Story Time: A is for Alligator
Story Time: A is for Alligator
Did you know that alligators are big lizards that live in muddy water places like swamps and rivers? They can grow as large as a school bus! Alligators also have a strong tail that helps them swim really fast, almost as fast as a car. They have a special eye cover that protects their eyes when they swim, like built-in goggles! See what else you and your child can discover about alligators as you read these books and do these activities.
Join us Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. or Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room.
Ages 2-5
Sing, Talk, Read, Write, Play
Tip
Dialogic reading helps your child develop language and literacy skills by chatting with your child about a book and asking questions to help him understand it better. It’s about exploring the story’s meaning and ideas, not just reading the words.
Activity
Choose a picture book and read it aloud with your child, pausing to ask questions like “What do you think will happen next?” and “How does the character feel?” Encourage your child to share her thoughts and introduce new vocabulary words. After reading, discuss the story’s theme and characters to promote interactive learning.
Books Presented
Alligators, Alligators by Eve Bunting
Can You Tell an Alligator from a Crocodile? by Buffy Silverman
Warning: Do Not Open This Book! by Adam Lehrhaupt
See You Later, Alligator by Sally Hopgood
Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays
Five Little Monkeys Swinging in a Tree
FIVE little monkeys swinging from a tree
teasing Mr. Alligator
‘You can’t catch me!’
Along came Mr. Alligator
Quiet as can be and… snap!
A monkey jumped out of the tree.
Then there were…
FOUR little monkeys swinging from a tree
(Countdown to 0)
No more monkeys swinging from the tree
Teasing Mr. Alligator, where can they be?
Away swam Mr. Alligator, hungry as can be
Then all the monkeys climbed back in the tree.
Adapted from King County Library System
Alligator on a Log
There was an alligator (make an alligator mouth with hand)
Who sat on a log. (set the alligator arm over your log arm)
He looked in the water, (make hand look in water)
And saw a little frog.
In dove the ‘gator, (dive hand down)
Round went the log, (roll arms around each other)
Splash! Went the water, (make splashing motion)
And away swam the frog! (swim away)
Source: King County Library System
Alligator, Alligator
Alligator, alligator turn around
Alligator, alligator touch the ground
Alligator, alligator dance on your toes
Alligator, alligator touch your nose
Alligator, alligator jump up now
Alligator, alligator take a bow
Alligator, alligator stomp your feet
Alligator, alligator take a seat
Source: Jbrary
See You Later Alligator
See You Later Alligator
In awhile crocodile
Bye bye butterfly
Too ta loo kangaroo
Time to go buffalo
Give a hug ladybug
Blow a kiss jellyfish
Just like that fat cat
Take a bow milk cow
See you soon baboon
-The Kiboomers
Crafts and Activities
Alligator Coloring Page
Alligator/Crocodile Craft Stick Craft
Additional Books
Alligators and Crocodiles Can't Chew!: And Other Amazing Facts by Thea Feldman
A nonfiction Level 2 Ready-to-Read filled with fun facts about what makes alligators and crocodiles super
Chez Bob by Bob Shea
A lazy alligator comes up with a plan to lure his prey by opening up a restaurant for birds–until he realizes that birds are even better as friends
Gator Dad by Brian Lies
Alan's Big Scary Teeth by Jarvis
Alan is very scary. He says things like ‘I’m big, scary Alan! Fear my razor-sharp teeth!’ But all is not as it seems. Alan, you see, has a very BIG (not-so-scary) secret.
