Rain – Infant Storytime

Posted on February 1, 2014 by jeninthelibrary

So, I presented this storytime on Tuesday. It rained here on Thursday. Coincidence? You decide.

MOVEMENT: Welcome Song*

MOVEMENT: Peek-a-Boo*

BOUNCE: Ride a Little Pony*

BOOK:

The Rainy Day Puddle by Ei Nakabayashi

MOVEMENT: “Clap, Tap and Bend” from It’s Toddler Time by Carol Hammett and Elaine Bueffel

FLANNELBOARD:
Color Umbrellas

Five umbrellas stood by the back door.
The red one went outside, and then there were four.

Four umbrellas pretty as can be
The blue one went outside, and then there were three.

Three umbrellas with nothing to do
The green one went outside, and then there were two.

Two umbrellas not having much fun
The yellow one went outside, and then there was one.

One umbrella sad and all alone.
Decided to go join his friends and that none.

BOUNCE: “Ladies Ride” from Wiggleworms Love You by Old Town School of Folk Music

BOOK:

Rain Dance by Kathi Appelt

FLANNELBOARD:
Hickory Dickory Dock

Template and Rhyme from Mother Goose’s Playhouse by Judy Sierra

TICKLE: Round and Round the Garden*

MOVEMENT: “Itsy Bitsy Spider” from Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 3 from Walt Disney

MOVEMENT: “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” from Songs for Wiggleworms by the Old Town School of Folk Music

MOVEMENT: Storytime’s Over*

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL IDEAS:

Book: Rain by Manya Stojic

HOW IT WENT:
Good storytime, but I’m wondering if the pictures in The Rainy Day Puddle might be too small to make it a good storytime book. But the parents laughed at it.

ATTENDANCE: 46 people

* For these songs, please see my page Storytime Movements & Music

Soup – Class Visits (School M)

Posted on January 24, 2014 by jeninthelibrary

Because I am doing infant/toddler storytime this session, my class visit day has switched! You’ll see that reflected in the different grades here from my first Class Visits (School M) post.

I had so much fun with my preschool soup storytime, that I decided to continue the theme in these class visits. I know you all are probably getting tired of seeing soup posts, so this will be my last one. At least until next January.

Kindergarten
BOOK:

The Wolf’s Chicken Stew by Keiko Kasza

PROP STORY:

There were too many children in this class to pass out the veggies like I did for preschool storytime, so instead we sang this identifying song and I held up the plush toys one at a time.

Open the Fridge
(to the tune of “London Bridge”)
Open the fridge, what’s inside?
What’s inside?
What’s inside?
Open the fridge, what’s inside?
Here’s some _________.
(Have kids fill in the blank with the name of the veggie you are holding up.)

Cook them in a big soup pot,
Big soup pot,
Big soup pot.
Cook them in a big soup pot
Love that soup!

BOOK:

Carrot Soup by John Segal

FINGERPLAY:
Pea Soup
(hold hand up with all five fingers extended)
1 little pea jumped into the pot (fold one finger down)
And waited for the soup to get hot.
2 little peas jumped into the pot (fold one finger down)
And waited for the soup to get hot.
3 little peas jumped into the pot (fold one finger down)
And waited for the soup to get hot.
4 little peas jumped into the pot (fold one finger down)
And waited for the soup to get hot.
5 little peas jumped into the pot (fold one finger down)
And waited for the soup to get hot.
Finally the soup got so very hot
All the little peas jumped out of the pot. (quickly open hand and extend all fingers.)

ROUND THE ROOM: Asked all the kids to share their favorite soup

MOVEMENT: Storytime’s Over*

ATTENDANCE: 25 people

1st Grade
BOOK:

The Wolf’s Chicken Stew by Keiko Kasza

FLANNELBOARD:
Soup from a Nail

Template and Story from The Flannel Board Storytelling Book by Judy Sierra

BOOK:

Chicken Soup by Jean Van Leeuwen

ATTENDANCE: 24 people

2nd Grade
BOOK:

Martha Speaks by Susan Meddaugh

FLANNELBOARD:
Soup from a Nail

Template and Story from The Flannel Board Storytelling Book by Judy Sierra

BOOK:

The Wolf’s Chicken Stew by Keiko Kasza

ATTENDANCE: 25 people

3rd Grade
BOOK:

Martha Speaks by Susan Meddaugh

FLANNELBOARD:
Soup from a Nail

Template and Story from The Flannel Board Storytelling Book by Judy Sierra

ATTENDANCE: 31 people

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL IDEAS:

BOOK: Stone Soup by Marcia Brown
BOOK: Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert
BOOK: Soup Day by Melissa Iwai
BOOK: Chicken Soup with Rice by Maurice Sendak (in the Big Book version)

HOW IT WENT:
Pretty well. The 1st and 3rd grades showed up a little late, which is why their list of activities is shorter than the other grades. I’ve gotta say, planning for all these different age groups in one visit can be a little difficult. I think I’m still learning how most effectively to do that. Anyone have any helpful tips?

*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

Bathtime – Toddler Storytime

Posted on January 24, 2014 by jeninthelibrary

For my return to the infant toddler storytime world, I decided to kick things off with a theme everyone can relate to — bathtime!

MOVEMENT: Welcome Song*

MOVEMENT: “Clap Everybody and Say Hello” from Sally Go Round the Sun by Kathy Reid-Naiman

MOVEMENT: Open Shut Them*

BOOK:

Scrubba Dub by Nancy Van Laan

MOVEMENT: “Roll Your Hands” from Toddlers on Parade by Carol Hammett and Elaine Bueffel

MOVEMENT: Itsy Bitsy Spider

COUNTING SONG:*

Soaps

FLANNELBOARD:
Five Elephants in the Bathtub

Flannelboard pieces and rhyme from ArtFelt
(I know I use this a lot, but it’s just such fun!)

1 elephant in the bathtub
going for a swim.
Knock, knock (clap hands for each knock)
Splash, splash (pat lap for each splash)
Come on in! (Wave hand invitingly)

2 elephants in the bathtub
going for a swim.
Knock, knock (clap hands for each knock)
Splash, splash (pat lap for each splash)
Come on in! (Wave hand invitingly)

3 elephants in the bathtub
going for a swim.
Knock, knock (clap hands for each knock)
Splash, splash (pat lap for each splash)
Come on in! (Wave hand invitingly)

4 elephants in the bathtub
going for a swim.
Knock, knock (clap hands for each knock)
Splash, splash (pat lap for each splash)
Come on in! (Wave hand invitingly)

5 elephants in the bathtub
going for a swim.
Knock, knock (clap hands for each knock)
Splash, splash (pat lap for each splash)
And they all fell in! (Knock all the elephants and tub off the flannelboard!)

MOVEMENT: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” from Songs for Wiggleworms by the Old Town School of Folk Music

BOOK:

Maisy Takes a Bath by Lucy Cousins

MOVEMENT: “Two Little Blackbirds” from Fingerplays and Footplays by Rosemary Hallum and Henry “Buzz” Glass

VIDEO:

“Spot’s Bath” from Discover Spot

MOVEMENT: Storytime’s Over*

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS IDEAS:

Book: Ten Dirty Pigs / Ten Clean Pigs by Carol Roth
Book: Dini Dinosaur by Karen Beaumont
DVD: “Bathtime” from Baby’s First Word Stories: House
DVD: “Bath” from Good Night Maisy

HOW IT WENT:
Nice storytime today. I like starting out my toddler sessions with some easier/shorter books so that I can judge how active the kids are. This time around, I’ve got a big 10am group!

ATTENDANCE: 10 am: 50 people 11 am: 31 people

* For these songs, please see my Storytime Movements & Music page

Bathtime – Infant Storytime

Posted on January 23, 2014 by jeninthelibrary

This season it is time for me to host our infant/toddler storytime session. So you’ll be seeing storytimes for those age groups for about the next ten weeks. Today was the first storytime of the session, and I kicked things off by getting clean with a bathtime theme.

MOVEMENT: Welcome Song*

MOVEMENT: Peek-a-Boo*

BOUNCE: Ride a Little Pony*

BOOK:

Maisy Takes a Bath by Lucy Cousins

MOVEMENT: “Clap, Tap and Bend” from It’s Toddler Time by Carol Hammett and Elaine Bueffel

FLANNELBOARD:
Five Elephants in the Bathtub

Flannelboard pieces and rhyme from ArtFelt
(I know I use this a lot, but it’s just such fun!)

1 elephant in the bathtub
going for a swim.
Knock, knock (clap hands for each knock)
Splash, splash (pat lap for each splash)
Come on in! (Wave hand invitingly)

2 elephants in the bathtub
going for a swim.
Knock, knock (clap hands for each knock)
Splash, splash (pat lap for each splash)
Come on in! (Wave hand invitingly)

3 elephants in the bathtub
going for a swim.
Knock, knock (clap hands for each knock)
Splash, splash (pat lap for each splash)
Come on in! (Wave hand invitingly)

4 elephants in the bathtub
going for a swim.
Knock, knock (clap hands for each knock)
Splash, splash (pat lap for each splash)
Come on in! (Wave hand invitingly)

BOUNCE: “Ladies Ride” from Wiggleworms Love You by Old Town School of Folk Music

BOOK:

Ten Dirty Pigs by Carol Roth

FLANNELBOARD:
Rub a Dub Dub

Template and Rhyme from Mother Goose’s Playhouse by Judy Sierra

TICKLE: Round and Round the Garden*

MOVEMENT: “Itsy Bitsy Spider” from Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 3 from Walt Disney

MOVEMENT: “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” from Songs for Wiggleworms by the Old Town School of Folk Music

MOVEMENT: Storytime’s Over*

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL IDEAS:

Ten Clean Pigs by Carol Roth (This is actually the flip side of Ten Dirty Pigs. It’s a two-in-one book.)

HOW IT WENT:
I thought it might be difficult to get back into the infant/toddler saddle, but it was really quite fun. I do need to look for some additional good bathtime books for infants — a lot of them seem good for toddlers, but not so much for the younger ones. Maybe some large format board books?

ATTENDANCE: 38 people

* For these songs, please see my page Storytime Movements & Music

Soup – Preschool Storytime

Posted on January 18, 2014 by jeninthelibrary

January is National Soup Month, and what better way to celebrate than with a SOUP-er storytime? (See what I did there?)

MOVEMENT: Welcome Song*

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

BOOK:

The Wolf’s Chicken Stew by Keiko Kasza

FLANNELBOARD:
Soup from a Nail

Template and Story from The Flannel Board Storytelling Book by Judy Sierra

This is a different take on Stone Soup, using a nail instead of a stone as the “magical” ingredient.

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

PROP SONG:

Stir, Stir, Stir the Soup
(To tune of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”)
Stir, stir, stir the soup
Stir it all day long.
Add some (insert food name here),
Take a taste (slurrrp!)
Soup will make us strong. (flex arm)

I bought some plush foods from IKEA a while ago, thinking I could incorporate them in some way for storytime, but this was my first time using them. I had some items from the DUKTIG vegetable set, salmon set, breakfast set, and a small stock pot. I didn’t have too many kids at storytime today (I had 18 plush foods, so I didn’t want to pass them out if I had more kids present than that), so I handed each child a different ingredient for the soup. We sang the song, and then each child got to come up and drop their ingredient into the pot.

VIDEO:

“Chicken Soup with Rice” from Where the Wild Things Are … and other Maurice Sendak stories

MOVEMENT: Storytime’s Over*

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL IDEAS:

Book: Soup Day by Melissa Iwai
Book: 10 Hungry Rabbits by Anita Lobel (this would also make a great flannelboard)
Book: Chicken Soup by Jean Van Leeuwen
Book: Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert
DVD: “Martha Speaks” from Reading Rainbow (or the book…)

THOUGHTS ON THIS STORYTIME:
I love soup storytime. I was surprised that I only used one book this time, but Stir the Soup took longer than I thought it was. It seemed to work alright. I also had a back-up song (“Clean/Open the Fridge”) to use in case I had a lot of kids there. At the end of “Stir the Soup”, when all the veggies were in, I ad libbed something about “eat, eat, eat the soup” but it wasn’t very good. I’ll have to come up with a more satisfying ending. I LOVE The Wolf’s Chicken Stew, it always gets a giggle at the end of storytime.

ATTENDANCE: 30 (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

Fables and Stories with a Lesson – Class Visits (School M)

Posted on January 4, 2014 by jeninthelibrary

At my site, we’ve recently begun doing outreach visits to some of the local elementary schools. The schools used to come in to the library to visit, but with bus funds cut, it now makes more sense for us to go out and visit the schools. Monday – Thursdays myself or one of my colleagues goes and visits a school. Each week is a different school. We visit a wide range of grades when we go out, so you’ll see that reflected in my class visit posts.

I usually try to pick a theme or idea to stick with for the visit to help me prep my materials. This time around, I thought it would be fun to tell some fables, or stories with a lesson.

Kindergarten
BOOK:

Rabbit’s Gift by George Shannon

FLANNELBOARD:

MOVEMENT: My Wiggles*

BOOK:

Too Many Pears! by Jackie French

ATTENDANCE: 25 people

1st Grade
BOOK:

Too Many Pears! by Jackie French

FLANNELBOARD:

The Giant Carrot

MOVEMENT: My Wiggles*

BOOK:

Seven Blind Mice by Ed Young

ATTENDANCE: 25 people

2/3 Grade
BOOK:

The Crocodile and the Scorpion by Rebecca Emberley and Ed Emberley

FLANNELBOARD:
Rattlesnake, Mouse and Coyote

Pattern and Story from: The Flannel Board Storytelling Book by Judy Sierra.

BOOK:

“The Elephant’s Son” from Fables by Arnold Lobel

BOOK:

“The North Wind and the Sun” from You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You: Very Short Fables to Read Together by Mary Ann Hoberman

ATTENDANCE: 20 people

3rd Grade
BOOK:

The Miller, the Boy and the Donkey by Brian Wildsmith

FLANNELBOARD:
Rattlesnake, Mouse and Coyote

Pattern and Story from: The Flannel Board Storytelling Book by Judy Sierra.

BOOK:

“The Peacock and the Crane” from You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You: Very Short Fables to Read Together by Mary Ann Hoberman

BOOK:

“The Fox and the Stork” and “The Fox and the Crow” from Three Aesop Fox Fables by Paul Galdone

ATTENDANCE: 30 people

4th Grade
BOOK:

Lousy Rotten Stinkin’ Grapes by Margie Palatini

FLANNELBOARD:
Rattlesnake, Mouse, and Coyote

Pattern and Story from: The Flannel Board Storytelling Book by Judy Sierra.

MOVEMENT: Aroostasha*

BOOK:

“Grasshopper Logic” from Squids Will Be Squids by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith

BOOK:

“The Peacock and the Crane” from You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You: Very Short Fables to Read Together by Mary Ann Hoberman

ATTENDANCE: 20 people

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL IDEAS:

BOOK: “A Drink for Crow” from Stories to Solve: Folktales from Around the World by George Shannon
BOOK: The Wide-Mouthed Frog by Keith Faulkner
BOOK: The Tortoise and the Hare by Janet Stevens
BOOK: The North Wind and The Sun illustrated by Brian Wildsmith

HOW IT WENT:
Overall, I think most of these class visits went over well. Rattlesnake, Mouse, and Coyote is a fun flannelboard story to tell, and it is a good one to get the kids talking. It’s also fun, because the kids get really exasperated when the Coyote pretends to not know what is going on. I also really enjoyed doing the You Read to Me stories. Originally, I thought I was going to ask the teachers to read with me, as a way to help them be engaged. A lot of the classes on the day had substitutes – some who felt comfortable reading with me, and some who didn’t. I also read with one of the 4th graders for that group, which was really fun. “Elephant’s Son” and “Grasshopper Logic” didn’t seem to work as well — maybe I need to do a little more prep for those stories before I try them out again. And Lousy Rotten Stinkin’ Grapes may have been a touch too long, but I still think it was fun.

*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

Elephants – Preschool Storytime

Posted on December 7, 2013 by jeninthelibrary

I love elephant storytime. They are always TONS of fun, and there are so many great books to choose from. I’ve noticed a few new elephant books out there, so I thought I’d try those out this time around.

MOVEMENT: Welcome Song*

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

MOVEMENT: “Elephant Walk”

Right foot, left foot, see me go (step with one foot, then other, sway side to side)
I am gray and big and slow (hold hands out to side on the word “big”)
I come walking down the street (keep feet stomping)
With my trunk and four big feet. (Make arm look like a trunk from nose).

BOOK:

Elecopter by Michael Slack

FLANNELBOARD:
Five Elephants in the Bathtub
Flannelboard pieces and rhyme from ArtFelt

1 elephant in the bathtub
going for a swim.
Knock, knock (clap hands for each knock)
Splash, splash (pat lap for each splash)
Come on in! (Wave hand invitingly)

2 elephants in the bathtub
going for a swim.
Knock, knock (clap hands for each knock)
Splash, splash (pat lap for each splash)
Come on in! (Wave hand invitingly)

3 elephants in the bathtub
going for a swim.
Knock, knock (clap hands for each knock)
Splash, splash (pat lap for each splash)
Come on in! (Wave hand invitingly)

4 elephants in the bathtub
going for a swim.
Knock, knock (clap hands for each knock)
Splash, splash (pat lap for each splash)
Come on in! (Wave hand invitingly)

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

BOOK:

Hiding Phil by Eric Barclay

MOVEMENT: An Elephant Goes

An elephant goes like this and that (stomp one foot, then the other)
He’s terribly wide (hold arms out at sides)And he’s terribly fat (keep arms out at sides)
He has two fingers (wiggle index fingers)
And he has two toes (wiggle feet)
But goodness gracious!
WHAT A NOSE (use arm pretend you have a trunk)

VIDEO:

“Emily Elephant” from Peppa Pig: Bubbles

MOVEMENT: Storytime’s Over*

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL IDEAS:

Book: Tweak Tweak by Eve Bunting
Book: I Dream of an Elephant by Ami Rubinger
Book: All By Myself by Ivan Bates
Book: Hide and Seek by Il Sung Na
Book: When the Elephant Walks by Keiko Kasza

THOUGHTS ON THIS STORYTIME:
I did the “Elephant Walk” movement as an activity before I told the kids what storytime was going to be about today. I did the rhyme and had the children guess what animal I was describing. Then we all did the movement together once they had guessed. It was a fun way to kick things off. Elecopter was a great choice, and it was fun to read aloud as well. The pictures on that one are great. Hiding Phil was a little more difficult, since a lot of that story is in the pictures and not the text. I “talked” the story a bit, narrating what was happening in the pictures and asking the kids what they saw. This seemed to work well, which I was happy about since the book and illustrations are so cute! This was also my first time using this video, and it was a fun choice — lost of silly animal sounds including, of course, an elephant trumpet

ATTENDANCE: 29 (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

Hats – Toddler Storytime

Posted on November 5, 2013 by jeninthelibrary

I subbed in storytime today for a colleague who was at CLA. We celebrated the wonder that is hats.

MOVEMENT: Welcome Song*

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

MOVEMENT: Open Shut Them*

BOOK:

Silly Little Goose! by Nancy Tafuri

MOVEMENT: “Roll Your Hands” from Toddlers on Parade by Carol Hammett and Elaine Bueffel

MOVEMENT: Itsy Bitsy Spider

COUNTING SONG:*

Hats

FLANNELBOARD:
Hats of Every Color

Taken from Totline Magazine March/April 2000 issue pages 25-26

I’m a clown, a jolly fellow
My hat is the color yellow.
When I fight fires, I protect my head
My hat is the color red.
I catch robbers, here’s a clue:
My hat is the color blue.
I had rabbits in my magic hat
My hat is the color black.
I’m a chef, I cook just right
My hat is the color white.
I’m a king, my crown is old
It’s a shiny shade of gold.

MOVEMENT: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” from Songs for Wiggleworms by the Old Town School of Folk Music

MOVEMENT:
A Tall Hat
(pretend to put each of these different hats on)
A tall hat
A small hat
A big hat
A cap
Now I’ll take my hats off
And put them in my lap

BOOK:

Brownie and Pearl See the Sights by Cynthia Rylant

MOVEMENT: “Two Little Blackbirds” from Fingerplays and Footplays by Rosemary Hallum and Henry “Buzz” Glass

VIDEO:

“Hats for Everyone” from Baby’s First Word Stories: Get Dressed

MOVEMENT: Storytime’s Over*

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS IDEAS:

Book: Hats, Hats, Hats by Ann Morris
Book: Who Took the Farmer’s Hat by Joan L. Nodset
Book: Which Hat is That? by Anna Grossnickle Hines
Book: Hat by Paul Hoppe (Not sure if this one is too old, but it might be worth a shot.)

HOW IT WENT:
Storytime went pretty well. Last time I did a hat storytime, I actually brought a hat that looked like a flower pot in. I asked the kids what it was, and they all said, “Flowers!” “What do you think today’s storytime will be about?” “Flowers!” they said. Then I showed them that it was a special flower pot because it was also – a hat! I forgot to bring in a hat today, and I think I need to for next time around. I liked using “A Tall Hat” between the movement and reading a story, because it helped settle the kids down after they had gotten a little bit rowdy.

ATTENDANCE: 10 am: 35 people 11 am: 32 people

* For these songs, please see my Storytime Movements & Music page

Hats – Infant Storytime

Posted on November 5, 2013 by jeninthelibrary

My colleague was at CLA today, so I got to sub for her at today’s infant and toddler storytimes. I always worry when I jump in for someone for just one week that our storytimers will be disappointed by the change. But flexibility is a virtue, right?

MOVEMENT: Welcome Song*

MOVEMENT: Peek-a-Boo*

BOUNCE: Ride a Little Pony*

BOOK:

Ten Cats Have Hats by Jean Marzollo

MOVEMENT: “Clap, Tap and Bend” from It’s Toddler Time by Carol Hammett and Elaine Bueffel

FLANNELBOARD:
Hats of Every Color

Taken from Totline Magazine March/April 2000 issue pages 25-26

BOUNCE: “Smooth Road to London Town” from A Smooth Road to London Town: Songs from the Parent-Child Mother Goose Program by Kathy Reid-Naiman

BOOK:

Brownie and Pearl See the Sights by Cynthia Rylant

TICKLE: Round and Round the Garden*

MOVEMENT: “Roll Your Hands” from Toddlers on Parade by Carol Hammett and Elaine Bueffel

FLANNELBOARD:
One, Two, Buckle My Shoe

Template and Rhyme from Mother Goose’s Playhouse by Judy Sierra

MOVEMENT: “Itsy Bitsy Spider” from Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 3 from Walt Disney

MOVEMENT: “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” from Songs for Wiggleworms by the Old Town School of Folk Music

MOVEMENT: Storytime’s Over*

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL IDEAS:

Book: Hats, Hats, Hats by Ann Morris

HOW IT WENT:
It was a fun storytime, though I think I used most of the same materials that I did in a hat storytime back in 2010 or so. I need to look for some more good hat books for this age group if I want to continue doing this storytime. Anyone have any great suggestions?

ATTENDANCE: 49 people

* For these songs, please see my page Storytime Movements & Music

Grumpy – Preschool Storytime

Posted on October 12, 2013 by jeninthelibrary

I saw that my coworkers had each done a grumpy themed storytime awhile ago, and I thought that was such a great idea that I decided to steal it! This is the second time I’ve used this theme, and I’ve got to say it’s one of my favorites. There’s just something so fun about getting to put on your grumpy as you tell a story.

MOVEMENT: Welcome Song*

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

BOOK:

Crankenstein by Samantha Berger

FLANNELBOARD:
Old MacDonald Felt So Glad

(to tune of “Old MacDonald had a farm”)
Old MacDonald felt so glad
HA-HA-HA-HA-HA
And when he’s glad he sounds like this:
HA-HA-HA-HA-HA
With a HA-HA here and a HA-HA there
Here a HA, there a HA everywhere a HA-HA
Old MacDonald felt so glad.
HA-HA-HA-HA-HA

Repeat this, substituting the following emotions and sounds:
Grumpy = NO NO NO NO NO
Sad = Boo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo!
Silly = Nah-nah-nah-nah-nah

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

BOOK:

Grumpy Bird by Jeremy Tankard

MOVEMENT: “If You’re Happy and You Know It” from Walt Disney’s Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 3

MOVEMENT: My Wiggles*

VIDEO:

“Pete’s a Pizza” from Pete’s a Pizza …and more William Steig Stories

MOVEMENT: Storytime’s Over*

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL IDEAS:

Book: Grumpy Cat by Britta Teckentrup
Book: I Love it When You Smile by Sam McBratney
Book: Maya was Grumpy by Courtney Pippin-Mathur
Book: Grumpy Goat by Brett Helquist
Flannelboard: Peace & Quiet (because I know if I don’t sleep, then I’m grumpy)

THOUGHTS ON THIS STORYTIME:
I decided to use grumpy as a theme because it seemed like there were a lot of new books about that topic coming into the library. Crankenstein was one of these, and I thought this worked well for storytime today. I had a bit older audience than usual, so I think that helped keep the kids from being scared from the “monstery” illustrations. I also had the kids help make the “MEHHRRR!!” noise which got them involved in this story. Grumpy Bird is one of my favorite storytime books. It it so fun to do the voice of the bird, and I like having the kids chime in on the name of the animal he’s walking by. This one got some giggles today. I originally was going to use “Peace and Quiet” as a flannelboard, but the group seemed a little squirmy, so I cut that one out.

ATTENDANCE: 47 (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

Jen in the Library

Storytimes, Programs and Library Thoughts

Category Archives: Storytimes

Rain – Infant Storytime

Soup – Class Visits (School M)

Bathtime – Toddler Storytime

Bathtime – Infant Storytime

Soup – Preschool Storytime

Fables and Stories with a Lesson – Class Visits (School M)

Elephants – Preschool Storytime

Hats – Toddler Storytime

Hats – Infant Storytime

Grumpy – Preschool Storytime