Magic Storytime

I was looking for some new storytime themes this summer, and decided on magic. It is a fun mix of magic, animals, imagination and even a magic trick!

Opening Song
Wiggle Song
Sign Language: Thank-you
Literacy Activity: Letter M
See https://libraryfun.home.blog/literacy-activities/ for more information.

Book: Magic Rabbit by Richard Jesse Watson

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Feltboard: Five Magic Rabbits
Five magic rabbits each in a tall black hat.
Along comes a magician who gives each one a pat. Then he waves his magic wand high above their ears. (ask kids to wave their wands too!) Abracadabra, poof! One rabbit disappears.

(Repeat with four, three, and two)

One magic rabbit, He’s in a tall black hat.
Along comes a magician who gives him a pat. Then he waves his magic wand high above his ears. Abracadabra, poof!
The last rabbit disappears.

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Book: Anton Can Do Magic by Ole Konnecke

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Game: Abra-cadabra
Have a magic wand to use and explain the game first. Tell them you want to do a magic trick but you will need their help. When you say an animal, they need to pretend to be that animal.

“Abra-cadabra, Alaka-zitty
When I say KAZAM you’ll all be kitties!”
KAZAM! (and all the kids act like kittens)

Then, to get back to kid-form I do this:
“Abra-cadabra, Alaka-zids
When I say KAPOW you’ll turn back to kids!”

Make up your own. I chose these based on the previous week where we did zoo animals.
Here are a few more possibilities:
“Abra-cadabra, Alaka-zoo
When I say KAZAM you’ll all be kangaroos!”

Abra-cadabra, Alaka-zion
When I say KAZAM you’ll all be lions!”

“Abra-cadabra, Alaka-zow
When I say KAZAM you’ll all be cows!”

“Abra-cadabra, Alaka-zap
When I say KAZAM you’ll all take a nap!”
(I thought the last one would get a laugh out of the parents and it did :))

Book: Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson

Game: Hat Trick
Inspired by Deanna Romriell
(Make or buy a magic hat. I made mine with a false bottom. Hide items in the false bottom. I used finger puppets.

“Magic! Magic! In my hat,
I’ll pull out a rabbit – Aaaaaaaa!! What is that?!! “
(Pull various non-rabbit items out of the hat and act shocked it isn’t the correct thing.)
(Keep up the act pulling out non-rabbit items until..)
“Magic! Magic! In my hat,
I’ll pull out a rabbit – See!! Look at that!! “

Closing song

Craft: Rabbit in a Hat
We made a rabbit puppet that pops out of a hat. I cut mine out on the Silhouette Machine, but you can also do it by hand. Connect a tongue depressor to the back of the rabbit to make him a puppet!