Storytime: Dragons!

Dragons are one of my very favorite themes to do in storytime! The kids love the imagination play that dragons bring and love roaring and acting like dragons even more! Because of this, it can be kind of a raucous storytime, but if you lean into it, it’s so much fun!

Introduction: Usually I try to ask some questions about the theme, but for this particular storytime, I asked generic questions about their day or their favorite activities because the first book we read has a surprise ending.

Opening Song: The ECRR Song is our weekly opening song. The kids love getting the chance at the end to say what’s inside their book.

Book: The Crocodile Who Didn’t Like Water By Gemma Merino

I love this book! Definitely one of my favorites. It has a surprise ending, so I try to do this one first thing in the storytime so it can remain a surprise. Some kids who are familiar with surprises such as this might guess, but most are utterly delighted that they were tricked.

Sign of the Day: The sign of the day was, of course, “Dragon!” Here’s how to sign it from ASLNook, who I adore!

Song: Fly, Dragon, Fly. Tune: Skip to My Lou. For this song, we pause shortly in our movements to sign the word “Dragon” in ASL

Fly, fly, dragon fly. Fly, fly, dragon fly.
Fly, fly, dragon fly. Way up in the sky!
Hop, hop, dragon hop. Hop, hop, dragon hop.
Hop, hop, dragon hop, stop dragon stop!
Turn, turn, dragon turn. Turn, turn, dragon turn.
Turn, turn, dragon turn. Sit, dragon, sit!

Book: Baby Dragon, Baby Dragon by Melissa Marr

This is such a fun little story of friendship and adventure! It’s fun to see how the dragon moves: swooping, soaring, climbing, etc. And it’s a great transition to the next activity!

Song with Scarf Dancing: We pass out the colorful scarves we have and hit play on the classic song, Puff the Magic Dragon by Peter, Paul & Mary! I invited the kids to dance or move the scarf to the song, pretend their scarves are dragon wings, or anything else they feel like!

Rhyme: Five Little Dragons

Five little dragons with great big scales,
One lost his balance and bumped his tail.
He cried “Ouch!” and breathed some fire,
Then flew away, higher and higher.

Felt: I Will Not Eat You by Adam Lehrhaupt

My coworker, L, made a lovely felt story out of this book and it’s a really fun way to tell it! Maybe once we’re out of quarantine and I can sneak back into the library, I’ll be able to take some pictures or make a template. Anyway you tell it, the silliness and repetition in this story make it a hit! I like to do exaggerated head shakes and a funny voice for the “I will not eat you” line and the kids joined in.

Puppet: Ok, I’m not the best at puppetry, but I do have just a couple go-to skits. One is the Dragon Who Forgot How to Roar. I bring out my puppet and introduce him to the kids (he’s a very excitable puppet and is always ready to say “hi, hi, hi!!!!” The rest of it goes like this…

Me: Dragon, why did you want to come to storytime today?
Dragon: “Oh! Because I want to show you how ferocious my roar is! Are you ready to hear it?!”
Me: Oh, a ferocious roar? I’d love to hear that! But only if everyone else is ready. Are you all ready to listen to dragon? (wait for kids response). Great! Ok, dragon! We’re ready!
Dragon: Ok, on the count of three! One….Two….Three! Meow!
Me: Uh Oh…Dragon, that wasn’t a roar! What animal usually makes a “meow” sound (wait for kids response). That’s right, a cat! Dragon, do you want to try again?
Dragon: Yes, yes, yes! Ok! One…Two….Three! Baaaaaa!
Me: Oh…Dragon, that wasn’t a roar, either! What animal usually makes a “Baaaa” sound (wait for kids response). That’s right, a Sheep! Dragon, would you like to try one more time?
Dragon: Yes, yes, yes! Ok! This time I’ll get it right! One….Two….Three! Woof! Ohhhh, nooo! I forgot how to roar!
Me: Don’t worry, Dragon! I bet that our friends know exactly how to roar. Do you all know what a roar sounds like? Can you show Dragon on the count of three? (count to three, let the kids roar loudly)
Dragon: That’s right! I think I can do it, now! But….uh….can you all roar with me? (count to three and roar with kids)

Closing Song: After the dragon puppet, it’s a little hard to gather their attention back, but we manage! Then it’s time for our weekly goodbye song, Tickle the Clouds!