literacy

It’s often very difficult to help a child cope with loss; sometimes we don’t know how to process the grief ourselves. Dealing with difficult subjects vicariously through the characters in stories can sometimes help us find the words to discuss what’s happened with our little ones. Sometimes there are no words. Sometimes there are just tears. And that’s okay too. Children's Librarian Josh has carefully selected a handful of books to help your family through the toughest times.

If you're like children's librarian Josh, you're not in love with Valentine's Day. But he's positive if you take a minute to share one (or more!) of these books with the special little one in your life, you'll be sure to enjoy Valentine’s Day just the teensiest bit more this year.

Some of my fondest memories with my family are from snow days, including warm mugs of hot chocolate, movie-watching, hide and seek with Gus the cat, hours of story-telling, almost as many hours of nap-taking, blanket forts, and lots of outdoor excursions. In our home we make a habit of celebrating our goofy winter getups. This winter I hope you’ll celebrate too by overdressing, playing outside when it’s snowy, and reading some of the following books that highlight the many snuggly layers of winter.

Thanksgiving is typically a mix of emotions with me. Obligatory family gatherings inevitably (and often awkwardly) lead to chit-chat and cacophonous, gluttonous, carnivorous free-for-alls. I’ve never been especially fond of these traditions. I do, however, have a special place in my heart for the idea of giving thanks. Over the years I’ve found that children are generally pretty grateful beings, too. Here are books that honor thanksgiving—rather than Thanksgiving—with a theme of gratefulness (and by extension, kindness).  Just pop in to your local Metro Library and we can set you up! We’d love to see you!