Toddler Storytime: Woof! Woof!

There are many wonderful picture books about dogs and most children love this animal.  So, I planned a fun storytime about Man's Best Friend.

NURSERY RHYME:  Old Mother Hubbard

There are many versions of this rhyme, but I use the verses that coordinate with the felt board set our library owns.

Old Mother Hubbard

Went to the cupboard

To fetch her poor dog a bone.

But when she got there

The cupboard was bare,

And so the poor dog had none.

She went to the grocer's

To buy him some fruit,

But when she came back

He was playing the flute.

She went to the fishmonger's

To buy him some fish,

But when she came back,

He was licking the dish.

She went to the barber's

To buy him a wig,

But when she came back,

He was playing a jig.

She went to the cobbler's

To buy him some shoes,

But when she came back,

He was reading the news.

She went to the tailor's

To buy him a coat,

But when she came back,

He was riding a goat.

The dame made a curtsy.

The dog made a bow.

The dame said, "Your Servant."

The dog said, "Bow-wow."

BOOK:  Bark, George by Jules Feiffer

This is one of my favorites to read aloud, because the children always laugh at the animals the vet pulls out of  George's mouth.  Scholastic Video Collection made a wonderful version of this story (Bark, George - and More Doggie Tails) that I've shown at storytime.

FINGERPLAY:  Call the Dog

Call the dog,  (Beckon with hand)

Give him some milk.  (Cup other hand)

Brush his coat  (Pretend to brush dog)

Until it shines like silk.

Call the dog,  (Beckon with hand)

Give him a bone  (Other hand out)

Take him for a walk  (Walk fingers on open hand)

And put him in his home.  (Fit fingers in hole made with other hand)

BOOK:  Dog's Colorful Day: a Messy Story About Colors and Counting by Emma Dodd

I love the bright illustrations in this book.  I made a felt story of this book and it was really easy.  All you need is felt in different colors and the pattern.  The pattern is in the book Storytime Magic and is available online through the American Library Association website.  See, easy peasy.

FINGERPLAY:  Digging in the Dirt

Ten little doggies went out one day  (Hold ten fingers up)

To dig in the dirt and play, play, play.  (Pretend to dig like a dog with both hands)

Five were spotted and five were not,  (Hold up one hand at a time)

And at dinner they ate a lot!  (Pretend to eat)