Storytime Theme: In the Desert

From the beach to the desert this morning! Today I’m sharing nine picture books for a desert-themed storytime that focuses mainly on the American Southwest (suspiciously missing camels!) with a lot of books about cacti. Pair these great books with a few songs and an activity or two and you’ve got a lesson plan that could work all week!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read the full disclosure for more information.

Storytime Theme: In the Desert

Books

• Desert Giant by Barbara Bash
• Desert Night, Desert Day by Anthony D. Fredericks, illustrated by Kenneth J. Spengler
• The Night Flower by Lara Hawthorne
• Nobody Hugs a Cactus by Carter Goodrich
• Over and Under the Canyon by Kate Messner, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
• The Seed and the Giant Saguaro by Jennifer Ward, illustrated by Mike K. Rangner
• There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Cactus! by Lucille Colandro, illustrated by Jared Lee
• The Three Little Javelinas by Susan Lowell, illustrated by Jim Harris
• Way Out in the Desert by T. J. Marsh and Jennifer Ward, illustrated by Kenneth J. Spengler

Songs & Rhymes

• We Are Going on a Journey – Verona Storytime
• Animals in the Desert – Brevard County Libraries
• Alice the Camel – The Learning Station

Crafts & Activities

• Sandpaper Rubbings – Child Fun
• Sensory Cactus – Stay At Home Educator
• Pipe Cleaner Snakes – Kids Activities Blog