Gingerbread Dough Sensory Bin

Posted on Monday, December 12, 2022 by Laura

‘Tis the season for holiday baking — cakes, pies, breads and best of all, cookies! My mom has quite the extensive cookie cutter collection. One of my favorite holiday traditions growing up was sorting through all the fun shapes then baking and decorating until we had enough cookies to last us through February! 🍪

If your little one’s not quite ready to take part in the flurry of holiday baking, or you’re just on the lookout for a fun winter break activity, may I introduce the magic of the gingerbread dough sensory bin! The recipe is adapted from the blog Sugar, Spice and Glitter. Although flour and oil don’t make for a particularly tasty snack, this dough is safe for little ones to munch on. Plus, all that gingerbread-y goodness smells HEAVENLY! Here’s what you’ll need to make your own gingerbread dough: Continue reading “Gingerbread Dough Sensory Bin”

Questions & Answers: In Defense of Curiosity

Posted on Thursday, December 8, 2022 by Grae

A detail from the picture book JUST BECAUSE by Mac Barnett, featuring 17 or more overlapping circles of various colors and sizes. Each circle contains a question nestled inside, such as "How big was a woolly mammoth?" and "What is the moon?"
Detail from the pages of Mac Barnett’s picture book “Just Because.” In the story, a child puts off bedtime by asking their parent big questions, like “why is the ocean blue?” and “what is the rain?” Their parent responds tenderly, with some surprising answers.

As the winter holidays approach and 2022 comes to a close, there are many emotional experiences to reflect on and cultivate, as I and some of my brilliant coworkers have written about previously: kindness and gratitude; community and belonging; celebration and consolation. This year I’d like to add another entry to that list: curiosity.

Perhaps you’re familiar with the old saying, “Curiosity killed the cat.” I heard this proverb over and over as a child and took it as a kind of grotesque warning that people (and felines and maybe some canines, too) should mind their own business OR ELSE. It wasn’t until I was older, after graduating high school, that I stumbled upon a complementary rejoinder that opens the phrase up to a more encouraging reading: “Curiosity (may have) killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back.” Continue reading “Questions & Answers: In Defense of Curiosity”

Brianna’s Books: Favorites from 2022

Posted on Monday, December 5, 2022 by Brianna

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It’s the end of the year, and I feel like there are so many books I never got to tell you about! So this month I decided to share some of my favorite books that came out earlier this year. That means you don’t have to wait for the release date, so find these on the shelves or check out a digital version and enjoy!

Picture Books

The Big Worry Day” written by K.A. Reynolds and illustrated by Chloe Dominque

You may think that there have been a lot of books about dealing with anxiety lately, but this one has a PUPPER! And more ways to talk about working through anxiety are always welcome. The little girl in this story claims that her dog worries just like she does. Their only agenda is to go outside and play, but there are so many things the narrator worries could go wrong. Together they tackle their day using various strategies like breathing and thinking of their favorite things. (The dog’s thought balloon prominently features the little girl, which is ADORABLE.) There’s a sweet and helpful author’s note in the back that talks about working through anxiety. Continue reading “Brianna’s Books: Favorites from 2022”

Handprint Calendar 2023

Posted on Thursday, December 1, 2022 by Erin

Handprint art in the shape of a Cardinal

I cannot believe that the new year is almost here!

The library is continuing our tradition of providing a handprint calendar just for you! Not only do these calendars make great gifts, but they are also a handy way to document family milestones.

Download the 2023 Calendar! Print on cardstock for the best results.  

To set yourself up for success, we recommend collecting your supplies beforehand:

Below are tips from a seasoned handprint calendar creator!

  • If you’re using paint or stamp pads, work near a sink and have plenty of wet wipes!
  • Work on this project over multiple short sessions to allow the pages to dry.
  • Here is a Pinterest Board full of ideas to tailor your project to your personality.

We hope you enjoy the process as much as the product!

Virtual Activity Bundle: Kindness Counts

Posted on Monday, November 14, 2022 by Laura

Virtual Activity Bundle Kindness CountsThe holiday season is quickly approaching, and this time of year is all about spreading warm, fuzzy feelings like kindness, gratefulness and generosity. There’s no better time to emphasize these year-round virtues, as the holidays offer a multitude of tangible ways to point out and practice kindness with our children. As Dr. Patty O’Grady, an expert in positive psychology and childhood development, puts it: “kindness changes the brain by the experience of kindness. Children and adolescents do not learn kindness by only thinking about it and talking about it. Kindness is best learned by feeling it so that they can reproduce it.” Research shows that kids who regularly practice and experience kindness have higher self-esteem, better physical and mental health and stronger relationships with their peers. Furthermore, they are much less likely to engage in bullying behaviors.

It’s clear that kindness is a crucial factor in growing happy, healthy kids. This virtual activity bundle is full of eBooks, songs and videos for creating an ongoing conversation about kindness, as well as some fun activities to put these skills into action! Continue reading “Virtual Activity Bundle: Kindness Counts”

Creatures of the Night

Posted on Monday, October 24, 2022 by Robyn

It’s almost that most magical time of make-believe. (I may be biased!) If you celebrate Halloween, chances are, you will come across all sorts of ghostly and ghoulishly costumed creatures — as well as many adorable ones. As leaves crunch underfoot and the crescent moon glows overhead, I invite you and your kids to think of the original creatures of the night — bats, owls, raccoons and other nocturnal animals. The books highlighted below include a mix of naturalistic and whimsical stories to share with your little ones any time of year!


"Night Animals" by Gianna Marino

Night Animals” by Gianna Marino

This suspenseful yet comedic read-aloud really lets you ham it up for your kids. Possum is hiding from other nocturnal animals’ strange and spooky sounds (oh, the irony!) when along comes raccoon and they decide to hide together. The spooky sounds continue, and bigger and bigger animals join the group until the spookiest creatures of all — humans — send everyone running.


Continue reading “Creatures of the Night”

Spooky Spider Snacks

Posted on Thursday, October 20, 2022 by Katie

Have you ever seen a snack too cute to eat? What about a snack that entices little ones to try a nibble? Recently I saw a few ways to make spider snacks and fell in love with how adorable they are for the spooky season and how you can change how they look and taste so quickly.

Continue reading “Spooky Spider Snacks”

Brianna’s Books: October Favorites 2022

Posted on Thursday, October 13, 2022 by Brianna

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Hello again! Are you enjoying autumn so far? After you’re done stomping on crunchy leaves and sipping apple cider, snuggle up somewhere cozy with one of these new books.

Picture Books

Wombat Said Come In” written by Carmen Agra Deedy and illustrated by Brian Lies

Bush fires are raging in Australia, but Wombat isn’t worried. He knows he’ll be safe in his cozy, underground burrow and prepares to snuggle in with his favorite quilt and a mug of tea. Then a knock on his door introduces a succession of animals fleeing the fires, and Wombat invites them all in with unfailing hospitality. But Wallaby, Kookaburra, Platypus, Koala and Sugar Glider are not the most considerate house guests, and Wombat is eager to regain the serenity of his home after the danger is over. Yet when one of the animals doesn’t have a home to return to, Wombat’s compassion overrules his frustration with his guests. Kids can giggle at the animals’ antics but this book also creates a wonderful opportunity to discuss our responsibility to help others in need. And the Australian setting introduces fun animals that might not be as familiar to our North American audiences. Continue reading “Brianna’s Books: October Favorites 2022”

Hoopla Halloween

Posted on Thursday, September 29, 2022 by DBRL Kids

Hoopla Halloween

Have you heard all the wonderful things Hoopla has to offer? First things first, it’s free! All you need is a library card.

Hoopla allows you to stream and download audiobooks, comics, eBooks, movies, music and television shows. Here’s some additional info:

  • Check out up to 15 items per month.
  • Read/watch/listen on the Hoopla app or via computer.
  • Movies and TV shows check out for 3 days; music albums for 7 days; eBooks, audiobooks and comics for 21 days.

And the best part — there is a Hoopla Kids option you can click for safe and easy searching for children’s titles.

Hoopla Kids with Arrow

Below are some spooky Halloween eBooks and audiobooks sure to delight young readers.

Continue reading “Hoopla Halloween”