Blog Post
PreK Bits - "E" is for elephants
by ryanikoglu
Ms. Rachel brought Elephants to storytime.
SEVEN BLIND MICE is a classic folktale from India retold by Ed Young.
The song sung in the story is the same tune as “One Elephant” on the CD GREAT BIG HITS! by Sharon, Lois and Bram
Ms. Sara sang and played guitar to “Put Your Finger In The Air” ... while Ms. Rachel led the actions. There is a version of this song on the CD HONK HISS TWEET GGggg by Tom Glazer.
Then Elephant & Piggy told the story I AM INVITED TO A PARTY! by Mo Willems.
For more great elephant stories, try the following:
5 ELEPHANTS by Rob Laidlaw. 5 stories of famous “real” elephants.
ELLA by Bill Peet.
ELMER by David McKee.
17 KINGS And 42 ELEPHANTS by Margaret Mahy.
The BABY SWAP by Jan Ormerod
ELEPHANTASTIC! by Michael Engler.
NANCY KNOWS by Cybele Young.
The LAST KING Of ANGKOR WAT by Graeme Base, a master of search-and-find illustrations.
OLIVER’S TREE by Kit Chase.
For elephant silliness try ELEPHANTASTIC: a trunkful of unforgettable jokes … if you like jokes and riddles.
For an informational journey of elephants in the wild .... watch together BORN To Be WILD 2011.
For pure enjoyment of language and great storytelling try the Rabbit Ears edition of Rudyard Kipling’s jungle stories on DVD … HOW THE RHINOCEROUS GOT HIS SKIN and The ELEPHANT’S CHILD.
Blog Post
PreK Bits - "D" is for Driving
by ryanikoglu
You have to be careful when you drive.
There are consequences.
Ms. Rachel told two stories about driving.
The first story was a cautionary tale ... DON’T LET The PIGEON DRIVE The BUS by Mo Willems. You probably already know why.
Ms. Sara accompanied the song "Wheels On The Bus" while Ms. Rachel led the motions.
You can hear “Wheels On The Bus” on the CD HONK HONK RATTLE RATTLE
Ms. Rachel tried to teach a driving lesson, just like the book IN The DRIVER’S SEAT.
The library no longer owns a circulating copy of the book but you can request this title from MelCat Michigan Electronic Library, using your AADL card.
If you want to continue on this theme, try the following titles:
MOO! by David LaRochelle
MITCHELL’S LICENSE by Hallie Durand.
GOOD DRIVING AMELIA BEDELIA! by Herman Parish
AXLE ANNIE And The SPEED GRUMP by Robin Pulver.
MERCY WATSON GOES FOR A RIDE by Kate DiCamillo.
MILES To GO by Jamie Harper.
RED LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT by Anastasia Suen.
LET'S GO For A DRIVE by Mo Willems
JIM GILL SINGS DO-RE-MI On HIS TOE LEG KNEE
Remember to adjust your mirrors when you take the driver's seat!
Also use your turn signal lights.
Blog Post
PreK Bits - "C" is for crocodiles
by ryanikoglu
Ms. Rachel had tricky stories today. Crocodiles lost. Chickens and Monkeys won.
In MRS CHICKEN And The HUNGRY CROCODILE, Mrs Chicken convinces Crocodile that they are sisters because they both lay eggs. “You can’t eat your sister !!”
Ms. Sara played guitar and sang “Chick-chick Chicken” from Sharon Lois and Bram SING A-Z and the play-song ”Miss Lucy Had a Baby”. You can find this song in the kit SHAKE IT TO The ONE THAT YOU LOVE The BEST songs and play from Black musical traditions.
In COUNTING CROCODILES Monkey held a count off with the crocodiles in the sea.
For more tricky crocodile stories and songs try these favorites:
The CD CLUCK OLD HEN by Barnyard Seranade. They perform a riot of chicken songs for you to cluck and peck to.
SOLOMON CROCODILE by Catherine Rayner.
LYLE, LYLE CROCODILE by Bernard Waber. Bernard Waber has many classic stories that continue to appeal.
CORNELIUS: A Fable by Leo Lionni.
The WATERMELON SEED by Greg Pizzoli.
I'D REALLY LIKE TO EAT A CHILD by Sylviane Donnio.
OPEN VERY CAREFULLY by Nicola O'Byrne.
Blog Post
PreK Bits - "B" is for buttons !
by ryanikoglu
In Ms Rachel's Storytime this week ... each story had buttons.
A very big favorite character is PETE The CAT And His FOUR GROOVY BUTTONS by Eric Litwin. When Pete lost a button did he cry?
"Goodness No! Buttons come and buttons go." He just kept on walking!
Ms. Sara accompanied the group singing "My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean", while Ms. Rachel led action to go with the song. Be careful about those "B"s!
Frog told the story of “The Lost Button” from FROG And TOAD ARE FRIENDS by Arnold Lobel. Toad lost a button. Each button they found was not the one Toad lost. But Toad was so grateful for Frog's help that he made him a special gift with the leftover buttons. This is why they are best friends forever !!
For more stories about why buttons are special, try these titles:
ELIZA’S KINDERGARTEN SURPRISE by Alice B. McGinty
HANNAH’S COLLECTION by Marthe Jocelyn
GRANDMA’S BUTTON BOX by Linda Williams Aber
SOMETHING FROM NOTHING by Phoebe Gilman
PRESS HERE by Herve Tullet
BUTTON UP! WRINKLED RHYMES by Alice Schertle
CORDUROY by Don Freeman.
The BELLY BOOK by Fran Manushkin. Guess where "the button" is?
Blog Post
PreK Bits - "A" is for Amphibians (aka Frogs+)
by ryanikoglu
Who let the frogs out ?
Ms. Rachel let the frogs out for storytime!
We learned WHY The FROG HAS BIG EYES by Betsy Franco
Ms Sara and her banjo played with our children's choir to sing and count “Five Green Speckled Frogs” ...who were eating most delicious bugs … "YUMM!".
We also sang an all-action song "She'll Be Coming 'Round The Mountain". You can hear Jewel's version on the CD The MERRY GOES ROUND.
We found who upset the ONE DOG CANOE by Mary Casanova
For more amphibious antics try the following frog tales:
FROG And FLY: six slurpy stories by Jeff Mack
THAT”S MINE! by Michel van Zeveren
A FROG IN The BOG by Karma Wilson
TUESDAY by David Wiesner. Frogs rise on their lily pads, float through the air, and explore the nearby houses while their inhabitants sleep. The 1992 Caldecott winner.
CROAKY POKEY You can read this book and then DO this book all together.
999 TADPOLES and 999 FROGS WAKE UP Ken Mimura. These will tune-up your counting fingers well.
Blog Post
"F" is for Farm Fun
by ryanikoglu
Things were happening on the farm this week during Ms. Rachel storytime.
OUT Of The EGG by Tina Matthews is a twist on the traditional LITTLE RED HEN story.
Ms. Sara sang and accompanied “B-I-N-G-O" and "Old MacDonald Had a Farm“.
PIGGY IN The PUDDLE by James Marshall is a silly story of a family of pigs … and a mud puddle of course!
For more preschool farm fun try these favorites:
E-I-E-I-O:How Old MacDonald Got His Farm by Judy Sierra.
ROSIE’S WALK by Pat Hutchins.
STANLEY The FARMER by William Bee.
LIFE-SIZE FARM: An Actual Size Animal Encyclopedia
The NOISY FARM: Lots Of Animal Noises To Enjoy! by Marni Mcgee.
HENRY’S MAP by David Elliot.
For families that like a longer story, turn of phrase, deeper details, or different vocabulary, try these favorites:
CHESTER The WORLDY PIG and COCK-A-DOODLE DUDLEY by Bill Peet.
MILLIE WAITS For The MAIL by Alexander Steffensmeier.
The YEAR At MAPLE HILL FARM by Alice Provensen.
The CHICKEN-CHASING QUEEN Of LAMAR COUNTY by Janice N. Harrington.
OLD MIKAMBA HAD A FARM by Rachel Isadora
Blog Post
PreK BITS - "G" is for Gardens
by ryanikoglu
Ms. Rachel told garden stories in Preschool Storytime this week.
“The Garden” is from FROG And TOAD ALL YEAR by Arnold Lobel
WHAT DOES BUNNY SEE? is a rhyming color and flower poetry book by Linda Sue Park
You can find the ”Wake Up You Sleepyheads” action song recorded on Sing It! Say It! Stamp It! Sway It! by the Allards.
Ms. Sara sang "The Garden Song" also known as "Inch By Inch". It is recorded on Ten Carrot Diamond by Charlotte Diamond.
For more spring garden stories try the following:
UP IN The GARDEN And DOWN IN The DIRT
LOLA PLANTS A GARDEN
BUMBLEBEE, BUMBLEBEE, DO YOU KNOW ME?
SOPHIE’S SQUASH. Sophie makes friends with a very special squash.
ALISON'S ZINNIA, an alphabet book.
MAKING BUTTERFLY GARDENS, a garden book for children to do with adults.
PLANT A LITTLE SEED. The children participate in community gardens.
TEN HUNGRY RABBITS, a color and vegetable garden book.
MUNCHA! MUNCHA! MUNCHA! by Candace Felming
LINNEA IN MONET'S GARDEN, which can also be seen on DVD
Get out your garden gloves and prepare to plant.
Blog Post
PreK BITS - "I" is for "Issues" ... with clothing!
by ryanikoglu
We had issues with clothing in Ms. Rachel’s Storytime this week.
BROWN BEAR In A BROWN CHAIR was sad and flat since nobody sees her sitting there. Is there a solution?
PETE The CAT: I Love My White Shoes keeps stepping in stuff that change the color of his new white shoes. Does he worry? Goodness NO!
"Cinderella Dressed In Yellow" is a jumping rope rhyme. You can find versions on YouTube and write your own verses.
For more stories about clothing issues try these favorites:
MR. FRANK by Irene Luxbacher … when Grandfather, the tailor, comes to live with the family.
ZORRO GETS AN OUTFIT … and how embarrassing!
PINK ME UP! when Daddy takes Violet to the Pink Girls Pink-nic. He needs a bit more pink to join in the fun.
MORRIS MICKLEWHITE And The TANGERINE DRESS … Morris loves an orange dress. It's beautiful. It's tactile. It's the color of tigers, and mother’s hair, and his cat MOO.
The GROWING STORY by Ruth Krauss. How to know you are growing ... when you think you are not.
NAKED! What's more fun than being naked?
MR TUGGLE’S TROUBLES … finds himself wearing a strange assortment of items as pieces of clothing go missing.
The KETTLES GET NEW CLOTHES. Evryone has their own opinions.
ANIMALS SHOULD DEFINITELY NOT WEAR CLOTHING! … persuasive examples in case you do not already know why.
So many issues. So little time.
Blog Post
PreK Bits - "S" is for Splendid Spring Stories
by ryanikoglu
Ms. Rachel shared bunny tales from WAITING FOR SPRING STORIES by Bethany Roberts.
Bunnies are in each episode of “Spring Showers” and “The Wind And The Clothes”.
Since the book is out-of-print and no longer in our library, you would be able to request this title through MelCat loan.
Ms. Sara sang and accompanied the song “Wake Up You Sleepyheads” while Ms. Rachel led the action.
The Allard's sing this song on their CD Sing it! Say it! Stamp it! Sway it! : vol. 1.
For more spring stories try the following favorites:
AND THEN IT’S SPRING by Julie Fogliano.
WAKE UP! IT’S SPRING! by Lisa Campbell Ernst.
HOME FOR A BUNNY by Margaret Wise Brown.
JUST PLAIN FANCY by Patricia Polacco. Two young Amish girls are concerned when one of their hen eggs hatches into an extremely fancy bird.
HANK FINDS AN EGG by Rebecca Dudley. Hank finds a lost eggs and tries to return it to its home.
MUNCHA! MUNCHA! MUNCHA! by Candace Fleming. Ach! Rabbits in the veggie garden!!
And then of course the classic! The TALE OF PETER RABBIT by Beatrix Potter, with Peter’s sisters Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail.
You may choose more spring stories from our public list PreK Bits – SPRING Stories for 1-6 yrs.
Blog Post
PreK Bits - "A" is for April foolishness
by ryanikoglu
Ms. Rachel fooled around with foolish stories in Preschool Storytime.
MOST WONDERFUL EGG In The WORLD ...a story about three hens who argue over who is most beautiful. Since they can't settle the argument, the wise Queen must decide.
We made ourselves into chickens and danced the "Chicken Pokey" ... using chicken language!
DUCK ! RABBIT !... for those who don't know when to let go of an argument.
For more Foolishness, try the following favorites:
The TORTOISE And The HARE, a fable where humble wins. This version is illustrated by award winning Jerry Pinkney.
STREGA NONA: An Old Tale by award winning Tomie DePaola. The spaghetti wins !
The GREAT FUZZ FRENZY by award winning Janet Stevens. The Fuzz wins !
SHEEP IN WOLF'S CLOTHING by Helen Lester
CAMPING SPREE WITH MR. MAGEE by Chris Van Dusen.
JUST JOKING: 300 hilarious jokes, tricky tongue twisters, and ridiculous riddles
KNOCK KNOCK! WHO's THERE?