In the midst of devastating budget cuts, somehow library life goes on. Babies bounce on laps, play with bubbles, and bring joy to my otherwise rather depressing work days this summer.
I was so excited when I saw Maisy Big, Maisy Small come back into print! Babies and toddlers love Lucy Cousins’ bright and bold illustrations. This second edition reprint inspired my latest opposite-themed baby storytime.
Sing: Say Hello to Your Toes*
Sing: Hello, Friends*
Welcome & Gratitude**
Sing: Do You Know the Book Babies?*
Introductions/Sharing: Names & Ages
Rhyme: This is Big, Big, Big*
Bounce: Toast in the Toaster*
Cuddle: You Be the Lemon*
Sing: If You’re Ready for a Story…*
Maisy quiet: Maisy, a small young mouse, sits and reads a book.
Maisy LOUD: Maisy enthusiastically plays a drum set.
Read: Maisy Big, Maisy Small by Lucy Cousins
Sing: Roly Poly
Tune: Frere Jacques
Roly poly, roly poly,
Up, up, up! Up, up, up!
Roly roly poly, roly roly poly,
Down, down, down. Down, down, down.Repeat: fast/slow, out/in (hug)
Bounce: Grand Old Duke of York
Oh, the Grand Old Duke of York,
He had ten thousand men.
He marched them up to the top of the hill, (lift child up or reach arms up high)
And he marched them down again. (lower child or arms)
And when they were up, they were up. (lift child up or reach arms up high)
And when they were down, they were down. (lower child or arms)
And when they were only half way up, (hold arms or child at waist height)
They were neither up nor down. (reach/lift up and down again)
Oh, he marched them to the left. (lean to the side)
And he marched them to the right. (lean to the side)
Then he marched them round and round
And marched them out of sight.CREDIT: KCLS
Sing: If You’re Ready for a Story…
Lapsit Reading: Free Summer Reading Board Books
Sing: Talk, Sing, Read, Write, Play*
Sing: In and Out the Window
We go in and out the window,
In and out the window,
In and out the window,
As we have done before.Turn ‘round and face your partner,
Turn ‘round and face your partner,
Turn ‘round and face your partner,
As we have done before.We go up and down the staircase,
Up and down the staircase,
Up and down the staircase,
As we have done before.CREDIT: Princeton PL
I have never actually done this song in storytime before! We stood up for this one. The babies LOVED turning round and facing each other. Too cute! Can’t wait to incorporate this song again.
Play: Bubbles
Stay and Play with Toys
*Visit this page to learn more about my regular storytime songs and routines.
**For more about why and how I set storytime expectations, read these posts.
Storytime in the Stacks 
Go In and Out the Window is one of my babytime favourites!! I like to do a few movement songs in my babytimes, since I remember all too well how much of those early months was spent bouncing a crying baby as I did laps of the living room. 😉
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