WE read some great stories about love and hugs during today’s Preschool Storytime!   Here are the books, songs, flannel board, action rhymes and video we shared.


Books We Read

All three of our stories had to do with love and hugs.

In Oh Daddy! by Bob Shea, a little boy is convinced his daddy cannot survive without him.  Every day his daddy asks him how to do something.  His daddy asks him how to get dressed, how to get into the car (without getting stuck in the window)…the questions go on and on until the final question – what is the best way to give a great big HUG??  The story closes with dad and son hugging.

Love Is My Favourite Thing by Emma Chichester Clark touches on the theme of unconditional love.  The dog in the story loves his family and friends.  Emily and Rupert are his family and they love him unconditionally, even when he does some things he really isn’t supposed to do.  There might be a time out or two, but this dog knows that no matter what he does, he is still loved!  (That is why LOVE is his favorite thing).

In Scott Campbell’s Hug Machine, we’re introduced to a little boy who is, well, a HUG MACHINE!  He hugs just about everyone and everything he comes across (even mailboxes and spiky porcupines).  There is no limit to this little guy’s desire to spread love, no matter the obstacle.  A cute story about the healing power of a hug and a boy’s determination to be a superhero of the heart.


Flannel Board (with Magic Hat)

Looking for a Hug!

I’m looking for something warm and snug,
You open your arms and give a great big _______________!
Bug?
Rug?
Slug?
Mug?
Doug?

(Pull out each goofy answer from the magic hat until you give the right one!  (a great big HUG).


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

Knuffle Bunny Too: A case of mistaken identity


Continue the Fun at Home

If you want to read more books about love & hugs, check these out at your local Pasadena Public Library.