There are some great books coming out this fall! Let’s not waste any time on small talk—we’ll go straight to the good stuff.
Picture Books
“I Am Darn Tough” written by Licia Morelli and illustrated by Maine Diaz
This gorgeous book is about a girl running in a cross-country race. The watercolor illustrations and poetic first-person narration place the reader alongside the protagonist. The girl persists through weariness, self-doubt and a painful skinned knee, to cross the finish line with a realization that, “I am darn tough.” I spent about five years in martial arts as a kid, so this book really calls to me. It’s wonderful to see determination, discipline and perseverance celebrated like this. Continue reading “Brianna’s Books: October Favorites 2020”
There’s nothing I love more than to watch little ones dance. Babies doing the bottom bounce and preschoolers dancing with abandon brings me so much joy! And, of course, little ones love it too. The best thing about impromptu dance parties is that they can be done anywhere — in your house, in the car, in your backyard or at the park. As long as you’ve got some jams, you’re set.
If you want to make your dance party even more exciting, I have some simple ideas below that your little ones will love.
I love taking walks with my grandkids. We might see a squirrel or a rabbit. We might hear a bird. Trees provide shade; flowers provide color and smell.
Studies have shown it is good for kids and adults to connect with nature. According to The Child Mind Institute, spending time in nature reduces stress and fatigue. (Something we all need right now.) It promotes creativity and imagination. It allows one to use different senses—not just sight, but also sound, smell and touch. It gets kids moving. It makes them think. It teaches responsibility and builds confidence.
During these trying times, parents and educators are looking to the space nature provides as a resource for learning. There are many positive benefits to outdoor learning spaces, and getting a breath of fresh air can do wonders for mental clarity for both you and your kids.
Below, I have put together a list of great books the library has to offer on outdoor learning. Enjoy!
This book is filled with stories and colorful photographs that illustrate how the outdoors supports children’s early learning. Each story is connected to an early learning standard such as:
One of the easiest crafts to make at home is a paper bag puppet. All you need is a paper bag and a writing utensil! Take care that the mouth of the puppet is where the folded bag meets the side. Your puppet can be simple, with only a face, or you can decorate it with materials from around the house.
If you make more than one, your puppets can get into all sorts of fun together!
Some of our young patrons made these puppets. So cute!
September 15 to October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month. Authorized in 1968 under President Lyndon Johnson as a week-long recognition of the contributions of Americans “who can trace their roots to Spain, Mexico, Central America, South American and the Spanish-speaking nations of the Caribbean,” the observance was expanded to a month under President Ronald Reagan in 1968. The month of September was chosen because it is significant in many Spanish-speaking countries. September 15 “marks the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.” Additionally, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence on September 16 and September 18, respectively.
I love being a grandparent. I engage in science experiments, create crafts, read and cook with my grandchildren. These are activities I enjoy and love to share. Authors Charles and Ann Morse said “A child needs a grandparent, anybody’s grandparent, to grow a little more securely into an unfamiliar world.” Older people, such as grandparents, can share so much with children—stories, life experiences, hobbies and more.
I hope everyone is adjusting well and feeling good as we transition into fall. I know it’s still almost two weeks away, but I can’t wait! If you and your little one are finding the changes difficult this year, why not escape into a good book? Reading won’t solve the world’s problems, but it can offer you a little pocket of peace in the midst of chaos. (If you need a grown-up book for yourself, take a look at our blog for adults for inspiration!)
The first day of school looks very different this year. Littles that were confident last year may be more anxious about how school will go this year. This book is a great choice to open up a discussion about anxieties. Different animals are all nervous about starting school—Sloth worries he won’t get there on time, while Snake is concerned his backpack won’t stay on. Even their armadillo teacher is nervous! As the animals learn to support each other, they’re able to move into the school year with more confidence. In addition to the great message, the cartoon-like illustrations look absolutely adorable! Continue reading “Brianna’s Books: September Favorites 2020”
Bears, cats and a bird who learned a bad word, oh my!
Jacob Grant is a writer and an illustrator who brings fun animals to life that often resemble the little people in our lives. His characters learn about boundaries, personal space, making compromises for a friend and more! Check out these titles for beautifully illustrated books with real-life lessons.
Bear and his stuffed teddy, Ursa, keep their house in tip-top shape. One day, while cleaning, Bear discovers spiderwebs all over the house. Panicked by the idea of a dirty spider, Bear wrecks the house trying to find the spider. In looking for the spider, Bear hurts Ursa on the corner of his bed. Bear is very upset as Ursa was his very special friend. As he rushes through his messy house to look for something to fix Ursa, the friendly spider in the house uses web to patch Ursa up. Bear thanks his new spider friend and decides that maybe spiders are okay. Continue reading “Authors We Love: Jacob Grant”
Kids love potty humor (but who doesn’t, really?). As soon as they learn to talk, they realize how funny it is to talk about pee and poop and farts. In my family, we have to try not to laugh too much at my four-year-old niece’s jokes about bodily functions just so she knows that it’s not appropriate to talk that way at the dinner table or in other social situations. But when toddlers are in the midst of potty training, it’s important to treat the issue with a light touch and a sense of humor, both so that they don’t feel too much pressure to be perfect and so that this important transitional stage doesn’t feel too scary or strange. There are many potty training books at the library to choose from, but I want to highlight the funniest and silliest (and sometimes totally absurd) ones that will give kids and parents something to laugh about as they navigate a sometimes difficult and emotionally-fraught process.
“Potty” by Leslie Patricelli is a cute, simple story of a toddler who really has to go! But where should they go? In their diaper? In the litter box, where the cat goes? Outside, where the dog goes? Or maybe in their potty? Continue reading “Potty Humor!”
There are some great books coming out this fall! Let’s not waste any time on small talk—we’ll go straight to the good stuff.
“I Am Darn Tough” written by Licia Morelli and illustrated by Maine Diaz
There’s nothing I love more than to watch little ones dance. Babies doing the bottom bounce and preschoolers dancing with abandon brings me so much joy! And, of course, little ones love it too. The best thing about impromptu dance parties is that they can be done anywhere — in your house, in the car, in your backyard or at the park. As long as you’ve got some jams, you’re set.
I love taking walks with my grandkids. We might see a squirrel or a rabbit. We might hear a bird. Trees provide shade; flowers provide color and smell.
September 15 to October 15 is 
