“The Color of Us” by Karen Katz

Karen Katz is one of my favorite authors of children’s books. The author created “The Color of Us” for her daughter, Lena, whom she and her husband adopted from Guatemala. “The Color of Us” is a positive and affirming look at skin color, from an artist’s perspective. In “The Color of Us” seven-year-old Lena is […]

“Skin Again” by Bell Hooks

The quote from the book “Skin Again” by Bell Hooks that defines the book is, “The skin I’m in is just a covering. It cannot tell my story. If you want to know who I am, you have got to come inside and open your heart way wide.” In “Skin Again” children learn race matters, […]

“I Got the Christmas Spirit” by Connie Schofield-Morrison and Frank Morrison

I am always in awe of Frank Morrison’s illustrations. They are so celebratory and sweet, and this story brings to life the real spirit of giving we should all have during the holiday season. In I Got the Christmas Spirit the wife-and-husband writer-illustrator team produces a Christmas journey in which a young girl and her […]

Paper Plate Dinosaur Craft

This is a super easy dinosaur craft to make with girls and boys with a paper plate and toilet paper roll. Be sure to read “How to Catch a Dinosaur,” “Danny and the Dinosaur,” “How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight,” and “Dinosaur” while making this simple craft. You can purchase the children books and supplies needed […]

“Elmer the Elephant” by David McKee and Craft

Children love the Elmer the patchwork elephant book series by David McKee. I love the Mini Mad Things blog. After reading “Elmer’s Colors,” “Elmer and Butterfly,” “Elmer and the Rainbow,” and “Elmer’s Special Day,” by David McKee I let the child in my care use paint and pastels to decorate a cardboard Elmer. It might […]

“A Fish Out of Water” and Craft

In “A Fish Out of Water” by Helen Palmer a young boy hilariously learns the consequences of not following instructions when he feeds too much to his goldfish. Overfeeding the goldfish causes it to grow as big as a whale. With delightfully retro illustrations by P.D. Eastman this book shows that getting a pet is […]

“A Pet for Pete” by James Dean and Paper Plate Craft

Pete the Cat can’t wait to get a new pet! He gets a goldfish he names Goldie. Pete paints a cool painting of Goldie and now everyone wants a piece of it! But Pete doesn’t have enough time to make one for everyone. Will Pete find a way to have fun painting Goldie and have […]

“Jasper the Jumping Jellyfish” and Craft

Creative Wednesdays I love taking children to the library. I found “Jasper the Jumping Jellyfish” by Sam and Missy Walshaw at the local library. If you can’t find the book at your local library click here to view a child read the book to your Nanny Kids. Have the little ones make their own jellyfish […]

Rainbow: A First Book of Pride by Michael Genhart

Rainbow: A First Book of Pride by Michael Genhart introduces some of the youngest readers to the symbolism behind each stripe of the famous rainbow flag. This cute book that shows how all of the different colors of the flag come together in different kinds of families. This is a sweet ode to rainbow families, and […]

“Asian-Americans Who Inspire Us” by Analiza Quiroz Wolf

May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month –- a celebration of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. “Asian-Americans Who Inspire Us” by Analiza Quiroz Wolf is a great book to read with children for Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. “Asian-Americans Who Inspire Us” spotlights engaging stories of 16 trailblazing Asian-Americans for children of all ages. […]