New Picture Books Coming Out In 2021

Posted on Monday, December 28, 2020 by Amy

As 2020 comes to a close, we have the joy of looking ahead at new picture books that will make a debut in 2021. Below is a sneak peek at a handful of titles that I think are sure to become fan favorites.

Oona” written by Kelly DiPucchio, illustrated by Raissa Figueroa

This comical and heartfelt picture book is a winning celebration of invention, creativity and friendship. With gorgeous underwater scenes and a crowd-pleasing tale, this is one little mermaid who is here to make a splash! Publishes January 12, 2021

Eyes that Kiss in the Corners” written by Joanna Ho, illustrated by Dung Ho Continue reading “New Picture Books Coming Out In 2021”

Best Children’s Books of 2020

Posted on Saturday, December 26, 2020 by Kristy

Yep, it’s that time of year again! The DBRL youth services staff have come up with a list of the best of the best children’s books that came out this year. Make sure to check out these awesome titles and comment below with your favorite books of 2020!

🌟This symbol means this is an incredibly popular book, because more than one staff member nominated it!


Otter

Crying is like the Rain

Crying Is Like the Rain” written Heather Hawk Feinberg, illustrated by Chamisa Kellogg

Tears and big emotions are everywhere this year. This book is a gentle guide through the storm, reminding us that all emotions are valuable and that when feelings come and go, they connect us to our knowing.


Jerilyn

Nana Akua Goes to School” written by Tricia Elam Walker, illustrated by April Harrison

Zura loves her grandmother but is afraid grandma’s tribal facial markings will cause Zura’s classmates to treat Nana unkindly. This is a lovely story about a child and a grandparent who talk over a problem and find a solution. Continue reading “Best Children’s Books of 2020”

Ancient Family Games: The Royal Game of Ur

Posted on Monday, December 21, 2020 by Aimee

The Lost City of Ur
The Lost City of Ur

One of my favorite things as a parent was to delve into a subject my kids were interested in and experience learning new things with them. My favorite subjects they learned about were ancient history and archaeology. Before there were pyramids and mummies in ancient Egypt, there was another civilization, Sumer, in Mesopotamia.

The Sumerians ruled Sumer during the 3rd millennium BC, about 5000 years ago. One of their great cities was the city of Ur, located in the south of modern day Iraq. Ur was originally built on a harbor that connected it to the Euphrates river and from there to the Persian Gulf. It was a major trading center in its heyday. Continue reading “Ancient Family Games: The Royal Game of Ur”

Awesome Read-Alouds: “Dandy” and “Everybody Says Meow”

Posted on Thursday, December 17, 2020 by Molly

Did you know that Missouri Building Block Nominees are “voted most popular by preschool children in Missouri’s public libraries”? Last month I told you about two of this year’s nominees, “Duck” and “I Can Only Draw Worms.” Here are two more of the delightful picture books chosen for this year!

Daddy lion loves a meticulously kept lawn. Sweetie lion loves her new best friend, Charlotte. What happens when these two passions collide? Chaos and silliness of course, which makes “Dandy” by Ame Dyckman a preschool favorite! Parents will appreciate the message about the importance of family relationships. Overall, “Dandy” is a feel good story that couldn’t come at a better time. Continue reading “Awesome Read-Alouds: “Dandy” and “Everybody Says Meow””

Awesome Read-Alouds: “What Do Anteaters Eat?” & “Pokko and the Drum”

Posted on Thursday, December 10, 2020 by Megan

Do you know what an anteater eats? The answer isn’t what you think it is! To find out, you have to read the Missouri Building Block nominee “What Does an Anteater Eat?” by Ross Collins. This is the story of a very cordial anteater and his quest to find a tasty morsel to eat. He meets other animals along the way and learns the snacking habits of his fellow forest friends.

**Spoiler Alert** You may want to get up and move to one of our favorite chants after you read this book. Clap and move along with Hilary and Dana as they show you the motions to “The Banana Chant.” Continue reading “Awesome Read-Alouds: “What Do Anteaters Eat?” & “Pokko and the Drum””

STEAM iPad Apps: Learn and Play at Home!

Posted on Monday, December 7, 2020 by Jessica S

Hi! I’m Jessica, and normally, in a pre-COVID-19 world, I was in charge of finding iPad apps for the kiosks in the Children’s Services areas at our branches. Unfortunately, we live in a minimal-touch world right now, so, instead of switching out the apps like I normally would, I decided I would list out a couple of my favorite STEAM apps for iPads so you can play fun, STEAM-themed games at home!

I tried to include both paid apps and free apps from our library iPads. This is not a paid promotion; these are resources that come directly from library usage.

STEAM Apps for iPads


Composer’s Sketchpad by Alexei Baboulevitch

Click here to find it in the App Store: $3.99 (though it does take some trial and error)

Intended age range: 4+

The Composer’s Sketchpad has been one of my favorite apps to offer kids. It allows them to try out different instruments, compose music, save their work and make edits later. No musical experience is required! It allows kids to try things out for themselves, experiment with sound and share their work.

Of my recommendations today, this one is the hardest to engage with at first. It’s got a little bit of a learning curve, but once kids have mastered the basics, it’s really fun to jump right in and create!


Continue reading “STEAM iPad Apps: Learn and Play at Home!”

Awesome Read-Alouds: “Fear the Bunny” & “Shake the Tree!”

Posted on Thursday, December 3, 2020 by Adam

The forest can be a scary place, especially for the smallest animals. But two of the new Missouri Building Block nominees for 2020, “Fear the Bunny,” by Richard T. Morris, and “Shake the Tree!,” by Chiara Vignocci and Paolo Chiarinatti, turn our expectations about the natural order of the forest upside down.

”Bunnies, bunnies burning bright, in the forests of the night” – that funny twist on the famous William Blake poem, “The Tyger,” is the refrain of the animals of the forest in “Fear the Bunny.” When our protagonist, a tiger, overhears this, he corrects the other animals, saying, “Excuse me. That’s not how it goes….The poem is about ME! The most feared animal in the forest. There’s nothing scary about a bunny.” But little does he know that the bunny situation in this forest is not at all what he expects. Continue reading “Awesome Read-Alouds: “Fear the Bunny” & “Shake the Tree!””

Paint Along: Mini Snowman

Posted on Monday, November 30, 2020 by Kristy

Guided paintingI just love painting! There’s something so satisfying about turning a blank canvas into a unique piece of art. I used to go to guided painting classes all the time—that is, until I bought all of the supplies to paint at home. All of this practice has given me the skills I need to guide a painting class for you!

You can paint along with me on the DBRL YouTube channel to make your own mini snowman. It’s simple enough for young kids, but it’s also a lovely painting for teens and adults to try! Continue reading “Paint Along: Mini Snowman”

Virtual Activity Bundle: Community

Posted on Monday, November 23, 2020 by Jerilyn

Each of us is a member of many different kinds of communities. A community is a group of people who share something in common. Your community can be your neighborhood, your classroom, your place of worship, your town, your city, your state, your country or your world. The more you can find in common with others, especially those who are different from you in some way, the easier it is to establish peace and harmony. To introduce your child to the idea of communities, check out these resources.

Books

Thank You, OmuDaniel’s Good Day “by Micha Archer
As Daniel takes a walk, he asks the people he sees the question, “What makes a good day for you?” He gets a variety of answers from a diverse group of people, all who live or work in his neighborhood. Continue reading “Virtual Activity Bundle: Community”

Awesome Read-Alouds: “I Can Only Draw Worms” & “Duck!”

Posted on Thursday, November 19, 2020 by Molly

I Can Only Draw Worms & DuckSome books are a joy for reader and listener alike! This is certainly the case with Missouri Building Block nominees, “Duck!” by Meg McKinlay and “I Can Only Draw Worms” by Will Mabbitt.

"Duck"Duck!” begins, “It was a quiet afternoon on the farm. The horse was swishing his tail, and the cow chewing her cud. The pig was wallowing in the mud, and the sheep was sheeping on the grass.” Suddenly, this tranquil setting is interrupted as Duck runs through the barnyard yelling at the top of his lungs! When the farmyard animals misunderstand him, and even make fun of him, Duck tries harder to get his message across. He finally does, but is it too late? This book will quickly become a favorite of your little ones!

"I Can Only Draw Worms"In “I Can Only Draw Worms,” author Mabbitt takes a silly and fun approach to counting to ten. The opening page starting with, “This book is about worms. (I can only draw worms.)” appears to tell it all. But does it really? Be prepared to giggle along with your children as the author introduces them to 10 of the “most creative” worms ever drawn! Filled with bright colors, funny words and a few surprises,  “I Can Only Draw Worms” encourages children to do their best, even if they think they can’t. Continue reading “Awesome Read-Alouds: “I Can Only Draw Worms” & “Duck!””