Storytime Line Up: Audrey Wood Author Study

This week we spent time reading several of author/illustrator Audrey Wood's wonderful titles.  With over 30 children's books to her credit, we had plenty of books to choose from.  Wood's stories are often playful, humorous, and quirky, drawing in young listeners.  Be prepared to read and reread what will sure to be new fan-favorites.  Audrey Wood is both an author and illustrator, but some of her titles are collaborative works with her husband, Don Wood or her son, Bruce Wood.  For more information about this creative family, check out their website!


These are the books that I had on-hand for storytime, but check your local library for all of Audrey Wood's stories.

Blue Sky by Audrey Wood (ages 2-5)
This is Audrey Wood's newest title.  It's a simple story with only two words per page, but each page packs a lot of punch.  We got through the day and see how the sky changes with each page turn from sunny to stormy to a rainbow to night time.  The illustrations provide a lot to look at and discuss with your little reader.  

The Deep Blue Sea by Audrey Wood (ages 2-5)
A collaboration with son, Bruce Wood, this cumulative tale showcases vibrant colors blue, red, green and more.  The repetitive "in the middle of the deep, blue sea" begs to be chanted throughout.  

King Bidgood's in the Bathtub by Audrey Wood (Ages 3-6)
This is a Caldecott Honor book illustrated by Don Wood.  In the story, the  lavish king is spending the day in the bathtub, refusing to come out to eat, battle, dance or anything else and no one in the court seems to know how to solve the problem.  

The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear by Audrey Wood (Ages 2-5)
As the reader, you are quietly invited into the conversation between the narrator and the quiet, little mouse who has just uncovered a juicy strawberry ready for the pickings.  Little mouse never says a word, but gets right to work to rescue his treat from the possibility of a big, hungry bear - and you might get to help!

The Napping House by Audrey Wood (ages 2-5)
Somewhat in the style of "The House that Jack Built", The Napping House is a delightful romp for nap time, bed time or any time!  That cozy bed at granny's house gets piled high with folks and critters until one tiny, harmless flea sets to motion waking everyone up.  The repetitive text is filled with great vocabulary (slumbering and dozing and snoozing) and the softened illustrations bring us from a grey raining day to a bright, sunny rainbow afternoon.  
* A Cozy Up and Read all time favorite.

Piggies by Audrey Wood (Ages 2-5)
Large-sized print and short simple phrases carry this story of a child's piggies - or fingers.  The detailed illustrations give enough for the big kids to grab onto and the busy, sometimes naughty piggies will make every child smile.  A terrific bedtime story.

Piggy Pie Po by Audrey Wood (ages 3-5)
This book is filled with three short, rhyming stories about quirky and humorous Piggy Pie Po.  Great for a one-on-one lap read.

Quick as a Cricket by Audrey Wood (ages 3-7)
Every child can start to think about all their different moods and feelings after reading Quick as Cricket.  A book of similes, the story compares this child to wide variety of animals - sometimes you're big and sometimes you're small; sometimes you're loud and sometimes you're quiet.   

Silly Sally by Audrey Wood (ages 2-6)
Get ready for giggles - Silly Sally is really silly.  She's trying to get to town, but does everything backwards and upside down.  


* A Cozy Up and Read all time favorite.

Storytime Line Up: All About Me

For storytime this week, we spent time celebrating our unique and wonderful selves.  Early childhood is a time for major growth and exploration as young children develop their sense of self as well as healthy pride for their individuality and their accomplishments.  This week, we started with My Name Is Elizabeth! by Annika Dunklee, a simple, but resounding story about the importance of "name".  Names are very important and we sang our name song for each child, taking a moment to celebrate each awesome name.  

After reading Titch by Pat Hutchins, we talked about how even little people can do big things - which is a powerful idea for preschoolers!  The children really enjoyed this simple action rhyme which we did four or five times:

Sometimes I am tall (stand regular height)

Sometimes I am small (stoop down)

Sometimes I am very tall (stretch up as high as you can)

Sometimes I am very small (crouch all the way down)

See - me - NOW! (child chooses to be tall or small)

From Head to Toe by Eric Carle encourages the children to bend and move body parts from top to bottom. Each page asks, "Can you do it?" and the children can shout out "I CAN DO IT!"

So check your local library for these titles and celebrate your individual, wonderful child and all the big things that he can do!

I Like Myself! by Karen Beaumont (ages 2-6)

Nothing is going to hold this little girl back - she knows herself and loves everything inside out and from top to bottom.  You can't go wrong with a celebration of self from Karen Beaumont paired with energetic illustrations from David Catrow.  

From Head to Toe by Eric Carle (ages 2-5)

Join this crowd of animals while you shake and move from head to toe.  

The Mixed Up Chameleon by Eric Carle  (ages 3-6)

Poor chameleon believes that lots of other creatures have it better - he gets so mixed up and changes himself into an outrageous creature before he realizes that it's best to just be yourself.

Me and You by Genevieve Cote (ages 2-4)

These two best friends are different as can be - dainty, quiet rabbit and boisterous pig.  Through costume and imagination, they change places until they ultimately realize they love one another just as they are.  

My Name Is Elizabeth! by Annika Dunklee (ages 2-6)

Names are so important.  Dunklee delivers a simple story which honors and celebrates the idea of name - this is one not to miss. 

Ruby in Her Own Time by Jonathan Emmett (3-5)

Ruby has many siblings in the duck nest.  Every sibling gains new skills and experiences ahead of Ruby- eating, swimming, flying.  But Ruby's mom knows that each duckling grows in her own time at her own speed - she's not worried.  Ruby will get it all in her own time. 

Titch by Pat Hutchins (ages 2-6)

Titch is little.  His sister Mary is bigger.  And his brother Pete is a lot bigger.  That is the message throughout this short, simple story.  But in the end Titch shows that even little people can do big things.  And little people will grow.  And grow.  And grow.

A Cozy Up and Read all time favorite.  

Storytime Line Up: Color Wonder

This week for my storytime sessions (ages 2 - 6), we spent our 30 minutes enjoying books and songs about colors - and there are no shortage of choices!  I always have between five and eight books on hand, but usually only read four during a storytime.


We started this week talking about our favorite colors, collecting data in the form of a "favorite color" chart, and discussing the results.  The chart was a simple poster clipped to the flannel board.  The top of the chart had a row of colored stars (Ellison Die Cut): purple, red, blue, green, yellow, and pink.  I had spare stars and a glue stick and the children were able to add their favorite color to the chart as they arrived.  Which color had the most stars?  Were there any colors that no one chose?  Which colors had the same number of stars?


We also sang this color song to the tune of "Mulberry Bush".
If you are wearing (red) today, (red) today, (red) today,
If you are wearing (red) today
Stand up!  Turn around! Clap your hands! And sit back down!
For the ending line, you can say it as a rhythmic chant and follow the motions.  Repeat with any number of colors or textures.


Storytime Line Up: Color Wonder

Dog's Colorful Day by Emma Dodd (ages 2 - 5)
Dog's Colorful Day is both a counting book and a color book with an added dose of canine mischief.  Dog finds his way into colorful messes all day long added spot upon spot until bath time becomes necessary.  

Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert (ages 2-5)
Sink yourself into the vibrant colorful world of Lois Ehlert while planting a summer garden.

Wow! Said the Owl by Tim Hopgood (ages 2-5)
Little Owl wonders what he might be missing when he sleeps all day.  So one night he naps and then is awestruck by the stunning colors he finds all day long.

I Dream of an Elephant by Ami Rubinger (ages 2-4)
The colorful pictures are delightful in this romp through elephant-filled dreamland.  The reader needs to provide the rhyming color word on each page, just begging young kids to shout out loud.  A Cozy Up and Read All-Time Favorite.

Blue Goose by Nancy Tafuri (ages 2-5)
Explore color-mixing with the farm animals in this gray barnyard.  What happens when yellow chick and blue goose mix their paints together?  They can color the grass and trees!

The Deep Blue Sea by Audrey Wood (ages 2-4)
This cumulative story brings in color one-by-one in the middle of the deep, blue, sea.  The vibrant illustrations and repetitive text will have you rereading this one over and over.