Having a positive attitude doesn't come easily to everyone, and in difficult times, even a child with a naturally optimistic outlook can falter. We can help kids cultivate positive thinking skills in two important ways. One, by being good role models and two, by reading picture books that will start conversations about what it means...
Books that Inspire Kids to Have a Positive Attitude
Indoor Snow Play: A Winter Sensory Activity for Kids
When it's cold outside, indoor snow activities are a fun way to enjoy winter with the kids without getting frozen toes. One morning the kids woke up to a snowy winter wonderland, eager to pop on their boots and get outside. The problem? It was 5 am. The solution? Indoor snow play! We've had several...
Favorite Newbery Award and Honor Books
The John Newbery Medal for excellence in children's literature was first awarded in 1922. Every year since 1922, the American Library Association has announced a single winner and several honor books. In honor of the 100 year anniversary of the Newbery, I'm sharing my favorite Newbery Award books. I allowed myself to choose from past...
28 Winter Activities for Kids (Free Printable Checklist!)
Here are some fun winter activities that kids can do on cold days! These indoor and outdoor winter activities include winter crafts, art ideas, winter nature activities, snow play and even winter-themed pretend play ideas! When your kids are stuck inside and getting cabin fever, heat up some cocoa and pick one of the indoor...
10 Children's Books about Standing Up for Others
Teaching your kids to stand up for themselves is important, and it's just as crucial that they learn how to use their voices to stand up for others. When kids become "upstanders" they can be a force for good, whether it's standing up to bullies or speaking up in support of justice. It can be...
Buck Dice Game: How to Play
When a group of kids of varying ages and skills get together to play a game, sometimes the best choice is a game of pure luck. Buck Dice is a simple game that uses three dice and can be played by any number of players. It requires zero skill because winners and losers are determined...
21st Century Books with Old-Fashioned Flair
You love classic children's books for their veneer of a "simple life" and "old-fashioned," tech-free adventures. But you've read all those books and are looking for something new. Enter these 21st century books with old-fashioned flair! These are books that whisk you away on an adventure and introduce you to dynamic characters who take on...
Gingerbread House Coloring Page with Finger Puppets
Along with decorating a cookie and icing gingerbread house, children will love this gingerbread house coloring page with gingerbread people finger puppets! This printable pretend play set, created exclusively for us by author and illustrator, Melanie Hope Greenberg, is perfect for a winter holiday break boredom buster or snow day activity. How to Make the...
Books and Other Reading Material for Reluctant Readers
There are many reasons why some kids don't love to read. Perhaps they've had too many reading assignments forced on them and as a result think books are boring. Some struggling readers have trouble sitting still and prefer to be doing something physical! Perhaps check lists and reading logs have turned reading into a chore....
Easy Swedish Tomten Garland
It's true. I am enamored with all things Swedish and now I am completely obsessed with our Christmas tomten garland. We love the funny, grouchy tomte character who makes frequent appearances this time of year. He is not, as some might describe, the "Swedish Santa Claus." He is actually a gnome-like creature who is the...
Popular and Traditional Scandinavian Folktales for Kids
Take an armchair trip to the land of the midnight sun with these splendidly entertaining Scandinavian folktales and folklore! These traditional stories from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Finland, and yes, even Greenland, will tickle your funny bone, make you gasp, and teach you how to outwit a troll. Note: this post contains affiliate links that...
Sierpinski Fractal Triangle: Holiday Math Art for Kids
Welcome to the most awesome math art holiday project you can imagine! Make a Christmas tree out of a Sierpinski triangle fractal. This Christmas math art project is a great STEAM activity for kids to do at home, but also in the classroom, where kids working together can construct a huge fractal tree. For the...
Books for Advanced Young Readers
It can be quite the challenge to find appropriate books for very young readers who are capable of reading books well above their grade level. What makes it more difficult is that the specific requirements for an "advanced reader" is different for every child! This list of books for advanced young readers is designed for...
17 Spellbinding Books Like Harry Potter
Harry Potter is well known as one of those books that makes reluctant readers not so reluctant after all. When kids turn the final page of Harry Potter, they may even want to pick up another adventure about characters discovering magic, magical trains, mythical beasts and boarding schools. On this book list you will find not only...
Magical Books for Kids Not Ready for Harry Potter
Is your child eager to read the Harry Potter series, but is not yet ready for some of the darker elements, especially in the later books? Fortunately, there are many wonderful books for kids who are not yet ready for Harry Potter! Harry Potter is 11 when he first goes to Hogwarts, and when he...
Thanksgiving Puzzles, Rebuses and Riddles
When you're gathered around the Thanksgiving table and need an ice breaker, get the laughs going with these Thanksgiving puzzles, riddles and rebuses. Picture the scene. It's Thanksgiving, you didn't burn the turkey, the cranberries are wiggling in all their gelatinous glory, and the rolls are only slightly burnt on the edges. Everyone sits down,...
10 Problem Solving Games for Kids
Playing board games is one of the best ways to spend time with your children. Why? Board games offer ample ways for kids to build their brains. Not only does playing games with your children improve family relationships and give opportunities for caring adults to help nurture good sportsmanship but the best games build kids'...
Best Middle Grade Books of 2021
Every year, it's fun to look back at all the wonderful new books that were published. This year we can be thankful for the bounty of wonderful titles that enhanced our children's reading lives. Putting together this list of the best middle grade books of 2021 was not easy, as there were so many quality...
Cute Thanksgiving Place Cards for Kids to Help Decorate
Is making your own Thanksgiving place cards a tradition for your family? If not, use these free, printable Thanksgiving place cards designed by children's book illustrator and author, Melanie Hope Greenberg and everyone will know their place at the table! They are quick to make and once you've printed them out from the computer (easy-peasy!),...
Gifts for Families with Too Much Stuff
When you don't know what to give as a gift, it's good to remember that experiences make more meaningful and memorable gifts than material stuff. Stuff clutters your physical and mental space. On the other hand, experiences, especially ones with people we care about, contribute to a more meaningful sense of identity and improved social...
Clever Middle Grade Mystery Books
The best way to get a middle schooler to finish a book is to give them one they can't put down until they know the ending! They need a book that is exciting, suspenseful and includes lots of twists and turns. These middle grade mystery books are just the thing! Your middle grade reader, (ages...
Top 12 Family Games for All Ages and Abilities
Don't let the fact that your family has children of different ages and skill levels stop you from having a successful family game night! Try one of these top family games for all ages. Amazingly, these games work for children, but aren't boring for adults. (Although, let's be honest, everyone's definition of "boring" is not...
Best Graphic Novels of the Year - 2021
Talented authors and illustrators keep creating new and wonderful graphic novels for kids. If it's hard for you to keep up with the latest and greatest, this list of the best graphic novels of 2021 will help. If you're looking for a specific type of graphic novel published in 2021, you can skip ahead to...
Unique Star Wars Gifts for Kids
The Force is strong with Star Wars fans so you'll want to make sure to choose a Star Wars gift that they'll really love and won't get bored with! We've searched are the absolute coolest Star Wars gifts for kids who love the original movies, and new Star Wars TV shows like The Mandalorian, Rebels...
Train Gifts for Kids: Books, Toys and Games!
If your child loves trains you are probably searching for the perfect train gift! However, it can be hard to search through all the toy trains, books and train-themed toys that line store shelves. That's why we've scoured all the train gift ideas to pick out a few select items so you won't feel overwhelmed...
Best Gifts for Kids Who Love Math
Believe it or not, some of the best gifts are toys and games that nurture a love of math. For kids who already love math these gifts are a treat. However, for kids who haven't yet found joy in math, the right game or activity has the potential to encourage them to think about the...
Top STEM Toys with Books to Match
When you want to encourage your kids' growth mindset, there is no better choice than a STEM-based learning toy. STEM (STEM stands for Science-Technology-Engineering-Math) toys not only have have imaginative and educational value, but kids will continue to play with them long after the wrapping paper has been recycled. This list of STEM gifts will...
Suspenseful Books Like The Giver
If you were captivated by Lois Lowry's 1993 classic, The Giver and are looking for what to read next, look no further! The Giver, set in a false utopia, requires readers to contemplate community structure, government authority, as well as complex ethical questions and moral values. These recommended books are not all dystopian fiction, but...
Hi Lo Flip: Game of the Month
Hi Lo Flip from Gamewright is a fun, fast-paced card game that is easy to learn and requires no special skills, making it great for family game night, or for kids to play with friends. As with all our Game of the Month features, read on for information on how to play, tips for playing...
Halloween Books about Self-Esteem (Social-Emotional Learning)
It's easy to find Halloween picture books in the library. Just head to the holiday book section and search for the orange pumpkin stickers. While reading, you might notice an interesting pattern. Many of the best Halloween books have theme in common–self-esteem and learning to love one's own identity! Halloween books about learning to accept...
Library Bookmarks with a Circus Theme!
Will the right bookmark help kids remember to return their books to the library? It can't hurt to try! These free, printable, eye-catching circus themed library bookmarks coloring page feature fun messages that aim to do just that. Children's book illustrator and author, and library patron, Melanie Hope Greenberg, has been bringing readers a year...
Easy Science: Surface Tension Water Drop Races
Science experiments don't need to be complicated! A water drop race is a simple science project is a great was to pass the time when you need a quick distraction for your kids. It can be part of an in-depth classroom exploration into the concept of surface tension and molecule cohesion. What is Surface Tension?...
Books Like Little Women That Modern Kids Will Love
At some point, you've probably wondered, "Are there books like Little Women that modern kids will like, too?" Perhaps your children have seen one of the cinematic versions of Little Women, or maybe you've read aloud Louisa May Alcott's classic book to your family. No matter how your kids have come into contact with the...
Halloween Brain Teasers for Kids: Rebuses and Riddles
Move aside "trick-or-treat," Halloween brain teasers are a trick-and-a-treat! These Halloween themed riddles and rebuses won't spook your kids, but they will make them laugh. The rebus puzzles will stretch their brains and make them think, putting their language and visual skills to the test. The riddles work on word play and puns. Who knew...
Kids Bath Activity: Ice Fishing
Would you like a kids bath activity that: A. Helps motivate reluctant bathers to get in the bathtub; B. Reinforces literacy concepts in a surprising way; and C. Reveals a basic science concept to young children. Well, you've come to the right place! This bath time "ice fishing" activity does all three! From personal experience...
Autumn Poems for Kids and Families
O Autumn! When red and gold drift on the wind! Okay, I'll stop there because autumn is the perfect time of year to enjoy good autumn poems by actual poets. By now, you've heard that reading poetry has unmatched benefits for kids and families. Studies show poetry has a dramatic effect on the brain. It...
Four Seasons Tree Bookmarks Coloring Page
There is something magical about the changing of the seasons so add extra magic to your child's reading with these four seasons bookmarks! This coloring page includes four bookmarks, each featuring a tree in seasonal splendor. There's spring, summer, fall and winter. Children's book author and illustrator, Melanie Hope Greenberg has been creating some dynamite...
Design Your Own Park Coloring Page
Do coloring pages promote imagination or stifle it? Some might argue that giving a child a coloring page to work on inhibits artistic expression, but that all depends on how you use them. This month's park coloring page is designed to spark your child's imagination! Children's book author and illustrator, Melanie Hope Greenberg has created...
Best Games for Preschooers, Ages 3, 4, 5 and 6
Do you need some alternatives to Candy Land and Chutes and Ladders? Sure, there's nothing wrong with those classic games for preschoolers, but sometimes you want a change, am I right? A few games to make family game night a bit more interesting? Here are some of the best games for ages 3-6, including logic...
Mythology-Inspired Books for Kids Ages 7-13
If your tweens love stories of adventure and magic, then these middle grade novels inspired by mythology from around the world will get them hooked on reading. The enduring appeal of myths means many kids go through a phase where they read as much Greek mythology as they can find; often then they move on...
