TAG: tweens

Celebrating the Mermaid: From Bubbly, Sweet Creatures to Fearsome Sea Monsters

Posted in Explore and Discover on May 3, 2023 at 6:00 am

By Abra Cole Most people are familiar with the tale of the bright-eyed, bubbly Ariel from Disney’s animated version of The Little Mermaid. However, in most tales, mermaids are not quite so friendly, or aesthetically pleasing. The oldest recorded mermaid story is the Syrian goddess Atargatis, the woman who dove into a lake and was […]

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New Read-Along Books for Kids Offer Built-In Audio Along with Page-Turning Fun!

Posted in kids, News on April 25, 2023 at 6:00 am

By Sheri Boggs With summer just around the corner, many families are looking for convenient, inexpensive ways to keep the kids entertained and engaged. That’s why we’re excited to share the launch of a new collection that ticks all the boxes. Read-Along books (or simply, Read-Alongs) are regular hardcover children’s books with a sturdy audio […]

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Inclusivity, Awareness & Literacy: Sensory Storytime & Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

Posted in Explore and Discover, Parents and Teachers on March 2, 2023 at 4:30 am

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and prompts us to consider our level of awareness, what is and isn’t in place in our community for inclusion of all people of all abilities, and what we can do as individuals and as a community to be open to and inclusive of everyone. In this guest blog, learn about Sensory Storytime and browse […]

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Kindness: Ideas, Inspiration & the Research about Its Positive Effects

Posted in Explore and Discover on February 22, 2023 at 6:00 am

By Abra Cole Random Acts of Kindness Random Acts of Kindness Day was February 17, 2023, and while it was perhaps overshadowed by Valentine’s Day, it still serves as a great reminder that we can all be kinder to each other every day of the year! Research has shown that being on the receiving end […]

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The Season in 5 Senses: Finding Calm, Centered, Peaceful Moments

Posted in Explore and Discover on December 21, 2022 at 6:00 am

For some of us, this is the season of overwhelm. Expectations we have for ourselves or that others have for us can be downright unbearable during the holidays. This year, I propose trying a different approach to the holiday season. Namely, let’s take a step back, give ourselves a little space, and try to find more meaning in doing less. If you ha […]

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9 Guidelines for Writing Book Reviews & How to Add Yours to Our Catalog

Posted in Explore and Discover on November 22, 2022 at 6:00 am

By Andrea Brumbaugh Not all personal book reviews are created equal. If you have spent any time on Goodreads, you’ve most likely seen some that simply state, “I hated it,” or “I loved it.” If these readers are writing the review for themselves so that they can look back later and see how they felt […]

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The Great Thanksgiving Listen: Discover the Uplifting Effect of Family Stories & Memories

Posted in Explore and Discover on November 9, 2022 at 6:00 am

By Melissa Rhoades & Dana Mannino Would you like this year’s Thanksgiving celebration to make your guests feel uplifted, connected, and hopeful? If so, you can participate in The Great Thanksgiving Listen, created by StoryCorps. Each Thanksgiving, StoryCorps encourages us to sit down with an elder, mentor, family member, friend, or someone we […]

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1 in 5 Are Affected by Dyslexia: Get More Information, Early Intervention & Helpful Resources

Posted in Explore and Discover, Parents and Teachers on September 14, 2022 at 6:00 am

An adorable young girl sitting at her study table with a bored face, doesn't want to study or read Dyslexia is one of the most common specific learning disabilities (SLD) in the world. According to the Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity, it affects up to 20 percent of the population. However, despite the high prevalence of this learning difference, it is often misunderstood by the general public, educators, and parents. As a result, dyslexia […]

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Benefits of Creating Routines for Back to School & Resources for (Dreaded) Homework

Posted in kids, Parents and Teachers on September 13, 2022 at 6:00 am

girl packing lunch box into backpack while in kitchen at home with family By Alison Johnson Getting back into a routine for school is always a transition. If you have had a relaxed schedule during the summer months, frantic mornings do not have to characterize the start of the school year. The challenge is creating a routine that works for you and your family.   Setting up schedules […]

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Space Exploration You Can Do, Inspired by Amazing Images from the Webb Telescope

Posted in Explore and Discover on August 17, 2022 at 6:00 am

By Caitlin Wheeler On July 12, 2022, NASA released its first images from the James Webb Space Telescope, and they are both breathtaking and groundbreaking in their ability to detect infrared light at a high resolution. The telescope operates with two cameras: NIRCam (near infrared camera), which looks at the shortest infrared wavelengths, and MIRI […]

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