Sum, Summ, Summer! No, it’s not my favorite season, but I do love the liveliness that comes with it. My family never took big, grand vacations. If we went anywhere, it was to my Grandma’s house in Chicago. But I have vivid memories of waking up at 6am, piling seven bodies (plus luggage) into the car, and driving for 6 hours with no air conditioning. When I was really young, my mom would play car games with us, but as I grew older, it became a time to listen to my music on my Walkman and read. This is always what I will equate with Summer.
Introduction: My question to kick us off for this storytime was “What does your family do in the summertime?” Then we kick off our storytime with our ECRR Hello Song.
ASL Sign of the Day: “Summer.” This is a nice, simple sign. When I introduce it, I tell the kids to act like they’re wiping sweat from their forehead, making sure to tuck in their finger as they go (otherwise, it’s the sign for the color “black”).
Song: In The Summer It Is Hot (Tune: Farmer in the Dell). For this one, I tell the kids to think of something they like to do in the summer time. Then during the song, I point to one of them so we can add it to the song. We also use the ASL sign everytime we sing the word “summer.”
In the summer it is hot
In the summer it is hot
Oh when it’s hot
I like to_______ a lot
In the summer when it’s hot
Book: Cheers for a Dozen Ears by Felicia Sanzari Chernesky
I love Felicia Sanzari Chernesky’s series of concept books because they’re engaging and have ample opportunities to talk and build vocabulary. This title is no different and catches the essence of summer!
Song: Summer Sun in the Sky (Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star)
The Summer sun in the sky
Shining, shining up so high
Makes it warm for outside fun
To play at the park and run, run run!
Swimming, hiking, and catching fish
Going on picnics as much as you wish!
Book: The Summer Nick Taught His Cats to Read by Curtis Manley
I love this adorable take on reading to animals! Nick loves reading and love his cats, so why not try to teach his cats how to read? With subtle but unmistakable humor, this book delivers!
Rhyme: Swimming in the Water
Swimming in the water cool and bright (Pretend to swim)
I kick my feet with all my might (Kick feet)
And when I’m tired I turn and float (Spin and hold arms out)
Pretending that I’m a boat! (Lean to the sides, arms out)
I like to hold my breath and dive (Take a breath and bend down)
I swim beneath the water and count to five (Pretend to swim)
1, 2, 3, 4, 5!
Wow! What a dive!
Book: Dandylion Summer by Frann Preston-Gannon
What a wonderful and imaginative book! This one follows two sisters during summer when they accidentally, but happily, create a new friend–stemming from a wish on a dandelion.
Closing: After reviewing our ASL sign of the day, we sing our goodbye song.
More Titles to Check Out:
- And Then Comes Summer by Tom Brenner
- Beaches and Bicycles by Rebecca Davis
- How to Code A Sandcastle by Josh Funk
- A Lullaby of Summer Things by Natalie Ziarnik
- Hello Summer! by Shelley Rotner
- It’s Summertime! by Linda Glaser
- Mama, Is It Summer, Yet? by Nikki McClure
- Our Celebración by Susan Middleton Elya
- Summer Days and Nights by Wong Herbert Yee
- Rattletrap Car by Phyllis Root
- Summer Soup by Rubin Pfeffer
- The Last Peach by Gus Gordon
Librarian Ginny 