• Activities

    Storytime Theme: Chickens

    chickens

    How is it possible that in the years and years I’ve done storytime, I’ve never done a chicken theme? Well, I’m changing that now with these adorable chicken stories. But have no fear, if you need a few more ideas, check out this list from a few years ago that…

  • Lists

    Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish People I’d Like to Meet

    Top Ten Tuesday

    I’ve been really lucky to meet a lot of amazing authors at conferences across the country. I also “know” a lot of authors, illustrators, and other bookish people on social media. But, for today’s Top Ten Tuesday post, I pulled together a list of people I’d love to meet and…

  • Lists

    12 Middle Grade Titles Set at Sea

    mindfulness

    Whether you love the rocking of the waves or you get seasick just thinking about it (sorry about that!) these 12 middle grade titles set at sea are sure to have you yearning for a trip to the water. When I pull together book lists about specific topics or themes,…

  • Activities

    Storytime Theme: Friendship

    friendship

    Friendship is an important and sometimes difficult part of life and little ones need to know how to behave to be good friends. I selected a lot of really fun books, but you can always add quick little asides about things that make the characters good friends. Add in a…

  • Lists

    12 Mindfulness Books for Parents, Caregivers, & Teachers

    mindfulness

    I think just about everyone can benefit from a little mindfulness! “Mindfulness means maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment, through a gentle, nurturing lens” (Greater Good Magazine). This is often easier said than done, but with anxiety, high levels of stress, and mental…

  • Activities

    Storytime Theme: Black Voices

    Black Voices

    Although Black History Month is almost over, you can use this storytime lesson plan anytime during the year! Extremely important, Black history can be a little difficult to cover in a thirty-minute storytime for toddlers and preschoolers, so rather than focusing on history or biographies (which you could also do!).…

  • Lists

    2023 CLEL Bell Award Winners

    play blocks

    The CLEL Bell Awards are announced annually by the Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy (CLEL). Five books are awarded “in recognition of five high-quality picture books that provide excellent support of early literacy development in young children.” CLEL doesn’t just award books an award. They also create early literacy activity…

  • Activities

    Storytime Theme: Mail Time!

    mailbox

    I’m so surprised that I’ve never done a mail-themed storytime before! Who doesn’t love getting fun mail? Honestly, my reluctance probably stems from elementary school. For a few years, we’d spend the early part of February learning about the postal service system. We took a field trip to the post…

  • Lists

    2022 CYBILS Award Winners

    trophy and medal

    The CYBILS or Children’s and Young Adult Bloggers’ Literary Awards were presented on Valentine’s Day (or February 14th). And with a crazy week at work, I’m finally getting a chance to sit down and check out all the winners this year! The CYBILS “aims to recognize the children’s and young…

  • Lists

    Bedtime Books for Little Ones

    bedtime

    What theme is more popular than bedtime books for little ones? Bedtime is a prime time to snuggle together and spend time reading aloud. There are probably hundreds, if not thousands of picture books dedicated to bedtime, but today I’m sharing just a few. This post may contain affiliate links,…