Storytime: Uni-HORNS

by | Nov 9, 2023 | Blog, Kid's Corner, Story Time | 0 comments

“U” is for “Uni- horns!” Children love unicorns, but have they discovered the creatures from the animal kingdom that also have one horn? The rhinoceros and narwhal, of course! Except in the narwhal’s case, it’s actually a tusk, or a “tooth” growing out of it’s mouth through the top of it’s head. Talking about uni-horns with your child can lead to discussions about what’s real and make-believe, prefixes to words like, “Uni-” which means one, and similarities and differences. So, have fun with the Uni-horns!

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

Helping children hear the smaller sounds in words, or the syllables, by clapping them out is one way to develop their phonological awareness. Children can hear the syllables more easily than each individual sound in words. – Reading Picture Books with Children by Lambert

Activity

Play “Super Duper 1, 2, 3! Can you say this word with me?” with your child. (The rhyme is below.) You can use your child’s name, a word that might be new to them, or a difficult word to say, like, “RHINOCEROS.”

Books Presented

I'm in Charge by Jeanne Willis

I'm in Charge by Jeanne Willis

This romping, rhyming story from award-winning author Jeanne Willis is all about a little rhino who likes to make the rules! When Rhino finds a tree bursting with fruit, he isn’t about to share it with anyone — after all, he’s in charge around here! But it looks like things might be about to change. With brilliant illustrations from Jarvis, this hilarious toddler-tantrum tale is all about being bossy and learning to listen to others.

Not Quite Narwhal by Jessie Sima

Not Quite Narwhal by Jessie Sima

Born deep in the ocean, Kelp is not like the other narwhals and one day, when he spies a creature on land that looks like him, he learns why.

Little Narwhal, Not Alone by Tiffany Stone

Little Narwhal, Not Alone by Tiffany Stone

Little Narwhal, Not Alone is based on the true story of an unlikely friendship. A young narwhal, venturing too far from home, becomes lost and is adopted by a pod of beluga whales. Poetic language and playful illustrations take readers along on Narwhal’s unexpected and amazing journey. At the back, helpful facts about narwhals and belugas are included from a marine biologist.

There's a Unicorn in Your Book by Tom Fletcher

There's a Unicorn in Your Book by Tom Fletcher

There’s a unicorn in your book! But this unicorn doesn’t seem very happy… Can you help get rid of the worry gremlins and cheer this unicorn up?

Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays

Super Duper 1, 2, 3

Will you say this word with me? rhinoceros
Presenter:                                        Child & Presenter:
Say it! Rhinoceros.                         Rhinoceros.
Clap it! RHI-NO-CER-OS               (Child and presenter clap:
(Clap hands for each syllable.)        RHI-NO-CER-OS.)
Snap it! RHI-NO-CER-OS              (Child and presenter snap:
(Snap fingers for each syllable.)      RHI-NO-CER-OS.)
Tap it! RHI-NO-CER-OS                 (Child and presenter tap:
(Tap knees for each syllable.)          RHI-NO-CER-OS.)
Say it!                                              RHINOCEROS!

Unicorn, Unicorn

Unicorn, unicorn
Where can you be?
Are you behind the _______ tree?

The Rhinoceros

(Tune: 10 Little Indians)
The rhinoceros moves like this and that
He’s terribly wide and he’s terribly fat
The ground underneath his feet gets worn
but on his snout, look at that horn!

Credit: Miss Mariah’s Library

If You’re a Uni- and You Know it

If you’re a uni- and you know it, shake your horn.
If you’re a uni- and you know it, shake your horn.
If you’re a uni- and you know it, then you really ought to show it.
If you’re a uni- and you know it, shake your horn.

…stomp your hooves (rhinoceros)
…swim around (narwhal)
…twitch your tail (unicorn)
…wallow in the mud (rhinoceros).

Two Baby Narwhals

Two baby narwhals swimming in the sea
One named Brett and the other named Bree
Swim away Brett, swim away Bree.
Come back Brett, Come back Bree. 

Crafts and Activities

U is for Unicorn coloring page

U is for Unicorn

Unicorn craft<br />

Rocking Unicorn Craft

Make a rocking unicorn

Additional Books

Perfectly Pegasus by Jessie Sima

Perfectly Pegasus by Jessie Sima

 
Nimbus has always lived among the clouds. She’s a pegasus, after all, and the sky is where she belongs. She is one of a kind. And when she wants a friend, all she has to do is look up—and talk to the stars. Only…they don’t really talk back. The clouds don’t, either. And sometimes, being the only pegasus can be a little…lonely? So she decides to find a fallen star to make a wish on—and wishes for friends who are just like her. Along the way she meets a Unicorn named Kelp, and a host of other creatures…who might just open her eyes to something other than what’s up in the sky.
We Are Going to Be Pals! by Mark Teague

We Are Going to Be Pals! by Mark Teague

A talkative cattle egret explains to a rhinoceros that in addition to having a symbiotic relationship, they also have a friendship built on communication, kindness, and a respect for boundaries.

Glitter by Stella J. Jones

Glitter by Stella J. Jones

Gloria the rhino loves glitter. She has glitter slippers and a glitter scooter, and she spreads her sparkles wherever she goes; here, there, and everywhere! The townsfolk, though, are tired of it. No more glitter, Gloria! they tell her. But soon, the entire town is covered in glitter. What will everyone think now

Layla, the Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish

Layla, the Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish

It’s not easy to fit in when you stand out. When Layla arrives for her first day of school at Unicornia, the school for unicorns, she realizes that she’s not like the other kids there. They’re all pastel colors and know the rules to Horn Ball and none of them come from the Woods like Layla does. Try as she might to make friends, Layla’s just . . . different. But when her class gets lost during a field trip to the Fiddle Dee Deep Forest, it’s up to Layla to step up and save the day.

More Story Times

Storytime: Something NEW, Just for YOU! in November

For the last storytime of each month, we will present books that are “new” to our library, and perhaps new to you! Here are four of our favorites with an activity to go with each one of them. Enjoy!Join us Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. or Tuesdays at 6:30...

Christmas Extravaganza!

Christmas is not just a day, it's a feeling! It's the joy that fills our hearts, the sparkle in our eyes, and the warmth we share with our family and friends. This year, everyone is invited to Madison Library District’s 14th Annual Christmas Extravaganza, a Christmas...

Storytime: U is for Under

Can you think of some words that fit with the word, UNDER? Perhaps… underground, under the sea, under the umbrella, under the bed, and even underwear! Directional words are a great learning tool for children, especially when they begin writing their letters and words....

NOVEMBER Book Babies + Toddler Time: Under the Sea

Glub! Glub! Glub! went the slippery little fish! Children love “diving” under the sea and meeting all the different creatures who reside in the deep blue ocean. In addition to the activities listed below, try filling a large container with water, possibly tinting it...

Storytime: Umbrellas

“U” is for umbrella! Umbrellas come in handy in all sorts of weather. Maybe you need a big one for shade at the beach or waiting for the parade. And of course you want to grab one for the rain, whether it is a little mist or big down pour. An umbrella can be useful...

November Kid and Tween Activities

Story TimeJoin us this November for a world of imagination and learning at Story Time! The theme for Preschool Story Time (ages 2-5) is The Letter U! Explore the magical world of "Uni"-horns, Umbrellas, Under the…, and something NEW, just for U... or should we say...

Storytime: Something NEW, Just for YOU! HALLOWEEN!

Monsters, skeletons, cats, witches, and… wombats? Who would have known there are so many new books at the library for Halloween, including a great book about a worried witch who receives a wombat for her pet instead of a cat! Can you find something new that’s just for...

Storytime: Octopus

“O” is for octopus! Did you know an octopus can fit through a hole the size of it’s eye? Or that they can navigate through mazes, solve problems, and take apart almost anything from a crab to a lock? They are considered one of the smartest species in the ocean! So,...

Storytime: Owls

​Did you know that owls can turn their heads as far as 270 degrees, that their vision is long-sighted so they can’t see things clearly up-close, and that baby owls are called, “owlets?” Take some time, with your child, to learn about these beautiful birds of prey who...

Storytime: Opposites

Hot cold, fast slow, empty full, left right! “Understanding the concept of opposites is important as it helps a child to learn how to compare two different things and to develop a more concrete understanding of a specific concept (e.g. hard vs soft). Learning...

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.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This