Since we just celebrated Thanksgiving I wanted to do a storytime today that was Thanksgiving-friendly, without being Thanksgiving-themed (since my library does our Turkey Tales storytime the Saturday before Thanksgiving).  So, what is more Thanksgiving-y than Pie!  Plus, I really enjoy trying out a brand new theme for storytime every now and then to help keep me fresh.  I had a lot of help with this storytime from some great blogs out there.

MOVEMENT: Welcome Song

MOVEMENT: “Can’t Wait to Celebrate” from Jim Gill’s Irrational Anthem by Jim Gill

BOOK:
 
Apple Pie ABC by Alison Murray

FLANNELBOARD:
One Whole Pie
  
Rhyme from Kathryn Roach, Wendell Library, Wendell NC’s blog post on Trails & Tales.
Pattern created by making concentric circle shapes in Microsoft word.  I made 4 circles, the largest in white for the plate, the next smallest circle the dark color for the lower crust, one slightly smaller for the lighter upper crust, and the smallest just a tiny bit smaller than that for the purple (boysenberry!) filling.

One whole pie
Set by the door,
Cut into pieces,
I count four.

Four pieces of pie,
All for me,
I ate one piece (make loud eating sounds as you take the piece of the board)
Now there are three.

Three pieces of pie
For me took
I ate another piece,
Now there are two.

Two pieces of pie
Oh! What fun!
I ate another piece,
Now there is one.

One piece of pie
I can’t wait!
I ate that last piece
Empty plate!

THEMED MOVEMENT:
We Make a Pie
Push, pull, pound the dough (push and pull your hands)
Homemade pie we make
Roll it, punch it, squeeze it, fill it (roll hands, punch, squeeze and pretend to fill pan)
In the pan it bakes. (put into oven)

Adapted from “We Knead a Song” in Totline Sept/Oct 1995 pg.4

BOOK:

All for Pie Pie for All by David Martin

MOVEMENT: “Shake My Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

FLANNELBOARD:
Yummy Pies

Adapted from a rhyme from Kathryn Roach, Wendell Library, Wendell NC’s blog post on Trails & Tales.
Pattern from Microsoft Clip Art.

(to tune of: Three Blind Mice)
Pies, pies, pies.
Pies, pies, pies.
Yummy pies,
Yummy pies.
Pumpkin, blueberry and cherry too.
Apple and key lime to name a few.
Chocolate, lemon, how about you?
I love pie!
That’s no lie!

I took the advice from the Trails & Tales blog post and after I sang this rhyme we played a game where the children covered their eyes and then I made eating noises and took a slice off the flannelboard.  When the kids opened their eyes they guessed which piece I had eaten.  We did this a couple of times, then sang the song once more through.  To end the flannelboard, I had them cover their eyes one last time and then ate up ALL the pie pieces.

VIDEO:

“Max’s Mudpie” from Max and Ruby: A Visit with Grandma

MOVEMENT: Storytime’s Over

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL IDEAS:

Book: Ugly Pie by Lisa Wheeler
Book: Pie in the Sky by Lois Ehlert
DVD: “Max’s Apple” from Max & Ruby: Springtime for Max & Ruby
DVD: How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World Reading Rainbow DVD

THOUGHTS ON THIS STORYTIME:
This storytime was a lot of fun.  Since I had two flannelboard stories I wanted to tell, I changed from my usual outline of storytime a bit.  Both of the flannelboards worked very well, and I liked the audience participation they encouraged.  I had never read Apple Pie ABC to a crowd before, and since it is an alphabet book with short phrases, I wasn’t sure how it would go over.  No need to worry though — it was wonderful and a hit!  I always love reading Pie for All, All for Pie.

Attendance: 37 people (adults and children)