Preschool Storytime Ideas
Picnics
Spring and good weather will put your students in the mood for these picnic stories. One easy craft is to make a flower out of green paper for the stem and leaves, and a cupcake paper for the flowers petals. To make your story hour complete, bring the books in a picnic basket. Children may wish to bring their own teddy bears, and join in singing “The Teddy Bears Picnic”.
Alborough, Jez. ITS THE BEAR! In this sequel to WHERE’S MY TEDDY?, Eddie and his mother encounter the big bear while on a picnic in the woods.
Butler, M. Christina. PICNIC PANDEMONIUM. The jungle animals take turns carrying the picnic basket to the river; who keeps taking food out of the basket?
Daugherty, James. THE PICNIC: A FROLIC IN TWO COLORS AND THREE PARTS. In this longer story from the author of ANDY AND THE LION, a lion interrupts a mouse family’s picnic.
Goldstone, Bruce. A BEASTLY FEAST. With colorful block print illustrations by Blair Lent, this rhyming picnic features “Bear brings pears”, “Mosquitos bring burritos”, etc.
Hayes, Sarah. THIS IS THE BEAR AND THE PICNIC LUNCH. In this rhyming sequel to THIS IS THE BEAR, a dog tries to interfere with the picnic of the boy and his teddy bear.
Kennedy, Jimmy. TEDDY BEARS PICNIC. With illustrations by Bruce Whatley. This newest picture book version features a recording of the song, and a teddy bear that looks very much like Jerry Garcia of The Grateful Dead.
Pinczes, Elinor. ONE HUNDRED HUNGRY ANTS. A clever story that shows the ants dividing into different equal parts of one hundred, while marching to a picnic.
Tsutsui, Yoriko. BEFORE THE PICNIC. Toddler Sashi tries to help the family get ready for a picnic, making more of a mess which delays their trip.
Woodson, Jacqueline. WE HAD A PICNIC THIS SUNDAY PAST. The hilarious story of an African-American family’s reunion picnic, with brightly colored, cartoon-like illustrations.