More and more families are having open conversations about big issues, including politics. We most often associate politics with big moments in history, things like presidential elections. But when you boil it down, politics is how people in groups make decisions, at many different levels. Here are some ideas of how to introduce this concept of politics, voting, and what it means to be a citizen to your kid.
Read MoreNovember is Native American Heritage Month. The Library is highlighting recent picture books by Native authors to celebrate.
Read MoreHere 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.
Read MoreWithin the pages of these books, you will find diverse perspectives on the contemporary Indigenous experience as well as history from a Native American perspective.
Read MoreIn honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we are highlighting some recent notables by Latinx authors. The Library endeavors to represent the diverse perspectives that make up our community and world all year long, but during this time we spotlight some phenomenal Latinx authors.
Read MoreHere'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.
Read MoreWith step-by-step tutorials, fun facts, and empowering stories, these books immerse you in the world of STEM. To try out coding and robotics yourself, visit the websites below and start creating.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreHere'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!
Read MoreLooking for some great books by and about people of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage? Here are some of our favorites to get you started.
Read MoreGrowing up, body positivity was not a term I heard. Now raising my kids, I am acutely aware of messages about bodies (their abilities and differences) and facing questions from my kids about how bodies work. Here are some picks for cultivating a sense of awareness of our amazing, fascinating, and sometimes bizarre bodies.
Read MoreEverybody 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.
Read MoreThere are so many fantastic graphic novels for younger readers, and many more on the way. Want an introduction to this fun new world in kids' lit? Here are some titles to get you started!
Read MoreHousecat Trouble, Creepy Cat, Katie the Catsitter... lots of cat-themed Graphic Novels this time around. Works for me!
Read MoreWe'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.
Read MoreDiscover picture book biographies of women who made their mark on history.
Read MoreDiscover recent picture books that explore and celebrate the richness and diversity of the Black American experience.
Read MoreDiscover great new kids books by Black authors, from early readers to chapter books.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreAt last, the new Baby-Sitters Club! And that's not all.
Read MoreHere come some fresh graphic novels for kids - colorful, yummy, and nutritious!
Read MoreWow! I have been loving all the new Graphic Novels we’ve added this past month. You will, too.
Read MoreThere were some real winners in the October crop of Children's Graphic Novels. Spider-Ham, Goldilocks, Sparkles the Unicorn and her bestie Death...
Read MoreStarting 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.
Read MoreHere are some of our recent favorite nonfiction titles that explore the science of the earth, the solar system, the human body, feats of endurance and ingenuity, and more.
Read MoreHitting the road this summer? Check out our suggestions of listens great for the whole family. Whether you check out audiobooks on CD in the library, or download them through either of our digital services, you’ll be able to listen up while you travel out into the world.
Read MoreHow do we help our kids (and face it, ourselves!) become more web smart? Try out some family guides that help kids learn more about becoming information literacy experts. In addition, kids can take their first steps as informed citizens with kid-focused news sites. All of these resources are great to explore as a family, sharing with your child the importance of being knowledgeable, perceptive web users.
Read MoreDiscover picture book biographies of women who made their mark on history.
Read MoreWhether 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!
Read MoreWhat makes a book a "classic?" Here are some of my recent favorites that I imagine will be finding readers for many, many years to come.
Read MoreSo 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.
Read MoreWhy do we love funny books? Because it feels good to laugh. When I'm reading a book that makes me crack up uncontrollably (I'm looking at you, Catwad!) I feel a kind of inner peace afterward, a happy glow that stays with me for awhile.
Read MoreI 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.
Read MoreHere 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!
Read MoreSending 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.
Read MoreThese 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.
Read MoreWhen children are young, it’s easy to see the benefit in parents reading out loud to their child. Children who are read to have better vocabularies, stronger reading skills and healthy social/emotional development. But why stop there?! Keep reading for some of our favorite books to listen to for upper elementary through middle school.
Read MoreHave a few pumpkins around? Kids of all ages (and grownups) can flex their math muscles with some simple activities using pumpkins!
Read MoreMost parents are in the know about reading to their young child. But as kids grow up and start reading independently, did you know that it is still important to read together? And yes, it might feel strange to read Brown Bear, Brown Bear with your 4th grader. Good news, there are some amazing books you and your child can share! Here are our recommendations for starting your own family book club with your 3rd-8th grade family members.
Read MoreJust 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!).
Read MoreIf you’ve ever browsed our Early Reader section, you’ve probably noticed numbers on the sides of many of the books, or friendly names or colors. To make it more complicated, your child might have really like a Level 1 of a particular series, but when you pick up a Level 1 of another series it’s way too hard or too easy. Why is it so difficult?!
Read MoreKids are natural scientists. As a grownup without much of a science background, it can be daunting to try an experiment at home, because I feel like I don't have the vocabulary or knowledge to answer my kids' questions. But, it really doesn't matter! Science is about discovery, questioning and exploring. Look for the answers together! And just enjoy the process.
Read MoreLooking for elementary and middle school books featuring LGBTQIA+ characters? We’ve got you covered! Here are a few new titles we love. Chapter Books with Lesbian Characters The Mighty Heart of Sunny Saint James by Ashley Herring Blake Hurricane Child by Kacen Calendar One True Way by Shannon Hitchcock Redwood and Ponytail by K. A. ...
Read MoreParenting is hard. Having big discussions, even with other grownups much less kids, can feel daunting. Navigating what to share, how much detail and all of the other decisions can make you feel like it’s easier just not to talk about it. But kids know stuff happens. They hear it from friends, hear their grownups ...
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