Storytime: St. Patrick's Day

This year, St. Patrick's Day fell directly on the day I have Preschool Storytime, so I wanted to plan a storytime to celebrate, but it was challenging to find books that are good read-aloud for this age group. Most of the books are appropriate for grade school children. I opted to find books that celebrate some of the aspects of St. Patrick's Day and books about things that are green, and it worked really well.

BOOKS:

Duckie's Rainbow by Frances Barry

Where is the Green Sheep? by Mem Fox

Good Luck Bear by Greg Foley

The Story of the Leprechaun by Katherine Brown Tegen

Big Frog Can't Fit In by Mo Willems

RHYMES & SONGS:

Five Little Shamrocks

One green shamrock, in the morning dew,
Another one sprouted and then there were two.
Two green shamrocks, growing beneath a tree,
Another one sprouted and then there were three.
Three green shamrocks, by the cottage door,
Another one sprouted and then there were four.
Four green shamrocks, near a beehive,
Another one sprouted and then there were five.
Five little shamrocks, bright and emerald green,
Think of the all the luck these shamrocks will bring.

Source: Perpetual Preschool

Leprechaun, Leprechaun, What Do You See?

I used clip art images, laminated them, and glued felt on the back to make this flannel board. This is great for having the children help you place the pieces on the board.

Leprechaun, leprechaun, what do you see?
I see a black hat looking at me.
Black hat, black hat, what do you see?
I see a red ladybug...
I see an orange sun...
I see a yellow star...
I see a green leaf...
I see a blue bird...
I see a purple butterfly...

(The kids may yell out "It's a rainbow!" If not, ask them what we made on the board.)

Purple butterfly, purple butterfly, what do you see?
I see lots of children in front of me.
Children, children, what do you see?
We see a red bird, an orange sun, a yellow star, a green leaf, a blue bird, and a purple butterfly. We see a rainbow!

And what does a leprechaun hide at the end of a rainbow?
His pot of gold!

Source: Storytime ABC's

St. Patrick's Day Song
(Tune: "If You're Happy and You Know It")

If you're wearing green today, dance a jig,
If you're wearing green today, dance a jig,
If you're wearing green today, dance a jig, then smile and say,
"Have a very Happy St. Patrick's Day!"

If you're wearing green today, clap your hands.
If you're wearing green today, spin around.
If you're wearing green today, shout "Hooray!"
If you're wearing green today, stomp your feet.

Source: SurLaLune Storytime

CRAFT:

St. Patrick's Day Glitter Rainbow

When I saw this craft here, I immediately wanted to make it, but...THE GLITTER! Youth Services Librarian know glitter + children's crafts = a big ole' mess. My mind immediately went to worst-case scenarios. But, I told my mind to hush up and decided to prep all the parts so kids weren't applying loose glitter all willy-nilly and I had some hope of containing the mess. It worked great and everyone loved their craft. Who doesn't love a little sparkle?

Storytime: Community Heroes

The fire departments of DeWitt and Jamesville
brought their trucks for the kids to see inside!

Kids get really excited when they hear the sound of a fire truck coming down the street. The brave men and women who wear uniforms and help keep us safe are big parts of our community. Going along with this year's CSLP theme of "Every Hero Has a Story," I planned a Community Heroes storytime. This is a great way to introduce children to police officers, firefighters, and paramedics; you can even invite them to your library so kids can see the types of uniforms they wear and the vehicles they drive!

BOOKS:



Keeping You Safe: A Book About Police Officers by Ann Owen
My Truck is Stuck! by Kevin Lewis
I’m Brave! by Kate McMullan
Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann
Clothesline Clues to Jobs People Do by Kathryn Heling

RHYMES & SONGS:

Action Rhyme: Hurry, Hurry, Drive the Fire Truck

Hurry, hurry, drive the fire truck
(place hands on imaginary steering wheel)
Hurry, hurry, drive the fire truck
Hurry, hurry, drive the fire truck
Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding!
(ring bell)

Hurry, hurry, turn the corner
(lean to the right)
Hurry, hurry, turn the corner
(lean to the left)
Hurry, hurry, turn the corner
(lean to the right and left)
Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding!
(ring bell)

Hurry, hurry, climb the ladder
(pretend to climb ladder)
Hurry, hurry, climb the ladder
Hurry, hurry, climb the ladder
Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding!
(ring bell)

Hurry, hurry, squirt the water
(pretend to spray hose)
Hurry, hurry, squirt the water
Hurry, hurry, squirt the water
Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding!
(ring bell)

Slowly, slowly, back to the station
(lean slowly to the left and right)
Slowly, slowly, back to the station
Slowly, slowly, back to the station
Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding!
(ring bell)

Source: Collaborative Summer Library Program manual

Fingerplay: Five Brave Firefighters

Five brave firefighters
Standing in a row
Ring goes the bell
And down one goes….

Source: Read, Rhyme and Sing

I gave scarves to the kids, and I used jingle bells to sound the "bell." When the "bell" went off, the kids waves their scarves around. It was super fun!

Song: "Obsessed By Trucks"
by Justin Roberts (from CD Jungle Gym)

This is a fun song for the kids to dance to. Put out a bunch of instruments and have them "drive" around the room.

CRAFT:

Officer Buckle Hat

I found a template for a police hat here, and cut out all the pieces ahead of time. The kids assembled their hat with a glue stick. I gave the parents construction paper bands that they fit around their child's head. I love when I can connect a craft directly to a book!

Storytime: Superheroes!

This year's Summer Reading Program theme, Every Hero Has a Story, is my favorite! There are so many programs and book displays you can do with this theme, and who doesn't love superheroes? The kids at my library are nuts for them and our books are always checked out. It was a no-brainer to plan a Superhero storytime for my toddler and preschool groups! KA-POW! BAM! Okay, I'll stop now.

BOOKS:



Supertruck by Stephen Savage
Ten Rules of Being a Superhero by Deb Pilutti
The Amazing Adventures of Bumblebee Boy by David Soman
Mighty Max! by Harriet Ziefert
The Day I Lost My Superpowers by Michael Escoffier

RHYMES & SONGS:

Flannel Rhyme: A Superhero Suits Up

What's that sound? I heard the call!
For I'm the greatest superhero of them all!

I'm off, I'm ready, I'm almost there!
Oh wait... I'm in my underwear?

I'll need my cape to help me fly,
And my rocket boots to traverse the sky,

Now I'm set and ready to go!
I think I'm forgetting something though...

That's right! My super belt of utility,
And my goggles to increase visibility!

Now I'm off, I'm out the door!
Why do I think there's something more?

That's so weird to feel a breeze
Where I should be covered.... Oh no! Wiz gees!

I need my SUIT with my super star
To go adventuring near and far!

Oh wait, what's that? The danger's through
There's no more crime fighting left to do?

But I'm all dressed up! Oh sigh, oh well,

At least my outfit's looking swell...

Source: Library Makers

Fingerplay: Five Superheroes

Five superheroes ready to fly
Here comes the villain, Stop that guy!
This superhero can save the day.
Off he flies – up, up, and away!

Count down from 4, 3, 2, 1, 0

Source: Jbrary

Action Rhyme: Superhero, Superhero, Turn Around

Superhero, superhero turn around
Superhero, superhero touch the ground
Superhero, superhero put on your suit
Superhero, Superhero put on your boots.
Superhero, Superhero jump up high.
Superhero, Superhero fly, fly, fly.

Source: Jbrary

CRAFT:

Paper Bag Superhero Kid

Source: Glued to My Crafts

Storytime: Ninjas!

If your library participates in the Collaborative Summer Library Program, you are well aware of this year's awesome theme "Every Hero Has a Story." With that in mind, I planned my weekly story times around this theme. A ninja-themed storytime had to happen! I was kind of surprised that my preschoolers weren't as ninja crazy as the school-aged kids.* No matter. Follow Miss Jenny for some ninja fun!

*After story time was finished, a mom sent me a picture of her son practicing his ninja moves. He was using The Three Ninja Pigs by Corey Rosen Schwartz as his guide. Epic storytime win!

BOOKS:

Nighttime Ninja by Barbara DaCosta

Ninja Bunny by Jennifer Gray Olson

Dojo Daycare by Chris Tougas

Little Kunoichi, the Ninja Girl by Sanae Ishida

Ninja! by Arree Chung

RHYMES & SONGS:

Five Little Ninjas

Five little ninjas creeping through the door,

One said "HIYAH," and then there were four.

Four little ninjas climbing up a tree,

One said "HIYAH." and then there were three.

Three little ninjas with nothing to do,

One said "HIYAH," and then there were two.

Two little ninjas having so much fun,

One said "HIYAH," and then there was one.

One little ninja, on the run.

He said "HIYAH," and then there were none.

Source: Falling Flannelboards

Ninja, Ninja

Ninja, ninja, sneak around.

Ninja, ninja, roll on the ground.

Ninja, ninja, climb up high.

Ninja, ninja, touch the sky.

Ninja, ninja, jump down low.

Ninja, ninja, touch your toe.

Ninja, ninja, take a bow.

Ninja, ninja, sit down low.

Source: Storytime With Miss Mollie

"If You're a Ninja and You Know It"

(tune: "If You're Happy and You Know It")

If you're a ninja and you know it,

Be really quiet. (Shhh!)

If you're a ninja and you know it,

Be really quiet. (Shhh!)

If you're a ninja and you know it,

Then your face will surely know it.

If you're a ninja and you know it,

Be really quiet. (Shhh!)

...walk on tip toe (Tip, Toe)

...say "HIYAH!" (HIYAH!)

Source: Anne's Library Life

CRAFT:

Shape Ninja

Source: No Time for Flash Cards

Storytime: Under the Sea

The First Day of Summer is this weekend, and that means you'll be thinking of swimming and going to the beach. Some of you may vacation near the ocean. Get your kids excited about the summer by sharing these fun books and rhymes about the animals that live under the sea.

BOOKS:



I Spy Under the Sea by Edward Gibbs
Mister Seahorse by Eric Carle
Peanut Butter and Jellyfish by Jarrett Krosoczka
A Hole in the Bottom of the Sea by Jessica Law
One Lonely Seahorse by Saxton Freymann

RHMYES & SONGS:

"The Shark in the Sea"
(tune: "The Wheels on the Bus")

If you have various felt or finger puppets, you can use this as a flannelboard or glove puppet. Or, simply act out the motions as a fingerplay.

The shark in the sea goes chomp, chomp, chomp.
Chomp, chomp, chomp. Chomp, chomp, chomp.
The shark in the sea goes chomp, chomp, chomp,
All day long.

The octopus in the sea goes wiggle, wiggle, wiggle.

The seahorse in the sea rocks back and forth.

The fish in the sea goes swim, swim, swim.

The crab in the sea goes snap, snap, snap.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, I Caught a Fish Alive

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, (count fingers on right hand)
I caught a fish alive. ("catch" five fingers of right hand with left hand)
Why did you let it go? (release it suddenly)
Because it bit my fingers so! (shake right hand)

Five Little Seashells

Five little seashells lying on the shore.
Swish went the waves, and then there were four.
Four little seashells pretty as could be.
Swish went the waves, and then there were three.
Three little seashells all pearly new.
Swish went the waves, and then there were two.
Two little seashells shining in the sun.
Swish went the waves, and then there was one.
One little seashell left all alone.
I picked it up, and I took it home.

CRAFT:

We made Mister Seahorse! Okay, full disclosure. This craft takes prepping ahead of time. But, it was so darn cute, I HAD to share it with my storytime kids. I found the template and directions from I Heart Crafty Things. I never tried shaving cream painting, and it was awesome! I don't usually shy away from doing painting/messy crafts at storytime, but this process required drying before the kids could "lace" the hair, that I decided to prep all the seahorses the day before. I'm glad I did, because the "squeegeeing" was the hardest part! Fun fact: the paper retains the smell of the shaving cream. :-)

Storytime: Penguins

Have I been replaced at work?!

Penguins in March?! Yes. Because even though I originally did this storytime in January, penguins can be enjoyed all year long. Yep, I'm going with that reasoning rather than the truth, which is I'm two months behind on storytime posts. :P

BOOKS:

Ten Little Penguins by Jean-Luc Fromenthal

Penguins, Penguins, Everywhere! by Bob Barner

Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester

Penguin on Vacation by Salina Yoon

Up & Down by Britta Teckentrup

RHYMES & SONGS:

Two Little Penguins

Two little penguins, sitting on the ice (hold up two fingers)

One bows once, the other bows twice (made index fingers bow)

Waddle little penguins, waddle away. (put fingers behind back)

Come back penguins, time to play! (bring fingers to the front)

Source: King County Library System

"Have You Ever Seen a Penguin?"

(tune: "Have You Ever Seen a Lassie?")

Have you ever seen a penguin, a penguin, a penguin?

Have you ever seen a penguin swim this way and that? (make swimming motions with arms)

Swim this way and that way? Swim this way and that way?
Have you ever seen a penguin swim this way and that?

...slide this way and that? (make sliding motions with arms)

...waddle this way and that? (feet close together, make tiny waddling steps)

...flap this way and that? (arms close to sides, flap hands like "wings")

Source: Perpetual Preschool

"The Penguin Song"

by Carole Peterson from album Stinky Cake

This is a fun marching song. I handed out shaker eggs and had the kids shake and walk around pretending to walk like penguins.

Pippa's Penguins

Source: Susan M. Dailey

I used this story as a flannelboard. The story and pattern can be found on Susan Dailey's website (link above). I modified the story for the different age groups and for the colors of felt I had. I made it interactive by handing out felt penguins and calling the kids up one by one to put their color penguin on the board. They loved it!

CRAFT:

We made Tacky the Penguin as our craft! There are several ideas online, but I found a nice template on Sturdy for Common Things. It has all the penguin parts, which makes this librarian's life easy when it comes to prepping a craft for 20 kids. My assistant Kelly, who is a life-saver, cut out all the pieces ahead of time, so all kids had to do was assemble their "Tacky" with a glue stick and add wiggle eyes. Isn't he adorable?

Storytime: Dr. Seuss!

Dr. Seuss' birthday was on March 2, so in honor of it, I planned a Seuss-centered storytime for my preschool group. It was a lot of fun and I found so many ideas online that I decided a Dr. Seuss Party is in order for this summer. That way, I can do even more activities and crafts. Oh, yeah!

BOOKS:



One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?
Green Eggs and Ham
Oh, the Places You'll Go!
The Cat in the Hat

RHYMES & SONGS:

"If You Like Dr. Seuss"
(tune: "If You're Happy and You Know It")

If you like Dr. Seuss, clap your hands.
If you like Dr. Seuss, clap your hands.
If you like Dr. Seuss when the Grinch is on the loose,
If you like Dr. Seuss, clap your hands.
If you like Green Eggs and Ham, stomp your feet.
If you like Green Eggs and Ham, stomp your feet.
If you like Green Eggs and Ham, then go tell Sam I Am,
If you like Green Eggs and Ham, stomp your feet.
If you like the Cat in the Hat, shout hooray!
If you like the Cat in the Hat, shout hooray!
If you like the Cat in the Hat, though he makes the fish so mad,
If you like the Cat in the Hat, shout hooray!

Source: City of North Mankato

One Little Cat
(this can be used a a fingerplay with cat finger puppets or you can make "Cat in the Hat" puppets, which I didn't have time to do)

One little cat on a sunny day
Put on his hat and went out to play
Two little cats when the sky turned dark
Put on their hats and went to the park
Three little cats when the sky turned blue
Put on their  hats and went to the zoo
Four little cats by the kitchen door
Put on their hats and went to the store
Five little cats on a sunny day
Put on their hats and they all ran away.

Source: Mel's Desk

CRAFTS:

We usually only do one craft after I've finished reading books, but there were so many Seuss-themed crafts, that I planned two.

1. One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
With their grown-up's help, children traced their hands onto four colors of construction paper and then cut them out. Using a glue stick, they glued their "fish" onto yellow construction paper to mimic the cover art of the book and finished the project with markers to make faces and water bubbles.

I want to give a shout-out to my helpers, LM and AM, who made the "example" crafts seen in both pictures. You did an awesome job!

2. The Cat in the Hat Prop
This is super-easy. You'll need craft sticks, red pom-poms, and black construction paper, cut into strips (three strips per person). Arrange them to look like whiskers and glue them onto the craft stick. Miss Maggie and I rock this look!