Like a Fly on a Wall
October 2, 2024
Cricket tasting, habitat building, and “hive” pollinating?” Learn from the great implementation ideas that resident engagement specialists in education from Affordable Homes & Communities (AHC) in Arlington, Virginia developed over the summer while bringing books and Bug Buddies to their K-5 summer campers. More ›
Backyard Bug Buddies
September 9, 2024
Preschoolers participating in Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation camps went wild for insects in August! Learn more about how staff connected campers to experiences that stimulated their senses and their imaginations by building on books and resources from the Bug Buddies toolkit. More ›
Busy Bees at Jubilee
August 28, 2024
Learn along with Early Start students at Jubilee Housing in Washington, DC, as they get to know all about bugs and begin to appreciate insects for the many things they do for us—and for their uniqueness and the diversity they bring. More ›
Catching the Reading Bug
August 19, 2024
Every summer, programs serving children and youth in the metro DC area put Start with a Book resources into action. See how summer learning providers at United Community Sacramento Neighborhood Center in Alexandria, Virginia, have engaged kids in books, bugs, and fun as part of their summer offerings. More ›
Insect Superheroes
August 7, 2024
Are your Spidey senses tingling? In this case, it’s nothing to fear but rather to cheer! Though Daka Hermon is the author of middle grade horror titles Hide and Seeker and Nightmare King, she’s here with ideas to get kids thinking about all the amazing insect qualities of their favorite superheroes—something that as a writer for Marvel’s Spidey and His Amazing Friends on Disney Junior and the author of National Geographic Readers: Marvel's Spider-Man Bugs Out!, she knows a lot about. More ›
Don’t Bug Your Mom
July 31, 2024
London-based animator, author, and illustrator Frank Weber originally hails from South Africa, which inspires his works of sly humor, including More Dung! A Beetle Story and The Top Spot. Here Frank shares bug stories of his own childhood to help you get kids wondering about insects around the world and drawing a few of their own. More ›
The Artist and the Insect
July 15, 2024
Author-illustrator and public-school art teacher Jonathan Roth writes out-of-this-world titles like the graphic novel series Rover and Speck, and the picture book Almost Underwear: How a Piece of Cloth Traveled from Kitty Hawk to the Moon and Mars. But here he gets very down to earth, sharing some special memories and ideas for helping readers find beauty in bugs and connect with nature through art. More ›
Buzzing with Summer Learning Fun
June 28, 2024
Award-winning author and beekeeper Meghan P. Browne shares buzzworthy ideas and resources to help families to learn about insects! Her book The Bees of Notre-Dame, from Random House Studio, takes you on a journey of resilience to Paris to learn about the bees who lived atop Notre-Dame and survived the fire that destroyed part of the cathedral in 2019. Take advantage of summer days and nights to read and try these books and activities that will have kids buzzing with interest. More ›
Brilli-ant Bugs
June 7, 2024
Philip Bunting’s delightfully playful and thoughtful nonfiction picture book, The Wonderful Wisdom of Ants, encourages kids to think twice about the six-legged scuttlers we know as ants. More ›
Creating a Buzz Around Books
May 5, 2024
This summer, Reading Rockets and Start with a Book are all abuzz about Bug Buddies, our newest online toolkit for educators, summer program staff, and parents that explores all things insect, combining hands-on activities with great fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for 5 days’ worth of reading and learning fun. Take advantage of excitement around this year’s rare double-brood periodical cicada event and create a hive of activity around books and bugs. More ›
Diving Deep into Weather
August 25, 2023
Kids from the Ruby Tucker Center summer reading program in Alexandria, VA, spent their summer exploring extreme weather and analyzing weather characteristics and the effects of weather. Students observed how clouds produce rain with the Cloud in a Jar activity, and even turned it into a competition! More ›
Weather Walks, Weather Talks
August 24, 2023
Children at the Virginia Gardens summer learning program in Arlington, VA, took weather walks, tried some art activities, talked about weather in different parts of the country, and together created beautiful posters about how to take better care of our planet and the oceans. More ›
Taking Care of Our Earth
August 23, 2023
With our Weather Wonders toolkit, kids from the Buckingham Youth Brigade summer STEM program in Arlington, VA, learned all about extreme weather and climate change and how it affects people in different parts of the world. The kids built a “storm in a cloud” and a DIY solar oven, which they used to make some delicious s'mores in the summer sun. More ›
Zap! Clap! BOOM!
August 21, 2023
This summer had to be one of the best summers to really dissect the topic of weather! We received questions about air quality, how tornadoes are formed, and my personal favorite “why is rain ... rain?” The amount of knowledge the children already had about the science behind weather was amazing. They even taught us a few things. More ›
Growing Weather-Ready Readers
August 15, 2023
Meteorologist Ron Gird shares tips and resources to take kids on a weather preparedness adventure! You'll find helpful facts about severe weather and how to stay safe — it’s information worth repeating often. More ›
Talking Weather
August 2, 2023
Learn about the difference between weather and climate, where weather happens, and how it gets forecasted from three broadcast meteorologists. And then try our Weather Wonders activities! More ›
Respect for the Planet
July 5, 2023
Books are part of making a connection to nature in our family, helping us find nature right outside our window and in faraway places. And Nicola Davies is one of our go-to authors for books about the natural world. Her new book One World: 24 Hours on Planet Earth, from Candlewick Press, reminds us of just how essential that understanding is. More ›
Let’s Talk Seasons
June 28, 2023
When I came across Leda Schubert’s Firsts and Lasts: The Changing Seasons, what I especially loved was the presence of the bittersweet endings of the seasons. It is such a delight to have Leda share more ideas here about Firsts and Lasts. She has some great suggestions that are wonderful for launching conversations about the seasons and would also be excellent complements to the Weather Wonders activities at Start with a Book. More ›
Look to the Sky
June 23, 2023
When I discovered Breaking Through the Clouds: The Sometimes Turbulent Life of Meteorologist Joanne Simpson, the excellent picture book biography of the trailblazing scientist whose discoveries about clouds and how they work changed everything we know about weather today, I had to ask author Sandra Nickel if she would share more about Simpson. More ›
Queen Cumulus. Long May She Rain.
June 6, 2023
Why did I wait so long to take advantage of the fun nonfiction offers? As a parent, I don’t think I’m alone. When my kids were younger, we read a lot about shapes, colors, animals and then trains. Lots and lots of books about trains. More ›
Music to One’s Ears
September 26, 2022
Sound is an important connection with the world for visually impaired author Daniel Bernstrom. He writes joyful, rhythmic picture books for children, often featuring Black/Brown characters having everyday adventures. Daniel’s newest book, Song in the City is the perfect title to share as we end our Tune In! summer of experiencing and celebrating the many forms of music in our lives. More ›
Bird Buddies in Action
September 15, 2022
Discover how the kids at AHC’s Summer Camp program in Arlington, VA learned all about birds using Start with a Book’s Bird Buddies toolkit. You’ll see their amazing bird journals and how they did research and hands-on activities to study feathers, beaks, habitats, prey, and much more! More ›
Music and Culture
September 14, 2022
Join the kids at AHC’s Summer Camp program in Arlington, VA as they studied music with Start with a Book’s Tune In! music toolkit. Together they read Ada’s Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay. They loved the story and found it amazing that materials could be reused and repurposed on a large scale. The children’s favorite activity: making their own recycled instruments. More ›
Music Murals and More!
September 13, 2022
The children at the Ruby Tucker Center summer program in Alexandria, VA were very excited to start camp and dig into the Start with a Book Tune In! music toolkit. Highlights were all of the great books they read — one of their favorites was I Got the Rhythm — creating a lively music mural, and learning about how music is all around them in their daily lives. More ›
Tune In! and the Art of Expression
September 12, 2022
Jubilee Housing’s Early Start program in Washington, DC adopted Start with a Book’s Tune In! music toolkit this summer. See how they filled the program with adventure and joy, and incorporated music and literacy into each weekly theme and activities. More ›
In Harmony with Nature
August 24, 2022
In Little Bird’s Day by Sally Morgan you can feel your energy rising as Little Bird moves through the day interacting with elements of nature. And then you get peace and contentment as Little Bird settles down for the night to rest, the sky darkens, and the world quiets. It is a delight to have Sally Morgan visit and help us think more about our connections to the natural world. Sally is an award-winning Australian Aboriginal author and artist and the director at the Centre for Indigenous History and the Arts at the University of Western Australia. More ›
Ready for Reading Adventures
August 10, 2022
Mom, granny, teacher, artist, and writer Mary Brigid Barrett grew up in a large family that made loving efforts to bring books to life. And she’s continued those efforts with her children, grandchildren, and students, and through her work as the executive director of The National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance. We’re so delighted she’s come to Book Life to share some of her ideas for book-inspired adventures! More ›
Hearing the Music Around You
July 26, 2022
I was very excited last summer to get my hands on Margarita Engle’s picture book, A Song of Frutas, to hear what new sounds she was bringing to life. And now I am even more excited to have her share her own thoughts here about the book and celebrating some of the many ways words can bring us joy! More ›
Hitting the Right Note
July 11, 2022
Children's author Wendy Wan-Long Shang writes, “My very first picture book, The Rice in the Pot Goes Round and Round, came out in 2021, and in 2022, I had my first in-person author visit for the book in nearby Prince William County. I wondered if the young students would be able to sit still. Would they sing along with my book, which is set to the tune of “The Wheels on the Bus”? Would I have to sing alone?” More ›
Read. Talk. Explore!
June 14, 2022
Mia Wenjen blogs on parenting, children’s books, and education at PragmaticMom.com and is the co-creator of Multicultural Children’s Book Day, a nonprofit celebrating diversity in children’s books. She’s passionate about representation in children's picture books — meet Mia and learn about her book club! More ›
New and Improved Summer Mom Camp
May 30, 2022
Registering online for summer camps was always a stressful situation in our household, especially with two kids of different ages and interests. Typically, we’d land far down on waitlists and have to seek alternatives. That’s when I’d often turn to the moms in my neighborhood so we could get together to plan a mom camp. More ›
Stories to Save Earth
April 18, 2022
"That quiet summer without the frogs was on my mind when I started to write One Small Hop, a climate fiction book set in the not-so distant future. It’s on my mind today." Children's author Madelyn Rosenberg recalls the inspiration for her newest picture book, and shares some simple things you can do to celebrate Earth Day, with kids in mind. More ›
Trailblazer Summer
September 27, 2021
Kids at AHC, Inc.'s summer program learned about trailblazing women like Olympic high jumper Alice Coachman and pilot Hazel Ying Lee. They dug into the books and activities from Start with a Book's Trailblazers guide. More ›
Launching Future Astronauts
September 17, 2021
Kids at Jubilee’s Early Start program explored space and the world of astronauts, using Start with a Book's Space Rangers toolkit as a guide. More ›
Nurturing Nature
September 6, 2021
Meet Joe Weldon, a wildlife biologist who works for the BLM and the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area. Joe’s love for nature and animals began at a young age. He grew up in places like Lolo, Montana, and Bend, Oregon, where his family spent lots of time outdoors. We’re excited to have Joe share his thoughts about engaging kids in their own outdoor adventures and getting them thinking and learning about becoming good stewards of our natural environment. More >
Bird Buddies
August 12, 2021
When Blanca Gómez was a kid, she spent a lot of time at her grandma’s. There, she ate bread with olive oil for breakfast, ran away from the cat in the corridor, and bumped her head on the corner of the table quite often. So, it makes sense that Bird House, the first book she both wrote and illustrated, talks about her grandma. We’re so grateful to Blanca for sharing her inspiration for Bird House as well as providing instruction and inspiration for getting crafty and creative! More ›
Conversations Take Flight
July 28, 2021
Picture book biographies are ideal for introducing kids to the lives and ideas of those who lead the way. The 14 featured books in the Meet the Trailblazers guide encourage readers to explore the incredible lives of women and men of color who helped shape our world. One of those titles is The Fearless Flights of Hazel Ying Lee by Julie Leung. Hazel was a trailblazer not only for women, but Chinese American women in particular. We’re so delighted Julie is here to talk about bringing Chinese American narratives to the forefront and nurturing more stories and more perspectives that can inspire future trailblazers. More ›
Tuning In to a New Frequency
July 20, 2021
While I’m making use of the Bird Buddies toolkit this summer, I can’t help but be focused on creatures with wings. Out in the backyard to watch birds, the kids and I are also tuning into winged insects (those cicadas were hard to miss), enjoying buzzing bees and butterflies while trying to avoid hundreds of mosquitoes. But the mosquitoes attract other winged visitors that we usually don’t get to observe — bats! I’m so excited that Emma Reynolds is here to steer us all toward taking a Bat Walk and learning more about these fascinating and helpful animals! More ›
Reading That’s Natural
July 9, 2021
I most love the nature that comes right your doorstep, like the flicker that regularly visits my yard or the recent emergence of the 17-year cicadas in my neighborhood. It boosts my feeling of connection to the other living creatures we share the planet with. But sometimes the animals you really want to connect with are a little farther away from home. For me—especially nowadays—that’s where books come in! Here to make connections for us to the rain forest is award-winning author Melissa Stewart, who has written more than 180 science books for children and frequently visits schools to talk about her adventures in the natural world. More ›
#outsideeveryday
June 30, 2021
Some people and groups I follow on social media post simple outdoor adventures using #outsideeveryday which has propelled me on more than one occasion away from my screen for at least a walk around the block ... I’m so happy that April Pulley Sayre is here to share her ideas for embracing nature. April is a photo-illustrator and award-winning author of more than 75 books including Bloom Boom, Warbler Wave, Full of Fall, and Thank You, Earth. More ›
The Reading Connection
June 23, 2021
Summertime is a great opportunity for kids to discover an interest and summer reading can help illuminate new pathways that link kids to lifelong learning. We’re so delighted to have ornithologist, best-selling author, speaker, and environmental consultant John C. Robinson here to share what sparked two of his great passions — books and birds. More ›
Hatching Summer Outdoor Reading Fun
June 14, 2021
One of the recommended titles in our new Bird Buddies toolkit is The Beak Book by Robin Page. Robin has written and illustrated numerous picture books, including the 2004 Caldecott Honor recipient What Do You Do with a Tail Like This?, which she created with her husband Steve Jenkins. We are so grateful to Robin for sharing more here about what inspired her interest in beaks, how she came up with the design for The Beak Book, and some fun and easy ways kids can explore birds and their beaks. More ›
Building Big Dreams
June 1, 2021
One of the titles featured in our new Trailblazers activity guide is the electric picture book biography Building Zaha: The Story of Architect Zaha Hadid written and illustrated by Victoria Tentler-Krylov. We are so excited to have Victoria here to share more about Zaha, architecture, and the power in pursuing a passion. More ›
Jump into Summer Learning
May 20, 2021
One of the titles featured in our new Trailblazers activity guide is the vibrant picture book biography Jump at the Sun: The True Life Story of Unstoppable Storycatcher Zora Neale Hurston by Alicia D. Williams and illustrated by Jacqueline Alcántara. We are so grateful to Alicia for sharing more here about Zora, storytelling, and ways to use history and stories to get kids jumping. More ›
Caught Read-Handed
January 3, 2021
Wendelin Van Draanen loved reading mysteries when she was growing up. But her Edgar-winning Sammy Keyes mystery series features all kinds of problems to solve, not just mysterious ones. We’re delighted to have Wendelin here to share more about her rich and relatable title character and what having access to such a character can do for young readers. More ›
Diverse Role Models for All Children
December 16, 2020
Meet Anna Kim, illustrator, author, and advocate of diversity of role models for all children. As an Asian-American growing up in the U.S. — Anna was born in Seoul, Korea — she saw few positive representations of her culture. She’s come to Book Life to tell us more about how her experiences motivated her to write and illustrate her first picture book, the delightful Danbi Leads the School Parade. More ›
Pup Talk
December 1, 2020
Pets can inspire in countless ways. When author Laura Shovan (A Place at the Table) shared with me that her two dogs had important cameos in her last two middle grade novels, I had to have her share more about how they inspire her! In her blog post, Laura says, "Even before 2020’s pet craze, children’s books have reflected the special bond between kids and creatures. Let’s look at three different ways young readers can integrate literacy skills with their love of animals." More ›
Women Making History
November 16, 2020
The election of Kamala Harris as the first woman Vice President of the United States has had me both celebrating and thinking about women in history. Let's look at the many great stories of ordinary and extraordinary women and help make them a part of our past, part of our present, and a part of our future. Candace Fleming has written several titles that do just that, including Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart; Our Eleanor: A Scrapbook Look at Eleanor Roosevelt's Remarkable Life; and Boxes for Katje, and one that will introduce us to another great woman in history, Cubs in the Tub: The True Story of the Bronx Zoo's First Woman Zookeeper. More ›
Test of Character
November 6, 2020
Elly Swartz, the author of acclaimed contemporary middle grade novels that spark discussion about mental health awareness, has come to Book Life to share her thoughts, ideas, and resources for empowering kids through books. Her debut novel, Finding Perfect, was named one of the best children’s books on mental health by the Child Mind Institute, and won a Nerdy Book Award. Smart Cookie was an ILA-CBC Children’s Choice and a Triple Crown Award Lamplighter nominee. School Library Journal said that Give and Take “may provide comfort and support to readers who have trouble processing their own strong emotions.” More ›
A Ride to Remember
October 21, 2020
When Sharon Langley was born in the early 1960s, many amusement parks were segregated, and African-American families were not allowed entry. Sharon’s book, A Ride to Remember, written with Amy Nathan and illustrated by Floyd Cooper, shows how a community came together — both black and white — to make a change. In the summer of 1963, after demonstrations and public protests, Gwynn Oak Amusement Park in Maryland desegregated. Sharon was the first African-American child to ride the carousel when the amusement park opened to patrons of all races. More ›
Heroes Give Us Hope
October 15, 2020
Wait! Is this a joke? There’s a reason to celebrate 2020, this most difficult year? YES! This year is the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment — guaranteeing women the right to vote! Barb Rosenstock's newest book, Fight of the Century: Alice Paul Battles Woodrow Wilson for the Vote, introduces kids to the ways that women fought for justice and changed our country. More ›
A Society Where No One Is Left Out
October 8, 2020
A picture book by Deborah Hopkinson that’s great for talking with kids about our democracy and active citizenry is Thanks to Frances Perkins, Fighter for Workers’ Rights. We’re so happy to have Deborah Hopkinson share more with us about Frances Perkins, her significant contributions to society, and how we — and Frances — can encourage kids to take action. More ›
All About Rivers!
September 2, 2020
The summer of 2020 has been like no other. At Jubilee's Early Start program, our students participated in a virtual summer camp. We used Start with a Book's River Rangers curriculum to actively engage our students and to help them explore nature even in the confinement of their home. This summer, our students have learned about the water cycle, how rivers are formed, and river habitats. More ›
Build Your Child’s Spatial Awareness by Exploring the Outdoors
August 3, 2020
Children start developing their spatial thinking skills at an early age, and like any skill, it takes practice. When you combine early orienting and mapping skills with adventures outdoors, you’ll build your child’s spatial thinking skills and also foster their curiosity about exploration and discovery. More ›
Everyday Kindness: Strategies to Help Your Young Child Build Social and Emotional Skills
July 29, 2020
Children need strong social and emotional skills to succeed at home, at school, and in the community. Here are some ways to help your child develop kindness by seeing it in their own lives and having opportunities to demonstrate kind behaviors. More ›
Something Happened in Our Town: A Child’s Story About Racial Injustice
July 26, 2020
Something Happened in Our Town follows two families — one White, one Black — as they discuss a police shooting of a Black man in their community. The story aims to answer children’s questions about such traumatic events, and to help children identify and counter racial injustice in their own lives. To deepen learning, you'll find booklists, conversation guides, and other resources. More ›
12 Ideas to Help Your Child Be an Upstander at Home and Beyond
July 24, 2020
When a situation arises where someone is being treated unfairly, excluded, ridiculed, or even bullied, what can a person who is watching do? What can a person do if he or she perceives an injustice at home or in school, the community, or the world? Explore what it means to be an "upstander" rather than a bystander. More ›
Get Ready to Read Across America
January 30, 2020
As Read Across America draws near, it’s time to start thinking about which great books you’re going to share on March 2 and plan your reading celebration! Resources and recommendations abound! More ›
Balloon-Powered Mars Lander: The Great Egg Drop Experiment!
September 17, 2019
Our students have been enjoying the Reading Rockets Space Rangers curriculum for several weeks. They have learned about gravity, paths of orbit, the moon, the sun, the solar system, and most recently, the planet Mars. This past week they learned all about why Mars has its red color, what the planet’s weather is like, and how we have been able to land space explorers on its surface to learn more about it. More ›
Postcard from the Road
August 22, 2019
Our road-tripping school librarian Rebecca Burton, is checking in from her a cross-country adventure that has taken a few (brilliant!) detours thanks to the young readers in her family. "Greetings from the West! My, oh my, the mysteries and majesties we are discovering! Check out this crazy rock formation, Monument Rocks National Natural Landmark, which rises up out of the plains of Western Kansas ..." More ›
3... 2...1... Blast Off! AHC Inc. Space Rangers
August 16, 2019
Every year we host a 6-week Summer Camp program for our elementary school students across our communities. This year we are implementing the Space Rangers curriculum at all five of our Community Centers’ Summer Camp Programs. Our students and staff could not be more excited to share some of our OUT OF THIS WORLD experiences with you. More ›
Stories: Step by Step
August 13, 2019
This summer, in addition to signing up for the local library’s Summer Reading Challenge, we checked out the Start with a Book website to choose topics to explore. Having just finished fourth grade’s in-depth study of Virginia history, my son wanted to dig deeper. We gathered books about the American Revolution and the Civil War and started a ritual to ensure daily reading: “Stoop Time.” More ›
What to read when it’s Hot, Hot, HOT out!
July 31, 2019
I write a series of books called Craftily Every After (under a pen name “Martha Maker” … now you know my secret!). These books are about four friends who all love to do crafts and other creative projects. So far, there are six books, each of which focuses on a new situation and craft project. In book #6, Breaking the Piggy Bank, the four friends decide to beat the heat with a lemonade stand. Because Bella’s dad runs a restaurant, they get the idea of making and selling agua fresca instead of plain old lemonade. More ›
Little Projects Inspired by the Big Moon
July 23, 2019
Author Laura Purdie Salas has long felt a strong sense of wonder about the Moon. If You Were the Moon, one of the more than 125 books she has written for kids, provides readers with her poetic Moon observations. We’re so happy to have Laura share her wonderful Moon-inspired ideas to help you follow up on the interest and excitement generated by the anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission. More ›
Journey to the International Space Station with Astronaut Annie
July 15, 2019
This is the perfect summer to help kids learn more about space, from the early astronomers like Galileo to what space exploration can tell us now about life on planet Earth, so we are thrilled to start our countdown to the 50th anniversary of the successful Apollo 11 mission with author Suzanne Slade. Suzanne, a mechanical engineer by degree who worked on Delta rockets, often writes about science and space topics and is an award-winning author of more than 140 children’s books. She’s visiting Book Life to take us on the journey of her title Astronaut Annie to the International Space Station! More ›
And … We’re Off!
July 3, 2019
While books can transport you through space and time, sometimes you just have to get behind the wheel and go! Always a great bonding experience, the summer family road trip can also be a learning adventure full of meaningful and authentic opportunities for kids to read, write, listen, and talk. Meet school librarian Rebecca Burton who shares how great books, websites, and apps fit into her family’s travels this summer, as they embark on a cross-country adventure ... that starts with a book! More ›
Summer Exploration ... Using All Your Senses!
June 25, 2019
The long days of summer are made for memorable adventures, big and small. Author Leah Henderson shares how a simple moment can lead to hours of exploration and real and imagined adventures. Complement her recommendations for summer exploration with our Geography, Travel and Cultures resources. More ›
Sharks in Socks?
June 12, 2019
Here we’re excited to share a wonderful new spin on bringing fiction and nonfiction together. It comes from award-winning author Erica S. Perl, and it will have everyone laughing and learning together. Erica loves to encourage creativity and curiosity and her new book Truth or Lie: Sharks! does both! More &›
Summer Reading Chills and Thrills
June 5, 2019
This will be my 47th summer as a reader. My first summer as a reader was one of those unbearable hot, muggy Florida summers where you park yourself in front of the air conditioner and look longingly out the window, wishing for a trip to the beach or pool. Or pick up Norah Smaridge’s The Big Tidy-Up and Miss Suzy by Miriam Young and hide under your bed in the dark and the cool. For four-year-old me, that was quite the adventure. Monsters lived under my bed for goodness sake! More ›
Water Words and Watersheds
July 27, 2018
This past week at aspire!, we have been implementing the River Rangers curriculum. Each of our three sites has focused on different aspects of the curriculum, but all of our students have had fun, learned new things about the world around them, and found some interesting new books. More ›
We Are Water Explorers, Raft Builders, and Readers!
July 27, 2018
With all this rain in the weather forecast this week, how can we not talk about water?! Summer camp leader Becky Koons gets her River Rangers going by imagining a day without water. More ›
Adventures of My Summer River Rangers
July 23, 2018
How can we teach children about one of our most important natural resources? Gaynelle Diaz combines lots of reading with art, hands-on activities, and field trips to jumpstart a summer full of learning about water and our local rivers. More ›
Summer Harvest
September 19, 2017
How was your summer? Like most summers, it went by way too quickly for me. But there are a couple of things I think will be helpful to do to preserve this summer’s bounty of reading and learning. More ›
Not Just for Kids: Our Journey to Turquoise Mountain
August 28, 2017
Retreating from a surprisingly cool and grey July morning, 60 parents, grandparents, and children poured out of a bus on Pennsylvania Ave. Together, we amble towards the entrance to the African Art Museum — our gateway to the Freer and Galleries. More ›
Take reading outside
August 21, 2017
Story can do a lot to inspire kids to engage with the natural world. What can you do to get kids outside? Kit Ballenger has some ideas that all start with a book! Kit is a youth services librarian at An Open Book Foundation and a regular volunteer at the Library of Congress Young Readers Center. An avid hiker and backpacker, she always has a book in tow and reads every night before bedtime, even by headlamp in a sleeping bag. More ›
Become an explorer in your own backyard or nearby park!
August 15, 2017
Strengthen your child’s powers of observation and imagination when you spend time together outdoors. You can find nature in a variety of settings within your community, giving children the opportunity to explore by touching, smelling, and examining things to make their own discoveries. Lulu Delacre, award-winning bilingual author and illustrator of children's books, offers engaging ideas to inspire children and their families to make artistic connections with the natural world. More ›
Book-ing Your Child’s Summer Vacation
August 11, 2017
Even though it is already back-to-school time in some parts of the country, there’s still time for reading fun in the summer sun for everyone! Legendary children’s storytime performer and early childhood educator Sol Livingston has some great ideas for summer reading that will inspire reading road trips all year round. More ›
Preventing the Summer Slide in Military Families: The Importance of Reading Aloud
August 8, 2017
Parents play a major role in stimulating developing minds and building literacy skills and children who read aloud with their parents reap numerous benefits. But for children and parents who are physically separated, it is difficult to read aloud together and build bonds around books. Our friends at United Through Reading share how establishing reading routines help support summer reading, particularly for those families who face the challenge of military deployment. More ›
Score Big with Books
August 3, 2017
For many sports-loving kids, summer means heading to the field, court, pitch or pool. But a passion for playing a sport can also get kids reading. Author Fred Bowen shares how his own love of sports relates to reading and what parents can do to help kids connect their own sports experiences to all kinds of reading. More ›
Hear Me Out About Summer Reading
July 31, 2017
Summer can provide the time to read that lots of kids need to strengthen skills. But summer also offers other warm-weather distractions that have more kid appeal than books. William Weil, Co-Founder and CEO of Tales2go, an award-winning kids' mobile audiobook service, shares his ideas for building reading comprehension skills and engaging young readers and families in summer reading and learning adventures. Listen up! More ›
Learning Together: Summer Trips with Turning the Page
July 18, 2017
Kids benefit when their parents are active members of their community. When they feel their families are a part of the community, kids feel safer, valued, and more confident which opens up great opportunities for learning and exploration. Ellie Canter, Managing Director at Turning the Page, shares how real-life experiences and connections with books help build community in Washington, DC. More ›
Join Little Free Library’s Action Book Club (And You Could Win Free Books!)
July 10, 2017
Sometimes we need a reminder that big changes in our world often start with small actions. Books can be that perfect reminder, especially for kids who connect with a particular character or find inspiration in fiction and nonfiction about ordinary people who stand up for what's right. More ›
A Taste of Nature
July 5, 2017
The sense of wonder that nature provides is exactly the curiosity you want your child to bring to a book. Even if you are limited to exploring your backyard or the local park, there are many simple ways to spend enjoyable times reading and learning together in the great outdoors. More ›
Summer Writing: It’s Cool to Collaborate
June 22, 2017
Here are Madelyn Rosenberg and Wendy Wan-Long Shang to tell you about how they paired up as co-authors and how working with a partner can help get kids excited about writing this summer. More ›
Making Reading Connections with Themes
August 23, 2016
For more than 25 years, The Reading Connection (TRC) has been making sure kids get read to and have books of their own. Our organization is dedicated to improving the lives of at-risk children and families by helping them create and sustain literacy-rich environments and motivation for reading. This year our overall theme was superheroes — specifically how you can “be your own superhero.” Kids were encouraged to reflect and consider what their own superpowers were — because not all superheroes have the same powers! More ›
