During the hot summer months we thought it would be fun to host a few eStorytimes again.  It’s a great way to see the different apps that your preschool-aged child may enjoy!


Apps We Shared

APP - Squiggles Logo Squiggles App 1
We blasted off into our outer-space themed eStorytime with the Squiggles app from Lazoo.  Everyone in the group got a chance to draw a squiggle that connected to a rocket ship — and then got to watch the app animate and send the rockets into space!

App - Monster Socks logoMonster Socks app 1 Monster Socks app 2
Our first story app was Monster’s Socks (iOS, Android $1.99).  Poor Monster wakes up in his box one morning to find out his socks are on the run!  He sets out on an adventure that takes him across a river, through the sea and into space as he tries to get them back.

Felt Board app LogoFelt Board App - If You're Going to the Moon 2

Using Felt Board from Software Smoothie ($2.99; iOS) we made a fun action rhyme come to life.  The app has all kinds of options for dressing up the felt people, so we sang this song taken from the blog Mel’s Desk about an astronaut:

 

If You’re Going to the Moon
(to tune of If You’re Happy and You Know It)
If you’re going to the moon, wear your spacesuit (ziiiiip)
If you’re going to the moon, wear your spacesuit (ziiiiip)
If you’re going to the moon and you want to get there soon
If you’re going to the moon, wear your spacesuit (ziiiiip)

Other Verses:
…wear your boots (stomp, stomp)
…wear your helmet (pat head, pat head)
…wear your gloves (clap, clap)
…are you ready and dressed? (say, “Oh yes!”)

Sweet Dreams Mo App logoSweet Dreams Mo App 1
The last app featured in this storytime was Sweet Dreams Mo from StoryToys.  Mo is a cute little purple monster who can’t fall asleep without his best friends there.  He journeys into space to bring back his friends, travelling among planets that will look like familiar objects to readers (a bone for the dog planet, for example).  This book needs a lot of tapping to bring Mo’s friends out from hiding, so everyone got a turn to try.  This is a great, soothing bedtime choice.


Movements

Try these fun actions we did during storytime at home with your child!

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Twinkle, twinkle little star
How I wonder what you are.
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle little star
How I wonder what you are.

Rocket
(rhyme taken from SLC Book Boy)

I’m a rocket on the ground  (crouch down on ground).
Waiting quietly without a sound (say softly and put finger to lips)
Light this fuse on my little toe  (wiggle little toe, or point finger at toe).
Ready for blast off, here I go!  (Put hands over head to form rocket point).
5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1  (Jump into air)
Whooosh!


Book

Zoom Rocket Zoom by Mayo

We took a trip through space with Margaret Mayo’s Zoom Rocket Zoom! illustrated by Alex Ayliffe.  This book features lots of bright pictures and rhymes highlighting what life is like for astronauts.

 

 

 Continue the Fun

Want some more fun apps to play with?

Visit the Children’s Room and play with some of these apps, or others, featured on our iPads.

Or, check out our Pinterest pages:

Apps we Recommend: Preschool (ages 2-5) 

Apps we Recommend: Ages 6 and Up