SurLaLune Storytime: Commotion in the Ocean

The waves on the sea go up and down,
[Raise and lower arms.]
Up and down, up and down,
The waves on the sea go up and down
All day long.

FIVE little fish swam ‘til they were sore.
The BLUE BLUE one swam away; then there were FOUR.
FOUR little fish went into the big sea.
The RED RED one swam away; then there were THREE.
THREE little fish were looking for their school.
The GREEN GREEN one swam away; then there were TWO.
TWO little fish were having so much fun,
When the PINK PINK one swam away; there was only ONE.
ONE little fish just wanted to be a hero.
The YELLOW YELLOW one swam to save his friend;
And then there was ZERO.

Five little fishes
Swimming in the sea
Teasing Mr. Shark
You can't catch me
Along comes Mr. Shark
As quiet as can be...
SNAP!
Four little fishes
Swimming in the sea

[Hold up five fingers and count down as fish disappear or use Artfelt's Five Little Fish felt puppet set.]

Five little fishes swimming in a pool.
[Hold up five fingers.]
First one said, "This pool is cool."
[Hug self and shiver.]
Second one said, "This pool is deep."
[Point downward.]
Third one said, "I think I'll sleep."
[Close eyes and rest head on hands.]
Fourth one said, "Let's swim and dip."
[Do swimming and dipping motions.]
Fifth one said, "I see a ship."
[Look into distance with hand shading eyes.]
The fisherman's line went splish, splish, splash,
[Make fishing pole motions.]
And away the five little fishes dashed.
[Quickly put hands behind back.]

	In the Small Small Pond by Denise Fleming Age Level: PreK-2
Synopsis: Illustrations and rhyming text describe the activities of animals living in and near a small pond as spring progresses to autumn.

	Swimmy by Leo Lionni Age Level: PreK-2
Synopsis: The ocean can be a big place, especially for a tiny fish. Swimmy, a small black fish, creates a clever way to protect a school of frightened little red fish friends from a very large and hungry tuna fish.

	Fish is Fish by Leo Lionni Age Level: PreK-2
Synopsis: When his friend, the tadpole, becomes a frog and leaves the pond to explore the world, the little fish decides that maybe he doesn't have to remain in the pond either.

More Books to Read On Your Own

Rainbow Fish
by Marcus Pfister
Age Level: Preschool and up
Synopsis: The most beautiful fish in the entire ocean discovers the real value of personal beauty and friendship.

Commotion in the Ocean
by Giles Andreae
Age Level: Preschool and up
Synopsis: "There's a curious commotion, at the bottom of the ocean; I think we ought to go and take a look. You'll find every sort of creature, that lives beneath the sea; swimming through the pages of this book." The sequel to the best-selling "Rumble in the Jungle", this delightful new collection of poems includes fun rhymes about the creatures who live in and around the ocean. Children will delight in the snappy poems and colorful illustrations about whales, walruses, penguins, polar bears, stingrays and sharks.

Swimmy
by Leo Lionni
Age Level: Preschool and up
Synopsis: The ocean can be a big place, especially for a tiny fish. Swimmy, a small black fish, creates a clever way to protect a school of frightened little red fish friends from a very large and hungry tuna fish.
Note: Artfelt has a Swimmy felt puppet set.

Fish is Fish
by Leo Lionni
Age Level: Preschool and up
Synopsis: When his friend, the tadpole, becomes a frog and leaves the pond to explore the world, the little fish decides that maybe he doesn't have to remain in the pond either.

McElligot's Pool
by Dr. Seuss
Age Level: Preschool and up
Synopsis: Go for a swim in McElligot's Pool with fantastic fish that only Dr. Seuss could envision!

One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish
by Dr. Seuss
Age Level: Preschool and up
Synopsis: A Dr. Seuss classic.

Not Norman: A Goldfish Story
by Kelly Bennett
Age Level: Preschool and up
Synopsis: "I wanted a pet who could run and catch. Or one who could climb trees and chase strings. A soft, furry pet to sleep on my bed at night. Not Norman."

Fish Wish
by Bob Barner
Age Level: Preschool and up
Synopsis:

Hello, Fish!
by Sylvia Earle
Age Level: Preschool and up
Synopsis:

Little Red Snapperhood
by Neal Gilbertsen
Age Level: Preschool and up
Synopsis:

Salmon Summer
by Bruce McMillan
Age Level: Preschool and up
Synopsis:

Salmon Stream
by Carol Reed-Jones
Age Level: Preschool and up
Synopsis:

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Trout!
by Teri Sloat
Age Level: Preschool and up
Synopsis:

One Less Fish
by Kim Michelle Toft
Age Level: Preschool and up
Synopsis:

More Songs for at Home

Three Little Fishies (Itty Bitty Pool)

Down in the meadow in a little bitty pool
Swam three little fishies and a mama fishie too
"Swim" said the mama fishie, "Swim if you can"
And they swam and they swam all over the dam
Boop boop dit-tem dat-tem what-tem Chu!
Boop boop dit-tem dat-tem what-tem Chu!
Boop boop dit-tem dat-tem what-tem Chu!
And they swam and they swam all over the dam

"Stop" said the mama fishie, "or you will get lost"
The three little fishies didn't wanna be bossed
The three little fishies went off on a spree
And they swam and they swam right out to the sea
Boop boop dit-tem dat-tem what-tem Chu!
Boop boop dit-tem dat-tem what-tem Chu!
Boop boop dit-tem dat-tem what-tem Chu!
And they swam and they swam right out to the sea

"Whee!" yelled the little fishies, "Here's a lot of fun
We'll swim in the sea till the day is done"
They swam and they swam, and it was a lark
Till all of a sudden they saw a shark!
Boop boop dit-tem dat-tem what-tem Chu!
Boop boop dit-tem dat-tem what-tem Chu!
Boop boop dit-tem dat-tem what-tem Chu!
Till all of a sudden they saw a shark!

"Help!" cried the little fishies, "Gee! look at all the whales!"
And quick as they could, they turned on their tails
And back to the pool in the meadow they swam
And they swam and they swam back over the dam
Boop boop dit-tem dat-tem what-tem Chu!
Boop boop dit-tem dat-tem what-tem Chu!
Boop boop dit-tem dat-tem what-tem Chu!
And they swam and they swam back over the dam.

I Wish I Was a Fishy
(Tune: "If You're Happy and You Know It")

Oh, I wish I was a fishy in the sea.
Oh, I wish I was a fishy in the sea.
I'd swim around so cute, without my bathing suit.
Oh, I wish I was a fishy in the sea.

Five Little Seashells

Five little seashells lying on the shore;
Swish! went the waves, and then there were four.
Four little seashells cozy as could be;
Swish! went the waves, and then there were three.
Three little seashells all pearly new;
Swish! went the waves, and then there were two.
Two little seashells sleeping in the sun;
Swish! went the waves, and then there was one.
One little seashell left all alone
Whispered "Shhhhhlih" as I took it home.

Catching a Fish

One, Two, Three, four, Five
[Count fingers on left hand.]
I caught a little fish alive
[Catch fingers on right hand with left hand.]
Why did you let it go?
[Release fingers quickly.]
Because it bit my fingers so.
[Shake right hand.]
Which finger did it bite?
The little finger on the right.
[Point to little finger on right hand.]

Here Is the Sea

Here is the sea, the wavy sea
[Wave hands from side to side.]
Here is my boat,
[Cup hands like a boat.]
And here is me
[Point to self.]
All of the fishes
[Wiggle your fingers.]
Down below
[Point downwards.]
Wiggle their tails
[Wiggle your fingers.]
And way they go.
[Wiggle your fingers behind your back.]

Available on Amazon.com

Available on
Amazon.com