Nocturnal Animals

Introduction	Welcome by Miss Carole
Action Rhyme	If You’re Happy and You Know It If you’re happy and you know it, howl at the moon, If you’re happy and you know it, howl at the moon, If you’re happy and you know it, and you really want to show it, If you’re happy and you know it, howl at the moon. Aaaaaawwwooooooo! Source: Sunflower Storytime
Nursery Rhyme	Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Book	The Froggies Do Not Want to Sleep by Adam Gustavson
Finger Rhyme	1, 2 Bats (via Bay Views ACL) 1, 2 bats say “Boo!” 3, 4 see bats soar. 5, 6 bats do tricks. 7, 8 bats fly straight. 9, 10 bats fly to their cave again. Source: Door 2 Door Librarian
Weekly Rhyme	This is Big, Big, Big This is big, big, big. This is small, small, small. This is short, short, short. This is tall, tall, tall. This is fast, fast, fast. This is slow, slow, slow. This is yes, yes, yes. This is no, no, no. Source: Melissa Depper, a children’s librarian in the Denver metro area We do it twice. Once with our traditional hand movements and second time with ASL.
Book	Everyone Is Yawning by Anita Bijsterbosch
Action Song	During the Night During the night I know that, Stars twinkle in the sky. (Flutter fingers high in the air) Bats fly and swoop through the air.(Flap arms like wings) Owls flap their wings before saying, “Who-Who.” (Tuck arms to the side and flap them) Cats jump from place to place. Jump from place to place. (Jump) Opossums climb up trees. (Pretend to climb) Raccoons run across the grass. (Run in place) Wolves howl at the moon. (Howl) And I lie in my bed to sleep. (Place hands to the side of your head). Source: Artsy Toddler Storytimes
Action Rhyme	Insect Song Tune: The Wheels on the Bus The firefly at night goes blink, blink, blink, Blink, blink, blink. blink, blink, blink. The firefly at night goes blink, blink, blink, All around the town! (Other Verses) The ants in the grass go march, march, march… The crickets in the leaves go chirp, chirp, chirp… Source: Florida Library Webinars
Action Rhyme	Owl Freeze Game (modified from the song ‘Silly Dance Contest’ by Jim Gill) Fly any way you want to, fly any way you please Fly any way you want to, but stop when I say Sleep! (continue with fly as high as you want to, fly as fast as you want to, then fly any way you want to again to end.) Source: https://slcbookboy.wordpress.com/2012/07/31/night-creatures-storytime/
Dance Song	Around and Around by Carole Peterson
Dance Song	Beep Beep by Mr. Eric & Mr. Michael
Closing Songs	ABC, Count to 15
Goodbye song	Skidamarink

This was taken from a flapping owl craft. There are several different versions of it on the internet. However, I am unable to locate my original source with the red cheeks.

Farm Storytime

Introduction	Welcome by Miss Carole
Action Rhyme	To Market, To Market To market, to market (march slowly in place) To buy a fat pig. Home again, home again (hop) Jiggety jig. To market, to market (march slowly in place) To buy a fat hog. Home again, home again (hop) Jiggety jog
Book	Cow Says Meow by Kirsti Call
Finger Rhyme	Five Fluffy Chickens Five Eggs and Five Eggs (hold up each fist) and that makes ten. Sitting on top is Mother Hen. (lace your hands/fingers together) Cackle, cackle, cackle (clap your palms together three times) And what do I see? (Shrug shoulders) Ten fluffy chickens (wiggle fingers around like little chickens) Yellow as can be.
Weekly Rhyme	This is Big, Big, Big This is big, big, big. This is small, small, small. This is short, short, short. This is tall, tall, tall. This is fast, fast, fast. This is slow, slow, slow. This is yes, yes, yes. This is no, no, no. Source: Melissa Depper, a children’s librarian in the Denver metro area
Book	Charlie Chick by Nick Denchfield
Action Song	Dickery Dickery Dare (with die-cut pigs) Dickery, dickery dare, The pig flew up in the air. The man in brown Soon brought him down! Dickery, dickery, dare.
Action Rhyme	Animal Sounds Tune: “The Farmer In The Dell” The ducks say, quack, quack. The ducks say, quack, quack. Heigh-ho, the Derry-oh, The ducks say quack, quack! The cows say, moo, moo. The cows say, moo, moo. Heigh-ho, the Derry-oh, The cows say, moo, moo! Source: Jean Warren
Action Rhyme	Rickety, Rickety, Rocking Horse, Rickety, rickety, rocking horse, Over the fields we go. Rickety, rickety, rocking horse, Gitty up! Gitty up! Whoa! Source: King County Library System: Tell Me a Story
Dance Song	I K now a Chicken by Laura Berkner with shaker eggs.
Dance Song	Around and Around by Miss Carole
Closing Songs	ABC, Count to 10
Goodbye song	Skidamarink

Bathtime – Preschool

Introduction	Put Your Finger in the Air by Miss Carole
Book	Who’s In the Bathroom by Jeanne Willis
Flannel	After a Bath After a bath, I try, try, try, To wipe myself ’till I’m dry, dry, dry. Hands to wipe, and fingers and toes, And two wet legs and a shiny nose. Just think, how much less I’d take, If I were a dog, and could shake, shake, shake! Source: The Mailbox
Book	Underwear by Jenn Harney
Action Rhyme	Bubble Bath Bubbly, bubbly bubble bath (wiggle all ten fingers) Filled to the top, (raise fingers overhead) Listen to the bubbly bubbles, (cup hand to ear) Pop! Pop! Pop! (clap three times) Source: Family Storytimes: 24 Creative Programs for All Ages
Sorting Activity	“Would we use this in the tub?” Have two boxes, clearly labeled YES and NO. In an opaque bag, have 6-8 items that we would and would not use in the tub (for ex: boot, soap, washcloth, bath sponge, Elmer’s glue, hammer, spatula, rubber duckie). Group chants “Rub a dub, DUB dub, Rub a dub DUB.” Leader asks “Would we use THIS in the tub?” If the answer is no, ask what the item is and what we would use it for. Source:MC Flannelfinger
Dance Song	The Bathtub Song by Carole Peterson
Dance Song	Row, Row, Row Your Boat by Rob Newhouse
Cool Down	Alphabet and Counting to 10
Goodbye Song	Wiggle Finger by Miss Carole

Craft: We got our initial craft from teachingmama.org and modified it.

Bathtime-Toddlers

Introduction	Put Your Little Little Foot by Miss Carole
Book	The Pigeon Needs a Bath by Mo Willems
ASL	Bath
Action Rhyme	Bubble, Bubble, Pop One little red fish Swimming in the water, Swimming in the water, Swimming in the water. One little red fish Swimming in the water, Bubble, bubble, bubble, bubble…POP! Source:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60RRRq4dJ58
Book	Splish, Splash, Baby! by Karen Katz
Nursery Rhyme	Rub-a-Dub-Dub Rub-a-dub-dub, Three men in a tub, And who do you think they be? The butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker, And all of them gone to sea.
Weekly Rhyme	This is Big, Big, Big
Action Rhyme	Bath Time Bubbles Bath time bubbles pop! (clap) Lather up with soap (rub hands together) Warm water and shampoo (rub head) Then dry off when you’re through! (rub arms) Source:https://kcls.org/content/bath-time-bubbles/
Action Rhyme	Baby Put Your Pants On Tune: Mama’s Little Baby Loves Shortnin’ BreadBaby put your pants on, pants on, pants on, Baby put your pants on, 1, 2, 3. Leg to the left, Leg to right Wiggle and Jiggle and put them up tight. Leg to the left, Leg to the right and pull them up tight. Baby put your pants on, pants on, pants on, Baby put your pants on, 1, 2, 3. Source:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueTt6oNlu0Y
Nursery Rhyme Activity	Five Little Ducks: I handed out rubber duckies to all the kids. I then played the song, “Five Little Ducks.” The kids came and placed their ducky with the mommy duck in a bin of water.
Dance Song	The Bathtub Song by Carole Peterson
Dance Song	Row, Row, Row Your Boat by Songs for Wiggleworms
Cool Down	ABC’S and Counting to Five
Goodbye Song	Hush Your Feet by Miss Carole

Craft: We got our initial craft from teachingmama.org and modified it.

Pets

Introduction	Welcome By Miss Carole
Opening Action Rhyme	Can You Nod Your Head? (with puppets) From Nancy Stewart; see nancymusic.com . Can you nod your head like kitty cat Can you nod, nod, nod your head Can you wag your tail like kitty cat, wag your tail Can you wiggle, wiggle, wiggle like kitty cat, Can you wiggle wiggle, wiggle all around Can you stand up just like kitty cat, and then fall down!
Book	Ah-Choo! by Lana Koehler
Nursery Rhyme	Soft Kitty Soft kitty, Warm kitty, Little ball of fur, Sleepy kitty. Happy kitty, Purr! Purr! Purr!
Book	I did a second book, but I can’t recall which one I did.
ASL	Pet
Weekly Rhyme	This is Big, Big, Big This is big, big, big This is small, small, small This is short, short, short This is tall, tall, tall This is fast, fast, fast This is slow, slow, slow Source: Melissa Depper, a children’s librarian in the Denver metro area
Finger Rhyme	Where Is Big Cat (Tune: Where is Thumbkin) Before starting I introduce the kids to Big Cat (my thumbs) and Little Cat (my pinkies). The cats give a little meow and the kids show me their Big Cat and Little Cat. Where is big cat, where is big cat (hide thumbs) Here I am, here I am (bring thumbs out) How are you today cat (wiggle one thumb) Very well I thank you (wiggle other thumb) Meow, meow, meow (put thumbs behind back) Meow, meow, meow Source: https://www.adventuresofabookworm.com/2015/03/18/storytime-kitten/
Action Rhyme	Fish, Fish *Tune: Skip to my Lou* Fish, fish, swim up high. Fish, fish, swim down low. Fish, fish, swim so fast. Fish, fish, swim so slow. source: https://kcls.org/content/fish-fish/
Action Rhyme	Some Dogs Bark (make appropriate noises) Some Dogs Bark. Some dogs growl. Some dogs yip. Some dogs howl. And some dogs just wag their tail. (wiggle bottom) Source: Storytime Katie
Dance Song	Wag Your Tail by Super Simple Songs
Dance Song	Ring Around the Rosie by Baby Casparpants
Cool Down	ABCs, Count to 10
Goodbye Song	Skidamarink

Our library is finally getting back into storytimes! Here was the craft that I picked for my pet theme. It was inspired by No Toy Gifts!

Silly Dinner – Preschool

Introduction	Put Your Finger in the Air by Miss Carole
Book	Ketchup on Your Cornflakes by Nick Sharratt
ASL	Food
Finger Rhyme/Flannel	Five Fat Sausages Five fat sausages frying in a pan All of a sudden – one went “BANG”! Four fat sausages frying in a pan All of a sudden – one went “BANG”! Three fat sausages frying in a pan All of a sudden – one went “BANG”! Two fat sausages frying in a pan All of a sudden – one went “BANG”! One fat sausage frying in a pan All of a sudden – it went “BANG”! No fat sausages frying in a pan
Book	Don’t Put Your Finger in the Jelly, Nelly by Nick Sharratt
Action Rhyme	I Am Hungry (Tune: Are You Sleeping?) I am hungry! (I am hungry) What should I eat? (What should I eat?) Think I’ll have some pizza(think I’ll have some pizza) Without any meat! (Without any meat).I am hungry! (I am hungry) What should I eat? (What should I eat?) Think I’ll have tomato soup(think I’ll have tomato soup) With lots of heat! (With lots of heat). I am hungry! (I am hungry) What should I eat? (What should I eat?) Think I’ll have some ice cream (think I’ll have some ice cream) Cold and sweet! (Cold and sweet). Source:https://jbrary.com/family-storytime-making-food/
Life Skill	Learn place settings https://www.parents.com/fun/printables/other/table-setting-place-mats/
Gross Motor Skills	Put Away Dinner: https://munchkinsandmoms.com/play-food-foil-fine-motor-activity/We did an activity very similar to this. However, a shelver and I wrapped the food beforehand. We had the kids try and guess what was wrapped in the tinfoil. We then had them unwrap the food and then rewrap the food.
Dance Song	Do You Like Broccoli Ice Cream by Super Simple Songs
Dance Song	Banana Dance by Dr. Jean
Dance Song	Get Yer Fiddle by Duke Otherwise
Cool Down	Counting and ABCs
Goodbye Song	Wiggle Finger! By Miss Carole

Craft: A frying pan! I love breakfast for dinner. We took inspiration from this craft and added our own twist.

frying pan

Silly Dinner – Toddlers

Introduction	Put Your Little Little Foot by Miss Carole
Book	Yummy Yucky by Leslie
ASL	Food
Nursery Rhyme	Humpty Dumpty Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the king’s horses and all the King’s men Could not put Humpty together again.
Weekly Rhyme	This is Big, Big, Big
Action Song	Jelly on a Plate Jelly on a plate, Jelly on a plate, Wibble, wobble, wibble, wobble, Jelly on a plate.Jelly on the floor, Oooh Jelly on the floor, Ooh Wibble, wobble, wibble, wobble, Jelly on the floor. Source: https://bussongs.com/songs/jelly-on-a-plate
Action Song	Wash the Dishes Wash the dishes, Wipe the dishes (wipe hands down child’s arms on first two lines) Ring the bell for tea. (touch nose for bell) Three good wishes, Three good kisses. (wipe hands down child’s arms on “wishes” and “kisses”) I will give to thee. (kiss on thee.)
Gross Motor Skills	Unwrap Dinner! https://munchkinsandmoms.com/play-food-foil-fine-motor-activity/We did an activity very similar to this. However, a shelver and I wrapped the food beforehand. We had the kids try and guess what was wrapped in the tinfoil. We then had them unwrap the food and then rewrap the food.
Dance Song	Milkshake Song by Songs for Wiggleworms
Dance Song	Jelly in the Bowl by Carole Peterson
Cool Down	Count to 5, ABCs
Goodbye Song	Hush Your Feet by Miss Carole

Craft: We took inspiration from another craft and did our our own twist.

frying pan

Alien Creations

Introduction	For the end of summer reading, I was looking for a program that wouldn’t require much guidance but would allow the kids to have fun. Solution: Food creations. Putting the spin of the summer reading theme, I came up with Alien Creations. I picked several different activities that the kids could easily create without much help.
Station 1: Melted Aliens	This was a super cost-effective food station. I pre-made green jello. I then had whipped cream and eyes for the kids to make their own melting alien. This was actually one of the most popular stations. Jello is a winner with the kids.
Station 2: Alien Family	This inspiration came from Newspaper Cat. However, I slightly modified it. I could not find white chocolate-covered pretzels to save my life, so I opted for regular pretzels. I then gave the kids squeezable frosting and M&Ms to create their own alien family.
Station 3: Alien Home	Since I was giving a TON of sugar, I wanted a healthy activity as an option. This station was not the favorite…for obvious reasons. The parents were grateful. The kids were more meh. I cut the rice cakes into half and had some bananas already sliced up. Peanut Butter was on a separate table. I did ask if there were any allergies to it before I opened it.
Station 4: Make Your Own Alien	This was the easiest station to throw together. I found random food items and created a buffet. The kids were able to go through and create their own alien. This was the favorite all-around. The kids asked if they could go through it several times. It might be the reason why so many left hyped up…

Pancakes and Pajamas

Introduction	Welcome – Bienvenidos
Action Rhyme	Mix a Pancake Mix a pancake, (roll hands over one another) stir a pancake (make stirring motions) Pop it in the pan (“Pop” down) Fry the pancake (Rock gently side to side) Toss the pancake (Jump up high with arms above) Catch it if you can (Bring baby down again) Source: King County Library System
Book	Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney
ASL	Pancake
Action Rhyme	Red Pajamas Tune: Bumpin Up and Down in My Little Red WagonJumping up and down wearing red pajamas, Jumping up and down wearing red pajamas, Jumping up and down wearing red pajamas Won’t you be my darling?Turning all around wearing red pajamas Turning all around wearing red pajamas Turning all around wearing red pajamas Won’t you be my darling? Source: King County Library System
Action Rhyme	There was a Little Man There was a little man And he had a little crumb (tickle baby’s cheek) And over the mountain he did run (run fingers over top of baby’s head) With a belly full of fat (jiggle baby’s belly) And a big top hat (pat head) And a pancake stuck to his bum, bum, bum! (pat baby’s bottom)Source: King County Library System
Action Rhyme	Dog is Sleeping Dog is sleeping, don’t wake it up. Dog is sleeping, don’t wake it up. Dog is sleeping, don’t wake it up. Now we’re very quiet. Shhhhh.WAKE UP dog, it’s time to play! WAKE UP dog, it’s time to play! WAKE UP dog, it’s time to play! Now we’re very LOUD!Cat is sleeping, don’t wake it up. Cat is sleeping, don’t wake it up. Cat is sleeping, don’t wake it up. Now we’re very quiet. Shhhhh.WAKE UP kitty, it’s time to play! WAKE UP kitty, it’s time to play! WAKE UP kitty, it’s time to play! Now we’re very LOUD! Source: MC Flannelfinger
Traditional	ABCs
Parachute	Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed
Activity	We had some amazing volunteers who helped us make pancakes and serve them to our storytime patrons!

Time Travelers: Ancient Egypt

Introduction	American Girl is very popular in my library. However, while all are welcome to attend, the program tends to be heavily attended by our young female patrons. Hoping to expand programming to encompass all, I created Time Travelers. This program has similar characteristics of my American Girl program but offers a larger selection of themes (worldwide) and is not so girl-focused. I felt that most kids go through some Egypt phase, and this would be a good jumping off point.
Activity 1: Write like an Egyptian	My first activity was hieroglyphics. I’ve done this in the past, and I know kids get a kick out of writing their name in another language. I actually had some old promotional material that worked well for this activity. The kids got a strip with a hieroglyphic alphabet and then were able to write their own name. Would say this went much smoother for older participants than young participants.
Activity 2: Pyramid Experiment	Our second activity we talked about how the Egyptians possibly moved the large bricks to build the pyramids. The kids received a heavy tome and had to push it across the floor. Carpet obviously gives an advantage, but then we handed out pencils and the kids created a sledge. The kids then experimented with how fast they could move the books.
Craft 1/2:	This program wouldn’t be complete without some pyramid building. I found a cool pyramid craft involving cereal. We opted to use Cinnamon Toast Crunch, as it is also a tasty snack. Some kids built their pyramid ups or did them flat. The additional craft/activity was actually building pyramids out of styrofoam cups. Almost all the kids were determined to participate in this activity.
Activity 3: Mummies	Our final activity was mummies! Our maintenance department graciously donated toilet paper rolls to the program. I then had the kids race to wrap a family member/friend. Once they were all wrapped then the mummy was able to break out of their wrapping. We did this about three times!