Today was my library’s One City, One Story day, with a lot of programming centered around Christina Baker Kline’s Orphan Train.  Including a Lionel Train set-up and running, complete with sounds and lights, in our library’s main hall.  Doing a train storytime seemed the only way to go.  Also it gave me a great reason to use my train whistle!

MOVEMENT: Welcome Song*

MOVEMENT: “Jump Jump” from I’m a Rock Star by Joanie Leeds and the Nightlights

MOVEMENT: My Wiggles*

BOOK:

Whoosh and Chug! by Sebastien Braun

SONG:
The Wheels on the Train
(Taken from: Verona StoryTime)

(to the tune of: The Wheels on the Bus)
The wheels on the train go clickety-clack
Clickety-clack, clickety-clack
The wheels on the train go clickety-clack
All along the track

Other verses:
The whistle on the train goes toot, toot, toot…
The conductor on the train says, “Ticket, please!”…
The people on the train go bounce, bounce, bounce…
The engine on the train goes chug, chug, chug…

FLANNELBOARD:
Clickety Clack

(Pattern and Idea taken from Mel’s Desk)

Clickety-clack, clickety-clack,
Here comes the train on the railroad track!

Clickety-clunn, clickety-clunn,
Here comes ENGINE number one.

Clickety-clew, clickety-clew,
Here comes COAL CAR number two.

Clickety-clee, clickety-cluee,
Here comes BOX CAR number three.

Clickety-clore, clickety-clore,
Here comes TANK CAR number four.

Clickety-clunn, clickety-clunn,
Here comes ENGINE number one.

Clickety-clunn, clickety-clunn,
Here comes ENGINE number one.

Clickety-clack, clickety-clack,
Here comes the train on the railroad track!

MOVEMENT: “Shake My Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs by Raffi

MOVEMENT: Grandma’s Spectacles*

BOOK:

Window Music by Anastasia Suen, illustrated by Wade Zahares

VIDEO:

“Grandpa’s Little Train” from Peppa Pig: My Birthday Party

MOVEMENT: Storytime’s Over*

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL IDEAS:

Book: Chugga-Chugga Choo-Choo by Kevin Lewis, illustrated by Daniel Kirk
Book: Trains Go by Steve Light (a good toddler pick)
Book: And the Train Goes by William Bee
Book: Freight Train by Donald Crews
Flannelboard: Rainbow Express
Movie: “Max’s Toy Train”, “Max’s Train Ride” or “Max and Ruby’s Train Trip” from Max & Ruby Sweet Siblings!

GREAT RESOURCES FOR MORE IDEAS:
Storytime Katie – Trains!
Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives: Trains Resource Guide
Never Shushed: Preschool: Trains

THOUGHTS ON THIS STORYTIME:
It was hard to compete with the real toy train set up in our library’s main hall.  But, eventually we did get a good turnout for this storytime.  I put it together in a short amount of time — I think I might have had a better selection of books if I had thought more ahead of time.  But it went well, and the kids seemed to enjoy it. 

I remembered my lesson after last storytime and did a calming down rhyme (Grandma’s Spectacles) after Shaking our Sillies out.  It helped some, but I think I need to come up with more. 

ATTENDANCE: 38 (adults and children)

*To see the words to these movements and activities I use frequently, please visit my A-capella Movements Section on my Storytime Movements and Music Page