Storytime: Storms!

I live in the Midwest and we get some crazy and amazing storms here. I’m one of those people who absolutely LOVES a good thunderstorm. In fact, we’re supposed to get one later today! When I was little, maybe 4 or 5 and probably even before that, my dad would gather up blankets and pillows and take me out to our covered porch during thunderstorms. We spent many summer evenings, cuddled up out there on a porch swing with pouring rain, lightning and thunder raging all around us. I never felt unsafe or afraid because my dad was right there with me, humming, watching the storm.

Introduction: Many kids can be scared of thunderstorms. And with good reason out here in the Midwest where a storm can turn easily to an unsafe situation or tornado. That’s the main reason I like to do this storytime. We talk about storm safety and even practice what to do in a tornado situation. But I also share my love for thunderstorms with them and talk about all the bright life rain and storms bring to the world. Before we start storytime in earnest, we sing our hello song.

Sign of the Day: We learn some of the different sign associated with storms. Lifeprint.com has a great summary of the different signs Here.

Book: Bruce’s Big Storm by Ryan T. Higgins

I have a soft spot for these “Mother Bruce” books. A grumpy bear taking care of other small animals like children? Yes, please! And this is a great in-between book, skirting the line of giving respect to a storm, but also not scaring kids.

Song: Come Under My Umbrella w/ASL. (Tune: The More We Get Together). This song is easy to do with ASL. Sign the words for “Umbrella,” “Rain,” “Thunder,” and “Lightning.”

Come under my umbrella, umbrella, umbrella
Come under my umbrella, it’s starting to rain
With thunder and lightning and thunder and lightning
Come under my umbrella, it’s starting to rain.

Book: Boom Boom by Sarvinder Naberhaus

After a book like Bruce’s Big Storm, it’s nice to read one that centers on the FUN of storms. Playing in the puddles, noticing the sounds and smells, etc.

Rhyme: Raindrops, Raindrops

Raindrops, raindrops!
Falling all around;
Pitter-patter on the rooftops,
Pitter-patter on the ground.
Here is my umbrella;
It will keep me dry;
when I’m walking in the rain,
I hold it up so high!

Felt: The Big Storm by Nancy Tafuri

Because we have already chatted about how we prepare and react in storms, it’s nice to also note how animals might do the same thing. Tafuri does a great job in this book, and simply turning it into a felt story adds another great dimension for it!

Book: Nighttime Symphony by Timbaland

This one is a sweet ode to how storms can also soothe the soul. It has some big words in it (silhouette, symphony, metronome, etc), so it’s a great opportunity to talk about those words.

Closing: We review some of the ASL signs we learned, talk quickly about how storms can be a little scary, but are also good. Finally, we sing our goodbye song.

More Books to Check Out: