This time of year is perfect for some creepy crafts, but if I’m being honest I love all things spooky any time of year! See below for some of our favorite spine-tingling projects. Happy haunting!
“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…
Continue reading "Virtual Activity Bundle: Germ Busters!" Kids
Rex knocks down all the wonderful creations each of his friends builds out of blocks in “Rex Wrecks It!” by Ben Clanton. It makes everyone sad, including Rex. So his friends decide to work together, including Rex, and build something “awesomerific.” Hooray! Now everyone can knock it down together! I read this story to my young…
Continue reading "2016 Missouri Building Block Nominee: Rex Wrecks It!" Kids
As our communities join metaphorical hands and rally around the mutually beneficial and necessary acts of isolation, social distancing and hand washing, one realizes that without books many among us will go mad and begin to cast our cats in plays that are far too complex for the cats to even remotely begin to stage…
Continue reading "The Gentleman Recommends: Our Digital Branch" Adults
Declan is a very friendly monster. He says hello to everything in the forest, from the clouds to the stumps. He also really loves bunnies. He gets super excited when he sees them. Maybe a little too excited… “Bunnies!!!” by Kevan Atteberry is a wonderful story with bright, inviting illustrations. The simple text is easy…
Continue reading "2016 Missouri Building Block Nominee: Bunnies!!!" Kids
My 9-month-old, Ember, absolutely LOVES touch and feel board books. If a book doesn’t have a great tactile experience—lumps, bumps, shiny things or lift-the-flaps—she will toss it aside with disdain. So you can bet that I’ve checked out nearly every touch and feel book that DBRL owns! The titles that have risen to the top…
Continue reading "Books We Love: Never Touch a…" Kids
It is the time of year set aside for recognizing Black history and culture. The Columbia Public Library has a lobby display set up throughout February for this purpose. Much of the early history of Black people in the United States is a horrible reminder of how cruel a society can be. We must never…
Continue reading "Celebrating Black Culture" Adults
The time of Halloween and all things scary is upon us again, so as a sequel to a blog post I wrote last year, here are some more books that will hopefully deliver a horror fix to older grade-school readers who love being creeped out and terrified: Starting furthest back in the past, we have…
Continue reading "More Scary Books for Older Kids" Kids
Do you ever just need a good cry? You watch the ASPCA commercial (curse you Sarah McLachlan). You click on the video of the soldier returning home to surprise their family. You listen to the band play as the Titanic sinks. You binge-watch Hallmark movies all winter long. You know my favorite way to get…
Continue reading "The Kleenex Awards" Kids