Story Time: A is for Alligator

by | Sep 3, 2025 | Blog, Kid's Corner, Story Time | 0 comments

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

Book cover for Alligator, Alligators by Eve Bunting

Alligators, Alligators by Eve Bunting

Ten-year-old Jim and his father, who work together on a boat, use the power of love, nature, music, and the help of some dancing alligators, to outsmart a greedy stranger who tries to steal Jim’s flute.
Book cover for Can You Tell an Alligator from a Crocodile? by Buffy Silverman

Can You Tell an Alligator from a Crocodile? by Buffy Silverman

Looks at the ways that alligators and crocodiles are different, as well as how they are similar, looking at their physical features, behavior, and where they live.
Book cover for Warning: Do Not Open This Book! by Adam Lehrhaupt

Warning: Do Not Open This Book! by Adam Lehrhaupt

Monkeys, toucans, and alligators unleash mayhem.
Book cover for See You Later Alligator by Sally Hopgood

See You Later, Alligator by Sally Hopgood

A friendly tortoise stops to say good-bye to so many friends that he might miss his opportunity to leave for his big adventure.

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

Coloring page featuring an alligator.

Alligator Coloring Page

 

 

Make an alligator from pipe cleaners and craft sticks.

Alligator/Crocodile Craft Stick Craft

Additional Books

Book cover for Alligators and Crocodiles can't Chew!: and Other Amazing Facts by Thea Feldman

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

Book cover for Chez Bob by Bob Shea

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

Book cover for Gator Dad by Brian Lies

Gator Dad by Brian Lies

From seemingly mundane tasks such as grocery shopping to more active pursuits like a romp at the park and fort-building, a loving and playful father alligator shows his gator kids that the simplest pleasures done together can make for an incredibly fun day
Book cover for Alan's Big, Scary Teeth by Jarvis

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.

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