Guerrilla Storytime at Northern Waters Library System

This past week the fabulous Marge Loch-Wouters and I visited Asheland, WI. I had a lovely time seeing Lake Superior for the first time, and coming to the realization that Wisconsin is always cold. Even at the end of April.

People are still ice fishing up here!

We had a great time presenting information about our 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, Baby Book Bees, and our Early Literacy Center. Then we wrapped up the day by talking about storytime and having our very own Guerrilla Storytime!

It was a long workshop day and sleeting outside, and we made the decision to keep it short so people could get home a little early. The participants were fabulous and had amazing things to share!

Challenge Question: Sing your opening song

• (To the tune of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star)
  Hands go up, and hands go down
  I can turn myself around
  I can stand up on one shoe
  I can listen and so can you
  I can sit, I'll show you how.
  Storytime is starting now.

Challenge Question: How do you add vocabulary in your storytime?

• When you run across a difficult word, ask kids if they know what it means. If they don't, then explain the word and reread the sentence.
• Make sure you are able to explain the difficult word clearly to kids before storytime. For example, it's really hard to explain 'opposites' without using the word in the definition.

Challenge Question: What is your favorite way to add play in storytime?

• Using puppets. You can have ones that talk, or ones that whisper in your ear. 
• Using fingerplays. It's a great way to break up book sharing and grab the kid's attention.
• Bean bag song from Greg & Steve
• Using fairy tales to role play. First read the story and then go back through and act them out as a group.

Challenge Question: What props do you use in storytime?

• A giraffe puppet with older kids. Giraffes have no voices and make no sound, so when you need kids to quiet down you rub your throat. (putting on your giraffe throat)
• Tell a tale like three little bears and have finger puppets. Let the kids retell it by passing the puppets around. 
• Shakey eggs. If you can't afford to buy them, then just make them! Simply add rice to Easter eggs and hot glue them shut. Wrap duct tape around them for extra strength. 
• Scarves. Great to use when telling a book and having the kids act out the actions. A good way to calm the kids down when singing a song. Also, fun to use with a parachute. 

Challenge Question: Favorite five little... rhyme

• 5 Littel Jack O' Lanterns- Great with finger puppets, flannel pieces, or simply using your hands!
  5 Little jack o' lanterns sitting on a gate
  The first one said, "Oh my it's getting late."
  The second one said, "There are witches in the air."
  The third one said, "But we don't care!"
  The fourth one said, "Let's run and run and run!"
  The fifth one said, "I'm ready for some fun."
  Ooooooo went the wind, and out went the light.
  And the five little jack o' lanterns rolled out of site. 
• 5 Little Monkey- Kids love when the alligator chomps the monkeys. If it bothers your audience you can always have the alligator spit the monkeys out at the end. 

I think the next time I do a Guerrilla Storytime with an entire system, I will give them a little warning before. Over lunch I'll ask them to be brainstorming some questions they have about their storytime and to think of their favorite song/rhyme/book. I think this will help everyone feel more comfortable sharing. 

Even though this was our drive home, it was an amazing day in Ashland! I can't wait to come back and visit when everything isn't so white, icy, and cold. Maybe late August?