“There Was an Old Lady that Swallowed Some Leaves” and Fun Craft

Turn storytime into a hands-on fall activity! “There Was an Old Lady that Swallowed Some Leaves” by Lucille Colandro is a breezy, whimsical rhyme book paired with vivid illustrations making it a chaotic tribute to autumn and an absolute page-turner for children. It is an excellent book for preschool through early elementary kids to practice […]

“The Crayons Trick or Treat” by Drew Daywalt and Making Costumes for the Crayons

Last week the kids and I made costumes for the Sheepy in “Creepy Sheepy” and this week we did the same with the crayon protagonists in “The Crayons Trick or Treat” by Drew Daywalt. After reading “The Crayons Trick or Treat” with the children in your care, set up a coloring and drawing station where […]

“Creepy Sheepy” by Lucy Ruth Cummins & Make a Costume for Your Own Sheepy

Nothing tested a nanny’s patience quite like the annual Halloween costume crisis — until “Creepy Sheepy” came along. In Lucy Ruth Cummins’s hilarious “Creepy Sheepy,” the wooly protagonist is determined not to follow the herd. While every other sheep in the pasture decides to dress up as a classic, generic ghost, Sheepy wants a look […]

10 Best Children’s Books for Father’s Day

Children’s books make a wonderful, inexpensive Father’s Day gift because they create a special opportunity for dads and children to slow down, cuddle, and share meaningful moments together. A favorite story can become a family tradition and remind children that reading together is one of the simplest ways to build connection. Instead of a gift […]

Make a Mouse from Shapes After Reading “Mouse Shapes” by Ellen Stoll Walsh

What can you make with one oval, two circles, and eight triangles? Just ask three clever mice. In “Mouse Shapes” by Ellen Stoll Walsh. In the book the mice play with shapes while hiding from a cat. In the end, the mice build a big mice to scare the cat away. After reading the book […]

Building a Rainbow Garden and “Planting a Rainbow” by Lois Ehlert

After reading “Planting a Rainbow” by Lois Ehlert, bring the rainbow to life using colored craft sticks and matching paper flowers. Invite children to sort their flowers by color, then attach each one to the coordinating stick. It’s a hands-on way to reinforce color recognition and fine motor skills. The best part? No green thumb […]

How Mel Robbins’ “The Let Them Theory” is a Survival Guide for Nannies

Weekly Trip to the Library If you’ve ever found yourself negotiating with a toddler about a diaper change, a preschooler about giving them the wrong cup, a tween about wearing a coat in the winter, or a parent about the child’s sleep schedule, “The Let Them Theory” by Mel Robbins might feel like it was […]

“The Cookie Jar” by J. W. Mettle and Making Cookies

If you’ve ever turned your back for three seconds and returned to find suspicious chocolate-smeared on the face and hands of a child in your care, “The Cookie Jar” will feel less like a children’s book and more like a documentary. J. W. Mettle’s “The Cookie Jar” tackles one of early childhood’s greatest moral dilemmas: […]

“New Year Around the World” by Stefani Snee

“New Year Around the World” by Stefani Snee is a warm, kid-friendly exploration of New Year celebrations across the globe. The rhythm, repetition, and clear structure make it fun to read out loud to children. This book introduces children to how different cultures welcome the New Year, using clear language and inviting illustrations that never feel […]

Make Bread with Children While Reading, “Sharing the Bread: An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving Story” by Pat Zietlow Miller

To help prepare for Thanksgiving read, “Sharing the Bread: An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving Story” by Pat Zietlow Miller and then extend the story’s themes of teamwork and gratitude through a fun, sensory activity of baking bread that encourages cooperation, fine motor skills, and patience with the children in your care. “Sharing the Bread: An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving […]