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For the last storytime of each month, we will present books that are “new” to our library, and perhaps new to you! Here are four of our favorites with an activity to go with each one of them. Enjoy!
Ages 2-5
Pretending fosters your child’s imagination. If you sing “I’m a Little Teapot” at home and you have a teapot, show it to your child and ask, “Where is the handle?” “Where is the spout?” Pretend to drink a cup of tea together and discuss what it tastes like.
If you have a teapot, show it to your child and describe how it looks. Then sing the song.
I’m a little teapot short and stout. (Stand up and bend knees.)
Here is my handle, here is my spout. (Hand on one hip; hold other hand out to side.)
When I get all steamed up, hear me shout, (Wiggle.)
“Just tip me over and pour me out.” (Lean in the direction of your spout.)
The Runaway Pea wants an amazing adventure. But will he survive the dangers of the dog bowl, the mousetrap, and the toaster’s fiery depths? Or will he meet his unhaPEA end?
Meet Molly the hare, Olive the owl, and Dexter the fox, three friends who live near the oak tree at the edge of the meadow. Hide-and-seek is Molly’s favorite game, but things aren’t going her way. For starters, Olive and Dexter don’t seem to know the rules. And when Molly shows her friends how to play properly, they hide a little too well. Set in a delicately rendered pastoral world of soft color and shimmering line, here is a picture book that tackles outsize toddler emotions with sensitivity and whimsy. Make way for the singular Molly, Olive, and Dexter–ready or not, here they come!
A young mouse refuses to go to sleep. “Go to bed,” whispers the cat. “It’s the night before Christmas.” But, despite the unseen narrator’s assertion that “not a creature was stirring,” wide-eyed, big-eared Mouse is far too exuberant to snooze. He proceeds to ride a tricycle around the tree, crack nuts, and nibble cookies. Tiny vignettes depicting his Yuletide antics are followed by a full-page spread in which Mouse rushes out onto a snow-filled street with a full marching band. As he makes merry, everyone–from the house to the city to the whole world–exhorts him to “GO TO BED.” So he does…but not for long. He just can’t sleep! Hopping aboard the Christmas train, he crashes into Santa himself! Can Santa convince our hero to finally head to bed? In this irresistible holiday tale inspired by The Night Before Christmas, the author and illustrator reveal why only a mouse is singled out within the original holiday poem by Clement Clarke Moore.
Two little green peas sleeping in a pod,
One named Tess and the other named Todd.
Fall asleep Tess, fall asleep Todd
Wake up Tess, wake up Todd!
Two little green peas sitting in a pod,
One named Tess and the other named Todd.
Run away Tess, run away Todd
Come back Tess, come back Todd!
Two little green peas planted in a dirt clod,
One named Tess and the other named Todd.
Shooting roots Tess, shooting roots Todd
Grow up Tess, grow up Todd!
Olive and Dexter, where can you be?
Are you behind the _________ tree?
5, 4, 3, 2… 1!
Ready or not, here we come!
I’m Mason the Mouse and my ears flip and flap.
I can change my color when I hear a loud CLAP!
I’ve gotta shake, shake, shake my sillies out
Shake, shake, shake my sillies out
Shake, shake, shake my sillies out
And wiggle my waggles away
I’ve gotta clap, clap, clap my crazies out
Clap, clap, clap my crazies out
Clap, clap, clap my crazies out
And wiggle my waggles away
I’ve gotta jump, jump, jump my jiggles out
Jump, jump, jump my jiggles out
Jump, jump, jump my jiggles out
And wiggle my waggles away
I’ve gotta yawn, yawn, yawn my sleepies out
Yawn, yawn, yawn my sleepies out
Yawn, yawn, yawn my sleepies out
And wiggle my waggles away
I’ve gotta shake, shake, shake my sillies out
Shake, shake, shake my sillies out
Shake, shake, shake my sillies out
And wiggle my waggles away
And wiggle my waggles away
Make a peapod full of peas
Christmas is not just a day, it’s a feeling! It’s the joy that fills our hearts, the sparkle in our eyes, and the warmth we share with our family and friends. This year, everyone is invited to Madison Library District’s 14th Annual Christmas Extravaganza, a Christmas Morning-themed gathering to celebrate the joyous season.
Festive Pajama Party
Love the idea of staying in your cozy pajamas all day? Well, we do too! That’s why this year’s Extravaganza is a Christmas Morning-themed pajama party. So, put on your festive PJ’s, grab a treat, and join us for an evening of stories and crafts. It’s going to be a cozy and fun evening filled with laughter and cheer for the whole family.
Santa’s Visit
And what’s a Christmas celebration without Santa Claus? Get ready for a special visit from Santa himself. Santa’s visits will start at 4:30 PM. Make sure you’re there to greet him and share your Christmas wishes!
When and Where?
So, mark your calendars! Our Christmas Extravaganza is happening on Monday, December 4, in the Community Room from 5-7 PM. We can’t wait to share the Christmas cheer with you all!
Can you think of some words that fit with the word, UNDER? Perhaps… underground, under the sea, under the umbrella, under the bed, and even underwear! Directional words are a great learning tool for children, especially when they begin writing their letters and words. They help your child to see things like… lowercase j goes “under” or below the line. So, try talking with directional words as your child discovers where things lie in relation to each other in their world.
Ages 2-5
Phonological awareness is a set of critical pre-reading skills: the ability to hear, identify, and play with the sounds in spoken language — including rhymes, syllables, and phonemes. Children with strong phonological awareness skills are ready to become readers.– www.readingrockets.org
Sing “Five Little Monsters” with your child and stop on the last word of each phrase. Help him to see how many words can end with the same sound, or rhyme with each other, such as “head” and “bed.” Then play the rhyming game. Pick a word, and find new words or even made up words that rhyme with the first.
Five little monsters laying under the bed.
One stubbed her toe and bumped her head.
“It’s too crowded!” the _________ one said.
So, she took her blanket and she left the bed… room!
Four… three… Two…
One little monster laying under the bed,
Stretched up tall and turned his head.
“Finally alone,” this last one said.
So, he fell asleep laying under the bed.
Wombat, wombat underground.
In which of these caves will he be found?
Popcorn Kernels (wave scarves overhead)
In the pot (make their scarves ‘disappear’ by bunching them up in their fists)
Shake them shake them shake them (shake)
’til they POP (Toss scarves up into the air)
Credit: Jbrary
Slippery fish, slippery fish, sliding through the water,
Slippery fish, slippery fish, Gulp, Gulp, Gulp!
Oh, no! It’s been eaten by an …
Octopus, octopus, squiggling in the water
Octopus, octopus, Gulp, Gulp, Gulp!
Oh, no! It’s been eaten by a …
Tuna fish, tuna fish, flashing in the water,
Tuna fish, tuna fish, Gulp, Gulp, Gulp!
Oh, no! It’s been eaten by a …
Great white shark, great white shark, lurking in the water,
Great white shark, great white shark, Gulp, Gulp, Gulp!
Oh, no! It’s been eaten by a …
Humongous whale, humongous whale, spouting in the water,
Humongous whale, humongous whale,
Gulp! … Gulp! … Gulp! … BURP!
(Cover your mouth.) Excuse me!
Credit: Amy Liz
“U” is for umbrella! Umbrellas come in handy in all sorts of weather. Maybe you need a big one for shade at the beach or waiting for the parade. And of course you want to grab one for the rain, whether it is a little mist or big down pour. An umbrella can be useful when the snow starts to flurry, especially if you forgot your hat. Books about umbrellas can help introduce different topics: types of weather, how to be prepared, and even sharing.
Ages 2-5
Weather and seasons are things that your children experience and can relate to. Try using their experiences to talk about the science behind weather, like thunder. Sometimes we ourselves don’t know all the facts, but we can find out right along with our children by using the books in the library. Simple scientific knowledge about everyday events gives children a strong foundation for later school learning. – Lambert
Use hand movements to illustrate the song Come Under My Umbrella.
A spacious umbrella welcomes anyone and everyone who needs shelter from the rain.
A hula-hooping moose, a badger with a bumblebee umbrella and a rabbit in a cashmere sweater, show their grumpy bear friend that a day of fun does not have to depend on sunshine and blue skies.
Mouse and Cow are making soup, but Pig keeps trying to add strange ingredients
(Tune: I’m A Little Teapot)
Here’s my new umbrella, (pretend to hold umbrella)
Wide and high. (open arms wide)
It keeps me cozy, warm, and dry. (hug yourself)
If the rain starts falling from the sky, (wiggle fingers like raindrops)
Just open me up and you’ll stay dry. (pretend to open umbrella, twirl around)
Credit: Stratford Library
(Tune: Here We are Together)
Come under my umbrella, umbrella, umbrella.
Come under my umbrella, it’s starting to rain.
With thunder and lightning,
And thunder and lightning,
Come under my umbrella, it’s starting to rain.
Credit: King County Library System
(Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star)
Red and Yellow, Green and Blue,
These are the colors over you.
Red like an apple and Green like a tree,
Yellow like the sun and Blue like the sea.
Red and Yellow, Green and Blue,
These are the colors over you.
Credit: Jbrary
Five umbrellas stood by the back door,
The red one went outside, then there were four.
Four umbrellas, pretty as could be,
The blue one went outside, then there were three.
Three umbrellas with nothing to do,
The green one went outside, then there were two.
Two umbrellas not having much fun,
The yellow one went outside, then there was one.
Just one umbrella alone in the hall,
The purple one went outside, and that was all.
Credit: Storytime Shenanigans
We keep our umbrellas, so that we may,
Have them all ready for a rainy day.
Here is a green one to keep us dry
When we open it up and hold it up high.
Have you seen the umbrella that’s ruby red?
It looks so regal held over our head.
We love the umbrella of sweet sky blue.
It’s big enough for both me and you.
The yellow umbrella is bright like the sun.
It makes puddle- jumping seem so much fun.
Our umbrellas are fun and so nice to see.
Just look at them all, we’re sure you’ll agree.
Credit: Stratford Library
Make an umbrella out of paper
A mother and son use their imagination to have fun on a rainy day
A … picture book about the joys of waiting and taking in what is around you
It’s summertime, and you’re invited for a rollicking day at the pool with Charlie and his pet dragon (and best friend!), Rosie. But be careful–swimming with a dragon can be, um, challenging. As Rosie and Charlie blow bubbles (don’t forget your umbrella!), practice flutter kicks (watch out for tidal waves!), and offer shoulder rides (hang on tight!), Rosie proves that dragons make the most fun pets ever. Now if only Charlie can keep Rosie’s attention focused on the rules at the pool and NOT on her gummy snacks (you know, the ones that cause stinky dragon breath!)…Grab your towels and sunscreen and join Rosie and Charlie for a fun-filled summer adventure
“U” is for “Uni- horns!” Children love unicorns, but have they discovered the creatures from the animal kingdom that also have one horn? The rhinoceros and narwhal, of course! Except in the narwhal’s case, it’s actually a tusk, or a “tooth” growing out of it’s mouth through the top of it’s head. Talking about uni-horns with your child can lead to discussions about what’s real and make-believe, prefixes to words like, “Uni-” which means one, and similarities and differences. So, have fun with the Uni-horns!
Ages 2-5
Helping children hear the smaller sounds in words, or the syllables, by clapping them out is one way to develop their phonological awareness. Children can hear the syllables more easily than each individual sound in words. – Reading Picture Books with Children by Lambert
Play “Super Duper 1, 2, 3! Can you say this word with me?” with your child. (The rhyme is below.) You can use your child’s name, a word that might be new to them, or a difficult word to say, like, “RHINOCEROS.”
This romping, rhyming story from award-winning author Jeanne Willis is all about a little rhino who likes to make the rules! When Rhino finds a tree bursting with fruit, he isn’t about to share it with anyone — after all, he’s in charge around here! But it looks like things might be about to change. With brilliant illustrations from Jarvis, this hilarious toddler-tantrum tale is all about being bossy and learning to listen to others.
Born deep in the ocean, Kelp is not like the other narwhals and one day, when he spies a creature on land that looks like him, he learns why.
Little Narwhal, Not Alone is based on the true story of an unlikely friendship. A young narwhal, venturing too far from home, becomes lost and is adopted by a pod of beluga whales. Poetic language and playful illustrations take readers along on Narwhal’s unexpected and amazing journey. At the back, helpful facts about narwhals and belugas are included from a marine biologist.
There’s a unicorn in your book! But this unicorn doesn’t seem very happy… Can you help get rid of the worry gremlins and cheer this unicorn up?
Will you say this word with me? rhinoceros
Presenter: Child & Presenter:
Say it! Rhinoceros. Rhinoceros.
Clap it! RHI-NO-CER-OS (Child and presenter clap:
(Clap hands for each syllable.) RHI-NO-CER-OS.)
Snap it! RHI-NO-CER-OS (Child and presenter snap:
(Snap fingers for each syllable.) RHI-NO-CER-OS.)
Tap it! RHI-NO-CER-OS (Child and presenter tap:
(Tap knees for each syllable.) RHI-NO-CER-OS.)
Say it! RHINOCEROS!
Unicorn, unicorn
Where can you be?
Are you behind the _______ tree?
(Tune: 10 Little Indians)
The rhinoceros moves like this and that
He’s terribly wide and he’s terribly fat
The ground underneath his feet gets worn
but on his snout, look at that horn!
Credit: Miss Mariah’s Library
If you’re a uni- and you know it, shake your horn.
If you’re a uni- and you know it, shake your horn.
If you’re a uni- and you know it, then you really ought to show it.
If you’re a uni- and you know it, shake your horn.
…stomp your hooves (rhinoceros)
…swim around (narwhal)
…twitch your tail (unicorn)
…wallow in the mud (rhinoceros).
Two baby narwhals swimming in the sea
One named Brett and the other named Bree
Swim away Brett, swim away Bree.
Come back Brett, Come back Bree.
Make a rocking unicorn
A talkative cattle egret explains to a rhinoceros that in addition to having a symbiotic relationship, they also have a friendship built on communication, kindness, and a respect for boundaries.
Gloria the rhino loves glitter. She has glitter slippers and a glitter scooter, and she spreads her sparkles wherever she goes; here, there, and everywhere! The townsfolk, though, are tired of it. No more glitter, Gloria! they tell her. But soon, the entire town is covered in glitter. What will everyone think now
It’s not easy to fit in when you stand out. When Layla arrives for her first day of school at Unicornia, the school for unicorns, she realizes that she’s not like the other kids there. They’re all pastel colors and know the rules to Horn Ball and none of them come from the Woods like Layla does. Try as she might to make friends, Layla’s just . . . different. But when her class gets lost during a field trip to the Fiddle Dee Deep Forest, it’s up to Layla to step up and save the day.