Scarecrows have been used by farmers to protect their crops for thousands of years. Europeans who emigrated to the US during the 18th century brought their custom of making scarecrows that resembled humans. They dressed their scarecrows in worn-out pants, shirts and coats, placed old hats on heads stuffed with straw, and tied red handkerchiefs around their necks. They called these scarecrows bootzamon or bogeyman. While today’s farmers no longer rely on scarecrows to protect their crops, the scarecrow has become a symbol of the fall harvest season. Celebrate the season with some of these fun stories featuring scarecrows: Read More

In honor of Picture Book Month, enjoy these beautiful picture books by illustrators Leuyen Pham, Dung Ho, Jon Klassen, Guojing, Peter Brown, Aram Kim, Josh Morgan, Jerry Pinkney, Ross Burach, E.B. Goodale, Amber Ren, Micah Player, Jay Fleck, Nabi H. Ali, and Jason Chin. 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.” We Are Water Protectors, illustrated by Michaela Goade and written by Carole Lindstrom, was the Caldecott winner in 2021. The entire Caldecott collection can be found here. 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, enjoy some of these gorgeous nonfiction picture books illustrated by Christian Robinson, Josh Cochran, Shane W. Evans, Floyd Cooper, Peter Sís, Yuval Zommer, Sylvia Long, Frané Lessac, Evan Turk, Luisa Uribe, Teresa Martinez, Kadir Nelson, Marta Álvarez Miguéns, Chris Sasaki, and Sarah S. Brannen.  Read More

A community is where we come together to work, play, and get to know each other. It is a vibrant environment filled with the love and complexity that is our humanity. We share tender moments with those we love and those moments spill into our streets as we call for justice and peace. As we work together, we use our individual stories to build a stronger community where we are rooted in love, joy, and laughter. Please enjoy a special discount of 15% off the titles of your choice using the code Edgar15. Read More

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

The Navajo People, or Diné, welcome a baby into their community by celebrating the baby’s first laugh. As part of the celebration, the baby often receives a special gift of turquoise, and the meal might include rock salt, symbolizing a connection with the earth. Who gets to host this celebration? The person who first made the baby laugh!  You can read more about the Navajo People’s first laugh celebration, and the traditions and experiences of other Indigenous Americans, in the books below.  Read More

Get into the Halloween spirit by checking out Jazzy’s latest bookshelf! Read More

Each year, lots of families carve jack-o’-lanterns to celebrate Halloween. But did you know that the first jack-o’-lanterns were carved from turnips, not pumpkins? In Ireland and Scotland people hollowed out turnips and gave them creepy faces to celebrate the feast of All Hallows’ Eve. Many years later, when immigrants from the UK arrived in North America, they discovered that the native pumpkin made a much better jack-o’-lantern, because it was larger and softer than a turnip.  Trick-or-treating would look quite different today, without those familiar orange faces glowing in the dark! Here are some wonderful, Halloween-themed books that will help get you ready to trick or treat: Read More

Below are some of Franki Sibberson's favorite titles for children in pre-school, pre-k and kindergarten. Please enjoy a special discount of 20% off the titles of your choice using the code Franki20. Read More

Here are some great books to celebrate National Cat Day on October 29, 2021! Read More