Parents and Teachers

Finding Fall Picture Books: Good Reads for the Holidays & Every Day

Posted on October 11, 2023 at 6:00 am

Autumn is a beautiful time. Deciduous trees make their colorful transformations. Cooler temperatures prevail. People revel in steaming beverages and cuddly sweaters. Autumn is also the time when seasonal children’s books are especially popular for check out. Even with over 100 picture book titles that come up in our catalog for searches for autu […]

Still Golden: Little Golden Books Are 81 Years Old & Going Strong

Posted on August 29, 2023 at 6:00 am

Do you remember your first Little Golden Book? The Little Golden Book series is a uniquely American success story. Launched at a time when the nation had barely emerged from the Great Depression and was deeply embroiled in World War II, the philosophy behind the 25¢ books was to give working-class parents an affordable way to have engaging books a […]

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

Posted 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 […]

How to Talk with Children About the Holocaust: Expert Tips & Suggested Books

Posted on January 24, 2023 at 6:00 am

By Melissa Rhoades Historic atrocities can feel like they’re not related to our lives today. But historic events were shaped and experienced by regular people like you and me. And regular people like you and me are shaping the future right now. As author Deborah Hopkinson writes in We Must Not Forget, “… it’s up […]

When Kids Say the Darndest Things & Surprise Us at the Library…

Posted on January 11, 2023 at 6:00 am

One of the best parts of working in a public library is interacting with children. Their wonder challenges adult cynicism. Their questions often make us think about the world in a new way. I asked my colleagues to share some of their favorite interactions children in the library. Here are some of those stories that we love. Kids can be tough custom […]

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

Posted on September 14, 2022 at 6:00 am

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 […]

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

Posted on September 13, 2022 at 6:00 am

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 […]

How to Connect with Community Organizations That Help Students with Back-to-School Needs

Posted on August 10, 2022 at 6:00 am

By Crystal Miller August is National Back to School Month. Starting a new year of school can require new clothes and school supplies, among other things. Some families may need some extra help to provide these things for their students. If you are able to help, there are many ways you can donate to help […]

5 Tried & True Ways to Keep Kids Reading All Summer

Posted on August 3, 2022 at 6:00 am

By Alison Johnson One of the most important things to do this summer is to encourage the children in your life to read. For some of us, this can be difficult task. If kids only read for school, they might think of reading as trudging through a “classic” book or reading comprehension assignments. And they […]

New Picture Books in Rhyme Bring Family Fun to Your Storytime

Posted on May 4, 2022 at 6:00 am

Presenting storytimes again also gives me the perfect excuse to explore the new picture books added to our collection. Believe it or not, we’ve purchased over 650 picture books between January 2021 and April 2022. That’s a pretty hefty amount for one person to peruse! Here are eight new picture books that provide a great introduction to stories […]

ABCmouse Early Learning from the Library Now Available for On-the-Go & Home Use

Posted on April 14, 2022 at 4:00 am

ABCmouse is still free for everyone to use in all our libraries. And now all in-district library card holders can now access it from home or while traveling, anywhere with internet access! The curriculum is designed for kids ages 2–8 and includes reading, math, science, social studies, art, and music. Experts in early childhood education have des […]

Raising a Reader: Benefits & Useful Resources for Parents & Caregivers

Posted on March 1, 2022 at 6:00 am

Raising a child as a reader can start at any time, even now. Whether you have a baby, a preschooler, or even a 12-year-old, it is never too early or too late to see the many benefits of reading to children. The library has books and resources to help you raise a readers. Have you tried Book Butler? Or signed up for... […]

Healthy Eating & Active Living Program for Families: Recipes & Success Stories

Posted on February 2, 2022 at 6:00 am

EFNEP Educator Brenda McGuire leads seven interactive lessons starting in March to strengthen your knowledge of healthy foods, discover fun recipes, and find new ways to be active with your family. See how you can participate. […]

School Is In: Helpful Digital Resources for Research, Studying & Homework

Posted on November 19, 2021 at 6:00 am

Now that school is in full swing, homework assignments for many students have started in earnest. Whatever the age of the student, and whether it’s you or someone in your household, we have some great digital resources to help get you through the school year. […]

Fabulous Tail-Wagging Reads to Get Ready for National Dog Day

Posted on August 11, 2021 at 6:00 am

What better day to celebrate our furry family member than National Dog Day on August 26. From silly to touching, these are a few of my favorite picture books about man’s (kid’s) best friend. I hope you read a few to celebrate dogs and get ready for National Dog Day! […]

Hard Topics to Talk About with Kids: Get Help with These New Book Bags

Posted on July 7, 2021 at 6:00 am

Whether the conversation is about divorce, death, bullying, or some other challenging situation, parents and caregivers can wonder where to even start and how much to say. To help parents and caregivers with these tough conversations, the Early Learning Team at the library has launched “Let’s Talk About” book bags. […]

23 Kids’ Books to Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Posted on May 4, 2021 at 6:00 am

By RACHEL EDMONDSON This month is a time to celebrate the history, traditions, and cultural contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). You’ll find great digital reads to celebrate AAPI authors on OverDrive. I also share two lists of picture books and chapter books that you can check out from the library. FIRST, A […]

The best new picture books each month for delightful, adventurous reads

Posted on March 11, 2021 at 6:00 am

By SHERI BOGGS If you’re someone who wants to know about the best and newest picture books arriving on library shelves and what our librarians have to say about them, then Picture Book Chat is for you! Picture Book Chat is among our latest online programs. In these videos, Mary Ellen Braks, librarian and our […]

Tags: books, picture books, teachers

Wiggle worms and bouncing kangaroos: How do you read to active toddlers?

Posted on March 3, 2021 at 6:00 am

By RACHEL EDMONDSON After cold winter weather has kept us inside along with months of extra pandemic confinement, many of us are feeling pretty antsy. For young kids who have a high need to be active, sitting still is probably harder than ever, even for those young kids who normally are happy to crawl into […]

Nurturing creativity & imagination with picture books

Posted on January 28, 2021 at 6:00 am

BY MELISSA RHOADES Children are naturally creative and tend to display expansive imaginations. It’s even a stereotype that our imaginations blossom when we’re young and get socialized out of us as we grow into adulthood. Pablo Picasso is famously quoted as saying: “Every child is an artist. The problem is staying an artist when you […]

What to say to & read with kids when the news is scary

Posted on January 21, 2021 at 6:00 am

By Sheri Boggs NPR recently re-ran a podcast from last year on what to say to kids when the news is scary. Given how 2020 went, this piece is remarkably even more pertinent now, and the tips offered are still helpful: limit kids’ exposure to the news, give them time to talk about what they’ve […]

Tags: crises, crisis, kids, news, parents, scary news

Project ELLO: Everyday Language & Learning Opportunities

Posted on December 15, 2020 at 6:00 am

Guest blog by Dr. Allison Wilson Community spaces and familiar routines offer rich opportunities for meaningful interactions and learning with young children. Everyday Language and Learning Opportunities (Project ELLO) focuses on increasing the number of quality, language-rich interactions between caregivers and young children. ELLO resources encou […]

Exploring memoir writing with children

Posted on December 10, 2020 at 6:00 am

BY CAITLIN WHEELER MEMOIR, A MOMENT IN A LIFE Unlike biography, which is the story of a life, memoir is a story within a life—a moment or a thread of moments that shed light on a larger truth. Everyone has stories like these: little moments in our lives that illustrate something bigger about how we […]

Reading picture books together to help grieving children

Posted on November 24, 2020 at 6:00 am

By Tammy Henry At some point in our lives, all of us will face the death of a loved one and the grief that such a loss entails. Facing death is never an easy thing, and for children, who have significantly less experience with the complexity of life and emotions, it can be a bewildering […]

Yoga and mindfulness for stressed and anxious kids

Posted on October 14, 2020 at 6:00 am

By Rachel Edmondson Life is stressful. Life during the COVID-19 pandemic is extra stressful. As adults, we’ve had to navigate so much this year that nobody would have imagined in 2019. And our kids pick up on our stress. Plus, they have stressors of their own. School is completely different, they’re wearing masks, and they […]

Back-to-School Digital Resources to Help Student Learning Soar

Posted on September 30, 2020 at 6:00 am

By Gwendolyn Haley Whether students are going to school in person, online, or a combination of the two, Spokane County Library District is here to support their learning with tools and resources. Students can access a wealth of free resources online within our Digital Library by using their library card. Getting a library card is […]

1000 Books Before Kindergarten Program Fosters Early Literacy Skills

Posted on September 24, 2020 at 6:00 am

By Mary Ellen Braks We have an online reading challenge for parents and caregivers of young children. You can track the books you’re reading as your child grows! The 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program is designed to foster early literacy skills during the time period in a child’s development where the brain develops most rapidly. […]

Tags: books, reading

Not too young to talk about race and social justice: Library programs and other resources for starting the discussion

Posted on September 10, 2020 at 6:00 am

BY MOLLY MOORE In the video and slide presentation How Kids Learn About Race put together by EmbraceRace, they show that children learn about race from a variety of sources. This means that, whether we are prepared to discuss race or not, children of all ages are receiving messages from everywhere around them. Children, even […]

Not too young to talk about race and social justice: Resources and booklists for parents, caregivers, and kids

Posted on June 12, 2020 at 6:00 am

By Sheri Boggs It’s hard to know where to start the conversation about race with young children. After all, these conversations aren’t easy for most adults. With children there is the additional necessity of making sure the conversation is both age-appropriate and reassuring (at a time when the news is anything but). According to the […]

STEM at home: Learning anywhere and everywhere

Posted on May 19, 2020 at 6:00 am

By Alison Johnson The DIY approach to learning fun activities at home can be a great boredom buster. We miss having your kids and families at our in-person library programs. You are what make those programs so enjoyable and interesting for us! And you can continue to explore STEM at home. Here, I share the […]

Finding adventure in your own backyard

Posted on May 15, 2020 at 6:00 am

By Sheri Boggs I live on a street with several young families, and during the governor’s Stay Home Stay Healthy order, I’ve really enjoyed walking my dogs along brightly chalked hopscotch games, seeing bubbles floating in the air, and marveling at the intricate fairy garden and pebble river one family made in their parking strip. […]

Helping kids understand the coronavirus with a picture book by local author

Posted on April 6, 2020 at 6:00 am

By Sheri Boggs If your kids have had a lot of questions or worries about COVID-19 and you’ve been struggling to find reassuring, age-appropriate resources, look no further. Adam Wallace, a graduate student in public health who is also stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base, launched a Kickstarter for his picture book on the virus […]

Discussing difficult topics with children

Posted on March 11, 2020 at 6:00 am

By Gwendolyn Haley I have found that parenting includes the need to have difficult conversations with children. My family recently lost a beloved dog, Pepe, who had been with us for over 14 years. He was an old dog and spent more and more of his time resting and sleeping. So while we were prepared […]

Booklist for kids: Reading for the Earth

Posted on March 4, 2020 at 6:00 am

By Sheri Boggs Although Earth Day isn’t until April 22, the blue skies, longer days, chirping birds, and tiny green spears of germinating bulbs are enough to remind us of the everyday beauty of our planet—and the increasingly alarming need for wise stewardship of it. While it can be tricky to talk to kids about […]

Kindergarten registration, plus games & activities to get ready

Posted on February 25, 2020 at 6:00 am

By Mary Ellen Braks It’s hard to believe that it is already time for parents to register their children for kindergarten. March 1 is the first day to register for most school districts in Spokane County. Even though school doesn’t start until September, this early registration allows for school districts to plan ahead to have […]

Playing games, practicing math!

Posted on February 12, 2020 at 6:00 am

By Rachel Edmondson I have always been a fan of games. When my kids were younger, I could hardly wait for them to be old enough to move on from Candy Land to more interesting games—ones that I could actually enjoy too! When thinking about games, we often think about reasoning and strategy, which are […]

Mindfulness picture books for your little ones (and you!)

Posted on January 15, 2020 at 6:00 am

By Melissa Rhoades Definitions of mindfulness can sound mystifying and impossible to achieve. Take, for example, the Merriam-Webster Dictionary definition: “the practice of maintaining a nonjudgmental state of heightened or complete awareness of one’s thoughts, emotions, or experiences on a moment-to-moment basis.” Luckily, there is a muc […]

Tags: mindfulness, picture books

College bound: The FAFSA is important for your educational future

Posted on January 8, 2020 at 6:00 am

By Stacey Goddard I have a confession to make. I never filled out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) when I was in high school. When I graduated during the mid-80s, students typically completed their FAFSA applications midway through their senior year. For me, the FAFSA deadline also coincided with my realization that […]

Getting started with graphic novels: Reluctant readers, struggling readers, and you

Posted on November 27, 2019 at 6:00 am

By Rachel Edmondson My oldest daughter is an avid reader. However, for a year or so when she had just learned to read and was a good reader, she still hated reading. As a librarian, my response was—challenge accepted! I brought home lots of books on topics I knew interested her in a variety of […]

Flavors of fall: Food and book pairings for kids

Posted on September 18, 2019 at 6:00 am

By Rachel Edmondson Fall is my favorite season. I enjoy sunny weather that is cool enough to welcome jeans and sweaters. I enjoy the beauty of the changing leaves. I relish the cooler nights that encourage snuggles and books on the couch, and I love all the fun flavors that make their way into my […]

Apps for back-to-school success

Posted on August 7, 2019 at 6:00 am

By Gwendolyn Haley Here it is the first full week of August and all the big box stores have their back-to-school displays up and ready. And the supply lists are out from the schools. So, now seems like the perfect time to remind everyone (including you!) that one of the most essential school supplies is […]

Blast Off! for summer fun with space-themed crafts, books, and programs

Posted on July 8, 2019 at 6:00 am

By Rachel Edmondson This year the library’s summer reading program has been celebrating A Universe of Stories. If you haven’t already poured through Engage, our programs and events guide, to circle the programs that interest you, I suggest you do so soon. We still have lots of summer programs you won’t want to miss! This […]

Indoor activities for families with young kids

Posted on February 20, 2019 at 6:00 am

By Abra Cole If you’re feeling like the parent of Ralphie from the movie A Christmas Story every time you try to get yourself and your kids bundled up to go outside, know that you are not alone. When the temperatures drop into (or below) the 20s, my family doesn’t spend as much time outdoors […]

What to read next: Recommendations for kids by kids

Posted on February 12, 2019 at 6:00 am

By Rachel Edmondson In my years of helping kids find books to read, one thing has remained the same—kids always want to read the same books their friends are reading. Often, a new title has gained traction. It’s also not uncommon for older series to suddenly come into popularity again, based on word of mouth. […]

Easy Reader Nonfiction coming soon to the Easy Reader shelves

Posted on January 29, 2019 at 6:00 am

By Sheri Boggs Big changes are afoot in our Easy Reader section! Elephant & Piggie, Daniel Tiger, Amelia Bedelia, Little Bear, Frog and Toad, and Fancy Nancy will soon be making room for true stories about otters, astronauts, WWE stars, and more as we launch our newest collection: Easy Reader Nonfiction. While we’ve always had […]

Let’s play: Indoor winter fun at the library

Posted on January 24, 2019 at 10:00 am

By Gwendolyn Haley The library is a great place to visit in the winter! No really, it’s true! Every week, we have Play & Learn Storytimes for families with children ages 0–5. For older kids, we have regularly scheduled LEGO Clubs, STEM programs, and other activities. And even when we don’t have a formal program […]

Storytime music to get your preschooler moving

Posted on December 18, 2018 at 6:00 am

By Rachel Edmondson Cold Spokane winters can leave us longing for the days when we can send the kids outside to run around and get some energy out. When the weather isn’t cooperating, music can be a great way to channel kids’ extra energy and help them get a little exercise at the same time. […]

Holiday memories and gifts that keep on giving

Posted on December 4, 2018 at 6:00 am

By Susan Goertz The scent of holidays is in the air. Crisp frost and cinnamon seem to waft near every doorway. We scramble to prepare for social gatherings while dreaming of time. Time to relax and enjoy the season. Time to be with loved ones, remember seasons past, decorate, and eat all the desserts. The […]

Great digital reads for the whole family

Posted on November 6, 2018 at 6:00 am

By SHERI BOGGS November marks the time of year when families start drawing close together for the holidays and you know what that means—lots and lots of family time! The Library District has got you covered with several themed booklists available on our popular OverDrive digital platform. FOR KIDS We Are Family is a handpicked […]

School’s back in session: Picture books about new challenges and situations

Posted on October 9, 2018 at 6:00 am

By Rachel Edmondson There are lots of wonderful books about first-day school jitters. But reading to our kids about school doesn’t need to end once school is in full swing. There are all sorts of challenges that kids face while at school. Fortunately, there are also a wealth of books that cover situations such as […]

Banning books silences stories: Reading a banned book celebrates your intellectual freedom

Posted on September 18, 2018 at 6:00 am

by Melissa Rhoades Banned Books Week is September 23–29 this year. Did you know that at least 23 of the 100 books on PBS’s 2018 Great American Read book list have been banned or threatened with a ban in the United States? That means almost one-fourth of America’s “most loved” novels (as determined by popular […]

Five early reader books for fall school jitters

Posted on August 28, 2018 at 6:00 am

By Sheri Boggs Most of us are not strangers to the first-day-of-school jitters—that delightful mix of excitement and mild apprehension as one contemplates what the new school year might bring. Such a feeling has as much to do with our need to connect and to be accepted as it does with our need to discover […]

How to Identify a Dragon

Posted on August 21, 2018 at 6:00 am

by Caitlin Wheeler When I was young, I loved C. S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia. I especially loved The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, a book that, in my eight-year-old estimation, had everything a book ought to: quests, nightmares, magic spells, enchanted islands, warrior mermaids, anthropomorphized stars, and of course, dragons. Eustace Claren […]

Let’s dance, let’s play: The genius of Jim Gill

Posted on August 2, 2018 at 6:00 am

By Erin Dodge If you’re a parent or caregiver of a young child, then you may already know the joyful, playful music and stories of Jim Gill. If you haven’t yet heard his music or attended an interactive performance, then you are in for a treat! Get ready to jump, dance, sing, clap, and even […]

Microadventure: Day trip to Stonerose for fossils

Posted on July 24, 2018 at 6:00 am

By Rachel Edmondson Even though I’ve lived in the Spokane area for over 15 years now, every once in a while I find out about something and wonder how I’ve never heard about it before. This past fall I learned about the Stonerose Interpretive Center. While it’s a bit of a drive from Spokane (about […]

Preschoolers get ready for school with STEM kits from the library

Posted on June 20, 2018 at 6:00 am

By Mary Ellen Braks Keep your preschoolers busy this summer with hands-on activities that encourage playful learning while exploring STEM concepts and reading. Preschoolers will find lots to discover with their parents and caregivers, using our new Ready for School with STEM kits. Spokane County Library District in partnership with the Inland North […]

The dog days of summer

Posted on June 19, 2018 at 6:00 am

By Sheri Boggs The hot, sticky afternoons of late July through August are typically called “the dog days of summer.” It’s that time when the only thing that sounds good for dinner is gazpacho, and even grownups without kids consider a visit to the neighborhood swimming pool. To the ancient Greeks and Egyptians, the dog […]

Young adult booklist for Pride Month

Posted on June 11, 2018 at 6:00 am

by Caitlin Wheeler As I wrote about in a previous blog that spotlighted children’s books, June is LGBTQ Pride Month. You can learn more about Pride Month and LGBTQ representation in that post. For adult titles, check out my Pride Month blog on that as well. Here, I’m recommending some great young adult (YA) literature […]

Confession of a librarian mom: Reading and summer slide

Posted on June 5, 2018 at 6:00 am

By Gwendolyn Haley Last summer my family was busy with summer activities: camps, road trips, and camping vacations. We planned highly educational and enriching activities for our youngest daughter, but we did not make reading a high priority. When she started school in the fall, her teacher told me that she had definitely lost ground […]

Children’s booklist for Pride Month

Posted on May 29, 2018 at 6:00 am

by Caitlin Wheeler June is LGBT Pride Month in the U.S. Originally a week-long festivity, it honors the 1969 Stonewall Riots that culminated in a 51-block parade march from the Stonewall Inn to Central Park in Manhattan, New York. As it has evolved and taken many forms, Pride Month continues to commemorate the men and […]

What’s cooking in the mud kitchen?

Posted on May 22, 2018 at 6:00 am

By Abra Cole In the last month, my garden has gone from looking like the dark side of the moon after the zombie apocalypse to a lush green jungle of happiness. Many plants I forgot I had planted last fall have popped up to greet the sun. I already know that I want to plant […]

Screen time for small kids: education or entertainment?

Posted on May 8, 2018 at 6:00 am

By Rachel Edmondson I want to start this post with a promise and a disclaimer. First, I promise I am not going to tell you to never ever let your kids watch TV, play a video game, or use a tablet. Second, I’m also not going to give you concrete answers on how you should […]

Consent Matters: Talking about the importance of “Yes”

Posted on April 3, 2018 at 6:00 am

By Sheri Boggs If the media is telling us anything these days, it’s that consent continues to be a hot-button topic. With new allegations of sexual harassment in politics, entertainment, and the arts hitting the news almost daily and the ongoing issue of date rape on college campuses, it seems more important than ever to […]

Beat cabin fever with these creative and (mostly) free activities

Posted on February 20, 2018 at 6:00 am

By Rachel Edmondson If your family is like mine, then February is peak cabin fever season. While we still bundle up and go outside occasionally, we don’t last long when the weather is so chilly. This leaves a lot of time spent inside trying to keep ourselves entertained. While we love reading books, watching movies, […]

Picture books for frosty days

Posted on January 2, 2018 at 6:00 am

By Sheri Boggs Winter is just not my thing. I’m too clumsy to ski. It’s too cold to enjoy being outside. And I get too dispirited by the short days to remember to take my vitamin D. I pretty much just grit my teeth, put on my stupid tights (and gloves, and boots, and hat, […]

Social-emotional picture books to help your kids get through the holidays

Posted on December 12, 2017 at 6:00 am

By Rachel Edmondson The holiday season is often fraught with emotions. Many adults find themselves stressed, excited, joyous, and sad—sometimes all in the same day! It’s helpful to remember that the children in our lives are often dealing with the same strong emotions. While having a vacation from school, receiving gifts, attending celebrations […]

Reading with children: Identity, voices, and shared memories

Posted on October 31, 2017 at 6:00 am

By Gwendolyn Haley I hear my grandfather’s voice when I read The Tale of Peter Rabbit. He did not read to me regularly. We lived very far away from him and only saw those grandparents once or twice a year. But when he read that story to me, it was magical. I have read the […]

Block play and kindergarten readiness

Posted 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 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 […]

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

Posted 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 […]

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

Posted 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 […]

Books to help kids with the idea of a new sibling

Posted 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. […]

Another world: Picture books about refugee and immigrant experiences

Posted on February 28, 2017 at 6:00 am

By Sheri Boggs Imagine your home—the furniture, the walls, the books, the art, the smells, the landscape where you live. Imagine what it would be like if war came and things got so bad you had to leave. Imagine leaving your belongings and your pets, your friends and your neighborhood. Imagine traveling day and night, […]

Reluctant readers, the right books, and Minecraft

Posted on January 3, 2017 at 6:00 am

By Gwendolyn Haley Do you have a kid who is a reluctant reader? When kids complain that reading is boring, they are probably just reading the wrong book. . . for them. Reluctant readers often will try books about things that they already love. If you have a Minecrafter in your house, you may have checked […]

Talking about preschool STEM

Posted on November 1, 2016 at 6:00 am

By Gwendolyn Haley STEM is a hot topic right now. STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields are the fastest growing sector of the economy, and businesses in Washington state are among the leading employers in these fields. As a parent, I want to make sure that my daughters are aware of all the opportunities […]

The Tooth Fairy Project

Posted on August 17, 2016 at 6:00 am

By Jill Johnson You might not expect to a get lesson in good oral health at the library, but that’s just what happened at all ten libraries of the Spokane County Library District. The Tooth Fairy Project was launched in February 2016. The idea was to teach little ones (and their parents) the importance of […]

Prime Time Family Reading: discovering ideas together

Posted on August 16, 2016 at 6:00 am

By Gwendolyn Haley Something magical happens when families read books together and then talk about the big ideas they encounter. Reading is always fun, but talking about books and ideas helps us learn about the world and one another in a whole new way. Prime Time Family Reading from Humanities Washington taps into that magic […]

Kids music for road trips

Posted on June 23, 2016 at 6:00 am

By Rachel Edmondson Summer has arrived, and with it comes more time spent in the car. At least, that’s the case for my family. Whether it’s driving to swim lessons or taking a road trip, music can be a great way to make time in the car more fun. Of course, if you have the […]

Tags: family, hoopla, kids, music, road trip, travel

Serious fun for K-3 readers

Posted on May 26, 2016 at 6:00 am

By Sheri Boggs If you’re a parent or teacher of a grade schooler, you’ve probably heard the term “summer slide,” sometimes also called “summer learning loss.” Summer slide refers to what happens to student brains when they are inactive over the three months of summer vacation. Although kids are getting a much needed break, they […]

The dirt on gardening with kids

Posted on May 19, 2016 at 6:00 am

By Rachel Edmondson I feel the need to start with a disclaimer: I do not have a green thumb. Nowhere close to it. That said, we have a small, raised garden bed in our backyard, and each year we’ve attempted to grow a few vegetables with varying success. Before our kids came into our life, […]

My Library Journey (a guest post by Cindy Hval)

Posted on December 4, 2014 at 6:00 am

By Cindy Hval Guest Writer The purple plastic coin purse with the kitty face didn’t hold much, but then again six-year-olds travel light. It held two quarters, some pennies, a tissue, a cherry Chapstick and my first library card. Clutching the purse with one hand, I ran my fingers across the book spines standing sentinel […]

Life Lessons From Little Free Libraries

Posted on October 15, 2014 at 6:00 am

By Brian Vander Veen Last year, my partner Sheri and I started our own Little Free Library. If you’re not familiar with what Little Free Libraries are, they’re simply containers, usually near a sidewalk or similar publicly accessible space, where people can take and leave books for free. Little Free Libraries first began appearing in Wisco […]

A Conversation with Jennifer Pharr Davis

Posted on August 7, 2014 at 6:00 am

By Gwendolyn Haley After reading Called Again, I was really eager to have a conversation with the author, Jennifer Pharr Davis. I caught up with Jennifer by phone as she, her husband Brew, and 20-month-old daughter, travel all 50 states on a book tour, and hike whenever they can. You set off on your first […]

Why I Read YA

Posted on June 18, 2014 at 6:00 am

By Sheri Boggs I read YA. But Ruth Graham over at Slate says I shouldn’t. Or if I do, perhaps I should pin a large, scarlet “YA” of shame on my chest because—in spite of the fact that 55% of YA titles are bought by people older than 18, in spite of all the lists […]

Posted on October 14, 2013 at 11:30 am

Welcome to our Parents & Teachers blog page. Developing young learners is a top service priority aimed at providing parents and caregivers the resources and activities to prepare children, birth to age five, to enter school ready to learn. The ability to read and write is the basis for all other education. The District works […]

Finding Fall Picture Books: Good Reads for the Holidays & Every Day

Posted on October 11, 2023 at 6:00 am

Autumn is a beautiful time. Deciduous trees make their colorful transformations. Cooler temperatures prevail. People revel in steaming beverages and cuddly sweaters. Autumn is also the time when seasonal children’s books are especially popular for check out. Even with over 100 picture book titles that come up in our catalog for searches for autu […]

Still Golden: Little Golden Books Are 81 Years Old & Going Strong

Posted on August 29, 2023 at 6:00 am

Do you remember your first Little Golden Book? The Little Golden Book series is a uniquely American success story. Launched at a time when the nation had barely emerged from the Great Depression and was deeply embroiled in World War II, the philosophy behind the 25¢ books was to give working-class parents an affordable way to have engaging books a […]

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

Posted 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 […]

How to Talk with Children About the Holocaust: Expert Tips & Suggested Books

Posted on January 24, 2023 at 6:00 am

By Melissa Rhoades Historic atrocities can feel like they’re not related to our lives today. But historic events were shaped and experienced by regular people like you and me. And regular people like you and me are shaping the future right now. As author Deborah Hopkinson writes in We Must Not Forget, “… it’s up […]

When Kids Say the Darndest Things & Surprise Us at the Library…

Posted on January 11, 2023 at 6:00 am

One of the best parts of working in a public library is interacting with children. Their wonder challenges adult cynicism. Their questions often make us think about the world in a new way. I asked my colleagues to share some of their favorite interactions children in the library. Here are some of those stories that we love. Kids can be tough custom […]

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

Posted on September 14, 2022 at 6:00 am

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 […]

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

Posted on September 13, 2022 at 6:00 am

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 […]

How to Connect with Community Organizations That Help Students with Back-to-School Needs

Posted on August 10, 2022 at 6:00 am

By Crystal Miller August is National Back to School Month. Starting a new year of school can require new clothes and school supplies, among other things. Some families may need some extra help to provide these things for their students. If you are able to help, there are many ways you can donate to help […]

5 Tried & True Ways to Keep Kids Reading All Summer

Posted on August 3, 2022 at 6:00 am

By Alison Johnson One of the most important things to do this summer is to encourage the children in your life to read. For some of us, this can be difficult task. If kids only read for school, they might think of reading as trudging through a “classic” book or reading comprehension assignments. And they […]

New Picture Books in Rhyme Bring Family Fun to Your Storytime

Posted on May 4, 2022 at 6:00 am

Presenting storytimes again also gives me the perfect excuse to explore the new picture books added to our collection. Believe it or not, we’ve purchased over 650 picture books between January 2021 and April 2022. That’s a pretty hefty amount for one person to peruse! Here are eight new picture books that provide a great introduction to stories […]

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