Storyteller’s Stew

By Christy Burgess

Children’s Services Manger

Morrison Regional Library, PLCMC

Storytellers make a scrumptious stew. Each stew is unique but always contains similar ingredients. Storytellers select the most tasty vegetables and delightful broth. Eager and hungry minds gather weekly to taste the new stew and leave craving more. Books are the healthy vegetables simmering in our storytime bag while fillers surround the nutritious broth ready to be shared by all. Stir together, add a little storytime magic and Voila! a storytime stew!

Storytellers use two key ingredients for programs: fillers and stories. Fillers are participatory storytime elements that fill the spaces between stories. They include fingerplays, action rhymes, chants, songs, poems, nursery rhymes, stretches, jokes, riddles and music. Storytellers use fillers to introduce a new book or theme, share a song or learning activity, transition from book to book, reinforce book related concepts, engage chattering mothers, shake out the sillies or simply to stretch to the sky. By using fillers, Storytellers calm a restless audience and soothe crying babies. Fillers are a storyteller’s best friend.

It’s important to remember the following few tips when using fillers.

Know your audience and know your filler. Remember your intended audience when incorporating fillers. Babies and Toddlers need repetition,

whereas School Age children need challenges.

Develop a list of your favorite fillers for different age groups. Refer to this list when planning your programs. Also, keep a copy on an index card in your storytime bag.
Use simple instructions when introducing a new filler.
Create your own filler using the tune of a familiar song.
Observe other storytellers and learn something new!
Have fun learning new fillers and expanding your repertoire.

Here are a few suggestions and sample fillers to use with different age groups.

Babies need music, rhymes, repetition and more music. Storytellers must include lots of fast paced fillers and books for babies. Baby programs are designed to introduce books to babies, model good storytime techniques for caregivers and educate parents about the importance of reading to children. Try these fun fillers!

Rain is falling down (calming song)

Rain is falling down –Splash! (clap hands)

Rain is falling down – Splash!

Pitter, patter, pitter patter

Rain is falling down – Splash!

Bumpin’ Downtown in my Little Red Wagon (bouncing rhyme)

Bumpin’ downtown in my little red wagon

Bump, Bump, Bump, Bump!

Toddlers enjoy music, fingerplays, activities and repetition. Use fingerplays to reinforce the development of small motor skills. Storytellers use familiar participatory songs such as “The Wheels on the Bus” or “I’m a Little Teapot” to engage the children. Here are a few fillers to share.

Ladybug, Ladybug

(Storyteller sings and the audience echoes.

Point to the coordinating body parts.)

Ladybug, Ladybug

Landed on my toe

Crawled to my ankle

And up to my knee

Ladybug, Ladybug

Crawled up to my leg

And then she flew away

Ladybug, Ladybug

Landed on thumb

Crawled to my wrist

And over to my elbow

Ladybug, Ladybug

Crawled up to my arm

And then she flew away

Ladybug, Ladybug

Landed on my head

Crawled to my nose

And over to my ear

Ladybug, Ladybug

Crawled down to my neck

And then she flew away

Ten Little Sailor Boys/Girls

(Tune: Ten Little Indian Boys)

One little, two little, three little sailors (count on your fingers)

Four little, five little, six little sailors

Seven little, eight little, nine little sailors

Ten little sailor boys

They jumped in the boat (jump, then lean to the side)

And the boat turned over (repeat 3 times)

Ten little sailor boys

They swam and they swam (make swimming motions)

And they swam to shore (repeat 3 times)

Ten little sailor boys

They shook and they shook (shake your body)

And they shook themselves dry (repeat 3 times)

Ten little sailor boys

They ran and they ran (making running action)

And they ran to their mother (repeat 3 times)

Ten little sailor boys

She hugged them, and kissed them (hug yourself, blow a kiss & pretend to sleep)

And sent them to bed (repeat 3 times)

Ten little sailor boys

(Option: repeat first stanza)

Preschoolers like learning and exploring new concepts. Use fingerplays, chants or try getting a beat on your knees and keep the rhythm while chanting a few Nursery Rhymes. Also, incorporate musical instruments, explore activities using a parachute or scarves or introduce creative dramatics by taking an imaginary train ride around the storytime room. Also, try introducing simple bilingual components with preschoolers such as counting in Spanish, French or German.

Chocolate from Literate Beginnings by Debby Ann Jeffery

(Start the chant very slowly and gradually increase the tempo.)

Uno-dos-tres-Cho

Uno-dos-tres-Co

Uno-dos-tres-La

Uno-dos-tres-Te

Cho-co-la-te, Cho-co-la-te

Bate, bate chocolate (make stirring motion)

Cho-co-la-te, Cho-co-la-te

Bate, bate, chocolate.

Bate, bate, chocolate

Bate, bate, bate, bate.

Open Shut Them adapted by Nancy Snyder, Youth Specialist, PLCMC

Open shut them, open shut them

Give a little clap, clap, clap

Open shut them, open shut them

Lay them in your lap, lap, lap

Creep them, crawl them

To your rosy cheeks, cheeks, cheeks

Open wide your shiny eyes

And through your fingers peek

Lift them, lift them, slowly lift them

Way up to the sky

Wiggle little fingers, like the birdies

In the sky

Falling, Falling, slowly falling

Almost to the ground

Slowly lift your hands up

And start spinning them around

Slowly, slowly, slowly, slowly

Faster, faster, faster, faster

Whee-e-e-e-e-e-e!

Open shut them, open shut them

Give a little clap, clap, clap

Open shut them, open shut them

Lay them in your lap, lap, lap

School Age children need challenges and clever humor. Use poetry, chants, music, creative dramatics, jokes and riddles. Try using participatory songs that challenge one’s coordination skills such as “The Princess Pat” or “Hi My Name is Joe” from Crazy Gibberish and Other Storyhour Stretches by Naomi Baltuck. Also, try La-De-Da for lots of laughs!