Snow Bird Storytime

Some birds have left for the south and some are here to stay for the winter months. During yesterday's Sunday Storytime session we read books about both.

Snow Bird Storytime Line-up:

Three Little Birds

Song by Bob Marley, Adapted by Rebecca Dunn

Woke up this mornin', (arms over head to make a sun)

Smiled with the risin' sun, (point to smile)

Three little birds (flap arms like a bird)

By my doorstep (point down to the ground)

Singin' sweet songs (hold hands by mouth as if shouting)

Of melodies pure and true, (hold hands by mouth as if shouting)

Sayin', "This is my message to you-ou-ou:" (point out to person in front of you)

Singin' don't worry about a thing, (shake finger out in front)

'Cause every little thing gonna be all right. (shoulder shrug, palms up)

Singin' don't worry about a thing, (shake finger again)

'Cause every little thing gonna be all right. (shoulder shrug, palms up)

Marco Flamingo by Shelia Jarkins

"What's snow?," asked Marco.

"You don't want to know," replied Goose.

And so Marco's adventure begins when one tropical bird decides to fly north for the winter.

Round Robin by Jack Kent

I had never heard of this book, until I started looking for snow bird books. Had the kids giggling the whole time I read it.

Birds by Keven Henkes, illustrated by Laura Dronzek

Oh, so lovely. Especially the illustrations.

Little Bird, Little Bird

Song by Elizabeth Mitchell

Little bird, little bird,

Fly through my window,

Little bird, little bird,

Fly through my window,

Little bird, little bird,

Fly through my window,

Fine molasses candy.

Through my window,

My sugar lump,

Fly through my window,

My sugar lump,

Fine molasses candy.

(Repeat replacing "Little bird" with: "Chickadee", and then"Jaybird", and then "Whip-poor-will")

You can listen to Elizabeth Mitchell's version of this popular song here.

George Flies South by Simon James

A new book I decided to try out. Originally, I decided not to use it for storytime because I thought it was a book that was better reading one-on-one. But Will encouraged me to read it Sunday and I'm glad he did.

No Two Alike by Keith Baker

Two birds flying around a winter wonderland learning about similarities and differences.

Snow Bird Craft:

I found this craft a couple months ago and it became my inspiration behind an entire storytime devoted to snow birds. Now, I was a little concerned about the younger kids being about to do it, but even the toddlers successfully made one with no trouble.

The prep was easy. I just cut and glued this birch tree clip art to toilet paper rolls.

I picked up these cheap, but cute artificial birds and some fake wintertime greenery at a craft store. The greenery was cut into small branches. After that, everything was ready for storytime.

The kids assembled their birds and branches with craft glue. Anything you have on hand will work. We used an all-purpose glue.

Here's the fun part. I created a "glitter station" which had translucent glitter, paint brushes, and cups with small portions of glue on the bottom of the cups. When the kids were done gluing their birds and branches, they could go to the glitter station, brush glue on their birch logs and birds with paint brushes, and then glitz up their snow birds with a glittery, finishing touch.

Easily, one of my favorite crafts we have done so far.

This last part isn't entirely necessarily, but it does help keep the bird upright. In snack sized baggies filled with 3-5 peppermints, we rolled the bags up and placed the sugar booty in the birch logs.

There you have it. A sweet, little, winter bird decoration.

image sources: marco flamingo, round robin, birds, george, no two alike,