Storytime Made Simple

I feel like it’s been a while since I shared a storytime or work related post so let’s do it.

Usually around this time of year I can be found fussing about not feeling ready for the annual summer reading program my library hosts. I’ll be somewhere worrying about some work thing or just feeling overwhelmed by life because my FOMO is high. This summer, I decided to KISS my worries away and so far it’s been a series of full but satisfying work days. I think some of this new found light feeling may have to do with some staff changes at work and I am here to say I love it.

One of the things I do struggle with is Infant storytime. I love the babies (Have you SEEN #selfieswithbabiesinlibraries on Instagram? Adorbs!) but performing the storytime for babies can be a bit of a struggle. Some weeks I have a riveted audience who will follow along with the songs and rhymes and then there are days when chaos rules and the babies are running all around the room, the parents are chatting with each other and I feel like I need to examine my whole reason for being.

Today seemed to be headed into the direction which would find me hiding in the staffroom. I left two of the books that I wanted to read at home. There were only a handful of people in attendance and one little boy told anyone who would listen why he would not be listening to books being read.

Kids keep it real and it’s humbling.

However, everything clicked and I think I found a bunch of books that go together like peas and carrots.

Storytime Made Simple

What seems like a bunch of random books made for a fun storytime.

After a variation of a warm up, we started with Bob Shea’s Dinosaur vs the Potty. This is one book that is best acted with lots of loud roars, a WWE announcer voice and lots of over acting.

I love “I Can, Can You?” by Marjorie Pitzer. It features children with Down’s Syndrome modeling everyday behavior. With the toddlers we worked our way through the book showing that yes, we can do it!

The Raffi book I wanted to read was checked out but I found a substitute. With scarves, bells or shaker eggs we read/sang Shake my Sillies Out.

I am a sucker for animal sounds and Eric Carle always has a book that just fits. With The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse, we used scarves to paint colors around the room. This book is also good for signing animals and colors.

For movement, I made a new activity cube. This animal themed cube is perfect for little hands to handle and the animals that they need to imitate are easy to do without frustration. The idea is similar to one I found on Pinterest.

Afterwards was a free playtime and my parents helped cleanup!

Letting my FOMO (fear of missing out) go and just enjoying the moment has been great. That sense of competing and feeling not good enough is gone and I am able to just enjoy being.

Tell me…do you have a favorite go to picture book? Share it in the comments! I love finding new reads and adding them to my program.