Noting the need for children's librarians, preschool teachers, and storytellers to keep their programs interesting and fresh, this guide is comprised of 48 theme-based units for preschool-level programs in libraries, early childhood settings, or at home. The guide is presented in two parts. Part 1 contains tips for theme-based program planning and provides theoretical and practical information on participation stories and magnetic board stories. Part 2, the bulk of the guide, presents theme-based programs, four programs for each calendar month. Each unit includes an annotated bibliography, a storytelling suggestion, a suggested videotape title, several participation activities, and a craft idea. Twenty original participatory stories, over 100 original activities, and almost 400 reproducible illustrations are included. Themes include: April Fool's Day, Birthdays, Blankets and Quilts, Brothers and Sisters, Calendars, Camping, Cats, Dogs, Easter, Eggs, Fall, Farms, Gardens, Kangaroos, Manners, Martin Luther King's Birthday, National Library Week, Sea, Sickness, Spring, Summer, Winter Clothes, and Zoos. Appendices include information for making a lap stage and outlines for the 20 original stories. (KB)