Kingdom Storytime

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

Today's storytime was brought to you by the letter "K." So on the board when the kids walked in was:

Read Aloud Books

There Was an Old Dragon Who Swallowed a KnightWritten by Penny Parker Klostermann, illustrated by Ben Mantle

This brand new book follows the classic "there was an old lady who swallowed a fly," but this time: it's a dragon. He's got a whole kingdom to eat! But what happens when he gets a little too full? Well, the kids thought it was pretty darn hilarious. Especially the giant burp at the end that they got to help me with.

King Bidgood's in the BathtubWritten by Audrey Wood, illustrated by Don Wood

And no one can get him out. It's a classic. It's beloved. I really like spending some time with the illustrations, too.

The Knight and the DragonWritten and illustrated by Tomie dePaola

The knight and the dragon are preparing for their showdown, building armor and practicing fire breathing. But what happens when it's time for the actual fight? Maybe the palace librarian has an idea... I like it, but it does require a lot of explaining of the pictures (there's not a lot of text).

Songs & Rhymes

Hello Song

Song: The Wings of the Dragon

(Tune: The Wheels on the Bus)

The wings of the dragon go up and down,

Up and down, up and down.

The wings of the dragon go up and down,

All through the land.

The princess in the tower says, “Please save me!”

The knight scares the dragon far, far away

The people in the kingdom jump and shout!

Action Rhyme: Dragon, Dragon

Dragon dragon turn around.

Dragon dragon touch the ground.

Dragon dragon fly up high.

Dragon dragon float in the sky.

Dragon dragon shake your tail.

Dragon dragon move slow like a snail.

Dragon Dragon give a roar.

Dragon dragon sit back down on the floor.

Goodbye Song

Games & Activities

Flannel Rhyme & Game: Five Little Knights

A simple counting rhyme and our favorite "little mouse, little mouse" game.

Flannel Song: There's a Castle in the Middle of the Moat

I got the idea for this flannel from Mel's Desk, and adjusted the song only slightly for what I wanted. It turned out to be a lot of fun, once I learned that I should sing it slow so that the kids can sing along (it gets pretty hard by the last verse!).

Song: In the Middle of the Moat

There’s a castle in the middle of the moat

There’s a castle in the middle of the moat

There’s a castle, there’s a castle,

There’s a castle in the moat.

There’s a throne in the castle in the middle of the moat…

There’s a king on the throne in the castle in the middle of the moat…

There’s a crown on the king on the throne in the castle in the middle of the moat…

Craft: Crowns

Other Book Ideas

The Kiss That MissedWritten and illustrated by David Melling

Many MoonsWritten by James Thurber, illustrated by Louis Slobodkin

Over at the CastleWritten by Boni Ashburn, illustrated by Kelly Murphy

The Tiny KingWritten and illustrated by Taro Miura