Tiny Tales: Swinging Monkeys

Do you have a little one looking for summer fun?  Don't forget our Tiny Tales program for our littlest learners. This program is for little ones from birth to 23 months. Our next meeting is July 1st in the Meadows Community Rooms. 

Here is a rhyme to do with your little monkey:

Action Rhyme: Swinging Monkeys
Monkey swinging, swinging everywhere,
Monkey swinging, swinging in the air.
Swinging high and swinging low,
Keep on swinging just like so.

You can swing your baby's arms as you say the rhyme. Rhyming helps make babies aware of language and how sounds are combined to make words.

Ten Summer Activities You Can Do Together: All About ANIMALS

Bring the fun and silliness of animals into your day!  Select a book about animals from the library and read the story with your child.  Then, help reinforce the sounds, actions and names of the animals by trying one or all of these animal activities.  You can do these at the library, at home, at the park, at the pool, or wherever you find time together!

1. Visit a farm or petting zoo
2. Sing  a song such as "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" or "Farmer In The Dell"  (From our friends at King County Library System)
3. Count the legs on a cow
4. Make a list of animals you would see in a zoo
5. Count the geese at a pond
6. Make a parade of your toys/stuffed animals
7. What animals like bananas?
8. Make a lion mask
9. Walk like a penguin or gallop like a horse
10. Add an animal to the story you read and talk about:  What would they do? What sounds would they make?  What would they look like?

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

Story Mix for Three to Six: ZANY ZOO ANIMALS: Mischievous Monkeys

We are continuing our theme of ZANY ZOO ANIMALS and this week is all about those silly and mischievous monkeys who swing from the trees!  We've also added a new animal onto our "All Through the Zoo" song!

Children will learn important concepts through repetition and singing, and making animal motions and movements. Using arms and legs to make the motions of a swinging monkey or one eating a banana will keep children active and help them learn about animal movements and 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.


Five Little Bananas Counting Song
Five little bananas
Swinging in a tree
If a monkey picks one
And carries it away
How many bananas
Will be left to sway?
 
Four little bananas
Swinging in a tree
If a monkey picks one
And carries it away
How many bananas
Will be left to sway?

Three little bananas
Swinging in a tree
If a monkey picks one
And carries it away
How many bananas
Will be left to sway?

Two little bananas
Swinging in a tree
If a monkey picks one
And carries it away
How many bananas
Will be left to sway?

One little banana
Swinging in a tree
If a monkey picks one
And carries it away
How many bananas
Will be left to sway?

I'm a Little Monkey Song (Sung to the tune of I'm a Little Teapot)
I’m a little monkey in the tree
Swinging by my tail so merrily
I can leap and fly from tree to tree
I have lots of fun you see
I’m a little monkey, watch me play
Munching on bananas every day
Lots of monkey friends to play with me
We have fun up in the tree.

Enjoy these monkey and animal themed books we read at Story Mix this week:

Watch Out! Big Bro's Coming! by Jez Alborough
Terror spreads through the jungle as animals hear the news that rough, tough Big Bro is coming. 
Check catalog availability

Little Gorilla by Ruth Bornstein
Little Gorilla's family and friends try to help him overcome his special growing pains. 
Check catalog availability

Where's My Mom? by Julia Donaldson
A butterfly tries to help a lost young monkey find its mother in the jungle, meeting many different animals along the way. 
Check catalog availability

Wonderful Ones: Fun Farm Animals

Babies love animals!  We are sharing animal themed songs, rhymes and stories we enjoyed at this week's class.  Singing and rhyming not only allows baby to hear and learn new words, it also assists in developing listening skills. By listening to the different sounds animals make, babies will be able to decipher syllables in spoken language.  Also, learning to identify different animals by name and sound increase baby's vocabulary!

What the Animals Say Rhyme
Little pup, little pup,
What do you say?
“Woof, woof, woof!
Let’s go and play.”

Kitty cat, kitty cat,
How about you?
“Meow, meow, meow!
And I purr too.”

Pretty bird, pretty bird,
Have you a song?
“Tweet, tweet, tweet!
The whole day long.”


Eight Baby Pigs Rhyme
Two little pigs lived in a pen, (use your thumbs to represent the pigs)
Each had four babies and that made ten. (use your fingers to represent the baby pigs)
These four babies were black and white,
These four babies were black as night.
All eight babies loved to play,
And they rolled and they rolled in the mud all day.

The Animals on the Farm (sung to tune of 'The Wheels on the Bus')
The cows on the farm go moo, moo, moo,
Moo, moo, moo, moo, moo, moo,
The cows on the farm go moo, moo, moo,
All day long.

The horses on the farm go neigh, neigh, neigh,
Neigh, neigh, neigh, neigh, neigh, neigh,
The horses on the farm go neigh, neigh, neigh,
All day long.

The pigs on the farm go oink, oink, oink,
Oink, oink, oink, oink, oink, oink,
The pigs on the farm go oink, oink, oink,
All day long.

The sheep on the farm go baa, baa, baa
Baa, baa, baa, baa, baa, baa,
The sheep on the farm go baa, baa, baa
All day long. 

(Repeat using other farm animals such as chickens, goats, or ducks)

For more farm animal fun, try these books we read at Wonderful Ones this week:

Where Is My Mommy? by Julie Downing
Animal mothers, including a rabbit, cat, and human, care for their young by waking them up, washing their faces, and performing other activities. 
Check catalog availability

This Little Chick by John Lawrence
A little chick shows that he can make the sounds of the animals in his neighborhood. 
Check catalog availability

Story Mix for Three to Six: ZANY ZOO ANIMALS: Enormous Elephants

We are continuing our theme of ZANY ZOO ANIMALS and this week is all about tall giraffes with long necks!  We've also added a new animal onto our "All Through the Zoo" song!

Children will learn important concepts through repetition and singing, and making animal motions and movements. Using arms and legs to make the motions of a swinging elephant trunk will keep children active and help them learn about animal movements and 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. 

Did You Ever See an Elephant? (Sung to the tune of 'Did You Ever See a Lassie?')
Did you ever see an elephant,
an elephant, an elephant?
Did you ever see an elephant
spray water with her trunk?
Spray water all over,
Spray water all over,
Did you ever see an elephant
Spray water with her trunk?

Did you ever see an elephant,
an elephant, an elephant?
Did you ever see an elephant
hug her baby with her trunk?
Wrap it this way and that way,
And this way and that way,
Did you ever see an elephant
hug her baby with her trunk?  

Elephant Rhyme
Elephants are tall & fat.
They stomp around this way and that.
Elephants have big ears and toes.
And goodness gracious, what a nose!

Looking for more elephant animal fun?  We read these books at Story Mix this week:

Beautiful Bananas by Elizabeth Laird
On her way to her grandfather's house with a bunch of bananas, Beatrice has a series of mishaps with jungle animals who each substitute something new for what she is carrying. 
Check catalog availability

Splash! by Flora McDonnell
When the jungle animals are hot, a baby elephant has a good solution involving the squirting and splashing of water at the water hole. 
Check catalog availability

Sam Who Never Forgets by Eve Rice
Sam the zookeeper never forgets to feed the animals. 
Check catalog availability

Story Mix for Three to Six: ZANY ZOO ANIMALS: Graceful Giraffes

We are continuing our theme of ZANY ZOO ANIMALS and this week is all about tall giraffes with long necks!  We've also added a new animal onto our "All Through the Zoo" song!

Children will learn important concepts through repetition and singing, and making animal motions and movements. Using arms and legs to make the motions of a tall-necked giraffe will keep children active and help them learn about animal movements and sounds. The counting rhyme game is great for helping children learn numbers and sequence. 

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.


Five Tall Giraffes Rhyme
Five tall giraffes walk and sway
In the jungle not far away.
The 1st one said, “Come on, let’s run!”
The 2nd one said, “Oh, that’s no fun.”
The 3rd one said, “I’ll find a tree.”
The 4th one said, “Some leaves for me.”
The 5th one said, “We can’t stay.”
So the 5 tall giraffes ran away.

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

Zoo-looking by Mem Fox
While Flora visits the zoo with her father, not only does she look at the animals but some of them turn to look at her. 
Check catalog availability

No Spots for Gilda the Giraffe by Lucie Papineau
To keep warm while searching for her spots blown away by the North Wind, Gilda the giraffe tries on the coats of several of her animal friends but still longs for her pretty, funny spots. 
Check catalog availability

Birthday Zoo by Deborah Lee Rose
Rhyming text describes the preparations made for a boy's birthday party by his hosts, the animals at the zoo. 
Check catalog availability

Wonderful Ones: Little Peter Rabbit

This week at Wonderful Ones we are continuing our celebration of the spring season with rhymes and books about bunnies, ducks, and also several Easter-themed selections!  Singing and rhyming not only allows baby to hear and learn new words, it also assists in developing listening skills. By listening to the different sounds animals make, babies will be able to decipher syllables in spoken language.  Repetition helps reinforce important early literacy concepts such as counting and colors. Happy Easter!

Ten Little Bunnies Rhyme
One little, two little, three little bunnies,
Four little, five little, six little bunnies,
Seven little, eight little, nine little bunnies,
Ten little bunnies hop around.

The Big Round Sun Rhyme
The big round sun in a springtime sky,
Winked at a cloud that was passing by.
The little cloud laughed as it scattered rain,
Then out came the big round sun again.

Little Peter Rabbit Rhyme
Little Peter Rabbit has a bright, shiny nose.
Little Peter Rabbit has a bright, shiny nose.
Little Peter Rabbit has a bright, shiny nose,
And a big, fluffy, white tail.

Little Peter Rabbit has a bright, shiny nose.
Little Peter Rabbit has a bright, shiny nose.
Little Peter Rabbit has a bright, shiny nose,
And a big, fluffy, white tail.

For more spring-time animal fun, try these easy-to-share books:

Hurry! Hurry! by Eve Bunting
All the animals of the barnyard community hurry to greet their newest member, who is just pecking his way out of an egg. 
Check catalog availability

5 Busy Ducklings by Children's Press
Five busy ducklings are on the go in this first counting book
Check catalog availability

Where are Baby's Easter Eggs? by Karen Katz
Readers can help Baby as she searches for Easter eggs and finds some other nice surprises along the way. 
Check catalog availability

The Happy Egg by Ruth Krauss
A bird hatches from its egg and learns to fly. 
Check catalog availability 

I Need an Easter Egg! by Harriet Ziefert
Little Rabbit wants to give his grandmother an Easter egg and so he asks various birds if they can lay one. The reader lifts flaps to see each bird's eggs. 
Check catalog availability

Story Mix for Three to Six: ZANY ZOO ANIMALS: Peppy Parrots!

We are continuing our theme of ZANY ZOO ANIMALS and this week is all about those fun and colorful birds called Parrots!  We've also added a new animal onto our "All Through the Zoo" song!

Children will learn important concepts through repetition and singing, and making animal motions and movements. Making sounds such as "squawk" 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.

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.
         
This Little Parrot Song (Sung to the tune of Mulberry Bush)
This little parrot flaps its wings
Flaps its wings, flaps its wings.
This little parrot flaps its wings
And flies away in the morning.

This little parrot eats some seeds
eats some seeds, eats some seeds.
This little parrot eats some seeds
And flies away in the morning.

This little parrot squawks so loud,
squawks so loud, squawks so loud.
This little parrot squawks so loud
And flies away in the morning.   

For more Parrot fun, try these books we read at Story Mix:

A Mother for Choco by Keiko Kasza / Choco Encuentra Una Mama by Keiko Kasza
A lonely little bird named Choco goes in search of a mother. / Choco es un pequeño pájaro amarillo que está buscando desesperadamente una mamá.
Check catalog availability / En Espanol

My Camera at the Zoo by Janet Perry Marshall
The reader sees the zoo animals slightly askew through the camera lens and may guess what they actually are before seeing full clear views on succeeding pages. 
Check catalog availability

If You Were a Parrot by Katherine Rawson
Learn about parrots as you imagine being a parrot. 
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

1, 2, 3 Go! Spring is Coming Soon!

The spring season is starting to appear as we welcome the month of March at the Gail Borden Public Library!  Our rhymes and stories below combine movement, rhyming, critical thinking and most of all fun!

Stories and songs in rhyme encourage new vocabulary, listening and oral language skills.  Sharing songs and stories together also encourages talking and conversation between you and your child.  Another idea would be to have your child draw a picture of what they see outside, such as a sunny day, a flower growing or a bunny rabbit with two long ears.    Helping your child write captions for the picture connects the spoken words to the ideas, and creates a visual representation of your child's imagination to share.

What’s the Weather? (sung to the tune of Clementine)
What’s the weather, what’s the weather,
What’s the weather outside now?
Is it sunny? Is it snowing?
Is it raining or cloudy now?
*(Is it…Sunny, snowing, raining or cloudy?)
It is __________, it is ____________
It is _____________outside now.
That’s the weather we see today.
It is _____________ outside now.

Rabbit Rhyme:
Can you make a rabbit with two ears so very long?
And let him hop and hop about on legs so small and strong?
He nibbles, nibbles carrots for his dinner every day.
As soon as he has had enough, He scampers far away.

If I Were a Flower Rhyme:
If I were a flower
Growing in the ground,
I’d stretch my arms
And raise my head
So I could look around.
Then I’d nod my head and say,
“I’m glad to see you all today.”

What Do You See With? (sung to the tune of Frere Jacques)
What do you see with?
What do you see with?
Tell me now, tell me now.
These are what you see with,
These are what you see with,
These are your eyes!

What do you clap with?
What do you clap with?
Tell me now, tell me now.
These are what you clap with,
These are what you clap with,
These are your hands!

Repeat the rhyme with other actions such as stamping with your feet or hugging with your arms.


Enjoy these books we read at 1, 2, 3 Go! 

The Happy Day by Ruth Krauss
In the middle of winter, different forest animals awake and run sniffing through the trees, to discover a single flower growing in the snow. 
Check catalog availability

Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit:  A Book of Changing Seasons by Il Sung Na
While other animals migrate, hibernate, or stay busy all winter, a little white rabbit watches. 
Check catalog availability

Wonderful Ones: We Love Animals!

Do you have a wonderful one-year old who loves animals and animal sounds and games?  Then you and your baby both will love the animal themed songs, rhymes and stories we enjoyed at this week's class.  Singing and rhyming not only allows baby to hear and learn new words, it also assists in developing listening skills. By listening to the different sounds animals make, babies will be able to decipher syllables in spoken language.

I Went to the Zoo Rhyme (Sung to the tune of London Bridge)
I went to the zoo one day, zoo one day, zoo one day,
I saw a lion in a cage and this is what he said – ROAR!

I went to the zoo one day, zoo one day, zoo one day,
I saw a Snake in a cage and this is what he said – HISS!

I went to the zoo one day, zoo one day, zoo one day,
I saw a Monkey in a cage and this is what he said – OOH OOH AHH!

I went to the zoo one day, zoo one day, zoo one day,
I saw a Tiger in a cage and this is what he said – GRRRRR!


Repeat the rhyme using other zoo animals!

Ten Wild Horses Rhyme
(Bounce baby on lap)
10 wild horses came galloping through town,
5 were white and 5 were brown.
They galloped up,
And they galloped down.
They galloped away,
And out of town.

10 wild horses came galloping through town,
5 were white and 5 were brown.
They galloped up,
And they galloped down.
They galloped away,
And out of town.


Little Mouse Rhyme
(Creep fingers up baby’s back)
See the little mouse
Creeping up the stair,
Looking for a warm place,
There oh there.  (Tickle baby’s neck)

(Creep fingers up baby’s back)
See the little mouse
Creeping up the stair,
Looking for a warm place,
There oh there.  (Tickle baby’s neck)

Enjoy these stories we read at Wonderful Ones this week: 

Peekaboo, Puppy! By Beth Harwood
Join puppy and his farmyard friends for a game of peekaboo. 
Check catalog availability

Shhh… By Guido Van Genechten
Various animals gesture the need to be quiet because a baby is sleeping. 
Check catalog availability

1, 2, 3 Go! Peppy Little Penquins

This week at 1, 2, 3 Go! we have rhymes and stories about those lovable creatures called Penguins!  In this week's rhymes and stories, children will also learn important concepts through repetition and singing.  Learning such words as 'wobbly' or 'shuffle' challenge children to learn new words, as well as learn the motions and movements.  Singing about clapping hands and stamping feet also 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!

I’m a Little Penguin Rhyme (sung to the tune of I’m a Little Teapot)
I’m a little penguin
Black and white
Short and wobbly
A real cute sight.
I can’t fly at all, but I love to swim.
So I’ll waddle to the water and dive right in.

Penguin Shuffle Rhyme
Penguins shuffle shuffle to the left, left, left
Penguins shuffle shuffle to the right, right, right
Give a little wiggle
Give a little hop
Waddle round the iceberg
Never want to stop.

What Do You See With? (sung to the tune of Frere Jacques)
What do you see with?
What do you see with?
Tell me now, tell me now.
These are what you see with,
These are what you see with,
These are your eyes!

What do you clap with?
What do you clap with?
Tell me now, tell me now.
These are what you clap with,
These are what you clap with,
These are your hands!

Repeat the rhyme with other actions such as stamping with your feet or hugging with your arms.


We read these Penguin books at 1, 2, 3 Go!   

Penguins by Liz Pichon
Penguins at the zoo have an exciting afternoon when one finds a camera left behind by a visitor.
Check catalog availability

If You Were a Penguin by Wendell and Florence Minor
If you were a penguin . . . You could swim really fast and toboggan on ice. Sing a happy duet, once or twice.  You could live on land but dive under the sea.  There's a lot penguins can do, just like you and me!
Check catalog availability

Story Mix for Three to Six: Little Llamas

The popular children's picture book series around a sweet and lovable Llama character is a favorite amongst children here at the Gail Borden Public Library.  Our selection of rhymes and stories this week at Story Mix bring even more Llama fun to your child.  Children will learn through repetition and rhyming sounds, syllables and words.   Repetition and rhyming help children understand word construction and meaning based on sound. The actions you can perform in each song help children count, help them learn what to do when they go outside, and how to express emotions when feeling sick.

Ten Little Llamas
One little, two little,
Three little llamas
Four little, five little,
Six little llamas
Seven little, eight little,
Nine little llamas
Ten little llamas wear pajamas!

Let's Put on our Mittens Rhyme
Let’s put on our mittens and button up our coats
Wrap a scarf snugly around our throats
Pull on our boots and fasten the straps
And tie on tightly our warm winter caps
Then open the door and out we go
Into the soft and feathery snow

Where is Mama? (Sung to the tune of where Is thumbkin?)
Where is Mama?
Here I am!
Here I am!
How are you today, sir?
Very well, I thank you.
Run away! Run away!
Repeat with other members of the family such as Papa, Sister, Brother


We read these books at Story Mix: 

Llama Llama Home With Mama by Anna Dewdney
Llama Llama's mother takes good care of him when he has to stay home from school because he is sick, but when Mama Llama begins to feel sick, too, Llama Llama knows how to take care of her.
Check catalog availability

Is Your Mama a Llama? by Deborah Guarino
A young llama asks his friends if their mamas are llamas and finds out, in rhyme, that their mothers are other types of animals.
Check catalog availability

Don’t You Feel Well, Sam? by Amy Hest
When Sam has a cough, Mrs. Bear tends to him all through the cold night. 
Check catalog availability

Terrific Twos: The Color GREEN

We are continuing our color theme at Terrific Twos this week.  GREEN is the color of the environment, grass, leaves and nature.  It can also take on the meaning of growth.  When children are painting, and combine the colors YELLOW and BLUE,  they create the color GREEN.

Help your child learn the color GREEN using the great tactics of reading aloud, talking, singing, playing and writing.  Help Your Child Get Ready to Read!

• Read one of the books below about the color GREEN.
• Talk about the different images you see outside that are GREEN.
• Sing the rhyme below about the GREEN turtle.
• Play the game below about the GREEN stoplight.
• Have fun with finger painting or watercolors, and create the color GREEN.

The Turtle Rhyme
There was a little turtle – he lived in a box.
He swam in a puddle – he climbed on some rocks.
He snapped at a mosquito – he snapped at a flea.
He snapped at a minnow – he snapped at me!
He caught the mosquito – he caught the flea.
He caught the minnow – but he didn’t catch me.

There was a little turtle – he lived in a box.
He swam in a puddle – he climbed on some rocks.
He snapped at a mosquito – he snapped at a flea.
He snapped at a minnow – he snapped at me!
He caught the mosquito – he caught the flea.
He caught the minnow – but he didn’t catch me.

We read these books at Terrific Twos this week: 


Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin
In a question and answer game, a teacher and her group see a variety of animals, each one a different color.
En un juego de las pregunta respuesta, una maestra y su grupo ven una variedad de animales, cada un de color diverso.
Check catalog availability / En Espanol

Where is the Green Sheep? by Mem Fox
A story about many different sheep, and one that seems to be missing.  / Ésta es la oveja azul. Y ésta es la oveja roja. ¿Pero dónde está la oveja verde?
Check catalog availability / En Espanol

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Check out these other fun rhymes and books about the color GREEN:

The Green Line by Polly Farquarson
A child takes a walk to and through a park and notices blossoms on a tree, flowers growing through a fence, a grassy hillside for rolling down, clouds in the sky, a friendly dog, rain splashing in puddles, and much more!
Check catalog availability

Green = El Verde by Sharon Gordon
Shows many different things that are green. / Muestra varios objetos verdes. 
Check catalog availability

Green by Anita Loughrey
Offers fun activities for early learners to find out about the color green.
Check catalog availability


Green Says Go Game! (From our friends at King County Library System)
Green says, “GO!” (hold up the color green)
Go! Go! Go! (march in place)

Yellow says, “Slow!” (hold up the color yellow)
Slow…sloooow…slooooow (march slowly)

And red says, “Stop!” (hold up the color red)
(freeze)

(Hold up Green) Go! Go! Go!

(Hold up Yellow) Slow…sloooow…slooooow

(Hold up Red) STOP! (everybody freeze!)

1, 2, 3 Go! This Little Piggy

One of the first learning concepts children are exposed to are numbers and counting.  Counting aloud not only introduces new sounds and words, but also creates a stimulating learning environment.  The rhymes below bring together interaction between you and your child in an engaging and positive atmosphere, with counting actions and concepts.  We thought counting pigs was extra fun. 

This Little Piggy
This little piggy went to market
This little piggy stayed home
This little piggy had roast beef
This little piggy had none
And this little piggy went wee, wee, wee, wee, all the way home.

Five Squeaky Clean Pigs
Five pigs so squeaky clean
Cleanest you’ve ever seen
Wanted to go outside and play
Oink! Oink!
One jumped into the mud
Landed with a big THUD
Then there were four clean squeaky pigs…

Four pigs so squeaky clean
Cleanest you’ve ever seen
Wanted to go outside and play
Oink! Oink!
One jumped into the mud
Landed with a big THUD
Then there were three clean squeaky pigs…

Three pigs so squeaky clean
Cleanest you’ve ever seen
Wanted to go outside and play
Oink! Oink!
One jumped into the mud
Landed with a big THUD
Then there were two clean squeaky pigs…

Two pigs so squeaky clean
Cleanest you’ve ever seen
Wanted to go outside and play
Oink! Oink!
One jumped into the mud
Landed with a big THUD
Then there was one clean and squeaky pig…

One pig so squeaky clean
Cleanest you’ve ever seen
Wanted to go outside and play
Oink! Oink!
He jumped into the mud
Landed with a big THUD
Then there were no clean and squeaky pigs…

For more little piggy fun, check out these stories:

Pig Takes a Bath by Michael Dahl
A muddy little pig takes a bath and gets clean before escaping back to his messy fun. 
Check catalog availability
 

Z-Z-Zoink! By Bernard Most
A pig has trouble finding a place to sleep because she snores so loudly and wakes up the entire barnyard. 
Check catalog availability

Wonderful Ones: Animal Sounds

Do you have a wonderful one-year old who loves animals and animal sounds?  Then you and your baby both will love the animal themed songs, rhymes and stories we enjoyed at this week's class.  Singing and rhyming not only allows baby to hear and learn new words, it also assists in developing listening skills. By listening to the different sounds animals make, babies will be able to decipher syllables in spoken language.

What Do The Animals Say?
Little dogs say woof, woof, woof,
Woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof,
Little dogs say woof, woof, woof,
All day long.
 
Little kittens say meow, meow, meow,
meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow
Little dogs say meow, meow, meow
All day long.

(Repeat using other animals such as monkeys or cows)

Little Cat
Creeping, creeping, creeping, (Creep fingers up leg)
Comes the little cat.
Meow, meow, meow, meow
Just like that!

Creeping, creeping, creeping, (Creep fingers up leg)
Comes the little cat.
Meow, meow, meow, meow
Just like that!

Horsey, Horsey Rhyme
Horsey, horsey, ride with me.
Across the land, across the sea.
Horsey, horsey, ride with me,
But do not let me fall.

Horsey, horsey, ride with me.
Across the land, across the sea.
Horsey, horsey, ride with me,
But do not let me fall.

For more animal surprises and fun, try these stories we read at this week's Wonderful Ones:

Peek-a-Moo! By Marie Torres Cimarusti
By playing peek-a-boo the reader finds the animal sounds.
Check catalog availability

My Pup by Margaret O’Hair
Brief rhyming text and illustrations show a puppy's activities, from having a bath to eating, playing, and going for a walk.
Check catalog availability