In line with Bike Safety Month, I did a story time on bikes! We have some incredible rail-trails here in the mid-west, and I have been turned on to biking ever since I discovered them. Biking is something I love to do, so I thought it would be great to do a story time about it. The Best Bike Ride Ever - James Primos Bonny O'Boy REALLY wants a bike! That's all she could say for a week until her parents bought her one. Bonny then goes on a fantastical adventure on her new bike as she learns about riding and bike safety first hand. Show and tell - Biking Safety Encouraged by a former supervisor, I learned that show and tell works great in story time. I have brought in some instruments from around the world, tools, and even a squash! This break from books and songs is more conversational and the kids seem to really like it. This time, I brought all of my cycling gear. My gloves, funny shorts, jersey, ID bracelet, water bottle, click shoes, sunglasses, water bottle, and my helmet. We talked about what all of this gear is for and how together it all keeps me safe. When you do a show and tell, be prepared that kids want to touch everything, so make sure to bring in things that can safely be out of your hands for a moment, or be ready to show them HOW to touch. The moms were thankful I talked about bike helmets because some of them struggle to get their kids to wear them. Everyone Can Learn to Ride a Bike - Chris Rashka This book is super short, but a perfect little book about learning how to ride a bicycle, safety, and persistence. You are sure to recognize Chris Raschka's drawings. Finger plays and Song My Bicycle--finger play One wheel, two wheels on the ground (revolve hand in forward circle) My feet make the pedal go round and round (pedal with feet) Handle bars help me steer so straight (pretend to steer) Down the sidewalk and through the gate! Song: My Bike--song (sung to "The Farmer in the Dell") Pedal round and round, (roll hands around each other) Pedal round and round, I steer my bike (pretend to steer bike) To where I like. Pedal round and round. Go! Go! Go! - David Goldin Check out this funny bicycle race! The words "Go - Go - Go" are repeated throughout - the perfect opportunity for audience participation and word recognition. Duck on a Bike - David Shannon This was a quick, alternate book I used because I had some really interested listeners! It isn't a very long book, but the kids love the expressions on the animals as Duck glides around the farm on his bike. I also used this book for a StoryWalk. What is a StoryWalk you ask? Well, I think it is a great way to encourage family reading outside of the library! Click HERE for more about StoryWalks. Craft I have to explain my crafts this week. At the time of this session, I had a lot of 5 year olds ready for Kindergarten who had their younger siblings with them. So I had two crafts available. One could be done at home with guidance, and one in house. First up for the older kids, we had a TANGRAM. I used this image I found below to create shapes on colored paper that could be used to finish the puzzle. These were easier to scan from white paper, but I did have them on colors. The older sibs could take them home or do them in house. I supplied glue as well if they wanted to keep it as a finished picture. Scissor practice before Kindergarten is ALWAYS a good idea in my book. In fact, scissor use is a common answer when asking Kindergarten teachers what the one skill they wish incoming students had. We also used dotters to decorate a bicycle helmet! Have you ever used dotters for crafts? Safe, clean, and totally fun times in the library. They can be expensive but will last a long time if you take care of them. The littles just love this way of using 'paint' and the parents appreciate the light cleanup. Well, that is it for Bicycle Month! Hope you enjoyed this story time - I think I hear the trails calling me right now - Be Safe! and Thanks for stopping by!!