My Best Friend Barks

Costumes and Props

A puppy dog puppet makes a great emcee for a storytime about pets.  Folkmanis Puppets has a variety of dog puppets to choose from, including a collie, a bichon frise, and a “shaggy” dog, ranging in price from $21.99 to $35.99.

Fingerplays

Five Little Puppies (by Patricia Peters)

See video demonsrating this puppet play: http://youtu.be/mtMlAtiaYVM

Five little puppies waiting at the door—   (hold up five fingers)
One jumped into my arms,   (cross arms over chest)
And then there were four.   (hold up four fingers)

Four little puppies barking round a tree—   (hold up four fingers)
One chased a squirrel away,   (run in place)
And then there were three.   (hold up three fingers)

Three little puppies wondering what to do—   (hold up three fingers)
One curled up to take a nap,   (lay head to side on hands)
And then there were two.   (hold up two fingers)

Two little puppies ready for some fun—   (hold up two fingers)
One began to chase his tail,   (spin in a circle)
And then there was one.   (hold up one finger)

One little puppy looking cute as could be—   (hold up one finger)
“Puppy, how would you like to take a walk with me?”   (point ahead; pretend to hold leash; walk in place)

Songs

Oh, Where, Oh, Where Has My Little Dog Gone? (Traditional)

Oh, where, oh, where has my little dog gone?
Oh, where, oh, where can he be?
With his ears cut short and his tail cut long?
Oh, where, oh, where can he be?

Action Rhymes

My Pet Says (By Patricia Peters)

My pet puppy says, “Ruff! Ruff! Ruff!”   (hold “paws” up in front)
My pet kitty says, “Meow! Meow! Meow!”   (pretend to hold “kitty” in one arm and rub with opposite hand)
My pet bird says, “Tweet! Tweet! Tweet!”   (move hands in beak motion)
My pet goldfish says, “Glub! Glub! Glub!”   (place palms to cheeks on either side of face; flap like gills)

Puppet Plays

Three Little Kittens

See video demonsrating this puppet play: http://youtu.be/mtMlAtiaYVM

(Use commercially made cat puppets, or make your own cat stick puppets patterned after your favorite illustrator’s version of the rhyme, e.g., Paul Galdone or Jerry Pinkney).

Puppets

• 3 kitten puppets
• Mother Cat puppet (optional)

Props

• 3 pairs mittens (for kittens)
• Pie dish(es)
• Clothesline & pins (for mittens)

Lyrics

Three little kittens, they lost their mittens,
And they began to cry, “Oh Mother Dear, we sadly fear
Our mittens we have lost.”
“What? Lost your mittens? You naughty kittens,
Then you shall have no pie.”
Meow! Meow! Meow! Meow!

Three little kittens, they found their mittens,
And they began to cry, “Oh Mother Dear, see here, see here,
Our mittens we have found.”
“What? Found your mittens? You lovely kittens,
Then you shall have some pie.”
Purr.  Purr.  Purr.  Purr.

Three little kittens put on their mittens
And soon ate up their pie.  “Oh Mother Dear, we sadly fear
Our mittens we have soiled.”
“What? Soiled your mittens, you naughty kittens?”
And they began to sigh,

Meow! Meow! Meow! Meow!
Three little kittens soon washed their mittens,
And they began to cry, “Oh Mother Dear, see here, see here,
Our mittens we have washed.”
“What? Washed your mittens? You good little kittens,
But hush, hush, I hear a rat close by.
I hear a rat close by.”

Crafts

My Puppy at Home