Bugs Storytime

This storytime was a for a combined toddler and preschool-aged group at my library. We had some special guests for our storytime: exterminators!

Read Aloud Books

Bugs GaloreWritten by Peter Stein, illustrated by Bob Staake

True to its title, it's bugs galore! All things that creep, slither, stick, flutter, and buzz. This was our guests' book of choice and was a great way to talk about all different kinds of bugs. They let the kids identify the bug on each page and then gave a little bit of supplemental information.

I Love BugsWritten and illustrated by Emma Dodd

A backyard bug safari! One little boy explores all of his favorite bugs. Sadly, we did not get to this one due to time, but is great for talking about safe bugs (like ladybugs!).

Special Guests

Some friendly, neighborhood exterminators came to storytime today to talk about bugs! They read a book and talked to the kids about which bugs were especially dangerous (e.g. the smaller the scorpion, the more venom) and which were helpful (e.g. crane flies eat mosquitoes--don't kill them). They also brought some examples along, of course...

Scorpions on the left and a tarantula on the right (which you can see if you look closely in the cage, directly above that kid's elbow). They also showed the kids what scorpions look like under a black light--because they glow! The kids were totally engrossed. And some might have just been plain grossed out.

Games & Activities

Game: Bug Catcher

This game was played afterwards, along with the craft. Each child would get a jar with the goal of catching six bugs. The way to catch them? Rolling the dice to see which color bug they could glue onto their paper. The dice we made with just some wooden cubes you find at the craft store. We got the idea and printables from Picklebums (though we made our jars a bit smaller).

Craft: Bug hats

And here I have my lovely coworker, Jenny, modeling our bug hats. Quite simply, the kids got to glue some eyes to a strip of paper, attach some pipe cleaner antennae, and buzz to their hearts' content.

Songs & Rhymes Ideas

Song: Itsy Bitsy Spider

Song: The Ants Go Marching

Song: Baby Bumblebee

Rhyme: Bumblebee, Bumblebee

Bumblebee, Bumblebee buzzing all around

Bumblebee, Bumblebee buzzing on the ground

Bumblebee, Bumblebee buzzing up so high

Bumblebee, Bumblebee buzzing in the sky

Bumblebee, Bumblebee buzzing past your toes

Bumblebee, Bumblebee buzzing on your nose

Other Book Ideas

The Very Busy SpiderWritten and illustrated by Eric Carle

Aaaarrgghh! Spider!Written and illustrated by Lydia Monks

Ten Little CaterpillarsWritten by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Lois Ehlert

Bugs! Bugs! Bugs!Written and illustrated by Bob Barner