Best books about spring for toddlers

Selected books on this theme for toddler storytime:

1. "Mouse's First Spring" by Lauren Thompson














2. "Abracadabra, It's Spring!" by Anne Sibley O' Brien















3. "The Song of Spring" by Hendrik Jonas

4. "Bears and Blossoms" by Shirley Parenteau

5. "Little Blue Truck's Springtime" by Alice Schertle
6. "Spring Is Here" by Will Hillenbrand
7. "Spring is Coming!" by Chris Helene Bridge
8. "A Little Book about Spring" by Leo Lionni

February 26: Toddler Storytime: Black History Month

(Reminder note: When it is time to read a story, I read the titles of three books and then display them. The children pick which one we read. The ones listed below are the ones they picked. Additional recommended titles for Black History Month for two to three year olds are at the bottom of this post.)

Opening song:                                                               

(Tune: The Farmer in the Dell")

We tap hola like this
We tap ho la like this
Hi-ho cherry

We tap hola like this

Continue with other verses:

We drop hola like this...

We circle hola like this...

We spin hola like this...

We toss hola like this..

We roll hola like this....

We stomp hola like this...

Introduction: I explained that, in addition to focusing on the 100 Acts of Kindness and Valentine's Day, February is also Black History Month. I pointed to the pictures from my Black History Month display that is on the wall behind me.  All of these people are remembered for doing something to make the world a better place. We all look the same on the inside. No matter the color of our skin, we all are special. 

Book: "I Like Myself" by Karen Beaumont

I gave each parent a copy of the words to the song that went with the theme. 

MOVEMENT AND SHAKER SONG:

“I Am Special”
(Tune: "Are You Sleeping?")


I am special, I am special,
Look at me, look at me.
A very special person, A very special person
That is me, that is me.

You are special, you are special
Everyone is special, everyone is special
Oh, you are special
Everyone is special
In his or her own way

MOVEMENT SONG: (We sang the song over ten times, once about each child attending storytime.)

“Everyone's Important”
(Tune: "Did You Ever See a Lassie")

(Child's name)'s important, important, important
(Child's name)'s important to me and you
In work and in play
(H/she) does (his/her) best each day
(Name)'s important to me and you.

MOVEMENT SONG: (We stood up and danced with scarves while singing the words.)

"Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star"
           followed by

“Special Me”(Tune: "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star")

Special, special, special me
How I wonder what I'll be
In this big world I can be
Anything I want to be
Special, special, special me
How I wonder what I'll be

Book: "Honeysmoke" by Monique Fields

Movement song:  

“If You're Friendly”
(Tune: "If You're Happy, and You Know It")

If you're friendly and you know it, wave hello.
If you're friendly and you know it, wave hello.
If you're friendly and you know it, and you really want to show it,
If you're friendly and you know it, wave hello!

If you're friendly and you know it, shake hands.
If you're friendly and you know it, shake hands.
If you're friendly and you know it, and you really want to show it,
If you're friendly and you know it, shake hands!

If you're friendly and you know it, blow a kiss.
If you're friendly and you know it, blow a kiss. 
If you're friendly and you know it, and you really want to show it,
If you're friendly and you know it, blow a kiss!

Goodbye Song:
(Tune: "The Farmer in the Dell")

We tap adios like this

We tap adios like this

Hi-ho cherry

We tap adios like this

Continue with other verses:

We drop adios like this...

We circle adios like this...

We spin adios like this...

We toss adios like this...

We roll adios like this...

We stomp adios like this...

Craft Time: Imitating the art of Alma W. Thomas, African American abstract painter

First, I showed a picture of her to the children, and I told them a little bit about her. She was first an art teacher for 35 years, and at the age of 68, she began studying to become a professional artist. Next, I showed them some of her paintings using the book Alma W. Thomas: a retrospective of the paintings by the artist herself. I explained that her art is abstract art. It isn't meant to look like anything specific. She painted using small, separated tile-like marks or spots of bright colors. Spots of the same color were either grouped in  vertical rows or in layers of circular shapes.

 Materials:
1. Cardstock paper
2. Dot markers in a variety of colors
3. Picture of Alma Thomas
4. Examples of her work

My examples

*All photos are with parental permission.

I always let the children pick which three books I read from the ones I bring with me. These are some additional suggested books that the children didn't pick:

1. "Shades of People" by Shelly Rotner and Sheila M. Kelly
2. "Happy in Our Skin" by Fran Manushkin
3. "Happy to be Nappy" by Bell Hooks
4. "I Love My Haircut" by Natasha Tarpley
5. "I Love My Hair" by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley
6. "Hey Black Child" by USenia Eugene Perkns
7. "This Jazz Man" by Karen Ehrhardt

February 19, 2020: Toddler Storytime: Polar Bears

(Reminder note: When it is time to read a story, I read the titles of three books and then display them. The children pick which one we read. The ones listed below are the ones they picked. Additional recommended titles about polar bears for two to three year olds are at the bottom of this post.)

Opening song:                                                               

(Tune: The Farmer in the Dell")

We tap hola like this
We tap ho la like this
Hi-ho cherry

We tap hola like this

Continue with other verses:

We drop hola like this...

We circle hola like this...

We spin hola like this...

We toss hola like this..

We roll hola like this....

We stomp hola like this...

Introduction: I brought out a stuffed polar bear, and I asked what kind of bear it is. I explained that polar bears live way up north where it is always cold. They have black skin to help them absorb hear from the sun and white fur to blend in because snow and ice are white.

Book: "Polar Bear Morning" by Lauren Thompson

I gave each parent a copy of the words to the song that went with the theme. 

MOVEMENT SONG:

“Polar Bear”

Polar Bear, Polar Bear turn around
Polar Bear, Polar Bear touch the ground.
Polar Bear, Polar Bear bend down low. 
Polar Bear, Polar Bear touch your toe.

Polar Bear, Polar Bear slide on the ice.
Polar Bear, Polar Bear spin around, twice. 
Polar Bear, Polar Bear reach up high. 
Polar Bear, Polar Bear touch the sky.

MOVEMENT SONG:

“Did You Ever See a Polar Bear” (Tune: “Did You Ever See a Lassie?”)


Did you ever see a polar bear, A polar bear, a polar bear? Did you ever see a polar bear Sliding on ice?

He slips and slides,
He twirls and glides.
Did you ever see a polar bear,
Sliding on ice?



Spanish song: "Vengan a Ver Mi Granja" by Whistlefritz
  

Book: "No Place Like Home" by Ronojoy Ghosh

Movement song:  

“Polar Bear”

(Tune: I’m A Little Teapot)


I’m a little polar bear, soft and white. 
Catching a fish, they’re a tasty bite.
When it gets cold on an Arctic night,
My thick warm fur keeps me just right!

Goodbye Song:
(Tune: "The Farmer in the Dell")

We tap adios like this

We tap adios like this

Hi-ho cherry

We tap adios like this

Continue with other verses:

We drop adios like this...

We circle adios like this...

We spin adios like this...

We toss adios like this...

We roll adios like this...

We stomp adios like this...

Craft Time: Cotton Ball Polar Bear

Modified from https://www.firefliesandmudpies.com/polar-bear-craft-for-kids/

 Materials:
1. Polar bear template
2. White cardstock
3. Black crayons
4. Cotton balls
5. Googly eyes
6. Black cardstock
7. Hole punch 
8. Scissors 
9. Glue

My example

Instructions:

1. Print template on white cardstock.

2. Color template with black crayon, and cut it out.

3. Pull cotton balls apart into small pieces, and glue them on top of the polar bear

4. Glue on a googly eye.

5. Hole punch a nose out of the black cardstock, and glue it on.

*All photos are with parental permission.

I always let the children pick which three books I read from the ones I bring with me. These are some additional suggested books that the children didn't pick:

1. "One Very Big Bear" by Alice Briere-Haquet
2. "Virgil and Owen" by Paulette Bogan
3. "Polar Bear's Underwear" by Tupera Tupera 
4. "Little Polar Bear" by Hans de Beer
5. "Polar Bear Night" by Lauren Thompson
6. "Love Matters Most" by Mij Kelly and Gerry Turley

February 12: Toddler Storytime: Valentine's Day

(Reminder note: When it is time to read a story, I read the titles of three books and then display them. The children pick which one we read. The ones listed below are the ones they picked. Additional recommended titles for Valentine's Day for two to three year olds are at the bottom of this post.)

Opening song:                                                               

(Tune: The Farmer in the Dell")

We tap hola like this
We tap ho la like this
Hi-ho cherry

We tap hola like this

Continue with other verses:

We drop hola like this...

We circle hola like this...

We spin hola like this...

We toss hola like this..

We roll hola like this....

We stomp hola like this...

Introduction: There is a special holiday on Friday that celebrates love. One of the children happened to be wearing a Valentine's Day shirt, and I mentioned that her shirt was a clue. After the children guessed, I explained that a valentine is a word for someone that I love.

Book: "Happy Valentine's Day, Curious George!" by N. Di Angelo

I gave each parent a copy of the words to the song that went with the theme. 

Action chant:

“A Great Big Hug” 
(Tune: “The Wheels on the Bus”)

Oh, I just love your hugs and kisses, 
Hugs and kisses, hugs and kisses. 
Oh, I just love you hugs and kisses, 
Come and give me some.

A great big hug and lots of kisses, 
Lots of kisses, lots of kisses. 
A great big hug and lots of kisses, 
Ready? Here I come!




Shaker song:

“I'm a Valentine for You”
(Tune: "She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain")

I'm a teeny tiny valentine for you, (Use a tiny, squeaky voice) 
I'm a teeny tiny valentine for you, 
I'm a teeny tiny valentine, 
I'm always your valentine; will you be mine? 
I'm a teeny tiny valentine for you.

I'm a medium-sized valentine for you, (Use medium voice) 
I'm a medium-sized valentine for you, 
I'm a medium-sized valentine, 
I'm not too big and that's just fine 
I'm a medium-sized valentine for you.

I'm a great big valentine for you. (Use loud voice) 
I'm a great big valentine for you. 
I'm a great big valentine, and I will love you all the time. 
I'm a great big valentine for you.

Movement song: "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" 
     followed by "Cabeza, Hombros, Rodillas, y Pies"

  

Book: "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Rose" by Lucille Colandro

Movement song:  (We marched around the room as we sang.)

“All the Time” (Tune: “Oh, My Darling Clementine”)

I love you, I love you, 
I love you all the time. 
And I hope, oh yes I hope 
You will be my valentine 

I love you , I love you, 
I love you night and day. 
And I hope, oh yes, I hope
You will love me the same way.

Goodbye Song:
(Tune: "The Farmer in the Dell")

We tap adios like this

We tap adios like this

Hi-ho cherry

We tap adios like this

Continue with other verses:

We drop adios like this...

We circle adios like this...

We spin adios like this...

We toss adios like this...

We roll adios like this...

We stomp adios like this...

Craft Time: Valentine Heart Collage

 Materials:
1. Heart template
2. Red, pink, purple cardstock to run heart template on
3. Red, pink, purple, and white feathers
4. Valentine colored buttons and beads
5. Valentine colored pom poms
6. Valentine colored stickers, sequins, pipe cleaners and ribbon
7. Scissors
8. Glue
    

My example

*All photos are with parental permission.

I always let the children pick which three books I read from the ones I bring with me. These are some additional suggested books that the children didn't pick:

1. "Love" by Helen O'Dare
2. "Ten Little Kisses" by Taylor Garland
3. "Happy Valentine's Day, Curious George!" by N. Di Angelo
4. "Peppa Pig and the I Love You Game" by Neville Astley
and Mark Baker
5. "Mouse's First Valentine" by Lauren Thompson
6. "The Hug" by Eoin Mclaughlin and Polly Dunbar
7. "Love, Mama" by Jeanette Bradley
8. "The Littlest things Give the Loveliest Hugs" by Mark Sperring

February 5: Toddler Storytime: Penguins

(Reminder note: When it is time to read a story, I read the titles of three books and then display them. The children pick which one we read. The ones listed below are the ones they picked. Additional recommended titles about penguins for two to three year olds are at the bottom of this post.)

Opening song:                                                               

(Tune: The Farmer in the Dell")

We tap hola like this
We tap ho la like this
Hi-ho cherry

We tap hola like this

Continue with other verses:

We drop hola like this...

We circle hola like this...

We spin hola like this...

We toss hola like this..

We roll hola like this....

We stomp hola like this...

Introduction:
We live where it is warm most of the time and only cold in the winter. Some animals live where it is cold all year round. These animals include penguins. Penguins are a type of bird, but they can't fly. Their fins are for swimming.

Book: "Penguin on Vacation" by Salina Yoon

I gave each parent a copy of the words to the song that went with the theme. 

Action chant:  

“Penguins Having Fun”
(Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”)

Penguins, penguins having fun
Waddling in the winter sun.
Waddling fast and waddling slow,
Waddling to and waddling fro.
Penguins, penguins having fun
Waddling in the winter sun.

Action Song using Scarves: "Five Green and Speckled Frogs"

Movement song: "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" followed by "Cabeza, Hombros, Rodilla, y Pies"

Book: "Baby Penguins Everywhere" by Melissa Guion

Movement song:   Stand up and wattle throughout the song to act out the words.

“Ten Little Penguins”

Ten little penguins
Their suits are black and their vests are white.
They waddle to the left and they waddle to the right.
They stand on the ice and they look very neat,
As they waddle along on their little flat feet.

Movement:  

“I'm a Little Penguin Two Feet High”
(Tune: I'm a Little Teapot)

I'm a little penguin,
Two feet high.
I am a bird,
But I can't fly.
Look at how I swim
Out in the sea:
I'm as fast
As fast can be! 

Goodbye Song:
(Tune: "The Farmer in the Dell")

We tap adios like this

We tap adios like this

Hi-ho cherry

We tap adios like this

Continue with other verses:

We drop adios like this...

We circle adios like this...

We spin adios like this...

We toss adios like this...

We roll adios like this...

We stomp adios like this...

Craft Time: Paper Plate Penguins

     Source: https://thepinterestedparent.com

My example

Materials:

1. 9 inch paper plates

2. Penguin template from source listed above

3. Black paint

4. Brushes

5. Orange construction paper

6. Googly eyes

7. Glue stick for beak and feet

8. Glue gun for googly eyes

9. Scissors

See complete instructions on website.

*All photos are with parental permission.

                     

I always let the children pick which three books I read from the ones I bring with me. These are some additional suggested books that the children didn't pick:

1. "Virgil and Owen" by Paulette Bogan
2. "A Penguin Story" by Antoinette Portis
3."Virgil and Owen Stick Together" by Paulette Bogan
4. "Flora and the Penguin" by Molly Schaar Idle
5. "I Am Small" by Emma Dodd