Superhero Storytimes – Thrive After Three

Tag: Superhero Storytimes

Puppet Costume Story: Using You Can Do Anything, Daddy!

Posted on April 15, 2016September 1, 2016 by mrsshaia

I decided to make costumes for my pirate puppet so I can use it to go along with one of my favorite stories, You Can Do Anything, Daddy! by Michael Rex. This out-of-print story lives through my storytelling, and I’m always looking for ways to freshen it up so I don’t get bored with it myself. I decided to make a series of ponchos to fit over Pirate’s head. I used three 9 x 12 felt sheets: 1 dark brown for gorilla, 1 grey for robot, and 1 green for robot gorilla pirate. I cut a hole in the middle of the sheet that fits over Pirate’s head, then I used fabric paint to decorate the outfits. I can easily manipulate these outfits and place them on top of Pirate’s head while I use the book to read the story:

Here’s a video of the storytelling:

For other ways to tell my favorite story, check out this link. For more flannel ideas check out Mel’s Desk. She’s hosting Flannel Friday this week!

Batman or Penguin

Posted on May 23, 2014 by mrsshaia

I recently wrote a post about Simon C. Page’s Spider-Man or Green Goblin, and am excited that he has another superhero optical illusion. I wrote a story to tell the children and look forward to them yelling, “No Batman!”

Penguin or Batman

Hey look, it’s the Penguin!
It’s not the Penguin, it’s Batman!

No, I heard him say, “My friends call me Oswald.”
No, he whispered that his friend know him as Bruce Wayne.

I see an umbrella hiding under his coat. It must be Penguin.
That’s Batman’s utility belt!

I hear music, it must be coming from the Iceberg Lounge. It’s Penguin!
No, I hear electronics working hard in Wayne Manor. It’s Batman!

Look, I see a tuxedo, top hat, monocle and white gloves. It’s Penguin!
No, I see a black cape. It’s Batman!

I see his entourage of henchmen. It’s got to be the Penguin.
No, it’s his trusty side-kick, Robin. It’s definitely Batman!

Oh no, he’s getting away in the limo. It’s Penguin.
No, that’s the Batmobile. It’s Batman!

Uh, oh. Where’d he go?

He must have gone to his hiding place in the sewers. It was the Penguin!
No, he must have gone to the secret Batcave. It was Batman!

Coloring page: Batman or Penguin

Stay tuned for Olly Moss’ Wolverine or 2 Batman…

For more storytime ideas check out Lisa’s Libraryland. She’s hosting the weekly storytime blog hop Flannel Friday this week.

Spider-Man or Green Goblin

Posted on May 7, 2014 by mrsshaia

Since superheroes are a perennial favorite in storytime, I was so excited when I came across Simon C. Page’s amazing optical illusion! The kids love these kind of stories! I was originally inspired by Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s Duck! Rabbit! and since then have been writing my own (including Anteater Brachiosaurus, Squirrel Swan, and Wolverine or 2 Batman). I came up with a story for this illusion and a take-home coloring page:

Green Goblin or Spiderman (Begin holding the image upside down and leave it that way throughout the story.)

Hey look, it’s the Green Goblin!

No, it’s Spiderman hanging from a building!

Listen, he said his real name is Harry Osborn.
No, I heard him whisper that his real name is Peter Parker!

See that in the corner? That’s Green Goblin’s Glider!
No, I see Spiderman’s web shooters on the table.

Oh, look! I think those are Goblin’s Pumpkin Bombs moving in the corner.
No, that’s just Spidey’s sense going off!

See that, it’s an Oscorp ID. It’s definitely the Green Goblin!
No, that’s a photographer’s ID for the Daily Bugle. It’s Spiderman!

There’s a picture of Liz Allen over there. Everyone knows that’s Green Goblin’s girlfriend.
No, that’s Mary Jane, or M.J. as Spidey likes to call her!

Uh, oh. Where’d he go? (Hide paper behind back)

He must have went to a Gathering of the Five Meeting. It was Green Goblin!
No, he must have met the Avengers. It was Spiderman!

Coloring Page: Spiderman or Green Goblin

Stay tuned for Batman or Penguin…

For more ideas to use in storytime check out Kathryn’s blog over at Fun with Friends at Storytime. She’s hosting the weekly storytime blog hop, Flannel Friday, this week!

You Can Do Anything, Daddy!

Posted on April 24, 2014May 23, 2014 by mrsshaia

I just learned that one of my other favorite superhero stories is no longer in print (blowing nose now). If you can get your hands on this, I highly recommend it! (Or, you can watch my video and create your own flannel!) This adventure story is great for many storytime themes: Dads, superheroes, pirates, bedtime. I use it frequently and am asked for it over and over! I do apologize to Michael Rex, though, because there is one page spread that I dislike so much I actually stapled the pages together in my copy and never read it aloud (it features Dad plucking the feathers off of vultures).

You Can Do Anything Daddy Flannel (1) — The various pirates that kidnap “Michael”: pirate, gorilla pirate, robot gorilla pirate and the robot gorilla pirate from Mars.

You Can Do Anything Daddy Flannel (2) — Daddy fights sharks, snakes, tigers and saves the day with his gold watch.

You Can Do Anything Daddy Flannel (4) — You can make a bunch of band aids to pass them out to the children so they can participate in the story.

Here’s my version:

Here’s a craft (make sure you buy cool band-aids to accompany this craft to make Daddy feel better!): You Can Do Anything, Daddy

For more flannel ideas, check out the weekly blog hop called Flannel Friday. I just happen to be hosting this week!

Captain Pajamas

Posted on April 10, 2014May 23, 2014 by mrsshaia

This was one of the first “flannel” stories I ever made. I began the journey because I fell in love with Captain Pajamas, but didn’t love all of the parts of the story. I didn’t think Brian’s sister Jessie was a good character, so I changed her to be co-heroes with her brother. I also didn’t like how Jessie called Shadow “stupid” over and over. And, the ending doesn’t work well with all preschool groups (I didn’t want children going home thinking there were aliens in their beds!). So, after careful thought and some paper engineering, I made my first story. I tried to find the dittos I used, but I looked everywhere and I must have left them at my old job. Someday I’ll create this story with felt, but for now it works. Here’s a video of my version of the sadly out-of-print story. I suggest making your own version to use with a superhero or bedtime theme:

Captain Pajamas (2) — Brian in his Batman pjs and pirate bed.

Captain Pajamas (3) — Jessie in her princess cape and Tinkerbell bed.

Captain Pajamas (5) — The three elements you’ll need for the story: refrigerator, bathtub and TV.

Captain Pajamas (1) — Silly Shadow disrupting the evening.

Captain Pajamas (4) — Shadow in Jessie’s bed.

Here’s a craft to go with the story (copy double-sided): Captain Pajamas Shadow Craft

For more flannel ideas check out Future Librarian Superhero, she’s hosting this week’s Flannel Friday blog hop!

Wonder Woman Flannel Board

Posted on April 2, 2014May 4, 2014 by mrsshaia

Ralph Cosentino’s superhero picture book series is amazing! I’ve used his stories in pre-K and early elementary classes and they’re a hit with all ages! I love them so much, I made flannel sets to accompany the stories (stay tuned for Batman and Superman):

Wonder Woman: The Story of the Amazon Princess is the kind of princess I can read about to children! It features the story of her defeating all the boys to win the contest, her invisible jet, and her cool silver cuffs and golden lasso.

This book also taught me about her arch enemies: Ares, Silver Swan, Cheetah, and Circe.

I’m looking for a cool craft to go with this story. So if you have one, please post in the comments section!

For more flannel ideas check out Itsy Bitsy Mom, she’s hosting Flannel Friday this week.

Superman Flannel Board

Posted on March 26, 2014May 23, 2014 by mrsshaia

Superman: The Story of the Man of Steel boils down the complicated story of Cal-El / Clark Kent so a four-year old can understand it. It talks about his childhood, Krypton and the Daily Planet.

The kids’ favorite part of the book is when it highlights the villains, including Lex Luthor, Metallo, Brainiac, and Bizarro.

I even made a cool phone booth craft: Superman Phone Booth Craft

Copy both sheets on white paper.
Cut out the second sheet (with Clark/Superman) in the box.
Using a razorblade or scissors, score the vertical lines of the phone booth.
Slide the Clark/Superman sheet behind the phone booth to reveal a superhero switch craft!

Reading with Red is hosting this week’s Flannel Friday, be sure to check it out!

Batman Flannel Board

Posted on March 19, 2014May 23, 2014 by mrsshaia

Batman: The Story of the Dark Knight simplifies Bruce Wayne’s tale and includes a history of Bruce learning, working out, building the Batmobile and Wayne Manor, and of course his alter-ego.

My favorite part features the villains: Joker, Catwoman, Penguin, and Two-Face.

I paired this up with a craft: Batman Flying on Straw Craft

Copy Batman onto white paper (two crafts per page).
Find straws in two different diameters.
Cut the smaller diameter straws into 3 inch lengths.
Cap off one end of the straw with tape so there is no air flow.
Tape the straw piece the back of Batman.
Hand the craft to each child, and one straw in a bigger diameter.
Insert the straw and blow to make Batman fly.

For more flannel and storytime ideas check out Storytime Secrets, she’s hosting Flannel Friday this week!

Wolverine or 2 Batman

Posted on March 13, 2014May 23, 2014 by mrsshaia

Olly Moss’ superhero optical illusion of Wolverine or 2 Batman is perfect to share with children as they argue about what they see! I made up a story to go with this illusion. The kids love these stories! I was originally inspired by Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s Duck! Rabbit! and since then have been writing my own (including Anteater Brachiosaurus and Squirrel Swan). I came up with a story for this illusion and a take-home coloring page:

Wolverine or 2 Batman

Hey look, it’s Batman looking into a mirror.

No, it’s Wolverine looking right at us!

No, listen. He just introduced himself as “Bruce.”

No, I heard him say, “I go by Logan.”

I just say him put on his utility belt. It’s got to be Batman!

No, I heard a snikt! That’s the noise that Wolverine’s claws
make when they come out!

Listen…I just heard the Batmobile start up.

No, that’s a motorcycle that Wolverine likes to ride.

Oh look, it’s Batman’s girlfriend, Catwoman. (Selina Kyle)

No, that’s Jean Grey. Everyone knows that Wolverine is in love with her!

Oh, I think I just saw Robin fly by. You know that’s Batman’s sidekick.

No, that was Jubilee that just did a cartwheel really fast by us.

Listen. Did you hear him say, “I am Batman.”

No, I heard Wolverine say, “I’m the best there is at what I do.”

Oh, no. You scared him. Where did he go?

Batman must have hidden in the Batcave.

No, Wolverine went back to Xavier’s Institute of Higher Learning.

Here’s a coloring page: Wolverine or 2 Batman