Dear Caregivers:

Today we used some of these books, fingerplays, and other materials in our storytime. Please continue helping your child develop by sharing these at home!

LETTER OF THE DAY BOOKS TO SHARE FUN WITH FINGERPLAYS AND Lola Gets a SONGS by Anna McQuinn Paws, Whiskers, Ears and Tails [action Stack the Cats rhyme] P p by Susie Ghahremani [Tune: "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes"]

How to Be a Cat Paws, [curl hands in front] by Nikki McClure Whiskers, [make whiskers on sides of face; sign ASL SIGN OF THE DAY language for cat] "Cat" Cat Nap Ears [touch ears] and tails, [touch tail] by Toni Yuly Ears [touch ears] and tails. [touch tail] We’ll lick our fur [pretend to lick] I Am a Cat and nap right here [hands together by side of by Galia Bernstein head to pretend to sleep] Paws, whiskers, ears and tails, ears and tails. and the Night [repeat actions as before] Watchman Pinch your thumb and index finger by John Sullivan I'm A Little Kitty together by the side of cheek, [Tune: "I'm A Little Teapot"] while keeping your remaining The Bookstore Cat fingers straight out, moving by Cylin Busby I’m a little kitty, outward. Soft and furry. Bodega Cat I’ll be your friend. by Louie Chin So don’t you worry. Right up on your lap I like to hop. Ghost Cat I’ll , purr, purr and never stop. by Kevan Atteberry Soft Kitty [rhyme] Hats Are Not For Cats! by Jacqueline Rayner Soft kitty, warm kitty, Little ball of fur. Cats Are A Liquid Happy kitty, [name of color] kitty, by Rebecca Donnelly purr, purr, purr. Kitty Cat, Kitty Cat MORE FUN!

Kitty cat, kitty cat, sneaks out of the house. D.I.Y. Cat Toy Kitty cat, kitty cat, creeps up to a mouse, And … POUNCE! If you don't have your own cat (or know Kitty cat, kitty cat, creeps up to a bird. someone who does), ask your local Kitty cat, kitty cat, is not even heard animal shelters if they would like a And … POUNCE! donation of these toys! But the mouse ran, and the bird flew away, So kitty cat found a ball of yarn to play Supplies: And … POUNCE! Scrap fabric/felt/fleece String If You're a Cat & You Know It [action rhyme] Scissors [Tune: "If You're Happy and You Know It"] Feathers (optional)

If you're a cat and you know it, say, "!" 1. Cut a medium-sized square piece from If you're a cat and you know it, say, "Meow!" your fabric (if you have them available, If your a cat and you know it,and you really want cutting edges with pinking shears helps to show it, prevent fraying). If you're a cat and you know it, say, "Meow!" 2. Place catnip in middle of square (you [verses: lick your paws, sharpen your claws, can also add scrap fabric to make the give a purr, swish your tail] toy fluffier). 3. Pull edges of fabric together and tie Five Little [fingerplay] with length of string (knot as many times as possible to make toy more durable). Five little kittens standing in a row. [Stand all five fingers up on one hand] They nod their heads to the children so. [Bend your fingers in a ”nod”] Even very young children can begin to understand some They run to the left, they run to the right. simple rules about how to behave around and with . [Move hand/fingers to the left, then right] Teach your child to remain calm, use gentle hands, and They stand up and stretch in the bright sunlight. watch the 's body language (example -- a cat's [Stand fingers, stretching high] twitching tail means that they are feeling uncomfortable or Along comes a dog, who’s in for some fun. annoyed). [Bring other hand out like a dog chasing] M-e-oooow, see those kittens run! Research how other languages mimic the sounds of cats, [Have hand “run” behind back] dogs, and other animals. For example, in English, we say things like "woof" and "meow," but in Spanish it is "guau "When Cats Get Up in the Morning," Old guau" and "miau." Town School of Folk Music (2001) See if you can find audio clips of the proper pronunciation.