This is our last summer storytime ideas series post full of book activities. Each week we have gathered in our local park to read great books for kids together with our neighbors. This week we featured There Is A Bird On Your Head! (Elephant & Piggie Series) and The Pigeon Needs a Bath!
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Storytime Ideas: Mo Willems’ Books
The Books
There Is A Bird On Your Head! is a silly beginning reader about two birds that build a nest on an elephant’s head!
The Pigeon Needs a Bath! is another silly story in which the pigeon really doesn’t think he needs a bath. However, in the end he discovers that he loves the tub.
The Group Activities
Create a nest (empty kiddie swimming pool) for the kids to sit in during storytime.
Letter Sound Bird Bingo
After reading, we played a bingo game to practice beginning sounds. I made these Bird Bingo Cards of things that were related to birds (beak, nest, eggs, feather, bird, tree, etc.). Each family was given a bingo sheet that I had placed in a plastic sleeve protector so they wouldn’t blow away as easily. They were also given a bag of recycled caps to use as markers.
To play, I said a sound such as /n/ and they had to find a picture that began with that sound. In this case the picture was nest. The first family to cover the four corners won. Winners got to select a book from a box of gently used and new books I brought. We played a few rounds!
Skill building: beginning sounds
Singing and Action Rhymes
Little Bird (Action Rhyme)
I saw a little bird go hop, hop, hop (hop three times)
I told the little bird to stop, stop, stop (hold out hand for stop)
I went to the window to say “How do you do?”(handshake)
He wagged his little tail and far away he flew! (shake tail and fly away)
If You’re A Bird (to the tune of If “You’re Happy and You Know It”)
If you’re a bird and you know it flap your wings
If you’re a bird and you know it flap your wings
If you’re a bird and you know it, then you really ought to show it,
If you’re a bird and you know it flap your wings
Two more verses:
Shake your tail feathers
Say tweet – tweet
Skill building: fluency
Follow-Up Activities
Here are some more activities to try at home after storytime.
Bird Identification Journals
Here is a free printable bird book from Buggy & Buddy. Little ones could just draw pictures and older children can add some writing.
Eat Like a Bird
Here is a fun snack and an opportunity to work on fine motor skills in the process from My Nearest and Dearest.
Painting With Feathers
Use a feather as a paintbrush to create some wonderful paintings. I love using unconventional items as painting tools!
Bird Feeder Mobile
These bird feeder mobiles from Babble Babble Doo are awesome! A fun way to recycle materials and turn them into something useful for the birds.
Books about Birds
Check out these books about birds!
For more storytime ideas to go along with Mo Willems’ books and other great stories, follow our Storytime Ideas Pinterest board.
Follow Jodie Rodriguez @ Growing Book by Book’s board Storytime Ideas on Pinterest.
A huge thank you to Disney Hyperion for donating the books for storytime this week!
There was so much interest in our summer storytime series we are thinking of doing a fall series. Stay tuned!
Michelle says
Awesome! We love Mo Willems’ books. My 4 year old thinks the pigeon books are hysterical. I didn’t realize there was a new one out. Thanks!
Jodie Rodriguez says
He is an amazing author Michelle. Enjoy the new book!
Susen says
Love Mo Willems’ books! So nice that you all get together with your neighbors and do something like this! Pinned!
Suzan Baback says
Looking forward to a fall series. It was so special this week…. today my 5 year old read us there is a bird on your head. He was so proud and did great. Wonderful followup ideas.
Jodie Rodriguez says
Wow, that is so neat Suzan! It’s such a fun book to read.