Clothing Storytime

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This storytime was for a preschool-aged group at my library.

Before starting, the kids had a lot of fun answering my questions about clothing. I asked what kinds of clothing they were wearing, what to wear different seasons, and whether you put your underwear or your pants go on first (they thought I was pretty silly).

Read Aloud Books

Naked Mole Rat Gets DressedWritten and illustrated by Mo Willems

Naked mole rats don't wear clothing. That is, until Wilbur came along with some fashionable outfits—and the others are not happy about it. I'll always go for the Mo Willems book. Even if the kids didn't think this one was quite as funny as his others I've read. They still paid attention.

Animals Should Definitely Not Wear ClothingWritten by Judi Barrett, illustrated by Ronald Barrett

Because it would be disastrous for a porcupine, a billy goat would eat it for lunch, and a it'd always be wet on a walrus. The kids were pretty entertained with this one, especially when I pointed out the hen.

I Want My Hat BackWritten and illustrated by Jon Klassen

The bear really wants his hat back, but nobody has seen it around. Especially the rabbit—why are you even asking he wouldn't steal it or anything. It's a bit of a stretch for my clothing theme, but I just love this book so darn much and the kids stunned/confused silence at the end was priceless.

Songs and Rhymes

Hello Song

Song: The Clothing Pokie

(Tune: The Hokie Pokie)

You put your socks in

You take your socks out

You put your socks in

And you shake them all about

You do the clothing pokie

And you turn yourself about

That's what it's all about

You put your hat in…

You put your gloves in…

You put your sweater in…

Hat, sweater, pants, and shoes

(Tune: Head shoulders knees and toes)

Hat, sweater, pants, and shoes

Pants and shoes

Hat, sweater, pants, and shoes

Pants and shoes

And belt, and scarf, and underwear

Hat, sweater, pants, and shoes

Pants and shoes

(we repeated it faster and faster each time)

Action Rhyme: The Color I See

Red, red is the color I see

If you’re wearing red, then show it to me!

Stand up, take a bow, turn around

Then sit back down right on the ground!

(we practiced our sign language as we did each color)

Goodbye Song

Games and Activities

Felt: (credit to Miss Mary Liberry)

First, I made a washing machine. I built mine out of foam-core, but a small Kleenex box or something would work great. You put the dirty socks in to wash, and then pull them out one by one to dry...

The kids helped me find each matching pair. We practiced the colors in sign language, too.

I decided to throw in some underwear since it would be so funny if I pulled it out and said "How'd that get in there??" But the kids didn't even laugh. They were so concentrated on finding out the next color sock, they just kind of sat there like, "That's not a sock. Where's the next sock?" Ah well. One parent laughed.

Craft: Shoe lacing practice

Time for the kids to practice lacing some shoes! I printed a template that I found on Ziggity Zoom onto cardstock. The kids colored, cut, hole-punch, and laced. With help from their caregivers...

Other Book Ideas

Ella Sarah Gets DressedWritten and illustrated by Margaret Chodos-Irvine

Lizette's Green SockWritten and illustrated by Catharina Valckx

Joseph Had a Little OvercoatWritten and illustrated by Simms Taback

Pirates Love UnderpantsWritten by Claire Freedman, illustrated by Ben Cort