The weather here is beginning to really take a turn toward the cold, crisp Fall nights that I love. We hear a lot of owls here at night and I love doing storytimes based on a single type of animal, so of course I wanted to do an owl storytime. Plus, there’s something inherently spooky about their calls. So it’s perfect for a few weeks before Halloween! Here’s the full storytime script below:
Opening Song: We sang our opening song, and then got started!
Sign of the Day: Owl!
Opening Question: For this storytime, I simply asked “What do you know about owls?”
Transition: You all seem to know a lot about owls! I’m excited to do a storytime all about them. The first book we’re going to read is about three baby owls. Now, we all know that owls wake up at night time, right? Let’s see what happens when these baby owls wake up!
Book:Owl Babies by Martin Waddell
I love this book! It’s a bit older, definitely simple and good for a toddler/preschool crowd. This time, though, I paired it with my little owl puppet and played Bill’s part dramatically with the puppet and it absolutely slayed! The kids were belly laughing and anticipating Bill’s repeated line of “I want my mommy!”
Transition: The owl baby, Bill, was pretty funny, right? Now, if I asked you to describe an owl, what would you say? What does an owl look like? That’s right, he has a beak, big eyes, and claws! Our next rhyme helps us describe owls even more!
Rhyme: There’s a Wide-Eyed Owl
There’s a wide-eyed owl (thumbs and forefingers around eyes) With a pointed nose, (thumbs and forefingers to make a point) He has pointed ears (clenched hands, forefingers up for ears) And claws for toes: (make hands into claws) He sits in a tree and looks at you; (fingers circles around eyes) Then flaps his wings and says, (Flap arms to mimic flying) “tu-whit, tu-whoo ” (hands cup mouth to hoot)
Transition: Something I love about owls and birds in general is that they use the leaves that drop from the trees as cover for their nests and warmth. Our next rhyme is one we’ve been doing this season about 5 leaves that fall from a tree.
Rhyme: Five Little Leaves
Five little leaves so bright and gay,
Were dancing about on a tree one day.
The wind came blowing through the town,
And one little leaf came tumbling down.
[Continue with 4 leaves, then 3, 2, & 1.]
Transition: Good job with that rhyme! Let’s try another book. This one is about Baby Owl and his stuffed animal Owly who go on a walk in the dark, dark night! Looking at the cover of this book, what do you think happens? [let kids respond] Great guesses! Let’s dive in and find out!
Book: I’m Not Scared! By Jonathan Allen
This is another nice shortish story of a baby owl who strolls through the woods at night only to be scared by different animals that pop out of the darkness. Maybe it was the after effects of the first book, but the kids loved this one, too! When baby owl repeatedly said “I’m NOT scared,” they thought it was hilarious.
Transition: Ooh, after that silly story, I’m ready for a silly song! Are you?
Song: I’m A Nut
Transition: Let’s get all the rest of our wiggles out so we’re ready for our next book!
Song: Flap Your Wings (Tune: London Bridge)
Flap your wings and fly around, fly around, fly around. Flap your wings and fly around, just like an owl.
Open your eyes big and wide, big and wide, big and wide. Open your eyes big and wide, just like an owl.
Land on the ground and hop along, hop along, hop along. Land on the ground and hop along, just like an owl.
Turn your head and say who, who, say who, who, say who, who. Turn your head and say who, who, just like an owl.
Sit and fold your wings in, wings in, wings in. Sit and fold your wings in, it’s time for one more story!
Transition: Ahhh, I feel much better after wiggling and now I’m ready for our last story. Our next book is about Hoot Owl, who is a master of disguise! That means he can make himself blend into his surroundings by dressing up or wearing a costume. Let’s see what he’s up to.
Book: Hoot Owl: Master of Disguise by Sean Taylor
This was a fun book to tell and a silly one, too. Hoot Owl is looking for food and keeps disguising himself to try and catch prey. But his disguises never work…until the last one does!
Transition: Thanks so much for spending a little time of your day with me! Now we’re ready to sing goodbye and move on to our craft!
Closing: We closed out with our goodbye song and then went on to craft time!
Librarian Ginny 