Preschool Storytime Ideas
Digging in the Sand
For many California libraries, the beach is not far away, and most preschoolers have been to the beach. Even if they haven’t, they would enjoy these stories, and love to play in the sand. Not all of these are “beach” stories, so mix in some of the other books mentioned below that show sand in other areas. If it is possible, you could set up a temporary sandbox in the library patio or outside area for a playtime. Use a small child’s wading pool as your sandbox. Or make simple sand art paintings. Colored sand is available from Lakeshore Learning.
Books
Colandro, Lucille. THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A SHELL! A beach is the site of this spoof of I Know and Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly.
Elya, Susan M. BEBE GOES TO THE BEACH. With some Spanish words mixed into the text, this rhyming story describes beach activities.
Falconer, Ian. OLIVIA. Among Olivia’s favorite activities is building sand castles.
Fleming, Denise. MAMA CAT HAS THREE KITTENS. The audience will call out the repeated phrases in this humorous story that shows kittens digging in the sand.
Hubbell, Patricia. SEA, SAND, AND ME. In this rhyming tale, a little girl plays at the beach.
Lies, Brian. BATS AT THE BEACH. On a warm night, the bats fly to the beach to dig in the sand.
McLerran, Alice. ROXABOXEN. A hill covered in rocks and sand becomes an imaginary town.
Moritz, Dianne. HUSH, LITTLE BEACHCOMBER. In this rhyming story inspired by the lullaby Hush, Little Baby, children enjoy a day at the beach.
Sayre, April P. DIG, WAIT, LISTEN: A DESERT TOAD’S TALE. In this very brief factual book, a spadefoot toad waits under the sand until it rains.
Schertle, Alice. ALL YOU NEED FOR A BEACH. A rhyming text describes things you need for fun at the beach, including your shovel and sand.
Soman, David. LADYBUG GIRL AT THE BEACH. Lulu goes to the beach for the first time.
Yee, Brenda. SAND CASTLE. Jen starts to build a sand castle, and others come by and help her.