Parts of Me Storytime

May 23, 2012Scott Bahlmann

Opening: Shake My Sillies Out - Raffi

Book: Pigs Picnic – Keiko Kasza

(We find out in this story that some parts don't belong on everyone!)

Flannel Board: Head, Body, Legs
(a story from Liberia)

(This was a little long, but kept everyone's interest very well. It was fun having the kids help to get the body finally in the correct order.)

But how did our parts get to be the way they are? This story from Liberia gives an explanation.

Long ago, Head was all by himself. He had no legs, no arms and no body. He rolled everywhere. All he could eat were things on the ground that he could reach with his tongue. At day, he rolled to a cherry tree. “I’m tired of grass and mushrooms. I wish I could reach those cherries.” He rolled himself up a little hill. “Maybe if I could get a good head start I can hit the trunk hard enough to knock some cherries off,” he thought.

He shoved with his ears and began to roll down the hill. “Here I go!” he shouted. Faster and faster he rolled. CRASH! “OWWWWWW” he cried. “Who’s there?” someone asked. Head looked up. Above him swung two Arms he had never seen before. “Look down here,” Head said, “and you’ll see.” “How can we look?” asked Arms. “We don’t have eyes.” “I have an idea, “ said Head. “Let’s get together. I have eyes to see, and you have hands for picking things to eat.” “Okay,” said Arms. They dropped to the ground and attached themselves to Head above the ears.

“This,” said Head, “is perfect.” Hands picked cherries, and Head ate every single one. “It’s time for a nap,” said Head, yawning. Soon he was fast asleep. While Head slept, Body bounced along and landed on top of him. “Help!” gasped Head. “I can’t breathe!” Arms pushed Body off. “Hey,” said Body. “Stop pushing me. Who are you?” “It’s us, Head and Arms,” said Head. “You almost squashed us. Watch where you’re going!” “How can I?” asked Body. “I can’t see.” “Why don’t you join us?” said Head. “I see some ripe mangoes across the river. If you help us swim over there, I’ll help you see where you’re going.” “Okay,” said Body. So Head attached himself to Body at the belly button. “This,” said Head, “is perfect.” Soon they reached the far bank and bounced up against the mango tree. “Pick some,” Head ordered. Arms stretched as high as they could, but they couldn’t quite reach. Head looked around for a stick. Standing near the tree were two crossed Legs with feet on the ends. “Get those,” Head said to Arms. “Join us,” said Head. “I have eyes. I can show you where to go, and you can help us reach those mangoes.” “Okay,” said Legs. So Legs attached themselves to the hands. “No there,” said Arms. “The hands need to be free to pick mangoes.” “I should be in the middle,” said Body, “because I’m the biggest.” “That’s right,” said Head. “You should be at the bottom, Legs. I’ll swing around on top of Body so I can see everything. And Arms, you move to the shoulders.” Everyone slid into place. Legs stood on tiptoe. Body straightened out. Arms stretched up, and the hands picked a mango. Head took a bite, and smiled. “Mmm, delicious,” Head said. “Now THIS is perfect!”

Book: I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More – David Catrow

(Not the first time I've done this book, but it seemed to fall a little flat this time. Fun illustrations, and interactive potential.)

Activity/Song: Put your Finger On
from the CD Feel the Music by Parachute Express

(This got the kids excited, a great simple interactive activity.)

Book: We’ve all got bellybuttons - David Martin

(And we continued the interacting to this story! Awesome all around.)

Puppets: A Beautiful Girl -
adapted from the book by Amy Schwarts

(Jenna meets lots of different animals who wonder why she's different. Here she explains to little elephant the she hasn't got a trunk, but her nose is very useful. Good interaction with the kids on this too.)

Book: Goodnight, Me - Andrew Daddo