This is a perfect summer storytime lesson plan for toddlers and preschoolers and would work just as well in a library storytime as well as a preschool or childcare center. And if you’re a parent or caregiver, these books, songs, rhymes, and activities work just as well for families to do on their own as well! This was a fun storytime theme to pull together and is a little different from the typical beach or ocean theme that you might be used to seeing. I was excited to see the different perspectives that you could take in terms of this theme from sandcastles to STEM coding, to having a beach d ..read more

Another genre that I enjoy reading, today’s book list is full of middle grade and young adult mysteries. With books taking place around the world and across time, readers are sure to find a book that speaks to them. I especially like mysteries that have a really great puzzle aspect to them, where you don’t even realize how it all fits together until the very end. Mysteries can be a great genre to try for kids who may be reluctant readers because the suspense and question of “who dunnit?” will keep kids turning the pages to find out the answer. And mysteries can often almost have subgenres, so ..read more

It’s National Library Week! And what I’ve realized is that there are so many people who don’t realize just how easy it is to get a library card. So, today’s PSA as a public library director is to teach you how easy it is to get a library card and what you can use it for! Now, this can be very dependent based on where your home library is, but in general, most of the basic instructions are going to be the same. Identify Your Home Library The first step is to identify your home library. Your home library is typically where your taxes support the library or what township/borough/town you live in ..read more

This list of books was one of the most fun to pull together this month! It’s full of “kooky” titles a term I use with the utmost respect. I love to read books that are so far out there, I wonder, “How did the author ever come up with this?” Many of the titles on this book list will have kids laughing out loud, shaking their heads, and most likely trying to explain an absolutely silly story to anyone who listens! If you’ve got a reluctant reader on your hands, I often find silly stories can help “break the ice” so to speak. They can show readers that reading itself doesn’t have to be a serious ..read more

Today I’m sharing easy readers. This is a group of books that I don’t often share about but is so vitally important to creating strong readers. Easy readers are geared toward kids from ages 4-7 (with wiggle room as usual) who are beginning to learn how to read. These books often have few words, lots of descriptive illustrations, and a controlled vocabulary that kids can either recognize or sound out (for the most part). Now, this is one of the most used collections in my library. And the classics get just as many check outs as the Disney princesses and superheroes books. But, what a lot of the ..read more

Taking a journey is one of the specific parts of adventure stories whether it be geographical or personal. I talked about this a little more in the historical fiction post earlier this week. And the idea that while we like adventure stories to be action-packed and page-turning, but sometimes they are more thought-provoking and reflective in their own way. Journeys can be the same – sometimes they are full of excitement and fun while others teach you something new about yourself or challenge your thinking about a topic. I’m glad to share journeys of all kinds today. So whether you learn somethi ..read more

Another storytime lesson plan that was a little trickier than I originally thought it would be! I still think it makes for a perfect summer theme, it just might be a little difficult to find the books on the list below. Many of them are out of print, but if you’ve got a local library nearby, they may surprise you with what they have available. I made the most adorable watermelon rice krispie treats a few years ago. And I think they’d make for a great special treat for a storytime like this one, or at the very least, a recipe you can share with families. You could also pair a number of these b ..read more

Imagination is a gift once must have when writing and these authors are full of it. With stories of games, zombies, spies, history brought to life, and an overnight in Ikea, the imagination knows no bounds! I enjoy creating lists such as this one when you pull together books that you might not normally see on the same list together. It allows readers a chance to learn about new titles and authors as well as stories they might not be expecting. Take time to explore this list of imaginative tales, especially if you’ve got a reader who loves video games, many of the titles listed below are either ..read more

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read the full disclosure for more information. Springtime Seeds From Seed to Plant by Gail Gibbons With simple language and bright illustrations, non-fiction master Gail Gibbons introduces young readers to the processes of pollination, seed formation, and germination. Important vocabulary is reinforced with accessible explanation and colorful, clear diagrams showing the parts of plants, the wide variety of seeds, and how they grow. The book i ..read more

Historical fiction has always been one of my favorite genres. I love learning and with historical fiction the storytelling aspect makes me enjoy it all the more. I often find myself diving into further research about a time period after having read a book set during it. I’ve been really enjoying the fact that there are many more historical fiction titles that go beyond the typical eras – World War II, westward expansion, and the like. While I may not have learned much about the Romanian revolution, I begin to understand it through I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys. I think this post is a great ..read more