We Are All... Superheroes! - A Storytime Outline

Back in the spring my partner-in-crime and I did a Fancy Nancy and Superhero program. It was so much fun. The only thing I was missing was a cape. Determined to have a cape of my own, I decided that I had to do a superhero storytime. If anyone needs a quick cape, buy some red (or any color) jersey fabric, fold in half, cut at an angle then create a tie at the neck. Super easy, super cool, super awesome! This program did not revolve around actual typical superhero books (such as Batman and Superman). I chose books that were about every day rescues and how heroes came all sorts of shapes and sizes.

The families loved the program. This program also happened to have landed on Veteran's Day, which was wonderful since at least one of our families includes a military family. One very excited girl came in dressed up as Incredible Girl.

BOOKS
He Saves the Day written by Marsha Hayles and illus. by Lynn W. Cravath (T)
This story is all about imagination, but also being a hero by saving the day. For the toddlers I pointed out each scenario and how the boy always had his dog with him.

Cows to the Rescue written and illus. by John Himmelman (T, P)
The children had to help me say "Cows to the rescue!" over and over again. It's so much better that way.

Go Away Big Green Monster written and illus. by Ed Emberely (T, P)
We can be heroes too by simply being brave and telling a funny yet scary looking monster to go away. Be the boss! The children had to help say the "Go away..." parts. It was wonderful!

Millie and the Big Rescue written and illus. by Alexander Steffenmeier (P)
This was a brand new book for my library and I just loved it.

Do Super Heroes of Have Teddy Bears? written by Carmela LaVigna Coyle and illus. by Mike Gordon
I wanted to read this book too, but as an ILL it didn't arrive in time (shucks!). Trust me, you'll want to read this book too!

SONGS & RHYME
Open, Shut Them (T, P) 

follow actions

Open, shut them

Open, shut them

Give a little clap

Open, shut them

Open, shut them

Lay them in your lap

Creep them, creep them up to your chin

Open your mouth wide, but don't put your fingers in!

Open, shut them

Open, shut them

Give a big clap

Open, shut them

Open, shut them

Lay them in your lap.

Did You Ever See a Superhero? (T, P)
Done with Storytime Scarves aka short little capes
Did you ever see a hero, a hero, a hero,
Did you ever see a hero, flying through the sky?
Fly this way and that way, and that way and this way
Did you ever see a hero flying through the sky?

Other verses:
Putting on their cape,
Hopping on one foot,
Saving the day,
Twirling around
(I let the Preschool children come up with other actions)
Source: Jbrary

Touch Your Nose (T, P) 

follow actions

Touch your nose

Touch your chin

That's the way this game begins

Touch your eyes

Touch your knees

Now pretend you're going to sneeze!

Aaachooooo!

Touch your hair

Touch one ear

Touch your two red lips right here

Touch your elbow where it bends

And that's the way this touch game ends.

FLANNEL BOARDS
Superhero Cape Matching (T, P)
This was a super easy flannel board to make. I simply cut out seven pairs of capes by hand (no pattern) and glued on felt letters (bought pre-made). I really wanted to have the letters upper and lower case, but those are rare to find in stores (and I didn't have time to make them). There was no rhyme or song for this flannel. The toddlers loved it as did the preschoolers (it helped quite a bit that the children in the Preschool storytime were quite young still).


CRAFT
Superhero Masks (T, P)
A simple craft - every superhero needs a mask. The children in both age groups had a choice between using string or a craft stick for their mask. Everyone chose a craft stick. Some masks were quite colorful while some were plain (like mine). The masks were created by a die cut that was used at our local ISD resource center.

PICTURES

Toddler and Preschool Storytime Craft,
created by Dorothy WP-CC, 2013

Superhero Cape Matching flannel board,
created by Dorothy WP-CC, 2013.