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Bubbling beakers: Q&A with Kelli Crawford of Mobius Science Center

Posted in Explore and Discover on June 21, 2017 at 6:00 am

By Erin Dodge In my experience, if you tell kids that they get to go see a science show, the response might be worthy of a shoulder shrug (not true for all kids, of course). I get it. The words “science show” may not be very inspiring to a lot of kids. Now, if I […]

Block play and kindergarten readiness

Posted in Parents and Teachers on June 20, 2017 at 6:00 am

By Mary Ellen Braks This article is second in a 2-part series. The first article is 7 stages of block play: Building and early learning. As a librarian my go-to choice for baby gifts has always been books. The more books you have around your house and the more you read to children, the more likely it is […]

7 stages of block play: Building and early learning

Posted in Parents and Teachers on June 16, 2017 at 6:00 am

By Mary Ellen Braks Blocks! Kids love them and parents love them. Most preschool classrooms and child care centers have blocks. Building programs seem to be everywhere. In fact, we’re having a week full of block and building activities at our storytimes this summer. You may be thinking, “Great! But why!?” My answer would be […]

Enraptured by raptors: West Valley Outdoor Learning Center

Posted in Explore and Discover on June 14, 2017 at 6:00 am

Guest Blog By Kim Brinkmann “I had no idea this place even existed!” This phrase is commonly expressed by first-time guests of the West Valley Outdoor Learning Center. The Outdoor Learning Center is tucked back in a corner on the grounds of Pasadena Park Elementary School, hidden among the towering cottonwoods, cedars, and aspens. It […]

KERNEL at the Fairwood Farmers’ Market: making nutrition and exercise fun and delicious

Posted in Explore and Discover, kids, Parents and Teachers on June 6, 2017 at 6:00 am

By Rachel Edmondson My family loves to go to farmers’ markets. We love fresh, local produce, and we find it’s even more appealing when you are face to face with the people who grew it. Of course, farmers’ markets have a lot more than just produce—artisan foods, fresh meat, crafts, and brews—something for everyone. Last […]

Graphic novels with strong female characters

Posted in Explore and Discover on May 30, 2017 at 6:00 am

By Abra Cole Sometimes, when I find myself in the mood for an upbeat, quick read, I look to the library’s graphic novel sections. Traditional super-hero stories aren’t my cup of tea. I find myself drawn more to the stories that include strong, primary female characters. Luckily these days, there are quite a few great […]

Q&A with Magician Jeff Evans: magic and the Secrets of Wizards

Posted in kids, News, Parents and Teachers on May 25, 2017 at 6:00 am

By Erin Dodge Summer is a fantastical time at the library—a time to build reading muscles with imaginative and real life stories found on the bookshelves. Summer is also the time when kids and families can see, hear, and interact with magicians, musicians, puppets, and more. These summer programs are geared towards kids entering kindergarten […]

10 cookbooks you’ll be glad you checked out

Posted in Explore and Discover on May 23, 2017 at 6:00 am

By Stefani Miller Walking into the cookbook section at the library can be a little intimidating. There are so many books with lovely, enticing pictures on the cover. How are you supposed to choose which one to take home and which one to leave on the shelf? Don’t panic! I’ve been testing them out in […]

Tags: adults, booklists, books, cookbook, cooking, food, recipes

Books to help kids with the idea of a new sibling

Posted in kids, Parents and Teachers on May 16, 2017 at 6:00 am

By Melanie Boerner After six years with our only child, my husband and I are expecting another in August. My son approached me the other day and asked, “Are you going to love the baby and stop loving me?” This, of course, broke my heart and had me, already a ball of hormones, in tears. […]

Your next favorite book from SelectReads

Posted in Explore and Discover on May 11, 2017 at 6:00 am

By Carlie Hoffman Before the internet, I had only one way to serendipitously find my next read at the library: wander the book stacks until an interesting book cover or an evocative title caught my eye. Fortunately, finding books through this process often lead to new favorites. Now I have even more ways to find […]

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