Tips and Info from DPI's April 23, 2026 Youth Services Newsletter

Jeni Schomber's DPI Youth Services Weekly Reminders and Resources is an email newsletter chockfull of great resources we've come to rely on. If you are a WI youth library staffer and you don't receive this weekly missive in your email inbox, please contact Jeni (jennifer.schomber@dpi.wi.gov) to be placed on the list!

Here is the April 23, 2026 edition:

Weekly Resources & Reminders Hello All,  Check out these Youth Services Resources and Reminders!   Happy National Library Week!  View the Bureau of Libraries National Library Week announcement from Wisconsin State Librarian Ben Miller.  Wisconsin Science Festival: Science in a Bag  The Science in a Bag library application form is now open. This program provides free, take-home STEAM kits to libraries all across Wisconsin. Full of engaging, accessible activities that spark curiosity and creativity, these kits help bridge the bridge gaps in access to educational resources, support lifelong learning, and reinforce the library’s role as an inclusive community space where science and exploration are available to everyone. The deadline to apply is July 15, 2026. Quantities are limited, so apply soon!  America 250 Resources at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction  America 250 marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and offers a meaningful opportunity for educators to explore our nation’s history, ideals, and ongoing story with students.  Although primarily for the classroom setting, the America 250 page provides resources and materials that public libraries may use for engaging with this historic milestone.   University of Kentucky Storytime Survey  Researchers at the University of Kentucky School of Information Science are inviting you to take part in an online survey exploring if, how, and why public library staff incorporate content such as books, songs, and other activities related to community, diversity, and belonging into their children’s storytimes.  They are interested in hearing from library staff who have experience with this type of children’s programming, as well as library staff who do not have experience with this type of children’s programming. The survey will take about 30 minutes to complete. If you agree to participate, please complete the survey at: https://uky.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5ihWIS34KAMeQho  Jeni Schomber Public Library Consultant The DPI Bureau of Libraries does not sponsor or endorse external resources or events.  Contact: jeni.schomber@dpi.wi.gov

Tips and Info from DPI's April 16, 2026 Youth Services Newsletter

Jeni Schomber's DPI Youth Services Weekly Reminders and Resources is an email newsletter chockfull of great resources we've come to rely on. If you are a WI youth library staffer and you don't receive this weekly missive in your email inbox, please contact Jeni (jennifer.schomber@dpi.wi.gov) to be placed on the list!

Here is the April 16, 2026 edition:

 

Weekly Resources & Reminders

 

Hello All,  Check out these Youth Services Resources and Reminders!

National Games and Learning Project: Call for Participation  Are you passionate about games-based programs and collections in public libraries? Are you a motivated Wisconsin library staff member with experience offering games-based library services? If so, you can help us shape the future of Games-based Library Services nationwide! The National Games and Libraries Fellowship is seeking 5-6 enthusiastic Wisconsin public library staff members to participate in a yearlong fellowship. Visit the Call for Participation for more information and access to the application.  WiLS Ideas to Action Fund  The WiLS Ideas to Action Fund provides grants of up to $5,000 so member organizations can bring their project ideas to life. The Fund encourages partnerships and collaborations among WiLS members and with community partners, supports innovative and exploratory new work, and seeds the development of processes, methods, or resources that can be used by other WiLS members. Visit the WiLS Ideas to Action  page for more information. WLA Youth Services Section Midday Mingle: Collection Complications Join the Wisconsin Library Association (WLA) Youth Services Section (YSS) Midday Mingle on Monday, April 20, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. to talk about troubleshooting collection development at your library. You do not have to be a WLA or YSS member to participate. The Monday Mingle is open to all! Join using the Zoom link.   Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) Social Media Toolkit  The CSLP 2026 Unearth a Story Social Media Toolkit is now available as part of the CSLP Manual. Template links to the Canva Social Medial Toolkit, along with ready-to-use PNG versions, when you login with your CSLP Manual Code. You can access all the images by downloading a ZIP file, or by individually saving images. Please check with your Library System Youth Services Consultant for the Manual access code.   Bluey Storytime Month  Celebrate Bluey Storytime Month this July with fun activities like book bingo, word match, word scramble, and more. Download your free activity kit and printable event poster now.   BadgerLink Bulletin Celebrate Earth Day with Britannica. Check out these Britannica resources, interactive media, and activities. View the Full Story.

Jeni Schomber Public Library Consultant The DPI Bureau of Libraries does not sponsor or endorse external resources or events.  Contact: jeni.schomber@dpi.wi.gov

ICYMI Storytime Books of 2025

What books published in 2025 work best for storytime? We've got you covered with a roundup of  some best of 2025 lists!

Photo by Yan Krukau from Pexels

JBrary

Every year JBrary pulls together a list of their favorite picture books for storytime. This year Lindsey Krabbenhoft compiled the list her "top picks for picture books published in 2025 that make excellent read-alouds to groups of babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age kids."

You can find the entire list here: https://jbrary.com/2025-favourite-storytime-picture-books/. 

The post includes links to Jbrary's Favorite Storytime Picture Books going back to 2013. Definitely worth going back through and seeing what gems you could add to your storytimes!

LaLa Librarian 

Alyssa Jewell, a.k.a. La La Librarian, read over 500 picture books published in 2025 to "painstakingly narrow that list down to a top 10 for storytime read-alouds." It's specifically, curated for with suggestions for storytimes with preschool, kindergarten, and 1st graders.

You can find her list: https://www.lalalibrarian.com/blog/best-storytime-books-of-2025.

 Fuse8

As part of her 31 Days, 31 Lists series in December, Besty Bird featured Picture Book readalouds sure to "shake up your readaloud game, all plucked from 2025 publications."

Bird links to her readaloud list from years past but I'd also encourage you to check out the full 31 Days, 31 Lists series like Great Board Books, Funny Picture Books, Nonfiction Picture Books and so many more great suggestions.

 

Storytime is essential

Photo by Alejandro Barba on Unsplash

"Storytime is essential." This quote from an article in The Horn Book  caught my eye recently as I was flipping through the magazine. When we're in the weekly grind of storytime, it's easy to forget that. It's easy to get stuck in the monotonous routine of  nursery rhymes, movement activities, picture books, and puppets. Every once in a while it's nice to be reminded of how important what we do is to the community we serve. 

I want to share a story with you about a time I was sweetly reminded of what we are truly doing when we serve the families we serve. There was a young girl, we'll call her Ann. Ann came to storytime every week, and never spoke a word. Her mother told me that she didn't speak any English, so they came to storytime to help her learn, and to have her be around other kids. For months they came and Ann would smile and bop along to music, but still didn't speak. One day about three months after they started coming, we were ending storytime with bubbles (as we always do) and Ann yelled out as loud as her little lungs would allow, "BUBBLES!" It was the highlight of my year. It was the first English word I heard her speak, and from there she just kept talking. 

Her family moved recently, but her mom wrote a card to the youth librarians before she went she left a card saying, "You are literally her first teacher and through your storytimes she learned a lot. Now she can read and always loves bubbles, thanks to you." What an incredible reminder of the impact we as librarians have on the kids in our libraries. 

Do you have a story to share about a time when you felt the love? A compliment someone gave you, or a time that you could see the difference you were making? Let's end 2025 sharing some of that love with each other!

[Storytime Hits. Peterson, Hannah. The Horn Book. January/February 2026.]

The Genius Files: Turkey Turkey!

Image by Jenny Toms from Pixabay

Kate Davis, YSS Board Member and Programming Consultant for the Prairie Lakes Library System has introduced a new new email blast for her library system called The Genius Files. Here's Genius Files #5, focused on Thanksgiving/Turkey themed storytime.

Today's Genius Files was inspired by my 3 year-old grandson, Benji, as he wiggled and danced through our Target run yesterday singing, "I believe in the turkey in me!"  On our way home, his mama played the song "Turkey Turkey" for me so I could hear where these crazy lyrics were coming from. Turns out that it is one of the BEST Thanksgiving songs I've heard in years, so I had to share with you all! (I've also added some other super fun, Thanksgiving storytime favorite songs for you!)

Turkey Turkey (Big Block Singsong)

Turkey Song (La La Librarian)

Albuquerque Turkey (D.B. Rouse and the Blue Kazoo)

Let's Get Funky with Tommy the Turkey (Jack Hartman)

Looking for more rhymes, fingerplays, songs, book suggestions, and craft ideas for your Thanksgiving storytime? Here you go!

Farm Storytime for Hands-on Learning

Photo from legolibrarian.com

WLA member and blogger Peter Blenski (www.legolibrarian.com) transformed a special farm storytime into a hands-on learning with cleverly designed "farm chores" that targeted essential skills. From color sorting to eye-hand coordination and critical thinking, each activity turned playtime into skill-building—and the kids clearly had a blast!  Learn more here!

Storytime Props

Image by Kerstin Riemer from Pixabay

The most recent post from Jbrary 'Props I Want to Try in Storytime' by Lindsey Krabbenhoft caught my
eye, especially after the discussion we had at the Middaay Mingle about stretchy bands and other non-traditional storytime props (catch up on the Midday Mingle here). 

Krabbenhoft names stretchy bands, canopy scarfs, rings, pool noodles, and feathers as props to try in storytime and includes some context and/or embedded videos to demonstrate how each could be used.  I've seen the pool noodle dancing videos across my own socials recently and would love to give it a try. Looks like a cute option for a Music & Movement storytime! 

Stop here to see the full post. [Props I Want to Try in Storytime. Krabbenhoft, Lindsey. Jbrary. September 22, 2025.]

Have you used any of these props in storytime? Please share your experience and any tips/tricks that worked for you!

Miss the Midday Mingle?

The first YSS Midday Mingle was a blast as we chatted all things storytime with colleagues sharing their top 3 books, songs, tips for first-timers, and more. 

Go ahead and mark your calendar for our next Midday Mingle a lively 'this or that' session covering the great debates of our field: craft or no craft, theme or no theme, registration or walk-ins, YA or teen, cardigan or hoodie.

Topic: This or That? 
Date: Monday, November 10
Time: 1:00 – 2:00 PM
Zoom Link

But worry not friends – I've got a recap of our storytime mingle to catch you up and tide you over! 

Image by Lubos Houska from Pixabay

Favorite Storytime Books

• Shh…. We Have a Plan by Chris Haughton
• Misunderstood Shark by Ame Dyckman
• Almost anything by Ame Dyckman
• DinoGro by Matthew Myers
• About a dinosaur that grows in water, and grows and grows and grows
• Lena’s Shoes Are Nervous by Keith Calabrese
• Great for right before school is back in session, about being anxious for the first day of school
• Pig the Pug by Aaron Blabey
• Any Jan Thomas Books
• Roo Knows Blue by Renee Treml
• about a kangaroo
• Don’t Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson
• 100 Mighty Dragons all Named Broccoli by David LaRochelle
  
• Great bit for WI peeps with the knowledge that this is written by a Minnesota author
• Entertaining, silly way to introduce math
• Bob Not Bob by Liz Garton Scanlon
• Great for winter when everyone is sick, about being congested/stuffy, perform it with a stuffy voice, kids find it hilarious
• Bear has a Belly by Jane Whittingham
• Bad Dog by Mike Boldt
• Case of mistaken identity, birthday gift was a pet dog (holds up cat), laments that Rocky does not do things like other dogs (again Rocky is a cat), kids are delighted by it
• Seals on the Bus by Lenny Hort
• Lots of chances for animal noises
• Can You Do This? by Megan Roy
• Book has questions that prompt interactive activities for the storytime crowd – can you touch your toes, hop like a bunny, dance, etc. lots of options for movements and getting the sillies out – may need to spread out a bit for some of the actions
• Groovy Joe Ice Cream and Dinosaurs by Eric Litwin
• Teach the song and dance afterwards, good for a music and movement storytime, teaches about sharing with friends, and has ice cream and dinos! Perfect

Image by Moondance from Pixabay

Favorite Storytime Songs

• Tootie Tot
• Icky Sticky Bubble Gum
• Susan Salmador
• Shiny New Shoes Album but also everything
• Jim Gill
• Silly Dance Contest
• Hammer & Saw – has the sounds of those tools
• Laurie Berkner
• Monster Boogie – has a book to go with it
• Rocket Ship Run
• P-I-Z-Z-A to the tune of Bingo
• using a felt pizza and removing a piece with each letter to help the kids keep track

Tonight we have my favorite food.

Yes, friends, we're having Pizza

P-I-Z-Z-A, P-I-Z-Z-A, P-I-Z-Z-A, yes friends we're having Pizza!

• Fruit and Veggies Unite!
• Good active movements song, and chance to be silly – go bananas, go bananas
• Good chance for early literacy tips to caregivers - We’re going to sing a song now about fruits and vegetables. This song has lots of great action words in it like peel, mash, shuck, pop, slice, and squeeze.  Today when you eat lunch or dinner, try using these words again or introducing new words about the foods you’re eating with your child

Image by Martine den Engelsen from Pixabay

Favorite Non-Traditional Props

• Water explorers storytime
• Jar of water, shaving cream, blue food coloring
  
• Thinking how else to incorporate STEM into storytime props 
• Water, sink and float, experiment, guess if it will sink or float
• Bag of water, stick pencils into
• Farmers Market Storytime
• props, costumes, a lot of books with dialog, spray bottles to spray at crowd, hats for interrupting chickens, penguin hats, crow and pitcher costumes
• Rainbow stew
• bowl/pot and the felt veggies and fruit, spoon
• Magic Envelope
• different ingredients or parts of theme, put the stuff in and on the other side is the end product (i.e. pics of seed, water, soil, and on the other side of the envelope is a flower, have them guess what you are making before revealing
• A bus!
• Had a Pigeon storytime and had a person in the Pigeon costume roll up in a bus (not driving though!)
• Discussion of Stretchy Bands
• One participant did not like them, used them once, hard for kids to hold the tension correctly, got a bit wild
• One loves them
• Used at the beginning of music and movement when caregivers and kids are coming in, has them immediately grab the bands and start participating – sets the tone for the rest of the storytime – caregivers as active participants 
• Great for Row Row Row Your Boat, Wheels on the Bus, etc.

Favorite Rhymes

• My Two Hands

My two hands go clap, clap, clap

My two feet go tap, tap, tap

My two hands go thump, thump, thump

My two feet go jump, jump, jump

My one body turns around

and it quietly sits down

• Dinosaur Dinosaur

Dinosaur, Dinosaur

Dinosaur, Dinosaur stomp your feet.

Dinosaur, Dinosaur show your teeth.

Dinosaur, Dinosaur swing your tail.

Dinosaur, Dinosaur show your scales.

Dinosaur, Dinosaur show your claws.

Dinosaur, Dinosaur snap your jaws!

Dinosaur, Dinosaur give a ROAR!

Dinosaur, Dinosaur sit on the floor.

• I'm a Tiny T-Rex

I'm a tiny T-Rex, hatched from my egg

I’ve got tiny arms, and big, stompy legs

I want to make a sound, like a big dinosaur

Are you ready? Here it comes! 1-2-3 …

Meow. 

                    [Repeat with other noises for as long as you like]

You've totally guac this. Image by Katie Alford.

Tips for First Timers

• Keep it simple
• You don’t have to do it like the person who was there before you, make it your own, do what makes you comfortable
• You don’t have to be a great singer, you don’t even have to sing at all, you could exclusively use recorded music
• Remember its about the little people, your audience is the kids, don’t get nervous about the adults in the room, just pretend its all kids and lean into the silly fun time
• Slow down – slow your reading down, take your time, any story can be made interactive, use open ended questions, read a sentence and blank out the last word, have the kids fill in the blank on how the sentence ends
• Find an opening and closing song you love and repeat repeat repeat

Unexpected Storytime Happenings

• Color Our World Storytime – red theme, can you name red things, kids call out the usual things –  apple, fire truck, etc. But one kid calls out BLOOD
• Fire alarm pulled
• Child took their first steps
• Showing off injuries and then everyone wants to show and tell
• This could be incorporated into the story time start – check-in time, everyone show their ouchies, and then its done and you can move on

Books You'd Never Read Again

• Issues reading the Book with No Pictures, seemed like it’d be great, watched B.J. Novak do it, but in reality it went terrible and wouldn’t do it again
• Seconded – overthinking the pronunciations and tripping myself up trying to read it