Facebook Live Storytime 12/3/20

Book read: Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson

A Tree is a Home (from Holiday Zone)
A tree may be a home for a bird (flap arms like a bird)
A tree may be a home for a bee (buzz hand like a bee)
A tree may be a home for a snake (slither like a snake)
A tree may be a home for a monkey (swing arms)
I would if a tree would make a good home for me? (point to self)

Frisky Squirrel (to the tune of "The Grand Old Duke of York", from HCPL Storytime)
Oh, the frisky squirrel,
He gathers nuts and seeds, (pretend to gather seeds)
He hides them for the winter months,
So he'll have all he needs!
Oh, up, up, up he goes! (reach up)
And down, down, down he comes. (reach down)
He runs around, goes up and down, (run, go up and down)
His work is never done! 

Five Little Monkeys Swinging in a Tree

We Hit the Floor Together (to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell")

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.

Literacy tip of the week: Share your favorite holiday tradition with your child. The more you talk and share words together the more language your child is exposed to.

 

Facebook Live Storytime 11/19/20

Book read: If animals gave thanks by Ann Whitford Paul

I love Mommy (to the tune of "Frere Jacques" )
(we did this song using the ASL signs for "Mom" "Love" and "Yes")
I love Mommy, I love Mommy
Yes I do, Yes I do.
Mommies are for hugging (hug self or mom)
Mommies are for kissing, (blow a kiss)
I love you, yes I do. (point to mother)

Friend of Mine (to the tune of "Mary Had A Little Lamb")
Will you be a friend of mine, friend of mine, friend of mine?
Will you be a friend of mine and (insert action) around with me? 

 

We're going to the market (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!  

Itsy Bitsy Spider

 

Literacy tip of the week: Fingerplays help to develop fine motor skills that are needed for learning to write.

Facebook Live Storytime 11/12/20

Book read: Dinosaur Stomp by Paul Stickland

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)

Hiding Dinosaurs

Dinosaur, dinosaur, where can you be?

Hiding behind me where I cannot see. (hands behind back)

Now you see one,  (bring out one hand)

It's waiting for you.

Here comes another, (bring out other hand)

And now you see two!

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.

Literacy tip of the week: Sharing pop up books with your child is a great way to increase print motivation. 

Facebook Live Storytime 11/5/20

Book read: The cow loves cookies by Karma Wilson

If You're a Cow and You Know It (to the tune of "If You're Happy and You Know It")
If you're a cow and you know it stomp your feet. (stomp feet)
If you're a cow and you know it stomp your feet.
If you're a cow and you know it and your face will surely show it.
If you're a cow and you know it stomp your feet.
Other verses include: shake you tail, eat grass, say "Moo!"

 

The cows in the barn (to the tune of "Wheels on the Bus")

The cows in the barn go moo, moo, moo,

Moo, moo, moo,

Moo, moo, moo,

All around the farm.

Use other animals and sounds for additional verses

Down around the corner (done as a flannelboard)

Down around the corner in the bakery shop.

Were five yummy cookies with chips on top.

Along came a friend with a dollar to pay.

They bought a cookie and took it away.

Count down until cookies are gone

Literacy tip of the week: Rhyming books are a great way to help your child recognize the words that make up language.

 

Facebook Live Storytime 10/29/20

Book read: Pumpkin Eye by Denise Fleming

Pumpkin Chant

Pumpkin, pumpkin, (pretend to slice bread)

Pumpkin bread!

Pumpkin, pumpkin,

Pumpkin head! (touch head)

Pumpkin, pumpkin

Pumpkin pie! (make circle with arms)

Pumpkin, pumpkin,

Pumpkin eye! (circles around eyes)

Pumpkin, pumpkin,

Pumpkin cake! (stir cake)

Pumpkin, pumpkin,

Pumpkin shake! (shake body)    

 

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?

 
Ten Little Ghosts

Five little ghosts all dressed in white (Hold up 10 fingers)
Went out a-haunting on Halloween night. (Wiggle fingers)
They all looked around for someone to scare. (Cup hands around eyes, look around)
They floated here and floated there. (Wiggle fingers to the right then to the left)
Then the ten little ghosts took a look at you (Point to child)
And they all ran away when you said "Boo!"(Put hands behind your back)

Literacy tip of the week: Knowledge of shapes (like those cut into pumpkins) is an important step to recognizing letters.

Facebook Live Storytime 10/8/20

Book read: Just say boo! by Susan Hood

This is the way (Halloween version)
This is the way the monsters stomp, the monsters stomp, the monsters stomp.
This is the way the monsters stomp, on Halloween night!
Other verses: the bat flies, the pumpkin smiles, the werewolf howls, etc.

Pumpkin, pumpkin
Pumpkin, pumpkin siting on a wall,
Pumpkin, pumpkin tip and fall,
Pumpkin, pumpkin, rolling down the street,
Pumpkin, pumpkin, trick or treat! 

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.   

Literacy tip of the week: Pretending (like we do on Halloween) is a great way to develop your child's imagination and storytelling skills.

Facebook Live Storytime 10/1/20

Book read: Fall Leaves Fall by Zoe Hall

 

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.

 

Let's All Do a Little Clapping 
(Tune:"We Wish You a Merry Christmas")
Let's all do a little clapping,
Let's all do a little clapping,
Let's all do a little clapping,
and spread some fall cheer!
Other actions can include stomping, jumping, twirling, etc.  

 

Autumn Animals (to the tune of Frere Jacques, from KCLS)
Bears are sleeping, bears are sleeping. (pretend to sleep)
Birds fly south, birds fly south. (pretend to fly)
Squirrels are storing acorns, squirrels are storing acorns,
In their mouths, in their mouths. (pretend to eat)  

 

Way up high in the apple tree

Way up high in the apple tree (stretch arms up high)

Five red apples smiled at me. (hold up five fingers)
I shook that tree as hard as I could. (shake)
Down came an apple, and boy was it good!

Way up high in the apple tree (stretch arms up high)
Four red apples smiled at me (hold up four fingers)
I shook that tree as hard as I could. (shake)
Down came an apple, and boy was it good!

 

Literacy tip of the week: Talk with your child about what you see all around you each season.

Facebook Live Storytime 9/17/20

Book read: Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin

Bread and Butter
Bread and butter, toast and jam.
Let's all roar as fast as you can!
Other verses: slowly as you can, loud as you can, soft as you can.

We are dragons
We are dragons,
We have wings
We can fly and do dragon things.
We can breathe fire and swish our tails,
And travel for miles without leaving trails!

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 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed

Craft: Taco Coloring Page 

Literacy tip of the week: Talking about the author and illustrators of books might help inspire your child to draw or write.

Facebook Live Storytime 8-6-20

Book read: Summer Song by Kevin Henkes

If You're a Bug and You Know It (modified "If you're happy and you know it)
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

Beach Balls (from Perry Public Library)
A little beach ball (make small circle with hands)
A bigger beach ball (make a bigger circle)
A great big beach ball (make even bigger circle)
Now let's count them.
Are you ready?
One, two three (make three circles again)
Throw the balls!

One little fish (from Jbrary)
One little fish,
Swimming in the water,
Swimming in the water,
Swimming in the water,
Bubble, bubble, bubble,
Pop, pop, pop!

We're Marching to the Beat (modified from Storytime Out Loud)
We're marching to the beat!
We're marching to the beat!
Hi-ho the derry-o,
We're marching to the beat!
Other actions can include shaking, jumping, clapping, etc.

Itsy Bitsy Spider

Literacy tip of the week: Repetition is key to literacy development. It helps reinforce brain connections!

Facebook Live Storytime 7/30/20

Book read: Everybody says Meow! by Constance Lombardo

Old MacDonald Had a Farm

I've got a cat on my knee (modified from Storytime Kids)
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!

Where should he go now?

Move to other body parts for additional verses.

See the Little Bunnies Sleeping (adapted from Jbrary)
See the bunnies sleeping til it's nearly noon.
Come and let us gently wake them with a merry tune!
(repeat with the kids pretending to be other animals)

We're Marching to the Beat (modified from Storytime Out Loud, done with shakers)
We're marching to the beat!
We're marching to the beat!
Hi-ho the derry-o,
We're marching to the beat!
Other actions can include shaking, jumping, clapping, etc.

Wheels on the bus

Literacy tip of the week: Practicing animal sounds is a great way to play with the sounds of language.

Facebook Live Storytime 7/23/20

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)

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)

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)

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

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.

Facebook Live Storytime 7/16/20

Book read: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

The Life of a Butterfly (to the tune of "Skip to my Lou", from Storytime Katie)
I'm a caterpillar, wiggle with me,
I'm a caterpillar, wiggle with me,
I'm a caterpillar, wiggle with me
What'll I be my darlin'?
(Other verses: chysalis, now sleep with me/ butterfly, come fly with me)

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

Row, Row, Row Your Boat

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.

Literacy tip of the week: Songs that stop and start help teach your little one self regulation.

Facebook Live Storytime 6/9/20

Book read:

Dog Loves Fairy Tales by Louise Yates

Friend of Mine (to the tune of "Mary Had A Little Lamb", from Kelly's Kindergarten)
Will you be a friend of mine, friend of mine, friend of mine?
Will you be a friend of mine and (insert action) around with me?

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)

The more we get together

Itsy Bitsy Spider

Literacy tip of the week: Don't worry about how your voice sounds when you sing. You are your child's best teacher and music is an important way to share and learn together.

Facebook Live Storytime 6/2/2020

Book read:

Llama Llama Mess Mess Mess by Anna Dewdney

Did you ever see a Llama? (to the tune of "Did you ever see a Lassie?")
Did you ever see a llama, a llama, a llama?
Did you ever see a llama walk this way and that?
Walk this way and that way, walk this way and that way,
Did you ever see a llama walk this way and that?

Other actions: Stomp, Run, Shake, Dance

If you're messy and you know it

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)

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)

The Wheels on the Bus

Literacy tip of the week: Songs like "This is the way we wash" are a great way teach the words for body parts.

Facebook Live Storytime 5/26/20

Book read:

Chicken Storytime by Sandy Asher

If You're a Chicken and You Know It
If you're a chicken and you know it cluck like this,
If you're a chicken and you know it cluck like this,
If you're a chicken and you know it, then your face will surely show it.
If you're a chicken and you know it, cluck like this.
Additional actions: flap wings, scratch, peck

The Wiggle Song (adapted from Pasadena Library)
We wiggle up high,
We wiggle down low,
We wiggle fast,
We wiggle slow,
We wiggle to the ceiling,
We wiggle to the ground,
We wiggle and we waggle and we dance all around!

Do as I'm doing (from Jbrary)
Do as I'm doing, follow, follow me.
Do as I'm doing, follow, follow me.
Actions include: clapping, stomping, spinning, etc.

Row, row, row your boat

Literacy tip of the week: Clapping and stomping are great ways to emphasize the syllables in words.

Facebook Live Storytime 5/19/20

Book read: Not a Box by Antoinette Portis

Waves at the Beach (to the tune of "Wheels on the Bus") (from Preschool Education)
The waves at the beach go up and down, up and down, (move up and down)
The waves at the beach go up and down, all day long.

Other verses:
The crabs at the beach crawl back and forth, (crawl)
The lobsters at the beach go snap, snap, snap, (clap hands together)
The jellyfish at the beach go wibble, wobble wobble, (sway back and forth)

Fly Dragon Fly (modified from Johnson County Library, to the tune of "Skip to My Lou")
Fly, fly, fly dragon fly!
Fly, fly, fly dragon fly!
Fly, fly, fly dragon fly!
Fly around with me! 

Dragon Pokey (version of Hokey Pokey)
You put your right claw in,
You put your right claw out,
You put  your right claw in,
And you shake it all about,
You do the Dragon Pokey
and you turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about.
(other verses can include left claw, tail, dragon self, etc)

Little Fox, Little Fox

Little Fox, Little Fox

Are you in the (insert color) box?

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!"

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

Literacy tip of the week: Flannelboards can be adapted just like songs. Little Fox is a twist on "Little Mouse, Little Mouse" and is a great way to reinforce rhyming and teach colors.

Facebook Live Storytime 5/12/20

Book read: If you give a mouse a cookie

Hickory Dickory Dock

Clap, Clap, Clap Your Hands (to the tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat)

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)

I'm a little teapot

Bread and butter
Bread and butter, toast and jam,
Let's say hello as quiet as we can!
Hello! (in high squeaky voice)
Other verses: loud, fast, slow, high, low, etc.

Two little mice (version of Two Little Blackbirds)

Literacy tip of the week: If you wrap a shoebox with felt (like a present) you can create your own makeshift feltboard at home.

Facebook Live Storytime 5/5/2020

Book read: Mr Brown Can Moo! Can you? by Dr. Seuss

Old MacDonald Had a Farm

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

Itsy Bitsy Spider

5 Little Ducks

Craft suggestion: Draw a picture of your favorite animal.

Virtual Storytimes

Our library's storytimes are currently canceled during our closure due to COVID-19, but I wanted to make sure to let you know that I am offering virtual storytimes during this time on our library's Facebook page. They are available in the "Streaming Storytime" group at https://www.facebook.com/MPLNewBaltimore/. I hope you enjoy and that everyone is staying safe and healthy. -Ms. Kelly

Baby Storytime 3/12/20

Book read: 
Chicken, chicken, duck! by Nadia Krilanovich

On our way to the farm (modified 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 farm today!
Additional verses can include: running, tiptoeing, stomping, flying, etc. 

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
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)

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!

Literacy tip of the week: Reading animatedly and with inflection will help keep your baby's attention.

Parade of Elephants Storytime 3/10/20 and 3/11/20

Book read:
Parade of Elephants by Kevin Henkes

The elephants go marching (version of the Ants Go Marching)
The elephants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah!
The elephants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah!
The elephants go marching one by one, the little one stops, says "This is fun!"
And they all go marching down to the ground, to get out of the rain.
Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom!
Other verses (two: stops to tie shoe, three: stops to rest under the tree)

If you're an elephant and you know it

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) 

Twinkle Stars (from King County Library)
Twinkle, twinkle, little stars (wiggle fingers)
Stand and twinkle where you are (stand and wiggle fingers)
Twinkle high and twinkle low (hands in air then at your feet)
Twinkle fast and twinkle slow (shake hands fast then slowly)
Twinkle, twinkle little stars
Now sit and twinkle where you are (sit down)

Craft: We colored a elephant template from the Ready to Read programming guide.

Literacy tip: Learning about shapes help prepare children to differentiate between letters.

Baby Storytime 3/5/20

Book read:
Little Sleepyhead by Elizabeth McPike

Goodnight Everybody (modified from Jbrary)
Goodnight everybody can you touch your nose, touch your nose, touch your nose?
Well hello everybody can you touch your nose, touch your nose?

Well hello everybody can you touch your toes, touch your toes, touch your toes?
Well hello everybody can you touch your toes?
(Other actions can include clap your hands, jump up high, stomp your feet, etc)

Wheels on the bus

My pony Macaroni (done as a walking rhyme, from Eugene Library)
I have a little pony (bounce baby)
His name is Macaroni.
He trots and trots and then he STOPS! (stop)
My funny little pony!

Round and round the garden (done as a walking rhyme, from CSLP Early Literacy manual)
Round and round the garden,
with my teddy bear.
One step, two steps,
Tickle you under there!

I'm a little cuckoo clock
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)

Five little monkeys jumping on the bed (as flannelboard)

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Floating Bubble Song

Literacy tip of the week: Respond to the noises your baby makes. This will help teach them how conversations work!

M is for March Storytime 3/3/20 and 3/4/20

Book read:
Monsters go Night-Night by Aaron Zenz

Other book suggestions:
Mother Bruce by Ryan Higgins
If you're a monster and you know it by Rebecca and Ed Emberley
Count the Monkeys by Mac Barnett

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)

Let's get the rhythm (from Jbrary)
Let's get the rhythm of our knees (x3)
If you please
Let's get the rhythm of our knees.

Let's get the rhythm our our hands...
How grand...

Let's get the rhythm of our feet...
How neat...

Let's get the rhythm of our head...
Oh dread..

Bumpin' up and down (from Jbrary)
Bumpin' up and down in my little space shuttle, (bounce)
Bumpin' up and down in my little space shuttle,
Bumpin' up and down in my little space shuttle,
Won't you go to the moon with me?
Other verses: Flying all around among the stars, Stomping all around on the moon, etc.

Hickory Dickory Dock (with parachute)

5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed (with parachute)

Craft: We decorated mosaic Letter M templates.

Literacy tip of the week: Point out things that start with certain letter sounds to your child as you go about your day!

Baby Storytime 2/13/20

Book read:
All kinds of kisses by Nancy Tafuri

Let's All Do a Little Clapping 
(Tune:"We Wish You a Merry Christmas", modified 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 love right here!
Other actions can include stomping, jumping, twirling, etc. 

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes 

Acka backa soda cracker (from Northport Library)
Acka backa soda cracker
Acka backa boo! (rock or bounce baby)
Acka backa soda cracker,
I love you! (give baby a hug)

Acka backa soda cracker,
Acka backa boo!
Acka backa soda cracker,
Up goes you! (lift baby)

Wheels on the bus

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Floating Bubble Song

Bouncing flannel "snowballs" on parachute

Row, row, row your boat (with parachute)

Literacy tip of the week: Encourage your baby to use their hands to do things like point to objects and pick up toys. This will help develop the strength and fine motor skills they will need for writing.

Things We Love Storytime 2/11/20 and 2/12/20

Book read: 
I love bugs! by Emma Dodd

Can you move with me? (from Sunflower Storytime)
Can you wiggle like a worm?
Can you squiggle? Can you squirm?
Can you flutter? Can you fly like a gentle butterfly?
Can you crawl upon the ground?
Like a beetle that is round?
Can you move with me?

Let's All Do a Little Clapping 
(Tune:"We Wish You a Merry Christmas", modified 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 love right here!
Other actions can include stomping, jumping, twirling, etc. 

Give Mom a Hug (from Storytime Katie)
Roar like a lion, growl like a bear, (growl/roar)
Give Mom a hug, show her you care.
Hop like a bunny, flap like a bird, (hop, then flap arms like wings)
Quiet as a mouse now, don't say a word. 

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!

Craft: We made a collage out of Valentine's Day stickers.

Literacy tip of the week: Demonstrate your love of books by making sure your child sees you reading!

Baby Storytime 2/6/20

Book read: 
Are you sleeping? by Constanze von Kitzing

Where is Lion? (adapted a variety of animal puppets from "Where is Brown Bear?" found on Preschool Education)
Where is Lion?
Where is Lion?
Here I am. Here I am.
How are you this winter?
Very very tired.
Go to sleep, go to sleep.

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!

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
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) 

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Floating Bubble Song

Literacy tip of the week: Puppets are a fun way to change up the familiar stories and songs that you share with your child.

February Funnies Storytime 2/5/20

Book read:
Spunky Little Monkey by Brian Won

Other book suggestions:
The Serious Goose by Jimmy Kimmel
Cows to the rescue by John Himmelman
How to potty train your monster by Kelly DiPucchio

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

The Goldfish by Laurie Berkner

Jump Up, Turn Around by Jim Gill

The Lion Sleeps Tonight by Laurie Berkner 

Craft: We colored silly socks and decroated them with circle sticker "spots".

Literacy tip of the week: Reading funny stories together helps your child associate fun with books!

Baby Storytime

Book read: 
Up, up up, down by Kimberly Gee

Bumping up and down (from Jbrary)
Bumping up and down on my little blue sled, (bounce)
Bumping up and down on my little blue sled,
Bumping up and down on my little blue sled,
Won't you be my darling? (hug)
Other verses: Snow is falling down, Waving to my friends

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)

Let's All Do a Little Clapping 
(Tune:"We Wish You a Merry Christmas", modified 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 winter cheer!
Other actions can include stomping, jumping, twirling, etc. 

Wheels on the bus

I'm a little cuckoo clock
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) 

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Floating Bubble Song

Row, row, row your boat (with parachute)

Bouncing flannel "snowballs" on the parachute

Literacy tip of the week: You can reinforce new words in a variety of fun ways. For instance we practiced "up" with lifts and songs and by lifting our "snowballs" up on the parachute.

Winter Fun Storytime 1/28/20 and 1/29/20

Book read: 
Bear and Hare: Snow! by Emily Gravett

Other book suggestions:
One Snowy Day by Diana Murray
Snowy Blowy Winter by Bob Raczka
Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson

Saw a snowflake (modified from Preschool Express, to the tune of "My Darling Clementine")
Saw a snowflake,
Saw a snowflake,
Saw a snowflake falling down.
It was floating,
It was twirling.
As it spun around and round.

Once there was a snowman (modified from Jbrary)
Once there was a snowman,
Tall, tall, tall.
In the sun he melted,
Small, small, small.
  
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)

Bumping up and down (from Jbrary)
Bumping up and down on my little blue sled, (bounce)
Bumping up and down on my little blue sled,
Bumping up and down on my little blue sled,
Won't you be my darling? (hug)
Other verses: Snow is falling down, Waving to my friends

Snowball, Snowball (flannelboard, from Clinton Macomb Public Library Facebook)
Snowball, snowball, cold and round,
Under which mitten can you be found?

Craft: We did a winter sticker collage at one session and painted pictures of bears covered with snow in the other.

Literacy tip of the week: You can recreate games like "Snowball, Snowball" using things you have at home, like real mittens!

Baby Storytime 1/23/20

Book read:
Hello Baby by Mem Fox

Hello Everybody (modified from Jbrary)
Hello everybody can you touch your nose, touch your nose, touch your nose?
Well hello everybody can you touch your nose, touch your nose?

Well hello everybody can you touch your toes, touch your toes, touch your toes?
Well hello everybody can you touch your toes?
(Other actions can include clap your hands, jump up high, stomp your feet, etc)

Silly Scarf Song (with scarves, modified from SurLaLune Storytime)
On my head, there is a scarf.

It is such a silly hat
And that scarf will wiggle waggle to and fro
Where else can my silly scarf go?
(Repeat using foot, elbow and knee)

 

Peekaboo (with scarves)

 

I'm a little cuckoo clock
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)

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Floating Bubble Song

If you're happy and you know it (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: Babies learn best from their caregivers, so it is just fine to stick to books, songs and rhymes that feel comfortable to you.

Penguin Storytime 1/21/20

Book read: 
If you were a penguin by Wendell Minor

Other book suggestions:
A Penguin Story by Antoinette Portis
Penguin Problems by Jory John
Little Penguin gets the hiccups by Tadgh Bentley 

I'm a little penguin (to the tune of "I'm a Little Teapot", from Step by Step Childcare)
I'm a little penguin
In the sea.
I can swim fast as can be!
When I catch a fish just look at me,
I'm as proud as I can be. 

If You're a Penguin and You Know It (From Carnegie Library)
If you're a penguin and you know it flap your wings (flap arms like wings)
If you're a penguin and you know it flap your wings.
If you're a penguin and you know it and you really want to show it,
If you're a penguin and you know it flap your wings.

If you're a penguin and you know it waddle your feet. (waddle)
If you're a penguin and you know it waddle your feet.
If you're a penguin and you know it and you really want to show it,
If you're a penguin and you know it waddle your feet.

If you're a penguin and you know it go for a swim. (pretend to swim)
If you're a penguin and you know it go for a swim.
If you're a penguin and you know it and you really want to show it,
If you're a penguin and you know it go for a swim.

Penguin Hatching (from Preschool Powol)
I start out in an egg so round. (bend in egg shape)
Lying on the icy ground. (pat ground)
I crack and stretch and grow.
Then jump, jump, jump in the snow! (jump up)

Four Little Penguins Riding on a Sled (modified from Literary Hoots)

Four little penguins riding on a sled (zoom with your arms)

One fell off and bumped his head. (hold head)

Mama called the doctor and the doctor said: (pretend to talk on the phone)

No more penguins riding on a sled!

Craft: We colored and cut out a penguin template.

Literacy tip of the week: Talk about new words when you read together. For instance if you are reading about penguins you can demonstrate the what the word "waddle" means!

Baby Storytime 1/16/20

Book read: 
How do you go to sleep? by Kate McMullan

Goodnight Everybody (modified from Jbrary)
Goodnight everybody can you touch your nose, touch your nose, touch your nose?
Well hello everybody can you touch your nose, touch your nose?

Well hello everybody can you touch your toes, touch your toes, touch your toes?
Well hello everybody can you touch your toes?
(Other actions can include clap your hands, jump up high, stomp your feet, 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)

I'm a little airplane (to the tune of "I'm a little teapot", from here)
I'm a little airplane, in the sky!
Here is my left wing and here is my right (reach one arm up at a time)
First I speed to take off (run)
Then I fly!
I tip my wings as I soar by!

Wheels on the bus 

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Floating Bubble Song

If you're happy and you know it (with parachute)

Literacy tip of the week: Diaper changing time is a perfect opportunity to sing songs together!

Letter N Storytime 1/14/20 and 1/15/20

Book read:
The Napping House by Audrey and Don Wood

Other book suggestions: 
Goodnight numbers by Danica McKellar
Dog's Noisy Day by Emma Dodd 

Frisky Squirrel (to the tune of "The Grand Old Duke of York", from HCPL Storytime)
Oh, the frisky squirrel,
He gathers nuts and seeds, (pretend to gather seeds)
He hides them for the winter months,
So he'll have all he needs!
Oh, up, up, up he goes! (reach up)
And down, down, down he comes. (reach down)
He runs around, goes up and down, (run, go up and down)
His work is never done!

Goodnight Everybody (modified from Jbrary)
Goodnight everybody can you touch your nose, touch your nose, touch your nose?
Well hello everybody can you touch your nose, touch your nose?

Well hello everybody can you touch your toes, touch your toes, touch your toes?
Well hello everybody can you touch your toes?
(Other actions can include clap your hands, jump up high, stomp your feet, etc)

Numbers Jump

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 noisy!

Craft: We decorated a Letter N printout with small pieces of newspaper.

Literacy tip of the week: Repetitive stories (like "The Napping House") are great for holding a little ones attention.