In today’s storytime we read all about the machines and tools that construction workers use! Machines, trucks and tools are fascinating to children and there are a lot of great preschool books on this topic.


Books We Shared


Little Excavator by Anna Dewdney

Little E is so excited to help all the big rigs on the construction site, but he’s too small for most jobs. But when they come to a bridge that they cannot get across, can Little E help? Yes he can!


Push Dig Scoop by Rhonda Gowler Greene and illustrated by Daniel Kirk

Then old counting rhyme “Over in the Meadow” is adapted for construction machines in this fun book full of numbers and action words!


Digger and Tom by Sebastien Braun

Digger struggles at first to remove a difficult rock from the construction site, and the other trucks treat him like he’s too little for the job. But with some encouragement and kindness from his dump truck friend Tom, Digger finds the motivation to keep trying.


Flannelboard Counting: Five Big Dump Trucks

Five big dump trucks rolling down the road.
Five big dump trucks rolling down the road.
One pulls off to unload,
Four big dump trucks rolling down the road.

Four big dump trucks rolling down the road.
Four big dump trucks rolling down the road.
One pulls off to unload,
Three big dump trucks rolling down the road… (etc)

(Inspired by a video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHAD22Q4LFw)

Flannelboard Story: Old MacDonald Had a Woodshop

This flannelboard was based on the book Old MacDonald Had a Woodshop by Lisa Shulman and illustrated by Ashley Wolff:


Movements

Construction equipment can be very complicated–so many buttons! Sing this traditional scout song about a guy who works in a button factory and see if you can press buttons with more than five body parts at once! (http://www.mamalisa.com/?t=es&p=4236)

Hello, My Name is Joe

Hello, my name is Joe,
And I work in a button factory,
One day my boss came up to me and said,
“Are you busy Joe?” I said, “No!”
“Then push this button with your right hand.” (Now start pushing a pretend button with your hand to the beat of the song, and don’t stop until the end!)

Hello, my name is Joe,
And I work in a button factory,
One day my boss came up to me and said,
“Are you busy Joe?” I said, “No!”
“Then push this button with your left hand.” (Now add your left hand, while your right continues to push a button)

Hello, my name is Joe,
And I work in a button factory,
One day my boss came up to me and said,
“Are you busy Joe?” I said, “No!”
“Then push this button with your right foot.” (Add your foot–keep moving your hands!)

Hello, my name is Joe,
And I work in a button factory,
One day my boss came up to me and said,
“Are you busy Joe?” I said, “No!”
“Then push this button with your left foot.” (Add your other foot–now all your limbs are busy!)

Hello, my name is Joe,
And I work in a button factory,
One day my boss came up to me and said,
“Are you busy Joe?” I said, “No!”
Then push this button with your head.” (Add your head–nod!)

Hello, my name is Joe,
And I work in a button factory,
I’ve got a wife, a dog and a family.
One day my boss came up to me and said,
“Are you busy Joe?” I said, “No!”
“Then push this button with your butt.” (Add your derriere–your whole body is shaking now!)

Hello, my name is Joe,
And I work in a button factory,
One day my boss came up to me and said,
“Are you busy Joe?” I said, “YES!!”

The kids didn’t do the song with me, but they thought it was hysterical to watch!


Film We Watched

We watched an animated version of the book Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site written and illustrated by Sherri Duskey Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld. It introduces all the vehicles at the construction site and shows how they settle down after a long day of work.


Music We Danced To

“Boots” and “Song In My Tummy” from The Best of the Laurie Berkner Band

“Shake My Sillies Out” by Raffi, from A Child’s Celebration of Silliest Songs.

Continue the Fun

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





Date presented: Saturday, January 6, 2018