Storytime Programs - Winter, 2017 - Week One

Welcome to the first week of Winter storytime programs.  In addition to our weekly storytimes, there are numerous special events happening so be sure to check our Events Calendar http://gailbweb.gailborden.info/evanced/lib/eventcalendar.asp, give us a call, or stop by the desk in the Early Learning Center if you would like more information.  We hope that you'll be joining us.  Remember, we have storytime at all three locations! Below you will find some of the books, rhymes, and fingerplays we are presenting this week.

Baby Rhyme Time (For babies 0-11 months and a caregiver)

Books
The Itsy Bitsy Snowman by Burton Click here to find the book in the catalog.
I Love You Snow Much by Magsamen Click here to find the book in the catalog.

Action Rhyme: Making A Snowman
Roll it, roll it, get a pile of snow (roll hands)
Rolling, rolling, we will go
Pat it, pat it, face it to south (pat with hands)
Now my little snowman's done
Eyes, nose, and mouth (point to features)

Your baby loves to hear the sound of your voice!  He won't understand all of your words, but hearing your voice stimulates an interest in sounds and exposes him to the rhythm of language.


Wonderful Ones (For babies 12-23 months and a caregiver)

Books
What Does The Rabbit Say? by Hall Click here to find the book in the catalog.
Honk by Demarest Click here to find the book in the catalog.

Action Rhyme: The Baby Is Trying To Sleep
The chicks say, "Cheep, cheep"
The puppies say, "Woof, woof"
The mommies say, "Shh, shh, the baby is trying to sleep"
The birds say, "Tweet, tweet"
The kittens say, "Meow, meow"
The daddies say, "Shh, shh, the the baby is trying to sleep"

Toddlers love animals!  Be sure to check out some books about your child's favorite ones and read, read, read!


Terrific Twos (For toddlers 2-3 years and a caregiver)

Books
Up & Down by Teckentrup
Penguins, Penguins, Everywhere! by Barner Click here to find the book in the catalog.

Action Rhyme: Waddling Penguins (Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star)
Penguins, penguins having fun
Waddling in the shining sun
Waddling fast and waddling slow
Waddling to and waddling fro
Penguins, penguins having fun
Waddling in the shining sun

We read and sang about penguins this week in storytime.  What did your toddler learn about them?  Have a conversation about them. What colors are they?  Do they like to swim? 

1, 2, Go!  (For children 1-3 years and a caregiver)

Books
Peep And Ducky by Martin Click here to find the book in the catalog.
Higher! Higher! by Patricelli Click here to find the book in the catalog.

Action Rhyme: I Saw A Little Duck
I saw a little duck go hop, hop, hop (hop/jump 3 times)
I told the little duck to stop, stop, stop
I went to the window to say, "How do you do?"
He wagged his little tail and away he flew! (wiggle and fly)

Between 2 and 3 years of age, toddlers learn how to jump off low structures, and eventually how to jump from a standing position. Both of these skills require bilateral coordination, or the ability to use both sides of your body to do something different. Practice this large motor skill.

StoryMix For 3 to 6 (For children 3-6 years without caregiver)

Books
Bear Sees Colors by Wilson Click here to find the book in the catalog.
Blackberry Banquet by Pierce Click here to find the book in the catalog.

Bear's Big Breakfast by Reed Click here to find the book in the catalog.

Action Rhyme: All Around The Strawberry Fields
(Tune: Pop Goes The Weasel)
All around the strawberry fields (clap hands)
We picked some juicy berries
We brought them home and washed them off
Pop, go the berries!  (jump when saying "pop")
(Other verses: blueberry, blackberry, huckleberry, raspberry)

Repeat this rhyme at home.  Preschoolers will love the anticipation of the "pop" at the end of the rhyme!  


Family Jam (For families with young children)

Books
Snappy Little Dinosaurs by Steer
Dinosaur Rap by Foster Click here to find the book in the catalog.
Tyrannosaurus Wrecks! by Bardhan-Quallen Click here to find the book in the catalog.

Families enjoyed movement and dancing along to the Koo Koo Kanga Roo YouTube video.  Click on the following link if you'd like to enjoy it again. 

The word "dinosaur" begins with the letter "d".  What else can you find in your home that begins with the same letter?  

Story Mix for Three to Six: ZANY ZOO ANIMALS: Humongous Hippos

We are finishing our spring Story Mix classes and our theme of ZANY ZOO ANIMALS with humongous hippos!  We've also added the final animal onto our "All Through the Zoo" song!

Children will learn important concepts through repetition and singing, and making animal motions and movements. Encourage your child to use their arms and legs to make the motions of the animals while voicing the sounds. 

Reading together is also an essential early literacy skill in order for children to acquire reading success when they start school.  Shared reading helps children learn the concepts of a book, and also develop a young appreciation for learning and reading. Take a look through our selection of zoo themed books!

All Through the Zoo Song (Sung to the tune of Wheels on the Bus)
The tiger in the grass says roar, roar, roar
Roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar
The tiger in the grass says roar, roar, roar
All through the zoo.

The Parrot in the leaves goes squawk, squawk, squawk
Squawk, squawk, squawk, squawk, squawk, squawk
The Parrot in the leaves goes squawk, squawk, squawk
All through the zoo.

The bear in the grass says growl, growl, growl
growl, growl, growl, growl, growl, growl
The bear in the grass says growl, growl, growl
All through the zoo.

The giraffe by the tree, munches the leaves,
munches the leaves, munches the leaves
The giraffe by the tree, munches the leaves,
All through the zoo.

The elephant by the rock goes stomp, stomp, stomp
stomp, stomp, stomp, stomp, stomp, stomp
The elephant by the rock goes stomp, stomp, stomp
All through the zoo.

The monkey in the tree goes eek, eek, eek
eek, eek, eek, eek, eek, eek,
The monkey in the tree goes eek, eek, eek
All through the zoo.

The hippo by the pond, rolls in the mud
rolls in the mud, rolls in the mud
The hippo by the pond, rolls in the mud
All through the zoo.

Animals, Animals, Turn Around Song
Animals, animals, turn around
Animals, animals, touch the ground
Animals, animals, dance on your toes
Animals, animals, touch your nose
Animals, animals, give a little clap
Animals, animals, take a nap

For more zoo animal fun, check out these books we read at Story Mix:

Two At the Zoo by Danna Smith
A grandfather and grandchild go to the zoo, where they count animals from one to ten. 
Check catalog availability

Dear Daisy, Get Well Soon by Maggie Smith
When his friend Daisy gets sick, Peter sends her more gifts each day of the week until she feels better.
Check catalog availability

Tiny Little Fly by Michael Rosen
With a tramp and a roll and a swat, Great Big Elephant, Great Big Hippo, and Great Big Tiger try to capture Tiny Little Fly as he teases each one in turn.
Check catalog availability

Wonderful Ones: Clap, Pat, Stretch, Repeat!

Babies love to move their bodies by dancing, hopping, bopping and being silly.  These activities also help your baby learn motor skills, learn communication skills, and helps build self-confidence as he or she learns to do new motions.  Clap along or pat your hands on your knees to rhymes and songs you sing together, stretch your arms out wide or small to indicate sizes,  and use your facial expressions to share moods and thoughts.   Bending, stretching, and bouncing to rhythms also allows babies to not only hear, but feel the motion of syllables and sounds which allows for learning new words and speech.

Clap Your Hands Rhyme
Clap, clap, clap your hands,
Clap your hands with me.
Clap them fast,
Clap them slow,
Clap your hands with me.

Pat, pat, pat your knees,
Pat your knees with me.
Pat them fast,
Pat them slow,
Pat your hands with me.

Stretch, stretch, stretch your arms,
Stretch your arms with me.
Stretch them fast,
Stretch them slow,
Stretch your arms with me. 

Bright Sun Song
Bright sun shining down,
Shining on the ground.
What a lovely face you have,
Yellow, big, and round!


Me, Me, Me Rhyme
Me, me, me
Look at me
And you will see
Ten fingers, ten toes
Two arms, two legs
Two eyes, two ears
One head, one nose
All on me.

Me, me, me
Look at me
And you will see
Ten fingers, ten toes
Two arms, two legs
Two eyes, two ears
One head, one nose
All on me.

We read these fun books at this week's Wonderful Ones class:

This Little Baby Goes Out by Lynn Breeze
A toddler has an exciting adventure in the park with his mother. 
Check catalog availability

Baby Loves Visiting by Michael Lawrence
Baby and mother go out to do errands and see friends and then go back home again. 
Check catalog availability

Wonderful Ones: Tippy Tippy Toes

This week at Wonderful Ones, we bring together several interactive rhymes that will help your little one learn eye-hand coordination, flexibility and even critical thinking skills.  Games such as these also help baby learn to associate sounds and words with objects. By stamping your feet, stretching your arms, tip toeing, and moving up and down like a merry-go-round, you are also helping your baby learn to associate movements with the action word. 

I Can! Rhyme
I can!  I can!  I can!  (clap hands)
Stamp my feet.
I can!  I can!  I can! (clap hands)
Stamp my feet.

I can!  I can!  I can!  (clap hands)
Stretch up high.
I can!  I can!  I can! (clap hands)
Stretch up high.
 
I can!  I can!  I can!  (clap hands)
Touch my nose.
I can!  I can!  I can! (clap hands)
Touch my nose.


Tippy Toe Rhyme
Tippy tippy tiptoe, off we go. (tiptoe fingers up arm)
Tippy tippy tiptoe, to and fro.  (tiptoe fingers over head)
Tippy tippy tiptoe, through the house.  (tiptoe fingers down other arm)
Tippy tippy tiptoe, quiet as a mouse.

Tippy tippy tiptoe, off we go. (tiptoe fingers up arm)
Tippy tippy tiptoe, to and fro.  (tiptoe fingers over head)
Tippy tippy tiptoe, through the house.  (tiptoe fingers down other arm)
Tippy tippy tiptoe, quiet as a mouse.

Merry-Go-Round Song
(Rock baby on lap)
Merry-go-round, merry-go-round,
We go riding all around.
First we’re up, then we’re down,
We go riding all around.
Hold on tight and don’t fall down.

Merry-go-round, merry-go-round,
We go riding all around.
First we’re up, then we’re down,
We go riding all around.
Hold on tight and don’t fall down.

We read these books at Wonderful Ones this week: 

Peekaboo Morning by Rachel Isadora
A toddler plays peek-a-boo throughout the day.
Check catalog availability

One Beautiful Baby by Martin Oborne
Counts all of the characteristics of a beautiful baby from one smile to ten sticky fingers.
Check catalog availability

Wonderful Ones: Spring Showers and Flowers

This week at Wonderful Ones we are exploring more about springtime with showers and flowers!  You'll use active movements to help babies learn about the space around them, such as, clapping hands to the rhythm, bouncing baby on your lap like a bunny, and using your fingers to show falling raindrops.  Through simple counting rhymes, you are also helping your baby learn numbers.  Gentle upward motions using your arms mimics the size of a flower and encourages hand and eye coordination.   

Raindrops Rhyme
Raindrops, raindrops!
Falling all around.
Pitter-patter on the rooftops,
Pitter-patter on the ground.
Here is my umbrella;
It will keep me dry.
When I go walking in the rain,
I hold it up so high.

Flowers Tall and Small Rhyme
Flowers tall,
Flowers small,
Count them one by one,
Blowing with the breezes,
In the springtime sun!
1, 2, 3, 4, 5!

Flowers tall,
Flowers small,
Count them one by one,
Blowing with the breezes,
In the springtime sun!
1, 2, 3, 4, 5!

Baby Bunny Rhyme
Baby bunny bounces high,
Baby bunny bounces low.
Baby bunny blinks his eyes,
Baby bunny waves goodbye.

Baby bunny bounces high,
Baby bunny bounces low.
Baby bunny blinks his eyes,
Baby bunny waves goodbye.

We read these springtime books at Wonderful Ones: 

What Can You Do in the Rain? By Anna Grossnickle Hines
The rain provides opportunities to feel it fall, hear it patter, and mix a mud pie. 
Check catalog availability

Beautiful Babies by Karma Wilson
Kids can touch and feel photos of beautiful animal babies. 
Check catalog availability

Story Mix for Three to Six: ZANY ZOO ANIMALS: Terrific Tigers

We start a new theme this week at our Spring Story Mix classes!  Our theme for the next several weeks is called ZANY ZOO ANIMALS and this week is all about those striped tigers!  Children will learn important concepts through repetition and singing, and making animal motions and movements. Sounds such as "roar" and "growl" will help children hear different syllables and learn new words and letters.  Movement and activity helps children develop their imagination during playtime. 

All Through the Zoo Song (Sung to the tune of Wheels on the Bus)
The tiger in the grass says roar, roar, roar
Roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar
The tiger in the grass says roar, roar, roar
All through the zoo

I'm a Little Tiger Rhyme (Sung to the tune of I'm a Little Teapot)
I’m a little tiger in the zoo
Here are my stripes
And my swishy tail too.
When I get angry you will see
Just how loud my growl can be.

TIGER Song (Sung to the tune of Bingo)
There was a big cat that had some stripes
And Tiger was his name-o
T – I – G – E – R,   T – I – G – E – R,   T – I – G – E - R
And Tiger was his name-o    

If You Want to Be a Tiger Song (Sung to the tune of If You're Happy and You Know It)
If you want to be a tiger, roar out loud!
If you want to be a tiger, roar out loud!
If you want to be a tiger, if you want to be a tiger,
If you want to be a tiger, roar out loud!

We read these Tiger themed books at our class today! 

Follow the Leader by Emma Chichester Clark
A boy and his animal friends play a game of follow the leader until a tiger shows up and wants to play too. 
Check catalog availability

Tiggy Tiger Brave Explorer by Claire Freedman
Tiggy Tiger plays brave explorer, knowing that if he needs her, his mother will save him from danger. 
Check catalog availability
 
The Tiger Who Came To Tea by Judith Kerr
A tiger comes to tea at Sophie's house and eats and drinks everything in sight, so that there is nothing left for Daddy's supper. 
Check catalog availability

1, 2, 3 Go! Elephants are Marching!

This week at 1, 2, 3 Go! we have rhymes and stories about zoo animals and elephants!  Children will learn important concepts through repetition and singing.  Learning new words as 'flopping' or about such animals as a tiger and lion, challenge children, as well as learn the motions and movements.  Singing about making animal sounds and motions like a swinging elephant trunk helps children make connections between actions and thoughts.  Incorporating such activity helps children put together ideas in order to make connections and understand words in print so they can get Ready to Read!

Jumbo the Elephant
Jumbo has a great big trunk,
And he has tiny eyes
That show him where to go.
His great big ears go flopping,
While his great big feel go stomping, stomping, stomping on the ground.

Jumbo has a great big trunk,
And he has tiny eyes
That show him where to go.
His great big ears go flopping,
While his great big feel go stomping, stomping, stomping on the ground.

I Came to the Zoo (sung to the tune of My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean)
I came to the zoo to see lions, lions, lions
I came to the zoo to see lions, lions, lions
I love all the animals there!  ROAR!

I came to the zoo to see tigers, tigers, tigers
I came to the zoo to see tigers, tigers, tigers
I love all the animals there!  GRRR! (make a grrr noise)

I came to the zoo to see snakes, snakes, snakes
I came to the zoo to see snakes, snakes, snakes
I love all the animals there!  HISS! (make a hissing noise)

I came to the zoo to see crocodiles, crocodiles, crocodiles
I came to the zoo to see crocodiles, crocodiles, crocodiles
I love all the animals there!  CHOMP! (make a chomping noise)

I came to the zoo to see elephants, elephants, elephants
I came to the zoo to see elephants, elephants, elephants
I love all the animals there!  TRUMPET HORN! (make a trumpet horn noise)
   
The Wiggles Rhyme
A wiggle wiggle here,
A wiggle wiggle there,
Wiggle your hands up in the air.
Wiggle your shoulders,
Wiggle your hips,
Wiggle your knees,
And move your lips.
Wiggle, Wiggle, Wiggle.
And wiggle some more!

Elephants on a String Song
One little elephant in the ring,
Walking on a piece of string.
My, my, what a stunt!
Let’s all clap for the elephant!

Two…  Three…  Four…

Five little elephants on a piece of string,
Do you think five is too many on that high, high thing?
Oh-oh!  BOOM!  A disastrous stunt!
But let’s all clap for the elephants!

Five Little Elephants Rhyme
5 little elephants rowing towards the shore, one fell in and that left 4.
4 little elephants climbing up a tree, one slid down and that left 3.
3 little elephants living at the zoo, one walked away and that left 2.
2 little elephants playing in the sun, one fell asleep and that left 1.
1 little elephant isn't any fun, he went home.
And then there were none!

Elephants in the Bathtub Song
One elephant in the bathtub
Going for a swim
Knock, knock (clap twice)
Splash, splash (slap knees twice)
Come on in! (motion with both hands to come in)
Five elephants in the bathtub
Going for a swim
Knock, knock (clap twice)
Splash, splash (slap knees twice)
They all fell in! (knock the felt pieces down)
Credit: SurLaLune Storytime //

Big Gray Elephant Rhyme
The big gray elephant slowly walks.
She doesn’t make a sound.
She swings her trunk from left to right.
When she puts her feet on the ground.
Swing, swing, left and right,
She doesn’t make a sound.
Credit: Alphabet Soup – Zoo Poems, Songs, and Fingerplays // Used: “Wild Animals” Storytime 2010 & “Zoo” Storytime 2011


For More Elephant Fun, Check Out These Books:
   
If Elephants Wore Pants by Henriette Barkow
Rhyming text tells the story of a young boy who dreams about elephants wearing different colors of pants.
Check catalog availability     

I Love My Mama by Peter Kavanagh
A baby elephant describes how he and his mother spend their days together. 
Check catalog availability

I Dream of an Elephant by Amy Rubinger
Elephants of many colorful shades are described in couplets that invite the reader to complete the rhyme using color-themed clues. 
Check catalog availability

Story Mix for Three to Six: Silly Songs and Stories

Our silly song about "ants in your pants" will definitely put a smile and a laugh on everyone's' faces!  Children love to move their feet and arms by dancing, jumping and marching.  Clapping, tapping and bouncing to rhythms allows children to also hear syllables and improves motor skills, as well as connect words with movements. 

Reading together is an important activity to do too because as children hear and see the words, they develop essential early literacy skills.  Make sure you check out the books in our list below for stories about silly kids and dogs. 

There Are Ants in My Pants Song (sung to the tune of The Farmer in the Dell)

There are ants in my pants!
There are ants in my pants!
Oh no, what should I do?
There are ants in my pants!
   
Perhaps I should dance
Perhaps I should dance
That is what I should do
Perhaps I should dance.

There are ants in my pants!
There are ants in my pants!
Oh no, what should I do?
There are ants in my pants!
   
Perhaps I should jump
Perhaps I should jump
That is what I should do
Perhaps I should jump.

Repeat the song using other motions such as twisting, marching or stretching. 
 
Take a look at these stories we read at Story Mix:

“Time To Paint, Biscuit!” in Biscuit Storybook Collection by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
A collection of ten previously published stories featuring Biscuit, a small and mischievous yellow dog.
Check catalog availability

Oh, Were They Ever Happy by Peter Spier
One Saturday morning while their parents are away, the three Noonan children decide to paint the house.
Check catalog availability

Are You Sleepy Yet, Petey?  by Marie Hodge
Petey the puppy doesn't want to go to bed at bedtime. How will his little boy make sure Petey gets enough sleep?
Check catalog availability

Terrific Twos: Trains Go CHOO CHOO!

It's Terrific Two Year Old time!  We are continuing with our fast moving theme of 'Things that GO!' and sharing rhymes and books about TRAINS!  Our selection of rhymes, songs and stories encourages active play and thoughtful fun for kids who like motion and movement.  Children will use hands and feet throughout the rhymes to create activity, such as making chugging motions.  Through making whistle sounds and other train noises such as the whoosh of a steam engine, children learn the letters and sounds words make.  Such simplicity of motion and sounds engages children's imaginations and helps them get Ready to Read!

I'm a Choo Choo Train Rhyme   
I’m a choo choo train chugging down the track.  (make chugging motions)
First I go forward, then I go back.
Now my bell is ringing, hear my whistle blow,  (make whistle noise)
What a lot of noise I make everywhere I go.
   
I’m a choo choo train chugging down the track.  (make chugging motions)
First I go forward, then I go back.
Now my bell is ringing, hear my whistle blow,  (make whistle noise)
What a lot of noise I make everywhere I go.

If I were a..... Rhyme
If I were a bus or a car,
I would roll down the road.  (roll hands)
If I were a truck,
I would dump my heavy load.  (let hands fall)
If I were an airplane,
I would fly up to the sky.  (spread arms like wings)
If I were a boat,
I would make waves as I went by.  (make waves)
If I were a train,
I would chug along the track.  (train motions)
But I am a person,
So I will walk there and back.

For more train fun, check out these books we read at Terrific Twos this week: 

A Train Goes Clickety Clack by Jonathan London
Trains are fast. Trains are sleek. Trains make wonderful sounds as the wheels clatter, boilers hiss, and couplings clang. This playful picture book captures the excitement of trains through evocative language and vibrant illustrations. 
Check catalog availability

I Love Trains by Philemon Sturges
A boy expresses his love of trains, describing many kinds of train cars and their special jobs. 
Check catalog availability

Terrific Twos: Boats go ZOOOOOM!

It's Terrific Two Year Old time!  We are continuing with our animated theme of 'Things that GO!' and sharing rhymes and books about BOATS!  Our selection of rhymes, songs and stories encourages active play and thoughtful fun for kids who like motion and movement.  Children will use hands and feet throughout the rhymes to create activity, such as pretending to row a boat or moving their arms and hands like waves in the water.

There is also a Valentine themed rhyme in which you can pretend to make a Valentine!  Or for more fun, bring out the craft supplies and make real Valentine's for everyone your Terrific Two year old loves!  Crafts are a great way for your little one to enhance their imagination, as well as, engage important hand and eye coordination for improving fine motor skills.


Waves, Waves Rhyme
Waves, waves, back and forth, (move hands like waves)
Rock the boat all day.
We row and row so we can go (pretend to row)
Somewhere far away.  (look with “binocular hands”)   

Five Little Boats Rhyme (From our friends at King County Library System)
The first little boat went chug, chug, chug.
The second little boat went tug, tug, tug.
The third little boat went row, row, row.
The fourth little boat went ohhh sooo slowww.
Here comes the sailboat,
Watch it GO!

Row, Row, Row Your Boat (From our friends at King County Library System)
Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,
Life is but a dream.

Row row row your boat
gently down the stream.
If you see a crocodile
Don't forget to scream!

To make this rhyme even more fun, turn it into a game in which you sit down holding hands, and rock back and forth like a boat as you sing the song.

Let's Make a Valentine Rhyme
Snip, snip, snip the paper.  (scissor motion)
Glue, glue glue the paper.   (glue stick motion)
Press, press, press the paper.  (pressing motion)
Here’s a valentine for you!  (give valentine away)

We read these books at Terrific Twos this week: 

My Blue Boat by Chris L. Demarest
While playing with a blue boat in the bathtub, a young girl imagines she is on an ocean voyage.
Check catalog availability

Boats by Anne Rockwell
Depicts boats and ships of varying sizes and uses.
Check catalog availability

Mouses's First Valentine by  Lauren Thompson
Mouse watches his sister making a valentine and wonders what it is. 
Check catalog availability

Terrific Twos: Buses go BEEP! BEEP!

It's Terrific Two Year Old time!  We are continuing with our animated theme of 'Things that GO!' and sharing rhymes and books about BUSES!  Our selection of rhymes, songs and stories encourages active play and thoughtful fun for kids who like motion and movement.  Children will use hands and feet throughout the rhymes to create activity, such as wheels going around in a circle, waving arms like airplane or walking back and forth.  Such simplicity engages children's imaginations.

If I Were a Bus or a Car Rhyme
If I were a bus or a car,
I would roll down the road.  (roll hands)
If I were a truck,
I’d dump my heavy load.  (let hands fall)
If I were an airplane,
I would fly up in the sky.  (spread arms like wings)
If I were a boat,
I’d make waves as I went by.  (make wave motions)
If I were a train,
I’d chug along the tracks.  (pump arms like train)
But since I’m a person,
I will walk there and back.  (walking motion)

The Wheels on the Bus (From our friends at the King County Library System)
The wheels on the bus go round and round,
Round and round, round and round,
The wheels on the bus go round and round,
All through the town.

The people on the bus go up and down,
Up and down, up and down,
The people on the bus go up and down,
All through the town.
The money on the bus goes clink, clink, clink,
Clink, clink, clink, clink, clink, clink,
The money on the bus goes clink, clink, clink,
All through the town.

Repeat the song using other elements of the bus such as the wipers or the horn:
The wipers on the bus go swish, swish, swish…
The horn on the bus goes beep, beep, beep…
The babies on the bus go wah, wah, wah…
The driver on the bus says move on back…
The doors on the bus go open and shut…
The grandmothers on the bus go knit, knit, knit…
The grandfathers on the bus go ZZZ, ZZZ, ZZZ…
The mothers on the bus say I Love You…
The fathers on the bus say I Love You Too…
All through the town.

We read these stories about buses at Terrific Twos: 

Maisy Drives the Bus by Lucy Cousins
Maisy the mouse picks up an assortment of passengers as she drives her bus. 
Check catalog availability

Bus Stop by Janet Morgan Stoeke
Kindergartners gather for their exciting first ride on the school bus.
Check catalog availability

Wonderful Ones: Toot! Toot! Beep! Beep!

This week at Wonderful Ones we have the fun of songs and rhymes with car and train action!  You'll use gentle movements to help baby learn about the space around them, such as, clapping hands to the rhythm, nodding and shaking heads for yes and no, and bouncing baby on your lap to mimic the bumps along the road or tracks.  Using these songs, rhymes and books, you are helping to introduce new words and sounds to your child, which helps him or her develop a bigger vocabulary.    

We Can Rhyme
We can jump, jump, jump,
We can hop, hop, hop,
We can clap, clap, clap,
We can stop, stop, stop.
We can nod our heads for yes,
We can shake our heads for no,
We can bend our knees a tiny bit,
And sit down slow.

Car Ride Song (Sing while bouncing baby on lap)
This is the way the car goes,
Bumpity, bumpity, bump.
This is the way the car goes,
Bumpity, bumpity, bump.
Oh, oh, there’s a hole in the road,
Bumpity, bumpity, BUMP!

The Little Train Rhyme
The little train went up the track, (hand runs up arm)
It went toot, toot,
And then it came back.
The other train went up the track, (other arm)
It went toot, toot,
And then came back.

The little train went up the track, (hand runs up arm)
It went toot, toot,
And then it came back.
The other train went up the track, (other arm)
It went toot, toot,
And then came back.

We read these books at Wonderful Ones this week:

Beep!  Beep!  Peekaboo! by Dawn Sirett
As babies play hide-and-seek with their toys, readers can open the flaps to discover where the textured toys are hiding. 
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A Red Train by Bernette Ford
Come take a ride with animals in a book that covers two concepts--colors and forms of transportation. A charming cat looks happily out the window of a red train , a bunny rides in a yellow rocket , and there's also a blue car, orange submarine, green bus, purple boat, and more!
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Terrific Twos: Airplanes go SWOOOSH!

It's Terrific Two Year Old time!  We are continuing our theme of motion with rhymes and stories about 'Things That Go!'  Our selection of rhymes, songs and stories encourages active play and thoughtful fun for kids who like motion and movement.  In this week's rhymes and stories, children will also learn important concepts through repetition and singing.  Learning such words as 'zoom' or 'hungry' challenge children to learn new words.  Learning new words helps them put together ideas in order to make connections and understand words in print.

Zoom Goes the Airplane Rhyme
Zoom goes the airplane in the sky.
Flying above the clouds so high.
The plane goes up, the plane goes down,
The plane goes flies high all over our town.

Zoom goes the airplane in the sky.
Flying above the clouds so high.
The plane goes up, the plane goes down,
The plane goes flies high all over our town.

Are You Hungry Little Bird Rhyme
Are you hungry little bird?
Tell me please, give me the word.
Here’s some seed, it’s good I’m told.
It will keep you fed in this winter cold.

Are you hungry little bird?
Tell me please, give me the word.
Here’s some seed, it’s good I’m told.
It will keep you fed in this winter cold.


We read these books at Terrific Twos this week: 

Bird, Fly High by Petr Horacek
Bird goes out to find breakfast for her chicks. 
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I Love Planes! by Philemon Sturges
A child celebrates his love of planes by naming his favorite kinds and their notable characteristics. 
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Wonderful Ones: Wonderful Wintertime

Babies are usually bundled up in the winter, but take those hats, mittens, and coats off for fun stories, singing and fingerplays. The beginnings of communication are often through hand motions and movements. Through these songs like 'The Itsy Bitsy Snowflake',  'Winter Sun' and 'Snow is Falling Down', making hand motions and movements while you sing the songs helps babies learn eye-hand coordination, flexibility and even critical thinking skills.  Language represents the foundational basis for literacy learning in the early stages of development and helps babies get ready to read for when they do start school.

Itsy-Bitsy Snowflake Rhyme
The itsy-bitsy snowflake
Fell down from the sky.
It landed on my nose
And it bounced upon my eye.
It slid down to my chin
And it landed on my tongue.
Then it melted all away.
Now my snowflake song is done.

Winter Sun Rhyme
Winter sun, don’t you run,
Stay with me and have some fun.
Shine on my face, shine on me,
Shine on my arms, shine on my knee. 
Shine on my legs, shine on my hair,
Shine on my toes, shine everywhere!

Winter sun, don’t you run,
Stay with me and have some fun.
Shine on my face, shine on me,
Shine on my arms, shine on my knee. 
Shine on my legs, shine on my hair,
Shine on my toes, shine everywhere!

Snow is Falling Down Rhyme
Snow is falling down, shhhh.
Falling to the ground, shhhh.
Slowly, very slowly,
Snow is falling down, shhhh.

Snow is falling down, shhhh.
Falling to the ground, shhhh.
Slowly, very slowly,
Snow is falling down, shhhh.


We read these snowy books at Wonderful Ones this week:

Spot’s Snowy Day by Eric Hill
Spot has lots of fun in the snow with his family and friends. 
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What Can You Do in the Snow? By Anna Grossnickle Hines
Snow provides the opportunity to catch a snowflake, stamp a trail, or swoosh an angel.
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Animal Kisses by Barney Saltzberg
Introduces words which name textures associated with various animal kisses, such as scratchy cat kisses, velvety cow kisses, and rubbery fish kisses.
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Terrific Twos: Cars Go VROOM!

It's Terrific Two Year Old time!  Our theme over the next several weeks will be 'Things That Go!' beginning with everyone's favorite, CARS!   Our selection of rhymes, songs and stories encourages active play and thoughtful fun for kids who like motion and movement.  In this week's rhymes and stories, children will also learn concepts such as numbers and counting through repetition and singing.  They also learn about how a car works which helps them put together words and ideas in order to make connections and understand words in print.   


Five Little Cars 
One little car,
It happened to be blue,
Met another car,
Then there were two.

Two little cars
Driving by the sea.
One drove up from the beach,
Then there were three.

Three little cars
Driving by the store,
Another pulled out,
Then there were four.

Four little cars
Out for a drive.
Another car joined them,
Then there were five.

Open the Door Rhyme
Open the car door, climb inside.
I wish I could help my Mommy drive.
Fasten our seatbelts, shut the door.
Start the motor, hear it roar…vroom…vroom…
Turn the corner, step on the gas.
Sometimes we go slow and sometimes we go fast.

We read these books at this week's Terrific Twos:

My Car by Byron Barton
Sam describes in loving detail his car and how he drives it.
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Mr. Gumpy's Motor Car by John Burningham
Mr. Gumpy's human and animal friends squash into his old car and go for a drive -- until it starts to rain.
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The Life of a Car by Susan Steggall
Follow the life of a car as it is built, sold, delivered, and in the end recycled to build a new car! 
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Wonderful Ones: Laugh Out Loud

Laugh out loud with your baby!  Babies love to move their bodies by dancing, hopping, bopping and being silly.  Wiggling your fingers and toes together is not only fun, but the movements and actions help baby connect words with their meanings in addition to improving motor skills.  Bending, stretching, and bouncing to rhythms allows babies to also hear syllables and sounds which allows for learning new words and speech.


Wiggle, Wiggle Fingers
Wiggle, wiggle fingers
Wiggle, wiggle fingers,
Right up to the sky,
Way up high.

Wiggle, wiggle fingers,
Wave them all goodbye.

Wiggle, wiggle fingers,
Right into a ball,
Now throw them on your lap,
But do not let them fall.

Stretching Fun
I stretch and stretch and find it fun,
To try to reach up to the sun.
I bend and bend to touch the ground,
Then I twist and twist around.

I stretch and stretch and find it fun,
To try to reach up to the sun.
I bend and bend to touch the ground,
Then I twist and twist around.

Where is Baby? (sung to the tune of Frere Jacques)
Where is baby?  Where is baby?
There he is!  There he is!
I’m so glad to see you.
I’m so glad to see you.
Peek-a-boo!
Peek-a-boo!

Where is baby?  Where is baby?
There he is!  There he is!
I’m so glad to see you.
I’m so glad to see you.
Peek-a-boo!
Peek-a-boo!


Books to read and share laughs with together:

Wiggle by Doreen Cronin
Rhyming text describes the many ways to wiggle.
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Tickle, Tickle by Helen Oxenbury
A toddler has fun in the bathtub while getting clean.
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Animal Kisses by Barney Saltzberg
Introduces words which name textures associated with various animal kisses, such as scratchy cat kisses, velvety cow kisses, and rubbery fish kisses.
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Terrific Twos: The Color RED

We are featuring the color RED this week at Terrific Twos!  The color red is often associated with the Christmas holiday and you'll notice some of the books we read are Christmas themed to help you celebrate.  The rhymes and stories below help your child with a variety of literacy skills. Rhyming helps children understand word construction and meaning based on sound. Children will begin to think symbolically and develop oral language skills. The fun actions you can perform in each song such as the movements of a little red bird flying, or a snowman who is big, round and has a lovely scarf of red, make these activities memorable and entertaining. 

Little Red Bird Rhyme
Little red bird, fly around
Up to the sky and down to the ground.
Little red bird, flap your wings
And let me hear you sweetly sing.
Little red bird, go to your nest
Now it’s time to take a rest.

Little red bird, fly around
Up to the sky and down to the ground.
Little red bird, flap your wings
And let me hear you sweetly sing.
Little red bird, go to your nest
Now it’s time to take a rest.

I Made a Little Snowman Rhyme (thanks to our friends at King County Library System)
I made a little snowman,
I made him big and round.
I made him from a snowball,
I rolled upon the ground.
He has two eyes, a nose, a mouth,
A lovely scarf of red.
He even has some buttons,
And a hat upon his head.

Check out these books we read at this week's Terrific Twos: 

Who Said Red? by Mary Serfozo
A little girl and her brother introduce red, green, blue, yellow, and other colors as they wander about their farm.
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We Love Christmas by Marilyn Janovitz
Join two lovable cats as they celebrate Christmas. 
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Mouse's First Christmas by Lauren Thompson
While exploring the house on Christmas Eve, a little mouse discovers the tree, a candy cane, a stocking, a jingle bell, and Santa Claus. 
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Story Mix for Three to Six: Traveling Tunes

You may be traveling this week for the Thanksgiving holiday.  What better way to make the time in the car, train or airplane go faster than to share a fun song or book!  Children will also learn through repetition and rhyming sounds, syllables and words.   Repetition and rhyming help children understand word construction and meaning based on sound. The fun actions you can perform in each song such as the movements of a duck, or driving to Grandmother's house, make these activities memorable and entertaining. 


My Little Duck Song
My little duck says,
Quack, quack, quack
Quack, quack, quack
Quack, quack, quack
My little duck says,
Quack, quack, quack,
All day long!

My little duck goes
Waddle, waddle, waddle
Waddle, waddle, waddle
Waddle, waddle, waddle
My little duck goes,
Waddle, waddle, waddle
All day long!

My little duck goes
Splash, splash, splash
Splash, splash, splash
Splash, splash, splash
My little duck goes,
Splash, splash, splash
All day long!

My little duck goes
Paddle, paddle, paddle
Paddle, paddle, paddle
Paddle, paddle, paddle
My little duck goes,
Paddle, paddle, paddle
All day long!

Over the River and Thru the Woods
Over the river and thru the woods
To Grandmother’s house we go
The car knows the way
To go today
To Grandmother's house, hoo-ray!

Over the river and thru the woods
To Grandmother’s house we go
The play with the toys
And make lots of noise
And give Grandma a hug and kiss!

We read these stories in Story Mix this week:

All For Pie, Pie For All by David Martin
Grandma Cat bakes an apple pie that is heartily enjoyed by her family as well as the Mouse and Ant families that live nearby.
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Grandpa Bud by Siobhan Dodds
A grandfather busily prepares all kinds of food for his granddaughter and the guests he thinks she is bringing to visit him. 
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Honk Honk!  Beep Beep!  by Daniel Kirk 
When a father and son set out early one morning for a cross-country drive in their jeep, they see all sorts of vehicles and pick up diverse passengers along the way.
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Wonderful Ones: Happy Hands

Keep those little baby hands busy with these catchy and fun rhymes and books.  You'll be helping your baby learn hand-eye coordination while putting smiles on your faces.  This critical skill is also essential for your baby to learn new communication techniques, which in turn help them develop language skills.  Children involved in activity such as these games, tend to generate more language than just playing with toys alone.  Help your baby learn more language so they will be 'Ready to Read', by playing together!  

Open, Shut Them Rhyme
Open, shut them,
Open, shut them,
Give a little clap.
Open, shut them,
Open, shut them,
Put them in your lap.
Creep them, creep them,
Creep them, creep them,
Right up to your chin.
Open up your little mouth,
But do not let them in.

Two Green Apples Rhyme
Way up high
In a tree,
Two green apples
Smiled at me.
So I shook that tree
As hard as I could,
And down fell the apples.
Mmmm, they were good!

Way up high
In a tree,
Two green apples
Smiled at me.
So I shook that tree
As hard as I could,
And down fell the apples.
Mmmm, they were good!

One Potato, Two Potato Rhyme
One potato, two potato,
Three potato, four,
Five potato, six potato,
Seven potato, more!

One potato, two potato,
Three potato, four,
Five potato, six potato,
Seven potato, more!

Books we read at this week's Wonderful Ones include:

Bib on, Bunny! by Annie Kubler
Put your finger in the bunny's head and get talking about time to eat.
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Baby’s Mealtime by Fiona Watt
Baby and Fido get ready to have a meal. 
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1, 2, 3 Go! Mischievous Mice

If you've been to our 1, 2, 3, Go! program, then you are familiar with the energetic stories, rhymes and musical activities enjoyed each week by children ages 1 - 3.  The stories and rhymes below introduce concepts such as repetition and rhyming using sounds and consonance.  The actions and movements used help children develop motor skills as they clap and jump, as well as, make connections with new words and sounds. Our theme this week was mischievous little mice as they run, scamper and squeak.


Five Little Mice
Five little mice on the kitchen floor
Looking for bread crumbs and something more.
This little mouse peeked behind the door.
This little mouse nibbled at the cake.
This little mouse not a sound did make.
This little mouse took a bite of cheese.
This little mouse heard a kitten sneeze.“Ah-choo!” sneezed the kitten,
And “Squeak!” they cried, As they found a hole and ran inside

Hickory Dickory Dock
Hickory dickory dock
The mouse ran up the clock
The clock struck 1
The mouse ran down
Hickory Dickory Dock

Hickory dickory dock
The mouse ran up the clock
The clock struck 2
The mouse said “boo”
Hickory Dickory Dock

Hickory dickory dock
The mouse ran up the clock
The clock struck 3
The mouse said “whee!”
Hickory Dickory Dock

We enjoyed these books at 1, 2, 3 Go!  

Ten in the Den by John Butler
One by one nine forest creatures fall out of bed when Little Mouse says "Roll over!" 
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Mouse Mess by Linnea Riley
A hungry mouse leaves a huge mess when it goes in search of a snack. 
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Mouse Shapes by Ellen Stoll Walsh
Three mice make a variety of things out of different shapes as they hide from a scary cat. 
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