Pack your hat and sand toys, we’re going to the beach! The board book Splash! by Leslie Patricelli is perfect for exploring the beach and summer fun with babies and caregivers. From waves that crash and runny ice cream, babies will enjoy the book’s rhymes and summery sensory experiences. Pair it with one or more…
The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting BoyBy Jeanne Birdsall For Ages 8-12Genre: Realistic Fiction Four spirited sisters, ages four through twelve, spend summer vacation with their father at a cottage on the beautiful Arundel estate, where misadventures of nostalgic proportions ensue. Use these discussion questions, snacks, and…
So Tortoise Dug by Emmy Kastner is the perfect elementary classroom read aloud to explore misunderstandings, gratitude, learn how many backyard critters take advantage of tortoise burrows, and to get kids giggling. Tortoise keeps digging burrows while waiting for his best friend and burrowmate, Mouse, to reappear, and soon almost every animal in the forest…
Let’s make soup with orange, white, and red, then chop, drop, bubble, yum! Every Color Soup by Jorey Hurley is the perfect picture book for introducing colors and cooking with infants and toddlers. Little ones love identifying the familiar vegetables and kitchen items vibrantly displayed across full-page spreads throughout the book. Pair it with one…
Split! Splat! by Amy Gibson, illustrated by Steve Bjorkman, is the perfect storytime book for exploring rain, weather, bathtime, or dogs with toddlers, preschoolers, and children of all abilities. Children love the “mucka mucka chucka wucka” muddy scenes, sing-song rhymes, and vibrant illustrations. Below, you’ll find ways to make the reading experience more adaptive and extend…
In celebration of Children’s Book Week, here are my favorite library-themed picture books to share during storytime. From toddlers to 4th graders, these are my go-to titles for capturing the attention of new library users and introducing them to the wonders of the library. A quick note: As Donalyn Miller said in The Joy of…
Turtle in ParadiseBy Jennifer L. Holm For Ages 8-12Genre: Historical Fiction When Turtle is sent to live with her enterprising and eccentric relatives in Key West, Florida, during the Great Depression, she encounters scams, family secrets, and buried treasure. Use these discussion questions, snacks, and activities for more engagement and fun during your next book…
Don’t Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson and illustrated by Dan Santat is the perfect read-aloud for April, a month that celebrates fools on the first day. Don’t be a fool; don’t trust fish. The book is silly and goofy and has awesomely large illustrations for sharing with a group. Read this book during your next school…
Celebrate the most influential women in your life with a memorable tea party for all ages! Whether honoring mom, aunt, grandma, big sister, or friend, this program is for children of all ages and moms of all types. The activities found here have been used with groups of 24 individuals but can easily be adapted…
Ready bunny, steady bunny, every bunny dance! The picture book Everybunny Dance! by Ellie Sandall is perfect for exploring bunnies, spring, and movement with babies and caregivers. It’s also one of those rare books that can be used with babies, toddlers, AND preschoolers—it’s that good. Babies will enjoy pretending to dance, play instruments, sing, run,…