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Best Read-Alouds: 2020 Building Block Nominees

Posted on Monday, March 9, 2020 by Kristy

2020 Missouri Building Block Books

Want some excellent read-alouds to read to your kids or classroom? Then check out this year’s new roundup of Missouri Building Block nominees! These books have been picked and tested by librarians around Missouri, and they are sure to have your crew asking for more.

The 2020 Building Block Nominees are:

Resources We Love: Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

Posted on Monday, March 2, 2020 by Jessica S

Love STEAM crafts?

Incredible LEGO® Creations from Space with Bricks You Already Have - Dees, SarahWhen I need craft and STEAM ideas, I usually look through my trusted social media sources for new ideas. Pinterest is great, YouTube is good if I need to watch a how-to and often I’ll go through DBRL’s free online resource Creativebug for guidance and ideas.

However, earlier this year, I came across this magnificent Baby Yoda LEGO® project. That Baby Yoda is just the cutest, right?!

This adorable construction was found on a website called Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls, created by Darah Dees, a homeschooling mom who dedicates her blog to super-fun projects and activities. These are the categories that she has sorted her blogs into:

Want more LEGO® resources?

Feel free to grab Sarah’s books from our collection or place a hold on them! So far, she has four different LEGO® books filled with fun creations.

“Incredible LEGO® Creations from Space With Bricks You Already Have”

This spaced-themed book focuses first on the types of bricks. To make sure that the directions are clear, Dees introduces the names of the bricks and where to find the serial numbers (in case there is a need to purchase additional bricks or replacements.) Build space ships, rovers and more! Continue reading “Resources We Love: Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls”

The Kleenex Awards

Posted on Thursday, February 27, 2020 by Tess

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 out a good cry? Picture books! The author and illustrator only have about 30 pages to draw you in and then break your heart. No visual effects, animations or sad music. The books need a universal theme that kids can understand and also an extra layer that is deep enough to destroy us adults. 

The youth services staff here at the library have spent the past month sharing picture books to make us cry, and we’ve voted on our favorites. Here, for your boo-hooing pleasure, we present: 

The Kleenex Awards!

 

#1, with a rating of 7 tissues is…

“Ida, Always” by Caron Levis, illustrated by Charles Santoso

Image result for ida, always"

Based on a true story, two polar bears, Ida and Gus, spend their lives together at the New York Zoo. They eat, sleep, play and cuddle together for many years. One day, Ida gets sick and doesn’t get better. Told from the perspective of Gus, “Ida, Always” is about learning to love people to the end and beyond. 

 

#2, with a rating of 6 tissues is…

“Stormy” by Guojing

Image result for stormy book"

“Stormy,” a wordless picture book about a stray dog finding a forever home, is the original inspiration for this post. The use of light and color in this story says more than words ever could, and I promise, your tears will be happy tears.

Continue reading “The Kleenex Awards”

Books We Love: In a Jar

Posted on Monday, February 24, 2020 by Amy

Oh the many things one can do with an empty jar! You can fill jars with sand from a trip to the ocean. You can fill jars with interesting things you’ve collected on a nature walk. But did you know you can also fill an empty jar with the colors of the sunset? That’s just what a sweet bunny named Llewellyn sets out to do in the book appropriately titled “In a Jar” by Debroah Marcero.

Llwellyn has many jars in all different shapes and sizes, perfect for the things he collects. From special shells to soft feathers to heart-shaped stones, his travels fill his shelf with wonderful objects. And then “One night, the sunset painted the sky the color of tart cherry syrup”….and he meets another bunny named Evelyn.

With beautiful illustrations dancing throughout this book, Llewellyn and Evelyn learn that they can also collect extraordinary things you might not think could fit in a jar. Thunder, laughter, love and rainbows fit in jars too! And the very best part of all, jars ship well when placed inside a box.

For fun ideas for what you can do with jars, check out the following books the library offers!

“Mason Jar Crafts” by Lauren Elise Donaldson
“Mason Jar Science” by Jonathan Adolph
“Gifts in Jars” by Natalie Wise

We Love Our Pets!

Posted on Thursday, February 20, 2020 by Molly

Pets come in all shapes and sizes. Some have fur or hair, others are feathered, some sport scales, while others use fins. They are our companions and our friends with no strings attached. They shower us with unconditional love, comfort us when we are sad and teach us about important things, such as responsibility, nurturing, kindness and compassion. For children, owning a pet can encourage outdoor play, help them make friends and feel safe. Overall, our pets bring out the best in us, for they show us how to give and receive love.

Not surprisingly, pet populations continue to rise. According to a Gallup poll, sixty-eight percent of Americans currently own pets, a number that is expected to increase in the future. “As millennial and Generation Z consumers have come into adulthood, they have embraced the pet-owning and pet-loving lifestyles to a far greater extent than their elders.”

American Author, John Grogan, who wrote “Marley and Me” sums up our love for these special family members in this way: “Such short little lives our pets have to spend with us, and they spend most of it waiting for us to come home each day. It is amazing how much love and laughter they bring into our lives and even how much closer we become with each other because of them.”

On February 20 we celebrate National Love Your Pet Day! So, whether your pet runs or crawls, swims or flies, or, maybe you are adopting a pet for the first time, be sure check out DBRL’s large selection of pet-themed books!

Just for fun, here are a few books about some unusual pets.

Who Am I? Picture Books About Identity

Posted on Monday, February 17, 2020 by Tess

A child’s characteristics and interests create the mix of ingredients that go into the psychological gumbo of their identity. Some of these defining traits might last throughout their lives, while others will undoubtedly shift and fluctuate over the years. Learning to accept our identities is an important skill that is learned in childhood.

Here are some of my favorite preschool books about identity, diversity, acceptance and being true to yourself!

"Bunnybear" written by Andrea Loney, illustrated by Carmen Saldaña“Bunnybear” written by Andrea Loney, illustrated by Carmen Saldaña

Bunnybear looks like a Bear on the outside but feels like a Bunny on the inside! After being picked on by his family at home, Bunnybear sets out into the forest to find a place where he belongs.

"Neither" by Airlie Anderson“Neither” by Airlie Anderson

In a land of bunnies and birds, blue and yellow, this and that, is born a little green chick with bunny ears and bird wings. “I’m both!” it announces. “You can’t be both!” the bunnies and birds cry, “You must be neither!” Unwanted by either group, Neither flies off in search of a place where they can be loved for who they are.

"Not Quite Narwhal" by Jessie Sima“Not Quite Narwhal” by Jessie Sima

Kelp, a little unicorn, has lived his whole life under the sea (with an adorable little diving helmet, of course). His family is a pod of Narwhals who love him wholeheartedly and never pick on him for being different. One day, when Kelp is pushed to the surface, off in the distance he sees a strange creature that looks just like him! After discovering a herd of unicorns on the island, Kelp must decide—is he a sea unicorn or a land narwhal?

"Red: A Crayon Story" by Michael Hall“Red: A Crayon Story” by Michael Hall

Sometimes our outsides don’t reflect our insides, and Red is a beautiful example of that. Red’s paper wrapper says “Red,” but under the paper label he’s actually the color blue. It’s only once he learns to accept himself for the color that he is on the inside that Red can begin to make true artistic masterpieces!

"Quackers" by Liz Wong“Quackers” by Liz Wong

Quackers has been raised his whole life by a family of ducks down on the farm, but one day he meets the barn cats and suddenly realizes that he isn’t a duck, he’s a cat! Is there room in Quackers’ heart to be both cat and duck, or will he have to choose one over the other?

Brianna’s Books: February Favorites 2020

Posted on Thursday, February 13, 2020 by Brianna

One of the most exciting things about working in a library is seeing all the new books come in. While I will happily re-read books forever, I love to make time for new favorites too. As the Youth Materials Selector for DBRL, I get the inside scoop on upcoming books, so I’d like to share some of these awesome titles with you!

Picture Books

“I’m Brave! I’m Strong! I’m Five!” written by Cari Best, illustrated by Boris Kulikov

cover of "I'm Brave! I"m strong! I'm five!"

Bedtime can be scary; even as an adult, strange shapes in the darkness can be unsettling. The protagonist in this story finds the courage to face these fears on her own. Knowing that her parents are just outside her room, she repeats her refrain “I’m brave! I’m strong! I’m five!” and tackles each unnerving sight and sound. This book is a great choice for little ones seeking to gain confidence and bedtime independence.

 

 

“My Monster Friends and Me: A Big Kid’s Guide to Things That Go Bump in the Night” written by Annie Sarac, illustrated by Alice Brereton

cover of "My Monster Friends and Me"

Try this book for another approach to bedtime fears. Or any time fears! In this story, the child narrator shares a secret: by naming your fears, they can become friends instead. As each fear is named and given a friendly personality, the illustrations change from dark to cheery. Read this book together with your kiddo, then try this strategy at home!

 

 

“The President of the Jungle” by Andre Rodrigues

cover of "The President of the Jungle"

In this vibrantly illustrated picture book, the animals in the jungle decide to elect their next ruler. Instead of Lion as king, the animals follow a democratic process to vote for a president. This nonpartisan book is a great way to introduce little ones to elections, and it incorporates plenty of terms like “ballot” and “candidate.”

 

 

“Moo, Moo, Chew, Chew” written by by Jennifer Shand, illustrated by Barbara Vagnozzi

cover of "Moo, moo, chew, chew"

If your child isn’t ready for election information, try this animal sounds book instead! Not quite a board book, this picture book will make your toddler feel more grown up while still enjoying farm animal sounds. Supposedly the pages are resistant to tearing, but no need to test us on this!

 

Chapter Books

“Baby-sitter’s Little Sister: Karen’s Witch” written by Katy Farina, illustrated by Braden Lamb

cover of "Karen's Witch"

Moving on to chapter books! This first pick is a graphic novel, and it is already flying off the shelves. In case you hadn’t heard, they are adapting Ann Martin’s Baby-sitter’s Club Little Sister books into graphic novels. After the wild success of the original series graphic novels, young readers are eager to get their hands on these. Follow the link to place a hold, and delight your young fans of Raina Telgemeier.

 

 

“Pencils, Pens & Brushes: A Great Girls’ Guide to Disney Animation” written by Mindy Johnson, illustrated by Lorelay Bové.

cover of "Pencils, Pens & Brushes"

Do you have a child who absolutely loves to draw? What about one who is in love with all things Disney? Here’s a great choice. This adaptation of “Ink & Paint: The Women of Walt Disney’s Animation” details the history of women in animation. Aspiring artists will enjoy the behind-the-scenes look at the industry, as well as the stories of inspirational women.

 

 

“Consent for Kids” by Rachel Brian

cover of "Consent for Kids"

Bodily autonomy and boundaries matter! It’s never too early to let kids know that they can set their own boundaries about their bodies. The author uses humor and kid-friendly analogies to communicate this important subject. Read it and discuss with your kid, and let your discussion be a foundation for their future growth.

 

 

 

“Normal: One Kid’s Extraordinary Journey” by Magdalena and Nathaniel Newman

cover of "Normal: One Kid's Extraordinary Journey"

Did your family enjoy “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio? Palacio was inspired to write “Wonder” based on a picture of Nathaniel Newman, a boy with Treacher Collins syndrome. Now Nathaniel and his mom have written this memoir together, to give the true story of growing up with Treacher Collins syndrome. The book is filled with examples of love and resilience and is an excellent choice for fans of Auggie.

Authors We Love: Deborah Underwood

Posted on Monday, February 3, 2020 by Jessica S

Need a new author to follow? Try out one of my personal favorites, Deborah Underwood.

Growing up, Underwood dreamed of being an astronaut, a singer and a writer. Nowadays, she’s a published children’s book author and a singer for her local choir. While that’s only two out of three, Underwood lets outer space play a role in her books, especially in the art of some of her newer titles.

Why should you love Deborah Underwood? She’s quirky and silly, her books are fun and she always sticks to books that have a classical feel but a whole new story to tell. Underwood also picks talented illustrators to work with her, including people like Claudia Rueda, Meg Hunt and more.

Claudia Rueda’s illustrations are cute, often depicting animals. Some of her works include the “Hungry Bunny” or “Bunny Slopes” books, which feature the cutest little white bunny that gets himself in all sorts of trouble, needing the reader’s help to get out.

Meg Hunt goes a different direction with her illustrations. While the backgrounds are dark, they are offset by the brilliantly colored characters. Hunt worked with Underwood for the titles “Interstellar Cinderella” and “Reading Beauty.” As we near our Summer Reading 2020, themed “Imagine Your Story,” these titles fall wonderfully into the mix as beautifully updated versions of “Sleeping Beauty” and “Cinderella.”

These are some of my favorite books by Deborah Underwood:

Interstellar Cinderella - Underwood, Deborah“Interstellar Cinderella” (2019) illustrated by Meg Hunt

“Interstellar Cinderella” is a magical retelling of the original “Cinderella” story. Interstellar Cinderella wants to be a mechanic and fix fancy starships. While she fixes more common appliances like dishwashers and tiny robots during the day, she studies ship repair by night. When the prince announces a space parade, Cinderella leaps at the opportunity but is marooned on a planet by her stepsisters and stepmother. With some help from her fairy godrobot, Cinderella is able to make it to the parade. There, she sees amazing starships that make her swoon. When the prince’s suffers a mechanical failure, Cinderella rushes to save the magnificent ship. She fixes it, goes to the ball with the Prince, but as the clock strikes midnight, she rushes home. The Prince follows and offers to marry her, but Cinderella just wants to be his chief mechanic. Continue reading “Authors We Love: Deborah Underwood”

2019 Missouri Building Block Winner!

Posted on Thursday, January 30, 2020 by Kristy

Can I Be Your Dog book coverA whopping 22,000 preschool and kindergarten voters participated this year, picking “Can I Be Your Dog” by Troy Cummings as the 2019 Missouri Building Block Picture Book Award winner! Second place goes to “Cookiesaurus Rex” and third place goes to “I Just Ate My Friend.”

If we went by our young voters just here at DBRL, the winner would have been “I Just Ate My Friend” by Heidi McKinnon followed closely by “Cookiesaurus Rex” and “Beware the Monster!”

Check out the official page of the Missouri Building Block Award to see past winners, get activity sheets and more! (In case you were wondering, our 2020 nominee announcement is just around the corner. Keep an eye out for an announcement in February!)

Cozy Reads for Cold Days

Posted on Monday, January 27, 2020 by Amy

Need a little warmth to drive out the cold and snow? Then check out a few of my favorite cuddly, cozy reads for winter days.

The Thing about Yetis book cover“The Thing About Yetis” by Vin Vogel

A Great Big Cuddle book coverYetis love winter, but even yetis get tired of the frigid, snowy weather. To counteract the cold, little yeti comes up a great idea to keep his mind on sunnier things.

“A Great Big Cuddle: Poems for the Very Young” written by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Chris Riddell

Curl up with this playful collection of poems from best-selling children’s author and poet Michael Rosen. In this exuberant compilation, Michael Rosen invites children to joyfully celebrate sounds and the infinite possibilities of language.

Mommy Is a Soft, Warm Kiss“Mommy Is A Soft, Warm Kiss” written by Rhonda Gowler Greene, illustrated by Maggie Smith

Daddy Is a Cozy Hug book coverA child celebrates all of the wonderful things a mother can be throughout the year, from a treasure buried in summer sand to a snow-white angel gliding down winter slopes.

“Daddy Is A Cozy Hug” written by Rhonda Gowler Greene, illustrated by Maggie Smith

A child celebrates all of the wonderful things a father can be throughout the year, from a wiggling fish in summer to a warm blanket in winter.