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Celebrating Native American Heritage with Picture Books

November is Native American Heritage Month. The Library is highlighting recent picture books by Native authors to celebrate.

Here is a list of picture books to share with children to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. We've included books about sharing a special meal with family and friends, a selection of books by indigenous authors as nice options for Thanksgiving. You'll also find books celebrating everyday gratitude, and some titles for older children.

Books & Beyond

Read and Celebrate El Día de los Muertos

Day of the Dead is a holiday full of symbolism and traditions that are meticulously practiced in Mexico, Latin America and some European countries. Beautiful memorial altars are made to honor the dead, decorated with calaveras (sugar skulls), marigolds, photos, and delicious foods.

Books & Beyond

Latino/e/x Voices in Picture Books

Here's a sampling of stellar, recent picture books by Hispanic American creators. The umbrella term "Hispanic Americans" encompasses Americans with roots in Mexico, Central America, South America, the Spanish-speaking nations of the Caribbean, and Spain, a group far too numerous and diverse to do justice to in a short book list. That said, we've endeavored to highlight a wide variety of new titles in the hope that you find some books here to share with the children in your life.

Books & Beyond

Back to School

Celebrate the milestone of a new school year with books!

Books & Beyond

Juneteenth: Honoring Black History and Culture with Picture Books

The Juneteenth holiday is a time to celebrate as well as a time to examine our history, to reflect on the legacy of slavery, and to look toward the future. Here are some picture books by Black authors and artists that celebrate African American culture, resistance and achievement.

Books & Beyond

LGBTQ+ Picture Books

Here's a selection of recent picture books that feature LGBTQ+ parents, kids, and communities. We welcome rainbow families in our library and represent them in our collections!

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Body Talk for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Everybody has a body! Even at a young age, kids notice bodies (their abilities and differences) and start asking questions about how bodies work. Here are some picks for cultivating a sense of awareness of our amazing, fascinating, and sometimes bizarre bodies to share with toddlers and preschoolers.

Books & Beyond

Disability Visibility

We've gathered together books for different ages that feature young people with disabilities. Many are memoirs or fiction that draw upon the authors' own experiences. We hope you find books here to share with your family that can serve as mirrors for children with disabilities and doorways to deepen understanding and empathy for all.

Books & Beyond

Women’s History Month – Picture Book Biographies

Discover picture book biographies of women who made their mark on history.

Books & Beyond

Black Stories: Picture Books

Discover recent picture books that explore and celebrate the richness and diversity of the Black American experience.

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Celebrating the Lunar New Year

The Lunar New Year is an important celebration in many cultures. Find out more about this history and traditions of this holiday through short videos, books, and a craft.

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Mental Health for Kids

Providing the vocabulary to talk about our mental state is such an incredible tool in raising emotionally intelligent, supportive, and resilient kids. Not sure about how to start talking to your kid about mental health? We've gathered both Internet resources and books to talk to kids of all ages about their emotions, feelings, and mental health.

Parenting Place

Reading Helps: Divorce for Kids

Navigating a divorce while parenting can be a complex, fraught challenge. While no book is a substitute for conversations and listening to your child, these titles seek to provide some support for both parent and child for understanding a new family structure.

Parenting Place

Big Kid Stuff: Potty Training

Potty training! That thrilling, mundane, patience-testing milestone. Sometimes talking and reading about these changes can help. Here are some picks to share.

Parenting Place

Big Kid Stuff: Bottles, Binkies, and Beds

Babies get bigger, it's just what they do! Navigating the changes of toddler life can be quite the task. With a little encouragement (and maybe reading about it), your little might be ready to try out some big kid stuff and say goodbye others.

Books & Beyond

Picture Books: Big Changes, Big Feelings

Starting a new school year, moving, swimming in the deep end for the first time -- big changes are often accompanied by big feelings. We've gathered some books for children about doing something new.

Books & Beyond

When Death Happens

In addition to wonderful first experiences, children also have their first encounters with less positively-associated subjects, including death. While no book is a substitute for gentle conversations and listening to your child, these titles seek to provide some structure and support for navigating the challenges of a subject often ignored.

Books & Beyond

Color your World with Books and Art!

For summer reading we are celebrating all the ways that reading colors your world! Here's a selection of picture books about color, each with a unique take on the topic. We've also got lots of ideas for art projects to color your world.

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Exploring Seasons: Summer

Long days, warm temps, and our beautiful outdoors...summertime in Oregon is pretty wonderful! Here are our ideas for getting out in your backyard and slightly beyond.

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Temporary Nature Art

From noticing the colors and textures to digging deeper into the symmetry and mathematics of plants, there is a lot to discover and enjoy. Creating temporary art with plants is an easy way to encourage kids to notice these patterns and create some of their own.

Books & Beyond

Rhyme Time: Inclusive Picture Books

Discover some great new inclusive rhyming picture books!

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What Is Process Art?

Children of all ages benefit from experiencing art processes and materials without the goal of a particular product that can be stuck on the fridge or given as a present. Process art can seem messy and daunting but there are some tricks for making it an enjoyable experience for everyone.

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Music

Whether your kiddo plays a musical instrument or just likes listening to music, there are some incredible musical resources out there. From symphony storytimes to classical quizzes, there is a wealth of information created with kids in mind!

Parenting Place

Storytime At Home

Nothing can replace the experience of an in-person storytime, but there are some great alternatives to share stories, songs, and activities with your little ones. Here are some of the ones that we recommend to extend your reading time with your kiddo.

Books & Beyond

Non-Fiction to Share

So maybe your bedtime reading is more realistic than magical, it’s all good when it’s time spent reading together! Here are suggestions for exploring a range of topics, from the natural world to history, inventions to adventure.

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Exploring Seasons: Spring

Yay, spring! After the cold, rainy months, the blue skies, warmer temps, and growing things sure do seem exciting. Have fun exploring this new season with your kiddo. Here are our ideas for having some springtime fun.

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STEAM at home

Kids are naturally curious, and they learn about the world through exploration and play. To that end, we've gathered together various ideas for at home STEAM activities that invite kids to explore, invent, and create!

Books & Beyond

Audiobooks For Younger Listeners

I love reading to my kids, but sometimes I need a break. And other times, they want the agency to listen to a story as many times as they want. Enter the audiobook! Here are our options for listening for younger kids.

Books & Beyond

Just One More Chapter!

Here are some of our favorite family read alouds, great for preschoolers through 3rd grade or so. Included is a rough estimate of how many sittings it might take to finish them. Whether you read to your child at breakfast, before dinner or at bedtime, it's all good!

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Letters & Mail

Sending and receiving mail is practically magical. When they write their own letters, kids have the power to communicate as they wish, whether it's a drawing, a story, or just them writing their name down. Learning how to address an envelope has it's own art as well, understanding the importance of place in the world. But how does it all work? Here's our guide to the true and, well, exaggerated magic of mail.

Books & Beyond

Sharing Mindfulness with Children

These books encourage children (and their grownups) to slow down and bring their awareness to the present moment. Mindfulness for kids might mean taking time to explore a flower or to taste a single strawberry. Just like grownups, being mindful can support children in navigating strong emotions or worry. These mindful titles encourage us all to take a breath with awareness, to be in the moment, and to practice kindness to ourselves and others.

Books & Beyond

Exploring Seasons: Winter

January and February can feel like such long, cold months, but there's joy and excitement in the season of winter! Here are some of our ideas for finding the fun in freezing cold. So wrap up in warm clothes and head outside to explore the wonderfully, often rainy, season of winter in Oregon!

Parenting Place

New Baby – A Guide for New Parents

Welcoming a new baby into your home is an amazing experience. And incredibly overwhelming! Those of us who have been there have appreciated some help along the way. Yes, you can definitely read books, but let's be honest, while a newborn sleeps a lot, you'll need rest too! Here are suggestions for support, including some local agencies.

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Baking with Kids

Math, science, art...baking has it all! Whether you've got a toddler or tween, it's never too early to get in the kitchen and start baking together. Yes, there will be a mess, but it will be worth it! And there are some things you can do to minimize the potential wildness.

Parenting Place

New Baby – A Guide for New Siblings

There is so much excitement when your family grows. Making the transition from single child to more can be a monumental change, especially for the soon-to-be-no-longer-only child. Here are some of our favorite books for sharing with your child from pregnancy to becoming a big sibling.

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Pumpkin Math

Have a few pumpkins around? Kids of all ages (and grownups) can flex their math muscles with some simple activities using pumpkins!

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Exploring Seasons: Autumn

Each season brings a special opportunity to explore and discover the world around us. As someone who grew up in a place with mostly one season (ah, Louisiana, the land of muggy and hot, and muggier and hotter), the beautiful relief and joy of autumn is something to celebrate! Here are some of our suggestions for exploring the season with your kiddos.

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Let’s Get Writing!

Just like reading, writing is a skill to nurture in young learners. Writing allows them to make a connection between written and spoken word. It also encourages them to develop their creative side, whether they are crafting a new story or writing a letter. Rather than just copying down words from a page, there are some fun and simple activities your child can do to become a better writer (even if they can't read yet!).

Parenting Place

Local Parent Support

Parenting can be really hard. And with so much uncertainty and isolation, finding support can really make a difference. Fortunately, there are several local groups offering parenting classes, support groups, and other services for Clackamas County families.

Books & Beyond

Diverse Board Books: A Place to Begin

When should you start talking to your child about race? Today! Babies as young as 6 months old notice and categorize people by race. Ibram X. Kendi, in his new book, Antiracist Baby outlines nine steps to raise an antiracist child. Number one is, “Open your eyes to all skin colors”. Here is a list of board books that illustrate the beautiful range of skin tones in our world.

Sidewalk Chalk Summer

SIDEWALK CHALK Out of ideas for how to occupy the kids? Give them some sidewalk chalk and set them loose on the sidewalk or driveway. You can also draw indoors with black or dark colored paper. Free play is always a great option, but here are some ideas to spark creativity, imagination, and movement. GAMES ...

Kiddie Pool Science

Have a kiddie pool (or a bathtub)? There's something magical about those 4-6 inches of water! Kids are content to splash and sit in water for a ridiculous amount of time. Here are some simple ideas to extend that play, that require just a little prep.

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