Baby Storytime 12/15/16

Book read:
Jingle, Jingle by Nicola Smee

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!

Itsy Bitsy Spider

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.

I'm a little cuckoo clock (from KCLS)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock baby)
I'm a little cuckoo clock!
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's one o'clock!
CUCKOO! (lift baby once)

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

Wheels on the Bus

10 Little Bubbles (while popping bubbles, to the tune of "Ten Little Indians")
One little,
Two little,
Three little bubbles,
Four little,
Five little,
Six little bubbles.
Seven little,
Eight little,
Nine little bubbles.
Ten little bubbles in the air.

The Elevator Song (done with parachute, from Jbrary)
Oh the city is great and the city is grand.
There's a whole lot of people on a little piece of land.
And we live way up on the 57th floor.
This is what we do when we go out the door:
We take the elevator up and the elevator down.
We take the elevator up and the elevator down.
And we turn around.

Literacy tip of the week: It is never too early to read to your baby. The benefits of reading aloud have been shown to begin at birth!

Holiday Storytime 12/13/16 and 12/14/16

Books read:
Jingle, Jingle by Nicola Smee
Christmas Magic by Sue Stainton

Other book suggestions:
Llama, Llama, Holiday Drama by Anna Dewdney
The House that Santa Built by Dianne De Las Casas

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!

The Reindeer Pokey
You put your antlers in, (bow head forward)
You put your antlers out, (lean head back)
You put your antlers in,
And you shake them all about (shake head)
You do the Reindeer Pokey and you turn yourself around,
That's what it's all about!

Other verses include hooves (feet), tail, red nose, and reindeer self.

Boogie Woogie Santa (on CD)

Jingle Bells (with bells)

The Bells on the Sleigh (to the tune of "Wheels on the Bus", from Library Village) 
The bells on the sleigh go ring, ring, ring,
Ring, ring, ring,
Ring, ring, ring.
The bells on the sleigh go right, ring, ring,
On Christmas night.

The Santa on the sleigh says, "Ho, ho, ho!"
"Ho, ho, ho!"
"Ho, ho, ho!"
The Santa on the sleigh says, "Ho, ho, ho!"
On Christmas night.

The reindeer on the sleigh fly oh so high.
Oh so high,
Oh so high.
The reindeer on the sleigh fly oh so high,
On Christmas night.

Craft: We decorated an ornament template with torn paper.

Literacy tip of the week:  Practicing rhymes helps kids identify the parts that make up words. It can also make a fun game to play with your preschooler or toddler!

Baby Storytime 12/8/16

Book read:
Itsy Bitsy Babies by Margaret Wild

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.

Come And March Along 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)

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 (from KCLS)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock baby)
I'm a little cuckoo clock!
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's one o'clock!
CUCKOO! (lift baby once)

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

Wheels on the Bus

10 Little Bubbles (while popping bubbles, to the tune of "Ten Little Indians")
One little,
Two little,
Three little bubbles,
Four little,
Five little,
Six little bubbles.
Seven little,
Eight little,
Nine little bubbles.
Ten little bubbles in the air.

Literacy tip of the week: Books that include actions your baby can do are great choices for  reading together. The interactive element will help hold baby's attention.

Boxes Storytime 12/6/16 and 12/7/16

Books read:
My Book Box by Will Hillenbrand
What to do with a box? by Jane Yolen 

Birthday Months (from Sunflower Storytime)
If you're birthday is in January, turn around.
If you're birthday is in February, touch the ground.
If you're birthday is in March, march along.
If you're birthday is in April, sing a song.
If you're birthday is in May wiggle your nose.
If you're birthday is in June, shake your toes.
If you're birthday is in July, jump up high.
If you're birthday is in August, reach the sky.
If you're birthday is in September, tap your shoe.
If you're birthday is in October, just say "Boo!"
If you're birthday is in November, tickle your ears.
If you're birthday is in December, give a cheer!     
 
Five Days Old by Laurie Berkner

I Like To Be A Jumping Jack (from Perry Public Library)
I like to be a jumping jack,
And jump out from a box.
I like to be a rocking horse,
And rock, and rock and rock.
I like to be a spinning top,
And spring around and round.
I like to be a rubber ball,
And bounce right to the ground.

Pizza Man, Pizza Man (from Storytime Katie)
Pizza man, pizza man, turn around.
Pizza man, pizza man, touch the ground.
Pizza man, pizza man, smell a rose.
Pizza man, pizza man, touch your toes.
Pizza man, pizza man, touch the sky.
Pizza man, pizza man, wave goodbye.
Pizza man, pizza man, turn around.
Pizza man, pizza man, sit back down.

Pizza Man (from Storytime Katie)
Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, pizza man (clap hands)
Make me a pizza as fast as you can.
Roll it (roll hands)
Toss it (toss scarf in the air)
Sprinkle it with cheese (sprinkling motions)
Put it in the oven (pushing motion)
And bake it fast please!

Jack in the box (from Jbrary)
Jack in the box,
Sits so still,
Will he come out?
Yes he will!

Bob's Hammer (done as a flannelboard with different colored toolboxes)
Bob needs his hammer lots and lots, is it under the (insert color) toolbox?

Craft: We made a "box collage" out of cut out squares and rectangles.

Literacy tip of the week: Imaginative play, such as playing with boxes, helps develop children's storytelling skills.

Baby Storytime 12/1/16

Book read:
We've all got bellybuttons! by David Martin

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)

I can run as fast as you (from A Library Geek)
I can run as fast as you,
I can run as fast as you,
I can run as fast as you,
Running on the spot!

Other verses: I can walk as slow as you.
I can jump as high as you.
I can crouch as low as you. 

Grand Old Duke of York (from Perry Public Library)
Oh, the Grand Old Duke of York, (bounce baby)
He had ten thousand men.
He marched them up to the top of the hill, (lift baby)
And he marched them down again. (bring baby down)
And when they're up, they're up, (lift baby)
And when they're down, they're down, (bring baby down)
And when they're only halfway up, (bring baby halfway up)
They're neither up nor down. (lift baby down then up)  

Dump Truck (from ALSC listserv)
Dump truck, dump truck (bounce baby on lap)
Bumping down the road.
Spilling gravel as we travel (rock child back and forth)
with our heavey load.

Dump truck, dump truck (bouncing)
DUMP! (tip child 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.

I'm a little cuckoo clock (from KCLS)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock baby)
I'm a little cuckoo clock!
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's one o'clock!
CUCKOO! (lift baby once)

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

Wheels on the Bus

10 Little Bubbles (while popping bubbles, to the tune of "Ten Little Indians")
One little,
Two little,
Three little bubbles,
Four little,
Five little,
Six little bubbles.
Seven little,
Eight little,
Nine little bubbles.
Ten little bubbles in the air.

Literacy tip of the week: Incorporate books into your baby's daily routine. This will make it easier to include as part of every day. For instance you can read a book before bedtime each night.

Opposites Storytime 11/29/16 and 11/30/16

Books read:
Big Bear, Small Mouse by Karma Wilson
I'm The Biggest Thing in the Ocean by Kevin Sherry

Other book suggestions:
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
Not Quite Black and White by Jonathan Ying

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)

I can run as fast as you (from A Library Geek)
I can run as fast as you,
I can run as fast as you,
I can run as fast as you,
Running on the spot!

Other verses: I can walk as slow as you.
I can jump as high as you.
I can crouch as low as you. 

The Grand Old Duke of York
The Grand Old Duke of York,
He had ten thousand men.
He marched them up to the top of the hill (lift arms in the air)
And he marched them down again (touch ground)
And when they're up, they're up. (lift arms)
And when they're down they're down. (touch ground)
But when they're only halfway up (raise hands halfway)
They're neither up nor down. (reach up then down)  

10 Little Bubbles (while popping bubbles, to the tune of "Ten Little Indians")
One little,
Two little,
Three little bubbles,
Four little,
Five little,
Six little bubbles.
Seven little,
Eight little,
Nine little bubbles.
Ten little bubbles in the air.

Mama's Sleeping (with shakers, from Getting Giggles)
Mama's sleeping don't wake her up. (shake shakers quietly)
Mama's sleeping don't wake her up.
Mama's sleeping don't wake her up.
We must be very quiet.

Wake up Mama! It's time to play! (shake shakers loudly)
Wake up Mama! It's time to play!
Wake up Mama! It's time to play!
Let's be very noisy!

Craft: We placed green stickers on a template of a pea pod labeled with "In" and "Out". 

Literacy tip of the week: Opposites are a great way to help kids differentiate between objects in their environment. Eventually this practice will apply to differentiating between letters!

I'm Hungry Storytime: 11/22/16 and 11/23/16

Books read:
Bear Wants More by Karma Wilson
The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear

Other book suggestions:
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Peanut Butter and Cupcake by Terry Border

ASL Sign of the Week: Eat

If you're hungry and you know it

Toaster Song (from Literary Commentary)
I'm toast in the toaster and I'm getting really hot, (bounce)
Tick tock, Tick tock, (rock back and forth)
Up I pop! (jump)

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!

I feel so crazy I jump in the soup 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! 

Milkshake Song (from Jbrary) 
You take a little a little milk, pour some milk.
And you take a little cream, pour some cream.
You stir it all up,
You shake and you'll sing..a 1,2,3,4..

Milkshake, milkshake, shake it all up!
Milkshake, milkshake, shake it all up!
Milkshake, milkshake, shake it all up! 

Popcorn Kernels (with scarves, from Jbrary) 
Popcorn kernels, popcorn kernels,
In the pot. In the pot.
Shake them, shake them, shake them.
Shake them, shake them, shake them.
Till they pop! Till they pop!

Craft: We made collages with pictures of food cut from magazines.

Literacy tip of the week: Talk about the names of different foods as you and your child share a meal. You never know what new vocabulary the discussion will introduce! 

Baby Storytime 11/17/16

Book read: 
Peek-a-zoo! by Marie Torres Cimarusti

ASL Sign of the Week: Thank you

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)

This Old Road (done as lap bounce, modified from Everything Preschool)
This old road is hard and bumpy, (bounce on lap)
Makes the turkeys very jumpy.
Driver, driver, not so jerky, (rock back and forth)
Or we might just loose a turkey! (lean back)

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.

I'm a little cuckoo clock (from KCLS)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock baby)
I'm a little cuckoo clock!
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's one o'clock!
CUCKOO! (lift baby once)

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

Wheels on the Bus

10 Little Bubbles (while popping bubbles, to the tune of "Ten Little Indians")
One little,
Two little,
Three little bubbles,
Four little,
Five little,
Six little bubbles.
Seven little,
Eight little,
Nine little bubbles.
Ten little bubbles in the air.

Literacy tip of the week: Shakers are a great way for babies to learn about cause and effect. They shake the shaker and it makes a noise! 

Turkey Storytime 11/15/16 and 11/16/16

Books read:
Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano
I'm a Turkey by Jim Arnosky

Other book suggestions: 
Gobble Gobble by Cathryn Falwell
This is the Turkey by Abby Levine 

ASL Sign of the Week: Turkey

This Old Road (done as lap bounce, modified from Everything Preschool)
This old road is hard and bumpy, (bounce on lap)
Makes the turkeys very jumpy.
Driver, driver, not so jerky, (rock back and forth)
Or we might just loose a turkey! (lean back)

I'm a little turkey (from Perpetual Preschool)
(to the tune of "I'm a little teapot")
I'm a little turkey, fluffy and round.
My wings flap when I turn around. (flap arms like wings)
I've got feathers on my back.
And a big orange beak that goes click clack! (Put hands in front of mouth like a beak and clap together)

Did you ever see a turkey? (to the tune of "Did you ever see a Lassie?", modified from Library Village) 
Did you ever see a turkey, a turkey a turkey?
Did you ever see a turkey (insert action) this way and that?
(Insert action) this way and that way, and this way and that way?
Did you ever see a turkey (insert action) this way and that? 

Turkey Pokey (version of Hokey Pokey, from HCPL Kidsite)
You put your right wing in,
You take your right wing out.
You do they Turkey Pokey and you turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about.
(For more verses substitute left wing, beak, claws, tail feathers and turkey body) 

Turkey wore his rainbow feathers (sung to "Mary Wore Her Red Dress", from Everything Preschool)  
Turkey wore his red feather, red feather, red feather.
Turkey wore his red feather all day long!
(continue further verses with other colors)

Final verse: 
Turkey wore his rainbow feathers, rainbow feathers, rainbow feathers.
Turkey wore his rainbow feathers all day long!

We made a stuffed turkey "fly" on our parachute.

Craft: We decorated a feather print out with craft feathers. 

Literacy tip of the week: Ask your child to make predictions about the story as you read with them. This will help increase their understanding of the book. It will also help them develop their narrative skills.

Baby Storytime 11/10/16

Book read:
Overboard by Sarah Weeks

ASL sign of the week: Play

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!
Additional verses: tap your knees, shake your feet, touch your shoulders

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)

I'm a little cuckoo clock (from KCLS)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock baby)
I'm a little cuckoo clock!
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's one o'clock!
CUCKOO! (lift baby once)

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

Wheels on the Bus

10 Little Bubbles (while popping bubbles, to the tune of "Ten Little Indians")
One little,
Two little,
Three little bubbles,
Four little,
Five little,
Six little bubbles.
Seven little,
Eight little,
Nine little bubbles.
Ten little bubbles in the air.

Literacy tip of the week: Tilting songs and activities (like those that can be incorporated into books like Overboard) help develop a baby's vestibular system, which impacts sight, balance and hearing.

Cookie Storytime 11/8/16 and 11/9/16

Books read:
Mr. Cookie Baker by Monica Wellington
The cow loves cookies by Karma Wilson

Other book suggestions: 
Who ate all the cookies? by Karen Beaumont
If you give a mouse a cookie by Laura Numeroff

ASL sign of the week: Cookie

If you like cookies and you know it
If you like cookies and you know it clap your hands. (clap hands)
If you like cookies and you know it clap your hands.
If you like cookies and you know it, and you really want to show it,
If you like cookies and you know it clap your hands.

If you like cookies and you know it stomp your feet. (stomp feet)
If you like cookies and you know it stomp your feet.
If you like cookies and you know it and you really want to show it,
If you like cookies and you know it stomp your feet.

If you like cookies and you know it shout "Hooray!"
If you like cookies and you know it shout "Hooray!"
If you like cookies and you know it and you really want to show it,
If you like cookies and you know it shout "Hooray!"

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes 

The Gingerbread Man (to the tune of "The Muffin Man", modified from Preschool Education)
Do you know the Gingerbread Man,
The Gingerbread Man, the Gingerbread Man?
Oh, do you know the Gingerbread Man who ran and ran and ran?
Additional verses can suggest other actions.

Five Little Gingerbread Men (from Step by Step Childcare)
Five little gingerbread men in a row.
Not gonna eat one, no, no, no. (shake finger side to side)
But they look so sweet, from head to toe. (touch head, then toes)
Crunch, munch! (slap thighs on crunch, clap hands on munch)
UH OH! (put hands over mouth)

Four little gingerbread men in a row.
Not gonna eat one,no, no, no.
But they look so sweet, from head to toe.
Crunch, munch!
UH OH!

Count down till all gingerbread men are gone.

No little gingerbread men in a row.
Wasn't gonna eat one, no, no, no.
But they looked so sweet, it's sad to tell.
Crunch, munch, Oh well! (shrug shoulders)

Bread and Butter (modified from http://projectiamaby.blogspot.com/2015/03/baking-theme-toddler-storytime.html)
Bread and butter, toast and jam.
Tap your rolling pins as fast as you can!
Other verses: slowly as you can, loud as you can, soft as you can.

Craft: Toddlers glued tissue paper on a cookie printable. Preschoolers colored the same template.

Literacy tip of the week: You can incorporate literacy into so many daily activities, including baking. For instance, explaining what you are doing as you bake with your child can introduce them to new words and vocabulary.

Baby Storytime 10/20/16

Book read: Jump by Scott Fischer

ASL Sign of the Week: All done

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.

Roly Poly (from Reading with Red)
Roly Poly, Roly Poly, (roll hands)
Up Up Up! (lift hands high)
Roly Poly, Roly Poly (roll hands)
Down Down Down! (stomp feet)
Roly Poly, Roly Poly,  (roll hands)
Clap Clap Clap! (clap hands)
Roly Poly, Roly Poly, (roll hands)
Lap Lap Lap! (touch lap) 

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 cuckoo clock (from KCLS)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock baby)
I'm a little cuckoo clock!
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's one o'clock!
CUCKOO! (lift baby once)

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

Wheels on the Bus

10 Little Bubbles (while popping bubbles, to the tune of "Ten Little Indians")
One little,
Two little,
Three little bubbles,
Four little,
Five little,
Six little bubbles.
Seven little,
Eight little,
Nine little bubbles.
Ten little bubbles in the air. 

Literacy tip of the week: When you sing songs involving opposites you are introducing the idea of differentiating between two things. Later this will apply to differentiating between letters! 

Pumpkin Storytime 10/18/16 and 10/19//16

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

Other book suggestions: 
It's Pumpkin Tme! by Zoe Hall
Pumpkin Trouble by Jan Thomas

ASL Sign of the Week: Pumpkin
 
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. 

Once there was a Pumpkin (from Kid and Kaboodle)
Once there was a pumpkin,
And it grew, (join fingers to make pumpkin)
And grew, (make bigger pumpkin shape)
And grew. (make large pumpkin with arms)
Now it's a Jack-O-Lantern and it smiles at you,
And you, and you!

Roly Pumpkin (adaptation of Roly Poly from Reading with Red)
Roly Pumpkin, (roll hands)
Up Up Up! (lift hands high)
Roly Pumpkin, (roll hands)
Down Down Down! (stomp feet)
Roly Pumpkin,  (roll hands)
Clap Clap Clap! (clap hands)
Roly Pumpkin, (roll hands)
Lap Lap Lap! (touch lap)

Pumpkins, pumpkins (from Read Sing Play)
Pumpkins, pumpkins turn around
Pumpkins, pumpkins touch the ground.
Pumpkins, pumpkins slap your knees.
Pumpkins, pumpkins sit down please.

Pumpkin Search Game:
Oh, where oh where has my pumpkin gone?
Oh, where oh where can it be?
I'm searching and singing my pumpkin song.
Won't you please help me?

Craft: We painted a template of a pumpkin.

Literacy tip of the week: Activities such as painting and coloring are a great way to develop the fine motor skills needed to write.

Baby Storytime 10/13/16

Book read: Hello Baby! by Mem Fox

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.

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes 

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)

Peekaboo

I'm a little cuckoo clock (from KCLS)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock baby)
I'm a little cuckoo clock!
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's one o'clock!
CUCKOO! (lift baby once)

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

Wheels on the Bus

10 Little Bubbles (while popping bubbles, to the tune of "Ten Little Indians")
One little,
Two little,
Three little bubbles,
Four little,
Five little,
Six little bubbles.
Seven little,
Eight little,
Nine little bubbles.
Ten little bubbles in the air.

Row, row, row your boat (with parachute)
Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream.
Row row, row your boat gently down the stream,
If you see a crocodile, don't forget to scream!

Literacy tip of the week: When you sing songs such as "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" with your baby you are building their vocabulary as you label body parts.

Monsters Storytime 10/11/16 and 10/12/16

Books read: 
Go Away Big Green Monster! by Ed Emberley
Even Monsters by AJ Smith

Other book suggestions:
My monster Mama loves me so by Laura Leuck
Marilyn's Monster by Michelle Knudsen

ASL Sign of the Week: Monster

If you're a monster and you know it
If you're a monster and you know it,
Wave your claws! (wave hands in the air)
If you're a monster and you know it,
Wave your claws!
If you're a monster and you know it,
and you really want to show it,
If you're a monster and you know it,
Wave your claws!
(Additional verses can include "chomp your teeth", "stamp your paws", "twitch your tail" and "give a roar")

This little monster (from Miss Meg's Storytime)
This little monster has a big red nose.
This little monster has purple toes.
This little monster has green spiky hair.
This little monster has teeth that can scare.
This little mosnter goes "Tee-hee-hee!"
I'm not scary, it's just me! 

We will Stomp by Mr. Eric and Mr Michael

Monsters Galore (modified from Storytime Katie)
Monsters galore, can you roar? (roar)
Monsters galore, can you soar? (fly)
Monsters galore, can you snore? (pretend to sleep)
Monsters galore, fall on the floor! (fall down)
 
Horns, fangs, knees and claws (version of "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes")
Horns and fangs, knees and claws, (touch each corresponding body part)
Knees and claws.
Horns and fangs, knees and claws,
Knees and claws.
Eyes and ears and tail and claws!
Horns and fangs, knees and claws,
Knees and claws.

Little Monster (color recognition activity)
We hid our monster (Fred) beneath colored beds.
For each color we chant: "Little Monster named Fred, Are you under the (insert color) bed?"

Craft: We made monsters out of contact paper and torn tissue paper. The kids put tissue paper on the sticky side of the contact paper and turned it over on a plain piece of paper once done. They could then add to their monsters by drawing with markers.

Literacy tip of the week: Playing with noise, like we do when making monster sounds, is a great way to help your child practice the sounds that make up words.

Baby Storytime 10/6/16

Book read:  Where is my mommy? by Julie Downing

ASL Sign of the Week: Please

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.

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! (bounce or lift)    

Roly Poly (from Reading with Red)
Roly Poly, Roly Poly, (roll hands)
Up Up Up! (lift hands high)
Roly Poly, Roly Poly (roll hands)
Down Down Down! (stomp feet)
Roly Poly, Roly Poly,  (roll hands)
Clap Clap Clap! (clap hands)
Roly Poly, Roly Poly, (roll hands)
Lap Lap Lap! (touch lap) 

I'm a little cuckoo clock (from KCLS)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock baby)
I'm a little cuckoo clock!
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's one o'clock!
CUCKOO! (lift baby once)

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

Wheels on the Bus

10 Little Bubbles (while popping bubbles, to the tune of "Ten Little Indians")
One little,
Two little,
Three little bubbles,
Four little,
Five little,
Six little bubbles.
Seven little,
Eight little,
Nine little bubbles.
Ten little bubbles in the air.

Literacy tip of the week: When we kick and tap our hands and feet we are working on balance and shifting the sides of the brain that are in control.

Autumn Colors Storytime 10/4/16 and 10/5/16

Books read: 
Where is Tippy Toes by Betsy Lewin
Banana by Ed Vere

Other book suggestions:
Leaf man by Lois Ehlert
Brontorina by James Howe

ASL Sign of the Week: Autumn

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.

Red, red, red (from Storytime All Stars)
Red, red, red, touch your head.
Blue, blue, blue, touch your shoe.
Brown, brown, brown, touch  the ground.
Black, black, black, touch your back.
Pink, pink, pink, give a wink.
Gray, gray, gray, shout hooray!

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!   

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! 

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)

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. 

Pumpkins, pumpkins (from Read Sing Play)
Pumpkins, pumpkins turn around
Pumpkins, pumpkins touch the ground.
Pumpkins, pumpkins slap your knees.
Pumpkins, pumpkins sit down please.

Wheels on the Bus

Literacy tip of the week: Wordless or nearly wordless books, such as "Banana", are a great way to encourage your child's storytelling skills.

Baby Storytime 9/29/16

Book read: I went walking by Sue Williams

ASL Sign of the Week: More

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.

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.

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)

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) 

Itsy Bitsy Spider

I'm a little cuckoo clock (from KCLS)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock baby)
I'm a little cuckoo clock!
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's one o'clock!
CUCKOO! (lift baby once)

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

Wheels on the Bus

10 Little Bubbles (to the tune of "Ten Little Indians")
One little,
Two little,
Three little bubbles (count on fingers)
Four little,
Five little,
Six little bubbles.
Seven little,
Eight little,
Nine little bubbles.
Ten little bubbles in the air.

Play "Peekaboo" with parachute 

Literacy tip of the week: Let your baby touch and explore the book as you read with them. This is a great way for them to learn about books!

Letter F Storytime 9/27/16 and 9/28/16

Books read:
Hooray for Fish by Lucy Cousins
Froodle by Antoinette Portis

Other book suggestions:
Jump by Scott Fischer
Dancing Feet by Lindsey Craig

ASL Sign of the Week: F

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.

Slippery Fish (from Jbrary, found here)
Slippery fish, Slippery fish, (move hands together like a fish)
Sliding through the water,
Slippery fish, Slippery fish,
GULP, GULP. GULP!  (clap three times)
Oh no! It been eaten by an..

Octopus, Octopus, (wiggle arms)
Wiggling in the water,
Octopus, Octopus,
GULP, GULP, GULP!
Oh no! It's been eaten by a...

Great white shark, Great white shark, (hand on head like shark fin)
Lurking in the water,
Great white shark, Great white shark,
GULP, GULP, GULP!
Oh no! It's been eaten by a...

Humongous whale, Humongous whale, (hands out to side)
Spouting in the water,
Humongous whale, Humongous whale,
GULP, GULP, GULP!
BURP!

The Goldfish by Laurie Berkner 

We Hit the Floor Together (from Abby Librarian)
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 a frog and you know it
If you're a frog and you know it hop like this (hop)
If you're a frog and you know it hop like this (hop)
If you're a frog and you know it and you really want to show it,
If you're a frog and you know it hop like this!
Other verses include: Say "ribbit" and catch a fly (bring hands together in front of you)

Dance your fingers (from Storytime Katie)
Dance your fingers up,
Dance your fingers down,
Dance your fingers side to side,
Dance them round and round,
Dance them on your shoulders,
Dance them on your head,
Dance them on your tummy,
And put them right to bed!

Craft: We decorated a cut out of the letter F with feathers.

Literacy tip of the week: Talk with your child about things you see throughout the day. This is a great way to build their vocabulary!

Baby Storytime 9/22/16

Book read: Charlie Chick by Nick Denchfield

ASL Sign of the Week: Eat

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.
Other actions include: jumping high, spinning round, dancing fast, flying high, 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)

My Pony Macaroni (do three times with increasing speed) (from Born to Read)
I have a little pony, (bounce baby on lap)
His name is Macaroni.
He trots and trots and then he stops (stop bouncing)
Funny little pony!

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)

10 Little Bubbles (to the tune of "Ten Little Indians")
One little,
Two little,
Three little bubbles (count on fingers)
Four little,
Five little,
Six little bubbles.
Seven little,
Eight little,
Nine little bubbles.
Ten little bubbles in the air.

Let's pop, pop, pop those bubbbles, (clap hands as if popping bubbles)
Pop, pop, those bubbles.
Pop, pop, pop those bubbles,
Pop them everywhere!

Down at the Library (with parachute, from What Happens in Storytime)
Down at the library in the story room,
Sat babies and Ms. Kelly and a parachute.
Lift said Ms. Kelly, lift the chute!
And they lifted and lifted that parachute,
Other actions: shake, drop, let go

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!

Literacy tip of the week: Bouncing is a great way to help babies physically feel the sounds that make up words. 

Shaker Storytime 9/20/16 and 9/21/16

Books read:
Tip Tip, Dig Dig by Emma Garcia
Ol' Mama Squirrel by David Ezra Stein

ASL Sign of the Week: Music

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.

Shake it to the east (from Jbrary)
Shake it to the east, (shake to one side)
Shake it to the west, (shake to other side)
Shake it all around, (shake in a circle)
And take a rest.
Shake your shakers up, (shake high)
Shake your shakers down, (shake low)
Shake it, shake it, shake it!
And then settle down.

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)

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! 

Twist and Shout (by Beatles or others) 

Mama's Sleeping (from Getting Giggles)
Mama's sleeping, don't wake her up. (shake shakers quietly)
Mama's sleeping, don't wake her up.
Mama's sleeping don't wake her up.
Mama's sleeping don't wake her up.
We must be very quiet!

Wake up Mama! It's time to play! (shake shakers loudly)
Wake up Mama! It's time to play!
Wake up Mama! It's time to play!
Let's be very noise!

Wimoweh (The Lion Sleeps Tonight) by Laurie Berkner

Craft: We colored a picture of shakers.

Literacy tip of the week: Shakers are a great way to help kids learn the parts that make up words. When they physically shake the shaker on each syllable of a word it reinforces this concept!

Baby Storytime 9/15/16

Book read: Nose to Toes, You are Yummy! by Tim Harrington

ASL Sign of the Week: Book

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.

Itsy Bitsy Spider

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)

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

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

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!

10 Little Bubbles (to the tune of "Ten Little Indians")
One little,
Two little,
Three little bubbles (count on fingers)
Four little,
Five little,
Six little bubbles.
Seven little,
Eight little,
Nine little bubbles.
Ten little bubbles in the air.

Let's pop, pop, pop those bubbbles, (clap hands as if popping bubbles)
Pop, pop, those bubbles.
Pop, pop, pop those bubbles,
Pop them everywhere!

Literacy tip of the week: Bubbles are a great educational tool for babies. Young baby's can practice tracking them with their eyes, while older babies can develop their fine motor skills by popping them.

Bear Storytime 9/13/16 and 9/14/16

Books read:
Bears! Bears! Bears! by Bob Barner
We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen

Other book suggestions:
More Bears! by Kenn Nesbitt
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see? by Bill Martin
Bear Wants More by Karma Wilson

ASL Sign of the Week: Bear

If you're a bear and you know it 
If you're a bear and you know it clap your paws.
If you're a bear and you know it clap your paws.
If you're a bear and you know it and you really want to show it,
If you're a bear and you know it clap your paws.
Other verses include shake your fur and give a growl.

My Teddy Bear (to the tune of "Skip to My Lou", from Vivian the Librarian)
I love to play with my teddy bear-air!
I love to play with my teddy bear-air!
I love to play with my teddy bear-air!
We can play most anywhere!
Other actions can include dancing, jumping, spinning, etc.

Rockabye a Bear by the Wiggles

Bear In a Cave (from TCPL Kids)
Here is a cave, inside is a bear. (curl into a ball)
Now he comes out to get some fresh air. (stand up)
He stays out all summer in sunshine and heat. (fan yourself)
He hunts in the forest for berries to eat.
When snow starts to fall, (hands fall like snow)
He hurries inside his warm little cave and there he will hide. (curl back into a ball)
When Spring comes again,
The snow melts away.
And out comes the bear ready to play. (stand up and growl) 

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
Teddy bear, teddy bear, turn around.
Teddy bear, teddy bear, touch the ground.
Teddy bear, teddy bear, touch your knees.
Teddy bear, teddy bear, sit down please.

Bouncy Bear (with stuffed bear on chute)
Bouncy, bouncy, bouncy bear!
Bounce him here, and bounce him there.
Fly him high up in the air!

Ring Around the Teddy (version of "Ring Around the Rosie" from Vivian the Librarian, done with parachute)
Ring around the teddy,
The bears are getting ready,
Picnic, picnic, we all fall down!

Craft: We made bear masks by putting cut out yarn and paper ears on paper plates.

Literacy tip of the week: When we pretend in songs and rhymes we are learning how to use our imagination, which is important when learning to read.

ECRR Storytime 8/9/16 and 8/10/16: All 5 Practices

Books read:
Say hello like this by Mary Murphy
Frog on a log by Kes Gray

Other book suggestions:
Is everyone ready for fun? by Jan Thomas
Tap the magic tree by Christie Matheson

All my friends like dancing (modified version of "Mama's Little Baby", to the tune of "Shortening Bread")
All my friends like dancing,
Dancing, dancing,
All my friends like dancing with me!

All my friends like jumping,
Jumping, jumping,
All my friends like jumping high!
Other verses can include running fast, spinning round, etc.

The Grand Old Duke of York
The grand old Duke of York,
He had ten thousand men.
He marched them up to the top of the hill (lift arms in the air)
And he marched them down again (touch ground)
And when they're up, they're up. (lift arms)
And when they're down they're down. (touch ground)
But when they're only halfway up (raise hands halfway)
They're neither up nor down. (reach up then down)

Rhyme Game (if two words I say rhyme, the kids have to jump)

Wiggling Worms (modified from Kids Activities)
Wiggle them up, (wiggle hands up)
Wiggle them down, (wiggle hands down)
Wiggle them around and around. (wiggle hands in circle)
Wiggle them fast, (wiggle hands fast)
Wiggle them slow, (wiggle hands slowly)
Wiggle them high, (wiggle hands up)
Wiggle them low. (wiggle hands down)
Wiggle them on your feet, (wiggle on feet)
Wiggle them on your head, (wiggle on head)
Wiggle them, wiggle them,
Straight to bed. (pretend to sleep)

Pin the Frog on the Log 

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) 

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)

Craft: We decorated a paper plate frog face with stickers. It can be used for playing, talking (as a puppet) or singing a frog related song.

Literacy tip of the week: Having fun together with books, songs and stories will help your child develop a love of reading.

ECRR Storytime 8/1/16 and 8/2/16: Singing

Books read:
Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Bill Martin Jr.
If you're happy and you know it by James Warhola

Other book suggestions:
If you're a monster and you know it by Rebecca Emberley
Row, row, row your boat by Jane Cabrera

ASL Sign of the Week: Music

If you're happy and you know it

Stomping in the Sun (adapted from Librarian vs. Storytime)
We're stomping in the sun, (stomp feet)
We're stomping in the sun,
We can't go yet,
We're having fun!
We're stomping in the sun!
Other verses can include clapping, hopping, twirling, dancing, etc.

Put your hands up high (from 2016 CSLP Manual)
Put your hands up high,
Put your hands down low,
Put your hands to the side,
And wiggle just so.
Put your elbows to the front.
Put your elbows in back.
Put your elbows to the side,
And "Quack, Quack, Quack!" 

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.

Wheels on the Bus

Row, Row, Row Your Boat (with chute)

Craft: We decorated a printable of puppets that could be used to sing "Old MacDonald".

Literacy tip of the week: Singing helps children recognize the different parts that make up words because different syllables fall on different beats.

ECRR Storytime 7/26/16 and 7/27/16: Playing

Books read:
Not a Box by Antoinette Portis
Let's Play! by Herve Tullet

Other book suggestions:
Tap to Play by Salina Yoon
Princess! Fairy! Ballerina! by Bethanie Murguia

ASL Sign of the week: Play

Playing we will go (to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell")
Playing we will go,
Playing we will go,
Hi ho the dairy-o,
Playing we will go.

We will run so fast.
We will run so fast.
Hi ho the dairy-o,
We will run so fast.

We will jump so high.
We will jump so high.
Hi ho the dairy-o,
We will jump so high.

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 sneeze.
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.

Play Red Light, Green Light

Play "I Spy" with flannel board pieces 

Craft: We used pieces of paper to decorate a letter P (for play!)

Literacy tip of the week: Free play has been tied to better goal setting and imagination. Kids learn a lot when they have the freedom to play and explore ideas!

ECRR Storytime 7/19/16 and 7/20/16: Writing

Books read:
Itsy Bitsy Spider by Keith Chapman
More Bears by Kenn Nesbitt

ASL Sign of the Week: Write

Dancing Animals (from Librarian Lisa's Storytimes)
This is the way the bunnies hop,
The bunnies hop,
This is the way the bunnies hop,
So early in the morning!
(Other actions can include any other animal and accompanying movement. This song shows the importance of using our imagination when we write or listen to stories!) 

Bears are Sleeping (to the tune of "Frere Jacques") (from King County Library System)
Bears are sleeping,
Bears are sleeping (pretend to sleep)
In their lairs,
In their lairs.
Soon it will be springtime,
Soon it will be springtime.
Wake up bears! Wake up bears! (pretend to wake up)

We will Stomp by Mr. Eric and Mr Michael

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!

Roly Poly (from Reading with Red)
Roly Poly, Roly Poly, (roll hands)
Up Up Up! (lift hands high)
Roly Poly, Roly Poly (roll hands)
Down Down Down! (stomp feet)
Roly Poly, Roly Poly,  (roll hands)
Clap Clap Clap! (clap hands)
Roly Poly, Roly Poly, (roll hands)
Lap Lap Lap! (touch lap)

Dance your fingers (from Storytime Katie)
Dance your fingers up,
Dance your fingers down,
Dance your fingers side to side,
Dance them round and round,
Dance them on your shoulders,
Dance them on your head,
Dance them on your tummy,
And put them right to bed!

10 Little Bubbles (while popping bubbles, to the tune of "Ten Little Indians")
One little,
Two little,
Three little bubbles (count on fingers)
Four little,
Five little,
Six little bubbles.
Seven little,
Eight little,
Nine little bubbles.
Ten little bubbles in the air.

Craft: We colored a library themed coloring page.

Literacy tip of the week: When kids do fingerplays, color or pop bubbles, they are building the finger strength they will need as they learn to write.

ECRR Storytime 7/12/16 and 7/13/16: Talking

Books read: 
Say Hello! by Linda Davick
Bunnies! by Kevan Atteberry

ASL Sign of the Week: Talk

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. 

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)

Walking, Walking (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.)

Wheels on the Bus

Down at the Library (with parachute, from What Happens in Storytime)
Down at the library in the story room,
Sat babies and Ms. Kelly and a parachute.
Lift said Ms. Kelly, lift the chute!
And they lifted and lifted that parachute,
Other actions: shake, drop, let go

Here we go up, up, up (from Reading With Red)
Here we go up, up, up! (lift chute)
Here we go down, down, down! (drop chute)
Here we go back and forth! (sway chute from side to side)
And here we go round and round! (walk in a circle) 

Craft: We made paper bag elephant puppets.

Literacy tip of the week: Talking is one of the ways children learn about the world. Young children benefit when adults label what they see and ask them questions every day.

ECRR Storytime 7/6/2016 and 7/7/2016: Reading

Books read: 
Dinosaur vs. the Library by Bob Shea
Where are my books? by Debbie Ridpath Ohi

Other book suggestions: 
Mom, Dad our books and Me by Danielle Marcotte
Read it, don't eat it! by Ian Schoenherr

ASL Sign of the Week: Book

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

If you're a reader and you know it (modified version of "If you're happy and you know it", done with the same actions)

Read, read, read a book (to the tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat, modified from Perry Public Library)
Read, read, read a book! Read it now with me! (pretend hands are books)
Read a book, let me see,
Read a book with me!
(other verses: clap your hands, tap your knees, shake your feet, touch your shoulders)  

We're going to read a book (done with shakers, modified version of We're Going to the Zoo from ALA's 2014 Guerilla Storytime)
We're going to get to together,
A story we will read!
We'll enjoy the words and the pictures, yes indeed!
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!

Counting song (with shakers, from Libraryland)
One, two, shake it on your shoe.
Three, four, shake it on the floor.
Five, six, shake it realy quick.
Seven, eight, hold it up straight.
Nine, ten, shake it with your friends!

Story stew (modified from MCLS Kids, done with puppets on parachute)
Story stew, story stew!
Some for me, and some for you!
Who should we add to our story stew?

Craft: We decorated a print out of a bookworm with torn paper.

Literacy tip of the week: Reading is a great way to expose your child to new words. It has been shown that picture books contain about 30 rare words per 1000, whereas conversation between an adult and child typically contains about 9 rare words per 1000.

Letter J Storytime 6/7/16 and 6/8/16

Books read: 
Jump by Scott Fischer
Sheep in a Jeep by Nancy Shaw

Other book suggestions:
Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed by Eileen Christelow
Jammy Dance by Rebecca Janni

ASL Sign of the Week: Letter J

Jumping Joey (adapted from King County Library)
Jumping joey jumped joyfully into town. (jump up and down)
Jumping joey got tired of jumping up and down. (slow down)
Jumping joey asked his mother for a ride.
Joey's mother said "Jump inside!" (jump down to floor)

Dancing Jungle Animals (adapted from Librarian Lisa's Storytimes)
This is the way the  snakes slither,
The snakes slither,
This is the way the snakes slither,
In the jungle every morning.
Other actions can include: Tigers/Pounce, Crocodiles/Snap, Parrots/Fly, etc.

The Alligator Jump (modified from Storytime with Ms. Tara)
Alligators jump, (jump)
Alligators slide, (slide back and forth)
All the alligators move from side to side.
Alligators jump, (jump)
Alligators giggle, (pretend to laugh)
All the alligators like to turn around and wiggle! (shake your behind) 

Jump Up, Turn Around by Jim Gill

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!"

Jingle Bells (with shakers)

Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed 

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 made jellyfish out of paper plates and streamers.

Literacy tip of the week: Rhymes (like those found in "Sheep in a Jeep") help kids develop the ability to recognizes the parts that make up words.

Picnic Storytime 6/2/16 and 6/3/16

Books read: 
The Best Picnic Ever by Clare Jarrett
Mouse's First Summer by Lauren Thompson

Other book suggestions:
Yes, Let's by Galen Goodwin Longstreth
We're Going on a Picnic by Pat Hutchins

ASL Sign of the Week: Eat

On a Picnic We Will Go (to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell")
On a picnic we will go, (march)
On a picnic we will go,
Hi ho the dairy-o,
On a picnic we will go!

We all will jump with joy, (jump)
We all will jump with joy,
Hi ho the dairy-o,
We will will jump with joy!

We'll run around and play, (run)
We'll run around and play,
Hi ho the dairy-o,
We'll run around and play!

Peanut Butter and Jelly (adapted from KCLS) 
First you take the peanuts and you smash them,
You smash them,
For your peanut, peanut butter..
And Jelly!
Peanut, peanut butter,
And Jelly!

Then you take the grapes and you stomp them,
You stomp them,
For your peanut, peanut butter..
And Jelly!
Peanut, peanut butter,
And Jelly!

Last you take them both and you spread them,
You spread them,
For your peanut, peanut butter..
And Jelly!
For your peanut, peanut butter,
And Jelly!

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!

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.

The Ants go Marching 

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…

Itsy Bitsy Spider 

Craft: We decorated a picnic basket template with food cut from magazines.

Literacy tip of the week: Play is an important way to develop a child's literacy skills in the early years. Pretending to have a picnic is a great way to extend the fun of these songs and activities!

Elephant Storytime 5/24/16 and 5/25/16

Books read: 
Hide and Seek by Il Sung Na
What to do if an elephant steps on your foot by Michelle Robinson

Other book suggestions:
Elephant and Piggie series by Mo Willems
Tweak, Tweak by Eve Bunting

ASL Sign of the Week: Elephant

Elephant Goes Like This (from Preschool Education)
The elephant goes like this, like that (swing arms like a trunk)
He's terrible big (hold arms up high)
and very fat. (hold arms out)
He has no fingers. He has no toes. (wiggle fingers and toes)
But goodness gracious! What a nose! (swing arms like trunk)

This is the way (from Miss Katie's Storytime Wiki)
This is the way I stomp my feet,
Stomp my feet, stomp my feet.
This is the way I stomp my feet,
Cause I'm an elephant!
Other actions can include: Wave trunk, shake tail, etc.

Up the Hill (from Storytime Katie)
Here goes a turtle up a hill, creepy, creepy creepy! (crawl)
Here goes a rabbit up a hill, boing, boing, boing! (jump)Here goes a snake up a hill, slither, slither, slither! (make snake motion with arms)
Here goes the elephant up the hill, thud, thud, thud! (stomp)
Here comes the elephant down the hill, boom, boom, boom! (bounce to ground and clap)

Elephants have wrinkles (from The Loudest Librarian)
Elephants have wrinkles, wrinkles, wrinkles,
Elephants have wrinkles everywhere!
Wrinkles on their (insert body part)!

If you're an elephant and you know it (version of "If you're happy and you know it")
If you're an elephant and you know it stomp your feet.
If you're an elephant and you know it and your face will surely show it.
If you're an elephant and you know it stomp your feet!
Other actions: Swing your trunk, Swish your tail

One elephant went out to play (from many sources, done with elephant puppet)
One elephant went out to play,
On a bright and sunny day.
He had such enormous fun,
He called for another elephant to come.

Two big elephants (version of Two Little Blackbirds)
Two big elephants were sitting on a hill,
One named Jack and the other named Jill.
Run away Jack! Run away Jill!
Other verses can include: Fast and Slow, High and Low, etc

Literacy tip of the week: Talk with your child about things you see throughout the day. This is a great way to build their vocabulary!

Things That Pop Storytime 5/17/16 and 5/18/16

Books read: 
Animal Baths by Bob Barner
Perfectly Percy by Paul Schmid

Other book suggestions:Big Bad Bubble by Adam Rubin
Get Out of My Bath! by by Britta Teckentrup

ASL Signs of the Week: Balloon and Bubbles

Library Balloons (from Harris County Library)
This is the way we blow up the balloon (act like you are blowing up a balloon)
Blow up the balloon,
Blow up the balloon.
This is the way we blow up the balloon,
At the library.

This is the way we bounce the balloon (pretend to bounce a balloon in the air)
Bounce the balloon,
Bounce the balloon.
This is the way we bounce the balloon,
At the library.

This is the way we pop the balloon (clap)
Pop the balloon,
Pop the balloon.
This is the way we pop the balloon,
At the library.

Popcorn Calling Me (on "Buzz, Buzz" by Laurie Berkner)

Bubblegum (to the tune of "Lollipop" by the Chordettes, from SLC Book Boy)
Bubblegum, bubblegum,
Sticky, sticky, bubblegum.
Bubblegum! 

Washing (to the tune of "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes", from Perry Public Library)
Wash your head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes.
Wash your head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes.
Eyes and ears and mouth and nose.
Hands to dry and fingers and toes.
Wash your head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes.

10 Little Bubbles (to the tune of "Ten Little Indians")
One little,
Two little,
Three little bubbles (count on fingers)
Four little,
Five little,
Six little bubbles.
Seven little,
Eight little,
Nine little bubbles.
Ten little bubbles in the air.

Bounce and "pop" our beach ball on the parachute 

Craft: We put circular "bubble" stickers on a printout of a letter B.

Literacy tip of the week: Talking about the connections between things or ideas in a story you are reading with your child will help prepare them to make connections as they read on their own.

Dinosaur Storytime 5/3/16 and 5/4/16

Books read: 
I'm a Dirty Dinosaur by Janeen Brian
How to Raise a Dinosaur by Natasha Wing

Other book suggestions:
Dinosaur vs. (series by Bob Shea)
Dinosaur Stomp by Paul Strickland
How do dinosaurs... (series by Jane Yolen)

ASL Sign of the Week: Dinosaur

Dinosaurs were... (from Storytime Survival Kit)
Dinosaurs lived long ago.
Some walked (stomp in place).
Some swam (pretend to swim).
Some flew you know! (pretend to swim).
Some were big (hold arms out wide).
Some were small (crouch low).
Some were very, very tall! (reach high)

Dinosaur Wheels on the Bus (found at multiples sources)
The Pterodactyl wings go flap, flap, flap.
Flap, flap, flap. Flap flap flap.
The Pterodactyl wings go flap, flap, flap.
All around the swamp.
Other additions cam be Stegosaurus tail/swish swish swish, Tyrannosaurus Rex/grr grr grr, Brontosaurus/munch munch munch, etc.

Dino Ditty (to tune of "Do Wah Ditty", from Miss Meg's Storytime)
Here he comes just stomping down the street. (stomp)
Singing "Dino Ditty, ditty dum ditty do!"
Looking around for something good to eat. (look around)
Singing "Dino Ditty, ditty dum ditty do!"
He's big! He's strong! (flex muscles)
Won't be hungry very long!

We are the Dinosaurs (by Laurie Berkner) 

Dinosaur, Dinosaur (from Storytime Katie)
Dinosaur, dinosaur, turn around. (turn around)
Dinosaur, dinosaur, stomp the ground. (stomp)
Dinosaur, dinosaur show your claws. (hold out hands)
Dinosaur, dinosaur, snap your jaws. (arms snap open and closed)
Dinosaur, dinosaur turn around. (turn around)
Dinosaur, dinosaur, sit back down. (sit)

One Dinosaur Went Out to Play (adapted from Librarian Is On the Loose)
One dinosaur went out to play,
On a sunny summer day.
He had such enormous fun.
He called for another dinosaur to come.
(We used pairs of dinosaur cut outs and I had the kids come and march with me as the cutout that matched their own was shown)

Craft: We painted paper plate dinosaurs.

Literacy tip of the week: Painting is great practice for writing because it helps develop your child's fine motor skills.