During most of the year, chlorophyll causes tree leaves to be green. But in the fall, as the days get shorter and the nights cooler, chlorophyll breaks down, unveiling pumpkin orange and golden yellow pigments that were hidden during the spring and summer months. At the same time, sugars get trapped in the leaves, producing new pigments, called anthocyanins, that give certain trees, like burgundy maples and dogwoods, their brilliant red and purple leaves. Celebrate the fall season in 2023 with some of these interesting stories featuring trees! Read More

Fall into reading with Jazzy’s Fall Bookshelf for 2023! Read More

Since 1938, the Caldecott Medal has been awarded every year by the American Library Association to the “artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.” Hot Dog, written and illustrated by Doug Salati, was the Caldecott winner in 2023. The Caldecott Medal is named for English illustrator Randolph Caldecott (1846-1886). Caldecott is credited with originating the modern picture book by using his colorful illustrations to help tell the story rather than simply reflect the written words. Created by Rene Paul Chambellan in 1937, the bronze medal’s design is based on one of Randolph Caldecott's illustrations for The Diverting History of John Gilpin. It features the image of a man riding a runaway horse surrounded by geese, dogs and children. To celebrate Picture Book Month in 2023, enjoy some of these gorgeous nonfiction picture books chosen by John Schu and Colby Sharp for their 2024 Mock Caldecott List (!), illustrated by Carin Berger, Sophie Blackall, Aaron Becker, Lauren Castillo, Cátia Chien, Mathew Cordell, Dare Coulter, Michaela Goade, Vashti Harrison, Claire Keane, Jon Klassen, Jessica Lanan, Grace Lin, Steph Littlebird, Barbara McClintock, Daniel Miyares, Oge Mora, Brian Pinkney, Jerry Pinkney, Jarrett Pumphrey, Jerome Pumphrey, Katherine Roy, and Gracey Zhang. Read More

In honor of Picture Book Month 2023, enjoy these beautiful picture books by illustrators Hatem Aly, Cozbi A. Cabrera, Jared Chapman, Bryan Collier, Cori Doerrfeld, Julie Flett, Raissa Figueroa, Abigail Halpin, Eliza Kinkz, Khoa Le, Huynh Kim Liên, Marc Majewski, Marc Martin, Erika Meza, Phùng Nguyên Quang, Hannah Salyer, Lane Smith, Nikkolas Smith, Melissa Sweet, Corey R. Tabor, Kitt Thomas, Evan Turk, Mies Van Hout, Anne Wilson, and Jack Wong. Read More

Ribbon skirts are worn today not only as a symbol of cultural significance, but also as a beautiful fashion statement. While they mean different things to different Indigenous communities, ribbon skirts are broadly considered to symbolize culture and kinship, identity and resilience. In 2021, Deb Haaland wore a ribbon skirt when she was sworn in as the first Native American cabinet secretary of the Department of the Interior. In What Your Ribbon Skirt Means to Me: Deb Haaland’s Historic Inauguration written by Alexis Bunten (Aleut/Yup’ik) and illustrated by Nicole Neidhardt (Diné (Navajo) of the Kiiyaa'áanii Clan), we learn that the colors of the ribbons adorning Secretary Haaland’s skirt each had a special meaning – the red ribbon represented strawberries, the orange represented fire, yellow was for the sun, green was for grass, blue was for water and violet was for shells. To celebrate Native American Heritage Month in 2023, you can learn more about ribbon skirts, and other traditions and experiences of Indigenous Americans, through the books below: Read More

Celebrate Native American Heritage Month in 2023 by checking out the books on Jazzy’s new bookshelf! Read More