Storytime: Eggs and Chicks

Family storytime for ages 3-8 with a craft.

(My personal holiday storytime policy: Before holiday storytimes I like to ask the group who celebrates which holiday. If all the children celebrate the same holiday I will read applicable books. But, if a family celebrates a different holiday I prefer to avoid all holiday stories. With children this young it's too difficult for them to understand holidays they do not celebrate, so I prefer to leave them out. Even traditions within the same holiday can differ enough to confuse children. I won't throw in a book for one family out of obligation that the other children don't understand just for the sake of inclusiveness. I won't let my kids sit with glazed-over eyes and confused expressions even for one book. Now, if my kids were older I would use it as a cultural opportunity. But, with preschoolers and toddlers? Sorry, no.)

Books:


 
Whose Chick Are You? By Nancy Tafuri


 
The Perfect Nest By Catherine Ford and pictures by John Manders





Duck & Goose By Tad Hills

Easter Books (if appropriate for group):



Minerva Louise and the Colorful Eggs By Janet Morgan Stoeke




Max Counts His Chickens By Rosemary Wells

Additional Books: 

Hurry! Hurry! By Eve Bunting and pictures by Jeff Mack 

First the Egg By Laura Vaccaro Steeger 

Horton Hatches the Egg By Dr. Seuss 

The Cow That Laid an Egg By Andy Cutbill and pictures by Russell Ayto  

Songs and Fingerplays:


"I Know a Chicken" From Whaddaya Think of That by Laurie Berkner (with egg shakers, naturally)
 

Unhatched Egg

Make a noise like a rooster.
 (Crow)
Make a noise like a hen.
(Cluck)
Make a noise like a chick.
(Peep)
Make a noise like an unhatched egg.
(Silence)

Good! And now you're ready to listen to the next story!
From thebestkidsbooksite.com
 

I'm a Little Chickie  
(To the Tune of: I'm a Little Teapot)

I'm a little chickie,
(crouch down inside your egg)
Ready to hatch,
Pecking at my shell,
(Pecking motion)
Scratch, scratch, scratch!
(scratching motion)
When I crack it open,
Out I'll jump
(jump out of shell)
Fluff my feathers,
Cheep! Cheep! Cheep!
From thebestkidsbooksite.com  

Craft: Easter Chick in Shell From thebestkidsbooksite.com