Don't Let the Space Bugs Bite

My PJ storytime continues to be popular and kinda maddening. This week, I had a space segment that went well...except for the books. Though most of the kids would be considered preschoolers, they didn't get into I Want To Be An Astronaut or Papa, Please Get the Moon For Me (even with the magical fold-out action!) but they did love the stretcher "Three Little Men in a Flying Saucer" and playing Blast-Off.

Three Little Men in a Flying Saucer
Three little men in a flying saucer [wag three fingers around]
Flew 'round the world one day... [make a big circle with your three fingers]
They looked left and right [turn your head left and right]
But they didn't like the sight of it,
[put your hands on your eyes and shake your head]
So one man flew aWAY--
Whoosh! [make a big whooshing sweep with one finger]
[Start over with "Two little men..."]

Andy and Lori helped me think of new ways to engage this big, wobbley group. More books with call-and-response, maybe? More snazzy props? More structure--that is, letting the grown-ups know exactly what to expect and how I expect them to participate? Using the kids stuffed animals (that most of them bring) to reinforce listening skills?