Fall/Fall Animals Story Time (OUTDOOR/OUTREACH 2021)

I did a version of this storytime five times, once for outdoor storytime and four times for two difference outreach schools (two toddler and two pre-k classes). So I thought I would just combine them into one post. 🙂

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 (tap knees) //
We stretch and sing hello (stretch arms up) //
We wave and sing hello (wave)
Source: Storytime Katie

Song: The Wheels on the Bus

Book: Leaf Trouble by Jonathan Emmett; illustrated by Caroline Jayne Church (pre-K)

A little squirrel wants to save his tree friend when all of their leaves start to fall. Until he learns the tree is resting for winter, just like he’s going to. Not quite as well done as Fletcher and the Falling Leaves but that one was checked out so I made do. 🙂

Book: Hedgehugs by Steve Wilson & Lucy Tapper (pre-K and toddlers)

Haddie and Horace want to hug. But they’re too prickly! Will they ever find a way to have a cozy hedgehug? This book quietly goes through each season so it’s great for a storytime about seasons too.

Action Rhyme: Furry, Furry Squirrel
Furry, furry squirrel,
Hurry, hurry, hop! (run in place, hop)
Scurry up the tree trunk to the very top. (raise arms over head)
When you reach the branches, (hold out arms as branches)
Hurry turn around. (turn around)
Furry, furry squirrel,
Scurry to the ground. (flutter hands down to ground)

I learned this rhyme from a librarian I used to work with, I don’t know where she found it. I like to pretend we’re the squirrels so we get up and get the wiggles out during this rhyme.

Popsicle Stick Rhyme: Five Little Apples
Five little apples lying on the floor,
One rolls away (roll hands) and now there are four.
Four little apples hanging on the tree,
I pick one off and now there are three.
Three little apples and I know just what to do!
I put one in my pocket and now there are two.
Two little apples sitting in the sun,
I’ll pick one up and now there is one.
One little apple waiting in my lunch,
I eat it up with a crunch, crunch, crunch!
Source: King County Library System

Book: Ouch! by Ragnhild Scamell; Michael Terry (pre-K)

A little hedgehug builds the perfect winter nest. But when an apple falls on her and gets stuck, she can’t fit inside anymore! What will she do? And my sincere apologies to Ragnhild Scamell. I probably mispronounce your first name every single time I read this book.

Song: Itsy, Bitsy Spider

Song: Row, Row, Row Your Boat

Recorded Song: The Goldfish — Laurie Berkner Band

Book: The Busy Little Squirrel by Nancy Tafuri (pre-K & toddlers)

All of squirrels friends want him to come play. But he can’t, he’s too busy. A sneaky way to get STEM into your storytime. We talked about hibernation and what squirrels like to store in their winter nests.

Goodbye Song: It’s Time To Say Goodbye to All Our Friends
It’s time to say goodbye to all our friends, (tap knees)
Goodbye!
It’s time to say goodbye to all our friends,
Goodbye!
It’s time to say goodbye …
Wave your hands and wink your eye!
Oh, it’s time to say goodbye to all our friends,
Goodbye! (wave)
Source: Sunflower Storytime

Outdoor Storytime books: Ouch! and The Busy Little Squirrel

Outreach #1 Toddlers: The Busy Little Squirrel and Hedgehugs

Outreach #1 Pre-K: Hedgehugs, Leaf Trouble, and The Busy Little Squirrel

Outreach #2 Toddlers: Hedgehugs and The Busy Little Squirrel

Outreach #2 Pre-K: Ouch!, The Busy Little Squirrel, and Hedgehugs