Teal Pumpkin Project

Posted on Thursday, October 14, 2021 by Katie

teal pumpkin with Teal Pumpkin Project, and Food Allergy Research & Education text

For several years now I have participated in the Teal Pumpkin Project. The Teal Pumpkin Project started in 2014 and is the brainchild of the Food and Allergy Research & Education Organization. This is a wonderful movement to make trick-or-treating on Halloween safer for children with food allergies. To do this, Teal Pumpkin Project participants have non-candy treats to give out. Houses with these allergy-safe options display a sign or a painted pumpkin to let trick-or-treaters know safe treats are available.

Not only does the Teal Pumpkin Project make Halloween safer, but it also makes it healthier. When given the choice of a treat or toy, many children will choose the toy, especially if there are a few options to choose from.  Parents are often grateful for a baby-safe option as well; something they can give to a little one in a stroller without worrying about choking or a melty mess.

Here are some non-candy treat ideas: Continue reading “Teal Pumpkin Project”

Honoring Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2021

Posted on Monday, October 11, 2021 by Laura

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? Because the federal government does not formally recognize any Native American communities currently living in Missouri, we often forget about this part of our state’s history and culture. It’s important to remember that this is the direct result of forced removal and violence at the hands of the U.S. government. Entire thriving nations were forcefully confined to reservations in neighboring states like Kansas and Oklahoma and stripped of their land, language, culture and most basic rights.  Continue reading “Honoring Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2021”

More Scary Books for Older Kids

Posted on Thursday, October 7, 2021 by Adam

More Scary Stories for Older Kids

The time of Halloween and all things scary is upon us again, so as a sequel to a blog post I wrote last year, here are some more books that will hopefully deliver a horror fix to older grade-school readers who love being creeped out and terrified:

Starting furthest back in the past, we have Ray Bradbury’s darkly poetic classic, “Something Wicked This Way Comes,” about two boys who witness the arrival of a strange carnival into their small Midwestern town and discover the dark secrets it holds. It’s shelved in our adult fiction section but is appropriate for older kids. Bradbury’s only novel written for children, “The Halloween Tree,” is (as the title suggests) another great seasonal classic about a group of boys who go out trick-or-treating and encounter the mysterious Mr. Moundshroud, who shows them the history and the meaning of Halloween. Continue reading “More Scary Books for Older Kids”

Not-So-Scary Monsters

Posted on Monday, October 4, 2021 by Jessica S

October is here, and we’ve hit the ground running!

Spooky? Scary? Monsters with sharp teeth?

Monsters are nothing to be afraid of! In these picture books, tackle your fear of monsters and learn to say, “Go away, monster!”


If You’re a Monster and You Know It” written by Rebecca Emberley, illustrated by Ed Emberley

Turn into a monster with this instant classic!

Based on the tune of, “If You’re Happy and You Know It,” this book invites kids to become monsters and snort / growl / smack  / stomp / twitch / wiggle / roar with the other monsters! Continue reading “Not-So-Scary Monsters”

Virtual Activity Bundle: Farms

Posted on Thursday, September 30, 2021 by Jerilyn

Virtual Activity Bundle Farms

“Old MacDonald Had a Farm” was always a favorite with my kids, and now my grandkids like singing it too! Making animal sounds is so much fun. Want to learn all about farms and farm animals? Here are resources to share about the work it takes to run a farm. I’ve included some fun farm songs and hands-on activities too! Continue reading “Virtual Activity Bundle: Farms”

Unicorn Magic!

Posted on Thursday, September 23, 2021 by Tess

I’m just horn over hooves for all of the fabulous new unicorn books that are magically appearing at the library every day! Unicorns are one of the hot new trends in kids lit right now, and they are soaring off the shelves. Today, I want to take a moment to highlight some of my favorite unicorn books for fantasy lovers of all ages.

Best for Babes

Uni Paints a Rainbow” written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Brigette Barrager

On a dreary, rainy day, Uni brightens things up with her magic horn. Littles can name the colors of the rainbow with Uni and then celebrate the rain disappearing with a big rainbow.  Continue reading “Unicorn Magic!”

Cookbooks We Love: Star Wars Galactic Baking

Posted on Monday, September 20, 2021 by Megan

If you’ve read any of my blogs from the past couple of years, you probably have picked up on how much I love Grogu (a.k.a. The Child or Baby Yoda). When I saw the new Star Wars cookbook, “Star Wars Galactic Baking: The Official Cookbook of Sweet and Savory Treats From Tatooine, Hoth and Beyond” I knew we’d have to put on our aprons, get out the flour and start baking!

First we pored over the cookbook, which has a lot of great recipes with pictures! It was a hard decision since there were so many great recipes like TIE Fighter Ice Cream Sandwiches, Cloud City Marshmallows and Carbonite Cakes, but eventually we landed on Sith Cookies. (Because, while you can go wrong with the Dark Side, you can’t go wrong with cookies!) Continue reading “Cookbooks We Love: Star Wars Galactic Baking”

Let’s Talk About the Constitution

Posted on Thursday, September 16, 2021 by Molly

White HouseQuick, answer these questions without googling the answers! The House of Representatives has how many voting members? We elect a U.S. senator for how many years? Name one of the U.S. territories?  Applicants for U.S. naturalization answer questions such as these during the civics (knowledge of U.S. government and history) portion of their test. How did you do? Continue reading “Let’s Talk About the Constitution”

Virtual Activity Bundle: Construction Vehicles & Trucks

Posted on Monday, September 13, 2021 by Jerilyn

VAB Construction Vehicles & Trucks

Kids love to watch construction equipment in action. My very active grandson stopped what he was doing to just stand and watch a backhoe at work right outside his house. There is something fascinating about big machines and their movements. Even my brother-in-law said he watched a machine working outside his window for at least 30 minutes. If your child loves big machines and trucks, here are some fun resources to enjoy. Continue reading “Virtual Activity Bundle: Construction Vehicles & Trucks”

Brianna’s Books: September Favorites 2021

Posted on Thursday, September 9, 2021 by Brianna

Brianna's Books Banner

I’ve got some exciting books for you all this month! I’m particularly looking forward to the chapter books, so make sure you read till the end. Even if your kiddo isn’t ready for chapter books yet, you just might enjoy reading them on your own—they look that good!

Picture Books

Norman Didn’t Do It! (Yes, He Did)” by Ryan T. Higgins

Norman is a porcupine, and his best friend is a tree named Mildred. They do everything together, from chess to deep (though one-sided) conversations. One day, Norman notices a sapling has sprung up next to Mildred, and he is furious at this intrusion. As he watches Mildred and the sapling growing closer, he’s overcome by jealousy and insecurity and digs up the little tree in the dead of night. Norman takes the sapling far away and plants it on a tiny island where it can’t interfere with his friendship anymore. Soon enough he’s overcome with guilt and remorse and returns the sapling to its original home. I love that this book deals with so many big emotions! Toddlers and preschoolers will easily identify with Norman, and his change of heart models how to make things right when your feelings get out of control. Continue reading “Brianna’s Books: September Favorites 2021”