Preschool Storytime Ideas
Russia
For preschool storytime, you could do a different type of book each week, such as Nursery Rhymes Around the World, Alphabet Books Around the World, but it could be more fun to focus on a new country each week. Hang up a large wall map and show where that week’s country is on the map, and then share stories, folktales, and a craft from that country. Families can bring in items, such as a costume or doll, if they are from that country.
One of the most popular Russian tales used at storytime is The Mitten; there is an older version by Alvin Tresselt, but many like the version by Jan Brett. Make these simple mitten bookmarks.
Brett, Jan. THE MITTEN. A boy loses his white mitten in the snow, where it becomes a sleeping bag for several animals.
Domanska, Janina. THE TURNIP. Have the children act out of the story of the farmer, his wife, and animals who try to pull the giant turnip out of the ground.
Ginsburg, Mirra. CLAYBOY. With oversized illustrations, this simple folktale tells of a boy made out of clay, who becomes a giant that eats everything in sight.
Hamilton, Martha. THE TALE OF TWO FROGS. Two frog sisters learn the lesson that it’s not over until it is over.
McCaughrean, Geraldine. GRANDMA CHICKENLEGS. A retelling of Baba Yaga, the bright and humorous illustrations will hold the attention of listeners to this Cinderella variant.
Tresselt, Alvin. THE MITTEN. The Ukrainian setting and the spare retelling work well to a large group. Kids can even act out the story, each taking the part of a different animal trying to squeeze into a blanket that stands in for the mitten.