Librarian Ginny

Storytime: Leaves!

Fall is starting to come to Indiana, so my coworker, C, and I are doing a bunch of storytimes on Fall topics. Last week I did the theme of Leaves since ours are just beginning to change. Later on in the storytime, I put in a little science by talking about why leaves change their color in Fall. The kids were really interested in that process and I ended up finding some books on the color process at the end of storytime to help some curious minds! Here’s the full storytime script below:

Storytime: Books & Libraries

As many in the library world know – September is Library Card Signup Month. I took our storytime this past week to let caregivers know and to do a storytime all about books and libraries in order to celebrate. At our library, we leave it up to the child’s grownup to decide when their child is ready for a library card, but I find that a lot of caregivers don’t realize that. So, we like to celebrate this month and let our caregivers know. This was an unexpectedly fun storytime to do. A lot of the kids were really into it. We only read two books today, which is really abnormal for me since I usually get through 3-4 stories total whether it’s book, felt, or oral formats. However, the two books we read today were both a bit longer and so between taking up more time there, it also required more movement/brain breaks inbetween. Here’s the full storytime script below:

Storytime: Back to School

Summer Reading has been over for us for weeks and weeks and all our families are getting used to their new routines. Which means preschool and school for their kids! So, of course we had to do a “Back to School” theme. There’s always so much excitement and/or nervousness around this subject. I like to add in at least one book about how it’s ok to be nervous, but mostly I focus on the good. Even for kids who don’t go to an official preschool, this is a great topic to begin to prepare kids for what to expect. I actually got covid during this storytime’s execution (my first time getting it, actually!) so my coworker, C, took control and executed everything I had planned. The show must go on! And based on what our patrons said, she did a fantastic job with it! Here’s the full storytime script below:

Storytime: Things We Do In Summer

This was an unexpectedly fun storytime to do! It really allowed me to do a varied set of topics all wrapped up in the summertime theme. We had over 60 attendees for this one, so I had to do a lot of managing energy with the kids, but overall they did so well! Here’s my full storytime script below:

Storytime: Goats!

Introduction: This was such an unexpectedly fun storytime! The kids got really into acting like goats, LOVED the goat puppet (TBH, it’s one of my favorites, too), and loved telling me that they knew the story of the Three Billy Goats Gruff when we began our fingerplay. We sang our opening song, and then got started!

Sign of the Day: Goat

ASL Storytime: Transportation

Since this is a special kind of storytime, I talk (mostly to the grownups) a little about ASL and what our goals are for the day. I always let them know that ASL is its own language with grammar and structure just like any other language (though we don’t learn that in our storytimes, opting to focus on targeted vocabulary instead). I also introduce the Deaf culture who uses the language.

Storytime Tools: Circle Dance

What is it?

For my purposes, a circle dance is any coordinated movement-based dance that is typically done in a circle. The feel of these are similar to old-school folk dances or line dances where there’s typically a “caller,” or someone who calls out what movements to do. There are so many songs and games that apply to this category and it’s great for a variety of age-ranges. I typically use them as a small component of a larger storytime, especially with our baby and toddler groups. Let’s get into the why and how!

Storytime: Surprise Endings!

I. Love. This. Theme. It’s so fun and giggle-inducing and the kids NEVER seem to tire of being surprised. It’s absolutely delightful. Sure, you sometimes get a kid who accidentally ruins it for others, but I try to ward that off, saying “Now, if you’ve heard this story before, please don’t shout out any of the parts so that others can enjoy it for their first time.” It usually works – or at least gets caregivers more tuned into making sure their child doesn’t give any spoilers away 🙂

Storytime: Opposites!

I love this conceptual storytime theme because there are countless rhymes, songs, and books to switch in to keep the theme fresh! And I’m always surprised by some of the opposite sets that kids think of! Let’s dive in.

Storytime: Spiders!

Ughhhh, I really do not like spiders. Seriously am very scared of them. But I acknowledge they are good for our environment and all that. Just don’t come anywhere near me!