Today we told stories about dogs! There are always so many delightful books about dogs being published; I’m surprised at myself that I had never done this theme before now.


Books We Shared

Smick by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Juana Medina uses very few words and large, free brush strokes to tell a story of a cute dog who befriends a chick.

The photos in The Babies and Doggies Book by John and Molly were so adorable and well-chosen, I think they were a big hit!

Puppet Stories

Bark, George

Bark, George by Jules Feiffer is a classic about a dog who keeps making the sounds of other animals, until a veterinarian discovers that he has all kinds of animals in his stomach. Instead of showing the book (with its slightly scary illustrations) I used a dog puppet to tell the story, and at the part where the vet pulls animals out of his stomach, I had some felt animals hidden up the “sleeve” of the puppet.

Flannel Boards We Shared

Five Little Puppies

Five little puppies were playing in the sun. (Hold up hand, fingers extended.)
This one saw a rabbit, and he began to run. (Bend first finger.)
This one saw a butterfly, and he began to race. (Bend second finger.)
This one saw a pussycat, and he began to chase. (Bend third finger.)
This one tried to catch his tail, and he went round & round. (Bend fourth finger.)
This one was so quiet, he never made a sound. (Bend thumb.)

(Source: https://storytimekatie.com/2012/04/27/flannel-friday-puppies/)

Action Songs & Bounces We Shared

We share a lot of songs, bounces & rhymes during storytime!
You’ll find lyrics/words to those songs & rhymes we shared without CD accompaniment here.

Fleas

On my toe there is a flea
Now he’s climbing on my knee
Past my tummy, past my nose
On my head where my hair grows
On my head there is a flea
Now he’s climbing down on me
Past my tummy, past my knee
On my toe… Take that, you flea!

(Source: https://kcls.org/content/on-my-toe-there-is-a-flea/)

Icky Bicky Soda Cracker

Icky Bicky Soda Cracker
Icky Bicky Boo
Icky Bicky Soda Cracker
Up goes you! (lift baby)

Icky Bicky Soda Cracker
Icky Bicky Boo
Icky Bicky Soda Cracker
I love you! (give baby a hug)

Goodbye Friends (song in sign)

Click here for video:  Goodbye Babies (Friends) 

Goodbye babies, goodbye babies
Goodbye babies, it’s time to say goodbye.

Rhymes We Shared With Scarves

Red Rover

Today when passing out the scarves, I went around to each child and sang,

Red rover, red rover,
send [child’s name] right over!

Then I placed the scarf over the child’s head.

Peek-a-Boo

(cover your face with the scarf)
Peek-a-boo, where are you
Hiding in your…
place! PEEKABOO! (throw the scarf off your face and tickle baby)

(cover your face with the scarf)
Peek-a-boo, I see you
and your smiling…
face! PEEKABOO! (throw the scarf off your face and tickle baby)

One Bright Scarf

One bright scarf waiting for the wind to blow (wave it gently)
Toss it up high (throw it high in the air and catch it)
And wave it down low
Wiggle it FAST!
and wiggle it s…l…o…w……
Hey! (hide it behind you)
Where did it go?
…. Here it is! (bring it back out)

(Source: jbrary–I don’t usually sing it with that melody though, I just say the words)

Music from CDs We Shared

Children love to sing and dance to music.  Here are some of the songs/bounces on CD that we used in storytime.

I went back to “Clap Everybody and Say Hello” from Sally Go Round the Sun by Kathy Reid-Naiman for the opening song. I won’t change it anymore this year. Familiarity is very important for babies and toddlers!

“Ladies Ride” and “Bingo” from Wiggleworms Love You by Old Town School of Folk Music. I also used felt letters for Bingo:

Barks and Books

If you’d like to join us for Barks and Books and read with some real live dogs, we have volunteers from the Humane Society coming on Thursday at 4 pm, with their adorable and gentle dogs. The program is actually intended for older kids who are learning to read, to develop reading confidence. But I’m sure the dog would still enjoy hearing a story together with a toddler or baby!

Continue the Fun

Here are some more books about dogs to check out at your Pasadena Public Library Branch: