Winner of the 2017 Missouri Building Block Award – 10 Little Ninjas

Posted on Monday, January 22, 2018 by Kristy

10 Little Ninjas book coverThe children of Missouri have spoken, selecting “10 Little Ninjas,” written by Miranda Paul and illustrated by Nate Wragg, as the winner of the 2017 Missouri Building Block Picture Book Award. Over 18,000 preschoolers and kindergartners participated this year, and “10 Little Ninjas” snuck past “Still a Gorilla!” and “Frog on a Log,” the second and third place winners, to claim ninja victory.
 

Want to read more potential Missouri Building Block Award books? The 2018 Missouri Building Block Award nominees have just been announced. The nominees are:

Feelings Are Universal

Posted on Thursday, January 18, 2018 by Molly

The Velveteen Rabbit book coverA passage in “The Velveteen Rabbit” by Margery Williams Bianco never fails to bring tears to my eyes: “Real isn’t how you are made,” said the Skin Horse. “It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but really loves you, then you become Real.” Even as an adult, I relate to Skin Horse at that moment because he is experiencing human emotions.

For most of us, childhood is when we learn to master feelings and emotions. And this can be challenging to say the least. Just ask any adult who has carried a screaming child out of a store.

According to an article in Psychology Today, reading to your child is one of the best ways to help them develop their emotional skill sets. Children realize they are not alone when they see fictional characters struggle to make sense of their emotions. They learn that it’s okay to have feelings that you don’t always understand and that working through them is just a part of growing up. Continue reading “Feelings Are Universal”

2018 Mock Newbery Winners

Posted on Friday, January 12, 2018 by Megan

This past fall, the Columbia Public Library hosted its sixth season of the Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Awards program. Youth in grades 4-8 were invited to join us twice per month to discuss possible Newbery Medal contenders for 2018. At these interactive sessions, we discussed six Newbery contender books, and participants were able to defend the book that they felt deserved the Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Award.

We read the following books:

Our group looked at criteria similar to those used by the Newbery Medal selection committee when considering top book selections. Continue reading “2018 Mock Newbery Winners”

Books We Love: The Bad Seed

Posted on Thursday, January 11, 2018 by Katie

"The Bad Seed" book coverThe main character of “The Bad Seed” is a bad seed. Everyone says so, even the seed himself. He admits to all sorts of naughty things, like not putting things back where they belong, being late to everything, not washing his hands (or feet) and he even cuts in line!  Why is he so bad? Will he be bad forever?

Jory John (author of “Penguin Problems,” and “Goodnight Already!”) tells the story from the seed’s point of view. He describes the simple sunflower he lived in with his family (back when he was just a humble seed, living in an unremarkable field of sunflowers). Then some stuff happened — it’s all kind of a blur for our seed character — and now he is a bad seed.  Not just any kind of bad seed, but a baaaaaaaaaad seed. Continue reading “Books We Love: The Bad Seed”

Paw Patrol Is on a Roll!

Posted on Monday, January 8, 2018 by Erin

Cover of "Why Do Dogs Drool?"One little quirk about me is that I love PAW Patrol. The puppies are cute, and each episode has many important lessons about friendship, teamwork, sharing and being kind. Because I enjoy the TV show so much, I get giddy about new PAW Patrol books. When I first saw “Why Do Dogs Drool?” and “Hometown Heroes,” I knew I needed to check them out.

These PAW Patrol books are part of an easy-to-read nonfiction series that inserts small factoids or jokes on every page. The information is a great way to start discussions with your child. However, my favorite parts of the books are the jokes (aka, the puppy punchlines). What kind of book does a rabbit like to read? One with a hoppy ending!

Does your child love PAW Patrol like me? Click here for all the titles we have at our branches and bookmobiles.

Fun Art Resources for Kids

Posted on Thursday, January 4, 2018 by Lyndsey

Photo of drawingsLooking to encourage more creativity in your child this year? Pick up a pencil, crayon or marker and start drawing! Drawing has many benefits for kids of all ages. It develops fine motor skills, sparks imagination, builds confidence and can even be therapeutic. 

Need a little help getting started? Art for Kids Hub is a great website that has hundreds of videos teaching kids (and adults) how to draw, paint, sculpt and fold origami.

Rob at Art for Kids Hub draws with his own kids, so children get to see a professional and peer drawing side by side. Kids of any ability are encouraged to create unique masterpieces and are reminded to have fun with it. The lessons range from drawing a cartoon pizza to Harry Potter.

You can start the drawing lessons on their website or on YouTube.

Continue reading “Fun Art Resources for Kids”

“Auld Lang Syne” and New Year’s

Posted on Monday, January 1, 2018 by Josh

photo of floating lanternsAuld Lang Syne” is a song that’s often a part of many New Year’s traditions. The term “auld lang syne” roughly translates to “days gone by” or “old times.” Even though the New Year is often focused on looking towards the future with intentions of self-improvement, this classic song asks us to reflect upon the past year(s) and be introspective about what has changed. Its lyrics help us think about all of the adventures we’ve experienced and the friendships that have come and gone. It’s a nice way to stay thankful, humble and mindful. Here are a few excerpts (translated):

“Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?

We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine.

And there’s a hand my trusty friend!
And give me a hand o’ thine!

So on this New Year’s, try to reflect on the past in addition to planning for the future. This opens up a whole lot of activities and exercises that can be done with kids. You can discuss fond memories or perhaps memories long forgotten. You can ask them whether they have become closer to anybody or if they have grown farther apart from someone and how that makes them feel.

It can also be an excellent time to look at some old pictures that were taken and talk about memories experienced together. This can improve not only memory but also imagination, storytelling and critical thinking skills. Plus, it’s always fun to reminisce on the past.

Happy New Year!

Top 20 Children’s Books of 2017

Posted on Saturday, December 23, 2017 by Kristy

As 2017 comes to an end, the children’s staff at DBRL have been reminiscing about the fabulous new books that arrived on our shelves this year. While it’s hard to pick a favorite, there are some books that stood apart from the rest. Here are our favorite 20 favorite books for kids published in 2017.

Around the World in a Bathtub book coverAround the World in a Bathtub: Bathing All Over the Globe” written by Wade Bradford and illustrated by Micha Archer
This book shows how everywhere in the world, parents have to coax children into the bath. In many different languages you hear “no, no” from children and “yes, yes” from parents, until it’s time to get out and the words reverse.
~Jerilyn

Assassin's Curse book coverAssassin’s Curse” by Kevin Sands
“Assassin’s Curse” is the third in the Blackthorn Key series and is just as compelling as the first two! Young Christopher Rowe travels to Paris with his friends Tom and Sally to crack the curse on the royal family and find the treasure of the Knights Templar. The book is very well written historical fiction with lots of puzzles, mystery, poison, ciphers and action. And the best part–it looks like there will be a number four!
~Mark

Big Cat, Little Cat book coverBig Cat, Little Cat” by Elisha Cooper
Big Cat learns to live with new Little Cat, who doesn’t stay little forever. It’s a sweet story of friendship, life and death (without being sad).
~Katie Continue reading “Top 20 Children’s Books of 2017”

Winter Rhymes for Road Trip Times!

Posted on Thursday, December 21, 2017 by Molly

Photo of snowmenWhen it comes to road trips, summer may be number one, but winter is a close second. It seems like everyone is either driving to the snow or driving away from it! But while you may be thinking, “Getting there is half the fun!” your kids may not agree. Car seats and wiggles go together about as well as fire and ice. Those initial giggles of excitement all too rapidly evaporate into, “Are we there yet?!”

While modern technology offers a plethora of entertainments, from video games to movies, there’s something to be said for “old-fashioned” options that many of us remember when we were knee-high to grasshoppers. A favorite of mine was when my mother would sing silly rhymes with us while Dad tried to navigate with little more than an atlas and a prayer.

To help make your winter journeys a bit less stressful, so everyone can truly enjoy the ride, here are a few sing-songs to add to your repertoire.

Chubby Little Snowman

The chubby little snowman had a carrot nose.
Along came a bunny and what do you suppose?
That hungry little bunny looking for some lunch,
Ate the carrot nose…nibble, nibble CRUNCH!
Source: homemade-gifts-made-easy.com Continue reading “Winter Rhymes for Road Trip Times!”

Resources for Expecting and New Parents

Posted on Monday, December 18, 2017 by Amy

Photograph of a babyThe library offers wonderful resources for all seasons of life. As I prepare for my own maternity leave, I want to highlight some amazing resources for expecting and new parents. All of the Library’s programs and services are always FREE!

Parent Packs 

Photo of a Parent Pack

For expecting or brand-new parents, these Parent Pack kits include books about pregnancy and parenting, a yoga DVD and a set of pamphlets and free book for you to keep.

SOAR Workshops 

SOAR (System Offering Actions for Resilience in Early Childhood) is a local coalition committed to developing programs to promote the social-emotional wellness of children age 0-8 and their families in Boone County. Continue reading “Resources for Expecting and New Parents”