Baby Storytime Book of the Month: Everybunny Dance!
Ready bunny, steady bunny, every bunny dance! The picture book Everybunny Dance! by Ellie Sandall is perfect for exploring bunnies, spring, and movement with babies and caregivers. It’s also one of those rare books that can be used with babies, toddlers, AND preschoolers—it’s that good. Babies will enjoy pretending to dance, play instruments, sing, run, stop, and listen along with the bunnies. Pair it with one or more of these songs and playtime ideas for more engagement and fun in your next Baby Storytime.
Everybunny Dance! by Ellie Sandall
The text encourages babies and caregivers to move together throughout the story. Before or during the reading, demonstrate how caregivers and their little ones can clap, twirl, sing, run, stop, etc. If you have a storytime helper, ask them to hold up bunny and fox puppets or flannel pieces as you read, too!
Hop Little Bunny Movement Song
For more movement fun, follow up your reading with this “Hop Little Bunny” song to the tune of “Skip to My Lou.” You can also pair it with props such as shaker eggs, bean bags, or scarves. Lift the baby or props up and down, side to side, etc., along with the lyrics.
Hop little bunny hop, hop, hop
Hop little bunny hop, hop, hop
Hop little bunny hop, hop, hop
Hop my little bunny ​
Clap little bunny clap, clap, clap…
Sway little bunny sway, sway, sway…​
My Little Baby Loves Dancing Movement Song
This is an all-time favorite baby storytime song for not only my groups but also my 18-month-old daughter! Try it to the tune of Short’nin’ Bread and repeat it at least twice.
My little baby loves dancing, dancing
My little baby loves turning around
My little baby loves dancing, dancing
My little baby loves to boogie down
Lean to the left
Lean to the right
Hug that baby nice and tight
Bunny Puppet Playtime
Nothing captures a baby’s attention quite like an animal puppet. Set one or more out for free play or walk around to let babies “pet” the bunny. Our Floppy Bunny Rabbit puppet from Folkmanis has been well loved in both our baby and preschool storytimes for years. Ending Baby Storytime with free play provides children and their caregivers an excellent opportunity to explore and socialize. Set out blocks, musical instruments (to play like the bunnies from the book!), or other baby-approved items you may have, along with a bunny puppet. If you don’t have one, set out bunny flannel characters to put on a flannel board or bunny stuffed animals.
More Bunny-Themed Baby Storytime Books
Everybunny Dance! pairs beautifully with these other storytime books:
Visit The Youth Desk’s Baby Storytime page for more Baby Storytime books, outlines, songs, rhymes, and prop ideas.
