By: Justine Ferrara, Union (NJ) Public Library
Do you want to incorporate CLEL Bell books into your storytimes? Are you looking for some caregiver tips, rhymes, songs, and activities to freshen up an existing storytime? Read on for some ideas to plan and execute an engaging storytime all about writing!
CLEL Bell Award Winners & Shortlisters perfect for a baby storytime:
Little Plane Learns to Write by Stephen Savage (2018 Winner)
The Things I Can Do by Jeff Mack (2014 Winner)
Feel Calm: An Invisible Things Book by Andy Pizza (2025 Shortlist) – you can have grown-ups trace the shapes in the sky or on their child’s back or belly!
Words Are Magic by Zaila Avant-Garde (2025 READ Shortlist)
This Story is for You by Greg Pizzoli (2019 Shortlist)
CLEL Bell Award Winners & Shortlisters perfect for a toddler/preschool storytime:
Between Two Windows by Keisha Morris (2025 Winner)
The Nature Journal (A Backyard Adventure) by Savannah Allen (2024 Shortlist)
The Case of the Missing Chalk Drawings by Richard Byrne (2019 Shortlist)
Sam and Eva by Debbie Ridpath Ohi (2018 Shortlist)
Frida and Bear Play the Shape Game by Anthony Browne, illustrated by Hanne Bartholin (2017 Shortlist)
Rhymes, Songs, and Fingerplays:
I Like To Write (Tune: Apples and Bananas)
I like to write, write, write
Letters and numbers.
I like to write, write, write
Letters and numbers.
I like to draw, draw, draw
Shapes and pictures.
I like to draw, draw, draw
Shapes and pictures.
I can use, use, use
Crayons and markers.
I can use, use, use
Crayons and markers.
Make a Circle (Tune: Oh My Darling, Clementine)
Make a circle, make a circle,
you can draw it in the sky
Use your finger, use your finger,
make it round as a pie
Make a square, make a square,
make the lines so straight
Make a square, make a square,
make one, two, three, four, or eight
Make a triangle, make a triangle,
always starting at the top
Make a triangle, make a triangle,
use three lines and then you stop!
The More We Learn Our Letters (Tune: The More We Get Together)
The more we learn our letters,
Our letters, our letters,
The more we learn our letters,
The more words we can spell.
Spell short words and long words
And big words and small words
The more we learn our letters,
The more words we can spell.
Flannelboards:
Alphabet Flannel
Alphabet song with ABCs on flannelboard
Katie Draws with One Crayon (Tune: Johnny Works with One Hammer)
(with five different colored crayons)
Katie draws with one crayon, one crayon, one crayon
Katie draws with one crayon, and then she draws with two
Repeat with:
Two crayons/and then she draws with three
Three crayons/and then she draws with four
Four crayons/and then she draws with five
Five crayons/and then she goes to sleep
Recorded Music:
Signed, Sealed, Delivered by Stevie Wonder
I Love to Write by Appu Series
Relevant Caregiver Asides:
(credit: www.earlylit.net)
- As we do this fingerplay [or craft activity] you will notice that children have to use finger motions. These motions help them later when they are learning to write.
- As we do motions to this song [or movement activity], children are gaining a sense of themselves in space. [This is called proprioception.] It will help them as they are learning to write.
- Writing is not just writing letters. Learning to scribble and draw are first steps to writing letters. Offer your children many opportunities to write throughout the day, from scribbling on paper, to making lists, to writing you a note.
This is the second in a series of storytime templates for the five Early Literacy Practices. Click here for READ. Stay tuned for more!
