” Little Avery becomes concerned after seeing another police shooting of an unarmed man. His parents decide it is time to have “The Talk”. They teach him and his brother a catchy chant to help remember what to do if approached by an officer, while also emphasizing that all policemen are not bad. A to the L to the I-V-E…come home ALIVE….THAT is the key! ” –Amazon.com
Check out this article at BlackNews.com
Books:
Do Not Bring Your Dragon to the Library by JulieGassman and Andy Elkerton
Hello Knights by Joan Holub and Chris Dickason
Puff the Magic Dragon by Peter Yarrow, Lenny Lipton, and Eric Puybaret
Inclusion:
In Do Not Bring Your Dragon to the Library by JulieGassman and Andy Elkerton the main character is a young African American boy. There are many other people of color represented through out the book and a little boy in a wheelchair.
In Hello Knights by Joan Holub and Chris Dickason when the knights take off their helmets at the end of the book they are revealed to be a mixture of boys and girls of various ethnicities.
Flannel Story:
Five friendly dragons gave a loud roar,One flew away, and then there were FOUR.
Four friendly dragons living wild and free,One flew away, and then there were THREE.
Three friendly dragons with so much to do,One flew away, and then there were TWO.
Two friendly dragons breathing fire at the sun,One flew away and then there was ONE.
One friendly dragon oh what a hero!Look! He’s flown away to save the day!Now how many dragons are left? ZERO!
Credit: Totally Toddler
Song:
In and out the castle gate, the knight chased the dragon
The knight thought it was all in good fun
“Rooooarrr” went the dragon
Credit: Adventures of a Bookworm
July Repeating Songs:
All Through the Land (to the tune of “The Wheels on the Bus”)
The wings of the dragon go up and down, up and down, up and down,
The wings of the dragon go up and down, all through the land.
The princess in the tower twirls around, twirls around, twirls around,
The princess in the tower twirls around all through the land.
The Knight gallops his horse, gallop his horse, gallops his horse.
The Knight gallops his horse, all through the land.
The people in the kingdom jump and shout, jump and shout, jump and shout.
The people in the kingdom jump and shout, all through the land.
The Knights Go Marching (to the tune of “The Ants Go Marching”)
The knights go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah,
The knights go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah.
The knights go marching one by one, they stop and stand to see the sun.
And they all go marching, down to the cave, to capture the dragon.
The knights go marching two by two, hurrah, hurrah.
The knights go marching two by two, hurrah, hurrah.
The knights go marching two by two, the stop to see what’s new.
And they all go marching down to the cave, to capture the dragon.
The knights go marching three by three, hurrah, hurrah.
The knights go marching three by three, hurrah, hurrah.
The knights go marching three by three, they stop and rest by the tree.
And they all go marching down to the cave, to capture the dragon.
The knights go marching four by four, hurrah, hurrah.
The knights go marching four by four, hurrah, hurrah.
The knights go marching four by four, they listen to the dragon snore.
And they all go marching down to the cave to capture the dragon.
The knights go marching five by five, hurrah, hurrah.
The knights go marching five by five, hurrah, hurrah.
The knights go marching five by five, they see the dragon, he’s alive.
And they are go marching down to the cave, to capture the dragon.
Credit: Collaborative Summer Library Program
Books:
Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion by Alex T. Smith
Fairly Fairy Tales by Esme Raji Codell and Illustrated by Elisa Chavarri
You Don’t Want a Unicorn! by Ame Dyckman and Illustrated by Liz Climo
Inclusion:
Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion by Alex T. Smith takes a familiar fairy tale and lands it in modern Africa. In this version Little Red’s Auntie Rosie wakes up covered in spots and Little Red needs to bring her some spot medication right away! We are introduced to all kinds of African animal through colorful pictures until we finally meet the Very Hungry Lion!
Flannel Rhyme:
5 Little Unicorns
I saw five little unicorns – creatures from folklore. I watched the blue one prance away, and then there were four.
I saw four little unicorns resting by a tree
I watched the orange one prance away, and then there were three.
I saw three little unicorns, but as near to them I drew
The green one pranced away, and then there were two.
I saw two little unicorns – I watched them run and run
the yellow one pranced away, and then there was one.
I saw a lonely pink unicorn standing in the sun.
when I blinked by eyes, it pranced away, and then there were none.
Song:
Fairies Fly
(sung to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
Fairies fly, fairies fly (undulate fingers as if they were the fairies, moving hands in the air)
All around, all around (move hands around in the air)
Fairies fly up high (Move hands up high)
Fairies fly down low (move hands low)
All around, all around (move hands around in the air)
Credit : Collaborative Summer Library Reading Program
Song:
(Sung to the tune of “If You’re Happy and you Know it”)
There’s a little elf, he’s sitting on my nose.
There’s a little elf he’s sitting on my nose.
He’s sitting on my nose, then off away he goes.
There’s a little elf, he’s sitting on my nose.
There’s a little elf, he’s sitting on my knee.
There’s a little elf, he’s sitting on my knee.
He’s sitting on my knee, then quickly he will flee.
There’s a little elf sitting on my knee.
There’s a little elf, he’s sitting on my head.
Thee’s a little elf, he’s sitting on my head.
He’s sitting on my head, then he goes to find a bed.
There’s a little elf, he’s sitting on my head.
There’s a little elf, he’s sitting on my feet.
There’s a little elf, he’s sitting on my feet.
He’s sitting on my feet, then goes to find a seat.
There’s a little elf, he’s sitting on my feet.
There’s a little elf, he’s sitting on my hair.
There’s a little elf, he’s sitting on my hair.
He’s sitting on my hair, but I don’t really care.
There’s a little elf, he’s sitting on my hair.
Credit : Collaborative Summer Library Reading Program
Craft:
We are open to the public. They are allowed short 15 minutes visits during which time they can pick up a weekly craft kit to go with the story time. We’ll also be doing a video demonstrating how to make it. This week we are doing a magic wand.
Books:
Flannel Rhyme:
5 Pretty Flowers
5 pretty flowers
In the meadow grew.
“Hmm,” I said.
“I bet they smell pretty too!”
I bent down to sniff,
But they tickled my nose!
Ah-choo! Oh no! (with playful exaggeration)
Away 1 flower blows
Continue with 4, 3, 2, 1…
Credit: The Serpentine Library
Song:
Four Seasons (Tune: Skip to My Lou My Darling)
Wind is blowing, what should I do?
Wind is blowing, what should I do?
Wind is blowing, what should I do?
What should I do my darling?
I’ll put my hood up that’s what’ll do
Put my hood up, that’s what’ll do
Put my hood up, that’s what’ll do
That’s what I’ll do my darling.
Snow is falling, what should I do?
Snow is falling, what should I do?
Snow is falling, what should I do?
What should I do my darling?
Put on mittens that’s what’ll do
Put on mittens that’s what’ll do
Put on mittens that’s what’ll do
That’s what I’ll do my darling.
Rain is falling, what should I do?
Rain is falling, what should I do?
Rain is falling, what should I do?
What should I do my darling?
Put on rainboots, that’s what I’ll do
Put on rainboots, that’s what I’ll do
Put on rainboots, that’s what I’ll do
That’s what I’ll do my darling.
Sun is shining, what shall I do?
Sun is shining, what shall I do?
Sun is shining, what shall I do?
What should I do my darling?
Put on sunscreen that’s what I’ll do
Put on sunscreen that’s what I’ll do
Put on sunscreen
that’s what I’ll do That’s what I’ll do my darling.
Books:
Song
I wiggle my fingers. I wiggle my toes.
I wiggle my ears. I wiggle my nose.
I wiggle my shoulders. I wiggle my chin.
I stretch my arms wide and pull them back in.
I wiggle my elbows. I wiggle my knees.
I hop like a bunny. I smile and say, “Cheese!”
Now I have no more wiggles left in me
And I sit on the floor as still as can be.
Source: Storytime with Jason
Song
Walking, walking,
Walking, walking,
Hop, hop, hop
Hop, hop, hop
Running, running, running,
Running, running, running,
Now we stop,
Now we stop.
Tiptoe, tiptoe,
Tiptoe, tiptoe,
Hop, hop, hop
Hop, hop, hop
Running, running, running,
Running, running, running,
Now we stop,
Now we stop.
Marching, marching,
Marching, marching,
Hop, hop, hop
Hop, hop, hop
Running, running, running,
Running, running, running,
Now we stop,
Now we stop.
These early readers are wonderful! And would make good story time books. I’m just going to give you a quote from the author’s facebook page because it says it better than I can:
“Her first book, Princess Truly and The Hungry Bunny Problem, was written for her daughters when she noticed a critical shortage of books featuring smart and capable princesses, especially black princesses with gorgeous natural puffy curls. What started out as a small, independently published project turned into something TRULY magical. In partnership with Amariah Rauscher, she founded Lemon Starfish Books. Lemon Starfish Books is a publishing house on a mission to ensure that all children can find engaging books featuring main characters they can identify with. “
This beautiful book follows 13 black boys as they go through their everyday life. Each page has a poem and art by a different author. In a culture where there are so many misconceptions about black men and boys this is a very important book.
Books:
My Heart by Corinna Luyken
My Heart is Like a Zoo by Michael Hall
In my Heart by Jo Witek and Christine Roussey
Inclusion:
My Heart by Corinna Luyken includes children of all different ethnicities.
Flannel Game:
“Love bug, love bug, oh so smart. Are you hiding behind the (pink) heart?
Credit: Deb’s Design
Activity:
Talk about love and kindness, ask the kiddos for examples of the following:
February 2020 Repeating Songs and Rhymes:
Shake Your Shaker (to the tune of London Bridge)
Shake your shaker in the air,Shake it here, shake it there.Shake your shaker in the air,Shake your shaker.
Shake it high and shake it low,Shake it yes, shake it no.Shake it high and shake it low,Shake your shaker.
Shake it up and shake it down,Rub your shaker on the ground.Shake it up and shake it down,Shake your shaker.
Shake it near and shake it far,Drive your shaker like a car.Shake it near and shake it far,Shake your shaker.
Shake it fast and shake it slow,Shake it stop, shake it go.Shake it fast and shake it slow,Shake your shaker.
Credit: Jbrary
Scarf Song:
Wave Your Scarf
Wave your scarf up and down,
up and down, up and down.
Wave your scarf up and down, wave your scarf.
Verses: left and rigft…
fast and slow…
high and low…
around and around wave it goodbye
Credit: Jbrary
Craft: Bee Valentine
Books:
Peppa Pig and the Career Day Created by Neville Astley and Mark Baker
The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin
I can Be Anything! Don’t Tell Me I Can’t by Diane Dillon
Inclusion:
The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin is filled with a multi-racial cast of sweet babies.
In Be Anything! Don’t Tell Me I Can’t by Diane Dillon features a biracial young girl dreaming of what all she can be, while a negative voice inside her tells her she can’t. She talks the voice down as the book goes on and continues dreaming big dreams.
Flannel Story:
I chose this one in honor of my own career as a librarian!
Five Little Books:
Five little books at the library,
Five little books as great as can be.
Along comes (name) with her library card to take one home and read!
(Count down to zero)
Song:
I chose this song to highlight farming as a career.
Old McDonald had A Farm:
Old MacDonald had a farm
Ee i ee i o
And on his farm he had some cows
Ee i ee i oh
With a moo-moo here
And a moo-moo there
Here a moo, there a moo
Everywhere a moo-moo
I continued with a duck, mouse, dog, and horse to highlight my little finger puppet collection.
February 2020 Repeating Songs and Rhymes:
Shake Your Shaker (to the tune of London Bridge)
Shake your shaker in the air,Shake it here, shake it there.Shake your shaker in the air,Shake your shaker.
Shake it high and shake it low,Shake it yes, shake it no.Shake it high and shake it low,Shake your shaker.
Shake it up and shake it down,Rub your shaker on the ground.Shake it up and shake it down,Shake your shaker.
Shake it near and shake it far,Drive your shaker like a car.Shake it near and shake it far,Shake your shaker.
Shake it fast and shake it slow,Shake it stop, shake it go.Shake it fast and shake it slow,Shake your shaker.
Credit: Jbrary
Scarf Song:
Wave Your Scarf
Wave your scarf up and down,
up and down, up and down.
Wave your scarf up and down, wave your scarf.
Verses: left and rigft…
fast and slow…
high and low…
around and around wave it goodbye
Credit: Jbrary
Craft: We’ll be doing this craft from Storytime Katie.
These simple biographies are a great way to teach kids about serious subjects. In this case the subject is Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. The text is interspersed with speech bubbles. The graphic novel approach might help hook reluctant readers. If you use this for a story time I would suggest school age kids and probably just the one book with some activities.