Literacy-based storytimes offer libraries a way to be partners in education with parents and caregivers. Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy supports the definition of a literacy-based storytime as one that contains the following components:
- Parents and caregivers who are invited (though not necessarily required) to attend storytimes with their children
- At least one early-literacy skill is highlighted during each storytime
- Storytime leaders who model activities that build early-literacy skills
- Books and activities that promote the use of early literacy skills
- Information about early-literacy skills and/or tips for building skills are provided to parents and caregivers during storytime, either verbally or through a handout
We've gathered some resources that may help you as you develop your literacy-based storytimes.
Good Night Pillow Fight by Sally Cook and illustrated by Laura Cornell. 
By now I'm sure you've all heard that Jerry Pinkney's beautiful book The Lion and the Mouse is the recipient of this year's Caldecott Medal. I was personally so taken with this book, that uses only pictures (and a few animal sounds) to retell the Aesop's fable of a Lion who lets a mouse go and how the mouse is able to return the favor. Sharing wordless books, or nearly wordless books (like Jez Alborough's Hug
I just got through reading a new book published this year called Moose on the Loose by Kathy-jo Wargin, Illustrated by John Bendall-Brunello. It begins with a basic question, "What would you do with a moose on the loose? Would you chase him or race him, or stand up to face him?" On the subsequent pages, you are asked what you would do if the moose was in your yard, your house,
If you haven't read the book, The Doghouse by Jan Thomas, you have missed out on a very fun book about fear, misconceptions and friendship. The pictures are colorful yet distinctive enough for a large storytime crowd. The barnyard animals are playing with a ball that accidentally rolls into...the doghouse. Now, who will be brave enough to get it back? One by