Let's Make a Rainbow Storytime

 This rainbow storytime was meant to tie-in with our Summer Reading Club's theme, "Reading Colors Your World." 

I decided to read Ava and the Rainbow by Ged Adamson for our first book. This sweet picture book is about Ava who makes friends with a rainbow and realizes that a rainbow is meant to be special and a rare sight. 

Our next book was The Rainbow by Felicia Law. This book is great for a rainbow storytime because it talks a little bit about the science of a rainbow and explains how a rainbow appears. 

My final book read was Ruby's Rainbow, a Max and Ruby book by Rosemary Wells. The story goes over the colors of the rainbow so kids can get some practice with knowing colors. 

For the storytime craft, I was able to find a cute Oriental Trading rainbow craft where the kids can practice their fine motor skills by threading string matching the colors of the rainbow. 

Rainbows are such a cheerful, beautiful topic for a storytime in spring!

Family Storytime: Rainbows!

This was a great turnout for storytime and the group had great energy. They did very well with movement activities and with their rainbow craft. They liked pointing out the illustrations with both books and enjoyed playing with the scarves and singing "If You're Happy and You Know It". They also enjoyed guessing the shapes of the clouds in "It Looks Like Spilt Milk" flannel but couldn't wait to get to the craft. 

I had my regulars there and also some new families that I've noticed visit the library, but haven't attended storytimes so it was good to see them participate. This was a good start to storytime.

Our books were Ned's Rainbow by Melanie Walsh and Maisy's Rainbow Dream by Lucy Cousins. I liked how Walsh's book was all about rainbows and how Lucy Cousins incorporated colors into her story. Maisy's Rainbow Dream was also a great pick because the book was larger and perfect for a storytime setting.

Activity 1: Rainbow Dancers scarves movement activity

Activity 2: It Looked Like Spilt Milk Flannel

Activity 3: If You're Happy and You Know It

Craft:Rainbow Cloud Craft using colored strips of paper, cloud die-cut, and cotton balls

Other Books:

Wow! Said the Owl Tim Hopgood

Duckie's Rainbow Frances Barry

Moonbear's Skyfire Frank Asch

Two Rainbows Sophie Masson

The End of the Rainbow Liza Donnelly

Little Cloud Eric Carle

What Does Bunny See? Maggie Smith

The Rainbow Book Kate Ohrt

My Rainbow Surprise

Little Pip and the Rainbow Wish Elizabeth Baguley

The Greedy Rainbow by Susan Chadler and Sanja Rescek

Bamboo & Friends: The Rainbow by Felicia Law

Wow! Said the Owl Tim Hopgood

Ned's Rainbow Melanie Walsh

A Rainbow of My Own Don Freeman

Planting a Rainbow Lois Ehlert

Maisy's Rainbow Dream Lucy Cousins

Duckie's Rainbow Frances Barry

Red, Yellow, Blue and You Candace Whitman

Other Activities:

Rainbow Stew Activity

Crayon Colors Interactive Flannel

The Color Game by Jim Gill Scarf Song

Mouse Paint Flannel

Mushroom in the Rain Flannel
Walter the Waltzing Worm song