Storytime: Ninjas!

I am finally able to post a new preschool storytime plan!  I did this one a few weeks ago, and it was the first time that I did the ninja theme for storytime.  When I announced that the theme was ninjas, the crowd went “oooohhhh.”

Opening Song:  Open, Shut Them

Book #1:  The Three Ninja Pigs by Corey Rosen Schwartz

This is the book that made me decide to do a ninja themed storytime.  It’s a clever retelling of the Three Little Pigs, told in rhyme with bright, full page illustrations.  One of the things that I especially love about this book is the use of Japanese words throughout.  Great way to expand vocabulary and learn some new words!

Activity #1:  Five Little Ninjas

Five little ninjas creeping through the door,
One said HIYAH, and then there were four.
Four little ninjas, climbing up a tree,
One said HIYAH, and then there were three.
Three little ninjas with nothing to do,
One said HIYAH, and then there were two.
Two little ninjas, having so much fun.
One said HIYAH, and then there was one.
One little ninja, on the run.
He said HIYAH, and then there were none.

Credit:  Myself

Book #2:  Nighttime Ninja by Barbara DaCosta

In this simple story, a little ninja creeps into the kitchen on his mission to procure some ice cream.  However, the little ninja is thwarted by his mother and begins a new mission:  to go back to bed.

Activity #2:  If You’re a Ninja and You Know It

If you’re a ninja and you know it,
Be really quiet.  (Shhh!)
If you’re a ninja and you know it,
Be really quiet.  (Shhh!)
If you’re a ninja and you know it,
then your face will surely show it.
If you’re a ninja and you know it, 
Be really quiet.  (Shhh!)

If you’re a ninja and you know it…walk on tip toe (Tip Toe)
If you’re a ninja and you know it…say HIYAH (HIYAH!)

Credit:  Myself

Rhyme Cube:  Twinkle, Twinkle and I’m a Little Tea Pot

Book #3:  The Boy Who Cried Ninja by Alex Latimer

This book is another retelling of an old classic.  In this story, no one believes Tim when he says that a ninja ate the last slice of cake.  Or when he claims that a giant squid ate his entire book bag (including his homework).  In order to get his parents to believe him, he invites all the culprits (ninja, squid, pirate, etc.) over for a party.  When his parents see that he wasn’t lying in the first place, he gets 100 ice cream cones.

Closing Song:  Children, Children, Turn Around

How It Went:

This was one of those themes that the grown-ups enjoyed just as much as the children.  The kids really loved saying HIYAH (and we even had our storytime puppet, Quacky, say HIYAH at the end).  The books worked really, really well, and it was overall a pretty awesome theme.