Storytime Line Up: Little Critters

For a summer storytime this week, we shared several titles featuring creepy crawly critters.  It's amazing how a terrific picture book can make even bugs lively and cute!  To extend the fun, try this bumble bee rhyme adapted from here.  We passed around clip art bumble bees and chanted the words.


Bumble Bee, Bumble Bee
Bumble bee, bumble bee
Buzzing on my toes
Bumble bee, bumble bee
Now he's on my nose
On my arm, on my leg
On my chin, on my knee
Buzzing all around

Little bumble bee.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle (ages 2-5)
This wonderful classic never grows tired.  The sequence of the story provides the perfect opportunity for retelling giving your young reader the chance to practice narrative and sequencing skills.  See Eric Carle's website for information about his signature works.  

I Love Bugs! by Emma Dodd (ages 2-4)
Leap into a backyard adventure filled with insects and bugs - this simple, short story is perfect for any young reader who loves little critters.  

In the Small, Small Pond by Denise Fleming (ages 2-4)
Head down to the pond with this jumping frog and take a journey from summer to winter with all kids of critters and animals.  Denise Fleming's signature collage art blends perfectly and energetically with her choice action words.  Also In the Tall Tall Grass.

Miss Spider's Tea Party by David Kirk (ages 2-4)
If you know Miss Spider's Sunny Patch Kids, check out this book from David Kirk that started it all.  Poor Miss Spider wants to host a tea party but isn't able to convince any critters to join her as they fear her spidery ways.  

Tiny Little Fly by Michael Rosen (ages 2-6)
It never fails to impress when a short and simple picture book delivers such a clever reading experience.  In this story, a tiny bothersome fly drops in on powerful animals - an elephant, a hippo and a tiger.  Simple, right?  But what you have are incredible pictures that illustrate the fly's movement and play "guess who?" with the larger animals.  The rhythmic, repetitive text bounces along just like the fly and don't forget to have your young reader dance a fly around with his little fingers!
A Cozy Up and Read All Time Favorite. 

Bugs Galore by Peter Stein (ages 3-6)
The creators of Cars Galore are back with a new delightful picture book.  Rhyming stanzas bounce through the bright and busy illustrations - this is sure to be a hit with young readers who will want to pour over the pictures again and again.