“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 […]

Lunar New Year Crafts, Recipe, and Book

Sunday January 2023 is the start of the Chinese New Year and the Year of the Rabbit. Here are some fun and simple projects to do with the children in your care for Lunar New Year. Paper Lanterns: The Lantern Festival is held on the 15th day of the Chinese New Year holiday. It marks […]

MLK “I Have a Dream” Craft

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 them make this thoughtful project to correspond with the book and […]

“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 […]

“Owl Moon” by Jane Yolen

It’s not surprising that John Schoenherr received the 1988 Caldecott Medal for his illustrations in “Owl Moon.” The watercolors in this book capture the wonder and beauty of the walk through the woods in the snow. The main character’s older brothers have been out “owling” with their father, but now it is finally the little […]

“How to Build a Snowman” and Craft

After reading “How to Build a Snowman” to the children in your care, allow toddlers and preschoolers to paint and paste together this snowman craft. “How to Build a Snowman” is an innovative and interactive touch-and-feel winter fun book for babies and toddlers by Little Scholastic. A very first winter book with different textures to […]