Safari Storytime

For my current session of storytimes, I have really been having to pick really short books because of this small group's attention span. I do miss reading longer picture books, but I always try to cater to what's best for each group.

For this June 25th storytime, we had a safari theme. I have a tendency to pull more books and activities than needed, but I was able to get a few books in and some of the fun ideas.

We read Starry Safari by Linda Ashman, We've All Got Belly Buttons by David Martin, and Do Croc's Kiss? by Salina Yoon.

The group was less shy and more lively this time. They really enjoy the flap-up books and had fun and took their time making their lion puppet craft. They liked dancing to the Animal song and were friendly with one another.  

We did the bean bag rock song, went over our colors in our Geri the Giraffe Needs some spots color involvement flannel, and danced along to Move Like an Animal by Bobs & Lolo. 

The craft was a lion puppet using construction paper, paper plates, and Popsicle sticks. We cut out the middle of the paper plate and added yellow and orange construction paper for the mane and then added some construction paper ears so we could pretend to be lions.

Some of the other great books I've found for this theme and were going to use if I had more time were If You're Happy and You Know It Jungle Edition by James Warhola,Tiny Little Fly by Michael Rosen, Splash! by Flora McDonnell, and When Elephant Walks By Keiko Kasza. 

Extra, extra books:
Hiccupotamus by Steven Smallman
Oh, No! by Candace Fleming
Hilda Must Be Dancing by Karma Wilson
Ten Monkey Jamboree by Dianne Ochiltree
From Head to Toe by Eric Carle
Five Little Monkeys Sitting In a Tree by Eileen Christelow

Extra Craft Idea:
Color the lion and add orange/yellow tissue paper/construction paper for the mane. Use a coloring page.

Other Activities:
Sitting in My Box flannel story
I See an Elephant Color Flannel
Five Little Elephants