Recipes for Fun: Ribbon Pulls

Posted on Monday, August 14, 2023 by Kristy

Have you seen our Recipes for Fun videos? We have 24 videos with our favorite activities for you to try at home. Check them all out here!

In the video below, librarian Megan will show you how to make ribbon pulls to help your child explore different textures and sounds while developing fine motor skills. Have fun!

Brianna’s Books: August Favorites 2023

Posted on Monday, August 7, 2023 by Brianna

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I’ve got a nice mix of books for you this month! Family and empathy, swimming  and an adrenaline-packed, weeklong dragon race — there’s something for everyone to enjoy in our last full month of summer.

Picture Books

There's Always Room for One More coverThere’s Always Room for One More” written by Robyn McGrath and illustrated by Ishaa Lobo 

Clare is looking forward to Grandpa moving in with their family, until Mama declares that this means the family will need a bigger table. Clare loved her old table, which was just right for homework and family breakfasts. The bigger table arrives and the family and neighbors help to clean and sand it, and Clare starts feeling overwhelmed and missing the old table. Mama gently points out that Grandpa might be feeling a little overwhelmed too about leaving his old home. Clare and Mama work together to make Grandpa’s favorite dessert to welcome him with a big party where she understands that a new table means plenty of room for new memories. This is a wonderful celebration of family and navigating change. Continue reading “Brianna’s Books: August Favorites 2023”

Sing Along: Bumpin’ Up and Down in My Little Red Wagon

Posted on Monday, July 31, 2023 by Kristy

Have you seen our Music and Movement videos? We have nearly 100 videos with our favorite rhymes, songs, chants and fingerplays. Check them all out here!

Here’s a song that’s fun for both littles and their adults. Get ready to sing and bounce around with this silly tune called “Bumpin’ Up and Down in My Little Red Wagon.”

Lyrics:

Bumpin’ up and down in my little red wagon,

Bumpin’ up and down in my little red wagon,

Bumpin’ up and down in my little red wagon,

Won’t you be my darling?

 

(Want to sing some more? Add other verses: getting a hug, clapping our hands, giving a kiss, etc.)

DIY Splash Balls

Posted on Monday, July 24, 2023 by Katie

From visiting a local pool to running through a sprinkler, July is a great time for water play, and crafting your own toys adds to the excitement. With a few steps, you can craft your own splash balls!

Splash balls

Continue reading “DIY Splash Balls”

Virtual Activity Bundle: All Together Now

Posted on Monday, July 10, 2023 by Laura

Virtual Activity Bundle: All Together Now

Summer Reading 2023 is in full swing! This year’s theme is “All Together Now,” and all summer long, we’re celebrating our connections with family, friends and community. In this virtual activity bundle, you’ll find books, music, videos and more for kids ages 5 to 8, all focused on togetherness and inclusivity. Read, listen, watch and create along with us! Continue reading “Virtual Activity Bundle: All Together Now”

Brianna’s Books: July Favorites 2023

Posted on Monday, July 3, 2023 by Brianna

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How’s your Summer Reading going? If you need some inspiration for new books to try, check these out. There’s some really excellent stuff coming out this summer!

Picture Books

The Red Jacket coverThe Red Jacket” by Bob Holt

Bob the seagull is feeling glum and disconnected from the other beach residents. So when a cheerful songbird gives him a swanky red jacket (with french fries in the pockets!) Bob is confused but delighted. Suddenly Bob is feeling confident and outgoing in his fancy red jacket and is making connections with all the animals around him. After a wave sweeps his jacket away, Bob’s new friends rally to find it and he realizes that he no longer needs the jacket to feel confident and valued. Parents will enjoy the opportunity to discuss self-worth, kindness and generosity, and kids will enjoy the snappy speech balloon dialogue and cartoon-inspired illustrations. Continue reading “Brianna’s Books: July Favorites 2023”

Summer Sun Squish Painting

Posted on Monday, June 26, 2023 by Robyn

Did you know the ancient peoples of modern-day United Kingdom moved giant stones (some as long as a school bus and weighing 50 tons!) across hundreds of miles and for over 1,500 years to create a monument to honor the sun? That’s according to some historians.

Stonehenge photographed by Sofía RabassaStonehenge photographed by Sofía Rabassa

June 21 marked the summer solstice, a day when the sun shines longer than any other day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Celebrate the solstice — and the 4.6 billion-year-old star we call the Sun — with a low-mess, process-based art project!

Summer Sun Squish Painting Continue reading “Summer Sun Squish Painting”

Picture Books We Love: Me & My Dysphoria Monster 🌈

Posted on Monday, June 19, 2023 by Megan

Cover image of Me & My Dysphoria Monster

🌈🌈Happy Pride Month! 🌈🌈 We celebrate Pride all year long, so when I read “Me & My Dysphoria Monster: An Empowering Story to Help Children Cope With Gender Dysphoria” by Laura Kate Dale and illustrated by Ang Hui Qing I knew, I had to highlight it this month.

Our story begins with Nisha, a young trans girl and her monster. She is nervous when taking pictures, going to the bathroom and even when she is invited to play with her friends. Each time she is misgendered or called by a boy’s name, her monster grows and grows. Her monster gets so big that it stops her from doing the thing that she loves. Her dad eventually introduces her to Jack, and he also has a monster. After talking to him, she realizes that there are ways to make her monster smaller like using she/her pronouns and going by Nisha. By the end of the book, Nisha is able to do her favorite activities again, and while the monster is still around, it is very small and not all-consuming. This book is awesome for trans kids and their caregivers or allies. The message of this book is great for anyone to hear — if you are struggling, ask for help! The book also has a list of terms and questions at the end for those wanting more information. Lastly, the illustrations are bubbly and cute. Well except for the monster, but don’t worry, it’s not too scary. There are parts when it takes up the whole page, which is a great visualization of anxiety. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did! Happy reading!🌈

Missouri Building Block Kits Are Back!

Posted on Thursday, June 15, 2023 by Katie

I’m excited to share that our Missouri Building Block Picture Book Award Kits are back!

These kits are a wonderful way to discover new picture book titles for sharing with one child or a classroom full of kids. The ten titles were selected by a committee of Missouri librarians because they are marvelous read-alouds. This year, we have a charming selection of books, from brave birds to silly cows to talking bathtubs and more. Included in each bag are all ten nominees, accompanying activity sheets, ballots for children to vote and ‘I voted’ stickers. 

Missouri Building Block books

 

If you would like to learn more about this award, check out the Missouri Library Association’s website.