Spicing Up Story Time: Grown Up Music Style

Singing during story time (or any time for that matter) has never been my strong point. I’ve been known to have coughing fits in the middle of songs, make up random words to “the ants go marching one by one,” and to receive compliments from customers about my “lack of rhythm but high enthusiasm.”

That is all fine with me though, I’ve learned long ago that every person has different strengths and weaknesses and I need to embrace those strengths and weaknesses. However I’m a children’s librarian. I cannot deny that sing is one of the key early literacy components and that music and dance is critical in children’s development.

So sing and dance, I do! However, that obviously doesn’t mean I magically received Ariel’s singing voice (Ursula beat me to that), or that I’m Jim Gill’s number one fan (though he is great). I’ve tried to embrace the fact that children don’t need to be exposed to only children’s music. Here my top five favorite “grown up songs,” to play to the children. (Sadly I did not put the new Taylor Swift song on this list… but it’s OK).

Warning note: don’t show the videos unless you prewatch them about 75 times.

Shout- The Isley Brothers (Because it’s fun to act like you’re at a wedding).
Born This Way- Lady Gaga (An appropriate Lady Gaga song. Life is good).
Ring of Fire- Johnny Cash (I use this one as background music during open playtime).
Yellow Submarine- The Beatles (Do this with bubbles. The crowd goes wild).
What Does the Fox Say- Ylvis. (It made my life to see a bunch of 3 year olds rocking out to this with scarves).

Do you have any other fun pop “grown up songs” that you use? Please let me know in the comments!

5 comments

Denise Chojnacki

August 31, 2017 at 9:15 am

Dance Dance Dance by the Beach Boys!

Kelly Doolittle

August 31, 2017 at 9:54 am

Oh, yes! And I love your suggestions! Yellow Submarine with bubbles sounds really fun! I routinely do what I call a children’s version of “This Train”, and “Get On Board”, traditional gospel tunes, when I have a Things That Go or Train theme for storytimes. I’ve found it helps if you have a projector, a large TV screen (as we do) or can write the words out on huge paper or white board, so even if folks don’t know the tune yet, they can pick it up and sing along as you go.
I also love to share a piece written by a local director (I think – I learned it so long ago that I can’t remember exactly where it came from, and I can’t find in on Youtube) called the” Peace Song”. Very simple and sweet and I use simple ASL for each verse.
“This Land is Your Land” by Woody Guthrie is perfect for Earth Day, ecology themes, and inclusion themes. Shakers are always great with tunes like these, too 🙂
Thanks for a fun post and new ideas!