Just Joking book

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.

Then visit the library and walk them to the 818s section of the children's nonfiction shelves of your library. You'll find a plethora of excellent joke books and books with brain-twisting riddles.

Other sources of curiosity-building videos can be found on the educational channels of TED-Ed (an offshoot from the popular adult channel of TED Talks) and Kids Learning Tube, both of which offer playlists related to different topics.

From learning the geography of different countries to "the physics of football," these short videos can act as introductions for a variety of mind-blowing (and mind-building) subject areas, causing your child to want to learn more. And more. And more.

And do you know the best answer to their questions?

"Let's go to the library!"

- Laura Raphael, Children's Services Coordinator