Listology
Dance Party
Dance has many personalities and appeals to a myriad of people. Here are some exceptional books for very young readers through teens (and adults, too).
Peace Books
We’re publishing a list of some of the more recent books about peace and conflict resolution, as annotated by Carol Spiegel, a long-time K‑8 educator.
Kids in Business
Patience and perseverance are among the hardest things for children to learn. How can we make pressing on in the face of discouragement interesting to kids? By reading them amazing stories of creativity and resilience! Picture book biographies show the satisfying results of persevering over a lifetime. All ages will be inspired by the true tales
Perseverance
Patience and perseverance are among the hardest things for children to learn. How can we make pressing on in the face of discouragement interesting to kids? By reading them amazing stories of creativity and resilience!
Books about the Night
Nighttime is a magical time for kids. It’s a time for exploring the night skies. It’s a time for dreaming cozy dreams. It’s a time of mischief when it comes with the thrill of being allowed to stay up late. Nighttime picture books have always had an allure for me because of the topics they explore and the amazing and
Picture Book Salute to Blue
Blue is beloved for the awesome beauty of its various shades on display in the natural world, and for the feelings of calmness, security, loyalty, and friendliness, it evokes. So, without further ado: a collection of ten lovely and compelling books, plus one, that celebrate blue.
Books Set in Bookstores
For many of us, wandering around inside a bookstore is our Happy Place. It can also be a place of mystery, surprise, romance, adventure, how-tos, and an opportunity to tap into the knowledge of the universe. Here then are fifteen books for children that are set in bookstores. Archie Greene and the Magician’s Secret written by
Ferris Wheels
These are books about Mr. Ferris or his Ferris wheel, which debuted at the 1893 World Colombian Exposition. Grand in scale, rising up into the sky, the Ferris wheel is a focal point wherever it appears.
Quirky Book Lists: Time
Margaret Wise Brown once wrote that children wondered about “mysterious clock time.” I certainly did as a child. I simply could not learn to tell time. This was back in the dark ages of analog clocks that seemed to hold secrets others could decipher but eluded me. I could have used any of the books on this list, but
Celebrating Rosh Hashanah
The Jewish High Holidays begin with the festivities of the New Year on Rosh Hashanah and end ten days later with the observance of the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur. It’s a time of reflection and a renewal of intentions to do better in the coming year. Here are a number of books that will help children understand
Back-to-School Favorites
This list was contributed by Deb Andries and Maurna Rome, friends, educators, and colleagues! Favorites from Deb Andries: Alma and How She Got her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal Dreamers by Yuyi Morales A Quiet Place by Doug Wood and Dan Andreasen The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson and Rafael López Truman by Jean Reidi and
Libraries and Librarians
We’re posting this when it’s National Library Week, but we believe every week should be Library Week. If you love public, school, and special libraries as much as we do, add these books to your reading list and share them with your favorite readers. As always, if you have a book you believe should be on
The Animals in The Stuff of Stars
When I first read The Stuff of Stars by Marion Dane Bauer and Ekua Holmes, I was captivated by the beauty of the book and its lyrical thoughts about the earth and our environment. Ms. Holmes’ illustrations invite us to look closer, to discern the creatures she’s so artfully included. Ms. Bauer’s text includes a list of animals
The BEARdecotts
The ALA/ALSC recently announced their Youth Media Awards, resulting in much excitement. The teacher librarians at a Minnesota private school with three campuses help their students look for excellence in children’s books by holding their own award process each year. Called The BEARdecotts, after their school mascot, the educators select books for a short list that they
Poetry Books That Celebrate
African American History and Culture
Poetry and the spoken word have prominent places in African American culture, due at least in part to a strong oral tradition that has been passed down through generations. Consider including poems from the books below in your read-alouds this month, and the year ahead, as a way to highlight the contributions of African Americans to our