Grumpy Bird by Jeremy Tankard
Bird wakes up feeling grumpy. Too grumpy to eat or play — too grumpy even to fly. “Looks like I’m walking today,” says Bird. He walks past Sheep, who offers to keep him company. He walks past Rabbit, who also could use a walk. Raccoon, Beaver, and Fox join in, too. Before he knows it, a little exercise and companionship help Bird shake his bad mood.
Pom Pom Panda Gets the Grumps by Sophy Henn
One morning, Pom Pom Panda wakes up on the wrong side of the bed . . . and then nothing goes right. He can’t find his blanky, Timmington. And to make matters worse, his baby brother, Boo Boo, is playing with his favorite toy. Harrumph! By the time he arrives at school, Pom Pom is in a terrible mood. When his friends ask if he wants to play, that terrible mood comes pouring out: “LEAVE ME ALONE!”
WATCH and LISTEN to Reading Is Fundamental: Grumpy Bird by Jeremy Tankard:
Unfortunately, the license for Reading is Fundamental’s video has expired. Visit YouTube for videos from Rocky Mountain PBS and East Brunswick Public Library.
SONG: “I Have Feelings”
(tune: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star)
I have feelings (point to self)
So do you (point to children)
Let’s all sing about a few.
I am happy (make a big smile)
I am sad (frown)
I get scared (cross arms and make scared face)
I get mad (make fists and stomp feet)
I am proud of being me (hands on hips, shoulders straight, smile)
That’s a feeling too, you see.
I have feelings (point to self)
You do, too (point to children)
We just sang about a few.
WATCH and LISTEN to Brightly Storytime: Panda Gets the Grumps by Sophy Henn:
ACTION SONG: “If You’re Happy and You Know It” (practice gross motor skills)
If you’re happy and you know it, show a smile.
If you’re happy and you know it, show a smile.
If you’re happy and you know it, and you really want to show it,
If you’re happy and you know it, show a smile.
Continue with additional verses for other emotions:
If you’re mad and you know it, stomp your feet.
If you’re surprised and you know it, say “OH MY!”
If you’re sad and you know it, cry BOO-HOO.
If you’re silly and you know it, make a face.
If you’re scared and you know it, shiver and shake.
Final verse:
If you’re happy and you know it, shout HURRAY!
If you’re happy and you know it, shout HURRAY!
If you’re happy and you know it, and you really want to show it,
If you’re happy and you know it, shout HURRAY!
ACTIVITIES: Happy or sad? Activities to help your toddler name those BIG feelings they have!
- Draw or print happy and sad faces to craft sticks and lead toddlers through a conversation about what those faces represent—then bring out a hand mirror and let toddlers try making those faces themselves! This helps toddlers connect facial expressions to the big emotions that they themselves feel, and that lays the foundation for helping them cope with those big BIG feelings.
- Make photocopies of pictures of your children showing different emotions (happy, sad, mad, etc.) and glue them to index cards. Then write the name of the emotion your child is expressing on the card. These cards provide talking points and help teach feeling recognition.
- Picture books are a great way to explore and identify emotions! As you’re reading through the story, pay attention to the expressions on the faces of the characters and stop to ask your children how they think the character must be feeling. Ask your children to make that facial expression, too.
MORE TIPS:
- Social and Emotional Resources on Talking Is Teaching
- 9 Ways to Explore Feelings & Emotions with Toddlers & Preschoolers
MORE BOOKS IN OVERDRIVE:
I Am So Brave! by Stephen Krensky, illustrated by Sara Gillingham
The Pout Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen, illustrated by Dan Hanna
Llama Llama Mad at Mama by Anna Dewdney
The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
MORE BOOKS ON HOOPLA:
Go to your Hoopla account. Find the search box at the top of the page. First change the results to e-books only, then type in the keyword EMOTIONS. On the left side of the results page, click on the box for CHILDREN’S TITLES ONLY. Click here to see how your results page should look.
If you and your children are struggling with a particular emotion (sad, angry, etc.), go ahead and use that as your keyword for the search.