Story Time Theme: Bunny Rabbits

I know many librarians who cringe when they have to work around a “theme” for story time.  I find it easier to focus on a theme and find great books surrounding an idea, color, letter, number, or object.  Most of my themes this session really focus on spring and what it means.  Today’s theme is no different, we’re using Bunny Rabbit stories – and there are some great ones out there!

Opening

• Traditional: Put Your Hands Up In the Air & Open Shut Them
• Yoga: Warm-up (Rock n Roll, Zip up Spine, Deep Breaths, Cat/Cow, pounce from child pose (lunge forward, Dog)

Book 1: Carrot Soup by, John Segal OR Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! by, Candace Fleming

Transition

• Traditional: 5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed
• Yoga: Sun Salutations (Mountain, Reach Up, Touch the Ground, Hands at Knees (flat back), Plank Pose, Downward Facing Dog, Walk Toward Hands, Repeat 3x)

Book 2: Little White Rabbit by, Kevin Henkes

Transition (changes weekly)

• Traditional: Little Bunny Foo-Foo
• Yoga: Shapes (Star Pose, Triangle Pose (both sides), Crescent Moon Pose (both sides), Table, Ball Pose)

Book 3:  Not a Box by, Antoinette Portis

Closing

• Traditional: Shake Your Sillies Out Puppet Show
• Yoga: Cool-down (Bridge, Happy Baby Pose, Star Pose/Deep Breaths)
  • Asian Dreamland (Putumayo Kids)
  • Namaste

Early Literacy Extras

• Make Sharing Books Part Of Every Day
  • Read or share stories at bedtime or in the car.
• Have Fun
  • Children can learn from you that books are fun, which is an important ingredient in learning to read.
• A Few Minutes is OK—Don’t Worry if You Don’t Finish the Story
  • Young children can only sit for a few minutes for a story, but as they grow, they will be able to sit longer.
• Talk or Sing About the Pictures
  • You do not have to read the words to tell a story.
• Let Children Turn the Pages
  • Babies need board books and help turning pages, but a three-year-old can do it alone. Remember, it’s OK to skip pages!
• Show Children the Cover Page
  • Explain what the story is about. 
• Show Children the Words
  • Run your finger along the words as you read them, from left to right.
• Make the Story Come Alive
  • Create voices for the story characters and use your body to tell the story.
• Make It Personal
  • Talk about your own family, pets, or community when you are reading about others in a story.
• Ask Questions About the Story, and Let Children Ask Questions Too!
  • Use the story to engage in conversation and to talk about familiar activities and objects.
• Let Children Tell the Story
  • Children as young as three years old can memorize a story and many children love to be creative through storytelling.