OPENING: “Hello Friends” (with sign language)
Credit: Jbrary
BOOK: Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion by Alex T. Smith
A fun, fractured retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. I love the strong female character, the setting, and the goofy ending.
RHYME W/ FINGER PUPPETS: “Five Little Monkeys Swinging in a Tree”
Credit: Never Shushed (but I used a lion rather than a tiger)
Five little monkeys swinging in a tree,
Teasing Mr. Lion: “You can’t catch me!”
Along comes Mr. Lion as quiet as can be
And…SNAPPED! that monkey out of the tree!
Four… three… two…
One little monkey swinging in a tree,
Teasing Mr. Lion: “You can’t catch me!”
Along comes Mr. Lion as quiet as can be
And…UP jumped the monkey and he ran away free!
I used my monkey finger puppets and a lion stuffed animal to add visuals to this rhyme.
BOOK: Don’t Wake Up the Tiger by Britta Teckentrup
This book was a big hit, especially with the afternoon group. The suspense really builds in this story, and I had a few kids who were very concerned about waking up the tiger. I’d have been more worried about scaring them if the ending to this story wasn’t so cute and non-threatening. Wonderful use of a surprise twist.
SONG: “We’re Going on a Tiger Hunt”
Credit: Loudest Librarian (although I didn’t have the kids repeat each line)
We’re going on a tiger hunt!
We’re going to catch a big one!
It’s a beautiful day!
We’re not scared!
We’re coming to some grass.
Can’t go over it.
Can’t go under it.
Have to go through it.
Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! (Rubbing hands together)
We’re coming to some mud.
Can’t go over it.
Can’t go under it.
Have to go through it.
Squilch! Squelch! Squilch! Squelch! (Clapping hands together).
We’re coming to a lake.
Can’t go over it.
Can’t go under it.
Have to swim across it.
Splish! Splash! Splish! Splash! (Swim arms)
We’re coming to a cave.
Can’t go over it.
Can’t go under it.
Have to go inside.
Tiptoe…tiptoe…tiptoe…tiptoe…
It’s dark in here…
It’s cold in here…
Two yellow eyes…it’s a tiger!
Run!
Swim across the lake!
Run through the mud!
Run through the grass!
Into the house!
Slam the door!
Lock it!
We’re never going on a tiger hunt again!
BOOK: The Lion Inside by Rachel Bright
I discovered this book while perusing the Georgia Picture Book Award Nominees for 2017-18, and it has quickly become a new favorite. I love the story, the moral, the illustrations, and, especially, the scream! You’ll have to read it to know what I mean, but suffice it to say that the parents at my storytime were cracking up as I read this one. It is sooooo good!!
MOVEMENT: Parachute!
I just got a 10-foot parachute for storytime, and this was its first use. I had planned to try some songs with the parachute, but I found that the kids were perfectly happy with the standard activities. We did some up and down, cotton balls in the middle, and kids sitting on the chute. They loved it, and I was shocked at the number of parents who weren’t familiar with parachute play.
SENSORY PLAY
I let the kids play with play-doh because I couldn’t come up with a craft that I liked. Didn’t go with the theme, but the kids had a good time.
Library Joy 