Summer is (unofficially) here! If you haven’t already started your Summer Reading, make sure you do so. As always, a good book is its own reward, but we also have some fabulous prize drawings to offer a little extra motivation. And if you need book ideas, I’ve got some wonderful new books coming out this month!
Freddie is tired of a long string of lackluster babysitters. Whether too strict or too uninvolved, Freddie hasn’t liked a single one. So he doesn’t have high hopes for the evening, until he takes a closer look at the new babysitter. There’s something odd about them, but at least they’re not boring! After seeing them wash their hands in the dog’s bowl before preparing a dinner of garbage, Freddie realizes the new sitter might need a little help. Together, they turn the evening around and turn the sitter’s first job into an unqualified success! While the sitter is literally three raccoons in a trenchcoat, the narration never explicitly states this, and kids will love being in on the joke. Continue reading “Brianna’s Books: June Favorites 2025”
You know the old rhyme . . . April showers 🌧 bring May flowers 💐! But sometimes, despite how very pretty these May flowers might be, they are also chock-full of pollen that can make you and your loved ones absolutely miserable. 🤧
So, if you’re wanting to spruce up your space with some blooms that won’t immediately attack you — or you’re wanting to send flowers that will last for more than a week — read on for a fun flower craft that is endlessly customizable and, for the most part,* allergen-free! ✅
*Definitely make sure you aren’t allergic to yarn (synthetic vs natural fibers or both) before attempting this craft! ⚠
I’ve got some great new books for you this month! I always like to look for accidental themes in my picks, and this month it’s family. From learning to take on new roles and responsibilities to appreciating time with loved ones, these books all touch on the importance of family.
Picture Books
“Little Big Man” written by Varian Johnson and illustrated by Reggie Brown
Elijah is looking forward to flying his new kite with Daddy this weekend! But a newborn baby in the house means everyone has a bit more work to do — and Daddy asks Elijah if he can be his helper. The little big man steps up and helps Daddy as they complete various jobs around their house and for their neighbors. Finally, Elijah reminds Daddy that it’s important to take breaks sometimes, too, and the whole family enjoys time outside together flying their kite. A lot of new sibling stories focus on feelings of jealousy or uncertainty, but I love that this book addresses positive ways to take responsibility and show love to others. The father is a fantastic role model for his son, guiding him adeptly through big life changes.
I hope you all enjoyed your spring break! Or if you didn’t get a break, I hope you’re at least enjoying spring. If the month of April starts to feel too interminable, try reading one of these new books!
Picture Books
“Feelings Are Like Farts” written by Christopher Willard and Tara Wosiski and illustrated by Toshiki Nakamura
I really couldn’t resist this one! The funny title will draw kids in, but this feelings primer is surprisingly tasteful and insightful. The authors compare feelings and farts, pointing out that you might want them to be private, but they don’t always come out that way. If you pay attention to your body it might tell you what’s coming, and you don’t want to hold them in too long. I was charmed by the illustrations that delicately avoid potty humor, and lean into the social-emotional aspects of farts and feelings. This would be perfect for older elementary-aged kiddos, who can appreciate all the double meanings and benefit from the advice. But I may still share it with my three-year-old!
As of March 20, it is officially spring! There are many ways to mark this transition, including going on a walk in the woods, sketching a new-to-you plant or maybe even working with clay to form these adorable, slightly fantastical (because: colors) mushrooms.
Morel mushrooms begin to pop up from their underground network around this time of year when the soil warms and there is more moisture. And while morels are many foragers’ favorite fungus, mushroom hunting is not for amateurs. ⚠️There are morel “look-a-likes” that can be poisonous and even deadly.⚠️For some at-home learning, check out this fantastic blog and book list, “Meet the Mushrooms . . . and other fun-guys!”). And for hands-on fun for all ages (yes, grown-ups, too), create clay mushroom masterpieces with the steps below!
Early every year, the American Library Association (ALA) hosts its annual Youth Media Awards Press Conference. At this time, authors and illustrators of children’s and young adult literature are honored for the outstanding works they have published over the last year.
These books are selected by judging committees of librarians and other literature and media experts, the awards encourage original and creative work. Below are the awards honoring distinguished books for young readers. Be sure to check out the book lists for the complete list of winners and honorees! You can find the Youth Media Award Winners for Teens here. Continue reading “Award Season for Children’s Books”
Does it feel like spring yet? My books for you this month don’t really have too much to do with spring, but I’m excited to read these great new titles outside! ☀️
This book will be all too relatable, for those who’ve been there and those still going through it. A baby is determined to stay awake all night, and employs a variety of strategies to accomplish her goal. Jumping, yelling, climbing, crying, the possibilities are endless! Mama, Papa and Sister do what they can to help, though their increasingly desperate attempts have little effect. Seventeen binkies are tossed in quick succession. Papa’s cuddles are just an opportunity for Baby to explore the inside of his nose and mouth. Will Baby truly stay awake forever? Continue reading “Brianna’s Books: March Favorites 2025”
“On the Day the Horse Got Out” page detail courtesy www.audreyhelenweber.com.
One of my favorite aspects of picture books as a subset of children’s literature is their attention to the wonder that shimmers on top of or just beneath or within the serious business and repetitive routines of everyday life. What is “known” or “understandable” to us grown-ups becomes new, strange and/or changed by a special magic, a shift in perspective that is more open to possibility and its expansive processes — the whimsy, delight and awe that the kiddos in our lives are already often fully immersed in. Audrey Helen Weber’s work is a magnificent example of and call toward this shift in perspective, and their books are filled to the brim with equal parts nonsense, astonishment, dreamy logic and playful honesty.
So…you’ve got a curious, intelligent, creative, wonderful kiddo who doesn’t seem particularly interested in reading. It can be frustrating to handle this as a caregiver, especially when you yourself are a literature lover. While we can recognize that many people, including children, genuinely aren’t interested in reading, we can also understand that it’s still a crucial skill that needs to be practiced. It helps us build our language skills and explore worlds and circumstances we never would otherwise. I am of the opinion that there’s a book out there for everyone and that once it’s found, the floodgates open. But how on earth can we encourage literary exploration with kiddos who simply aren’t interested?
It’s a lot more fun than it might seem — we encourage their language development, we set a good example, and we have fun with it. Like anything else in caregiving, we find out where their needs are so that we can meet them where they’re at. In this blog, I’d like to focus on small-action, big-impact choices we can make to better our children’s and students’ relationship with reading.
So…you’ve got a curious, intelligent, creative, wonderful kiddo who doesn’t seem particularly interested in reading. It can be frustrating to handle this as a caregiver, especially when you yourself are a literature lover. While we can recognize that many people, including children, genuinely aren’t interested in reading, we can also understand that it’s still a crucial skill that needs to be practiced. It helps us build our language skills and explore worlds and circumstances we never would otherwise. I am of the opinion that there’s a book out there for everyone and that once it’s found, the floodgates open. But how on earth can we encourage literary exploration with kiddos who simply aren’t interested?