Each family has a unique history and cast of characters — a combination of personalities, colors, shapes, and sizes. A collection of favorite books is a bit like like a family: each book has its own “voice” and personality that you enjoy spending time with again and again. In this collection of stories old and new, families of all kinds celebrate special days, ordinary days, and each other.
Relationship skills are the ability to form and nurture healthy, positive relationships. This includes communication skills as well as learning how to resolve conflicts and work together. These books celebrate friendships, honest talk, respect, and cooperation. This booklist is part of our Social-Emotional Learning series.
In this webcast, Todd R. Risley, Sharon Landesman Ramey, and Julie Washington discuss research-based strategies for developing language and pre-reading skills in young children.
Look around! Have you ever wondered what clouds are made of? How a plant grows? Wondered about food groups or noticed how the sun’s angle changes with each season? Have you ever read a poem that makes you look at commonplace things differently? You can find out about these and more in your own community — but be sure to start with a book!
Books for young readers continue to be translated into films as they have been for decades. Like books, film can have lasting power. Just think of Judy Garland in movie version of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The first film of the series of a boy wizard and his fight against evil came out in 2001. While the books are all recommended, keep a critical eye out for the movie version to decide if they are appropriate — sometimes the characters and presentations are very different. What’s most important is to share the experience together, whether it’s reading the book, seeing the movie, or both!
Discover the fascinating people and events of the American Revolutionary War era and the formation of our new nation, including the creation of the U.S. Constitution. Meet historical figures such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John and Abigail Adams (and other “ladies of liberty”), Crispus Attucks, and Nathan Hale — as well as lively characters of the time imagined through historical fiction.
Play with rhymes and words as you read these delightful picture books together with kids. You’ll find silly rhyme games, alliteration, palindromes, a cumulative story, short poems that encourage close listening — and more!
