I have been trying to grow this storytime in the hopes that the more that I do it, the more stuffed animals that I can get. I love this storytime theme, because I invite my families to come in their pajamas, and to bring their stuffed animals. I hand out this invitation at least a week or two prior so that my families can prepare.
I also come dressed in my pajamas of course! And stitch comes prepared as well.
So here is the outline for this storytime theme:
Book: The Napping House by Audrey Wood
This of course is a classic! I add a little more for participation. When it comes to the line “where everyone is sleeping”, I add “Shhhh” to have the kids join in and whisper. I do this so that it builds up to the part where everyone starts to get woken up!
Finger Rhyme: Five in the Bed
Five in the Bed
There were five in the bed and the little one said,
“Roll over! Roll over!”
So they all rolled over and one fell out
And bumped his head and shouted out,
Single beds are only made for one, two, three, four!”
There were four in the bed and the little one said…
There were three in the bed and the little one said…
There were two in the bed and the little one said…
There was one in the bed and the little one said…
“I’ve got the whole bed to myself
This is another one of my favorite rhymes that I can remember from my childhood. I have everyone hold up five fingers and we count down together as each one falls out of the bed.
Book: Beep! Beep! Go To Sleep by Todd Tarpley
This is a fairly new story and I personally think its adorable! The young little boy in this story is trying to get his little robots to bed (as well as himself), but unfortunately he is awakened by loud BEEPS! His little robots will just not go to sleep! It is definitely a sweet ending, because all the robots wished for most was a bedtime story.
Rhyme and movement: “Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear (Nursery Rhyme)”
Teddy bear, teddy bear,
turn around
Teddy bear, teddy bear,
touch the ground
Teddy bear, teddy bear,
reach up high
Teddy bear, teddy bear,
touch the sky
Teddy bear, teddy bear,
touch your knees
Teddy bear, teddy bear,
sit down please
Book: Touch the Brightest Star by Christie Matheson
This by far was the most successful book with this storytime. I got asked to read it again and again! They LOVED it and I love it too! If you haven’t read this title or Tap the Magic Tree, please do. I love any book that can become interactive because it makes the reading process a whole new experience.
Sometimes you just need an eye mask to help you sleep! I used foam sheets and cut out the shape using a template that I got off the internet. I had foam shapes as well that they could decorate their sleep masks any way that they want. A piece of a yarn and they are good to go!
I have an abundance of my own stuffed animals that I keep on hand. I know a lot of the kids did not want to leave their stuffed animals with me. That is totally understandable. So I take a tag and I write their name and I tie that tag around the stuffed animal for them to see.
After my storytime is over, I then take silly pictures of the animals having a fun slumber party with stitch!
I then show them all these pictures at my next storytime. Everyone thinks that it is pretty adorable, and they love all the silly antics that the stuffed animals get into while they are away! I also have fun doing it, which is why I hope that it is something that I can grow so that I can get more stuffed animals for the slumber party. It takes some planning but this a fun and engaging storytime to do for the kiddos!
Slumber Party Storytime I have been trying to grow this storytime in the hopes that the more that I do it, the more stuffed animals that I can get.