– Book Reviews
It may be the end of April, but we can’t let the month end without sharing some great books to celebrate Arab American Heritage Month!
Ten Ways to Hear Snow by Cathy Camper
This lovely picture book features Lina, who is walking to her grandmother’s house to make warak enab on a snowy day …
It’s National Poetry Month, and my (unofficial) research shows that children love reading poetry, and hearing poetry read to them. Below you’ll find a mix of new poetry books and old favorites to enjoy!
Climbing the Volcano by Curtis Manley
What’s the best poetic form to tell the story of hiking up a volcano? …
National Library Week is April 7-13, and we’re celebrating by sharing books about libraries! Some are inspirational, some involve murder, but all show that libraries are the place to be.
A Library by Nikki Giovanni
This lyrical picture book explores the wonder of books and libraries through the eyes of a child. Children and …
Cosby, S.A. All The Sinners Bleed. New York : Flatiron Books, 2023.
Content Warnings: death, torture, rape, gore, violence, racial slurs, school shootings, pedophilia.
If you like your mysteries/thrillers with a good dose of Southern flavor and existential crisis, read All the Sinners Bleed. This book was on several “Best Books of 2023” lists …
New Easy Readers Bring Joy to Kids!
If your child is a beginning reader, you know the joy of finding easy readers that get them excited. We have a lot of new options, and are highlighting six of them!
The Fix-Its: Nail Need Help by Sarah Lynne Reul
Have a kid who loves science and …
Since March is Women’s History Month, we’re sharing some of the Historical Fiction books that were published in the last year by women, about women in history!
Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray
Frances Perkins arrived in New York in the early 1900s with the conviction that she could make a difference for women …
Parents and caregivers know the best way to help their child become a strong reader and successful at school is to read to them! But as kids get older, they may not embrace reading time as much as they did when they were younger. Reading to an older child/tween/teen can lead to …
The Bandit Queens. Shroff, Parini. New York : Ballantine Books, [2023].
Content warnings: misogyny, classism, body shaming, rape and attempted rape, sexual assault, domestic violence, alcoholism, acid attacks, murder.
Sometimes you pick up a book, expecting one thing, but get something else entirely. I picked up The Bandit Queens, expecting something similar to the …
There’s some sort of thrill when you read a book that is set in a familiar place, either where you live now, or a place you used to live. Luckily, there are hundreds of books set in North Carolina for you to enjoy! Here are some of our favorites:
Garden Spells by …
Lovingkindness Meditation by Sharon Salzberg
On this Valentine’s Day, I’d like to share a resource that has been proven to increase people’s sense of well-being called lovingkindness meditation. On Hoopla*, you can find guided meditations and writings from the well-known meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg, who is credited with increasing awareness about lovingkindness meditation …