You know when you sort of have a storytime slump, and don’t know what theme you want to do?  I was in that, and then thought about the time of year we are in.  I went to jbrary’s 2018 Favourite Storytime Picture Books list for inspiration.  I saw Are You Scared, Darth Vader? by Adam Rex at the top of the list.  Then I thought about all the scary things that are around this time of year.  And knowing how to deal with the feeling of being scared is part of social emotional understanding.  So, I figured I would do a storytime not about scary things, but about being scared.  Here’s what we did.

MOVEMENT: Welcome Song*

MOVEMENT:

“Clap Your Hands” from Wiggleworms Love You by Old Town School of Folk Music

BOOK:

Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall

MOVEMENT:

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

MOVEMENT: My Wiggles*

FLANNELBOARD STORY:
The Fearsome Beast
story and template taken from Judy Sierra’s Flannel Board Storytelling Book.

This is a fun folktale about Caterpillar who climbs into Rabbit’s log home when Rabbit is out.  When Rabbit returns Caterpillar puts on a loud voice and says,

“I am a great warrior, son of the long one.
I crush the rhinoceros to the earth,
and I make dust of the elephant.
I am invincible!”

Of course, no one wants to tangle with whoever is in the log – certainly not rhino or elephant – and it’s not until Frog comes along that Caterpillar’s jig is up.

MOVEMENT: 
If You’re Brave and You Know It
(to the tune of: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”

If you’re brave and you know it, clap your hands. (clap, clap)
If you’re brave and you know it, clap your hands. (clap, clap)
If you’re brave and you know, then your face will surely show it.
If you’re brave and you know, clap your hands. (clap, clap)

If you’re brave and you know it, stomp your feet. (stomp, stomp)
If you’re brave and you know it, stomp your feet. (stomp, stomp)
If you’re brave and you know, then your face will surely show it.
If you’re brave and you know, stomp your feet. (stomp, stomp)

If you’re brave and you know it, say “I am!” (say “I am!” and flex arms over head)
If you’re brave and you know it, say “I am!” (say “I am!” and flex arms over head)
If you’re brave and you know, then your face will surely show it.
If you’re brave and you know, say “I am!” (say “I am!” and flex arms over head)

BOOK:

Snip Snap! What’s That? by Mara Bergman, illustrations by Nick Maland

VIDEO:

“Scaredy Squirrel” from Scaredy Squirrel and Bink & Gollie Double Feature based on the book by Mélanie Watt

MOVEMENT: Storytime’s Over*

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL IDEAS:

Book: Are you Scared, Darth Vader? by Adam Rex
Book: I Am (Not) Scared by Anna Kang, illustrated by Christopher Weyant
Book: Max the Brave by Ed Vere
Book: The Terrible Plop by Ursula Dubosarsky
Book: Brave Squish Rabbit by Katherine Battersby
Book: Stormy Night by Salina Yoon
Book: Let’s Sing a Lullaby with the Brave Cowboy by Jan Thomas

Movement/Flannelboard:
5 Itty Bitty Monsters
by Dino o’Dell from the album Itty Bitty Monsters

Five itty bitty monsters lying underneath the bed.
“Go out and scare some kids out there,”
The littlest monster said.
1 monster took off to scare some kids,
So that left….. (continue with 4, 3, 2, 1)

1 itty bitty monster, lying underneath the bed.
“I’m scared to be alone,
Please come home,”
The littlest monster said.

Taken from Sunflower Storytime

Movement/Flannelboard:
Five Little Flowers
Five little flowers growing in a row (hold up five fingers, gesture to row)
The first one said, “We need rain to grow.” (hold up 1 finger, imitate rain falling)
The second one said, “Yes, we need water!” (hold up 2 fingers, nod head)
The third one said, “Whew, it’s getting hotter!” (hold up 3 fingers, wipe brow)
The fourth one said, “Look, there are clouds in the sky.” (4 fingers, point to sky)
The fifth one said, “I wonder why?” (5 fingers, hold palms out questioningly)
Then “BOOM” went the thunder! (clap hands together loudly)
And “ZAP” went the lightening! (draw zig-zag in air)
That springtime storm was kind of frightening! (shiver)
But were the flowers scared? No, no, no. (shake head)
They knew they needed rain to grow, grow, grow. (hold hand above ground & raise)

Taken from Harford County Public Library

OTHER AWESOME RESOURCES:
Yogibrarian – Feeling Scared
Sunflower Storytime blog – Monsters Don’t Scare Me!

ATTENDANCE: 25 (adults and children)

DATE PRESENTED: Saturday, October 19, 2019 @ Children’s Room

*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