Happy World Read-aloud day! We wanted to share with you some resources for some great read alouds online.
You can enjoy story time videos from your friendly MPPL staff on the library’s youtube channel.
The World Read Aloud activity hub has a list of celebrity readers.
And author Kate Messner has a great video with lots of excellent authors reading from their work.
Don’t forget, you can also find lots of great read-aloud books in Hoopla and Overdrive! Check one out today!
Today is the first day of Black History Month! According to Britannica Library for Children:
The month of February is African American History Month, also known as Black History Month, in the United States. It was first celebrated in 1926 as Negro History Week. It was created to highlight the contributions Blacks have made to American history and culture. Within a few decades, the event had become an important part of African American life and had spread throughout the country. The United States government declared it a monthlong celebration in 1976.
You can learn more about Black history by researching in our online databases, or come into the library and check our display on Black History Month, which features just a handful of the materials we have about the achievements and history of Black Americans.
You might also enjoy checking out our Black Joy reading recommendations, featuring many #OwnVoices* authors.
*The term #OwnVoices was coined by the writer Corinne Duyvis, and refers to an author from a marginalized or under-represented group writing about their own experiences/from their own perspective, rather than someone from an outside perspective writing as a character from an underrepresented group. (thanks to Seattle Public Library for this concise definition.)
Look up information about Juneteenth using our databases Pebble GO, a database geared for beginning readers, World Book Student and Britannica Library Children .
Place a hold on Juneteenth by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson , which is also available as an ebook on overdrive
Place a hold on All different now by Angela Johnson
Place a hold on Juneteenth for Maize by Floyd Cooper, which is also available as a VOX book with built-in audio.
Video of Ms. Becca talking about three audiobooks for kids
Abraham Lincoln, Pro Wrestler by Steve Sheinkin
When Abraham Lincoln overhears school, kids say in history class that history is so boring he warns them not to do it again or they will not like what happens! In this time travelling novel Doc and Abby are transported to 1860 to help save history! This is a first book in the Time Twister Series, check out Abigail Adams, Pirate of the Caribbean next!
This book is available on Overdrive as an eaudio and ebook.
Slacker by Gordan Korman
When Cameron Boxer almost burns the house down because he was playing video games his parents give him an ultimatum. Join an activity or lose your video game system. Cameron decides to make a fake club at school. Cameron soon finds out how much work his new fake club is and learns maybe there is more to life than video games.
This book is available on Overdrive as an eaudio and ebook.
The Candy Caper by Tom Watson
Trouble at Table 5: The Candy Caper is the first book in this illustrated early chapter book series. Join Molly and her group of friends as they scheme to get into the Principal office to count how many candies are in the Principal’s candy jar.
In turbulent times, we realize it can be helpful to use literature as a way to discuss and explain difficult situations with your children. MPPL Youth Services staff have curated a collection of books and resources to assist you as you discuss events with the youngest members of your family.
Anti-racist Books for Families
Anti-racist Books for Pre-K-K
Anti-racist Books for grades 2-4
Anti-racist Books for Tweens (4th-6th grade)
You can place holds on these items for parking lot pick up, or many of them are also available from Hoopla, Overdrive/Libby, and RBdigital.
Hoopla collection of Audiobooks, “Talking to Kids About Race”
These resources have been vetted by library staff, however, since they are outside sites, we are not responsible for the content.
Children’s Books We Use to Teach Young Kids to be Anti-racist
How White Parents Can Use Media to Raise Anti-Racist Kids
RESOURCES FOR TALKING ABOUT RACE, RACISM AND RACIALIZED VIOLENCE WITH KIDS
Becoming Upended: Teaching and Learning about Race and Racism with Young Children and Their Families
Racial Equity Tools: Children, Families, and Youth Development
Your Kids Aren’t Too Young to Talk About Race: Resource Roundup
Anti-racism Resources for All Ages, curated by Dr. Nicole Cooke