Storytime Ukulele is a project to gather ukulele-friendly song chords for librarians and other storytimers. Alongside classic songs like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, you’ll find piggy-back songs that use the same tunes. Even if you only learn one set of chords, you may be able to play multiple songs at your storytime.
Once in a while I’ll be featuring popular children’s songs by artists like Raffi or Charlotte Diamond. In those cases I may not include the complete set of lyrics, but instead direct you to the musician’s website, books, or recordings. There’s a good chance you’ll already know all the words anyway.
Most of these songs are simplified, using only two or three chords, and transposed into easy keys for ukulele. When I’m playing in the library I like to keep it simple, so I can maintain eye contact and don’t have to worry about where my fingers are when the toddler dance parties begin.
I work at a wonderful lively public library in British Columbia.
*Please let me know if I’ve missed an author/songwriter credit, or if you’re the creator and would like me to correct your information or remove your own songs.
Storytime Ukulele 
Thank you for this sweet collection of children’s songs. I plan to take my uke to my grandsons daycare to play and sing together. These will be wonderful additions.
Rose-Marie Yull
Napa ca
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Love this! Quick question, how do you juggle felt pieces for story with uke? Do you stop at each verse to put pieces up or do you have a helper?
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Yes, I’ll stop between verses, or just stop strumming for a moment at the end of a line. It’s not perfectly smooth, but no one seems to mind.
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I just found your site and I am so appreciative! I have avoided playing many of these songs because I thought them too difficult. Thanks so much!
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Thank you so much for contributing to childrens librarianship through this site/blog! It is such an amazing resource, and my colleagues and I are so grateful for it! You rock!!
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I’ll repeat Lauren’s comment—THANK YOU!!!!
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This site is the answer to a prayer! I just started learning the ukulele to use in storytime and this is so helpful for finding the songs I want to use. Sometimes, YouTube just doesn’t do the trick. Thank you for sharing this information!!!!
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This is exactly what I needed and I’m thrilled for this resource– thank you so much!
Naturally I started by looking for a Mr. Rogers song I can’t find anywhere but I have plenty to work on until I find it and I’m ready for it. SO EXCITE!
Grateful, grateful,
Jen
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I love this list! It has grown my library program immensely! Do you know a reliable source for public domain? I would like to create a storytime cd using some of the songs for my students .
Best,
Sherri
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Hi Sherri, I’m not familiar with very many children’s music recordings that would be old enough to be in the public domain. It’s pretty easy to direct folks to youtube channels featuring most of the songs (like Jbrary or King County Library System), and you could create a playlist to share with families there. In terms of pure audio recordings, I’m stumped. Great idea though. If you’re brave enough, record your own?
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Thank you so much for this resource! Not only are the ukulele chords GREAT, but the whole site is organized in a wonderful way. I am finally brave enough to try playing for my group this week. Thanks again!
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This site is fantastic! I teach kindergarten and purchased a uke to learn to play over the summer. I am an ABSOLUTE beginner and am trying to get the chords, strumming, and singing to all fit together. What strumming patterns do you use? I do not have enough experience to just know what feels right. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks so much!
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Hi Anne, I use a very simple strum when I play at storytime, but have you seen Cynthia Lin’s ukulele tutorial videos? This strumming lesson could be what you’re looking for: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKtPE3HfL5c&feature=youtu.be
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Would you happen to know how to play “I Went to Visit a Farm One Day”?
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Hi Kascia, I don’t know that one, but I’ll give it a listen and see if I can come up with something for you.
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Wow – I do simple shows at a care center for senior citizens. These simple versions of familiar songs are so perfect. Many thanks.
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Thank you so much for this amazing resource! I’m not a musician but I’ve been tinkering with ukulele and wanting to incorporate it into my preschool class. Your site is exactly what I needed!! Thank you!!
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Hello Thank you for your work. I’m looking for som “easy” ukulele songs for children. Your collection is what I needed.
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Thank you so much for this labor of love. In the summer I started ukulele lessons and began using it during storytime in September. Your website has helped me find simple chords for so many favorites as well as new songs.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
And my ukulele teacher is appreciative, too! We haven’t found many books on ukulele songs for kids!
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I have always loved Elizabeth Mitchell’s version of the Woody Guthrie song Why oh Why? Would you ever consider simplifying chords for that song?
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I’m 6 months late, but here you go
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Hi there! I just want to share how much I love your site — I’ve taught myself ukulele for storytime and you are my go-to for new songs. Thank you so very much! I hope you’re well.
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Thank you! I’ve been well, but life has been busy. Hoping to get back to updating the site with new songs soon.
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Your site is amazing. I’ve been working on teaching myself the ukulele, and I was wondering if you stuck to one main strumming pattern, and what your preference was.
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I’ve just in the last couple of weeks started learning the ukulele. I have had so much fun going through all of these songs! Such a blessing! You have done a really wonderful job!
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Hey! I’ve been using a lot of these songs for some of my classes and have been enjoying them very much. I’ve noticed however, that many of the links that are provided are expired. I was wondering if there was maybe another resource or website that you might suggest to me that is more updated or if there is any more information you could offer me? Thank you!
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