Kids Blog

More Laugh Out Loud Books!

Who doesn't love to laugh? Not kids - especially in the books they read! According to several recent research reports, elementary-aged children identify humor as one of their top interests in reading. Here are a few more laugh-worthy books to share together:

Ha Ha Ha! It Is For To Laugh! (Funny Picture Books)

Love to laugh? Love to laugh when you're reading to your kids? Here are a few funny picture books perfect for sharing (and laughing over) together: Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great by Bob Shea - Shea is a master comedic picture book creator, but this one is pretty special because of its perfect details (Unicorn can make it rain cupcakes, while Goat can only prepare marshmallow squares) matched with energetic illustrations that practically leap off the page.  

Making the Jump to Chapter Books: Mo Mo Mo!

If your child has started reading independently but isn't quite ready for full chapter books, I have one easy suggestion: Mo Willems. The author/illustrator has singlehandedly revived the "easy reader" or "early reader" category of books - not full picture books, not full chapter books, but a lovely amalgam of the two just perfect for the "in-between" readers who are testing out their phonics knowledge while working on becoming fluent readers. Why is Mo so perfect?

Cooking with Kids, Pt. 4: Sandwiches!

"Everything tastes better squished between 2 pieces of break" is often heard at my house, as is "Sandwiches always taste better when someone else makes them!"

Cooking with Kids, Part 3: Recipes Kids Should Know

What's for supper? Sometimes this question strikes dread in me, even as an experienced home cook. Often, in those situations, I stand in front of the refrigerator with the doors open just thinking, looking for inspiration. What can I make with x, y, or z? 

Cooking With Kids, Part 2: The Minecrafter's Cookbook

Does your child love Minecraft? Yeah, mine did too when they were younger. They probably know all about food and potions and buffs in-game, while you are more likely concerned with food IRL (in real life). 

Cooking With Kids, Pt. 1: The Basics

Some of my favorite memories from when my children were little are kitchen memories. Working together in the kitchen to prepare a meal for the family is a great opportunity to talk with your child about what's going on with them, their friends, school projects and more. When you cook with your child, you may not realize it, but you are doing science experiments and often working math word problems. (Do you remember hating them in school? Me too, but it turns out that's actually how you use math in the real world!)

Picturing School: Books for Back to School

School's in session! Instead of asking your child "How was school?" at the end of the day, consider reading a picture book related to school instead. Reading books aloud is a natural way to talk about a variety of topics without it feeling forced. Here are a few of our favorite discussion-starting, school-focused picture books:

Swing Back Into School Reading Mode! 10 Tips

Most schools are back in session, but that doesn't mean children have quite shaken off the vacation sleepies.  Some tips from our fellow public library Multnomah County Library in Portland, Oregon to help get kids back into reading mode for school: 1. Use the closed captioning on your TV so your child can read along. 2. Take turns reading a book together. Let your child read to you, then you read to them. 3. Set up a special place - a chair, sofa or pillow - to use especially for reading.

Sequoyah Award? What's That?

At some point during the school year, you might hear your child mention the Sequoyah Award and wonder what it's all about. As someone who has been involved in this long Oklahoma literary tradition, I'm happy to tell you more about it! What is the Sequoyah Award?