From “a list of twenty supplies you need to survive middle school when you don’t have arms.” A sense of humor. I’m being very serious here – you’ve got to have one. Seriously. — Aven Green (Dusti Bowling, Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus, p. 255) For centuries philosophers have analyzed humor. … Read more
Since Stella Díaz Has Something to Say joined the Read to Them catalog of books in 2021, thousands of students across the country have shared this special book for their school-wide reading program, and the feedback from schools has been overwhelming. Students, teachers, and families all fall in love with sweet Stella as they root … Read more
This month at the Lamp-Post, we talk about the role of humor in children’s literature with the always funny Betsy Bird. Betsy is a Renaissance woman in the world of children’s literature – a librarian, author, blogger, and podcast host, and we are quite sure she has read almost everything published for children…ever. She edited … Read more
I taught preschool from 2003 until 2019. In that time, “screen time” went from watching Sesame Street DVDs while parents were making dinner to iPads in the laps of toddlers in grocery store buggies. Endless rounds of The Wheels on the Bus in the carpool line were replaced by – well, I quite frankly have … Read more
Spend time with the amazing Mom in your life by reading aloud together this Mother’s Day. To get you started, Read to Them has culled a list of six titles with unforgettable Moms, Grandmas, and even some not-so-conventional maternal figures, too. Check them out below: Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña … Read more
Since 1919, Children’s Book Week has endeavored to celebrate and bolster books for younger audiences. It’s the longest-running literacy initiative in the United States, and you can participate on an individual, small group, or even community-wide level. Be sure to check your local libraries and bookstores to see if there are any in-person events in … Read more
