Author Storytimes

Clifford/Norman Bridwell (March 2014)

Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Larry Groce (Disney Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 4) [It’s time to get on the bus and go to story time!]

Movement Song: “Can’t Sit Still” by Greg & Steve (Kids in Action)

Announce Theme: Clifford the Big Red Dog

Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”

Book: Clifford the Big Red Dog

Sing-Along Song: BINGO

Game with Flannel Board: Clifford, Clifford, Where is your bone?

Book: Clifford Takes a Trip

Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid

Dr. Seuss (2007)

Books: Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss, The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss

Game: “Cat in the Hat” Hat Hunt (Several construction paper hats were hidden in the story time area. The children cashed in the hats they found for stickers.)

Craft: “Cat in the Hat” Party Hats (Children provided with “Cat in the Hat” hats printed on card-stock to decorate. Ties were added to make the hats wearable.)

Takeaway: Dr. Seuss activity sheet

Dr. Seuss (March 2011)

Greeting and Dance

Whole Body Movement: “Clap Your Hands” [PUBYAC Dr. Seuss Compilation]

Invitation to Listen

Book: Selections from One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss (pp.1-19, 37-35, 55-63)

Magnet Board: Five Little Cats

Book: Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? by Dr. Seuss &/or The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss

Whole Body Movement: “If You Love Dr. Seuss, Clap Your Hands” [PUBYAC Dr. Seuss Compilation]

Magnet Board: Five Little Cats

Game: Snatch the Hat

Dance!

This Little Cat

This little cat likes to run

This little cat likes to nap

This little cat likes to play

This little cat likes to sneak & stalk

This little cat likes to MEOW

[Bridget R. Wilson]

Dr. Seuss (March 2014)

Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Larry Groce (Disney Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 4) [It’s time to get on the bus and go to story time!]

Movement Song: “Can’t Sit Still” by Greg & Steve (Kids in Action)

Announce Theme: Dr. Seuss

Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”

Book: Dr. Seuss’s ABC

Sing-Along Song: Alphabet Song

Book: One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish (selections pp.1-19, 37-45, 55-63)

Flannel Board: One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish

Book: Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? and/or The Foot Book

Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid

Dr. Seuss (March 2016)

Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Larry Groce (Disney Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 4) [It’s time to get on the bus and go to story time!]

Movement Song: “Can’t Sit Still” by Greg & Steve (Kids in Action)

Announce Theme:

Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”

Rhyme with Flannel Board: One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

Book: One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish (pp.1-19, 37-45, 55-63)

Movement Song: “Goldfish” by Laurie Berkner

Book: Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?

Sing-Along Song: If You Love Dr. Seuss

Book: The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss

Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid

Dr. Seuss (March 2019)

Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Eric Litwin

Announce Theme: Dr. Seuss

Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”

Book: What Pet Should I Get?

Rhyme with Flannel Board: One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

Game with Flannel Board: Find the Lorax (not the humming-fish, bar-ba-loot, or Swomee-Swan)

Book: Dr. Seuss’s ABC

Sing-Along Song: If You Love Dr. Seuss

Book: The Foot Book

Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid

Emily Gravett (October 2012)

Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Larry Groce (Disney Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 4) [It’s time to get on the bus and go to story time!]

Movement Song: “Can’t Sit Still” by Greg & Steve (Kids in Action)

Announce Theme: Emily Gravett, Author & Illustrator

Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”

Book: Wolf Won’t Bite! by Emily Gravett

Nursery Rhyme Fingerplay: “This Little Pig”

Book: Dogs by Emily Gravett

Sing-Along Song: “BINGO”

Book: Blue Chameleon by Emily Gravett

Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid

Take Home: Blue Chameleon Coloring Sheet

Eric Carle (September 2016)

Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Larry Groce (Disney Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 4) [It’s time to get on the bus and go to story time!]

Movement Song: “Can’t Sit Still” by Greg & Steve (Kids in Action)

Announce Theme: Eric Carle

Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”

Book: The Mixed-Up Chameleon

Book: From Head to Toe by Eric Carle

Flannel Board: The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse

Sing-Along Song: Shake Your Sillies Out

Big Book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Book: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin, Jr. (illustrated by Eric Carle)

Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid

Jan Thomas (September 2012)

Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Larry Groce (Disney Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 4) [It’s time to get on the bus and go to story time!]

Movement Song: “Can’t Sit Still” by Greg & Steve (Kids in Action)

Announce Theme: Jan Thomas

Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”

Book: Pumpkin Trouble by Jan Thomas

Game with Flannel Board: Where’s the Duck? (Duck hiding behind 1 of 5 pumpkins…let the kids guess which one.)

Book: Is Everyone Ready for Fun? by Jan Thomas

Book: Here Comes the Big, Mean Dust Bunny! by Jan Thomas

Book: Can You Make a Scary Face? by Jan Thomas

Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid

Jory John (October 2019)

Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Eric Litwin

Announce Theme: Author Jory John

Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”

Book: Goodnight Already!

Counting Rhymes with Magnet Board: Five Little Bears

Book: Can Somebody Please Scratch My Back?

Rhyme with Flannel Board: Elephant in the Bathtub

Book: Penguin Problems

Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid

Leo Lionni (October 2016)

Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Larry Groce (Disney Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 4) [It’s time to get on the bus and go to story time!]

Movement Song: “Can’t Sit Still” by Greg & Steve (Kids in Action)

Announce Theme: Author & Illustrator Leo Lionni

Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”

Book: Frederick by Leo Lionni

Rhyme with Finger Puppets: Two Little Mice

Book: Cornelius by Leo Lionni

Song with Flannel Board: “Five Frogs” by Anna Moo

Book: A Color of His Own by Leo Lionni

Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid

Lita Judge (December 2019)

Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Eric Litwin

Announce Theme: Books by Lita Judge

Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”

Book: Hoot and Peep

Counting Rhyme with Flannel Board: Owls

Book: Born in the Wild: Baby Mammals and Their Parents or Homes in the Wild: Where Baby Animals and Their Parents Live

Book: Red Sled

Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid

Ellen Stoll Walsh & Lois Ehlert (April/May 2014)

Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Larry Groce (Disney Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 4) [It’s time to get on the bus and go to story time!]

Movement Song: “Can’t Sit Still” by Greg & Steve (Kids in Action)

Announce Theme: Ellen Stoll Walsh & Lois Ehlert

Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”

Book: Lots of Spots by Lois Ehlert

Movement Song: “Alligator Stroll” by Josh Turner or “Alligator Stomp” by Anna Moo

Fingerplay: Little Baby Gator

Book: For Pete’s Sake by Ellen Stoll Walsh

Rhyme with Flannel Board: Mouse Count by Ellen Stoll Walsh

Book: Feathers for Lunch by Lois Ehlert

Sing-Along Song with Flannel Board: “Little Bird, Little Bird, Fly Through My Window” by Elizabeth Mitchell

Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid

Louise Yates (April 2014)

Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Larry Groce (Disney Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 4) [It’s time to get on the bus and go to story time!]

Movement Song: “Can’t Sit Still” by Greg & Steve (Kids in Action)

Announce Theme: Dog Books by Louise Yates

Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”

Book: Dog Love Books

Fingerplay: Draw a Circle

Book: Dog Loves Drawing

Fingerplay: “I See Three”

Book: Dog Loves Counting

Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid

Cynthia Rylant's Little Whistle (August 2009)

Books: Little Whistle, Little Whistle’s Dinner Party

Craft: Button String

Michael Hall (October 2018)

Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus”

Announce Theme: Books by Michael Hall

Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”

Book: It’s an Orange Aardvark!

Movement Song: The Ants Go Marching

Book: Perfect Square

Movement Song & Rhyme: Zoo Animals & Wild Animals

Book: My Heart Is Like a Zoo

Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid

Michael Ian Black (November 2011)

Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Larry Groce (Disney Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 4) [It’s time to get on the bus and go to story time!]

Movement Song: “Can’t Sit Still” by Greg & Steve (Kids in Action)

(Introduce self and say hello to everyone)

Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”

Announce Theme: Author Michael Ian Black

Book: A Pig Parade Is a Terrible Idea

Fingerplay: Two Mother Pigs

Book: The Purple Kangaroo

Movement Song: “Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed”

Book: Chicken Cheeks

Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid

Note: In theory, this story time was great. In reality, it wasn't. A Pig Parade Is a Terrible Idea and The Purple Kangaroo both proved to be too long for my preschoolers. By the 2nd time I presented this story time, I was only using Pig Parade and Chicken Cheeks. By the last story time, I was just using Chicken Cheeks. Michael Ian Black's books are humorous, but I think they need an older (probably elementary school age) audience.

Mo Willems (April 2013)

Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Larry Groce (Disney Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 4) [It’s time to get on the bus and go to story time!]

Movement Song: “Can’t Sit Still” by Greg & Steve (Kids in Action)

Announce Theme: Mo Willems

Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”

Book: My Friend Is Sad

Book: Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus

Game: Pin the tail on the Alligator

Book: Hooray for Amanda & Her Alligator (read 2 & 1/2 stories)

Counting Thyme with Magnet Board: “Five Little Monsters”

Book: Leonardo, the Terrible Monster

Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid

Take Home: Various coloring sheets from Activity/Event Kits

Eric Litwin/Pete the Cat (September 2013)

Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Larry Groce (Disney Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 4) [It’s time to get on the bus and go to story time!]

Movement Song: “Can’t Sit Still” by Greg & Steve (Kids in Action)

Announce Theme: Pete the Cat

Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”

Book: Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin

Extension Activity with Flannel Board: Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes

Book: Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons by Eric Litwin

Game with Flannel Board: Pete’s Posse (Button, Button, Who’s Got the Button?)

Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid

Take Home: Cut & Paste Pete the Cat from Make Learning Fun

Eric Litwin/Pete the Cat (March 2015)

Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Larry Groce (Disney Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 4) [It’s time to get on the bus and go to story time!]

Movement Song: “Can’t Sit Still” by Greg & Steve (Kids in Action)

Announce Theme: Eric Litwin

Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”

Book: The Nuts: Bedtime at the Nut House

Song: If You’re Nutty & You Know It

Book: Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes

Flannel Board: Pete & His Shoes

Book: Pete the Cat & His Four Groovy Buttons

Game with Flannel Board: Where Are Pete’s Buttons?

Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid

Eric Litwin (November 2017)

Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Larry Groce (Disney Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 4) [It’s time to get on the bus and go to story time!]

Movement Song: “Can’t Sit Still” by Greg & Steve (Kids in Action)

Announce Theme: Eric Litwin (Author)

Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”

Book: Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons

Game with Flannel Board: Find the Buttons

Book: The Nuts: Sing and Dance in Your Polka Dot Pants

Sing-Along Song: “If You’re Nutty and You Know It”

Book: Groovy Joe: Ice Cream & Dinosaurs

Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid

Steve Antony (September 2018)

Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus”

Announce Theme: Books by Steve Antony

Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”

Book: Please, Mr. Panda

Book: I’ll Wait, Mr. Panda

Counting Rhyme with Flannel Board: 12 Little Donuts

Book: Thank You, Mr. Panda

Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid

A. A. Milne/Winnie-the-Pooh (January 2007)

Books: “At the Zoo” from When We Were Very Youngm “In which Pooh Goes Visiting & Gets into a Tight Place” from Winnie-the-Pooh, “Us Two” from Now We are Six

Game: “Hunny” Pot Hunt (Several construction paper “hunny” pots were hidden in the story time area.)

Craft: Color/decorate Balloon Coloring Sheets (children provided with blank balloon coloring sheets and crayons)

A. A. Milne/Winnie-the-Pooh (January 2010)

Books: "Winnie-the-Pooh and Some Bees" (retold by me using puppets from Chapter 1 ["In Which We Are Introduced to Winnie-the-Pooh and Some Bees, and the Stories Begin"] of Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A.Milne), "Lines and Squares" and "At the Zoo" from When We Were Very Young by A. A. Milne, "The Engineer" and "Furry Bear" from Now We Are Six by A. A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh's ABC, Winnie-the-Pooh: The Grand and Wonderful Day by Mary Packard (Little Golden Book)

Props:Bear and Beehive puppets (Adapted from Lionbrand crocheted potholder patterns) & a balloon magnet

Craft: Winnie-the Pooh Puppets (used pattern from Penguin's Pooh Party Guide), Beehive Puppets (used coloring sheet for pattern) [Print images on card-stock. Pre-cut for preschoolers. They color the puppets and tape a craft stick to the back.]

A. A. Milne/Winnie-the-Pooh (January 2011)

Greeting and Dance

Whole Body Movement: Pooh Bear, Pooh Bear (like Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear)

Invitation to Listen

Book: “Pooh’s Scrapbook” from My Very First Winnie the Pooh: More Growing Up Stories by Kathleen W. Zoehfeld

Magnet Board: Five Little Bears

Tell: "Winnie-the-Pooh and Some Bees" (retold by me using puppets from Chapter 1 of Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A.Milne)

Whole Body Movement: Pooh Bear, Pooh Bear

Book: Winnie the Pooh’s A to Zzzz by Don Ferguson

Magnet Board: Five Little Bears

Dance!

A. A. Milne/Winnie-the-Pooh (January 2013)

Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Larry Groce (Disney Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 4) [It’s time to get on the bus and go to story time!]

Movement Song: “Can’t Sit Still” by Greg & Steve (Kids in Action)

Announce Theme: Winnie-the-Pooh

Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”

Storytelling: from Chapter 1: "In Which We Are Introduced to Winnie-the-Pooh and Some Bees, and the Stories Begin” of Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne (using crocheted hand puppets of Pooh & a beehive)

Movement Rhyme: “Pooh Bear, Pooh Bear”

Book: Winnie-the-Pooh’s 1 2 3

Game Flashcards: Pooh’s Colors and Shapes

Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid