Songs and Fingerplay Favorites from the Association of Children’s Librarians of Northern California
On November 9, 2018, members of ACL shared their favorite storytime “attention- getters,” which are songs and fingerplays that help focus the attention of very young children attending storytime. Thanks to everyone who came and shared their favorites, singing each suggestion to teach it to the rest of us. For new storytime presenters, singing can be intimidating, and it may be difficult to know which songs to present. Listed below are some of our favorites, with links to find them online so you can learn them:
Fun songs:
“Popcorn” by Raffi – www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCthC0-61z4
“Here is the Beehive” – https://kcls.org/content/here-is-a-beehive/
“I Have Ten Fingers and They All Belong to Me” – www.youtube.com/watch?v=teIJUjKnHX0
“If You’re Happy and You Know It” – www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzW7zt2EUb4
“Wheels on the Bus” – www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lle38aEc5E
“Everybody Find a Seat” – https://kcls.org/content/everybody-have-a-seat/
“Very Funny Spider” – https://storytimeukulele.wordpress.com/2015/06/30/itsy-bitsy-spider-and-variations/
“Mmm Ahh Went the Little Green Frog” – www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwU3beZ9kcw
“Wake Up Feet” – www.youtube.com/watch?v=vM3Zh6sikTU
“Everybody Wants to Be a Butterfly” – www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAkbPnaDJeE
“Little Red Caboose” – https://kcls.org/content/little-red-caboose/
“Mr. Frog Jumped Out of the Pond One Day” – www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nuvg50ZAgo
“Scratch a Friend’s Back” – https://carrypaterson.wordpress.com/2015/09/10/scratch-a-friends-back/
“There’s a Brand New Baby” – www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCerzlxs-UE
“This Old Road Is Hard and Bumpy” – www.youtube.com/watch?v=SApkmDStph8
“Five Green and Speckled Frogs” – https://kcls.org/content/five-green-and-speckled-frogs/
“You Can’t Make a Turtle Come Out” – www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrkuSda3Umk
Songs to use with puppet:
“Jack in the Box Jumps Up” – https://kcls.org/content/jack-in-a-box/
“Big Gray Elephant” – https://storytimekatie.com/2012/09/24/elephants/
Lullabies to calm everyone down:
“Tender Shepherd” – www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP4CK-WplYw
“All the Pretty Little Horses” – https://kcls.org/content/all-the-pretty-little-horses/
“Here Is a Baby Ready for a Nap” – http://melissa.depperfamily.net/blog/?p=4254
“Little Bunny Sleeping on the Floor” – https://kcls.org/content/look-at-all-the-bunnies/
Calming technique – Taking a deep ocean breath (see yoga books and websites for a demonstration).
Favorite resources for songs and fingerplays:
- Jbrary: https://jbrary.com/
- King County Library System: https://kcls.org/content/
- Jenkins, Ella. This Is the Rhythm. Sing Out Publications, 1993: www.amazon.com/This-Rhythm-Ella-Jenkins/dp/1881322025/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1541968638&sr=1-1&keywords=This+is+the+rhythm .
Tried and True:
“Hello Everybody, Yes Indeed”
Hello everybody, yes indeed
Yes indeed, yes indeed
Hello everybody, yes indeed; yes indeed everybody.
Wiggle your fingers, yes indeed
Yes indeed, yes indeed
Wiggle your fingers, yes indeed; yes indeed everybody.
Clap your hands, yes indeed
Yes indeed, yes indeed
Clap your hands, yes indeed; yes indeed everybody.
Let’s read a story, yes indeed
Yes indeed, yes indeed
Let’s read a story, yes indeed; yes indeed everybody.
“Head and Shoulders”
Head and shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes,
Head and shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes,
And eyes and ears and mouth and nose,
Head and shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes.
“Open, Shut Them”
Open, shut them.
Open, shut them.
Give a little clap.
Open, shut them
Open, shut them
Put them in your lap.
Creep them, creep them
Slowly creep them
Right up to your chin
Open up your mouth
But do not let them in.
“Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed”
Five little monkeys jumping on the bed
One fell off and bumped his head
So Momma called the doctor and the doctor said
No more monkeys jumping on the bed!
Four little monkeys jumping on the bed
One fell off and bumped her head
So Momma called the doctor and the doctor said
No more monkeys jumping on the bed!
Three little monkeys jumping on the bed
One fell off and bumped his head
So Momma called the doctor and the doctor said
No more monkeys jumping on the bed!
Two little monkeys jumping on the bed
One fell off and bumped her head
So Momma called the doctor and the doctor said
No more monkeys jumping on the bed!
One little monkey jumping on the bed
He fell off and bumped his head
So Momma called the doctor and the doctor said
No more monkeys jumping on the bed!
“Wheels on the Bus”
The wheels on the bus go round and round
Round and round, round and round
The wheels on the bus go round and round
All through the town.
(Roll hands over each other)
The wipers on the bus go “Swish, swish, swish,
Swish, swish, swish, swish, swish, swish”
The wipers on the bus go “Swish, swish, swish”
All through the town.
(Put arms together in front of you and ‘swish’ like windshield wipers)
The horn on the bus goes “Beep, beep, beep
Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep”
The horn on the bus goes “Beep, beep, beep”
All through the town.
(Pretend to honk horn)
The money on the bus goes “Clink, clink, clink,
Clink, clink, clink, clink, clink, clink”
The money on the bus goes “Clink, clink, clink”
All through the town.
(Pretend to put money in cash box on bus)
The baby on the bus says, “Wah, wah, wah!
Wah, wah, wah, wah, wah, wah!”
The baby on the bus says, “Wah, wah, wah!”
All through the town.
(Fists in front of eyes and rub them like baby crying)
The parents on the bus say, “Shh, shh, shh,
Shh, shh, shh, shh, shh, shh”
The parents on the bus say, “Shh, shh, shh”
All through the town.
(Put pointer finger to mouth to ‘shhh’)
“Shake Your Hands”
Shake your hands, shake your hands
Give a little clap.
Shake your hands, shake your hands
Lay them in your lap.
Shake your hands, shake your hands
Hold onto your chair.
Shake your hands, shake your hands
Put them in the air.
Shake your hands, shake your hands
Give a little clap.
Shake your hands, shake your hands
Lay them in your lap.
“Five Green and Speckled Frogs”
Five green and speckled frogs
Sat on a speckled log
Eating some most delicious bugs
YYYYUUUUMMMM YYYYUUUUMMMM
One jumped into the pool
Where it was nice and cool
Then there were
Four green speckled frogs
GGGGLLLLUUUUBBBB GGGGLLLLUUUUBBBB
(Repeat in descending order.)
“Ten in a Bed”
There were ten in a bed
And the little one said
“Roll over, roll over”
So they all rolled over
And one fell out.
There were nine in a bed
And the little one said
“Roll over, roll over”
So they all rolled over
And one fell out.
(Repeat in descending order.)
There was one in a bed
And the little one said
“Good night!” or “Alone at last!”
“We’ll All Join in the Circle”
We’ll all join in the circle,
We’ll all join in the circle,
We’ll all join in the circle,
And sing a song or two.
We’ll all clap hands together,
We’ll all clap hands together,
We’ll all clap hands together,
And sing a song or two.
We’ll all stand up together,
We’ll all stand up together,
We’ll all stand up together,
And sing a song or two.
We’ll all join hands together,
We’ll all join hands together,
We’ll all join hands together,
And sing a song or two.
We’ll all turn ‘round together,
We’ll all turn ‘round together,
We’ll all turn ‘round together,
And sing a song or two.
We’ll all stand still together,
We’ll all stand still together,
We’ll all stand still together,
And sing a song or two.
We’ll all sit down together,
We’ll all sit down together,
We’ll all sit down together,
And sing a song or two.
We’ll all be quiet together,
We’ll all be quiet together,
We’ll all be quiet together,
Now singing time is through.
“The More We Get Together”
The more we get together, together, together,
The more we get together, the happier we’ll be.
‘Cause your friends are my friends,
And my friends are your friends,
The more we get together, the happier we’ll be!
“If You’re Happy and You Know It”
If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands (clap clap),
If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands (clap clap),
If you’re happy and you know it then your face will surely show it.
If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands (clap clap),
If you’re happy and you know it stomp your feet (stomp stomp),
If you’re happy and you know it stomp your feet (stomp stomp),
If you’re happy and you know it then your face will surely show it.
If you’re happy and you know it stomp your feet (stomp stomp),
If you’re happy and you know it shout “Hooray!” (Hoo-ray!)
If you’re happy and you know it shout “Hooray!” (Hoo-ray!)
If you’re happy and you know it then your face will surely show it.
If you’re happy and you know it shout “Hooray!” (Hoo-ray!)
If you’re happy and you know it do all three (clap clap, stomp stomp, Hoo-ray!),
If you’re happy and you know it do all three (clap clap, stomp stomp, Hoo-ray!),
If you’re happy and you know it then your face will surely show it.
If you’re happy and you know it do all three (clap clap, stomp stomp, Hoo-ray!).
Musical Recordings Appropriate for Storytime
Arma, Tom. Animal Songs. Madacy Entertainment Group, 2004.
Berkner, Laurie. The Best of the Laurie Berkner Band. Two Tomatoes, 2010.
Bos, Bev. We’ve Been Waiting for You. Turn-The-Page, 1999.
Boynton, Sandra. Frog Trouble . . . and Eleven Other Pretty Serious Songs. Workman, 2013.
Diamant-Cohen, Betsy. Listen, Like, Learn With Mother Goose on the Loose. Betsy’s Folly Studios, 2006.
Diamant-Cohen, Betsy. Mother Goose on the Loose: More Nursery Rhymes and Songs. Betsy’s Folly Studios, 2005.
Doherty, Laura. In a Heartbeat. CDBaby, 2014.
Feierabend, John M. and Jill Trinka. There’s a Hole in the Bucket. GIA, 2006.
Fink, Cathy, and Marcy Marxer. Dancin’ In the Kitchen: Songs for All Families. CDBaby, 2015.
Gill, Jim. Jim Gill Sings Do Re Mi on His Toe Leg Knee. Jim Gill Music, 1999.
Grammer, Red. Circle of Light: Songs for Bucket Fillers. Red Note Records, 2014.
Harley, Bill and Keigh Munslow. It’s Not Fair to Me. Round River, 2013.
Huff, Mary Jo. Getting’ Loose with Mother Goose. Storytellin, 2010.
Janiak, William C. Dances for Little People. Kimbo Educational, 2004.
Janiak, William C. It’s Fun to Clap. Kimbo Educational, 2007.
Jenkins, Ella. And One and Two and Other Songs for Pre-school and Primary Children. Smithsonian Folkways, 1995.
Jenkins, Ella. Counting Games and Rhythms for the Little Ones. Smithsonian Folkways, 1997.
Jenkins, Ella. Early, Early Childhood Songs. Smithsonian Folkways, 1990.
Jenkins, Ella. Multi-Cultural Children’s Songs. Smithsonian Folkways, 1995.
Jenkins, Ella. 123s and ABCs. Smithsonian Folkways, 2014.
Kisor, David. Becoming My Own Me: Songs for Developing Toddlers. Growing Sound, 2011.
Koral, Bari. Anna and the Cupcakes. Loopytunes, 2012.
Langstaff, John. Songs for Singing Children. Revels Records, 1996.
Lehman, Kim. All Together Now: Songs to Sing with Children. Kim Lehman, 2006.
McGrath, Bob. Bob’s Favorite Sing Along Songs. Bob’s Kids Music, 2013.
McGrath, Bob and Katharine Smithrim. Songs & Games for Toddlers. Bob’s Kids Music, 2000.
Mitchell, Elizabeth. Little Seed: Songs for Children by Woody Guthrie. Smithsonian Folkways, 2012.
Muldaur, Maria. Maria Muldaur’s Barnyard Dance: Jug Band Music for Kids. Kid Rhino, 2010.
Music for Little People. Apples & Bananas: Songs for Healthy Families. Music for Little People, 2011.
Music for Little People. Toddler Favorites. Music for Little People, 2011.
O’Dell, Dino. Outer Space. CD Baby, 2012.
OkeeDokee Brothers. Can You Canoe? OkeeDokee Music, 2012.
Orozco, Jose Luis. De Colores and Other Latin-American Folk Songs for Children. Arcoiris Records, 1996.
Orozco, Jose Luis. Fiestas: A Year of Latin-American Songs of Celebration. Arcoiris Records, 2002.
Palmer, Hap. Early Childhood Classics: Old Favorites with a New Twist. Hap-Pal Music, 2000.
Palmer, Hap. Peekaboo and Other Songs for Very Young Children. Hap-Pal Music, 1997.
Palmer, Hap. Sally the Swinging Snake. Educational Activities, 1994.
Plunkett, Michael. Bean Bag and Ball Play. Kimbo Educational, 2013.
Raffi. Corner Grocery Store. Shoreline Records, 1979.
Raffi. Everything Grows. Shoreline Records, 1987.
Raffi. More Singable Songs. Rounder Records, 1977.
Raffi. Raffi In Concert with the Rise & Shine Band. Rounder Records, 1996.
Raffi. Singable Songs for the Very Young. Rounder Records, 1976.
Roberts, Justin. Great Big Sun. Carpet Square, 2001.
Schnitzer, Sue. Wiggle and Whirl. CDBaby, 2000.
Smithe, Aaron Nigel. Everyone Loves to Dance! Music for Little People, 2011.
Stephens, Carole. Miss Carole’s Dancing Feet. CDBaby, 2008.
Stephens, Carole. Miss Carole’s Polka Dots! CDBaby, 2014.
Stewart, Georgiana. Circle Time Activities. Kimbo Educational, 2004.
Stewart, Georgiana. Finger Play Fun Fine Motor Exercises. Kimbo Educational, 2007.
Sweet Honey in the Rock. I Got Shoes. Music for Little People, 1994.
Trout Fishing In America. Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers. Trout Records, 2013.
Valeri, Michele. Little Ditties for Itty Bitties: Songs for Infants and Toddlers. Community Music, 2010.
Zamenes, Andreas. Classic Songs and Traditional Tunes. CDBaby, 2015.
Zanes, Dan. Catch That Train! Festival Five Records, 2006.
Zanes, Dan. Family Dance. Festival Five Records, 2001.
Zanes, Dan. Turn Turn Turn. Festival Five Records, 2013.
Penny Peck
Part-time Instructor,
San Jose State University iSchool