
We shared some great stories and flannel rhymes about birds during our Preschool Storytime! Here are the books, songs, flannel board, action rhymes and video we shared.
Books We Read
Feathers for Lunch by Lois Ehlert follows a sneaky cat who is bored with his usual canned cat food. He is on the hunt for something “wild” to eat. We follow him as he tries to catch different birds but only ends up with “feathers for lunch” as they all fly away in the nick of time! Suspenseful, colorful, funny and educational – this picture book is a crowd pleaser. At the end of the book you will find factual information about all of the birds who appear on its pages.
Birds written by Kevin Henkes and illustrated by Laura Dronzel is a striking look at the “visuals” birds make at rest and in motion. Each page surprises the reader with its beautiful illustrations and unique take on the life of birds in the wild. The use of symbolism and metaphor is a great takeaway for adults as well.
Toni Yuly’s Early Bird is perfect for infants, toddlers and older preschoolers. The text is simple and the illustrations bold, large and colorful. If you hadn’t already guessed, it’s all about the early bird who catches the worm!
Flannel Board
Five Little Birds
One little bird with lovely feathers blue
He sat beside a red bird and
That made two!
Two little birds, singing in a tree
A green came to join them
That made three!
Three little birds wishing there were more
Along came an orange bird
That made four!
Four little birds glad to be alive
Along came a pink bird
That made five!
Five little birds sang happy songs all day.
Then five little birds spread their wings
And flew away…
Bluebird, Where are YOU?
Say: “My little bluebird loves to hide. I think he’s hiding behind one of these egg, but he won’t come out.”
Ask the children: “Can you help me find him?”
“Let’s say it together! Bluebird where are you? Are you behind the ______ egg?”
(orange, purple, pink, light yellow…)
Continue asking the question until you finally find the bluebird behind the last egg on the board!
Action Songs & Fingerplays 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.
Welcome, Welcome Everyone
(to the tune of Twinkle Twinkle)
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
Open Shut Them – Video: Open Shut Them
Open, shut them, open, shut them, (open and close hands)
Give a little clap, clap, clap. (clap three times)
Open shut them, open shut them (open and close hands)
Put them in your lap, lap, lap. (place hands in lap and bounce them 3X)
Creep them, crawl them, creep them crawl them, (crawl fingers up arms)
Right up to your chinny chin chin. (place fingers on chin)
Open up your little mouth (open mouth and say ahhhhhh)
But do not put them in!! (put hands behind your back)
Credit: Mel’s Desk
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star – Video: Twinkle Twinkle
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.
Goodbye Friends (in sign) – Video: Goodbye Friends
Goodbye babies, goodbye friends,
Goodbye friends, it’s time to say goodbye.
Music from CDs We Shared
Children love to sing and dance to music. Here are some of the action songs & rhymes on CD that we used in storytime. Click onto the CD titles to find these items in our library catalog.
“Clap Everybody and Say Hello” from Sally Go Round the Sun by Carol Hammett and Elaine Bueffel
“We’re Going to the Market” from I Love to Hear the Sounds by Kathy Reid-Naiman [With Shaker Eggs]
“Oh Children Ring Your Bells” from I Love to Hear the Sounds by Kathy Reid-Naiman!
“Jazzy ABCs” from Go Baby Go! by Baby Loves Jazz
Video We Shared
The video we saw – Inch by Inch– is based on the book by Leo Lionni.
Continue the Fun at Home
If you’d like to read more books about birds, check these out from your local Pasadena Public Library!