Literacy tip of the week: Songs are a great way to introduce new vocabulary to your baby!

All About Me Storytime 8/4/15 and 8/5/15

Books read: 
My nose, your nose by Melanie Walsh
I'm me! by Sara Sheridan

Other book suggestions:
I'm gonna like me! by Jamie Lee Curtis
I like me! by Nancy Carlson

ASL Sign of the Week: Book

I have a nose (modified from Stillwater Library)
On my face I have a nose (touch nose)
Way down here I have ten toes (touch toes)
I have two eyes that I can blink (touch eyes)
I have a hed to help me think (touch head)
I have a chin and very near (touch chin)
I have two ears so I can hear (point to ears)
Here are my arms to hold up high,
I can almost touch the sky!

Touch game (from Stillwater Library)

Touch your nose,

Touch your chin

That's the way this game begins

Touch your eyes

Touch your knees

Now pretend you are going to sneez

Touch your hair

Touch one ear

Touch your two red lips right here

Touch your elbows where they bend

That's the way the touch game ends.

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes 

If you're happy and you know it 

I can!

Chanting "I can" followed by having the children repeat different actions. (ex. Running, Jumping, Spinning, Stomping Feet, Clapping Hands)

I am special (with mirror, from Teach Preschool)
I am special,
I am special,
Look at me!
Look at me!
I am very special,
I am very special,
Look at me!
Look at me!

Rhythm in my fingers by Jim Gill

Can't wait to celebrate by Jim Gill

Craft: We decorated our names with torn paper.

Literacy tip of the week: Choose books based on your child's interest. It is a great way to get them to develop a love of reading!

Baby Storytime 7/30/15

Book read: Charlie Chick by Nick Denchfield

ASL Sign of the Week: Dance

Way up high in the apple tree
Way up high in the apple tree, (lift baby)
A little apple I did see,
I shook that tree as hard as I could, (rock back and forth)
Down came the apple, (bring baby down)
Boy was it good!

Let's Go Riding in an Elevator (from Jbrary)
Let's go riding in an elevator (hold baby in front of you)
An elevator, elevator. (rock back and forth)
Let's go riding in an elevator!
First floor (lift baby, raise up on each floor)
Second floor,
Third floor,
Fourth floor,
Down, down, down! (bring baby down to ground) 

Clap, Clap, Clap (to the tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat, from Perry Public Library)
Clap, clap, clap your hands, clap them now with me,
Clap your hands, let me see,
Clap them now with me!
(other verses: tap your knees, shake your feet, touch your shoulders) 

One bright scarf (adapted from Storytime Underground)
One bright scarf, waiting for the wind to blow,
Wave it high, wave it low,
Throw it high!
Where did it go?

We wave our scarves (adapted from "We Hit the Floor Together" by Abby Librarian)
We wave our scarves together, together,
We wave our scarves together, together,
We wave our scarves together,
Because it's fun to do!

Itsy Bitsy Spider

Zoom, Zoom, Zoom (from Reading with Red)
Zoom, zoom, zoom! (bounce baby)
We're going to the moon.
Zoom, zoom, zoom!
We'll be there very soon.
5 ,4, 3, 2, 1!  Blast off! (lift baby)

Giddyup, Giddyup (from King County Library System)
Giddyup, giddyup ride to town, (bounce baby on your lap)
Giddyup, giddyup, up and down.
Giddyup fast, (bounce quickly)
Giddyup slow, (bounce slowly)
Giddyup, giddyup, WHOA! (dip baby backwards)

I'm a little cuckoo clock (adapted from Born to Read)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock back and forth)
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's one o'clock! (jump once)

Tick tock, tick tock,
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's two o'clock! (jump twice)

Wheels on the bus 

Row, row, row your boat (with parachute)

The chute is on my head (to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell", from Laughter and Literacy)
The chute is on my head, the chute is on my head!
Hi ho the dairy-o, the chute is on my head!
The chute goes up and down, the chute goes up and down!
Hi ho the dairy-o, the chute goes up and down!
The chute goes fast and slow, the chute goes fast and slow!
Hi ho the dairy-o, the chute goes fast and slow!
The chute is on my head, the chute is on my head!
Hi ho the dairy-o the chute is on my head!

Literacy tip of the week: Let your baby explore books as much as possible. Even a baby who is putting a book in their mouth is learning something about how the book works.

Movement Storytime 7/28/15 and 7/29/15

Books read: 
Toddlerobics: Animal Fun by Nita Newcome
Hop, Hop, Jump! by Jarrett Krosoczka

Other book suggestions: 
From Head to Toe by Eric Carle
Toucan Can by Juliette McIver

ASL Sign of the Week: Dance 

My thumbs are starting to wiggle (from Storytime Allstars, To the tune of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow”) 
My thumbs are starting to wiggle.
My thumbs are starting to wiggle.
My thumbs are starting to wiggle,
At the library today!
Continue with other body parts.

Walking, Walking
sung to the tune of "Frere Jacques", from NIEHS
Walking, walking, walking, walking,
Hop, hop, hop! Hop, hop, hop!
Running, running, running, running,
running, running,
Now we stop! Now we stop!
(You can substitute other actions for walking and running, such as swaying, swimming or tapping.)

Come along and march with me (from Storytime Underground)
Come and march along with me,
Along with me.
Come and march along with me,
So early in the morning.
(other actions can include spinning, hopping, bouncing, flying, etc)
 
Monkey See, Monkey Do (from Perry Public Library)
Monkey see, monkey do,
Little monkey in the zoo,
Little monkey in the tree,
Can you (insert action) like me?

Jump up, Turn Around by Jim Gill

Body Rock by Greg and Steve (on Kids in Motion)

Rhyme Game: Say pairs of words. If they rhyme the group jumps, if they don't the group claps.

Movement Cube

Craft: We colored action cards to take home and and create our own movement cubes.

Literacy tip of the week: Awareness of rhyme is an important skill when children are learning to read. Rhyming games are a great way to practice this skill.

Baby Storytime 7/23/15

Book read: How do you make a baby smile? by Philemon Sturges

ASL sign of the week: Thank you

Way up high in the apple tree
Way up high in the apple tree, (lift baby)
A little apple I did see,
I shook that tree as hard as I could, (rock back and forth)
Down came the apple, (bring baby down)
Boy was it good!

Pop goes the weasel (from Perry Public Library)
All around the mulberry bush, (bounce baby on your knees)
The monkey chased the weasel.
In and out and all about.
POP goes the weasel! (lift baby up)

All around the cobbler's bench, (bounce baby on your knees)
The monkey chased the weasel.
That's the way the money goes.
POP goes the weasel! (lift baby up)

All around the mulberry bush, (bounce baby on your knees)
The monkey chased the weasel.
The monkey stopped to scratch his head.
POP goes the weasel! (lift baby up)

Come along and march with me (from Storytime Underground)
Come and march along with me,
Along with me.
Come and march along with me,
So early in the morning.
(other actions can include spinning, hopping, bouncing, flying, etc)

Giddyup, Giddyup (from King County Library System)
Giddyup, giddyup ride to town, (bounce baby on your lap)
Giddyup, giddyup, up and down.
Giddyup fast, (bounce quickly)
Giddyup slow, (bounce slowly)
Giddyup, giddyup, WHOA! (dip baby backwards)

Everyone can shake (with shakers, modified from Jbrary)
Everyone can shake, shake, shake
Everyone can shake, shake, shake
Everyone can shake, shake, shake
And now it's time to stop.
Additional verses: 
Everyone can tap, Everyone can clap, Everyone can wave, etc.

1, 2 Shake It On Your Shoe (from Jbrary)
1, 2, shake it on your shoe.
3.4 shake it on the floor.
5. 6 shake it really quick.
7, 8 hold it up straight.
9, 10 shake it with your friends!

Itsy Bitsy Spider

If you're happy and you know it

I'm a little cuckoo clock (adapted from Born to Read)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock back and forth)
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's one o'clock! (jump once)

Tick tock, tick tock,
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's two o'clock! (jump twice)

Wheels on the bus 

Literacy tip of the week: Babies thrive on repetition, so repeating the same songs and books is never a bad thing!

Superheroes Storytime 7/21/15 and 7/22/15

Books read: 
Supertruck by Stephen Savage
Princess Super Kitty by Antoinette Portis

Other book suggestions:
Mighty Max by Harriet Ziefert
Cows the the Rescue by John Himmelman
Do Superheroes Have Teddy Bears? by Carmela Lavigna Coyle

ASL Sign of the Week: Thank you

Did you ever see a hero? (adapted from Storytime Katie)
Did you ever see a hero, a hero, a hero?
Did you ever see a hero fly through the sky?
Fly this way and that way,
Fly this way and that way,
Did you ever see a hero fly through the sky?
Other actions: putting on cape, jumping to save the day, running on home

If you're super and you know it 

Superhero (to the tune of "Wheels on the Bus", from Miss Meg's Storytime)
The superhero's arms flex and lift,
Flex and lift.
The superhero's arms flex and lift,
All through the town.
Other actions: legs run fast, flies zoom zoom, feet jump high

Super Silly Tango (on Yummy Yellow by Eric Litwin) 

Super Pokey (from Miss Meg's Storytime) 
You put your right glove in,
You take your right glove out,
You put your right glove in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the super pokey and you turn yourself about.
That's what's it's all about!
Other verses: left glove, right boot, left book, helmet, whole self)

Superhero, Superhero (adapted from Miss Meg's Storytime)
Superhero, superhero, turn around.
Superhero, superhero, touch the ground.
Superhero, superhero, reach up high.
Superhero, superhero, fly fly fly.
Superhero, superhero, touch your feet.
Superhero, superhero, take a seat.

Craft: We colored superhero masks.

Literacy tip of the week: Playing pretend is an important first step to developing the imagination needed in reading.

Baby Storytime 7/16/15

Book read: Lucy and Henry are Twins by Elizabeth Winthrop

ASL sign of the week: More

Come along and march with me (from Storytime Underground)
Come and march along with me,
Along with me.
Come and march along with me,
So early in the morning.
(other actions can include spinning, hopping, bouncing, flying, etc)

Pop Goes the Weasel 

Head, Shoulder, Knees and Toes

Hop along (to the tune of "Row, row, row your boat, found here)
Hop, hop, hop along,Or bounce on someone's knee.
Higher and higher and higher,
Bunny hop with me!

One bright scarf (adapted from Storytime Underground)
One bright scarf, waiting for the wind to blow,
Wave it high, wave it low,
Throw it high!
Where did it go?

We wave our scarves (adapted from "We Hit the Floor Together" by Abby Librarian)
We wave our scarves together, together,
We wave our scarves together, together,
We wave our scarves together,
Because it's fun to do!

I'm a little cuckoo clock (adapted from Born to Read)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock back and forth)
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's one o'clock! (jump once)

Tick tock, tick tock,
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's two o'clock! (jump twice)

Wheels on the Bus

Literacy tip of the week: Keep reading time short and fun so it is a positive experience for both you and your baby.

Community Heroes Storytime 7/14/15 and 7/15/15

Book read:
Bark George by Jules Feiffer

Other book suggestions:
The Police Cloud by Christoph Niemann
Hardworking Puppies by Lynn Reiser
Firefighters: speeding, spraying, saving! by Patricia Hubbell

ASL Sign of the Week: Help

Bumping up and down (adapted from "Bumping up and down in my little red wagon", from 2015 CLSP manual) 
Bumping up and down in my little red fire truck,
Bumping up and down in my little red fire truck,
Bumping up and down in my little red fire truck,
Through the streets we go!

Bumping up and down in my blue police car,
Bumping up and down in my blue police car,
Bumping up and down in my blue police car,
Through the streets we go!

Swaying back and forth in my little tugboat,
Swaying back and forth in my little tugboat,
Swaying back and forth in my little tugboat,
Through the ports we go!

If you're a helper and you know it (adapted from "If you're happy and you know it")
If you're a firefighter and you know it spray the fire,
If you're a firefighter and you know it, then your uniform will show it,
If you're a firefighter and you know it spray the fire.
Additional verses: (police officer-show badge, soldier-give a salute)

Hurry, Hurry Drive the Firetruck (from childhood)
Hurry, hurry drive the firetruck (pretend to drive),
Hurry, hurry, drive the firetruck,
Hurry, hurry, drive the firetruck,
Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding!

Hurry, hurry, turn the corner (rock back and forth),
Hurry, hurry, turn the corner,
Hurry, hurry, turn the corner,
Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding!

Hurry, hurry, squirt the water,
Hurry, hurry, squirt the water,
Hurry, hurry, squirt the water,
Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding!

Construction Worker Song (from Everything Preschool)
This is the way we pound out nails, pound our nails (pound fists)
This is the way we pound our nails, so early in the morning.

Other verses:
Saw wood (move arms in sawing motion)
Shake paint (shake hands up and down)
Drill a hole (move hands in a circle)
Paint the walls (move hands side to side)  

My Daddy Works With One Hammer (from I Read to Relax)
My daddy works with one hammer, one hammer, one hammer (pound one fist)
My daddy works with one hammer, and then he works with two! (pound both fists)
My daddy works with two hammers, two hammers, two hammers,
My daddy works with two hammers, and then he works with three! (pound fists and stomp one foot)
My daddy works with three hammers, three hammers, three hammers,
My daddy works with three hammers, and then he works with four! (pound fists and stomp feet)
My daddy works with four hammers, four hammers, four hammers,
My daddy works with four hammers, and then he needs a nap! (pretend to sleep)

Hello, my name is Joe (from the Storytime Spot)
Hello, my name is Joe and I work at the pizza factory.
I have a house, and a dog and a family.
Now one day the cook said to me
"Are you busy?" 
I said "No."
The cook said, "Do you mind stirring sauce with your right hand?" (stirring motion with right hand)

Hello, my name is Joe and I work at the pizza factory.
I have a house and a dog and a family.
Now one day the cook said to me,
"Are you busy?"
I said "No."
The cook said "Then do you mind chopping these veggies with your left hand?" (add chopping motion with left hand)

Hello, my name is Joe and I work at the pizza factory.
I have a house and a dog and a family.
Now one day the cook said to me,
"Are you busy?"
I said "No."
The cook said, "Do you mind opening the trash with your right foot (add motion with right foot)

Hello, my name is Joe and I work at the pizza factory.
I have a house and a dog and a family.
Now one day the cook said to me,
"Are you busy?"
 I said "No."
The cook said, "Could you open the door with your left foot?" (add motion with left foot)

Hello, my name is Joe and I work at the pizza factory.
I have a house and a dog and a family.
Now one day the cook said to me,
"Are you busy?"
I said "No."
The cook said, "Could you lick these stamps with your tongue?" (stick out tongue)

Hello, my name is Joe and I work at the pizza factory.
I have a house and a dog and a family.
Now one day the cook said to me,
"Are you busy?"
I said "YES!"

Whose Tool Is This Flannelboard

Craft: We decorated police hats and badges.

Literacy tip of the week:  Reading is a great way to introduce new vocabulary to your child. For instance, while reading "Bark, George" I brought up the word "veterinarian")

Baby Storytime 7/9/15

Book read: Where is my Mommy? by Julie Downing

I'm a little cuckoo clock (adapted from Born to Read)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock back and forth)
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's one o'clock! (jump once)

Tick tock, tick tock,
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's two o'clock! (jump twice)

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

Come along and march with me (from Storytime Underground)
Come and march along with me,
Along with me.
Come and march along with me,
So early in the morning.
(other actions can include spinning, hopping, bouncing, flying, etc)

Dump Truck (adapted from ALSC listserv)
Dump truck, dump truck (rock back and forth)
Bumping down the road.
Spilling gravel as we travel (rock back and forth)
with our heavy load.

Dump truck, dump truck (bouncing)
DUMP! (fall down)

Itsy Bitsy Spider

Wheels on the Bus

If you're happy and you know it (with parachute, from Laughter and Literacy) 
If you're happy and you know it, lift it high!
If you're happy and you know it, shake it fast!
If you're happy and you know it, shake it slow!
If you're happy and you know it drop it low!

The chute is on my head (to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell", from Laughter and Literacy)
The chute is on my head, the chute is on my head!
Hi ho the dairy-o, the chute is on my head!
The chute goes up and down, the chute goes up and down!
Hi ho the dairy-o, the chute goes up and down!
The chute goes fast and slow, the chute goes fast and slow!
Hi ho the dairy-o, the chute goes fast and slow!
The chute is on my head, the chute is on my head!
Hi ho the dairy-o the chute is on my head!

Literacy tip of the week: Ask your baby simple questions as you read to them, even if they can't respond. The more you engage with your baby in this manner the more words they will learn to understand.

Heroes In My Family Storytime 7/7/15 and 7/8/15

Books read:
Where is my Mommy? by Julie Downing
The Family Book by Todd Parr

Other book suggestions:
Families by Shelley Rottner
One Family by George Shannon

Sign of the Week: Mom and Dad

If you have a brother (from Abby the Librarian) 
If you have a brother,
A brother, a brother,
If you have a brother, please stand up!
Repeat with other family members

My Family Likes (to the tune of "Wheels on the Bus", adapted from Johnson County Library) 
My grandma likes to bounce me up and down,
Up and down, up and down.
My grandma likes to bounce with me because she loves me so.
Repeat with other combinations of family members and actions (jump, clap, stomp etc.)

I'm Mommy's little cuckoo clock (adapted from Born to Read)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock back and forth)
I'm a Mommy's little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's one o'clock! (jump once)

Tick tock, tick tock,
I'm Mommy's little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's two o'clock! (jump twice)

My Daddy Works With One Hammer (from I Read to Relax)
My daddy works with one hammer, one hammer, one hammer (pound one fist)
My daddy works with one hammer, and then he works with two! (pound both fists)
My daddy works with two hammers, two hammers, two hammers,
My daddy works with two hammers, and then he works with three! (pound fists and stomp one foot)
My daddy works with three hammers, three hammers, three hammers,
My daddy works with three hammers, and then he works with four! (pound fists and stomp feet)
My daddy works with four hammers, four hammers, four hammers,
My daddy works with four hammers, and then he needs a nap! (pretend to sleep)

I have a little heart (from Delta Township Library)
I have a little heart (place hand over heart)
That goes thump, thump, thump. (pat chest three times)
It keeps right on beating when I jump, jump, jump. (jump three times)
I get a special feeling when I look at you.
It makes me want to blow you a kiss or two. (blow kisses)

Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed

My Grandfather Clock by Bob McGrath (with rhythm sticks)

Craft: We used stickers to decorate this heart.

Literacy tip of the week: Spending time reading with family helps your child develop positive associations with books.  

Baby Storytime 7/2/15

Book read:
Clip-Clop by Nicola Smee

ASL Sign of the Week: Hungry

Popcorn (from Library Meow)
I'm a piece of popcorn (rock baby)
Put me in the pot (drop baby down)
Shake me, shake me (wiggle baby)
Watch me POP! (lift baby in the air)

Come along and march with me (from Storytime Underground)
Come and march along with me,
Along with me.
Come and march along with me,
So early in the morning.
(other actions can include spinning, hopping, bouncing, flying, etc)

Giddyup, Giddyup (from King County Library System)
Giddyup, giddyup ride to town, (bounce baby on your lap)
Giddyup, giddyup, up and down.
Giddyup fast, (bounce quickly)
Giddyup slow, (bounce slowly)
Giddyup, giddyup, WHOA! (dip baby backwards)

Pop goes the weasel (from Perry Public Library)
All around the mulberry bush, (bounce baby on your knees)
The monkey chased the weasel.
In and out and all about.
POP goes the weasel! (lift baby up)

All around the cobbler's bench, (bounce baby on your knees)
The monkey chased the weasel.
That's the way the money goes.
POP goes the weasel! (lift baby up)

All around the mulberry bush, (bounce baby on your knees)
The monkey chased the weasel.
The monkey stopped to scratch his head.
POP goes the weasel! (lift baby up) 

We Hit the Floor Together (to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell", from Abby Librarian)
We hit the floor together,
We hit the floor together,
We hit the floor together,
Because it's fun to do!
Repeat with different actions: clap hands, nod heads, sway side to side, say hello, etc.

Everyone can shake (with shakers, modified from Jbrary)
Everyone can shake, shake, shake
Everyone can shake, shake, shake
Everyone can shake, shake, shake
And now it's time to stop.
Additional verses: 
Everyone can tap, Everyone can clap, Everyone can wave, etc.

1, 2 Shake It On Your Shoe (from Jbrary)
1, 2, shake it on your shoe.
3.4 shake it on the floor.
5. 6 shake it really quick.
7, 8 hold it up straight.
9, 10 shake it with your friends!

Twinkle, Twinkle

Patacake

I'm a little cuckoo clock (from Born to Read)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock baby back and forth)
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's one o'clock! (lift baby once)

Tick tock, tick tock,
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's two o'clock! (lift baby twice)

Wheels on the Bus

Literacy tip: Bouncing rhymes help your baby begin to recognize the sounds that make up language. 

 

H is for Hero Storytime 6/30/15 and 7/1/15

Book read:
Clip Clop by Nicola Smee
Hiccupotamus by Steve Smallman

Other book suggestions:
My Heart Is Like a Zoo by Michael Hall
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Hop! Hop! Jump! by Lauren Thompson

ASL Sign of the Week: Letter H and Horse

Giddyup, Giddyup (from King County Library System)
Giddyup, giddyup ride to town, (bounce child on your lap)
Giddyup, giddyup, up and down.
Giddyup fast, (bounce quickly)
Giddyup slow, (bounce slowly)
Giddyup, giddyup, WHOA! (dip backwards)

My hands say hello (to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell", from Abby the Librarian)
My hands say hello
My hands say hello
Every time I see my friends
My hands say hello
Repeat using other body parts. 

Funny, Funny, Froggy (from Perry Public Library)
Funny, funny froggy,
Hop, hop hop!  (jump)
Funny, funny froggy,
Stop, stop, stop! (stop)
Funny, funny froggy,
Don't run away! (run)
Funny, funny froggy,
Stay and play!

Walking, Walking
sung to the tune of "Frere Jacques", from NIEHS
Walking, walking, walking, walking,
Hop, hop, hop! Hop, hop, hop!
Running, running, running, running,
running, running,
Now we stop! Now we stop!
(You can substitute other actions for walking and running, such as swaying, swimming or tapping.)

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

I have a little heart (from Delta Township Library)
I have a little heart (place hand over heart)
That goes thump, thump, thump. (pat chest three times)
It keeps right on beating when I jump, jump, jump. (jump three times)
I get a special feeling when I look at you.
It makes me want to blow you a kiss or two. (blow kisses)

Hokey Pokey
 

Silly Hat Song (from SurLaLune Storytime)
(Tune: This Old Man)

On my head, I wear my hat.
It is such a silly hat
That my head will wiggle waggle to and fro
Where else can my silly hat go?
(Repeat using foot, elbow and knee)

Humpty, Dumpty (with scarves)

Bunny in the hole (with scarves, adapted from "Jack in the Box" by Jbrary)
Bunny in the hole,
Sits so still,
Will he come out?
Yes he will!

Craft: We decorated a print out of the letter H.

Literacy tip of the week: Talking about letters and the sounds they make is a great way to prepare your child for recognizing the sounds in language.