Storytime: Openings

Getting storytime started on the right note is essential for a successful session. My favorite part of storytime is singing. Who actually gets to sing at their job, aside from rock stars and opera singers? Why say it when you can sing it? I use a couple of different songs for each age group. Toddlers tend to watch, while preschoolers interact.


"Hello Ev'rybody" from Hello Everybody: Playsongs and Rhymes from a Toddler's World by Rachel Buchman. I use the tune and some of the words by Rachel, but use a tambourine instead of a guitar.

Hello, everybody, yes, indeed,
Yes, indeed, yes, indeed.
Hello, everybody, yes, indeed,
Yes, indeed, my darlings.

My name is Courtney, yes, indeed,
Yes, indeed, yes, indeed.
My name is Courtney, yes, indeed,
Yes, indeed, my darlings.

It's time for stories, yes, indeed,
Yes, indeed, yes, indeed.
It's time for stories, yes, indeed,
Yes, indeed, my darlings.

I can add more verses until everyone is settled and seated. This is very helpful if you usually have late-comers. I begin every storytime, regardless of age, with "Hello, Ev'rybody." It adds unity to the whole program and is comforting for those transitioning into an older group.


My other goal for the introduction is for everyone to learn each other's names. For the babies and toddlers we say the rhyme "Rum, Pum, Pum" from
Mother Goose on the Loose by Betsy Diamant-Cohen. You can use a tambourine or another drum. I use one of the handheld drums that looks like a lollipop.

Rum, pum, pum, this is my drum.
Rum, pum, pum, this is my drum.
My name is Courtney.
What's your name?

Then, we go around the circle and tap out the syllables of each baby or toddler's name. For the toddler group, ages 2 and 3, we sing "The More We Get Together" traditional song with just a little twist. We start by patting our knees to get the rhythm.

The more we get together, together, together,
The more we get together,
The happier we'll be.
For your friends are my friends,
and my friends are your friends,
The more we get together,
The happier we'll be.

With (names of all children, including siblings).
The more we get together, the happier we'll be.


Then, we repeat the first verse super fast while clapping our hands. I say the names of the children, but the parents usually join in after a few weeks. I use an interactive name game with the preschoolers, ages 3 to 5. "Bibbity-bobbity Bumblebee" is a traditional rhyme, but I use Sharron Krull's version with a bee puppet to engage the children. I start by introducing Mr. Bee, ask the children what noise he says, and ask them to say hello to him in bee language (buzz). Then, we pat our legs in rhythm.

Bippoty, boppity, bumblebee,
Can you say your name for me?

Can everyone say (child's name)?
Pat it, clap it, buzz it.

After we buzz the child's name, we go onto the next person. I give everyone a chance each week. If the child is shy, the parent will volunteer the name or I'll say it if I know it. I always give them a chance to say it themselves each week. Most of the time, they will eventually say the name themselves, but it may take a month. I also give the children with only one syllable a GIANT pat, clap and buzz, so they don't feel left out or cheated. Finally, we say good-bye to Mr. Bee and introduce the theme of the week.

Sensational Storytimes!

My storytimes are upbeat and fast-paced. I've tried so many different routines over the past 5 years and have finally settled into a groove. Finding your ideal routine takes trial and error as well as extensive research. It has taken me almost the whole 5 years I've been a children's librarian to read all the books on our professional shelf. The explosion of storytime blogs has not helped me to finish my quest for the perfect storytime routine. Instead, I'm constantly bombarded with fantastic ideas I have to try!

Fortunately, I have the opportunity to create programs for all ages, so I can use all the great songs, fingerplays and stories I find at some point. I've been wanting to post various storytimes I do according to theme. I have so much information, I'm going to have to write a book someday so I won't include everything. Check back every couple of weeks to see new themes added. Please let me know if I have a source incorrect and I'll give credit where credit is due. I love using traditional songs and rhymes, though.

Illustration Note: Miss Karyn is leading this game during storytime. It's so hard to get pictures of me doing things because I'm DOING them.

Book Review: What's Special About Me, Mama? by Kristina Evans

The first element that drew me to this book was the artwork on the cover. As you may recall from my post for Eric Carle, collage is my favorite form of illustration. It adds texture and dimension to the book without being easily damaged (like pop-up and lift-the-flap books). I did a little research about the illustrator, Javaka Steptoe and discovered he uses "found art" or everyday objects in his work.

The second element, and first line of text, that made me pick up this book was the title. The first spread poses the question, "What's special about me, Mama?" with the little boy peeking over the arm of the chair at his mama. All you can see are his eyes. There is something so endearing about this moment, and every parent can relate to this type of question. The mama's answer is also one parents all over the world have said: "So many things, Love."

Everything about your child is special to you, so it is difficult to choose just one or two things. The little boy in the story makes it more of a challenge by asking the mama to choose things unique to him, characteristics he doesn't share with any other family members (mother, father, aunt). The final answer may surprise you, but it will definitely touch your heart.

Share this book with your only child, a child expecting to be a big brother or sister or one who already is a sibling. For a project after reading, find objects in your house that can be used in a collage. Try the recycle bin and under the couch, first. Paint the items with bright colors and glue them to a piece of paper, planter or coffee cup for a keepsake as unique as your child.

Teen Read: Angel Burn by L.A. Weatherly

One of my favorite story lines doesn’t come from a book. It comes from the 80s: the story of John Connor. Well, I should say the idea comes from the 80s, but I prefer the more recent versions of John Connor. I like my John Connor to grow from adorable Thomas Dekker into a rugged Christian Bale.

Time travel is always really hard for me to grasp. I end up trying to overanalyze it, so I can’t get into the story. Not with John Connor (even though I can’t quite understand how his dad is from the future and if he hadn’t been sent back to protect Sarah, then John wouldn’t have been born, but then his father dies in the past, so how is he in the future to be sent back if he is already dead?). The logistics don’t matter with John Connor’s story because the action is so gripping, I find myself sucked into the story completely and swallow everything no matter how far-fetched.

In John’s story, we see the world after the worst has happened. Humanity is almost obliterated by monstrous machines. But we still have hope. If John can only stay alive, he will eventually defeat the machines. Because he is the only hope for humanity, Connor’s character is infamous.

I have never come across another character quite like John Connor in literature. I’m not making that leap with Angel Burn, either, but it comes pretty close. Willow and Alex are unlikely allies in this sci-fi/fantasy thriller by L.A. Weatherly. Alex is a super-stealth hit-man for the CIA with heavy baggage from his past. Willow is a tomboy, psychic who has always taken care of the people she loves.

The two come together through a manipulation of the angels, the unseen enemies poised to destroy humanity. Alex and Willow must join forces to fight them, or all humanity will be lost to the insatiable hunger of thousands of angels. Although there is no time travel in the book, several characters can see the future. Thus, they have the ability to change possible outcomes.

I enjoyed most of the book. Alex and Willow are interesting, compelling characters on their own. The fast pace begins with action, mystery, gun fights and espionage, not to mention fast cars. After a break in the action halfway through, it flies to the end with no time to take a breath. Willow is set up as the John Connor of her world with Alex as her Arnold (a.k.a. the GOOD Terminator). You will want to read the next book in the series as soon as you finish.

Teen Read: Firelight by Sophie Jordan

What is more awesome than dragons? They are basically hardcore dinosaurs with mystical powers. The whole family has been getting into dragons, lately, now that Bobo can differentiate between a dinosaur, an alligator and a dragon (they used to be all one-in-the-same). But, to answer the original question... shapeshifting dragons are cooler than dragons!

The main character of Firelight is just that...a shapeshifting dragon. She belongs to a pride of similar shapeshifters all with mystical powers. The natural enemy of a dragon is a knight, but this story sets up the human hunter as the draki's biggest fear. So what happens when a hunter saves a draki?

You get the story of Firelight. Jacinda's character is a wonderful mixture of youth, rebellion and fierce devotion. She is the prey. Will's character is protective and mysterious. He is the hunter. You may be thinking, not another predator falls in love with the prey story? But rest assured, this isn't one of those typical tales.

First, the hunter and the prey are on more even ground than the typical vampire falls in love with a human story line. Because of this, Jacinda is more afraid of the hunters than they are of her. Second, the supernatural being is NOT the predator. However, Jacinda is not easy prey. She brings some heat to the situation.

This story is anything but typical. It has everything I love: action, romance, mystery, fantasy. You are kept guessing until the very end, then left wanting more. It's the perfect start to a new series!

Featured Author of the Week: Margaret Wise Brown

Brown is the author of my favorite book, Goodnight Moon. My Nana Glenys read it to me when I was little and I've read it to every child who has come into my life, including the delightful children who come to my storytime.

I visited Brown's website to find out more information about the person who wrote so many wonderful stories. She was born in 1910 and went to school to become a teacher. She became a pioneer for the children's movement of the "here and now." The movement said children are interested in the "here and now" and want to read books about their own lives. Before this, children's literature was composed of mostly fairy tales and fables.

Brown wrote hundreds of books in her short lifetime (she died at 42). However, they were not all published before then. You can get previously unreleased material from the library with contemporary illustrators. Check out two books with one of my favorite illustrator's Karen Katz (Where is baby's Mommy? and Where is Baby's Belly Button?).






Goodnight, Margaret! Activities for Bedtime:

1. Make a book about your child's life. They sell plastic books you can slide pictures into at super stores, or you may find one (I did!) at a garage sale or Goodwill. Or for an inexpensife alterative, use a small brag book (your child just won't be able to chew on it). Go through the book at night telling the story of each picture.

2. Goodnight, everybody. To ease your child into the mood of sleepy time, start saying goodnight to their toys, then their books, then their friends and family. I've found with my reluctant sleeper that this helps. Everything is going to sleep, so you need to as well.

3. Tuck in your child's toy pets! Brown never went anywhere without her beloved furry friends, and your child may feel the same way. Make some little blankets for each lovey with two pieces of flannel cut into small squares. Cut a fringe on all four sides and tie the squares together. We made this craft in storytime (thank you Miss Mindy) and Bobo uses it for his baby doll. It is really the perfect size for those little loveys!

Featured Author of the Week: Eric Carle

Eric Carle is an author, illustrator and one of my favorite storytime resources. He uses the collage method to illustrate his whimsical tales. Not only does he make art for his own books, but he also illustrates other author's books. You will recognize his art in the Brown Bear, Brown Bear series. Carle is so dedicated to his art, he opened The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in 2002. If you are ever in the Amherst, Massachusetts area, be sure to check it out.



You have probably read at least one of his Very Buggy books (as I've coined them). The Very Busy Spider, The Very Clumsy Click Beetle, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Very Lonely Firefly , are there any more? These books are all wonderful for preschoolers who like repetition and predictability.

Toddlers enjoy Carle's simple texts such as: Little Cloud, Today is Monday, Draw Me a Star, Does a Kangaroo have a Mother too? and From Head to Toe. Each book has something different to offer from guessing shapes to singing to mimicking actions. The best part of these simple stories is the interaction they create between the reader and listener.

Try some Very Eric Activities:

Very Hungry Caterpillar Memory Game: Set out 1 piece of fruit for each day: Apple, Pear, Plum, Strawberry, Orange and Watermelon (just a slice will do). After reading the story, let your child line up the fruit in the order it was eaten. Count the fruit and go over colors if you'd like. Ask your child what color s/he thinks the inside of the fruit will be? Cut up the fruit for a delicious snack.

Very Busy Spider Game: Give your child a ball of white or black yarn and ask them to build a web by twining it around objects. After they are all finished, ask if they can navigate through the web like a real spider without getting caught. After the yarn has all fallen, put on a favorite song and play the freeze game like you've become a fly caught in the web.

Collage: Make a collage with tissue paper, tempera paint (it's usually washable), water and glue. You can paint white tissue paper to make collages that look like Eric Carle illustrations. There are directions on his web site. I tried this to see if we could do it in storytime. It was easy and fun, but it takes too long to dry (craft time usually lasts 10 minutes). After the painted tissue papers dry (you should make at least 5), you can cut those into shapes and paste them on a poster board or cardstock.



This is what the tissue paper looks like before you start cutting it. Very Carle!