A storytime featuring characters that love to act on stage can invite a lot of participation. Do at least one story that involves the audience – have them act out a folktale such as The Enormous Turnip. For a craft, everyone can make paperbag puppets relating to one of the stories so they can act out the story at home. An easy paperbag puppet can be made to resemble the monster in Ed Emberley’s Go Away Big Green Monster.
Best, Cari. SHRINKING VIOLET. A clever teacher finds a role in the school play for Violet, who has stage fright.
Charlip, Remy. MOTHER, MOTHER, I FEEL SICK. This humorous story, about a doctor who removes lots of strange things from someone’s stomach, is illustrated as a shadow play.
Domanska, Janina. THE TURNIP. Just one version of this popular Russian folktale – any version will do. Get volunteers from the audience to play the farmer, his wife, the dog, cat, etc. and have them act out the folktale while you narrate what is happening.
Emberley, Ed. GO AWAY BIG GREEN MONSTER. The audience can help you act out this story by calling out the repeated phrases. Available as a puppet with Velcro parts.
Hazen, Lynn. CINDER RABBIT. Zoe is excited to play the lead in the school play but is afraid of making a fool of herself.
Leedy, Lauren. THE BUNNY PLAY. The bunnies put on a musical version of Little Red Riding Hood.
Lester, Helen. TACKYLOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS. That eccentric penguin Tacky stars in the school play.
Lithgow, John. MARSUPIAL SUE PRESENTS THE RUNAWAY PANCAKE. A kangaroo and friends put on a play.
McCully, Emily Arnold. THE EVIL SPELL. The first time Edwin gets a lead role in his family’s theater company, he forgets his lines.
Rosen, Michael. WE’RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT. Available as a Big Book, this story has lots of repetition and the whole crowd can help act this out.
Waber, Bernard. EVIE AND MARGIE. Best friends try out for the same role in the school play.