What is the attitude of gratitude? Why is gratitude important? How can I teach gratitude? These are all important questions to address when raising children. Ingraining the concept of gratitude into young minds is something that can be worked on a little every day; through your own actions, those of others, as well as through stories. When it comes to teaching children, it is often best to start by modeling the behavior you’d like them to adopt. By narrating your grateful thoughts, you can plant the seeds of gratitude in their minds and keep tending to them.
One of my favorite mind shifts that adopting a gratitude practice has given me is to think about how I “get” to do something instead of I “have” to do something. I get to go to the gym and take care of my body to help it stretch and get stronger. I get to load the dishwasher after a yummy meal shared with my loved ones. The shift in mindset helps reframe my thoughts to those of gratefulness and leads me to reminisce on other things that made my day easier or more enjoyable.
Now, how does one go about starting a gratitude practice on their mindfulness journey? By following the Four A’s of Gratitude, of course! Continue reading “Mindfulness for Children (and Everyone Else): Gratitude”
You may remember that I love an accidental theme for these blogs. Instead of leaning into spring (though obviously I’m delighted at its arrival), my books this month are all about family. So whether you’re outside in the sunshine or inside listening to the rain, check one out and enjoy with the whole family! I’m a firm believer that kids are never too old to enjoy a family read-aloud.
Picture Books
“While We’re Here” written by Anne Wynter and illustrated by Micha Archer
A mother and daughter, dressed in their best party clothes and clutching a wrapped gift, rush to get out the door. They race through the city, down the subway steps, and across the park. “Hurry hurry…we have somewhere to be!” But when they arrive, there’s only a lone leftover balloon, and they realize Mama got the date wrong. Instead of succumbing to disappointment, they discover what a gift it is to have nowhere to be. The two linger in the park, enjoying all the things they had to rush past before. The vibrant collage illustrations are wonderfully immersive, and the pacing of the text transitions beautifully from frenzied rushing to relaxation. Continue reading “Brianna’s Books: April Favorites 2026”
Time for the Earth Day edition of “Brianna’s Books”! Whether it’s busy beavers or pun-loving forest friends, I’ve gathered some of my favorite new reads to show you how nature—and a few dedicated kids—can change the world one page at a time!
Picture Books
“When Beavers Move In” written by Alison Pearce Stevens and illustrated by Natasha Donovan
When beavers move in, they can change their entire environment. The busy animals topple trees and build dams, which can lead to problematic flooding when they’re too close to where humans live. So when beavers move in next to humans in Puget Sound, folks call for help from the Tulalip Tribes. The Tribes sponsor a beaver removal program and safely transport the beavers to an area where their skills are needed. The beavers immediately get to work building their lodge, which results in a pool of stored fresh water. This creates a habitat for fish to spawn and invites all kinds of flora and fauna back to the area, as well as providing protection from droughts and wildfires. This is a great nonfiction book to share with younger kids, as it provides fascinating information without becoming too dense and features bright comic-style illustrations. Continue reading “Brianna’s Books: March Favorites 2026”
Mindfulness-based stress reduction sure is a big name for something that can be so simple. Many of us grew up reading the I Spy and Where’s Waldo book series and could easily get drawn into these visual spreads. These books were created to captivate and enchant readers, but they necessitate a degree of concentration to properly enjoy.
The focus that reading seek-and-find books requires is a more active variation of mindfulness, and this can be a helpful practice to store in your mindfulness toolkit. Reading seek-and-find books does not require the complete stillness or a calm frame of mind that traditional seated meditation demands, making it much more accessible.
If this sounds like something you’d like to practice for yourself, you could check out “Puzzle Photo Hunt” or see if one of Sally Nixon’s books is more your style. If this seems like a helpful practice you would like to work on with the little loves in your life, take a gander at my I Spy With My Little Eye: Mindfulness for Children (and Everyone Else) booklist. Below are some of my favorites from the list:
Continue reading “Mindfulness for Children (and Everyone Else): I Spy With My Little Eye”
Well, hello there! Apologies for the long break; I was working on some big projects at the end of 2025. (Have you checked out our new Beginning Chapter Books section yet?) But now I’m back, and I’m so excited to tell you about some new titles coming out this month!
Picture Books
“If This Were the World” written by Stephen Barr and illustrated by AG Ford
By the 138th day of school, Ms. Lee’s class has exhausted all their recess games. Before boredom can set in, a boy pulls an orange out of his bag and declares, “What if THIS…were the world?” The class is intrigued, and they all begin playing along.
Turns out the orange is too small and delicious to share equitably, and they move on to a new world. The dodgeball is great until an older kid steals it. The maple tree has room for everyone, until the branches start to break. They keep hunting for a world that’s big and easy to share, until one girl spreads her arms wide and they appreciate the vast world they already have. The message is actually charmingly subtle, as most of the book focuses on imagination and playground politics. The high-energy illustrations add a lot of interest and beautifully round out the kids’ personalities as individuals and as a group. Continue reading “Brianna’s Books: February Favorites 2026”
Now that 2026 has kicked off, that means it’s time for our Handprint Calendar again!
The library is continuing our tradition of providing a handprint calendar just for you. Not only do these calendars make great gifts, but they’re also a handy way to document family milestones.
Celebrate the new year by printing off a 2026 DBRL handprint calendar to decorate with the little ones in your life. (We recommend using a thicker paper, like cardstock.) These calendars make great gifts for loved ones or special keepsakes to record milestones and accomplishments in 2026.
To prepare, gather these materials:
- Paint
- Non-toxic ink pads & stamps
- Crayons
- Markers
- Colored Pencils
- Stickers
Continue reading “Handprint Calendar 2026”
Maybe there’s a birthday coming up and you want to make a decoration that can be used for years to come, or maybe you don’t need a special occasion to add a little whimsy to your décor; either way making your own pom-pom garland from yarn is a fun, kid-friendly craft that you can make with materials you might already have lying around.
For this craft, I will be using the inner piece of an embroidery hoop, but something similar can easily be substituted (more on this later). There are several other ways to make a pom pom, like using a fork.
Supplies:
- yarn (lots)
- thread (a little)
- embroidery hoop or a DIY pom pom maker (store-bought is fine)
- scissors
- some patience
Continue reading “DIY Pom Pom Garland”
I shall save all my talk of cozy fall things for next month. Surely it will feel like fall then, right? In the meantime, let’s focus on new books! There are so many exciting things coming out that it was hard to pick. My theme is fixing things, from a broken mug to major timeline issues. Enjoy!
Picture Books
“Broken” written and illustrated by X. Fang
I am quickly becoming a fan of this author, after having read “We Are Definitely Human” last year. Mei Mei is visiting her grandma when she accidentally breaks Ama’s favorite cup. Alarmed, she leaves the cup on the floor and flees the scene, overcome by thoughts of what Ama will do when she finds out. When Ama assumes the cat is responsible, will Mei Mei be able to get away with it? This is so relatable, as Mei Mei wrestles through the panic, anxiety, and guilt of the accident before finally finding freedom and reassurance in the truth. There are a lot of funny moments in this book, especially when she’s imagining Ama kicking her out of the house, or enduring the wronged cat’s silent judgments. Perfect for kids who need a subtle book about honesty.
Continue reading “Brianna’s Books: October Favorites 2025”
Today, September 22nd, is the 2025 Autumnal Equinox, the first day of fall in the Northwest Hemisphere. 🍂 While I hope 🤞🏼 it will still be feeling at least a little bit like fall when this blog goes live — as I write back in our “false fall” period, the high is a crisp 75°F! — I’ve got a wonderfally easy craft that you can use to cozy up the inside of your space as you wait for the outside to chill back down accordingly!
Before I delve into the nitty-gritty details of this bunting craft, I’d like to cite my source! I was inspired to make this festive and endlessly customizable hanging decoration from Sibia Torres Padilla‘s gourdgeous 🎃 DIY Instagram account, @sibster. Padilla is an expert in sustainable crafting for adults and kiddos alike and has recently published her first crafting book, “Charming Woodland Crafts: 50 Fun and Easy Projects Made From Natural and Recycled Materials,” which I’m delighted to say you can check out from DBRL’s collection! Padilla’s version of this craft uses waxed paper and pressed leaves and other fall botanicals to make a transparent autumnal bunting to bring out all the #fallfeels, but I’ve played around with waxed paper before (check out my DIY Luminaria / Candle Shades blog!) and thought I’d try my hand at making some simple paper cutouts to hang up. Continue reading “Fall Bunting Craft🚩🍂🎃”
It’s pre-autumn! I’m very ready to wear all the cozy things and drink all the hot tea, but the weather hasn’t obliged me yet. No themes from me this month, but I hope your school year is off to a good start!
Picture Books
“Found You!” written by Jane Godwin and illustrated by Sylvia Morris
“Ready or not, here I come!” A little boy finds the perfect hiding spot for hide-and-seek, but it might be a little too good. As all the others are found, and the group heads outside to keep searching, he worries that he’ll never be discovered. This book perfectly captures all the emotional highs and lows of the game and will be very relatable for little ones. Before reading this, I had forgotten how unnerving it can be when you’re waiting in the dark to be found! And if this anxiety rings true in your child, might I suggest a game of Sardines? Reverse hide-and-seek is a perfect way to alleviate the concern about hiding alone. Continue reading “Brianna’s Books: September Favorites 2025”
