Storytime: D is for Dirt

by | Jan 16, 2024 | Blog, Kid's Corner, Story Time | 0 comments

Let’s play in the dirt! Soil, mud, and yes, dirt can be a exploration canvas for your child as he engages in sensory experiences, discovers hidden treasures, and learns about the world underneath his feet. You can also create an indoor sensory experience with dirt playdough, spoons, rocks, toy trucks, etc. Using coffee grinds, sand, brown food coloring, or “clean” dirt in a simple salt dough recipe will turn play dough time into a seriously dirty and muddy experience.

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

We often want to build on our children’s curiosity, but don’t always know the answers to their questions. We can often discover the answers together in books. Knowledge about the world, even in very young children, is key to understanding. Combining a story and a factual book on nature or science helps expand children’s scientific knowledge. ~Lambert

Activity

Read a fiction book like, “Roy Digs Dirt,” with your child. Then read a factual non-fiction book about soil such as, “Under Your Feet.” Talk about soil, what creatures use it as their home, how it is made, etc. You may also want to follow up with the video song by Clint and Bob Moffatt, “Digging in the Dirt.”

Books Presented

Cover of the book Dig In! by Cynthia L. Jenson-Elliott

Dig In! by Cynthia L. Jenson-Elliott

A little boy digs, plays, and explores in his garden.

Book Cover of Roy Digs Dirt by David Shannon

Roy Digs Dirt by David Shannon

Roy is a West Highland terrier who loves to dig in the dirt and mud; sometimes he buries things, and sometimes he finds things, but mostly he just likes to dig–even though he does not like the bath that may follow the digging.
Book Cover of I'm Dirty by Kate and Jim McMullan

I'm Dirty by Kate McMullan

A busy backhoe loader describes all the items it hauls off a lot and all the fun it has getting dirty while doing so.

Book cover of The Pigeon Needs a Bath! by Mo Willems

The Pigeon Needs a Bath! by Mo Willems

The Pigeon is dirty and he needs a bath, but he won’t go willingly

Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays

Five Pigs So Squeaky Clean

Tune: Five Green and Speckled Frogs
Five pigs so squeaky clean
Cleanest you’ve ever seen.
Wanted to go outside and play.
Oink! Oink!
One jumped into the mud.
Landed with a great big THUD
Now there are four  clean squeaky pigs.

Source: Verona Storytime

Five Elephants in the Tub

One elephant in the tub
Going for a swim,
Knock-knock (clap twice), splash-splash (slap knees twice),
Come on in! Ohhhh elephant!

2 . . . 3 . . . 4

Five elephants in the tub
Going for a swim,
Knock-knock (clap twice), splash-splash (slap knees twice),
And they all FELL IN!

Source: Verona Storytime

Crafts and Activities

Jack Russel Terrier digging a hole coloring page

D is for Dirt

Dump Truck Craft

Dump Truck Craft

Make a dump truck from a paper plate

Additional Books

Book cover for Carl and the Meaning of Life by Deborah Freedman

Carl and the Meaning of Life by Deborah Freedman

When a field mouse asks Carl the earthworm why he tunnels through the dirt, Carl doesn’t have an answer, so he sets off to find out.

Book Cover for Under Your Feet by Jacqueline L. Stroud

Under Your Feet by Jacqueline L. Stroud

 
Down where worms wriggle and microbes squirm, there’s a whole world waiting to be discovered… Under Your Feet delves beneath the Earth’s surface and explores the diverse wonders hidden there. Encounter creatures of the deep and marvel at the mind-boggling size of the humongous fungus–the biggest organism in the world. Learn how one handful of ordinary soil contains more organisms than there are people on Earth, and carry out experiments using dirt from your own back garden. Under Your Feet offers you the opportunity to expand your knowledge of the natural world and soil-dwelling creatures big and small. Bursting with colorful illustrations and photography, this is the perfect book for budding young plant experts, animal fanatics, and geologists, and anyone who is curious about the ground we walk on.
Book cover for Dirty Gert by Tedd Arnold

Dirty Gert by Tedd Arnold

A little girl who loves playing in the dirt becomes a tree.

Book Cover for Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion

Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion

When a white dog with black spots runs away from home, he gets so dirty his family doesn’t recognize him as a black dog with white spots.

More Story Times

Story Time: D is for Dress-Up

Have you ever played dress-up with your child? Not only is it great fun for them and you, but it can also be a critical developmental tool. It helps your child to make sense of the world around her while developing essential skills she'll use throughout life like...

Story Time: D is for Dogs: Special Service Dogs Edition

For a lot of children, meeting dogs and others animals can be an exciting experience. However, if they are unprepared for that introduction, it can lead to an undesirable experience, especially with service animals. Check out some of the tips and books below for...

JANUARY Book Babies + Toddlers: Dogs & Puppies

Through books, visits to petting zoos, and interactive animal puppets and toys, your child will explore the animal kingdom by learning the sounds animals make. This includes discovering the wide range of vocalizations from dogs, understanding the differences between...

Story Time: D is for Dance

“D” is for dancing! Did you know that, in addition to being a fantastic way to build physical skills in children, dancing is also a powerful workout for the brain? Remembering choreography strengthens memory and improves a child’s ability to focus and solve problems....

January 2026 Programs for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

Story Time and Early Literacy Join us for stories, songs, and fun all month long as we explore the letter D! We'll groove with Dance, learn from Service Dogs, try on costumes for Dress Up, and finish with something brand new just for you! Story Time is on Tuesdays and...

December 2025 Programs for All Ages

Teen Action CouncilThe Teen Action Council gathers to discuss plans and come up with ways for the Library to serve teens. Select participants ages 13-18 are invited to join us Wednesday, December 3 in the Community Room at 4 PM!Crafty Corner Join us for Crafty Corner,...

Story Time: Something NEW Just for YOU! in November

Discover your new favorite story! We've curated a collection of fresh books, each paired with a special activity to spark your child’s imagination and extend the fun.Join us Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. in the Community Room or Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the...

Story Time: P is for Pie

Who needs rhythm sticks when you've got a house full of instruments? You and your child can grab paper towel tubes, empty tin cans, or even a pair of chopsticks and get ready to make some noise. Start by keeping the beat to old favorites like "If You’re Happy and You...

Story Time: P is for Pigs

How did the pig write his novel? With a pig pen. Or… what’s it called when a bunch of pigs compete in athletic games? The Olympigs. And… how do pigs write top-secret messages? With invisible oink! All jokes aside, pigs are amazing creatures. They are one of the...

NOVEMBER Book Babies + Toddlers: Pigs

“This little piggy went to market… stayed home… had roast beef… had none… and this little piggy cried 'wee wee' all the way home!” Let's add some piggy fun to your adventures! Sing, talk, read, write, and play with these delightful books and rhymes as you fill your...

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.