Welcome Song: Clap and Sing Hello (to the tune of The Farmer in the Dell)
We clap and sing hello,
We clap and sing hello,
With our friends at story time,
We clap and sing hello!
We tap and sing hello // We stretch and sing hello // We wave and sing hello
Source: Storytime Katie
Song: The Wheels on the Bus
Book: Nothing Can Frighten a Bear by Elizabeth Dale; illustrated by Paula Metcalf
Baby bear wakes up when he hears a loud roar. Is it a monster? The whole bear family take a hike through the woods to show Baby Bear he has nothing to fear. After all, nothing can frighten a bear! But when they reach the end of the trail, Daddy and Baby Bear turn around and the rest of the family is gone! Could monsters actually be real??
Everyone really loved this rhyming book. I recommend it for a slightly older crowd since it’s fairly long.
Song: Row Row Row Your Boat
I do three verses of this classic:
Row row row your boat (the traditional way) //
Rock rock rock your boat, sway from side to side
Merrily merrily merrily merrily what a bumpy ride (bump hands on lap) //
Row row row your boat, gently down the stream
If you see a crocodile (crocodile snap with arms)
Don’t forget to scream (*AH*)
Song: Itsy Bitsy Spider
Itsy Bitsy Spider (sung normally)
Teeny Weeny Spider (sung in falsetto)
Great Big Hairy Spider (sung deeply)
Song: Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
Sung three times, getting faster each time.
Wiggle Rhyme: Watch Out for the Bugs(to the tune of Jingle Bells)
Clap your hands, stomp your feet
Wiggle all around
Throw your hands up in the air and now let’s touch the ground
Touch your head, touch your hips, give yourself a hug
Now sit down upon the floor
But watch out for the bugs!! (stamp out the bugs)
Book: Bear Can’t Sleep by Karma Wilson & Jane Chapman
It’s winter and Bear should be sleeping! His friends are concerned and try different things to help Bear fall asleep. I love the whole Bear series. They’re all lovely (and all rhyme!).
Flannel: Five Little Bears
Five little bears heard a loud roar,
One ran away and now there are four.
Four little bears climbing up a tree,
One slid down and now there are three.
Three little bears deciding what to do,
One fell asleep and now there are two.
Two little bears having lots of fun,
One went home and now there is one.
One little bear feeling all alone,
He went home to mama and now there are none.
Source: King County Library System
Action Rhyme/Puppet: Five Little Monkeys Swinging from the Tree
Book: The Very Cranky Bear by Nick Bland
Rhyming book about a cranky bear whose nap gets disturbed by zebra, lion, moose, and sheep. What can they do to make him feel better? One of my story time favorites!
Egg Shakers: Shake It by Sally’s Music Circle
Book: Very Hairy Bear by Alice Schertle; illustrated by Matt Phelan
Bear is covered in hair, except for his no-hair nose. This book takes bear through all the seasons and ends with him sleeping in his cave for winter which is perfect for our December story time.
Closing Song: It’s Time to Say Goodbye to Miss Elena (to the tune of She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain When She Comes)
It’s time to say goodbye to Miss Elena, (tap knees)
Goodbye!
It’s time to say goodbye to Miss Elena,
Goodbye!
Oh, it’s time to say goodbye …
Wave your hands … (wave hands)
And wink your eye … (point to eye, wink)
Oh, it’s time to say goodbye to Miss Elena, (tap knees)
Goodbye! (wave)
Adapted from Sunflower Storytime
The Short Stack Librarian 