I love sharing my favorite under-the-radar classic children's literature and these classic children's novels from the 1960s was a fun list to make for my ongoing series of the best books of the 20th century. The books cover a variety of genres and include authors from America and Europe. These 1960s classics also make great...
Classic Children's Books By The Decade: 1960s
Classic Children's Books By The Decade: 1950s
These classic 1950s children's novels will lead us into the second half of the twentieth century. Some of these 1950s books were favorite read alouds in our house. I've included a variety of genres, from fantasy to humor and realistic fiction, in addition to titles from both American and European authors, so there is something for...
Classic Children's Books By The Decade: 1940s
I found some wonderful classic children's books from the 1940s that kids and parents can still enjoy today. Let's take a look at a few, shall we? If you have been following my 20th century classic children's books by the decades lists then you know I have been bumping off the big name titles in...
Classic Children's Books By The Decade: 1930s
This book list of classic children's books from the 1930s includes a variety of genres. I've included realistic fiction, some historical fantasy, a bit of whimsy and more serious selections, even a more philosophical novel. Some of these 1930s books are particularly well-suited for read alouds. If you've been following my series, Classic Children's Books...
Classic Children's Books By The Decade: 1920s
For my next book list in the Classic Children's Books series we are headed into the Roaring Twenties! I love this collection of children's books from the 1920s and I think you may even find some books that are new to you! As with my previous classic book posts, this list is not meant to...
Classic Children's Books By The Decade: 1910s
Continuing on with my series on 20th Century Classic Children's Books we move now to the 1910s. I'm happy to report that this list has a few well-known favorites as well as several books I think will be new to you. As we move forward through the century I will continue to have a wider...
Classic Children's Books By The Decade: 1900s
Now that we have covered a few must-read kid books from the 19th Century, let's move on to more classic books from the 20th Century and start off with children's books from the early 1900s. I am showing my age a bit because I keep wanting to refer to the 20th century as "this century". It's...
19th C. Classic Children's Books You May Have Overlooked
Many parents want to read what they consider to be "Classic Children's Books." These 19th century children's books are certainly classic! It is rather difficult to make a list of 19th century books that you haven't heard of. After all, there are only so many 100+ year old books that are still worth reading to...
Sequences Dice Game: Easy and Fun!
I love adding classic dice games to our game playing repertoire! "Sequences," is a fun family-friendly dice game, also known as "Straight Shooter." It is great for groups and large families because any number of players can join in. Since it is a game of chance, no strategic skills are necessary, but children have the opportunity to practice...
Informational, Nonfiction Animal Books for Kids
Does your child love animals? Facts about the animal kingdom? Then this list of nonfiction animal books is for them! Nonfiction for kids is not always my scene but that is actually to your benefit since it takes a really good nonfiction book to keep me engaged! I looked long and hard through the library...
Best Toddler Books, or Books I'll Miss Reading
When kids are toddlers they tend to like the same books read to them over and over and over again. But that's great for their brains. Nevertheless, we parents may not exactly enjoy reading them repeatedly. Now that my kids are past the toddler stage, I can look back on some of the best toddler...
Seaside Bookmarks Coloring Page
Enhance your child's summer reading with these cheery printable seaside bookmarks from children's book author and illustrator, Melanie Hope Greenberg. Each bookmark features an ocean themed image to color. There are seashells, boats on the water, a whale and a surfboard waiting patiently by a coconut tree. It's impossible to pick a favorite, but if...
Game of the Month: Cat Crimes
I bet you love it when your children can sit down and play a quiet brainteaser or thinking game. You know that they are building their brains and keeping out of mischief at the same time! ThinkFun is one of my favorite go-to game resources because they have a huge repertoire of single player brainteasers...
Dreamy Starry Night Coloring Page
This month's new coloring page from author/illustrator Melanie Hope Greenberg will inspire your children to get outside at night, turn the telescope to the sky and check out the milky way. The dreamy coloring page features a house on a hill under the stars with a rocket ship, airplane and comets whizzing by. In the...
Non-Boring Poetry Books to Make You Love Poetry
Whenever I talk about poetry I hear a handful of comments along the lines of "I can't get into poetry," "I don't understand poetry," "I don't know how to read poetry," or the perennial, "Poetry is boring!" However, nothing could be farther from the truth! Poetry is indeed, exciting! In honor of National Poetry Month I...
Imaginative Fairy Tale Coloring Page
Do you kids love magical realms? What better way to celebrate that love than with fairy tales, rainbows and a hefty dose of imagination. For our monthly coloring page series, children's book author and illustrator, Melanie Hope Greenberg, has created, exclusively for you, this darling fairy tale coloring page complete with a princess in a...
Deliriously Sweet "Making a Valentine" Coloring Page
Do your kids make or buy their own valentines? This sweet coloring page featuring kids making their own valentines offers something in between! Artist Melanie Hope Greenberg has created five different valentine coloring pages for us now so your artistic children have lots of ideas to choose from. To get the valentine coloring page featured...
Splendid Chinese Folktales for Kids
With Chinese New Year rapidly approaching, this is a good time to read Chinese folktales with your kids. This list is part of our continuing book list series featuring global folktales. I know very little about Chinese mythology and I always enjoy delving into learning about other cultures with my kids. There is a significant...
Picture Book Biographies about African-American Women
Kids love to read books about real people who did extraordinary things. This list of picture book biographies featuring African-American women will inspire any child. Kids will learn more details about familiar faces and be introduced to new and amazing African-American women in both recent and distant history as well as learn about how these...
Christmas Kangaroo Gift Coloring Page
When you need to keep the kids busy over the holidays, give the gift of quiet time with a unique Christmas kangaroos coloring page Happy holidays! Today as part of our Christmas coloring page collection, Melanie Hope Greenberg has designed this sweet illustration of a pair of gift-giving kangaroos! If you think kangaroos are an...
Soup Kitchen Coloring Page
Thanksgiving is a time for taking stock of all the things for which we are grateful; it is also a time when many families perform service projects together, such as helping out at a soup kitchen. If community projects is always something you have wanted to do with your kids then anytime is a good...
Books about Generosity & Doing the Right Thing
There is no reason why a children's book HAS to be a tool for teaching kids important lessons but picture books that teach kids about doing the right thing and being generous to others can sure come in handy as conversation starters, or to reinforce real-life lessons. Please also consider the following companion book lists:...
30 Days of Diverse Books for Kindergarten and First Grade
We're back with the second list of 30 days of diverse picture books! Like the previous list of diverse books for preschoolers, this list is designed to give you and your children an entire month's worth of reading in one list. Although I have labeled this a list diverse books for kindergarten and first grade,...
Peace, Love & Kindness Bookmarks: A Coloring Page
Do you know I have a wee bit of a bookmark obsession? I am not, in general, a collector, but I loooooveee my bookmark collection. I've already printed and colored my own peace, love and kindness bookmarks. They are the latest edition to our monthly coloring page series, designed for us by children's book author...
How to Spend Dinnertime Without Asking "How Was Your Day?"
Picture the scene: You've had a long day. You're tired, the kids are cranky and you are all desperate to get some food in your bellies. You know you should use this family dinnertime as a way to connect with your kids, find out what's going on in their lives. Help them on the road...
Picture Books about Poverty, Homelessness and Hunger
Picture books are excellent teaching tools and these books teach children about poverty, homelessness and hunger. These books also attempt to bring to light and give voice to the economically marginalized, which includes millions of children who need to see themselves in books, too. These picture books about poverty show a spectrum of economic struggles...
Fight the Greed & Learn to Take Turns: Pig Dice Game
How have I gotten so far in my life without learning how to play the Pig dice game? Since discovering this simple dice game for two or more players the kids and I have added it to our dinner time game repertoire. (Yes, we like to play dice and card games during dinner - don't...
30 Days of Diverse Books for Preschoolers
Every child deserves to see themselves reflected in picture books, and every child deserves to see their neighborhood diversity in books, as well! I've put together this list of diverse books for preschoolers, which is great to either get you started or give you a new resource for your continued reading! I know you will...
Mermaid Statue of Liberty Coloring Page
If you've been following our monthly coloring page series for the last few years, you know that illustrator and author, Melanie Hope Greenberg, is our go-to mermaid gal and we have loads of mermaid-themed coloring pages. This month's mermaid statue coloring page celebrates Melanie's signature mythical creature as well as her home city! (Yes, yes,...
Best Early Chapter Book Series about Girls
Continuing with my book list series of early chapter books, today I'm featuring our favorite early chapter book series with girl protagonists. Note that I do not say: "early chapter books for girls." My 8 year old son has given the seal of approval to all of these books. Why should kids read series? I...
Science-Themed Early Chapter Books for Kids
Science themed early chapter books give kids a chance to read books that teach STEM topics like the scientific method, engineering and technology through fiction! In addition, if your child always has his nose in a non-fiction, fact-filled book and you're wondering how you can sneak in a little fiction, these early chapter books may...
Five Pointed Star: A Math Card Puzzle
Long time readers of this blog know that my kids love math and as a family we have enjoyed many an evening playing games, teasing out puzzles and solving brain teasers. Bethany of Math Geek Mama is here today to share something that combines all four topics into one stupendous activity: a math card puzzle...
If You Like This Classic Children's Book You'll Love This Diverse Book
Sadly, there is not a huge treasure trove of classic children's books with diverse characters. But fortunately, with the We Need Diverse Books movement, the number of quality chapter books featuring diverse protagonists from all walks of life is increasing. While there is still much progress to be made, it is becoming easier to find...
Sphero Edu: Creative STEAM Technology for Kids
I have a confession. Since my sons have such strict screen time limits (for my own sanity and theirs) I sometimes worry that they are missing out on educational opportunities that would help them learn real life skills like coding necessary for computer science. Sometimes it is a hard line to navigate but the key...
African Folktales: 16 Stunning Picture Books
This list of folktales from Africa is part of my series of book lists featuring folktales from around the world. Needless to say, Africa is a diverse continent, with no single culture and so just like Appalachian tales do not reflect stories from the Wild West, neither do Liberian folk stories reflect Egyptian culture. When sharing these...
Joyous Children Celebration Coloring Page
It's summer! Time to celebrate with a joyous, dancing, celebrating kids coloring page from children's book author and illustrator, Melanie Hope Greenberg. This free, printable coloring page feature children enjoying summer (or any time of year that suits you, really). It would be great to have a bunch of these on hand for a birthday...
Early Chapter Books Series with Boy Protagonists
First chapter books, or what I also like to call, "early chapter books" are books for kids ages 6-10. This is a tricky age to target because it is also the age when kids are first learning to read. So one 6 year old may be ready for chapter books, but his classmate may not...
Mermaid City Coloring Page
What says summer more than the beach and the ocean? Mermaids? Well that's how we do it in Brooklyn! This mermaid coloring page from Melanie Hope Greenberg celebrates the Coney Island Mermaid Parade which kicks off the summer every year in Brooklyn, New York. It's one of many mermaid coloring pages we offer (all for...
Picture Books About Art & Creativity
These picture books about art are designed to get kids to think artistically, to see art all around them and to inspire them to exercise their artistic creativity. Picture Books about Art The Book of Mistakes by Corinna Luyken. This book focuses on art, and how what a child might think is a mistake–a blob,...
Build Vocabulary with a Summer Word Jar (Plus Tips and Ideas)
Do you remember those vocab tests you took in middle and high school? The ones where you memorized tons of words and regurgitated them in multiple choice format? Did you actually learn vocabulary that way? Yeah, me neither. And why do you not remember any of those random vocab words? Because vocabulary is meaningless if...
