Preschool Storytime Ideas
Hats
Adaptable to any theme, a storytime on hats can be fun for the older siblings who come with the preschoolers to storytime during summer vacation. Here are some fun ideas for a “Hat” storytime, that can even be expanded into a full library program if you add games, crafts, and refreshments!
Books
Morris, Ann. HATS, HATS, HATS Another of Morris’s amazing simple nonfiction books, this focuses on hats around the world.
Berenstain, Stan and Jan. OLD HAT, NEW HAT. A very simple story of opposites.
Blos, Joan. MARTIN’S HATS. Martin changes hats frequently as he encounters each a new adventure.
Smith, William. HO FOR A HAT. A simple lesson on hats through history, told by a boy and his dog.
Spinelli, Eileen. DO YOU HAVE A HAT? A rhyming text describes hats worn by famous people throughout history.
Katz, Karen. TWELVE HATS FOR LENA. Lena makes a new hat for each month of the year; this should inspire lots of great hat craft projects!
Slobodkina, Esphyr. CAPS FOR SALE. The classic story; this is available as a Big Book, or as story apron figures.
VanLaan, Nancy. THIS IS THE HAT. This rhyming, cumulative story of a hat used as a home for various animals will invite participation from the storytime audience.
Fingerplays “My hat it has three corners, three corners has my hat”www.kididdles.com/lyrics/m020.html This website has the lyrics and movements for this fingerplay, and craft ideas.www.jocolibrary.org/Files/Books2Grow/Hats.pdf A brief but helpful outline of a Hat storytime, this also lists a fun beanbag game involving hats.
Crafts Newspaper hats: see instructions at www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/columbus/newspaper_sailors_hats.htm
Penny Peck, San Leandro Public Library February, 2007