Storytime Theme: Jazz

Black History Month is here! And I wanted to share a way you can celebrate this special month with some of your youngest patrons, students, or family members. Today I wanted to focus solely on one specific music style – jazz! I love taking the time to introduce young children to all different types of music from around the world and through time. So, in honor of our Black History Month our storytime theme is jazz.

Storytime Theme: Jazz

Welome Song: Bread & Butter
Bread and butter
Marmalade and Jam
Let’s say hello as quiet as we can (whisper: hello)
…loud as we can

…slow as we can
…fast as we can
…high as we can
…low as we can
…nice as we can (big smile!)

Book: Ben’s Trumpet by Rachel Isadora

Transition: The Muffin Man by Ella Fitzgerald
I’d pull out the rhythm sticks for this song and let the kids experiment with different patterns and sounds.

Book: Jazz Baby by Lisa Wheeler

Transition: Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens by Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five
I would preface this song talking about chickens and ask the kids how would chickens dance? And then turn the music on for a mini-dance party!

Book: This Jazz Man by Karen Ehrhardt

Goodbye Song: Bread & Butter
Bread and butter
Marmalade and Jam
Let’s say goodbye as quiet as we can (whisper: goodbye)
…loud as we can

…slow as we can
…fast as we can
…high as we can
…low as we can
…nice as we can (big smile!)

If you’re looking for additional picture book titles to share during Black History Month, check out this list I made a few years ago! Abby the Librarian also has an extensive lesson plan for Black History month as well that you can check out.