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!

Pirate Librarian: Sea Shanties

Pirate Songs to go with your Pirate Storytime:

I put in anywhere from 3 to 8 songs per storytime, depending on the age group, the availability, and the length of songs on the subject I’m reading about.  People often ask, “How do you get kids to sit still for storytime?” The answer is, “I don’t.”  Active songs bring a kinesthetic aspect for storytime and break up the “sit still and shut up” aspect of storytime.

The main reason I like to include Roger the Jolly Pirate by Brett Helquist in my storytime, because you can use the words to "What would you do with a drunken sailor?" in a kids storytime.  They get to sing a real sea shanty without, you know, the alcoholism.  The words and the tune are in the back of  Helquist’s book, but here is the first verse:

"Oh What shall we do with our Jolly Roger?

What shall we do with our Jolly Roger?

Oh What shall we do with our Jolly Roger?

Ear-ly in the morning.

Way-hey, up she rises,

Way-hey, up she rises,

Way-hey, up she rises,

Dreaded Jolly Roger."

It goes on like that, with each verse about parts of the story. Ask the children what happened and introduce the verses lyrics that way. Usually, a parent will answer but really try to encourage the kids to.  Narrative skills (recalling a story just read in narrative form) is a skill they will use the rest of their lives.

 The Hokey Pokey is an awesome song because it is one of the easiest Piggy-back songs there is.  I would be ashamed with how many times I've used the hokey pokey when I've gotten into a spot with Preschool-friendly songs, but I can't bring myself to be. (Repetition is good for learning right?) 

Here's the Pirate Pokey:

 "You put your right hook in, you put your right hook out, you put your right hook in and you shake it all about. You do the pirate pokey and your turn yourself around, that's what it's all about. Pirate Pokey! Arrrrrh!"

Continue with, Left hook, right boot, peg leg, eye patch, pirate hat, whole pirate self. You, of course, turn your hands into hooks, cover your eye for eye patch, put your hands on your head in for hat, and I like to tell them to keep their leg really straight for peg leg, because it's funnier that way.

There are also great Pirate Songs Listed on Born Librarian’s Blog here:

These went over really well at my Pirate Storytime, though I have to say that we replaced a line in “Pirate and you Know it.”   Instead of :

“If you’re a pirate and you know it, then you'll hear the sea winds blowin.”

We said:

“If you’re a Pirate and you know it, then your growl will surely show it.  Yarrrh!”

Another excuse to yell “Yarrrh!” during a storytime is always good I think.

So there you have it.  Pirate books (here) and Pirate songs to make a great Pirate Storytime for your little Pirates.