Boats! Boats! Boats!

I always think of How I Met Your Mother when I talk about Boats-- probably because of this hysterical link.

Boats is a great storytime theme! There are so many fun books, and then you can Row, Row, Row your boat with all of the fun extra verses! Here is a handy list in case your stuck! They even have a mermaid one!

Books:
Little Tug by Stephanie Savage : This is a great boat book for toddlers and babies. I love using Stephanie's books for that reason! Bright pictures and sparse text work wonders!
Sail Away by Donald Crew : I think it's imposssible to talk about transporation and not use a Crew book-- and I love this one for the putt putt putt-ing. At my best storytime moments, the crowd picks up the rhythm and continues it while I read... it is such a beautiful storytime moment! To hear the putt-ing while you chug along with the story.
Blue Boat by Linda Hamilton : At the first storytime, I got this book confused with Little Tug, it's a cute book-- but it's a big long. I flipped through to the end because I didn't want to lose my young ears!
Along the River by Vanina Starkoff : This books is gorgeous, and I love that it shows traveling by boat as a community. It's also not a boat you would picture easily... so it's a nice one to expose to readers.
Float by Daniel Miyares : I like using wordless books in storytime, I love making up a story. This one is a really magical book, I think the shape and muted colors make it a hard sell in storytime for big groups. But, I like having it out and having kids experience it.
Mr. Gumpy's Outing by John Buringham : This is an oldie, but a goodie. I wish the pictures were more vibrant-- but it's one of those additon stories where you keep adding and adding things until chaos ensues! I think it makes a good felt--- and that was my original plan to use it.
Row, row, row your boat by Jane Cabrea : When in doubt, use a song book! Jane makes these classics into adorably cute works, and this one is no exception.
Splish Splash by Nicole Smee : I love this book-- but I just used it last week-- a Horse, a Pig, A Dog, and a Cat take a ride on a boat--- this one always leads to great participation!

Songs:
All 3 Hellos.
Usual Goodbye
Row Row Row Your Boat: I do 3 verses, and I repeat it so the adults have a chance to get them all. I do the Lion and Crocodile verses!
Orca Whale
Come and Sit
Glasses
Fish in the Sea

Felt:
While I had intended to use my felt story for Mr.Gumpy's outing... I was feeling a bit unsure of the pacing and didn't leave myself any time to practice. So-- I borrowed my coworkers "I went walking" felt and made a boat for the Dora character to paddle in. Then we sang, "I went rowing..." and it was a cute hit! It's such a fun felt because of the repetition and animal noises.

Dance:
Freeze by Greg and Steve

Puppet:
Bobby ABC