Jan Brett-A Christmas Story Time

Opener:
Oh Hey, Oh Hi!
Snowflake Stretch

Who's That Knocking on Christmas Eve 
(Jan Brett) 4 and up
In classic Jan Brett style with ornate Scandinavian illustrations with delightful embellishments, learn how one boy and his bear solved a pesky troll problem.







Gingerbread Baby (Jan Brett) 4 and up
While the entire town chases a very naughty gingerbread baby, his creator sets to work at crafting a solution to catch the runaway cookie.  As usual, Jan Brett's work is a visual feast!






Home for Christmas (Jan Brett) 4 and up
This delightful story, set in Scandinavian folklore teaches us the value of work...that the easy way out isn't all it's cracked up to be!


Felt Board:  Five Little Gingerbread Men
Craft: I Spy Ornaments
Snack:  Gingerbread Men

Have a Merry Christmas!

Silent Night

Openers:  

Oh Hey Oh Hi

Snowflake Dance

Bear's First Christmas (Kinerk) 3-5

Follow Bear through a cold winter night and see how he learns that the greatest gift of Christmas...is in his heart!

Song:  Love Grows

Finger Play:  Ten Little Fingers

Night and the Candlemaker (Somary and Bartram) 2-5

Somary and Bartram team up to introduce a very large idea within a very simple story children can embrace.  In a beautiful metaphor for Hope, observe the patient and wise candle maker as he sets about his task making light...a light that pierces even the blackest darkness.  (One of my favorites!)

Song:  This little light of mine

Night Gliders (Ryder) 2-4

Set to poetry that glides and descends as smoothly as these squirrels on a winter night, introduce children to a rarely-seen nocturnal resident of our northern forests--flying squirrels (actually, they glide...). 

Song:  Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Felt Board:  T'was the Night Before Christmas

Closer:  Wave Goodbye (Rob Reid)

Coming Next Week:

Jan Brett and an I Spy Christmas ornament craft!

Can't wait to see you all again...

Chinese New Year

Opener:
Oh Hey, Oh Hi!/Snowballs
Greetings Around the World

The Empty Pot (Demi)3-5
Gentle and beautiful watercolors portray the noble tale of a Chinese boy who remains honest, even when it appears he will suffer great shame.  Find out what the great Emperor thinks of his choices.
Finger Play: Moon Phases
Song: Chinese Lantern 

The Squiggle (Schaefer) 2-4
Explore the vivid details of a little girl's imagination when she picks up an ordinary piece of red string.  Delightful Asian themes run throughout.
(Hand out red crepe paper streamers so children can follow her thoughts with their bodies.)
Wiggler:  My Thumbs are Starting to Wiggle


Felt Board: I see hearts
Craft: Chinese Snake Stick Puppet

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/chinesenewyear/lion/
Chinese New Year Gift: Red Paper Envelope with Coin Candy
"gung hay fat choy"  May You Be Prosperous
Closer:  Wave Goodbye

More Books (from Story Time Source Page)

Preschool Read Alouds

Bee-Bim Bop! by Linda Sue Park
Bringing In the New Year by Grace Lin

Dragon Dance by Joan Holub

Dragon Dancing by Carole Lexa Schaefer
Fortune Cookies by Albert Bitterman - illustrated by Chris Rascha 
My Chinese New Year by Monica Hughes
My First Chinese New Year by Karen Katz

Red Book by Barbara Lehmen

Yum Yum Dim Sum by Amy Wilson Sanger

Kindergarten Read Alouds

Bringing In the New Year by Grace Lin 
D is for Dragon Dance by Yin Chang Compestine

Dumpling Soup by Jama Kim Rattiga

One is a Drummer by Roseanne Thong
Pet Dragon by Christoph Niemann

Red is A Dragon by Roseanne Thong

Round is A Mooncake by Roseanne Thong

Ruby's Wish by Sharin Yim

Tikki Tikki Tembo by Arlene Mosel
Yum, Yuck by Linda Sue Park

Oceans Alive

Opener: 
Oh Hey Oh Hi
Snowflake Dance

Out of the Ocean (Debra Frasier) 3-6
With lovely paper-cuttings and collage, this story helps us think of the ocean in  a new way...for the gifts it brings.  Find treasures along with a daughter and mother and turn a new eye to the shore!
Song:  Row, Row, Row Your Boat




Crab Moon (Ruth Horowitz) 3-6
In this NSTA (National Science Teacher's Association) Outstanding Science Trade Book, follow the delightful story of a boy discovering the natural habits of horseshoe crabs outside of a rented summer cottage.  Beautiful, golden-hued paintings accompany this tale, suggesting the very tenderness and warmth with which the story unfolds.

Song:  Ocean Hokey Pokey

Tickly Octopus (Ruth Galloway) 2-4
Ever had a sibling that didn't know when to stop tickling?  Many of us have.  Find out out Octopus finds what ELSE he's good at...

Song:  My Thumbs are Starting to Wiggle

Felt Board:  10 Shells on the Sand
Closer:  Wave Goodbye Poem (Rob Reid)


More Books! (from Story Time Source Page)
Toddler Read Alouds: 
At the Beach by Anne Rockwell
Baby Loves Summer!  by Karen Katz 
Ben Goes Swimming by Jan Ormerod
Big Fish, Little Fish by Ed Heck
Brownie and Pearl Take A Dip by Cynthia Rylant  ~ simple narrative for Toddlers
Fish Wish by Bob Barner
Hooray for Fish!  by Lucy Cousins 
Jack It's A Sunny Day by Rebecca Elgar
My New Sandbox by Donna Jakob
One Sun by Bruce McMillan
Sea, Sand, Me! by Patricia Hubbell
To the Island by Charlotte Agell
Where Is Baby's Beach Ball? by Karen Katz
Who Sees You At the Ocean? by Carla Dijs

Preschool Read Alouds: 
All You Need for A Beach by Alice Shertle
George's Store at the Shore by Francine Bassede
How Will We Get to the Beach? by Brigitte Luciani
I'm the Biggest Thing in the Ocean by Kevin Sherry
I Saw the Sea and the Sea Saw Me by Megan Cash
Louie's Goose by H. M. Ehrlich
Little Fish, Lost by Nancy Van Laan
Ocean Parade by Patricia McCarthy
Rub-A-Dub Sub by Linda Ashman
Sand Castle by Brenda Yee
Six Sandy Sheep by Judith Enderle
Smiley Shark by Ruth Galloway
10 Little Hermit Crabs by Lee Fox
There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Shell by Lucille Colandro
Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea by Jan Peck = MY PERSONAL FAVORITE

Kindergarten Read Alouds:Beach Day by Karen Roosa
Billy's Bucket by Kes Gray
Flip Flop Bop by Matt Novak
Hello Ocean by Pam Munoz Ryan
Pig Kahuna by Jennifer Sattler
Seaweed Soup by Stuart J. Murphy
There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Trout by Teri Sloat
Fins and Flippers, Scales and Nippers by Ann Garrett

Gazing at the Moon

Openers:
Oh Hey Oh Hi!
PBJ stretch

Mrs. Mooley (Jack Kent) 3-5
All the barnyard animals laugh at Mrs. Mooley when she says that she'll jump over the moon.  Check out what a little determination and practice does for this special cow.

Song:  Old MacDonald





Long Night Moon (Cynthia Rylant) 2-4
In this luminous book of months, Ms. Rylant describes the Native American perspective on a year's moons in terms young readers can easily grasp.
FP:  Five Little Kittens
Song:  Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star














Papa, Get the Moon For Me (Eric Carle) 2-4
FP:  Phases of the Moon
Wiggler:  Now Tall, Now Small

Felt Board: Rocket to the Moon
Closer:  Wave Goodbye

Monsters!

 Openers:
Oh Hey Oh Hi
Up to the Ceiling

Even Monsters Need Haircuts (McElligott) 4-5
Did you ever wonder what happens at the barber shop at night?  Check out some stylish monsters...
FingerPlay:  Five Little MonstersSong:  If You're a Monster and You Know It...Show Your Claws...
Grind Your Teeth...
Stomp Your Feet...
Growl Out Loud...









There Was An Old Monster (Emberley) 3-5
In the rhythmic style of There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, a monster suffers a ghoulish  bellyache!
Song:  The Ants Go Marching













Monsters Don't Eat Broccoli (Hicks) 2-4
...But guess what they DO eat!

Song:  Sticky, Sticky Bubblegum



Felt Board:  Build-a-Dinosaur
Closer:  Wave Goodbye Poem


More Books!



Toddler Read-Alouds

Five Ugly Monsters by Tedd Arnold

Go Away, Big Green Monster by Ed Emberley

Goodnight, Baby Monster by Laura Leuck

Hungry Monster by Phyllis Root

Monster Countdown by Pamela Jane

Monster is Coming! by Michaela Porter

Monster, Monster by Melanie Walsh

Preschool Read-Alouds

Bedtime for Monsters by Ed Vere

Creepy Monsters, Sleepy Monsters by Jane Yolen

Frank Was a Monster Who Wanted to Dance by Keith Graves

Goodnight, Little Monster by Helen Katteman

Happy Birthday, Frankie by Sarah Weeks

Hush Little Monster by Denis Markell

If You're A Monster and You Know It by Rebecca Emberly

It's MY Birthday! by Pat Hutchins

Jumpy Jack and Googily by Meg Rosoff

Little Goblins Ten by Pamela Jane

Monster Cake by Rebecca Dickinson

Monsters Don't Eat Broccoli by Barbara Jean Hicks

Monster Show by Charise Mericle Harper 

My Monster Mama Loves Me So by Laura Leuck

Perfect Little Monster by Judy Hindley

There Was An Old Monster by Rebecca Emberley

Kindergarten Read-Alouds

Always Listen to Your Mother by Florence Parry Heide 

Baby That Roared  by Simon Puttock

Cackle Cook's Monster Stew by Patricia Wolff

Do Not Build A Frankenstein! by Neil Numberman

Even Monsters Need Haircuts by Matthew McElligott - MY FAVORITE 

Horrible Holly's Pet Raptor by Michael Ratnett

Jeremy Draws A Monster by Peter McCarty

Leonardo the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems

Most Loved Monster by Lynn Downey

Mostly Monsterly by Tammi Sauer

Thelonius Monster's Sky-High Fly Pie by Judy Sierra

10-Step Guide to Living With Your Monster by Laura Numeroff

Very Worst Monster by Pat Hutchins

YUCK! That's Not A Monster! by Angela McAllister

Boats Afloat

Opener:  Oh Hey, Oh Hi!
Stretch: Up to the Ceiling

The Boy at the Beach (Daly) 3-5
A young boy and his family visit the beach and when the waves get too big, Joe finds a safer adventure in an old abandoned boat.

Song:  Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Tongue Twister:  Sally Sells Seashells











I'm Mighty (McMullan) 2-5
This little tug boat handles some big jobs.  Get familiar with what sort of items you may find on a tug while catching his wonderful CAN-DO attitiude!

FingerPlay:  Here is the Sea
Explorations:  Sink or Float?

Boats Boats Boats!(Cleland) 1-3
A colorful photo exploration of different kinds of boats.

Felt Board: Who Sank the Boat?

Harvest Time!

Opener: 
Oh Hey, Oh Hi!
Up to the Ceiling Stretch
Little Red Hen (Pinkney) 3-5 
With bold and detailed illustrations, this classic retelling of the 'Little Red Hen' tale reminds us that if you want the prize...then do the work! 

Song:  Cluck, Cluck Red Hen

Little Mouse, Ripe Red Strawberry, and the 

Big Hungry Bear (Don Wood) 2-5
While masterfully engaging the natural empathy of children, this story helps us enter mouse's BIG dilemma and then enjoy a tasty solution with him...
Wiggler:  I'm a Little Teapot Song: If You're Hungry and You Know It

Leaf Man (Lois Ehlert) 2-4
A hide-and-seek story of leaves, Lois Ehlert crafts a colorful tale and an invitation to nature craft of our own.
Wiggler: Autumn Leaves are Falling Down
Felt Board: Ten Little Leaves

Closer:
Wave Goodbye (Rob Reid)

More Books !(from Storytime Source Page)
Toddler Read-Alouds
Acorns Everywhere! by Kevin Sherry
Apples and Pumpkins by Anne Rockwell
Carrot Seed by Crockett Johnson
Duck and Goose Find A Pumpkin by Tad Hills
Handful of Sunshine by Melanie Eclare
It's Harvest Time!  by Jean McElroy
Little Mouse, Red Ripe Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear by Don Wood
Piggies In The Pumpkin Patch by Mary Peterson
Pumpkin Pumpkin by Jeanne Titherington
Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf by Lois Ehlert - for the illustrations
Spot's Harvest by Eric Hill
Surprise Garden by Zoe Hall 
That Pup!  by Lindsay Barrett George

Preschool Read-Alouds
Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall
Carrot in My Pocket by Kitson Flynn
Flora's Surprise by Debi Gliori
Frisky Brisky Hippity Hop by Susan Lurie 
Good Job, Oliver by Laurel Molk
Little Apple Goat by Caroline Jayne Church
Little Black Crow by Chris Raschka
Little Red Hen by Barry Downard
Mrs. Fickle's Pickles by Lori Ries
Mrs. McNosh and the Great Big Squash by Sarah Weeks
Muncha Muncha Muncha by Candace Fleming
Mystery Vine by Cathryn Falwell
Pickin' Peas by Margaret Reed
Scarecrow's Hat by Ken Brown - translates well into a flannel story
Ten Seeds by Ruth Brown
Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White

Kindergarten Read-Alouds
And the Good Brown Earth by Kathy Henderson
Grandma Lena's Big Ol' Turnip by Denia Hester
Grandma's Garden by Elaine Moore
Little Scarecrow Boy by Margaret Wise Brown
Little Story About A Big Turnip by Tatiana Zunshine
One More Acorn by Don Freeman
Rabbit and Squirrel: A Tale of War and Peas by Kara LaReau
Scarecrow by Cynthia Rylant
Scarlette Beane by Karen Wallace
Tale of the Turnip by Brian Alderson
Tops and Bottoms by Janet Stevens - can be extended, using vegetable props