Preschool Storytime Ideas
Riddles
Rebus books can help emergent readers with decoding techniques by encouraging children to read the small picture that is in place of a word. Riddle books also foster preliteracy skills because the child will try to predict the answer. Include one riddle book every so often in your storytimes; or for a special occasion, do an all-riddle storytime to show parents the importance of these books. For a hands-on activity, make puzzle necklaces, using an old jigsaw puzzle.
Barnett, Mac. GUESS AGAIN! Rhyming questions have surprising answers in this fun look at misguided riddles.
Burningham, John. PICNIC. Along with a story about going on a picnic, listeners will look for objects hidden in the illustrations.
Carle, Eric. FROM HEAD TO TOE. The audience can help demonstrate the different movements that each animal asks be performed in this lively story.
Davis, Katie. WHO HOOTS? and WHO HOPS? Three animals that perform the titled action are compared to one who doesn’t in this charming series.
Gibbs, Edward. I SPY WITH MY LITTLE EYE. Die-cut holes give clues to the animals in this fun book that also teaches the colors.
Guarino, Deborah. IS YOUR MAMA A LLAMA? A lilting rhyme describes various animals that help a llama find his mother.
Hulbert, Laura. WHO HAS THESE FEET? and WHO HAS THIS TAIL? The audience will shout out the animal name after seeing its feet in this look at habitats.
Miller, Margaret. GUESS WHO? Readers are given four choices for the answer to a simple question, depicted in clear color photos.
Niemann, Christoph. THAT’S HOW! Listeners will call out the title phrase during this book on transportation.
Shea, Susan A. DO YOU KNOW WHICH ONE WILL GROW? A rhyming text and flaps will encourage the audience to call out the answers in this factual look at living things.
Swinburne, Stephen R. WHOSE SHOES? A SHOE FOR EVERY JOB. Color photos encourage readers to guess the occupation of the person wearing certain types of shoes.
Teckentrup, Britta. ODD ONE OUT: A SPOTTING BOOK. A short rhyming verse tells the reader what to look for among the many colorful animals on a page.