STORYTIME: Getting Dressed

Ella Sarah Gets Dressed by Margaret Chodos-Irvine - Ella Sarah does not dress to tthe tune of her family. Being different is good!

Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing by Judy Barrett - A whimsical story that can get big laughs from both toddlers and elementary age kids. Judy goes through all kinds of animals and shows and explains why it may not be a very good idea for them to be wearing clothes. This book is a real treat to share with kids and parents alike.

Animal Pants! by Brian Moses- Not super impressed with this book but it is an okay fill in for a clothing themed storytime. In this book animals wear all different kinds of underpants, silly in a silly sort of way.

Dini Dinosaur by Karen Beaumont- Beaumont's books are some of my favorites to read at storytime. Her rhymes are always so funny and well written. In this story a dinosaur takes a bath fully clothed and as the story progresses the reader has to stop on each page to have him take one article of clothing off.

STORYTIME: Down on the Farm

Books:
The Pig in the Pond by Martin Waddell - A pig takes over the pond at a farm. Has some great call and response lines.

The Problem with Chickens by Bruce McMillan - The chickens stop laying and the owners have to figure out how to get them to start again.

Sakes Alive! A Cattle Drive by Karma Wilson

The Cow Loves Cookies by Karma Wilson - This humorous beautifully written in rhyme story the author of "Bear Snores On" tells of a farm where lives a cow who loves to eat cookies. The writing is fun to read aloud and the illustrations are beautiful stylized watercolor and ink drawings. A fun entertaining read all around.

Old MacDonald by Jessica Souhami - A fun lift the flap book that you can read and sing with your story time kids.

My Farm Friends by Wendell Minor- Sweet book that is easy to read and has some great big illustrations. While a little forgettable it still is a good read aloud.

Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell- A lazy fat farmer makes poor little ducky do all the farm work while he eats bon bons in bed. That is until the farm animals hatch a plan. I love that the animals don't talk they just make their steroptypical animal sounds.

Hello, Day! by Anita Lobel- Better suited for babies. Really nice illustrations though with simple text where you can have the audience make animal sounds along with the book.

Chicken Fingerplay

STORYTIME: Goodnight, Goodnight

Books:

Goodnight Lulu by Paulette Bogan - A chicken cannot fall asleep for fear of all the things that may happen to her while asleep.
The Napping House by Audrey Wood - An entire household falls asleep on the same bed one at a time.
Goodnight, Goodnight by Eve Rice - Say goodnight to the entire city.
The Day the Babies Crawled Away by Peggy Rathmann - A whole group of babies run away and explore.  Told in all sillouette illustrations. 

STORYTIME: Parents

Books:

Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney - A little bunny asks his mom "guess how much I love you?"

The Biggest Kiss by Joanna Walsh- Sweet, great pictures, a nice simple book for the theme.

Love Waves by Rosemary Wells- Sweet and charming book split into tow parts. The first part mom goes to work at the cafe and in the later part father goes to work. A nice story about love and connections while parents are off to work.

Won't You Be My Hugaroo? by Joanne Ryder - Friends go through all the different kinds of hugs you can give and get.

Yes Day by Amy Krouse Rosenthal- What if for one day all your parents said yes to your every request? The result is a fun to read for parents and kids. From eating ice-cream to staying up late kids will appreciate the humor. When the main character asks if he can do something have the audience yell yes. Then turn the page and ask them to describe the scene as a result of them telling the little boy "yes."

Come Along, Daisy! by Jane Simmons - A duckling lingers behind it's mother at the pond to explore the world around her.

Owl Babies by Martin Waddell- It is often hard to find a good storytime book that has a more traditional narrative (beginning, middle/climax, and a resolution). This story fills that niche very nicely. Wonderful bold and detailed illustrations.

Little Owl Lost by Chris Haughton- Really wonderful illustrations and a cute story. Similar in plot to "Are You My Mother?" but with a little more humor.

The Cuddle Book by Guido Van Genechten - Simple text, big bold illustrations. Shows how different animals cuddle with their loved ones. Very sweet.

Hello! Is this Grandma? by Ian Whybrow- Fold out pages and wacky illustrations make this a very funny book to read. It will keep your kids entertained and guessing who is on the other end of the phone.

STORYTIME: Manners & Growing Up

Some Things Change by Mary Murphy - A simple graphic illustrated book about a little penguin and his mom seeing things change around them.

No, David! by David Shannon - A funny book about David, who seems to get himself into all kinds of trouble.

Martha Doesn't Share by Samantha Berger - A little girl does not want to share her stuff but finds out it is a lonely life without anyone to play with.

Martha Doesn't Say Sorry by Samantha Berger - Martha does not want to apologize to her family for her rude behavior, but she soon finds its lonely when nobody wants to interact with her.

Suppose You Meet a Dinosaur: a first book of manners by Judy Sierra- A fun and informational picture book introducing kids to manners.

Time to Say Please by Mo Willems - A humorous look at appropriate time to use the word please.

Mine! by Shutta Crum- Very few words in this beautiful book about a toddler who does not want to share their toys. Let the children tell the story and give example from their lives about times they shared or did not share and how that made them feel.

If I Were a Lion by Sarah Weeks - A little girl is told she is too wild. But her parents don't know how good they got it, cause she could be a lion roaring in the kitchen!

The Duckling Gets a Cookie!? by Mo Willems- Pigeon is back and is really angry! Great for his fans and for new readers too. I always love reading as the high strung pigeon!

STORYTIME: Friendship

Good Luck Bear by Greg Foley - A sweet story about a little bear who tries to find a four leaf clover and ultimately meets a little mouse who helps.

Squish Rabbit by Katherine Battersby- Cute simple black line drawings with bold color blocks. A sweet story about a rabbit who makes a new friend. Good for the youngest readers.

Watch Out! Big Bro's Coming! by Jez Alborough - A little mouse warns that his big brother is coming to visit in the jungle. In the end his big brother only turns out to be a slighly larger mouse and all the animals worry was for nothing.

Penguin by Polly Dunbar - A little boy gets a penguin as a gift but it won't talk to him despite the crazy attempts he makes at getting the bird to talk.

The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Big Hungry Bear by Don and Audrey Wood - A little mouse tries to hide his strawberry from a bear.

Together by Jane Simmons - A cute story about two dogs who do everything together but are sad when they find out there are some things they cannot do together.

You Will Be My Friend! by Peter Brown- Follow up to his adorable first picture book with the little brown bear character. This book has excellent comic timing that I fear may be wasted on some young children, but hopefully their parents cna get some of the humor.

A Splendid Friend Indeed by Suzanne Bloom - Polar bear seems to want to just be left alone but persistent duck just can't stay away. A touching simple beautifully written quick read.

Little Beauty by Anthony Browne - A gorilla at the zoo needs a little friend so the zookeepers give him a kitten. In the book the gorilla does some sign language. This is an excellent chance to teach some basic signs to the audience.

Up and Down by Oliver Jeffers - A little bit longer story so use it as your opener. The text and story is simple enough for toddlers as well as pre-schoolers to enjoy. Little penguin wants to learn to fly but his wings really weren't built for it. He figures out a way to fulfill his dreams of flight but at he expense of losing his best friend, a little boy. Will he be able to reconnect with his friend, and will his first flight be a disaster? A cute story all around.