WE read some great stories about shadows during last Saturday’s Preschool Storytime!   And let’s face it – it was an entirely appropriate choice for Groundhog’s Day!  Here are the books, songs, flannel board, action rhymes and video we shared.


Books We Read

  

In Groundhog’s Runaway Shadow by David Biedrzycki we meet a groundhog who loves his shadow UNTIL his shadow gets on his nerves!  Phil is orderly and on time, his shadow…not so much.  Phil likes to eat clover while his shadow has more adventurous taste buds and likes spicy tacos.  Eventually they grow so far apart that Phil gets annoyed and tells his shadow to leave!  His shadow had always wanted to travel (Phil did not) so he begins exploring the world.  Much to Phil’s chagrin his shadow is making headlines everywhere and Phil begins to feel he is missing out (and he is beginning to miss his shadow’s companionship).  To reunite with his shadow, Phil has to go beyond his comfort zone and fly to parts unknown.  This is a wonderful story about friendship, overcoming fears and learning to appreciate differences.  It also makes a good read for Groundhog’s Day!

The Black Rabbit by Phillippa Leathers is a book about a rabbit who just can’t seem to lose his shadow!  Well actually the rabbit thinks his shadow is a scary black rabbit who is out to get him!  When that same shadow manages to scare away a predator, rabbit sees the benefits of having this scary fellow follow him.  A great read aloud for preschoolers!

Nick Sharratt’s picture book, The Foggy Foggy Forest takes shadows and silhouettes to the next level.  Children love guessing what each shadow/silhouette represents and a turn of the page reveals the surprise!  This book is marvelously crafted with exquisite cutouts, gorgeous colors and mythical creatures and characters that delight and enchant.  This one is sure to keep your preschooler engaged throughout.



Flannel Board

Based on the book:  It Looked Like Spilt Milk by Charles G. Shaw

 

View video clip to hear this story read aloud in a special way:

 


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

Max’s Shadow



Continue the Fun at Home

If you’d like to read more books about shadows, check these out from your local Pasadena Public Library!