You know we often turn to books when we want to help our children through their struggles and feelings, and this month feels like the right time to share some excellent children's books on grief and loss. When I think back over the last …
I'd like to put in a plug for supporting indie bookstores right now, even if it takes a little extra effort. I'm seeing a lot of people trying to get through this looooong February (what's that even about?) by recommitting to reading. I …
Readers, get excited! The 2021 ALA youth media awards have been announced, and it's time to update our reading lists! In case you're not fully in the book-nerd world like me, that means our 2021 Caldecott, Newbery, Coretta Scott King awa…
I'm typing from behind swollen eyes today, the result of a day of crying tears of joy, tears of relief. Just a whole lot of tears . Lots of friends and readers have told me the same, and shared that one of the most profound moments of ye…
If you've been paying attention for the past four years -- and in particular the past week -- there's been a lot of dissection of phrases uttered by horrified, primarily white people in response to bigotry and racist violence. Phrases li…
I don't think our annual roundup of the best children's books of 2020 could come at a better time. As we're heading into a winter of quarantining in 2021, my goal is to turn off the TV more and open up more books. This is my sixth year c…
This is a sponsored message from Candlewick Press It's hard to believe that it's officially the 20th anniversary of Newberry Honor book Because of Winn-Dixie , the modern classic by Kate DiCamillo that's captivated the imaginations of hu…
As we reflect back on all that has happened this year, it's clear that so many people are seeing -- and honoring -- all the work that Black women are doing to effect change. And all the work that Black women have always done. It's a lega…
This is a sponsored message from Candlewick Press There are some books for a child's library. that are must-haves: An alphabet book, a counting book, a shape book. They can be straightforward...or they can be fun. That difference matters…
This year, even though we haven't been able to go to actual movie theaters, we're still seeing plenty of great movies from home. Yay for film companies adapting! And yay for me spending less than $50 to get everyone popcorn! If you're bi…
I don't know about you, but I'm either needing to project my primal scream into Iceland or get a really good, belly-aching laugh in with a funny new summer novel. We're in the final stretch of summer at my house before school starts ( wh…
Next up in our Father's Day Gift Guide Pandemic Edition ™ , we're sharing Father's Day gifts that support indie bookstores. Because investing in our local brick-and-mortar bookshops now, means they'll still be around when it's safe to wa…
This is a sponsored message forCandlewick Press With Father's Day right around the corner, there's nothing more special than the gift of time together, reading Hike , newest book written and illustrated by Pete Oswald, the New York Times…
Anxiety had already been a concern for many of our kids before the Covid pandemic hit, and as we all know, the current situation isn't helping. All of us are having to navigate an entirely new way of life right now, and it can be particu…
If there is any year we should all be making sure we send an extra thank you to our favorite teachers, it's this one. They're reimagining their entire spring curriculum so that kids can continue to learn from home, they're getting up to …
With the coverage of Black History Month winding down in the news, we actually think this is the perfect time to share some of the new children's books about Black history that we've discovered over the past month. Because all children's…
As a life-long bookworm, I am always looking for ways to get my three teens to put down their phones and read more books. Sound familiar? Then check out the coolest, new-to-me concept in book publishing: Penguin Minis. These novels for t…
It's time to make your 2020 reading list! This is our fifth year to round up all the year's best-of lists of children's books, all in one convenient place for you, so you can have quick access to dozens of ideas when you're at the bookst…
As a mom of three, I have loved few things as much as hearing the crazy stories my kids have dreamt up, or reading the creative things they choose to write on paper. And so I am super psyched to hear about a contest that rewards kids for…
This is a sponsored message for Candlewick Press There's nothing like a magical story to get kids into the Christmas spirit, which is why you'll be so glad to have Dasher , a new book with a female protagonist (yay!) from New York Times …
As the holidays get closer and our annual search for off-the-beaten path gifs for kids gets more intense, I'm so delighted to recommend a subscription to Illustoria . A magazine "for creative kids and their grownups," it makes an amazing…
This is a sponsored message on behalf of Macmillan Children's Publishing Group Kindness comes in all shapes and sizes, which is exactly the lesson kids will learn reading the newest book from New York Times- bestselling author Deborah Un…
I've been looking for that next great heartwarming book to read to my kids after having fallen in love with Augie in RJ Palacio's Wonder a couple years back. So when I saw my friend Jamie Sumner's new book Roll With It in stores this wee…
Those of you who are also fans of Maria Popova's Brain Pickings may know that it's one of our own favorite sites too. We include their list of favorite children's books on our own annual lists of the best children's books lists of the ye…