Rhyme Time: Celebrate Spring

Posted on March 26, 2013 by Lauren

The calendar says it is spring, but the weather still feels a lot like winter. Anticipate warmer days (and one of my kids’ favorite outdoor activities – digging in the dirt) with this fun rhyme, paired with books about springtime if you like!

Plant A Little Seed
I plant a little seed in the cold, cold ground (Squat down and pretend to plant)
Out comes the yellow sun, big and round (Put arms above head like sun)
Down come the raindrops soft and slow (Wiggle fingers down to make rain)
Up comes the flower – grow, grow, grow (jump up like a flower emerging)

The library has many books that beautifully illustrate the anticipation of this season of growth, warmth and all things green. Continue reading →

Rhyme Time: Mother Gooney Bird

Posted on December 27, 2012 by Hilary

Are the kids bouncing off of the walls? Try to tire them out with this active song.

Mother Gooney Bird

(Tune: Father Abraham)

Mother Gooney Bird had seven chicks.
Seven chicks had Mother Gooney Bird.
And they couldn’t fly,
And they couldn’t swim,
They could only go like this:
Right wing (Right arm bent in “wing” position, flaps up and down.)

Repeat, this time add:
Left wing (Left arm goes along with right wing.)

Keep repeating; add one body part each time: Continue reading →

Missouri Building Blocks: If You’re Hoppy

Posted on October 16, 2012 by Hilary

April Sayre’s “If You’re Hoppy” is in the running for this year’s Missouri Building Block Picture Book Award. This twist on the traditional song “If You’re Happy and You Know It” has readers singing along and guessing what animals come next. If you’re hoppy and you know it, you’re…

“a frog.

Or a bunny.

Or a cricket!”

Unexpected asides about growling tummies and pterodactyls will keep readers on their toes and guessing creatively. The comical illustrations will inspire your crew to act out the book. Who wouldn’t want to be a growly dog? Continue reading →

Missouri Building Blocks: Rrralph

Posted on October 8, 2012 by Hilary

Our next Missouri Building Block nominee is Lois Ehlert’s “Rrralph.” To be honest, I am a bit creeped out by the main character’s pop-top nose and zipper mouth (he is a collage of recycled materials). On the other hand, the book is a hit with its intended audience—preschoolers. Kids love pointing out all of the found objects in the illustrations. They also relish the quirky wordplay. Ralph is a talking dog, and young ones enjoy guessing how Ralph will answer questions with a dog’s limited vocabulary (e.g. “roof,” “bark” and “rough.”)

For more fun with this book:

Make your own collage animals. First go on a treasure hunt gathering scraps in your neighborhood or around the house. Then put the pieces together to make your own critters. For more inspiration, look at other books by Lois Ehlert. “Boo to You!” and “Leaf Man” are perfect inspiration for craft time during this fall season. Continue reading →

Rhyme Time: Gray Squirrel

Posted on October 2, 2012 by Angela

Fall is here! There is no better way to celebrate the new season than with a song about the critters you think of most during this time: squirrels.

Gray Squirrel

Gray squirrel, gray squirrel
(Hands like a squirrel.)
Swish your bushy tail.
(Swish your tail.)
Gray squirrel, gray squirrel
(Hands like a squirrel.)
Swish your bushy tail.
(Swish your tail.) Continue reading →