I am one of the least mushy, least sentimental people I know, so you can imagine my horror when a coworker planned a Hugs and Kisses Storytime for our outreach program. Allow me to clarify so that you can better understand my position: I would have to perform this program approximately twenty times in the span of a month, including the song “Skidamarinka.” If you are unfamiliar with this song, then you should keep it that way.
Since I disliked the theme so much, I convinced myself that the children would hate it as well. I was so wrong. They loved all the books–even the sweet ones that inspired the preschool teachers to tilt their heads and say “awww.” They loved blowing kisses and giving hugs to the puppets and to each other.
As I watched the kids have such positive interactions with the stories and songs, I came to love them as much as the children did. Now, I actually consider including “Skidamarinka” in programs and have since planned a very successful in-house Hugs and Kisses Storytime. This experience has made me more open to trying books and songs that are outside the realm of my personal taste and comfort zone, especially if they prove popular with the kids. I will never stop choosing back-up books (just in case), but now I know better that cool and comfortable is not always the way to go with Storytime.
Here are some Hugs and Kisses books that have been successful in my programs:
Full, Full, Full of Love by Trish Cooke
The Pout Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen
The Cuddle Book by Guido van Genechten
Where’s My Hug? by James Mayhew
Bethany Bruns
How exactly did you use the Skidimarinka song? I think it’s too fast for the kids to sing and they don’t really know it. Did you just have them dance and make up a few motions? With a CD or not? I kind of like it, but I shy away from using songs that don’t have really clear motions. If you ever have a 2 or 3 year old sing the “I love youuuuu…” part to you, it will become your favorite song!
Also Hug by Jez Alborough; Counting Kisses and Daddy Hugs by Karen Katz are good for the younger set. This new book is not mushy and has great photos: What’s Love? by Shelley Rotner.
Lindsey
I wasn’t sure about the Skidamarink motions until I watched Sharon Lois and Bram performing it on YouTube. I use YouTube all the time to find examples of motions for songs. It really helps!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4h77BOu_aug
Martha Edmundson
I’m glad you discovered it, Dana, and that it is being used successfully. I used it for years as the closing song for storytime!! Kids do love it and it fulfills the sentimental element that parents love.
Kathy Gerber
Thanks for the book recommendations and the YouTube idea!! I just got my degree and this is one area — storytime — that the school courses did not cover!!