Word Density: 
This is my own subjective guide to how "wordy" a picture book is.  In my storytelling experience, pages with high word density, (lots of words on a page,) tend to cause the audience's attention to waver.  This depends, however, on the age group to which you are reading.  Older or more mature listeners will attend longer.  Interesting background music, sound effects, and engaging illustrations will also have an effect on audience attentiveness.  A good rule of thumb is: the younger your audience, the fewer words per page in your storytime books.

My recommended age-appropriateness:  Publishers use their own guides for recommending certain books for certain ages.  My recommendations are based on my own experience, my own children, my audiences, and my gut feelings.  You are free, of course, to make your own judgments regarding which books to use with which age groups.  This category is simply offered to you as a guide based on my knowledge and experience with children and children's books.

Christian and Preschool Themes: 
If you've spent some time browsing through my completed storytime plans, you've seen how I use popular picture books to draw out both preschool themes and Christian topics.  This category in each listing provides you with ideas to link the featured picture book with a Bible lesson AND a Preschool theme.  For example, if the featured story in a listing is Hans Christian Anderson's Ugly Duckling, the Christian Themes might be "God loves us just as we are," or "I am made in the image of God," or even "Joseph and his brothers" (the similarities between the two stories are striking!)   The related Preschool Theme might be "Ducks,"  "Farm Animals," or "Famous Fairy Tales and Fables."  With some practice, you'll see dual themes in every children's book you pick up!

Scripture Connections:  
These are simply Bible verse suggestions for each lesson based on the story's main ideas or the storytime theme.  These Scripture Connections help tie your whole storytime together and underline your lesson's purpose.

Song Suggestions: 
I use children's songs from many sources, including quite a few that are popular in Australia.  Some of these may be unfamiliar to U.S. or other users, so I provide a link to hear samples and see ordering information when possible.  I strive to use songs that have a strong connection to the story lesson topic.


More tips:
~If you're considering planning a children's story hour in your church, homeschool, or Christian library, PROMOTE IT!  Make an attractive, colorful flyer or brochure to let parents, grandparents, and other caregivers know about it.  Provide a brief explanation, and be sure to include the approximate duration of the event and the storytime location and date.

~One issue that can be frustrating is not knowing how many kids will show.  You might consider having a sign-up roster or bookings list.  Or, (and this was the option I chose,) plan activities and crafts that can be effective for either a small group or a large turnout.  It helps to be very flexible and creatively resourceful!  After several sessions, you may have more of a feel for how many kids you can plan for.  

~Go to the library and browse through the picture books!  If you love children's books and kids, which is probably why you're browsing this site, you'll love catching up on the latest popular picture books.  This will help you stay in touch with the types of topics kids are "into" as well as keep you abreast of publishing trends for young audiences.  Check a few out and study them for themes or lessons that crop up in the stories, then have a go at planning your own Christian storytime!

~Have fun!!  Loosen up, and don't worry about embarrassing yourself in front of the preschoolers (or their parents!!)  Kids are very forgiving, so don't be nervous!  Relax and have fun with the children, and try to see things from their perspective.  Remember to read with feeling and enthusiasm, and don't forget to show the pictures when you read!! 


~What do you do when you have that one (or more!) child that walks up to your book and tries to stand in front of you while you're reading to the group?  And what if her parent is sitting there watching and not doing anything to help?  Wow, this is a tough one, and believe me, it happens a lot!  Remember that this storytime is for everyone attending, and you've put a lot of work into preparing it.  If possible, always have at least one helper or assistant present at each storytime to jump in and quietly assist in instances like this.  If you are alone, however, and the parents are not helping, simply pause reading for a moment and quietly ask the child to sit down so others behind her may see.  This usually causes the child to peek behind her and become aware that everyone is watching, which sometimes makes her sit down.  However, if you have a willful child who likes the attention, you may have to ask her parent or caregiver to remove her to the back of the audience.  Ask for this as politely as possible.  You and your audience are there for a storytime, after all, and deserve the best performance you can give.  Most people are quite cooperative.  But do not be afraid to require the attention of your audience (and that INCLUDES any parents in the back of the room who are chatting with each other and causing distractions!!)

If you have a helpful suggestion or storytime experience you'd like to share... please leave a comment on my Squidoo lens....Fun and Funky Preschool Storytime Plans....I'd LOVE to hear about it!!