Preschool Storytime Ideas
South America
It may seem like Autumn, but it is already time to start planning for the 2011 summer reading program! The theme being distributed by the California Library Association focuses on stories from around the world, with the “One World, Many Stories” program materials. 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 I think it would be more fun to focus on a new country each week. I have done this before and it was a big success. We had a large wall map and showed where that week’s country is on the map, and shared stories, folktales, and a craft from that country. Some families brought in items, such as a costume, or doll, if they were from that country. So over the next few months, we will have outlines and craft ideas from different countries. Even if your library chooses not to use the “One World, Many Stories” materials, you can use these storytimes on countries anytime.
These Quetzal toilet roll crafts are easy, and will help preschoolers learn the letter Q: www.dltk-kids.com/animals/mquetzal.html .
Ehlert, Lois. MOON ROPE. A bilingual folktale from Peru, where a Fox persuades Mole to climb a rope to the moon.
Flora. FEATHERS LIKE A RAINBOW. Set in the Amazon rainforest, hummingbird shows how he gets his color by kissing the flowers.
Gerson, Mary Joan. HOW NIGHT CAME FROM THE SEA. A Brazilian folktale of how the daughter of the sea goddess married a mortal.
Knutson, Barbara. LOVE AND ROAST CHICKEN. A funny story from the Andes, with a few Spanish words.
MacDonald, Margaret Read. THE FARMYARD JAMBOREE. Inspired by a folktale from Chile, this has repetition and a song-like text.
McDermott, Gerald. JABUTI THE TORTOISE. A folktale from the Amazon about why a tortoise has cracks in his shell.
Torres, Leyla. SATURDAY SANCOCHO. Set in Colombia, Grandmother and her granddaughter trade at the market until they have ingredients for their special Saturday meal.
VanLaan, Nancy. SO SAY THE LITTLE MONKEYS. Lots of sound effects will have the listeners chanting along to this Brazilian folktale.
Penny Peck November, 2010