Story Time – April 28, 2020

Story Time – April 28, 2020

Story Time – April 28, 2020

Story Time – April 28, 2020

10:30 am ONLINE on Facebook – ages 2 to 5

Where in the world is Cody’s hat? Spin the globe to see where it’s at.

​For the next four weeks in online storytime, we will visit four different biomes around the world. We have included a link to print off a passport so the children can keep a record of all the places we will visit.

Early Literacy Tip and Activity:

Tip

Children are born curious. From a very young age, they show interest in exploring the world around them. Tune into your child’s discoveries and use words to talk with them about the things they see, hear, and feel. 

https://talkingisteaching.org/

Activity

Go on a “Look and Find” walk either outside or in the house and collect a variety of objects. Then talk about how you can sort and categorize the items into groups perhaps by color, texture, or perhaps smell.

Books Presented

What’s the Matter, Habibi?
by Betsy Lewin

Habibi (Arabic for “my darling”) is a camel who usually seems to enjoy his work, giving rides to children. But one day Habibi lies down and absolutely will not get up. “What’s the matter?” asks Ahmed, Habibi’s owner.

Find it in our Catalog

Deserts
by Gail Gibbons

An introduction to the characteristics of deserts and the plants and animals that inhabit them.

Find it in our Catalog

Art and Max
by David Wiesner

Max and Arthur are friends who share an interest in painting. Arthur is an accomplished painter; Max is a beginner. Although Max is inexperienced, he’s courageous—and a quick learner. His energy and enthusiasm bring the adventure to its triumphant conclusion.

The Seed and the Giant Saguaro
by Jennifer Ward

A packrat, carrying fruit from the giant saguaro, is chased by various desert animals and inadvertently helps spread the cactus’s seed. Includes information on saguaros.

Find it in our Catalog

Songs, Rhymes and Fingerplays

S-N-A-K-E

I had a snake
he was so green
as green as snakes can be!
S-N-A-K-E, S-N-A-K-E, S-N-A-K-E,
he is my favorite snake!

Gina Miller

Lizard and the Bugs

5 little bugs on the desert floor
Along came a lizard, and SLURP!!!
There are 4.

4 little bugs on an aloe tree
Along came a lizard, and SLURP!!!
There are 3.

3 little bugs without a clue…..
2 little bugs soaking up the sun….
1 little bug knew he was done…..
Now there are none.

(Use fist of one hand to represent the lizard — have pointer finger move in and out of fist quickly to be the lizard’s tongue. 5 fingers of the other hand are the bugs that “disappear” as the lizard’s fast tongue “gets” them.)

-https://www.preschooleducation.com/sreptile.shtml

Five Little Coyotes

1 little coyote howling at the moon, along came a friend and joined in his tune
(Repeat with 2, 3, 4, 5)

5 Wild Coyotes watch an owl soar, one ran after it and then there were 4.

4 Wild coyotes sniffing at a tree, one chased a mouse and then there were 3.

3 wild coyotes where the clover grew, one chased a mouse and then there were 2.

2 wild coyotes sitting in the sun, one went for a drink and then there was 1.

1 wild coyote howling at the moon, he went to sleep ’cause the sun would be up soon.

~ storytiming.com/2011/11/25/flannel-friday-5-little-coyotes/

Alice the Camel

Alice the camel has 5 humps,
Alice the camel has 5 humps,
Alice the camel has 5 humps.
So go, Alice, go!
Boom, boom, boom, boom!

Alice the camel has 4 humps,
Alice the camel has 4 humps,
Alice the camel has 4 humps.
So go, Alice, go!
Boom, boom, boom, boom!

Alice the camel has 3 humps,
Alice the camel has 3 humps,
Alice the camel has 3 humps.
So go, Alice, go!
Boom, boom, boom, boom!

Alice the camel has 2 humps,
Alice the camel has 2 humps,
Alice the camel has 2 humps.
So go, Alice, go!
Boom, boom, boom, boom!

Alice the camel has 1 hump,
Alice the camel has 1 hump,
Alice the camel has 1 hump.
So go, Alice, go!
Boom, boom, boom, boom!

Alice the camel has NO humps,
Alice the camel has NO humps,
Alice the camel has NO humps.
‘Cause Alice is a HORSE,
Of course!

-Traditional

Craft Activities

Make a Saguaro Cactus out of play dough, and egg tray cup, and spaghetti noodles. Don’t have play dough? Try one of the three recipes listed on this page!

Try making jello playdough! It smells amazing and it is so smooth.

Let’s learn how to make this Easy 2 Ingredient Cloud Dough. It’s very inexpensive to make, can be colored any way you want, and smells so much better than traditional play doughs.

Here’s a recipe for homemade playdough that doesn’t require cream of tartar or cooking on the stovetop AND includes everyone’s favorite instant drink powder: Kool-Aid!

Story Time – April 28, 2020

Story Time – April 21, 2020

Story Time – April 21, 2020

Story Time – April 21, 2020

10:30 am ONLINE on Facebook – ages 2 to 5

Crocodiles, clocks, and the letter “C” were our inspiration for Online Storytime this week!

 When walking outside or around your home, take a moment to point out things that begin with the letter “C” such as cat, car, and carrots.

Books Presented

Counting Crocodiles
by Judy Sierra

In this rhymed retelling of a traditional Asian tale, a clever monkey uses her ability to count to outwit the hungry crocodiles that stand between her and a banana tree on another island across the sea.

Find it in our Catalog

What Time is it, Mr. Crocodile?
by Judy Sierra

Mr. Crocodile’s plans to catch and eat some pesky monkeys do not work out and he becomes friends with them instead.

Find it in our Catalog

Open Very Carefully: A Book With Bite
by Nicola O’Byrne

A crocodile falls into a quiet storybook and wreaks havoc on the characters, in a tale that invites youngsters to slam the book shut or find the courage to take a peek inside.

Find it in our Catalog

Bats Around the Clock
by Kathi 
Appelt

Click Dark hosts a special twelve-hour program of American Batstand where the bats rock and roll until the midnight hour ends.

Find it in our Catalog

Fingerplays and Movement Songs

Crocodile

I’m a crocodile, long and green.
With the pointiest teeth that you have ever seen.
When you see me swim by like a log,
Out of the water it’s time to jog.

Tune: I’m a Little Teapot

https://www.jocolibrary.org/kids/storytime-blog/alligators-and-crocodiles-preschool-storytime

Monkeys and the Crocodile

Five little monkeys swinging in a tree,
Teasing Mr. Crocodile: “You can’t catch me!”
Along comes Mr. Crocodile
As quiet as can be and…SNAP! that monkey fell out of that tree!
Four, three, two, one.

-https://kcls.org/content/five-little-monkeys-sitting-in-a-tree/

Crocodile Crocodile

Crocodile Crocodile
(Make your arms into big jaws that open and close and do a clapping rhyme with your hands)
Long and green
Crocodile crocodile
Teeth so mean
Snapping at a cheetah (pretend to snap your jaws)
Snapping at a bee (pretend to snap)
Snapping at a hippo (pretend to snap)
but you can’t catch me! (jump back)

-https://read.poudrelibraries.org/readers/pdf/chompers.pdf

Tick-tock,Tick-tock

Tick-tock, tick-tock
goes the clock
Waiting for someone to
knock, knock, knock.
My, oh, my!
It’s a cat!* (hold sticks up like cat whiskers)

*Bunny (hold sticks up like bunny ears)
Duck (hold sticks up like duck bills)
Walrus (hold sticks up like walrus tusks)
Crocodile (hold sticks up like crocodile snout)

-Jbrary.com

Five Little Monkeys

Alligator in the Elevator

I’ve gotta shake, shake, shake my sillies out

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!

-Raffi

Craft Activities

Spend the afternoon learning two crazy monkey songs and making crazy monkey (and a crocodile) puppets.  Put on your own show!

Help your child learn to tell time with these fun pretend watches made from a cardboard toilet paper tube.

Make a fun alligator out of paper plates and googlie eyes.

Learn to tell the time with this online game from ABCYA!

Early Literacy Tip and Activity:

Tip

The use of small percussion instruments such as bells, rhythm sticks, shakers, and drums helps children with muscular development and coordination.

-Megan Dowd Lambert

Reading Picture Books With Children

Activity

Find, fill, and seal a plastic egg, clean vitamin bottle, or something similar for a homemade shaker. Sing and shake familiar songs together such as, “If You’re Happy and You Know it give a shake.” You can make other “percussion” instruments at home like the bottom of a bowl, or a couple of wooden spoons or chopsticks.

Additional Books

Crocodile Encounters! And More True Stories of Adventures with Animals
by Brady Barr

Follow along with National Geographic explorer Brady Barr as he crawls into a muddy hole just barely big enough for his shoulders, and comes face to face with thirteen crocodiles!

Find it the eBook at Overdrive

Story Time – April 28, 2020

Story Time – April 14, 2020

Story Time – April 14, 2020

Story Time – April 14, 2020

10:30 am ONLINE on Facebook – ages 2 to 5

This week, we explored what happens when we get lost!

Oh, no! I’m lost! Or… maybe I’m found! Inspired by the lost boys in J.M. Barrie’s novel, Peter Pan and the letter “B”, this week’s online story time was about things that are lost and found. Talk with your child about what they need to do if they get lost and cannot find you. This article at www.kindercare.com has some excellent tips on what you can teach and practice with your child at home before they get lost.

We’ve also included links for instructions on making a lost boy hat, an I-spy game, a coloring page, and even a hidden pictures game! We also learned a new song about the things children need every day to help them become happy lifelong learners! These things are: Sing, Talk, Read, Write, and Play.

Craft Activities

Hats are a great way to add character and fun to a party, play, or dress-up game. Instead of buying hats from the store, however, consider making your own. It is a simple, fun project suitable for all ages. 

The concept is that the kids gather a bunch of stuff and glue it to a piece of paper. They can then play I Spy with their piece of art. This easy and inexpensive craft idea is great for kids age 3 and older.

Need a game for siblings to play? Check out this I-Spy tray. Endless possibilities! Hundreds of choices to spy!

Hidden pictures online games.  Brought to you by our friends at Highlights Kids Magazine!

Fingerplays and Movement Songs

Fingerplay

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Once I Caught a Fish Alive
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Once I caught a fish alive,
6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Then I let it go again.
Why did you let it go?
Because it bit my finger so.
Which finger did it bite?
This little finger on my right.

-https://childhood101.com/15-preschool-counting-songs-fingerplays-rhymes

S, T, R, W, P

Sing, talk, read, write, play!
Sing, talk, read write, play!
Sing, talk, read, write, play!
Sing, talk, read, write, play each day!

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt

We’re going on a bear hunt
We’re gonna see a big one
I’m not scared!
Uh oh!
Tall grass!
Can’t go around it
Can’t go over it
Can’t go under it.
We’ll have to go through it
Swish swish swish

We’re going on a bear hunt
We’re gonna see a big one
I’m not scared!
Uh oh,
A river.
Can’t go around it
Can’t go over it
Can’t go under it.
We’ll have to go through it
Splash splash splash

We’re going on a bear hunt
We’re gonna see a big one
I’m not scared!
Uh oh!
Mud!
Can’t go around it
Can’t go over it
Can’t go under it.
We’ll have to go through it
Squish squish squish

We’re going on a bear hunt
We’re gonna see a big one
I’m not scared!
Uh oh!
A cave!
Can’t go around it
Can’t go over it
Can’t go under it.
We’ll have to go through it
Step step step

What’s that?
One wet nose
Two furry ears
Two big eyes!
Uh-oh!
It’s a bear!
Quick!

Back through the cave
Step step step

Back through the mud!
Squish squish squish

Back through the river
Splash splash slash

Back through the grass
Swish swish swish

Run back home
Open the door
Run inside
Close the door
Whew!
Safe at last!

We went on a bear hunt
And we saw a big one.
And I wasn’t scared.

-Rock ‘n Learn

Little Bo Peep

Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone?

Books Presented

Ruby Finds a Worry
by Tom Percival

Meet Ruby–a happy, curious, imaginative girl. But one day, she finds something unexpected: a Worry. It’s not such a big Worry, at first. But every day, it grows a little bigger . . .

Oliver Finds His Way
by Phyllis Root

Oliver is so intent on following a blowing autumn leaf that he doesnt even notice that hes lost his way. All alone at the edge of the woods, he starts to cry. He cries and cries…

Find it in our Catalog

Pete the Cat and the Missing Cupcakes
by Kimberly Dean

Pete the Cat and his friends are busy as can be baking cupcakes for a party, and Pete cant wait to perform with his groovy band. But some of the cupcakes have gone missing!

Find it in our Catalog

Did You Take the B From My _ook?
by Beck Stanton

OK. Two things you need to know. Firstly, your favourite thing in the whole world is the letter B. And secondly, you’re about to sneeze and all the Bs are going to be blown out of the book.

Find it in our Catalog

Additional Books

Early Literacy Tip and Activity:

Tip

The foundation of early literacy for a child before they reach kindergarten is based on five parts that a child should experience every day.

Those five elements are

1) Sing
3) Talk
3) Read
4) Write
5) Play.

Activity

Find an activity that your child engages in every day, and convert it into one of the early literacy elements described above. For example, when they brush their hair, sing, “This is the way we brush our hair, brush our hair,…” Or, at lunch, talk with your child about where their food comes from, milk from cows or apples from a tree in Washington. You can also have them play shapes on their plate by finding and naming shapes of food.

Story Time – April 28, 2020

Story Time – April 7, 2020

Story Time – April 7, 2020

Story Time – April 7, 2020

10:30 am ONLINE on Facebook – ages 2 to 5

This week, we had fun with our family!

We listened to books, sang songs, learned a fingerplay about the members in our family, and saw how to make a My Hand Family Tree with things you might have at home! Below you will find not only the books presented, but links to other online books that you can share with each other. For the “read along” book videos, try muting the volume and reading the text with your child.

Also, if you haven’t already done so, now would be a good time to sit down with your child/ children and fill out the 2020 Census (we have included a link.) You might talk about how important the Census is for finding ancestors in your family tree. Have a happy family week!

Craft Activity

Use your child’s hand and arm to create the trunk of a Family Tree out of paper.  Cut more paper for the tree leaves.  Paper apples can be made for each member of the family.

Another Craft Activity

Use these fun templates to make a face for each family member.  Your child can then use play dough to fill in the features for each person.

Fingerplays and Movement Songs

A House for Me

This is a nest for Mr. Bluebird (cup hands together)
This is a hive for Mrs. Bee (make a fist)
This is a hole for bunny rabbit (make a circle with thumb and forefinger)
And this is a house for me (place fingertips together to form a roof peak over head).

-www.notimeforflashcards.com

With My Family

(Sung to the tune of The Muffin Man)

Tell me what you like to do
Like to do, like to do.
Tell me what you like to do
With your family.

(Sally*) likes to (clap her hands**)
Clap her hands, clap her hands.
Sally likes to clap her hands
With her family.

* insert child’s name

** insert chosen activity

–www.notimeforflashcards.com

These are Grandma’s Glasses

Recite first verse in a high pitched voice:
These are Grandma’s glasses (Make glasses over eyes with fingers)
This is Grandma’s hat (Place hands on top of head)
And this is the way she folds her hands (Clasp hands together)
And lays them in her lap (Place hands in lap).
Recite second verse in a deep voice:
These are Grandpa’s glasses (Make bigger glasses shapes over eyes with fingers)
This is Grandpa’s hat (Place hands over head to form a large hat)
And this is the way he folds his arms (Cross arms)
And takes a little nap (Place head on arms as if sleeping).

–www.notimeforflashcards.com

Books Presented

Baking Day at Grandma’s
by Anika Denise

Three bouncing little bear siblings, wrapped tight in their winter clothes, can’t wait to tromp through the snow for Baking Day at Grandma’s!

Find it in our Catalog

Bark, George
by Jules Feiffer

Bark, George,” says George’s mother, and George goes: “Meow,” which definitely isn’t right, because George is a dog. What’s going on with George?

Find it in our Catalog

Splat and the New Baby
by Rob Scotton

Splat the Cat can’t wait to be a big brother. So when his mom brings home a special little guest, Splat races from his room, only to find his mom holding . . . a crocodile?!

Hair Love
by Matthew A. Cherry

Zuri’s hair has a mind of its own. When mommy does Zuri’s hair, she feels like a superhero. But when mommy is away, it’s up to daddy to step in!

Find it in our Catalog

Additional Books

Dog Breath
by Dav Pilkey

Hally, the Tosis family dog, has such bad breath that Mr. and Mrs. Tosis plan to give her away, until she proves to be an invaluable watchdog.

Find it in our Catalog

No Mirrors in My Nana’s House
by Ysaye Maria Barnwell

A little girl discovers the beauty in herself–and the beauty of the world around her–not by looking in the mirror but by looking in her Nana’s eyes.

Mama, Do You Love Me?
by Barbara M. Joosse

In this universal story, a child tests the limits of independence and comfortingly learns that a parent’s love is unconditional and everlasting.

Find it in our Catalog

Jazz Baby
by Lisa Wheeler

With a simple clap of hands, an itty-bitty beboppin’ baby gets his whole family singing and dancing.

My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother
by Patricia Polacco

There’s nothing worse than a rotten redheaded older brother who can do everything you can do better!

Dad and the Dinosaur
by Gennifer Choldenko

Nicholas wants to be as brave as his dad, but he needs help. That’s why he needs a dinosaur.

Find it in our Catalog

Lucky Pennies and Hot Chocolate
by Carol Diggory Shields

A grandfather and his grandson enjoy sharing knock-knock jokes, playing games, hot chocolate, watching movies, reading books, playing baseball and just spending time together.

Find it in our Catalog

The 2020 Census

Make Sure You’re Counted!

The results of the 2020 Census will help determine how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding flow into communities every year for the next decade. That funding shapes many different aspects of every community, no matter the size, no matter the location. 

Over the next decade, lawmakers, business owners, and many others will use 2020 Census data to make critical decisions. The results will show where communities need new schools, new clinics, new roads, and more services for families, older adults, and children. The results will also inform how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding are allocated to more than 100 programs, including Medicaid, Head Start, block grants for community mental health services, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP. The results of this once-a-decade count determine the number of seats each state has in the House of Representatives. They are also used to draw congressional and state legislative districts.

Early Literacy Tip and Activity:

Tip

During the first years of life, an important set of skills known as problem solving abilities are developed. Get into the habit of asking questions during your daily story time that develop higher-order thinking skills. Instead of just reading and your child passively listening, ask questions throughout, concentrating on solving problems.

-Tanja Mcilroy

www.empoweredparents.co/problem-solving-activities-preschoolers/

Activity

Help your child find a favorite book in your collection, or an e-book or “read along” video, and ask him questions similar to these:

  • Why do you think the bear did that?
  • Do you think his friend will be happy? Why?
  • What would you do if you were the monkey?
  • How do you think Peter can make things better with his friend?
  • If the crocodile had decided not to eat the rabbit, how could the story have ended?

Story Time – January 14 and 15, 2020

Story Time – January 14 and 15, 2020

Story Time – January 14 and 15, 2020

10:30 am in the Community Room – ages 2 to 5

In January, we learned about the letter “S.”

This Week, We Learned About Sneezes and Sniffles.

Tip:  Teach your child what they can expect if you have to visit a doctor’s office. These places are often scary, but the library has plenty of books about seeing a doctor.

Craft Activity

Band-aids and tissues can make lovely butterflies!

Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays

Five Little Monkeys

Five little monkeys jumping on the bed.
Ahhh choo!
“I feel sick!” one of them said.
Momma called the doctor and the doctor said,
“Cover that sneeze, wash those hands, and put that monkey in his own bed.”

Four, three, two, one…

One little monkey jumping on the bed.
Ahhh choo!
“I feel sick and tired,” he said.
Momma called the doctor and the doctor said,
“Cover that sneeze, wash those hands, and put that monkey in his own bed.”

All the little monkeys were lying in their beds,
Resting all day when each of them said,
“We feel better. Let’s have some fun!”

Then five little monkeys hopped out of bed.

All the Little Germs

All the little germs, dirty and mean,
Hiding on your hands, (point to where they’re hiding)
Where they cannot be seen.
Wash them, (rub hands together)
Scrub them, (rub knuckles together)
Rinse them away. (whisk hands across each other)
Then we’ll have clean hands, (hold hands out palm up)
Hip, hip, hooray! (jazz hands!)
-storytimekatie.com

The Elevator Song

tune “Do Your Ears Hang Low”
Oh, the city is great, and the city is grand!
There are lots of tall buildings on a little piece of land.
Oh we live way up on the 57th floor
and this is what we do when we go out the door.
Take the elevator up, take the elevator down
(3 times)
Then we spin around!

Tops and Bottoms Handwashing song

(tune “Are you Sleeping”)
Tops and bottoms, tops and bottoms
In between, in between.
Scrub them all together, scrub them all together
Now they’re clean, squeaky clean!
-Jbrary.com

Books Presented

Pigs Make Me Sneeze!
by Mo Williams

In Pigs Make Me Sneeze!, Gerald believes he is allergic to his best friend! Will he have to stay away from Piggie forever?

Find it in our Catalog

Sneeze!
by Alexandra Sly

There’s something in the air–pollen, dust mites, mold spores, dust, goose down, cat hair, pepper, flu viruses, and bright light–that’s causing these nine kids to sneeze. 

Find it in our Catalog

Germs Are Not for Sharing
by Elizabeth Verdick

Achoo! Cough! F-L-U-S-H! What to do? In childcare, in preschool, at home, and everywhere, toddlers need to learn that germs are not for sharing.

Find it in our Catalog

Bear Feels Sick
by Karma Wilson

Autumn has come to the woods, and Bear doesn’t feel well. He sniffles and sneezes. He cannot sleep. He aches all over. Worst of all, he’s feeling too poorly to play with his friends.

Find it in our Catalog

One Cow Coughs: A Counting Book for the Sick and Miserable
by Christine Loomis

All the animals in the barnyard are sick: two mules moan, three sheep shake, four hens hold their heads that ache . . . and ten turkeys weep at the welts on their knees. No need to worry, help is in store.

Find it in our Catalog

Additional Books

Bill Nye the Science Guy’s Great Big Book of Tiny Germs
by Bill Nye

Germs, germs, everywhere! Did you know that: – Some germs are good for you, or even delicious? Find out how more about germs and how to stay healthy, with eleven cool experiments.

Find it in our Catalog

Do Not Lick This Book: It’s Full of Germs
by Idan Ben-Barak

Min is a microbe. She is small. Very small. In fact so small that you’d need to look through a microscope to see her. Or you can simply open this book.

Find it in our Catalog

A Germ’s Journey
by Thom Rooke

Where did your cold germ come from? And ACHOO! Where is it going next? A germ’s journey is filled with snuffles, sniffles, and sneezes.

Find it in our Catalog

Llama Llama Home with Mama
by Anna Dewdney

Ah-choo! Uh-oh, Llama Llama’s nose is feeling tickly, his throat is feeling scratchy, and his head is feeling stuffy. Back to bed, no school today for Llama Llama! Instead, he’s home with Mama.

Find it in our Catalog

The “Get Well Soon” Book: Good Wishes for Bad Times
by Kes Gray & Mary McQuillan

Cynthia the centipede, Harold the hamster, Tiffany the turtle, and other animals suffer from various injuries or illnesses.

Find it in our Catalog

Early Literacy Tip:

Sharing stories is a great snugly activity when children aren’t feeling well, make sure to have plenty of books at home.

Story Time – January 7 and 8, 2020

Story Time – January 7 and 8, 2020

Story Time – January 7 and 8, 2020

10:30 am in the Community Room – ages 2 to 5

In January, we learned about the letter “S.”

This Week, We Were Introduced the Word “Snake.”

Snakes are important members in the web of life as both predators and prey. They feed on mice and other small rodents which helps to control the pest population.

Craft Activity

You can decorate a paper plate snake by cutting magazine squares into triangles. 1 square will make 2 triangles.

Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays

S-N-A-K-E

I had a snake
he was so green
as green as snakes can be!
S-N-A-K-E, S-N-A-K-E, S-N-A-K-E,
he is my favorite snake!

Snakes Slither

Snakes slither on the ground,
Snakes slither all around.
Some are short, some are long.
Some have fangs,
and some have none.
-1001 Rhymes and Fingerplays

I’m Being Swallowed by a Boa Constrictor

I’m being swallowed by a boa constrictor
a boa constrictor, a boa constrictor
I’m being swallowed by a boa constrictor
And I don’t like it very much!

Oh no, oh no, he swallowed my toe,
he swallowed my toe, he swallowed my toe,
Oh no, oh no, he swallowed my toe,
And I don’t like it very much!

Oh gee, oh gee, he’s up to my knee,
he’s up to my knee…

Oh fiddle, oh fiddle, he’s reached my middle,
he’s reached my middle…

Oh bleck, oh bleck, he’s up to my neck,
he’s up to my neck…

Oh dread, oh dread, he swallowed my….
Schlirppp!
-Shel Silverstein

Books Presented

Snakes
by Valerie Boden

A basic exploration of the appearance, behavior, and habitat of snakes, a family of scaly reptiles. Also included is a story from folklore explaining why snakes do not have legs.

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Can I Play Too?
by Mo Willems

In Can I Play Too? Gerald and Piggie meet a new snake friend who wants to join in a game of catch. But don’t you need arms to catch?

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Hide and Snake
by Keith Baker

A brightly colored snake challenges readers to a game of hide and seek as he hides among familiar objects.

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Additional Books

They Thought They Saw Him
by Craig Strete

A little chameleon successfully avoids a number of dangers by changing colors to match his surroundings.

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Mouse Count
by Ellen Stoll Walsh

In this charming companion to Mouse Paint, Ellen Stoll Walsh introduces the concept of counting forward and backward in a suspenseful story that will keep young readers guessing

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The Rattlesnake Who Went to School
by Craig Strete

On his first day of school, Crowboy pretends he is a rattlesnake, but then he meets a girl in his class who wants to be a rattlesnake too.

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Early Literacy Tip:

When your children have happy experiences, they want to repeat them. Starting kindergarten can seem as an extension of informal library “classes.” Children who have had joyful experiences in the public library often approach school with a positive attitude, ready and excited to learn.
-Megan Dowd Lambert

Reading Picture Books With Children

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