Often times, if I’m reading heavily in a particular genre, or on a theme, I’m aware of it and have gone out of my way to do so. Not this time! No, I suddenly realized after finishing the first book on this list that I had been reading a lot of King Arthur and Camelot…
Continue reading "Let’s Not Go to Camelot; ‘Tis a Silly Place" Adults
Is your little one learning to coordinate their arms, legs and other body parts to accomplish goals (like walking independently or kicking a ball)? If so, PAL Kit 3: Gross Motor Development for children ages birth-2 will be perfect for them! We have just updated this kit with brand new toys, including a fun bowling…
Continue reading "Boost Your Child’s Balance With This Kit" Kids
One of the best things about the library is that you and your child can learn anything you want! Recently I’ve become fascinated with penguins. I learned that these flightless birds have flippers that allow them to swim in the ocean. I also learned that the emperor penguins are the tallest species, standing nearly four…
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“Why do I have to wash my hands again?” “Why do I need to wear a mask?” “What is a germ?” Have you heard these questions recently? Washing your hands and wearing a mask are great ways to stop the spread of germs and prevent sickness. However, both of those things can sometimes be not-so-fun…
Continue reading "Virtual Activity Bundle: Germ Busters!" Kids
Get ready to dance, clap, stomp and shake when you read Bill Martin’s “Spunky Little Monkey.” This Missouri Building Block nominee is an absolute blast, especially for the reader! You get to yell silly things like “Rutabaga, Rutabaga! Sis! Boom! Bah!” as you encourage the little monkey in the story (and your kiddos) to dance around…
Continue reading "2018 Missouri Building Block Award Nominee: Spunky Little Monkey" Kids
Happy October! I hope you’re enjoying the crisp chill in the morning air; the new hues of the leaves and grasses as they golden and rust; and the spice-warm scents of your favorite fall beverage. Besides welcoming in the seasonal shift from summer to autumn, October is well-known for another important phenomenon: it’s spooky season…
Continue reading "Vampires and Witches and Ghosts, Oh My!" Kids
Is there something happening in the world causing me to gravitate to strange stories told by unreliable narrators which offer little to no resolution? There is no way to know, but I’m here to recommend another story that, while thrilling many readers, has left others scratching their chins and polishing their monocles while they try…
Continue reading "The Gentleman Recommends: Colin Winnette" Adults
”Pug is happy here at home.” Me too, Pug! This book made me delightfully happy. As a pug owner myself, I am of course biased, but I think this book by Sue Gallion with art by Joyce Wan is an absolute gem. Pug’s story begins with his enjoyment of routine and solitude, then everything changes…
Continue reading "2018 Missouri Building Block Nominee: Pug Meets Pig" Kids
Did you know that our state lies on the ancestral lands of the Chickasaw nation, the Otoe-Missouria tribe, the Illini tribe, the Osage nation, the Ioway tribe and the Quapaw tribe? In last year’s blog recognizing Indigenous People’s Day, we learned a bit about Missouri’s Native heritage and featured some excellent picture book picks by Native…
Continue reading "Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2022: Chapter Book Spotlight" Kids
This summer we challenge readers of all ages to “Build a Better World.” Our Summer Reading theme motivates us to build, tinker and engineer, and it encourages us to help our community and our environment. To celebrate this theme, I’ve compiled a list of books to inspire you and your family to construct better reading…
Continue reading "Literary Links: Summer Reading" Adults