My favorite Storytime Helpers!

Here are some of my favorite site for Storytime newbies and veterans alike:

Literacy Toolkit - Explains some of the

Washington County Cooperative Library Services - Fingerplays and Story recommendations

Preschool Education.com - My favorite place for songs!

Goodreads - Goodreads has tons of lists that are a good starting point

Fuse 8 - My favorite School Library Journal Review

St. Louis County Library Blog - Reviews and Fingerplays!

Wedding Details: The Cake (and everything that comes with it)

We're coming up on a year after my wedding. I had always meant to share some of the little details that we cooked up for the ceremony, and now seems about right.

Here's our cake:

It's from Wedding Wonderland Cakes in Florissant, MO. We talked to Al about a couple different designs before deciding on this one. I loved the look of their "Mad Hatter" cakes, and I wanted something that showed our geeky side. We talked about a lot of different options, but we ultimately decided on our starry-nebula cake.

Everyone wants a one of a kind cake, and I literally could not find a cake quite like this one anywhere.  This was the reference I used:

I can't find anyone to credit it to. If you know the creator of this really cool cake, please let me know. Still, I love the design that Wedding Wonderland Cakes came up with. I wasn't going to go with the Mad Hatter style when we decided on this design, but all said he'd used the different sizes to highlight different nebulas, and I love the result. (Sidenote: Al was part of team blue, that just one "Next Great Baker" on TLC!)

The Toppers:

Aren't they so CUTE!! These are from etsy store MyCustomCakeTopper. I love all her adorable designs, but I thought these little robots were just perfect for our Nebula cake. She customized the colors, my little top hat, and gave us both glasses. She was great to work with, and I recommend her to anyone.

The Cake Utensils:

We found this tutorial for making Lightsaber cake knives at offbeatbride. We took it a step further, and made the cake server handle a Sonic Screwdriver. My dad did this for us, so I only only kind of know how he did it, but I know he used the Make your Own Sonic Screwdriver kit. If I get a lot of requests on how he did it, I'll bug him for his secrets.

So that's the cake table! I'll try to do a few more posts about some of my other favorite vendors because I love to give some love to people who worked hard!

Batman Storytime

Batman turns 75 this year! Doesn't he look great for being part of AARP for 25 years?

Today (July 23) marks what has been officially called Batman's Birthday by DC Comics. However, some sources place Bruce Wayne's Birthday in October or November, so you haven't missed your chance to do a Batman Story Time of your own.

Opening Song: Happy and you know it/Ready for a Story

Sit Down Song: The More We Read Together

First Book: Batman: The Story of the Dark Knight by Ray Cosentino

I love these stories, Ray Cosentino writes excellent introductions to DC superheroes for children. These are far more palatable for storytime than the usual easy readers that we tend to get, and I recommend them to parents all the time.

Song: Happy Birthday to you! (Batman)

Song: The Batman Song

The Batman's arms Karate-chop, karate-chop, karate chop, the Batman's arms Karate Chop, All night long.

Other Verse: feet-kick, kick, kick; Bat-a-rang: swing, swing, swing; wheels on the Batmobile go round and round; legs - run, run, run; The Batman always - Saves the day (heroic pose)

Now is where I deviated from Batman, because Batman stories for preschoolers are not thrilling, so we talk about his favorite animal...the bat!

Second Book: Batty by Sarah Dyer

Song: 5 Black Bats

Five Black Bats (same 'tune' as 5 little pumpkins)

Five Black Bats Hanging upside down.

The first one did not make a sound

The second one said “I’ll fly far tonight”

The third one said “I don’t like sunlight”

The fourth one said “I want to eat some bugs”

The fifth one said “I want some hugs”

Oooh blew the wind and down went the sun,

The Five Black Bats flew off for some fun.

Third Book: Hello, Bumblebee Bat by Patricia J. Wynne

Song:  Flap Little Bats (Tune: Ten Little Indians, attribution needed)

Flap, flap, flap little bats,

Flap, flap, flap little bats,

Flap, flap, flap little bats,

Early in the evening.

Additional Verses:

Clap, clap, clap little bats,

Dance, dance, dance little bats,

Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle little bats,

Soar, soar, soar little bats,

Sleep, sleep, sleep little bats,

Early in the morning.

Song: If you’re a hero and you know it !

(Sung to: If you’re happy and you know it)

If you’re a hero and you know it, Flex your muscles

If you’re a hero and you know it, Flex your muscles

If you’re a hero and you know it than your post will surely show it (heroic pose)

If you’re a hero and you know it flex your muscles.

Verses: Jump up high, Fly around, Run real fast

Song: Super Pokey

We put our right glove in

We put our right glove out

We put our right glove in

And we shake it all about

You do the Super Pokey and you fly yourself around

That’s what it’s all about!

Verses: Left glove, Right boot, Left boot, Mask, Cape, Super Self!

Other Recommended Reads: 

The Day I Lost My Superpowers by Michael Escoffier and Kris Di Giacomo

(I love this story, but Batman doesn't have SuperPowers so I guess I will save it for next years SRC!)

Batman: Gotham's Villains Unleashed by John Sazaklis; Il by Mada Design, Inc.

(The only other Batman Story I considered. A little long, but a good introduction to his most famous villains.  The Cosentino book has a small section that's basically the same, so this was cut.)

A Place for Bats by Melissa Stewart; Il by Higgins Bond (Very preachy about Bat conservation, which I was okay with except I didn't want to discuss all the ways humans are killing bats.)

Butterfly Storytime!

Sometimes you just have to visit those springtime classics.

Opening Song: If you’re Happy and You know it! (Clap, Stomp, Shout Hurray)

If you’re Ready for a Story, Clap your hands!

If you’re Ready for a Story, Clap your hands!

If you’re Ready for a Story, If you’re Ready for a Story,

If you’re Ready for a Story, Clap your hands!

Sit Down Song:

The more we read together, together, together

The More we read together, the happier we’ll be,

‘Cause my books are your books and your books are my books,

The More we read together, the happier we’ll be.

Book One: The Butterfly by Anna Milbourne and Cathy Shimmen



Song:
Bugs 

Sung to: "Frere Jacques"

Big bugs, small bugs, big bugs, small bugs,
See them crawl on the wall?
Creepy, creepy, crawling, never, never falling.
Bug, bugs, bugs, bugs, bugs, bugs.

Book Two: The Furry Caterpillar by Felicia Law; Ill by Claire Philpott and Karen Radford




Song:
A Butterfly is on my toe 
Sung to: "Farmer in the Dell"

A butterfly is on my toe,
A butterfly is on my toe,
Hi-ho, just watch me blow.
A butterfly is on my toe

Other verses: A fly is on my nose ,my head, my ear, my elbow, my knee,
etc..

Book Three: Don't Worry Bear by Greg Foley



Songs:

Hunting Bugs 

Sung to: "A- Hunting we will go"

A-hunting we will go
A -hunting we will go
We'll catch a (insert any insect here)
and put it in a box
(loudly) and then we'll let it go!

Insect Song 
Sung to: "The Wheels on the Bus"

The firefly at night goes blink blink blink
Blink blink blink blink blink blink
The firefly at night goes blink blink blink
All around the town
The bees in the flowers go buzz buzz buzz....
The ants in the grass go march march march...
The crickets in the leaves go chirp chirp chirp...
The caterpillar in the field goes creep creep creep....

Can you move with me? 
Sung to: "Do Your Ears Hang Low"

Can you wiggle like a worm?
Can you squiggle? Can you squirm?
Can you flutter? Can you fly like a gentle butterfly?
Can you crawl upon the ground
Like a beetle that is round?
Can you move with me?

Can you flip? Can you flop?
Can you give a little hop?
Can you slither like a snake?
Can you give a little shake?
Can you dance like bee
Who is buzzing round a tree?
Can you move with me?

The Life Of A Butterfly  added 5-19-02 Original Author Unknown
Sung to: "Skip to My Lou"

I'm a caterpillar, wiggle with me,
I'm a caterpillar, wiggle with me,
I'm a caterpillar, wiggle with me,
What'll I be, my darlin'?

A chrysalis, now sleep like me.....
What'll I be, my darlin'?

A butterfly, come fly with me...
Come fly with me my darlin'.

Closing Song:
The More we get together

Recommended Reads:
Ten Little Caterpillars by Bill Martin Jr and Lois Ehlert
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Bob and Otto by Robert and Nick Bruel

Todays Craft comes from Mama.Papa.Bubba:

April Showers Bring May Flowers Storytime!

Goodbye April, Hello May!

Opening Song: If you’re Happy and You know it! (Clap, Stomp, Shout Hurray)

If you’re Ready for a Story, Clap your hands!

If you’re Ready for a Story, Clap your hands!

If you’re Ready for a Story, If you’re Ready for a Story,

If you’re Ready for a Story, Clap your hands!

Sit Down Song:

The more we read together, together, together

The More we read together, the happier we’ll be,

‘Cause my books are your books and your books are my books,

The More we read together, the happier we’ll be.

Book One: Rain by Manya Stojic



Songs:

Look Out the Window  Sung to: "Frere Jacques"

What's the weather, what's the weather,
On this (Monday), On this (Monday)?
Let's look out the window,
Let's look out the window?
It is (Sunny), It is (Sunny).
Replace ( ) for the appropriate word.

Zim-bam, Zim-bam 
Sung to: "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star"

Zim-bam, zim-bam, zim-bam-bee,
Rain is falling on the tree.
zim-bam, zim-bam, zim-bam-by,
Rain is falling from the sky.
Zim-bam, zim-bam, zim-bam-boo,
Rain is falling on us too

Book Two: Are You Ready to Play Outside by Mo Willems




Song:

Umbrellas Fingerplay 

(Use fingers or make umbrella puppets)

Five umbrellas stood by the back door,
The red one went outside, then there were four.
Four umbrellas pretty as can be,
The blue one went outside, then there were three.
Three umbrellas with nothing to do,
The green one went outside, then there was one.
Just one umbrella alone in the hall,
The purple one went outside, and that was all!

Rain is Falling on You 
Sung to: "Happy Birthday"

Rain is falling on you,
Rain is falling on me,
Rain is falling on everyone,
Rain is falling, YIPPEE!!!

Ava's Poppy by Marcus Pfister

Flower Garden 

Sung to: "The Farmer In The Dell"

The farmer plants the seeds
The Farmer plants the seeds
Hi, Ho and Cheery O
The farmer plants the seeds.

(Use the following verses.)
The sun begins to shine
The rain begins to fall
The plants begin to grow
The flowers smile at us

Hello Spring Time! 

Sung to: "Good Night Ladies"

Hello spring time
Hello spring time
Hello spring time
We're glad spring time is here.

Hello flowers
Hello flowers
Hello flowers
We're glad spring time is here!

Hello green grass... We're glad spring time is here.
Hello birds... We're glad spring time is here.
(To finish song, repeat first verse after you have said hello to all the spring things the children can think of.)

Song: Rainy Pokey

 Put your Umbrella in,

But your umbrella out,

Put your Umbrella in and Shake it all about,

You do the Rainy Pokey and you turn yourself around,

That's what it's all about!

"SPLASH!"

(Other verses: rain boots, rain coat, rain hat, whole self!)

Goodbye song: The More we get together

Craft today inspired by Starting a Preschool:

We'll be making fingerprint raindrop and flower pictures.

Just us Chickens Story Time

In honor of all those Easter Eggs we'll be dying this week...

Opening Song: If you’re Happy and You know it! (Clap, Stomp, Shout Hurray)

If you’re Ready for a Story, Clap your hands!

If you’re Ready for a Story, Clap your hands!

If you’re Ready for a Story, If you’re Ready for a Story,

If you’re Ready for a Story, Clap your hands!

Sit Down Song:

The more we read together, together, together

The More we read together, the happier we’ll be,

‘Cause my books are your books and your books are my books,

The More we read together, the happier we’ll be.

Book 1: Tough Chicks by Cece Meng; Ill by Melissa Suber

Song: Five And Five Eggs  

Five and five eggs
Hold up hands
That makes ten
Sitting on top is mother hen
Fold one hand over the other
Crackle crackle crackle
Clap hands three times
What do I see
Fingers around eyes
Ten fluffy chickens
As yellow as can be
 Hold up ten fingers.

Book 2: Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein

Song: Farm Sounds 

(Sung to: "Wheels on the bus")

The cow in barn goes moo, moo, moo,
Moo, moo, moo. Moo, moo, moo,
repeat
All around the farm.
The pig in the pen goes oink, oink, oink,...........
The hens in the coop go cluck..........
The lambs on the hill go baa,........
The ducks on the pond go quack......

Book 3:

I'm not reading by Jonathan Allen

Songs: 

If I Were a Farmer

(Sung to: "Did you ever see a lassie?")

Oh, if I were a farmer, a farmer, a farmer
Oh, if I were a farmer, what would I do?
I wake up with the rooster
Each morning, each morning
I’d wake up with the rooster, that's what I'd do.
Continue using:
I would feed the baby chickens
I would gather eggs for breakfast

Over In The Barnyard

(Sung to: "Down By The Station")

Over in the barnyard
Early in the morning,
See the yellow chickies
Standing in a row.
See the busy farmer
Giving them breakfast.
Cheep, cheep, cheep, cheep.
Off they go.
(Substitute other barnyard animals.

Old MacDonald Had a Farm

Ee-Aye-Ee-Aye-O

And on this farm he had a chick

Ee-Aye-Ee-Aye-O

With a peep peep, here and a peep peep there.

Here a peep, there a peep, everywhere a peep, peep.

Old MacDonald Had a Farm

Ee-Aye-Ee-Aye-

And: The Chicken Dance!

This week's Craft comes from I Heart Crafty things:

Cupcake Liner Chicks

Other Recommended Reads:
Chicks Run Wild by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen; Ill by Ward Jenkins
Chicken Butt by Erica S Perl; Illustrated by Henry Cole
Five Little Chicks by Nancy Tarfuri

Happy to Be Me Storytime!

This storytime was a request from one of my preschools, and I love it!

Opening Song: If you’re Happy and You know it! (Clap, Stomp, Shout Hurray)

If you’re Ready for a Story, Clap your hands!

If you’re Ready for a Story, Clap your hands!

If you’re Ready for a Story, If you’re Ready for a Story,

If you’re Ready for a Story, Clap your hands!

Sit Down Song:

The more we read together, together, together

The More we read together, the happier we’ll be,

‘Cause my books are your books and your books are my books,

The More we read together, the happier we’ll be.

Book 1:
Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed by Mo Willems

Show Me If You Can

Sung to: "Go In and Out The Window"

Where is your finger?
Where is your finger?
Where is your finger?
Show me if you can.
Good, now where's your nose?
Now, where is your nose?
Now, where is your nose?
Show me if you can. (Use other body parts.)

Book Two: I like Myself by Karen Beaumont; Illustrated by David Catrow

I Am Special

Sung to: "Are You Sleeping?"

I am special, I am special,
Look at me, Look at me.
A very special person, A very special person
That is me, That is me.

I am special,
I am special,
Yes I am.
Yes I am.
I'm a really neat kid
And a very sweet kid,
Yes I am,
Yes I am.

Some Little Faces

Sung to: "I'm a Little Teapot"
Some little faces I have seen
Some were sad and some were mean
But the one little face with the smile was the best
That was the happiest of all the rest.

Book Three: I'm Bored by Michael Ian Black; Illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi

Hands On Shoulders

Hands on shoulders, hands on knees,
Hands behind you if you please.
Touch your shoulders, now your nose,
Now your chin and now your toes.
Hands up high in the air,
Down at your sides and touch your hair.
Hands up high as before,
Now clap your hands--one, two, three, four.

Head And Shoulders

Head and shoulders, knees and toes,
Knees and toes, knees and toes,
Head and shoulders, knees and toes,
Eyes, ears, mouth and nose.

Ankles, elbows, feet and seat, feet and seat,
Ankles, elbows, feet and seat, feet and seat,
And hair and hips and chin and cheeks,
Ankles, elbows, feet and seat, feet and seat.

  

Tony Chestnut

Tony Chestnut knows I love you.   Point to your toes, knees, chest, head, nose, eyes, heart and to a friend.

Tony knows.  (Tony knows.) Point to your toes, knees and nose.

Tony Chestnut knows I love you. 

That's what Tony knows.

Tony, Tony and his sister Eileen.  Point to your toes, knees, toes, knees then lean to the right.

And Eileen loves Neil and Neil loves Pat.  Everyone lean to the right, kneel and pat your shoulders.

But Pat still loves Bob. Pat your shoulders and bounce your head back and forth.

And there's Russell and Skip.  Standup, wiggle your legs then skip in place.

This song is silly, but it's hip. Make a silly face then stick out your right hip and point to it.

How it ends, just one man knows. Turn and point to your bottom.

And guess what (what), it's Tony Chestnut.  

Johnny works with One Hammer

1. Johnny works with one hammer,
One hammer, 1 hammer,
Johnny works with 1 hammer,
Then he works with two.
(Hammer one fist lightly on leg)

2. . . . Two hammers
(Hammer both fists on legs)

3. . . . Three hammers
(Hammer both fists on legs and one foot on the floor)

4. . . . Four hammers
(Hammer both fists on legs and both feet on the floor)

5. Johnny works with five hammers,
Five hammers, five hammers,
Johnny works with five hammers
(Hammer both fists on legs, both feet on floor, and nod head down and up)
Then he goes to sleep.
(Rest head on joined palms, pretending to go to sleep)

And finally - Hokey Pokey!

Closing Song: The More We Get Together

Today's Craft:

We're going outside! So we're drawing self-portraits with Sidewalk chalk!

Recommended Reads:

Hello my Name is Bob by Linas Alsenas

I'm Not by Pam Smallcomb and Robert Weinstock

Superhero Storytime!

Wizard World Comic Con is coming to St. Louis this weekend, so in honor of that (and because this Storyteller is super excited) we are doing Superhero Storytime!!!

Opening Song: If you’re Happy and You know it! (Clap, Stomp, Shout Hurray)

If you’re Ready for a Story, Clap your hands!

If you’re Ready for a Story, Clap your hands!

If you’re Ready for a Story, If you’re Ready for a Story,

If you’re Ready for a Story, Clap your hands!

Sit Down Song:

The more we read together, together, together

The More we read together, the happier we’ll be,

‘Cause my books are your books and your books are my books,

The More we read together, the happier we’ll be.

Book One: Baron von Baddie and the Ice Ray Incident by George McClements

Fingerplay: Counting Superheroes

(From jbrary.com)

5 superheroes ready to fly

Here comes the villain, Stop that guy!

This superhero can save the day.

Off he flies – up, up, and away!

Count down from 4, 3, 2, 1, 0

Book Two: Princess Super Kitty by Antoinette Portis

I’m a Superhero Big and Strong

(Tune: I’m a Little Teapot)

I’m a Superhero Big and strong

My clothes are tight and my cape is long

When someone needs help they call my name

And I fly there faster than a jet airplane!

Song: Superhero, Superhero, Turn around 

(From jbrary.com)

Superhero, superhero turn around

Superhero, superhero touch the ground

Superhero, superhero put on your suit

Superhero, Superhero put on your boots.

Superhero, Superhero, jump up high

Superhero, Superhero, fly, fly, fly

Superhero, Superhero, turn around.

Superhero, Superhero, please sit down.

Book Three: Kapow by George O'Connor

Song:Did you ever see a Superhero?

(From jbrary.com)

Did you ever see a hero, a hero, a hero,

Did you ever see a hero, flying through the sky?

Fly this way and that way, and that way and this way

Did you ever see a hero flying through the sky?

Verses: Putting on their cape, hopping on one foot, saving the day, twirling around

Superhero

(sung to: Wheels on the Bus)

The Superheroes arms flex and lift,

Flex and lift, flex and lift, the superheroes arms flex and lift, all around the town.

Eyes go zap, zap, zap

Legs run very fast

Legs jump super high

Flies zoom zoom zoom

The person in trouble yells help help help!

The superhero goes to save the day

If you’re a hero and you know it !

(Sung to: If you’re happy and you know it)

If you’re a hero and you know it, Flex your muscles

If you’re a hero and you know it, Flex your muscles

If you’re a hero and you know it than your post will surely show it (heroic pose)

If you’re a hero and you know it flex your muscles.

Verses: Jump up high, Fly around, Run real fast

Super Pokey

We put our right glove in

We put our right glove out

We put our right glove in

And we shake it all about

You do the Super Pokey and you fly yourself around

That’s what it’s all about!

Verses: Left glove, Right boot, Left boot, Mask, Cape, Super Self!

Today's craft is a combination from FirstPalette.com and Me!

First, we will make these Superhero masks (they can choose!)

Color, cut out, holepunch, add string, instant superhero mystique!

Then we will make our own logo!

Last time I did this, I made my own logo with an SL (SuperLibrarian!) and taped it to my chest and cape. It's also great because we can talk about the words "logo," "emblem," and "initials."

Other Recommended Reads:

I chose the books that I chose this week because one has a male superhero/villian, one has a female, and one has both! But here are some that almost made the cut because they were also adorable:

Hero Dad by Melinda Hardin; Illustrated by Bryan Langdo (A great story for a military family)

The Amazing Adventures of Bumblebee Boy or Ladybug Girl by David Soman and Jacky Davis (sibling rivalry story!)

Super Duck by Jez Alborough (cute)

Superhero by Marc Tauss (actual black and white photos of an African American boy playing superhero which is great because there isn't enough African-American representation in mainstream superheros)

The Wonder Woman, Batman, and Superman Origin books from Ralph Cosentino (Superheroes have been going darker to capture adult audiences and alienate kids, who still love them. These are kid friendly introductions to the heroes they want to love but can't see in the theatre.)

Have a Super Week!