Kids Blog

Reading "Truman" and Talking Turtles

Has your child ever wondered what your pets do while they’re away at school? Jean Reidy and Lucy Ruth Cummins’ Truman imagines a turtle’s worries about his girl when she leaves home for the day.

Re-Reading: from Meh to Marvelous!

So your child wants you to read that book again. You've read it 100 times, easily, and want to read something else for the sake of your sanity...but "Again! Again!" is all you hear when it's story time. That's actually a very good thing. Children's growing brains require a lot of repetition for learning and reinforcement of that learning. Reading the same book 100, 200, 300 times to a child who is just learning the language helps in following ways:

Spiders, Slugs, & More: Elise Gravel!

If your early reader is enamored by Mo Willems but looking for something new (or his books are all checked out!), take a look at Elise Gravel! Why?

Award Alert! Best for Beginning Readers

One of my favorite awards to pay attention to every year is the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for the most distinguished beginning reader book.

Realistic feelings, realistic struggles: The Doughnut Fix

"The Doughnut Fix" by Jessie Janowitz is realistic fiction with wide appeal - for the reader who loves a sweet treat, knows what it's like to be the new kid, or understands living in the shadow of a super-talented older sibling.

National Take Your Child to the Library!

Of course, EVERY day is "Take Your Child to the Library Day", but librarians still set aside one day every year to remind you to drop by for something special. For 2020, all Tulsa City-County Library locations are celebrating during the month of February with a variety of storytimes, scavenger hunts, and other special events. Take a look!

Oh Baby, Can You Read! Tips for Reading to Babies

A frequent response to the suggestion that babies should be read to is, "But they won't understand what I'm reading!" That's exactly right - but consistently reading to babies as they grow WILL help them eventually understand what you are reading. In fact, reading is one of the best ways to help babies learn our language and be able to use it later on.

Something Truly Magical: "Spindrift and the Orchid"

Something truly magical this way comes, and it's not just in the orchids. Spindrift and the Orchid earned a solid 4.5 stars from me with natural world-building and beautiful, whimsical magic. I could truly imagine Lux, and I wished so badly for my own pair of wings so I could fly around with Spin, Max, and Clemence. I did a lot of wishing - perhaps I need an Orchid of my own!

Try It!: Photo Books for Babies

If your baby spends any time at a daycare or with other caregivers, here's a great way to boost their literacy while giving them strong connections to family: a photo book!

Our Favorite Picture Books of 2019

This was previously published in the December 2019 issue of Tulsa Kids magazine. Top 10? When it comes to outstanding picture books, children's librarians have a hard time limiting ourselves, so for our annual round-up, we give you 10...plus 5 to grow on! Snakes on a Train written and illustrated by Kathryn Dennis - This is giggle-worthy for children and adults alike - great for making SSSSS sounds, which is important for phonological awareness, a building block of early literacy!