I’m back with another round of books I think you might enjoy! Let’s dive in.
Picture Books
“The Best Worst Poet Ever” written and illustrated by Lauren Stohler
Any of my friends could tell you about my love for pugs. I love their silly sounds and smooshy faces, so I always get very excited when I see a book starring a pug! In this book, the pug shares the spotlight with a fluffy orange cat, as they face off in a heated poetry battle. The cat admires Shakespeare and hurls barbed sonnets at the pug, while the irreverent pug returns with verses like this: “Can I write a poem with my butt? / I don’t know! / Oh can I write a poem with my butt? / Here I go!” The best part about this book is that it’s just begging to be read aloud by two people. This would make a hilarious story time with two grown-ups reading to a child, or engage your confident young reader to take one of the parts! Continue reading “Brianna’s Books: August Favorites 2020”
Summer is usually a time for family road trips, backyard barbecues and block parties. And what better sonic backdrop for all of these activities than your favorite music playing from the speakers? But even if the pandemic is keeping you at home and away from large groups, you can still enjoy music together as a family.
One of my favorite musical memories from childhood was flipping through my parents’ record collection, learning about what they listened to growing up and making mix tapes of some of my favorite songs that I found. So, in honor of National Vinyl Record day, on August 12th, and National Record Store Day, which has been moved this year to August 29th, I want to highlight some music that parents can share with their school-age kids that might be a gateway into a larger universe of sounds:
For kids who love catchy pop melodies: Continue reading “Sharing Music With Your Kids”
Fairy tales are stories of wonder and enchantment. Animals talk, princes and princesses fight (or befriend!) dragons and clever creatures outwit villains. In this Virtual Activity Bundle, I’ll share classic tales, some newer tales and some tales with a twist! Continue reading “Virtual Activity Bundle: Fairy Tales”
Even though Summer Reading is coming to an end, we are still celebrating! The theme this year is Imagine Your Story. Have you ever imagined making your own stuffed animal? Below is our “Sew a Dragon” pattern created by the library’s very own Elf! When you complete the project, you will have a fiery friend who can slide on your wrist and share your adventures. Continue reading “Sew a Dragon!”
This summer is shaping up to be a hot one, that’s for sure! To beat the heat, here two outdoor water activities geared towards toddlers and preschoolers that are sure to delight both kiddos and parents.
Food Coloring Fun
What you need:
- Water
- Cups
- Cupcake pan
- Droppers
- Food coloring
What you do:
Toddlers will be amazed with this simple water play activity. All you do is add water to each cup in the cupcake pan and put in a few drops of food coloring. Have fun mixing and swirling colors together!
Continue reading “No Pool? No Problem!”
Does your young reader like graphic novels or comic books? How about science? What if we combine both?
I recently discovered something through an educator who visited the library. A teacher from one of the homeschooling groups in Columbia asked me for help finding a book by Joseph Midthun. When I grabbed it for her, she told me how her readers at home loved that Midthun’s books combine science into an accessible, easy to read graphic novel format.
We have over 30 titles in our collection from Joseph Midthun that are all illustrated by Samuel Hiti. I looked through a few of them and found that they were super helpful in learning about different science topics. I am someone who does not appreciate learning abstract things, so seeing a visual aid for each concept is super helpful to me.
Below are a few of my favorites. Enjoy! Continue reading “Authors We Love: Joseph Midthun”
Today, as you begin your incredible journey, you must make a hard choice. Perhaps the most important decision you will ever make. Which will you start with? Charmander, Squirtle or Bulbasaur?
Like all Pokémon trainers before you, you must weigh the strengths and weaknesses of each choice. Your first Pokémon will be the hardest as you learn just how to start and tie, poke and prod, care for and complete it. It will undoubtedly be messy, but it will always hold a special place in your heart.
Choosing your first project is one of the most rewarding and exciting parts of the wonderful world of cross stitch!
Wait…cross stitch???
Continue reading “Craft a Pokémon”
Sometimes when I’m out in the garden, I’ll see a tiny bit of movement out of the corner of my eye, but when I turn around to look, there’s nothing there. Maybe it was the wind, blowing a leaf. Perhaps a grasshopper, jumping through the grass. Or for all one knows it was a tiny fairy, darting amongst the flowers, off to play with her friends in the shadow of a big oak tree. For those who believe the legends, fairies can be found anywhere, if one only pays attention.
According to lore, if you suddenly smell a sweet scent, it’s a sign of fairies flying past. Rings of mushrooms in a circle, or “fairy circles,” are proof of a fairy gathering. Lost trinkets and shiny objects are undoubtedly now safely tucked away in a fairy home, being polished and admired. Fairies are lovely, happy little beings who bring joy to all the humans and animals they live with. To help attract fairies to your home, you and your children can build fairy doors.
Continue reading “DIY Fairy Doors”
“Why do I have to wash my hands again?”
“Why do I need to wear a mask?”
“What is a germ?”
Have you heard these questions recently? Washing your hands and wearing a mask are great ways to stop the spread of germs and prevent sickness. However, both of those things can sometimes be not-so-fun for kids.
This Virtual Activity Bundle offers engaging ways for kids to wash their hands and interesting facts about germs. There are also resources that discuss how masks can protect them and aren’t so scary after all.
Continue reading “Virtual Activity Bundle: Germ Busters!”
I love doodling cute things! I especially love to draw animals. So I’m going to combine these and show you how to draw several kawaii animals with one simple shape. All you need is a pen and some paper. Let’s get started.
In a few simple steps, I’m going to show you how to draw 5 animals: a mouse, a bunny, a cat, a dog and a pig!
First, you are going to start with a rounded triangle. It looks like a chubby piece of candy corn to me.
Continue reading “Megan Doodles: Kawaii Animals”
