Many of us use the wonderful book, LITERATE BEGINNINGS: PROGRAMS FOR BABIES AND TODDLERS, ALA, 1995, by the late San Francisco librarian Debby Ann Jeffery. This new column can no way replace that resource, but should be used in conjunction with Jeffery’s book. Some librarians don’t use themes for lapsit storytime, but many parents of babies and toddlers seem to be drawn to themed storytimes as they look like they take more preparation (which we all know isn’t really the truth), but parents seem to like the formalized nature of a themed storytime. Babies and toddlers, of course, just love good songs and stories. If you are a novice at lapsits, which are sometimes called Baby Bounce time, using the theme of Teddy Bears will make for a sure-fire hit. You can even advertise that children should attend with their favorite teddy bear!
Songs
“Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, Turn Around.” This jump rope song can be found as a board book, or find the words on page 91 of Jeffery’s book.
“Teddy Bear” by Elvis Presley. This song can be used at a great movement time; have babies and caregivers twist or bounce to the song.
“Teddy Bear’s Picnic.” This classic song is available in many versions. My favorites include the book and cassette featuring Jerry Garcia and Dave Grisman, HarperCollins, 1993.
Books
Butler, Dorothy. MY BROWN BEAR BARNEY. With lots of repetition, this story concerns a little girl who describes what she will take in her backpack.
Gretz, Susana. TEDDY BEARS ABC or TEDDY BEARS 1 TO 10. These two titles in the series seem best-suited to the younger listeners (I use her other Teddy Bear books in preschool storytime), as these titles are very simple.
Degen, Bruce. TEDDY BEAR TOWERS. A boy pretends he is king of the teddy bears to keep his brother out of his room.
Lindgren, Barbro. SAM’S TEDDY BEAR. The dog rescues Sam’s teddy bear in this small book featuring a diaper-wearing Sam.
Kelley, True. DAY-CARE TEDDY BEAR. Anna and her teddy spend the first day at Day Care.