“Girls Think of Everything” by Catherine Thimmesh and Melissa Sweet

“Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women” is a collection of truly inspirational short stories that recognize the inventions of ambitious women who overcame unfavorable odds to impact the world. Each chapter focuses on challenging problems that spark creative solutions that have changed, or promise to change, the world. Written and illustrated […]

10 Saint Patrick’s Day Children’s Books

Weekly Trip to the Library Saint Patrick’s Day observes the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. What began as a religious feast day in the 17th century has evolved into a variety of festivals across the globe celebrating Irish culture with parades, special foods, music, dancing, and a whole lot of green. […]

“The Paper Dolls” by Julia Donaldson and DIY Paper Dolls

Making projects with children that correspond with the books you read with them helps encourage the love of reading. For a fun indoor activity for kids that the whole family can enjoy, download this printable paper doll template, illustrated by Rebecca Cobb and based on Julia Donaldson’s “The Paper Dolls,” and also let the kids […]

“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 […]

“In My Heart” by Joe Witek and Painting

“In My Heart” by Joe Witek is a great book for any time of the year but since it incorporates a heart on every page it is easy to incorporate a Valentine’s craft while sharing it with your kiddos. In the book “In My Heart” children learn about feelings including happiness, sadness, bravery, anger, and […]

“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, […]

“The Snowy Day” and Stick Puppets

“The Snowy Day” by Ezra Keats is a classic must-read winter children’s book about a boy named Peter who explores playing in the snow. After reading “The Snowy Day” with the children in your care, have them make a snowy scene for their own Peter puppets. In “The Snowy Day” Peter wakes up to the […]

“Meeting Nanny Heather” by Marianne Selinger

Finally there is a children’s book to share with children to prepare them for having a new nanny. “Meeting Nanny Heather” by Marianne Selinger is a sweet story about Nicole and Nathan’s adventures when they meet their new nanny Heather. In “Meeting Nanny Heather,” Nicole and Nathan are usually happy kids, but today they are […]

MLK “I Have a Dream” Craft

It is Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the United States. One of the most famous speeches of all time was the “I have a dream” speech written and spoken by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1963. First read, “I Have a Dream” by Kadir Nelson to the children in your care. Then have […]

“The Mitten” by Jan Brett and Puppet Fun

This is my favorite literacy project to do with children. There are few books as loved by kids as “The Mitten” by Jan Brett. Winter is a great time to read “The Mitten” and create this cute craft with the kids in your care. As you read “The Mitten” the children will love when a […]