When a Pet Passes On

Posted on Monday, September 30, 2024 by Laura W

It can be absolutely devastating. People who don’t have pets don’t always realize that they are true members of the family. There’s a reason some people call their dogs or cats ‘fur babies.’ But whether they have feathers, fur or scales, they hold a little piece of our hearts. As with any type of grief, when they’re gone, it can feel like that piece they held is forever missing, and you’ll never be whole again. If you have recently (or ever) lost a pet, you aren’t alone in that feeling.

After being my companion for 14 years, I recently lost my dog, Hobbes. Sometimes, the grief feels bigger than I do. As I was reflecting on this feeling, I felt a lot of empathy for children going through the same thing as me. If I, as an adult with many years of learning how to manage my emotions, have struggled with this feeling, I cannot imagine how big it must feel for children.

If you have a child who is struggling with any big emotion like grief, books are a great place to start. Books can give us the words to express what we are feeling. They can help us as adults explain what is going on. Most importantly, they can help us realize that we are not alone. Jessica created an absolutely fantastic book list all about picture books that deal with death, dying, and grief. There are some wonderful titles included about animals specifically, as well as general works about dealing with big feelings. Keep reading for my top picks, both old and new.

Best non-fiction

We have quite a few wonderful nonfiction titles surrounding death and grief. Some of them are centered around pets, others are more general. All of these titles are going to give you a good place to start the discussion with your child about what is happening. Nonfiction can be fantastic for kids who are more logical and want direct age-appropriate explanations of what is happening.

Life is Like the Wind by Shona Innes and Irisz Agocs

Life is like the Wind” is one of my favorites for slightly younger kids. This title is fantastic at metaphorically explaining what death is without using too many words. The author compares being alive to the wind. We can see the effects of it and understand when it is there, but once it is gone, everything is still. They follow by giving coping mechanisms for grief and different ways to honor the loved one’s memory. While not specific to pet death, everything said still applies. Continue reading “When a Pet Passes On”

Adding a New Pet to Your Family

Posted on Monday, September 16, 2024 by Whit

My family brought home our newest furry friend in April of 2022. Oliver has been a wonderful addition to our family.

Oliver, May 2022

Have you considered bringing in a pet for your family? I personally recommend it! Are you unsure which kind would be the best fit? While it can be a challenge — I am a mom of two boys, but with our dog, I consider myself a mom of three — it is a fun way to bring the family together. Some families prefer smaller pets, or outside only pets, fluffy ones or scaly ones. Some prefer only one pet per household and some want any and all pets under the roof. This is OK! Whatever works for your family is what works the best. (*Also note — please keep in mind your city’s guidelines when deciding on an animal.)

For fun, here’s a quiz to find out what pet suits your family.

Whenever you decide to bring in a new furry (or scaly) friend, having a few tools to guide you will make it easier as you go through this latest phase of your life. Read on below for a few tips that helped us when we prepared to bring Oliver home. Continue reading “Adding a New Pet to Your Family”

Fiction Chapter Books About Growing Up

Posted on Monday, September 9, 2024 by Laura

It may come as no surprise that one of my favorite parts of this job is helping our patrons discover just the right book. Recently, we received a very specific patron request that sent me down a total rabbit hole. This patron was looking for books about puberty and growing up for their son. Immediately, our minds went to the juvenile nonfiction section (call number J612.661, for those who may be interested). However, the patron gently explained that they were in search of fictional books about these experiences. They were well-equipped with the facts, but what they really needed were relatable stories, especially with male protagonists. As it turns out, this was a tricky request indeed, but not impossible!

Free Children Sitting on a Bench Stock Photo Continue reading “Fiction Chapter Books About Growing Up”

Brianna’s Books: September Favorites 2024

Posted on Monday, September 2, 2024 by Brianna

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Sometimes it’s fun to see if I inadvertently went with a theme in my book choices. I think this month’s theme is love, the kind of familial love that holds us together. However, the first book is probably a stretch on that! Love from a doggo that holds us together? Anyway, enjoy these new releases!

Picture Books

Chester Barkingham Saves the Country coverChester Barkingham Saves the Country” written by Julie Falatko and illustrated by Eva Byrne

I normally don’t pay much attention to political books, but this looks adorable! The president and first daughter adopt a dog from a shelter, and Chester Barkingham is eager to get to work at the White House. He quickly analyzes the deadlocked Congress and decides that what everyone needs is more fun. The book is told entirely in the form of memos from the president, with Chester’s sticky note addendums. The shift in tone between the memos is hilarious, as the president rationally and articulately pleads with Congress to be reasonable, while Chester writes, “WHO IS THE BEST HOOMANS? UR” Wholesome fun from a very good boy could be just what we all need leading up to this November.


Cookie Time coverCookie Time” by Jessie Sima

Kat and Ari have always loved baking cookies with Grandpa, but waiting for them to come out of the oven is very hard! In a stroke of brilliance, they build a time machine out of a cardboard box, so they can jump ahead in time to when the cookies are ready, and they’ll never have to wait. Of course, time travel is never quite as straightforward as one would expect. The girls meet robots and dinosaurs as they jump forward and backward in time, trying to make their way back to Grandpa. They begin to realize that waiting isn’t so bad after all, if you’re doing it with someone you love. Excuse me while I go bake cookies with my preschooler now.


Chapter Books

The Long Way Around coverThe Long Way Around” by Anne Nesbet

If you like survival stories but want something cheerful and uplifting, this next one is for you. Vivian, Amy and Owen are three cousins who are going on a camping trip with their parents. The exciting thing is that they have permission to spend a whole 24 hours by themselves at their own campsite, with their parents camping a mile away. They’re luxuriating in their independence when suddenly an earthquake hits. Piles of rock block the way back to their parents, so the cousins decide they have no choice but to go the long way around. Over the next several days, they’ll have to contend with dangerous terrain, fierce animals and dwindling food supplies. In addition to all that, each of them is dealing with private fears and reservations in their lives. While this could have easily become a grim survival story, Vivian’s overwhelming optimism shines through and pulls everyone along to safety.


Quagmire Tiarello Couldn't Be Better coverQuagmire Tiarello Couldn’t Be Better” by Mylisa Larsen

Last up is a different kind of survival story. Quentin “Quagmire” Tiarello is used to caring and covering for his mom. When she goes on one of her spins, he’s always able to pick up the pieces, even if that means he’s eating from the pizza parlor’s dumpster for a couple of days while she’s gone. This summer Quag is looking forward to attending an art camp at the YMCA with his crush, and is starting to make new friends. Then Mom shows up after a spin and insists he join her on a road trip. Quag ends up stranded in the middle of nowhere and has to call an uncle that he barely knows for help. Uncle Jay takes him in and Quagmire has to decide how much to tell him, and how much he should continue protecting his mom. While this has some heavy themes of mental illness and parentification, it’s all handled with a light touch that strikes the perfect balance between heartbreak and humor.

💌 Picture Book Poems 💌

Posted on Monday, August 26, 2024 by Grae

Photo of six picture book covers arranged in an asymmetrical grid pattern. The six book covers are set against a purple-blue-green gradient square background.

Every August since 2017, poets and poetry lovers have undertaken The Sealey Challenge, which encourages readers and listeners to spend time with one poetry collection per day for the entire month of August. Contemporary poet Nicole Sealey originally founded the challenge for herself, wanting to make time for pleasure reading amidst the busyness of the grind. While DBRL has many, many collections of poetry for adults, teens and children housed in the nonfiction shelves at call numbers (E/J/YA/Adult) 811.54 and (E/J/YA/Adult) 811.6 — which are the Dewey Decimal numbers for American poetry — there’s still more poetry to be found nestled secretly and sweetly in our fiction picture book shelves. These books — which I’ve come to lovingly call 💌 picture book poems 💌 — are contemplative, gorgeous, glimmering interdisciplinary art-objects that combine lyrical language, evocative illustration and sometimes chiming rhymes to share their stories and ideas. Continue reading “💌 Picture Book Poems 💌”

The Coolest Kids’ Magazines at DBRL

Posted on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 by Grace

At the Columbia Public Library, in the land of the Children’s Section, between the mountains of J. Fiction and J. Nonfiction, nestled in the Valley of the J. Graphic Novels, lies a bookshelf lined with colorful magazines. The newest editions are in a plastic blue cover – they stay at the library for everyone to enjoy. However, if curiosity befalls you, you can check out any older magazine. If it has this neon sticker (shown below), you can check it out like any other book and take it home! You’ll have to go to the Checkout Desk to check out magazines, though – there’s not a way to check them out at the self-check kiosk. 🙂

Continue reading “The Coolest Kids’ Magazines at DBRL”

If You Liked Dog Man…

Posted on Monday, August 12, 2024 by Laura W

If you liked Dog Man…you are not alone! Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man series has been an absolute hit since the first one came out in 2016. According to Scholastic, “the series has more than 40 million copies in print to date with 42 foreign language editions.” People all over the world love Dog Man and his friends. So much so that their story has been turned into a musical and an animated movie (to be released in January of 2025). We here at the library love Dog Man so much that we’re hosting a program about him on August 14! Personally, one of the most common questions I receive at the Children’s Desk here at the library is where to find the well-known series. Clearly, Pilkey is popular. But sometimes people love him so much that there are no copies of his books left in the library! What are you supposed to read then? Or perhaps you’ve already read through the entire series multiple times and are ready for something new. We have a huge collection of books, and trying to find one that you’ll like can be overwhelming. In either case, we’ve got you covered. I’ve created a list of books that fill the same niche as Dog Man does. While all of the books on that list are full of action and laughs, I definitely have my favorites. Read on for my top 5 recommendations! Continue reading “If You Liked Dog Man…”

Brianna’s Books: August Favorites 2024

Posted on Monday, August 5, 2024 by Brianna

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The school year approaches! As the kiddos prepare to head back to their classrooms, equip them by sharing some books about kindness, courage and friendship. I’ve got some great new options for you below!

Picture Books

We Are Definitely Human coverWe Are Definitely Human” written and illustrated by X. Fang

Mr. Li is awakened just after midnight when a UFO crash lands in his backyard. When he and his dog go out to investigate, they’re greeted by three oddly shaped blue aliens who reassure him they’re “DEFINITELY human.” They claim to be from Europe, where they “make business” and “play sportsball” just like other humans, and they’re simply having a bit of car trouble. Since the hardware store isn’t open yet, Mr. Li invites them into his home for the night, until he can help them fix their “car.” What follows is a hilarious and heartwarming look at what happens when humans are kind and accepting. Continue reading “Brianna’s Books: August Favorites 2024”

Paper Mache Bird Nest

Posted on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 by Robyn

Paper mache bird's nest

Did you know paper mache originated in ancient China? Artisans from the Han Dynasty coated wood pulp and glue with many layers of lacquer to construct warrior helmets, as well as pieces like ceremonial masks and lids for pots. Cultures around the world have created or adapted their own forms of papier-mâché (French for “chewed paper”). In Mexico, paper mache is called cartonería, meaning “cardboard,” and is a very important element in festivals, parades and parties (think: Día de los Muertos skeletons). While the craft in this blog uses a straightforward paste (glue and water) to mold paper strips into a nest, people throughout history have used materials like mashed potatoes, rice flour and gelatin as binding agents to create practical and decorative objects. (I’d much rather eat mashed potatoes, but it does sound like fun.🤪) Read on if you wish to make your own paper mache masterpiece!

Continue reading “Paper Mache Bird Nest”