Ten Books That Inspire Kids (and adults!) to Play with Words by Kimberly Behre Kenna

March 10

I love wordplay. And it comes in so many packages! I’m not talking about Scrabble or Wordle, which I enjoy, but books that engage us with their snappy dialogue or their spare poetry. Books with text that inspires kids to think deeply, and may persuade them to want to write something themselves. Take picture books, […]

»»

Ten Adorable Board Board with Photographs of Real Kids by Jane Whittingham

October 28

It’s no secret that children’s literature remains sorely lacking when it comes to representation and diversity. Surveys repeatedly show that children are more likely to encounter a talking animal protagonist in a picture book than a child of color. Representation of physical differences and disabilities remains limited as well. One format that continues to shine, […]

»»

Ten Books To Encourage Your Reluctant Reader by Laurel Solorzano

September 30

A Good Kind of Trouble by Lisa Moore Ramee Shayla faces the typical struggles any middle schooler faces today, but most of all, she’s eager to stay out of trouble. Black Lives Matter seems like a dangerous movement for her to join as it seems to divide everyone at school, but she must decide if […]

»»

TEN SCIENCE FICTION BOOKS FOR ELEMENTARY KIDS by Dr. Emily Midkiff

July 01

There’s an old cliché that says that the age of twelve is the best time to start reading science fiction. However, science fiction is too important to wait until 7th grade! This genre can teach science-fictional ways of thinking, a mindset that helps us process new technology and think critically about science. Thanks to that […]

»»

Ten Picture Books to Enhance Writing Instruction by Shannon Eichele

June 18

There is something special about a read-aloud that captures the attention of our young learners. Taking a picture book and transforming it into an engaging lesson can make learning even more meaningful. We can introduce a new topic in science or maybe help our learners solve the mystery of dividing fractions. Picture books can also […]

»»

TEN MULTICULTURAL PICTURE BOOKS ABOUT FOOD BY HELEN H. WU

April 15

Cooking and eating is something we all have in common, and it’s something kids easily relate to. Reading about food from around the globe and cooking traditions is a great way to teach children to learn about other cultures, embrace and celebrate differences across race, ethnicity, gender, and appearance. Here are top ten multicultural children’s […]

»»

TOP TEN GRAPHIC NONFICTION BOOKS FOR KIDS by Sally Engelfried

March 12

Graphic nonfiction can present an interesting conundrum to librarians, as we tend to like our nonfiction meticulously cited, with no dialog unless it’s a primary source. Yet most graphic nonfiction is full of dialog, as dictated by its form! What I suggest to students is that they view graphic nonfiction as a jumping off point […]

»»

TEN BOOKS FOR KIDS WHO WANT TO SAVE THE PLANET by Mary Boone

January 22

Global warming. Sustainability. Carbon footprint. Water scarcity. Terms rarely mentioned twenty years ago, now are being discussed with children on a regular basis. A 2021 survey conducted by The Week Junior and YouGov found that children born since 2010 list protecting the environment as their second most-pressing concern – right behind access to quality education. […]

»»

Ten Booty-ful books for laughing and learning by Jocelyn Rish

November 13

Kids like books about butts. And farts. And poop. Actually, most adults like them, too. There’s something about a solid scatological joke that sets off peals of laughter. Heck, even just saying the word toot can trigger the giggles. Because books about backsides produce so much laughter, they are a great way to slip in […]

»»

Ten Books to Support Young Activists by Rochelle Melander

November 06

When I started a writing program for young people in Milwaukee, I had one goal: to create a space for children and teens to tell their stories. The students I’ve worked with over the years dream of changing the world. They’ve written about how they would do it, from buying back guns to mandating recycling […]

»»