For our January 31 storytime, with February right around the corner, we shared stories about groundhogs and shadows in honor of February 2nd, aka Groundhog Day!


Books We Shared
  

Our first story was Shadows by April Pulley Sayre, illustrated by Harvey Stevenson.  We explored many different types of shadows here and there, big and small, and prancing running shadows.  This one is fun to add different motions on as you describe hopping, kicking and more with the shadows.

We examined the animal side of Groundhog Day with our second book A Greyhound, A Groundhog by Emily Jenkins, illustrated by Chris Appelhans.  What happens when a grey, round dog discovers a brown round hog?  A lot of fun and wordplay for the animals and readers both!


Flannel Board Story

5 Little Groundhogs

Patterns and Rhyme from Preschool Favorites: 35 Storytimes Kids Will Love by Diana Briggs

Five little groundhogs on Groundhog Day,
The first one said, “I’ll have a peek if I may.”
The second one said, “Is it warm or cold?”
The third one said, “Let’s get out of this hole.”
The fourth one said, “Is that a shadow I see?”
The fifth one said, “No, it’s only me.”
When the groundhogs popped their heads out,
No shadows did they see.
“Spring is finally here!” they shouted.
“And we’re free, free, free!”

As I put the groundhogs up on the board, caregivers could wiggle their little one’s fingers or toes.


Flannel Board Nursery Rhyme

Little Miss Muffet

Flannelboard from Little Folk Visuals

Little Miss Muffet
Sat on a tuffet,
Eating her curds and whey;
Along came a spider
Who sat down beside her
And frightened Miss Muffet away.

 


Rhymes & Bounces & Songs We Shared without Music

We sing a lot of songs during storytime!  You’ll find lyrics to those songs without music here.

Welcome Song
(to the tune of: “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”)
Welcome, welcome everyone
Now we’re here let’s have some fun.
First we clap our hands just so
Then we bend and touch our toes
Welcome, welcome everyone
Now we’re here let’s have some fun.

Peek-a-Boo
(to the tune of :”Frere Jacques”)
Peek-a-boo. Peek-a-boo. (cover eyes with hands, then remove)
I see you, I see you (point at child)
I see your little nose (touch nose)
I see your tiny toes (touch toes)
Peek-a-boo. Peek-a-boo. (cover eyes with hands, then remove)

Icky Bicky Soda Cracker Bounce
Icky Bicky Soda Cracker (bounce baby gently on knees)
Icky Bicky Boo
Icky Bicky Soda Cracker
Up Goes You! (lift baby into air)

Icky Bicky Soda Cracker (bounce baby gently on knees)
Icky Bicky Boo
Icky Bicky Soda Cracker
I love you! (bring baby in for a cuddle)

Patty Cake
Patty cake, patty cake, baker’s man (clap hands together)
Bake me a cake as fast as you can (clap hands together)
Roll it (roll one hand over the other)
And pat it (pat legs)
And mark it with a “B” (make the letter B on baby’s tummy)
And put it in the oven for Baby and me! (hands flat, then point to baby, then you.)

These Are Baby’s Fingers Tickle
These are baby’s fingers (touch fingers)
These are baby’s toes (touch toes)
This is baby’s belly button (touch belly button)
Round and Round it goes (gently circle round baby’s belly button with finger)

Storytime’s Over
Hands up high! (Put your hands in air)
Now give a big sigh (sigh and bring hands down)
Our storytime’s over
So wave bye-bye (wave)


Music from CDs We Shared

Sometimes it’s fun to sing along with music.  Here are some of the songs and cds used in today’s storytime.


“Clap, Tap and Bend” from It’s Toddler Time by Carol Hammett and Elaine Bueffel
“Itsy Bitsy Spider” from It’s Toddler Time by Carol Hammett and Elaine Bueffel


“Smooth Road to London Town” from A Smooth Road to London Town by Kathy Reid-Naiman


“Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” from Walt Disney’s Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 1


Continue the Fun

Want more stories about shadows and groundhogs?  Check out this out at your Pasadena Public Library branch: