A few months ago, due to catching COVID-19, I lost my sense of smell for the first time in my life. It was quite a shock to wake up one morning and be unable to recognize strong scents like garlic, vinegar and bleach. Thankfully my sense of smell has returned, and I have been grateful to once again recognize the wonderful aromas of coffee, food, flowers and countless other things (even if it was kind of nice to avoid smelling some not-so-wonderful scents for several weeks). In honor of our miraculous noses, and the over one trillion odors that the human nose can detect, I have highlighted a handful of children’s books — fiction and nonfiction — that focus on all aspects of smell.
For a couple of primers on how our sense of smell works, “What is Smell?” by Molly Aloian, and “Smelling,” by Martha E.H. Rustad, are both great photo 
illustrated books that will give young readers a thorough rundown of the science behind scent.
For more on the science of smells, Kay Edward’s “Stinky Science” examines “why the smelliest smells smell so smelly” in a very funny way, with chapter titles like “How You Smelt What You Got Dealt” and “The Structure of Stinks.” And in “How to Make a Mystery Smell Balloon,” by Lori Shores, you’ll learn, through easy step-by-step instructions, how to create a fun science project that will have your friends crinkling their noses and asking, “What’s that smell?!” Continue reading “What’s That Smell?”
I’m baaaack! I missed writing for you all! I’ve recently returned from maternity leave, so I’ve got so many fun books from January and February to share with you. I promise that next month we’ll be back to our regular brand new releases, but in the meantime please enjoy these titles from the beginning of the year. Read to the end for a picture of my sweet little bibliophile!
Picture Books
“Mina” by Matthew Forsythe
This cover might look familiar for those of you that enjoyed “Pokko and the Drum.” Forsythe is back with another beautifully illustrated forest tale, this time starring a mouse. Mina is a quiet mouse, content in her cozy house with her books, but her enthusiastic and optimistic father is always bringing home surprises. When he brings home an enormous “squirrel” that looks an awful lot like a cat, Mina starts to worry. This book is filled with delicious tension as the two mice try to live in their small home with their very large pet “squirrel,” all while Mina attempts to convince her father of the danger. The author said he got the idea for this story at the start of the pandemic, when he was thinking about who we allow into our bubbles. This could be a great conversation starter for little ones who can handle some suspense! Continue reading “Brianna’s Books: Early 2022 Favorites”
A wonderful way for a child to practice their reading skills is to read to the family pet. This is true if the pet is a cat, dog, turtle, fish, hamster, rock or another critter. It’s especially true when said pet will sit quietly for the story (and at least pretend to pay attention).
Often when we read to other people, there is pressure to not stumble over new words, to speak loudly and clearly and to read to the end of the book. When a child is reading to an adult, or even an older sibling, it can be hard for the audience to just listen and not interrupt with corrections. This can cause the reader to lose their place or feel embarrassed. If there are multiple corrections, the reader may become anxious about making more mistakes, and this anxiety can actually lead to more mistakes, causing the reader to lose confidence. Continue reading “Sharing Stories With Pets”
Each February in the U.S. we celebrate Black History Month, honoring and reflecting on the powerful and resilient histories and cultural legacies of Black Americans and their diaspora. This month-long tradition began with the founding of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History by Carter G. Woodson in 1915 and continues on due to the many scholars and activists who comprise the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, or ASALH for short. Each year since 1928, ASALH has curated a particular theme in order to highlight the variety of experiences that constitute and affect the lives of Black folks in the United States and in our larger global society. This year’s theme, Black Health and Wellness, “acknowledges the legacy of not only Black scholars and medical practitioners in Western medicine, but also other ways of knowing (e.g., birthworkers, doulas, midwives, naturopaths, herbalists, etc.) throughout the African Diaspora.”
While both ASALH and the library are hosting a variety of virtual events you can attend, it is equally as important to be reading, listening to and learning from and about Black authors, artists, historians, activists, scholars and creators every month, week and day of the year. Other staff members have curated excellent lists highlighting picture books on Black historical figures and events, as well as texts on antiracism and Black experiences for young adults, but I want to focus on the rich storytelling traditions and folklore of Black Americans and their diaspora. Consider adding such delights as “The Talking Eggs,” “Mirandy and Brother Wind,” “Beautiful Blackbird” and more to your story-time routine.
You can find the full list of titles here, but read on below for descriptions of some of my favorite tales!
“The Talking Eggs” by Robert D. San Souci and pictures by Jerry Pinkney
Continue reading “Folklore and Fairy Tales From the Black Diaspora”
On the third Monday of every February, our country officially celebrates the remarkable, complex, charismatic, fascinating and divisive men who have inhabited the White House from 1789 until the present day. From Washington to Biden, we have an array of books at the library covering not only the lives of these men, and their noteworthy wives, but also what holding the office of president entails. Here are some of the most fun, interesting and thought-provoking ones that kids and parents can read and discuss together this Presidents’ Day:
Highlighting ten of the most memorable presidents, “This Little President: A Presidential Primer,” is a board book primer full of age-appropriate facts, leadership skills and White House history. In the same vein, but for slightly older readers, the Caldecott-winning classic, “So You Want to Be President,” shows the foibles, quirks and humanity of the first forty-four presidents. Continue reading “Presidents’ Day”
Today is Valentine’s Day, and, love it or hate, this holiday is bound to inspire some questions from the kids in your life. For these little humans just beginning to understand how our world works, sometimes big feelings surrounding love and affection can be tricky to navigate. Sharing a book with a trusted loved one is a great way to sort out some of these complicated emotions.
Some children may begin to blush at the mention of Valentine’s Day as they make their first awkward attempts at young love. “This Is Not a Valentine” by Carter Higgins is a sweet look at age-appropriate ways to interact with a crush. In adorably childlike crayon and marker drawings, two little ones express their burgeoning affection in some less-than-conventional ways. Rest assured that this gentle story focuses on warm words and quiet acts of kindness rather than grand gestures or potentially unwanted contact. Continue reading “Expressions of Love for Little Ones”
January 31 is National Inspire Your Heart With Art Day, and while I know that is certainly a long holiday title, it is one worth celebrating with your own little artists. Art can look like a variety of things, ranging from painting to performing, so I have compiled a list of a few ideas to observe this holiday with your child.
The first way you and your child may want to choose to celebrate this holiday is through reading! Reading and literature on its own is an art form, but this list includes several books that celebrate and highlight different types of art and artists. Here are some biographies/works of pioneers in the art world that will inspire your child (and hopefully you as well):
Matthew Burgess’ “Drawing on the Walls” follows the life of Keith Haring as he fights to make art publicly accessible.
Continue reading “Inspire Your Heart With Art”
Brrr, it’s cold outside! Let’s stay cozy and warm inside while creating this winter-themed craft.
Here is what you will need to create your very own popsicle stick snowpeople. Make yours special by adding color, ribbons or any other favorite materials. The possibilities are endless!
Items needed
- Construction or cardstock paper in each of these colors:
- White
- Black
- Orange
- Pink
- Blue
- Yellow
- 2 googly eyes
- 1 jumbo popsicle stick
- White paint
- Paint brush
- 2 chenille stems
- Black marker
- Glue stick
Continue reading “Snowpeople Craft”
Everyone has seen the different ways you can use peanut butter to stick birdseed onto pinecones, cardboard tubes or other small objects to create bird feeders. These are fun activities for little hands but can get messy quickly and are a concern for those with nut allergies. When I saw a recipe for a birdfeeder that does not involve peanut butter, I was pretty excited. This is a fun way to create bird feeders with little mess, almost no waste and young ones can be involved in almost every step.
Continue reading “Two-Ingredient Bird Feeders”
In a few short weeks, on January 25, it’ll be National Opposite Day! Rooted in the old children’s game, Opposite Day, the aim of this special day is to have fun saying the opposite of what you really mean. So you would say “Goodbye” when meeting someone and “Hello” when you part ways. And you would say, “Today is not Opposite Day,” when you really mean, “Today is Opposite Day” (which is a little confusing!). So in preparation for Opposite Day, here are some of the many books on opposites that we have here at the library:
BOARD BOOKS
Perfect for the littlest readers, “Opposite Surprise” is a fun, interactive board book that uses folded pages to let kids compare opposite concepts — small and big, one and many, hot and cold, curly and straight. (Picture book “Opposnakes” employs a similar method to show opposite types of snakes!) Continue reading “Opposite Day!”
