Monday, December 26, 2016

Beyond "Frozen" - Icy Stories for Kids

Lots of children are enchanted by Disney's Frozen, a movie based on the fairy tale, The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Anderson. Now, that we are officially in winter, there is no better time to enjoy the wintery, ice filled story of the Snow Queen. There are videos, books, and audiobooks available to check out based on Disney's version of the story, but all you of fans of Elsa, Anna, and Olaf might enjoy other retellings of the fairy tale.

Picture Books
The Snow Queen: A Retelling of the Fairy Tale by Hans Christian Anderson
The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Anderson
The Snow Queen by Natacha Godeau
The Snow Queen retold by Amy Ehrlich
The Snow Queen by Lesley Sims

Audio Books
The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Anderson (2015)
The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Anderson (2014)

Movies
The Snow Queen (Warner Brothers, 2004)
Faerie Tale Theatre: Tales from Hans Christian Anderson (E1 Entertainment, 2009)

Chapter Books
Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by Karen Foxlee
Cold As Ice by Sarah Mlynowski
The Snow Queen's Surprise by Carolyn Keene

For more wintery books check out our other lists of Winter Picture Books and Books for Snowy Days.

Image from: http://syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9780062209504/summary.html&client=arrowheadlbs&type=rn12&upc=%&oclc=%

Monday, December 19, 2016

Toddler Humor

If you've ever spent time with a toddler (ages 1-3), chances are you know that they can have a funny sense of humor. Kids at this age are soaking in new knowledge about the world every moment - new words, actions, feelings, and more! As they develop they start to understand what to expect, and often find the unexpected hilarious. So, here are some funny stories with elements that just aren't quite right that are sure to leave the toddlers in your life full of giggles.




Do monsters get ready for bed in cozy pajamas? Do they cuddle up with their teddy bears? No! Of course not! Monsters wear toilet paper pjs and cuddle up with umbrellas! This book goes through a monster's night time routine with many delightful surprises 






Blue Hat, Green Hat by Sandra Boynton

This book has short, repetitive pages that make it very enjoyable for young children. Each page shows a group of animals getting dressed, a task your toddler is very familiar with. However, one silly turkey just can't seem to get it right and keeps ending up with pants on its head or a hat on its feet. 






Fall Is Not Easy by Kelly Marty

Children observe the world around them change during fall when the weather gets cooler and leaves change color. In this story, a single tree can't get it's leaves to turn the right color. Instead, the leaves turn into a rainbow or polka dots much to the delight of young children who know that trees turn from green to yellow, red, brown, and orange.




The Seals on the Bus by Lenny Hort

Most toddlers are familiar with the classic song "The Wheels on the Bus". In this hilarious rendition, seals take over the bus and make many silly sounds.









Who Sank the Boat by Pamela Allen

Was the the cow? The pig? The sheep or the mouse? Young readers will en joy guessing who sank the boat.






Bark George by Jules Feiffer

George, an adorable dog, keeps mixing up what sound he is supposed to make. Toddlers know that dogs aren't supposed to meow, and will find George to be a very funny friend.

Monday, December 12, 2016

Empowering Books for Kids & Teens

This is a collection of books to build confidence and inspire children to make a difference in their worlds.


I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont

A joyful little girl shares many reasons why she likes herself no matter what. (Preschool-Grade 2)

What Do You Do with An Idea? by Kobi Yamada
This thoughtful book encourages its readers to cherish their ideas even if others think they are silly or strange. (Kindergarten-Grade 3)

Check out Yamada's newest book What Do You Do with a Problem? for a similarly styled story about overcoming obstacles and finding new possibilities.

Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty
Rosie overcomes her fear of failure as she works to make creative inventions. (Preschool - Grade 2)

Beaty has several other books with similar themes including Iggy Peck, Architect and Ada Twist, Scientist.

Drum Dream Girl
A young girl followers her dream of playing the drums. (Grades 1-4)

Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson
Students learn how to practice their teacher's lesson on kindness when a new student arrives. (Grades 2-5)

Kid President's Guide to Being Awesome by Brad Montague
The YouTube sensation shares 100 ideas to make the world more awesome. (Grades 3+)

Wonder by R.J. Palacio
A 5th grade student named Auggie struggles to fit in with his new class. (Grades 3-7)

I Am Malala (Young Readers Edition) by Malala Yousafzai (Grades 6+)
Malala Yousafzai, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, shares her story of growing up under the Taliban's rule in Pakistan.


For more great books to empower the children in your life, check out the Children Cooperative Book Center's list on Civic Engagement: Selected K-5 Books for Reflecting on One's Place in the World and 50 Books about Peace and Social Justice

Monday, December 5, 2016

STEAMpunks Reading List: Food & Nutrition

Today's STEAMpunks session was all about food, nutrition, and the digestive system! This popular hands-on program includes fun science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics activities for kids in grades K-5. Today we measured ingredients, learned about the body's digestive system, and conducted a taste test experiment. For more fun, check out a cookbook to test our a new recipe, learn more about how our bodies digest food, or read a story about a culinary adventure!

Cook Books
Betty Crocker's Cookbook for Boys and Girls by Betty Crocker
Cool Raw Food Recipes by Nancy Tuminelly
It's So Good: 100 Real Food Recipes for Kids!
Mayo Clinic Kids; Cookbook
The Help Yourself Cookbook for Kids: 60+ Plant-Based Recipes Kids Can Make to Stay Healthy and 
Save the Earth by Ruby Roth
Pretend Soup and Other Real Recipes: A Cookbook for Preschoolers & Up by Mollie Katzen


Books For Younger Readers (Grades K-2)
The Bake Shop Ghost by Jacqueline K. Ogburn
The Berenstain Bears Cook It! by Stan Berenstain
The Best Chef in Second Grade by Katharine Kenah
Before We Eat: From Farm to Table by Pat Brisson
How Did That Get in My Lunch Box: The Story of Food by Chris Butterworth
The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza by Philemon Sturges
Monkey with a Tool Belt and the Maniac Muffins by Chris Monroe
My Food Pyramid by Alisha Neihaus
Olivia Cooks Up a Surprise by Emily Sollinger
Your Food by Claire Llewellyn


Books For Older Readers (Grades 3-5)
All Four Stars by Tara Dairman
The Digestive System by John M. Shea
Digestion and Nutriton: What Happens to the Food We Eat by Eve Hartman
Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table by Jacqueline Briggs Martin
Food Options: Following Special Diets by Kristin Petrie
Granny Torrelli Makes Soup by Sharon Creech
Our Food by Grace Lin
Recipe for Adventure Series by Giada De Laurentiis
Your Digestive System by Rebecca L. Johnson