Toddler Storytime: Things that Go

This is one of the best storytime themes out there. Kids love so! many! things that go and will respond with enthusiasm that may be hard to contain. (That's my kind of storytime!)

Wise librarians who came before me made cardboard railroad tracks. You can make your own with a stencil, spraypaint, and cardboard. They're awesome! I'll post a photo soon. I let kids play with cardboard railroad tracks for 5-10 minutes while people are still coming in the door. Encouraging them to build together fosters an imaginative and collaborative atmosphere. 


I call everyone to center with a train whistle. These are inexpensive and sound great.
We sing our Hello song and Open Shut Them, and then we get the party started with a great book:

Giant Popout Vehicles by Amelia Powers

This is an excellent read for both toddlers and preschoolers. The visual and written clues are simple enough that some toddlers can guess what the next pop-up will be. If they don't guess from the clues, I ask whenever I reveal each popup "What is this?" and they love to yell out "It's a motorcycle!"  

Then we do a stretching song:

My Ups and Downs by Jim Gill

This song is wonderful at the beginning of storytime. Jim Gill has us stretch way up high on our tippy toes and back down to the floor a few times. Parents like to do this one too!  Don't forget to mention that this is a song about opposites.

Time for our second book!

Pete the Cat: The Wheels on the Bus by James Dean

Wow! Even though I paper-clipped a few pages together, the toddlers followed along for the entire story/song! 30 pages with toddlers is a new record for me. Be sure to point out how the kids are 'reading' the story with you. Do all the motions and sing your socks off!

Jumping and Counting by Jim Gill

This song is so fun!  Count on your fingers and encourage the toddlers to jump, jump, jump! You won't have to try very hard. 

Our next book came out in 2014 and won my nomination for the Indiana Early Literacy Firefly award.

My Bus by Byron Barton

Byron Barton books work well for toddlers because of their simple text, bold imagery, and easy to follow stories. Ask the kids to help you count how many dogs and cats are getting off and on the bus. Talk about where they might be going. This cute story ends with a sweet twist.

Finally, it is time for the last book in our all-star lineup:

Maisy's Book of Things that Go by Lucy Cousins

This is a crowd-pleasing, pop-up STEM book for toddlers not to be missed. Make sure to keep a copy non-circulating so you can use it again and again.