Usually, I try to stay away from holiday themes, unless we have done specific publicity for a holiday program.  But, I figure visits from the local Catholic school are a good time to break out the Christmas stories.

BOOK:

FLANNELBOARD:
The Toy Shop

Patterns and Rhyme from Preschool Favorites: 35 Storytimes Kids Will Love by Diana Briggs

Here is Santa’s toy shop,
and happy are we
for there are so many, many
toys here to see.

Wonderful toys,
all in a row
And bright-colored tops
That sing as they go.

And here in a box,
is a doll that can talk.
And here is a soft wooly dog
that can walk.

Just see this funny old
Jack in the box.
Watch him pop out.
Oh my, what a shock!

Here is the counter
Piled high with the toys,
For you little girls
And you little boys.

We hope, wonderful toys,
That some of you may
Come straight to us
On Christmas Day.

MOVEMENT: The Reindeer Pokey

(to the tune of The Hokey-Pokey)
You put your hooves in
You put your hooves out
You put your hooves in
And you shake them all about.
You do the Reindeer Pokey
and you turn yourself around.

That’s what it’s all about.

You put your antlers in…
You put your shaggy tail in…
You put your reindeer self in….

BOOK:

Dinosaur vs. Santa by Bob Shea

VIDEO:

“Max’s Christmas” from Max and Ruby’s Christmas

ATTENDANCE: 31 people

HOW IT WENT:
I thought this was a pretty good storytime.  The kids loved The Reindeer Pokey, so I would use that one again in a heartbeat.  I’m not sure about the flannelboard story I chose this time — I think it would have been more fun to do something a bit more interactive.  But, it worked in a pinch.