Here at DBRL we are so excited to welcome our younger patrons back for in-person programming with story times and plenty of Summer Reading fun. Starting next Monday, June 13th, we will also be welcoming back some four-legged furry friends that we’ve missed at the library: the therapy dogs trained at Ann Gafke’s Dogschooling! Every 2nd Monday of the month from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Columbia Public Library building, we’re delighted to again be hosting these therapy dogs for our Reading to Rover program, which encourages children kindergarten-age and older to practice their reading skills with a patient, kind, non-judgmental and totally adorable dog-listener. Continue reading “Reading to Rover Returns!”
How do you know when you’ve found a best friend? Maybe when you’ve found someone who makes you laugh more than anyone else. Or someone who you can’t wait to tell when something really great or really terrible has happened. Or someone who you know will be loyal no matter what. However you define it, when you’ve found a best friend you will want to hold on to them and treasure every moment together. June 8 is National Best Friend Day, so, to celebrate, here are a handful of books for kids about the special bond of friendship.
The title characters of Olivier Dunrea’s “Gossie & Gertie” are two ducks, and best friends, who do everything together. Wherever Gossie, the bigger duck, goes, Gertie follows. But eventually, Gertie gets tired of following and starts to do her own thing. This makes Gossie annoyed at first, but then she decides that she’s okay with following Gertie for a while, and the two friends continue having fun together! Continue reading “Best Friends Books”
As May comes to a close, many children anxiously await the start of summer vacation. To keep track of all of the things I want to do this summer, I decided to create a bucket list! To create your own bucket list, you and your child can add some books and activities from this blog or come up with different ideas, like visiting Rock Bridge Memorial State Park or having a movie night.
What can make reading a book from your local library even more fun? Crafting your own bookmark to use in your library book! Read on to learn how to create your own bookworm bookmark to travel with you on your next reading adventure.
To create these cute critters, you’ll need a few supplies. Gather a thick sheet of white paper, a piece of colored paper (about 8.5″ by 4″) and a variety of patterned pieces of paper of any size. A piece of yarn or ribbon (under 1/4 inches wide) will be used for a tongue. You’ll also need scissors, glue and a hole punch.
Want a super quick and easy craft to brighten your kiddo’s day? If so, work together to create some adorable butterfly chenille stem rings!
Not only are these little bug rings super cute, they only require three chenille stems to create. I love how little changes, such as different colored chenille stems, different lengths or a different way of bending the wings, enable crafters to create so many different species of fuzzy bugs.
This cute little project is a great way to learn some simple embroidery stitches and beading. You can make it as simple and easy or as fancy and challenging as you like. Then next time the Tooth Fairy visits your house, you will be ready with an elegant pouch for your lost tooth. This project is for ages 6 years and up. (Younger children may need some help.)Continue reading “Embroider a Pouch for the Tooth Fairy”
In case you didn’t already know, Mother’s Day is May 8! Since 1908, when it was created by Anna Jarvis, this has been a day to celebrate the mothers in our lives and all that they have done for us (this could also include grandmothers, aunts, godmothers and any other mother figures). Here are some eBooks, songs, videos and an easy, fun craft to help commemorate this special day. Continue reading “Virtual Activity Bundle: Mother’s Day”
Incantations? Lipstick shades? Exercise positions? Potentially, though these are also all names for the early native wildflowers you might see blooming across mid-Missouri as the season shifts from the patchy humidity of April to the lengthening sunlit days of May and on to early summer. Of course, you might also have encountered other common nonnative species such as dandelions, clovers, henbits, violets and (my favorite) dead nettles speckling your lawn or favorite playground hillside.
Blue phlox or wild sweet William along a local trail in the Grindstone Nature Area, with patches of spring beauty or fairy spud dotting the background. Compellingly, the phlox flowers are a deep shade of lavender, rather than blue as their name might suggest.
The tree of life is a common image across many cultures representing growth. To celebrate spring and the sprouting of all things green, create your own tree of life!
First, select a paper plate. Any size will work. Working from the middle outward, cut out the center of the plate, leaving the raised edge. This is where your tree will grow.
Not only is spring officially here, but it finally feels like it as well. I love walking around my neighborhood and seeing all the flowers starting to bloom, including the always early daffodils. It’s a joy to see the different color variations and sizes of daffodils. When I saw an idea to create paper daffodils using colored paper, craft sticks and cupcake liners, I had to give it a try.
In case you didn’t already know, Mother’s Day is May 8! Since 1908, when it was created by Anna Jarvis, this has been a day to celebrate the mothers in our lives and all that they have done for us (this could also include grandmothers, aunts, godmothers and any other mother figures). Here are some eBooks, songs, videos and an easy, fun craft to help commemorate this special day. 
