Preschool Storytime Ideas
Diggi
ng Machines
Here are some great books on “digging machines,” including tractors, backhoes, etc. For a craft project, you can make one of the printables here or make one of the printables featuring Loren Long’s Otis character in the “Otis Activities” link.
Alborough, Jez. THE GOBBLE GOBBLE MOOOOOO TRACTOR BOOK. With a repetitive text and onomatopoeia this story of a farm will hold the attention of toddlers and preschoolers.
Barton, Byron. MACHINES AT WORK. Deeply saturated colors illustrate this simple nonfiction book on machines used in construction.
Burton, Virginia Lee. KATY AND THE BIG SNOW. Katy the crawler tractor may be the only machine strong enough to dig the city out of a blizzard.
Burton, Virginia Lee. MIKE MULLIGAN AND HIS STEAM SHOVEL. Mary Anne, the steam shovel, digs canals for boats, or digs cellars for city skyscrapers.
Dobbins, Jan. DRIVING MY TRACTOR. In this rhyming story, farm animals are picked up by a tractor. Features both counting and animal noises in the text.
Garland, Michael. GRANDPA’S TRACTOR. Grandpa takes Timmy to the old farm and reminisces about the old tractor.
Goetz, Steve. OLD MACDONALD HAD A TRUCK. With a Dig, Dig here and a Scoop, Scoop there, this variation of the popular song will get the audience singing along.
Hines, Anna Grossnickle. I AM A BACKHOE. A little boy pretends to be various machinery, including a bulldozer and dump truck.
Long, Loren. OTIS. Otis is sent to live behind the barn when a new yellow tractor arrives at the farm. But when trouble occurs, who comes to the rescue?
Lund, Deb. MONSTERS ON MACHINES. Four little monsters arrive at a construction site and get to work!
McMullan, Kate and Jim. I’M DIRTY! From the creators of I Stink!, a backhoe loader describes his job in this fun, rhythmic story with sound effect words.
Olson-Brown, Ellen. HUSH LITTLE DIGGER. A bulldozer is the focus of this twist on the lullaby “Hush Little Baby.”
Rinker, Sherri D. GOODNIGHT, GOODNIGHT, CONSTRUCTION SITE. Each truck used in construction gets ready to say good night.
Sayres, Brianna. WHERE DO DIGGERS SLEEP AT NIGHT? In this rhyming story, various vehicles are put to bed after bathing, brushing their teeth, etc.
Shannon, David. DUCK ON A TRACTOR. Duck turns the farm upside down in this hilarious story.
Sobel, June. B IS FOR BULLDOZER: A CONSTRUCTION ABC. Digging machines are the focus of this alphabet tale.
Zimmerman, Andrea. DIGGER MAN. In this simple story, alliterative language and bright, full color illustrations describe construction equipment.