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TAG: books

Homemade apothecary: DIY beauty products

Posted in Explore and Discover on January 20, 2021 at 6:00 am

By Crystal Miller If the winter cold and extra hand washing have made your hands slightly (or very!) dry like mine, I offer you the idea of handmade lotion bars. Instead of grabbing hand lotion at the store, you can make these lotion bars with help from our digital resource Creativebug. By making your own […]

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Kids share their favorite books: Winter break edition

Posted in kids on December 22, 2020 at 6:00 am

By Rachel Edmondson When I was in school, one of my favorite things about winter break was that I didn’t have to read books assigned for class because that meant I had time to read books I picked myself! Studies have shown that kids are more motivated to read when they are allowed to pick […]

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Escape screen time this winter

Posted in Explore and Discover on November 25, 2020 at 6:00 am

BY MELISSA RHOADES Several excellent virtual library programs are happening this winter, and we hope to see you at them! We also hope you’re taking breaks from screen time—especially if you’re one of the many people currently working, socializing, and playing virtually these days. Screen time is any time spent in front of a television, […]

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Trick-or-treat alternatives for an enjoyable celebration

Posted in Explore and Discover on October 21, 2020 at 6:00 am

By Alison Johnson I really love Halloween. Thinking up the perfect costume is fun, and then there is the excuse to indulge in sweets! You may be wondering, as am I, how we can still have a fun Halloween celebration with the restrictions we face right now. Many of us may err on the side […]

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Yoga and mindfulness for stressed and anxious kids

Posted in kids, Parents and Teachers 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 […]

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1000 Books Before Kindergarten Program Fosters Early Literacy Skills

Posted in News, Parents and Teachers 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. […]

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15 trivia questions for Banned Books Week

Posted in Explore and Discover on September 23, 2020 at 6:00 am

BY ABRA COLE Banned Books Week is next week, September 27–October 3. So, usually at this time of year, I would be working on a banned books display for the Teens section at the Spokane Valley Library. It is one of my most favorite displays to put together, not just because it is such an […]

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Books & cocktail mixes: Find your perfect pairing

Posted in Explore and Discover on August 14, 2020 at 6:00 am

By Melissa Rhoades Recently, The New York Times published an article declaring the return of cocktail hour. I, for one, am celebrating. Mixed drinks can be enjoyed with or without a buzz. Those who choose to not imbibe alcohol can still find plenty to get shaken and stirred about. I’ve noted books that include non-alcoholic […]

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Kid-picked books for your summer reading list

Posted in kids on July 15, 2020 at 6:00 am

By Rachel Edmondson We all know how important it is for kids to keep reading throughout the summer, but sometimes it can be hard to convince kids to pick up a book. I’ve found that kids are more motivated to read a book when it’s recommended to them by a friend. Think of it as […]

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Finding out more about racial justice

Posted in Explore and Discover on June 25, 2020 at 6:00 am

By Melissa Rhoades In recent weeks, people all over the country have participated in Black Lives Matter protests to honor the life of George Floyd and work towards systemic change. For adults wanting to know or learn more about the issue, you can find many resources in the library’s Digital Library. Our librarians have curated […]

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