Kids Blog

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!

A Perfect Adventure Book: Journey of the Pale Bear

Journey of the Pale Bear by Susan Fletcher plays it cool with a cover that does not quite tell you what's happening. A boy on a bear? Are they playing? Escaping? With muted colors and surprisingly little drama for a picture of a boy riding a polar bear, the seemingly dull cover almost led me away from this Sequoyah pick.

Riddle Me This: Jokes & More for Reading Fun

Children's librarians at the Tulsa City-County Library want kids to read. And one way to show them that reading is a fun activity is to build on their curiosity about...well, everything! Last week, I brought up how to use YouTube videos about topics like sloths and wild weather as a way to the library and reading, but another YouTube entry point into library books is the humble riddle and joke. Search for "Clean kid jokes" online (make sure you preview them first, of course!) and share with your child.

YouTube for Reading? Yes!

It may seem strange for a librarian to recommend YouTube videos as a reading strategy, but hear me out. The 21st century has given us technology that can be a burden and a chore (says anyone forced to answer work email during vacation). But for children, it's also a great opportunity to stoke curiosity and build a sophisticated level of background knowledge about a wide variety of topics.

Talk More than Turkey at Thanksgiving

Talking is one of the best activities you can do with your young child to help prepare them for learning how to read later on. (It's also beneficial in multiple ways to children who are already reading!)  This Thanksgiving, make sure you take time to talk to your child! A few tips that might help:

Don't Miss Out on "Bob"!

If you've followed the Owasso Library's social media or stepped within 5 feet of our Sequoyah display, you probably know how much I loved "Bob".

Second Graders, Get This Special Books To Treasure Library Card!

A library card is the ticket to literally all of the knowledge and stories in the world. (No boast, just the truth!) Every year since 2003, all second graders in Tulsa and Tulsa County have had the opportunity to get their very own library card decorated with the artwork of a celebrated illustrator. As part of the Books To Treasure program, funded from the beginning by the Zarrow Foundation, every second grader can apply for their own library card, while also receiving a copy of the book the artwork is from, AND see the illustrator in person at a public presentation.